S.E.X. Review~ Always You by RJ Scott

In the frostbitten heart of Chicago, a scarred and solitary soldier finds a second chance at love with the man who broke his heart.

Twenty years at war have left Sergeant Jasper "Jazz" Brookes battered, scarred, and haunted. His marriage is wrecked, his daughter barely speaks to him, and the world he fought for has moved on without him. Homeless by choice, Jazz manages until the brutal Chicago winter forces him to seek help from a shelter he doesn’t want to need.

The weathered building in Humboldt Park offers veterans a place to rebuild, but Jazz doesn’t expect to find Alex Richardson there—his first love, the boy who chose money over him, the one he left behind. Seeing Alex again cracks open old wounds and stirs feelings Jazz buried long ago.

For Alex, the sight of Jazz reminds him of everything he’s tried to forget. But neither man has moved on. As they grapple with their past and confront the scars they’ve carried for years, they’re forced to decide if the connection between them is strong enough to survive the pain.

This time, it’s all or nothing.

Always You by RJ Scott gutted this reader. Suffering from PTSD and homeless by choice, Jasper Brookes found himself at the doorstep of Guardian Hall, run by Alex Richardson, his first love.

Turmoiled and lost, Jazz decided to give Guardian Hall a try to better himself for his daughter, while hopefully healing himself as well.

The synergy between Jazz and Alex was slow and steady, as Jazz didn’t trust the process nor the man.

Ms Scott delivered a poignant tale of veteran homelessness, the despair felt, and the will to survive. Too many times, our country’s heroes are forgotten and left by the wayside with little knowledge of available resources. Ms Scott did not sugarcoat the trauma nor made light of first loves reunited. The road paved was and will be trying and difficult for Jazz and Alex, but under this author’s tutelage, I see nothing more than better times for the pair.

Definite S.E.X.

A five star 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~ Into the Fall by RJ Scott

In small-town Wyoming, a tough sheriff and a former Navy SEAL are thrown together by circumstance. Their fiery chemistry leads to constant clashes, but as they work to solve a mystery, they can't ignore the growing feelings between them.

Sheriff Neil Windham has one mission: to protect Whisper Ridge. But when human remains surface at the Lennox Ranch, the town’s past comes back to haunt it. As Neil dives deeper into the investigation, he’s torn between his duty, his father’s declining health, and the fire ignited by the relentless, unpredictable former Navy SEAL, Connor Mason.

Connor didn’t come to Whisper Ridge looking for trouble—or a future. He never intended to fall in love, least of all with someone like Neil. But with every heated encounter, Neil and Connor’s attraction escalates into something undeniable, a force of nature they can’t resist. Now, with an offer to rejoin his old team, Connor must choose between a future in Whisper Ridge or leaving behind the only man who’s ever made him feel like he belongs.

Into the Fall is an opposites-attract, enemies-to-lovers M/M romance featuring a battle-hardened former SEAL and a dedicated sheriff. Duty and desire collide, old ranch secrets come to light, and a hard-earned happily-ever-after awaits.

Into the Fall by RJ Scott was a great addition to the Whispering Ridge, Wyoming series. I loved this series from the first book and book 4 did not disappoint.

Neil and Connor, string men with definitive personalities- what could happen? Only sexy desire and steaminess! Both men knew their mind and would not be deterred to protect those they loved. They were destined to be together.

As I find refreshing in all Ms Scott’s series, she never forgets the characters in her other books in the series and makes them an integral part of each book.

Sometimes oil and vinegar are a great combination, as Ms Scott proved in Into the Fall.

Definite S.E.X.

A five handcuff review

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2024 ©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~ Joey's Trick by J.R. Loveless

Hateful words and eight years separated Joey from his family, but a shocking discovery changes everything.

After avoiding his hometown for years, Joey Waters reluctantly returns for his parents’ anniversary. Within moments of his arrival, he’s confronted with the ghost of his past: Patrick “Trick” Harrison, the man who’d shattered his heart with just a few cruel words. Joey believed he’d left those painful years behind, but seeing Trick again ignites a whirlwind of emotions he thought he’d buried.

As old wounds break open, Joey is determined to ignore the man who’d caused him so much pain and sent him on a downward spiral in his college years. However, a staggering revelation about Trick forces Joey to reconsider everything he thought he knew. Can the two men overcome their troubled history, or will the scars of the past keep them apart forever?

Tags: enemies to lovers, brother's best friend, Trick's secret, mm romance, gay romance, Joey's first love, jealous ex-lover / stalker, off page unalive reference, anxiety and depression, tattoos, family reunion

Joey's Trick is a brother's best friend / enemies to lovers 33k word novella. There is, as always, a HEA in the cards for my two characters.

Joey’s Trick by J.R. Loveless was an angsty read of unrequited love, misunderstandings, and forgiveness.

Joey lived in a dark place, which he overcame with therapy and finally confronted his past. Trick, on the other hand lived with a secret past that confronting was easier said than done. Finally, the two were able to come to terms and reconcile to move forward.

I enjoyed both characters as they developed on their own and together. Ms Loveless allowed them to grow, and once they found each other the steaminess escalated in this quick read.

If you are new to Ms Loveless’ books, don’t hesitate and grab more of her wonderful works.

Sexy & Sizzling

A four handcuff review

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2024 ©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~ A Christmas for Holly by RJ Scott

Trapped in a snowstorm, Paul and Lucas find that unresolved feelings from a single, impulsive kiss could spark something deeper, leading them toward the most magical Christmas miracle.

The festive season offers nothing but despair for Paul ‘Holly’ Hollister, the once-proud captain of the Albany Harriers. His hockey career has crumbled, leaving him crippled with anxiety and without a sense of direction. After a stint in rehab, Holly is desperate for peace—something his best friend Kai seems to have found in the snowy town of Wishing Tree. Despite his hatred for the cold, Holly is drawn there by friendship—and by the unsettling dreams of Lucas Haynes, the man he drunkenly kissed at Kai and Bailey’s wedding and hasn’t been able to forget since. The only problem? Lucas is determined to keep him at arm’s length.

Lucas Haynes has never felt a romantic pull toward anyone—until that unexpected kiss with Holly at his brother’s wedding flipped his world upside down. Holly arrives in Wishing Tree, single and adrift, and Lucas can’t deny the attraction that still simmers between them. When a snowstorm traps them together, Lucas’ defenses slowly crumble under Holly’s vulnerability. As secrets come to light, old wounds are reopened, and the undeniable spark between them grows into something more, Lucas starts to wonder if this closeness could be the love he never thought he’d find—and if Holly might get the second chance at happiness he so desperately needs.

A Christmas for Holly is an opposites-attract, hurt / comfort, only one bed, Christmas romance featuring a retired hockey captain with crippling anxiety, a guarded gift store owner grappling with unexpected attraction, unresolved tension from a drunken wedding kiss, a charming small town blanketed in snow, meddling but loving family, and a snowstorm that brings honesty and vulnerability to light—leading to a heartwarming holiday happily ever after.

I enjoyed A Christmas for Holly by RJ Scott. A lovely hurt/comfort trope that ended well in a wintery wonder town in Vermont.

Lucas and Holly had a past that ended before it was able to start. Fast forward a year and Holly found himself out of hockey, anxiety ridden, and in need of a fresh start. Lucas always had feelings for Holly, but as always, misunderstandings hampered the way for two souls to unite.

I loved the care and patience Lucas exhibited with Holly. Although this was an HEA/Christmas story, Ms Scott gave credence to those with anxiety and did not sugarcoat the trials Holly faced, or the care Lucas gave.

Anything written by Ms Scott is a sure-fire winner for this reader, and Wishing Tree, book 2 did not disappoint.

Sexy & Sizzling

A four and a half handcuff review

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2024 ©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.

How Much for a Life of Lies? by RJ Scott

Posing as a couple leads to passionate nights and dangerous days, but when their undercover mission implodes, revenge is everything, love is impossible, and they have nowhere left to run.

Zach has always been a man torn between duty and family. Strong, capable, and fiercely dedicated to being a SEAL, he’s made countless sacrifices to ensure the safety of his son and his country. Driven by guilt, he leaves newborn Charlie in the care of his estranged twin brother, and no one, not even his self-destructive team mate, Kai, can make him change his mind. Their partnership can never be anything but a clash of personalities, with Kai’s fiery nature and Zach’s stubborn focus on duty, but as they navigate their latest undercover mission, one more stolen moment is all it takes for every barrier between them to disintegrate.

Kai, former 427 Special Operations Aviation Squadron, raised in a survivalist environment, is a skilled helicopter pilot, a loner, and never wanted a partner. When he’s kicked out of the service for not being a team player, he moves from black ops to the new Shadow Team, alongside Zach. The team wants his ability to color outside the lines, and challenge authority—he just wants a job that gets him into the action.

As their covert operation in the Canadian wilderness takes a dangerous turn, they run for survival, hemmed in by imminent dangers. With no one else to trust, they must lean on each other. But as their bond deepens, and passion explodes, will they live to see another day?

How Much for a Life of Lies was everything I had hoped for in Zach and Kai’s story. After meeting them in the previous Shadow Team book, I knew Ms Scott would not disappoint when she brought them officially together.

After giving up his son, Zach reentered the world of subterfuge and shadows, paired with Kai to infiltrate and take down an elusive enemy.  Both men were lost and then found as they were paired together in ‘battle’.

Ms Scott has an uncanny way of bringing danger and intrigue to the forefront of a story, all the while giving her MMCs depth and HEAs.

An emotional roller coaster and should not be missed.

Definite S.E.X.

A five handcuff review

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2024 ©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~ Shield by RJ Scott & V.L. Locey

Can Jackson ensure the safety of his loved ones when the darkest elements of LA's underbelly seek retribution?

Oliver knows the clock is ticking on his dream of winning the Stanley Cup. After fourteen years playing for New York, he’s beyond frustrated to leave friends behind when traded to the LA Storm. As a widower and father of two girls, he’s facing the twilight of his career, and, worst of all, he’s lonely. Making friends is easy enough, but he craves someone to hold him at night. When Jackson, equal parts grumpy chaos and charm, lands in his life, friendship turns to lust, and love isn’t far behind. He finds himself drawn to Jackson, and as their relationship deepens, they become each other’s haven amidst the chaos of their lives. However, danger from Jackson's work threatens their peaceful world, challenging their relationship and forcing love to take a backseat to survival.

After bringing down a notable money launderer, Jackson's small team receives orders to delve deeper into the world of organized crime in Hollywood. His early success quickly spirals into an overwhelming web of criminal intrigue. In this new, uncharted territory, he feels increasingly isolated, both personally and professionally. The more issues he uncovers, the less he seems to close. Meeting Oliver shakes his world even more, especially when he accidentally falls for the widower and father of two little girls. A few nights of fun is one thing, but deeper feelings and kids are something he is not at all prepared for. Yet, despite his reluctance, he becomes deeply attached to the little family who has embraced him with so much love. Now, he just has to shield them from the dangers that have followed him to their doorstep.

This opposites attract romance features a single dad hockey player grappling with personal loss, a grumpy detective entangled in the complexities of organized crime, and a love story that happens despite the odds.

Shield, L.A. Storm #3 by RJ Scott & VL Lovey was a nice addition to the series. While I loved the previous two books, I found Shield a little slow to start and did not completely like all the characters. At first. We met Jackson in the previous book and I am not sure how memorable he was. I was glad to see him get his own book, but for this reader (only IMO), he was not completely likeable. He reminded me of a stereotyped gumshoe; sloppy, cigarette smoking oof.

Having said that, the story unfolded nicely, as Oliver struggled to find his place with his new team, as well as a new city with his daughters. The chemistry between Oliver and Jackson was slow burn and the romance was well developed.

I loved Jamie (the nanny) and cannot wait for the next installment in the series and to read his story.

Overall, a quick romance.

A four handcuff review

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2024 ©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~ How Much for a Broken Heart by RJ Scott

When the game turns deadly for a SEAL and his Ranger, they navigate a labyrinth of danger and betrayal. But as bullets fly and alliances shift, it’s not just the mission that’s at stake—it’s their hearts.

In a single devastating morning, August’s life crumbles. His covert assignment derails disastrously as the family he’s meant to safeguard falls prey to the ruthless Cooper River Cartel. The tragedy deepens when a little girl vanishes without a trace, leaving behind nothing but her favorite teddy bear—a silent witness to a kidnapping that makes no sense. As a former SEAL, August grapples with his failure and imagines killing those who broke everything he was supposed to protect. Each clue and every whisper in the criminal underworld could lead him to Annie. But with each step into darkness, August risks losing himself to the same violence that claimed her father.

Enter Shadow Team, and Ryder, a former Army Ranger tasked with rescuing Annie from a compound in the middle of the forest. He’s supposed to leave, but when he finds August tied up and bleeding, he risks everything to bring the broken SEAL home.

An undercover operation left August bereft and broken in RJ Scott’s Sanctuary spinoff, How Much for a Broken Heart, Shadow Team (book 2). When a mission failed, August’s main focus was to rescue the child left behind. Enter Ryder, the man supposed to rescue Annie, but also found August. What occurred was compassion and passion as the two men balanced mission, duty, and maybe falling for each other.

Like all Ms Scott’s books, the past storylines and characters resurfaced in ways that added to the nuances of this new read.

Passion and intrigue surrounded Ryder and August as well as the need to rescue the little girl left behind and eliminate the cartel. The two men meshed, and the synergy was palpable on and off the field of battle. I love a good ‘take down the bad guys’ book and Ms Scott hit the mark.

A great addition to the series and spinoff.

Definite S.E.X.

A five handcuff review

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2024 ©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.