S.E.X. Review~ Novak by RJ Scott

He's a psychopath trained to destroy. Now he’s found someone he’ll break the world for.

Novak can't do attachment. He calculates, controls, eliminates threats, and keeps everything exactly where it belongs.

Until Caleb.

With the hacker who hates him, every instinct tells him to protect, contain, and eliminate anything that gets too close. Novak knows exactly what that makes him. He doesn’t just want Caleb. He’s already decided Caleb is his.

Finding two children before a fire destroys the evidence is one thing—but when Caleb follows the data, they uncover a trafficking pipeline buried beneath religion—victims catalogued, collared, controlled, and sold through a network so clean it disappears across state lines.

Novak has seen this before. Lived it. Survived it.

With less than twenty-four hours before a shipment disappears into the network, Caleb and Novak have a choice—wait for backup, which will take too long, or go in alone, take down the compound, and get the kids out before the system resets. With no guarantee they make it out alive.

Novak is a dark MM romantic suspense featuring high-stakes survival, forced proximity, obsession, and a psychopath who doesn’t feel fear—but does feel ownership. Expect violence, razor-edged loyalty, “touch him and die” protection, and a love that doesn’t offer escape—only survival.

Never in my wildest dreams would I think I’d be cheering for a psychopath! They’re ruthless killers with no regard for anyone else, right? Well thank you Ms Scott for changing my mind and delivering a new perspective on someone we should all despise.

Novak was part of the Redcars network through Doc- the resident medical fixer. Novak cleans up. And does it very well. But what took him for a loop was Caleb. Obsessed, watchful, calculative, Novak came to care for the hacker even if he doesn’t understand his own ‘emotions’. While Caleb found him strange and weird, he eventually came to understand Novak’s obsessive nature towards him was his love language. Once Caleb saw him for the man who would protect him and the abused children of the world, his heart softened and their relationship ensued.

This series contains grit and determination in a world where evil roams and turns up at every turn. Ms Scott delivered passion and intrigue in each character including their flaws. Should I admire this character and want him to receive his HEA? Probably not. But do I? Absolutely!

Definite S.E.X.

A five handcuff review

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2026 ©Evelise Archer All rights reserved. This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, locations, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination, or have been used fictionally. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, locales, or events is entirely coincidental. No portion of this work may be transmitted or reproduced in any form, or by any means, without permission in writing from the author.

S.E.X. Review~ Fly by RJ Scott & VL Locey

A legacy he never chose. A love he never expected.

Jari Lankinen never asked to inherit his father’s sins, but the name alone is enough to poison every room he walks into. The Railers haven’t forgotten the brutal hit Aarni Lankinen delivered to Tennant Rowe, and they sure as hell don’t want his son wearing their jersey. Jari is a gifted forward with the skill to change games, but his last name makes him a target before he even skates his first shift. Earning respect means pushing through hostility and suspicion, fighting every day to prove he isn’t his father. To the fans, he’s the son of a villain. To his teammates, he’s a reminder of the past. To himself, he’s a man trapped in a shadow he can’t escape.

A steady force in the high-pressure world of professional baseball, Cameron Blackburn has built his career on focus, discipline, and staying level-headed when others lose theirs. He isn’t flashy, but he’s respected, trusted, and known for bringing balance to every team he’s played on. When their paths cross at a shared training facility, Cam is drawn to Jari’s restless energy—the fight in every move, the loneliness in his silence, the way he carries his past like armor. Where others feel only wariness at Jari’s name, Cam sees someone worth knowing, worth trusting, worth holding onto. And while opening his heart to Jari may test the limits of his own control, Cam has never been afraid to stand firm when the storm comes.

Fly is a legacy, redemption, and opposites-attract romance set against the backdrop of professional sport. Featuring a hockey forward fighting to escape his father’s shadow, a disciplined baseball player who refuses to be shaken, the clash of storm and calm, and a love that proves sometimes the biggest risks are the ones worth taking.

I enjoyed Fly by authors Scott & Locey. I looked forward to Jani’s story and pairing him with a baseball start as opposed to another hockey player was a good choice for this young man. A man who lived in the notorious light of his father; hated hockey player Aarni Lankinen.

The story depicted a lot of emotion, albeit slightly all of the place, and at times the up and down of the roller coaster took me out of the story. The slow burn between the main characters was a nice touch and the love grew at a steady pace.

Overall, I enjoyed Fly and am a fan of the series.

A four star review

Sexy & Sizzling

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2026 ©Evelise Archer All rights reserved. This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, locations, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination, or have been used fictionally. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, locales, or events is entirely coincidental. No portion of this work may be transmitted or reproduced in any form, or by any means, without permission in writing from the author.

S.E.X. Review~ Doc by RJ Scott

Raised in hell. Remade in blood. Levi is a mercy that he won’t survive.

Doc has lived his whole life in the shadows, using sharp skills and colder instincts to keep his sister and her kids safe. He fixes problems no one talks about, navigates dangerous circles without leaving a trace, and has learned that survival means staying hidden, staying in control, and never letting anyone close enough to see the cracks.

Detective Levi Rosen is the exception he never planned for.

Levi should walk away the moment he realizes Doc is tied to a world of underground violence, organ traffickers, and buried bodies. Instead, he finds himself drawn to the man behind the mask—the quiet precision, the impossible loyalty, and fear buried so deep it barely shows.

Together, they’re forced to navigate a violent network, shifting loyalties, and a past that’s been hunting Doc since he was a boy. And Levi has to decide how far he’s willing to go for a man who doesn’t believe he deserves to be saved.

Doc is a dark, emotional MM romantic suspense about trauma, obsession, forced proximity, morally grey choices, found family, and choosing someone even when the world keeps trying to take them away. This is Book 4 in the Redcars series and should be read in order.

Doc, by RJ Scott was a tumultuous story of survival, instinct, and eventually love. Part of the Redcars series, Doc was probably the most heartfelt and heart wrenching of the books. Born out of necessity to keep his family safe, Doc (Alejandro) was a product of the violent environment he grew up in.

Levi, a cop with a tarnished past, not of his own doing, blurred the lines as a member of The Cave. Together with the characters from previous books, and new important ones, Doc was a roller coaster ride.

Violence was an integral part of the story but romance too. Not the in-your-face kind, but the slow burn of two people who danced around each other, with the hope that something would feel real. Ms Scott delivered everything gritty and suspenseful; characters, storylines, and tainted HEA’s. Everything you could want in a book, but maybe not for all.

Watch for any trigger warnings given by the author, as Ms Scott delivered them with tenacity.

Definite S.E.X.

A five handcuff review

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2026 ©Evelise Archer All rights reserved. This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, locations, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination, or have been used fictionally. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, locales, or events is entirely coincidental. No portion of this work may be transmitted or reproduced in any form, or by any means, without permission in writing from the author.

S.E.X. Review~The Magic of Midnight by RJ Scott

In the small town of Wishing Tree, Vermont, Wesley has broken free from the golden cage of his wealthy family’s expectations. Now, he’s hiding away in his beloved bookstore, a cozy haven filled with stories that warm the soul. But his greatest joy? Showing the grumpy coffee shop owner next door that life doesn’t have to be so serious—especially at Christmas.

Hunter never planned to trade lectures on history for steaming lattes and frothy cappuccinos. But when a sudden twist of fate lands him in Vermont, running a coffee shop he inherited, he buries himself in the daily grind, determined to avoid messy emotions—and the annoyingly cheerful bookstore owner who seems intent on dragging him out of his shell.

Wesley’s relentless charm and holiday spirit clash with Hunter’s stubborn pragmatism, sparking irritation, banter, and undeniable chemistry. Underneath the tension, stolen kisses and quiet moments reveal a connection that feels like the season’s magic.

But just as their love begins to bloom, a twist of fate threatens to pull them apart. With Christmas fast approaching, can Wesley and Hunter overcome the odds and find their happily ever after? Or will their story end before the final snowflake falls?

I was so glad I decided to reread the first two books in The Wishing Tree series before reading and reviewing The Magic of Midnight. What a beautiful series and a beautiful book. I adored the grumpy/happy trope within the magic of Wishing Tree, Vermont. Wesley and Hunter were perfect for each other even if I had to read a few pages for them to figure it out.

Ms Scott delivered a sweet yet not too sappy Christmas story that left a smile on my face and my heart. I also appreciated that realistic expectations were formulated by each character, and they found a way to bring it all together and make it work. The thought of the beautiful town were people accept and wishes come true was just the dose needed as we approach the holiday season.

Definite S.E.X.

A five handcuff review

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2025 ©Evelise Archer All rights reserved. This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, locations, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination, or have been used fictionally. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, locales, or events is entirely coincidental. No portion of this work may be transmitted or reproduced in any form, or by any means, without permission in writing from the author.

S.E.X. Review~ Rough Draft by RJ Scott & V.L. Locey

Success isn’t measured in goals or stats; it’s a rough draft waiting to be rewritten.

Walker Hannan was supposed to be the next big thing in the NHL. But instead of carving out a legendary career, he's been sent down to the minors to fix his game—and his attitude. The rink used to be his sanctuary, but now it feels like his prison. Angry, frustrated, and desperate to claw his way back, the last thing Walker needs is a distraction.

Enter Finn Carter—elementary school art teacher, eternal optimist, and the human equivalent of sunshine. With his paint-stained hands and infectious smile, Finn is everything Walker isn’ open, warm, and willing to see the beauty in the mess. He knows life isn’t about perfection—it’s about expression. And somehow, against all odds, he starts to chip away at the walls Walker has spent years building.

But just when Walker begins to believe there’s more to life than hockey, he gets the call he’s been waiting for—his shot at the NHL, his second chance.

Now, with his career on the line and his heart tangled in something real, Walker has to Can he fight for his place on the ice without losing the one person who taught him how to live beyond it?

Rough Draft is a heartfelt opposites-attract, grumpy/sunshine, MM hockey romance about love, ambition, and finding a home where you least expect it.

The Games We Play - Season 2 is the second season of this multi-author minor league hockey romance series! All titles run concurrently through the same hockey season and the books can be read in any order, so jump in anywhere!

Rough Draft by Scott and Locey was part of a multi author hockey series, The Games We Play Season 2. Angst, humor, and love all found its way into the book.

Walker was a hockey player sent down due to anger issues, told to work on his life both on and out of the rink. Finn was an art teacher who led an interesting group of hockey players who needed to find an inner calmness and learn to deal with their issues.

Walker and Finn were attracted to each other from the start but walked a thin line. Their chemistry radiated throughout and once they acknowledged their attraction, things moved progressively fast.

Scott and Locey wrote about sensitive topics without sugar coating anything. They also infused humor into each character while taking nothing away from their personalities. I always enjoy the pairing of the two authors as their synergy is as seamless as their characters.

Sexy & Sizzling

A four handcuff review

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2025 ©Evelise Archer All rights reserved. This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, locations, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination, or have been used fictionally. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, locales, or events is entirely coincidental. No portion of this work may be transmitted or reproduced in any form, or by any means, without permission in writing from the author.

S.E.X. Review~ Rio by RJ Scott

Hunted by killers. Protected by a monster.

Lyric Thornwood is on the run, his name stamped on a kill order flooding the dark web. Someone inside the system wants him erased—and Marcus Kessler, the billionaire who twisted Lyric’s stolen code into the murderous AI LyricNight, is hunting him like prey.

Desperate and alone, Lyric follows a ghost contact to a rundown LA garage. What he finds there isn’t safety—it’s Rio Villareal. Rio doesn’t care about code, firewalls, or ghost signals. He knows fists, loyalty, and the kind of violence that keeps his found family alive. When Lyric crashes into his world, Rio should walk away. Instead, he claims the stranger as his responsibility—and maybe something more.

Rio is a dark, explosive story of found family and recovery scarred by violence. With a hunted hacker, a fighter built for blood, and an AI hell-bent on revenge, survival comes at a cost—and only obsession might be enough to keep them alive.

This reader absolutely enjoyed Rio, Redcars 3 by RJ Scott. Rio was a larger than life and protective character in the first two books; one who piqued my interest and did not disappoint.

A fighter, not necessarily by choice or nature, Rio and his friends became involved further into the underbelly of trafficking and murder when Lyric, a man from Jamie’s past showed up at Redcars, nearly dead and in need of help.

The overall arc of the three stories is well developed and well written. Ms Scott took careful planning and engaged the reader in all characters from the first book and throughout.

As much as these characters are morally grey, I cannot help but feel for them and cheer for them to succeed in their mission of survival.

Getting a better understanding of Rio only endeared me to him more than I originally thought. He and Lyric walked a thin line of trust and eventually love which brough out a softer side to Rio towards the end of the book.

A series worth reading, Ms Scott’s venture into the darker side has sure hit the mark

Definite S.E.X.

A five handcuff review

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2025 ©Evelise Archer All rights reserved. This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, locations, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination, or have been used fictionally. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, locales, or events is entirely coincidental. No portion of this work may be transmitted or reproduced in any form, or by any means, without permission in writing from the author.

S.E.X. Review~ Blitz by Scott & Locey

Cole “Trick” Harrington III has made a career out of pretending he doesn’t care. Not about his past, his name, or the father who built a megachurch empire off judgment and control. Trick torched every bridge back to Atlanta, deliberately wrecked his career, and buried his truth so deep even he started to forget it. Now traded to the Harrisburg Railers, he's skating on thin ice, with a reputation for arrogance and a career teetering on the edge. The last thing he needs is a PR stunt tying him to a squeaky-clean football star, particularly one who is sexy, strong, and always freaking happy. As Trick is forced to confront his growing attraction and deal with the past he’s spent years ignoring—including the younger sister he never knew existed—he realizes that the most brutal battles aren’t fought on the ice. They’re fought in the heart. And this time, he has to stop running.

Tom Fulkowski has led a charmed life. Starting with a typical middle-class childhood in Philly, his skill at catching quarterbacks has propelled him to the heights of pro football. He’s got the rings, he’s got the cash, and he’s got the cars. He’s also got a bad back, achy knees, and a yearning to move on. With one final season to play with the Philadelphia Pumas before retirement, Tom looks forward to that next phase of his life. He’s just not sure what the next phase is exactly. Then, out of the blue, he meets a wild-eyed hockey player with a chip the size of the Liberty Bell on his shoulder. As he and Cole grow closer, he finds a depth to the younger man that resonates deeply. If only Cole would slow down and let Tom catch up to him, they might win it all.

Blitz is an MM romance featuring a bad-boy hockey player with a past he can’t outrun, a football legend on the verge of retirement, a forced PR stunt that might turn into something real, and a game-changing journey to their happy-ever-after.

Blitz, Railers Legacy by Scott and Locey was a wonderful addition to their fantastic spin off series. Troubled and closeted hockey player met closeted golden boy football player, and the sparks flew. Trick had baggage a mile long; urges he attempted to suppress, a preacher father who controlled his every move, and a guilt-ridden psyche. Tom was a closeted gay football player, on the brink of retirement and desired love and a relationship. Luckily, the men were thrown together for a photo campaign and soon realized all their desires could come true.

What I loved about the writing style of RJ Scott & VL Locey was they never forget their true nature of the story, warts and all. There was never any sugar coating; hard ache occurred and sensitive topics discussed, but the light was found at the end of the tunnel.

Both Trick and Tom were super likeable characters, with their own flaws yet tons of charisma. From troubled, self-sabotaging hockey player to sunshine football player, both Trick and Tom were able to make the relationship work. Good friends along the way helped pave their true course and Blitz was a nice continuation of characters from Speed.

Sexy & Sizzling

A four handcuff review

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2025 ©Evelise Archer All rights reserved. This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, locations, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination, or have been used fictionally. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, locales, or events is entirely coincidental. No portion of this work may be transmitted or reproduced in any form, or by any means, without permission in writing from the author.