Dax (Bad Boys of Willow Valley #1)

Dax (Bad Boys of Willow Valley #1)

by Shannyn Leah

I loved this book it grabs your heart making it feel warm and fuzzy and then breaks it only to go back to the warm and fuzzy again. I loved Rowdy he was so much fun, loved his humor and the way he saw through Ava and his son. Dax is a hot mess he really knows what he wants but is afraid to give his heart in case he loses the love of his life like his father did. What is there not to love about the man, he is smart mouth, funny, tough, he is sex on a stick that any women would love to get a hold of.  Ava has had a hard life but as worked very hard to put her past behind her. She had a child at a young age and stepped right up to the plate making a wonderful life for them. Rowdy was there when she needed help the most and stepped into the father and grandfather roll. I just adored this family and all they stand for.

The author gives you a delightful story of romance with the dance that is old as time one step forward to steps back but as the song said nobody gets to far like that, this kind of dance can never last. Something or someone one will have to give or be broken before these two can work out what they rest of the world already knows. It is such a shame that so much has to be lost before these two face the facts that they should be together.  When the tragedy strikes we the reader feel it all the way to our toes leaving us with big tears in our eyes wondering what the fall out will be. The author puts one heck of a twist on it but be prepared this will not be the first twist that will thow you for a loop. This is one author that knows how to grab your heart, rip it out and puts it back together again only to do it all over again.

What made this a 5 star read for me was the humor, teasing, heartbreak, love and the care they give to their family. All stand up and together fighting the wars as they come but with each new block they pull together making an unbeatable team. The way the book starts out with the teasing which gets a little out of hand really pulls the reader in making us smile and laugh as Rowdy walks in with his brand of humor that really gets us going. Olivia steals your heart acting so grow up but at the same time keeping her childhood innocents. She makes you smile and laugh at the things she does and said. How can you not love Charlie and all he means? He plays a big part right up to the end. The friends of Dax add so much to the read from one not thinking before he talks to the other trying to make him shut up. Bucky’s Bar is a delight from the trouble Dax gets in to the delightful things that happen there. The owner is just so full of his self you have to laugh.

There was only one character I didn’t care for and I am still unsure how he worked out who Olivia was from the youtube video. I would have liked to have known just what happen to him in detail from the trouble he caused. The author doesn’t go into detail on these issues and I felt more detail was needed.  I also would have liked to have know more about Olivia and Kevin what he said to her and how she took finding things out. Beside that I totally was hook on this book and couldn’t put it down. I loved how the romance builds with each of them stepping around the issue to how head strong both were. When they do come together you can feel the fire come right off the pages. I liked how the author build the story around the firehouse, how it was hard to go back and just how each member was made to face the issues. It was a great story from start to finish and one I will read again. Lot of fun, heartbreak, learning and facing the past and the future makes this a win, win read for me. You can pre order this for just 99 cents. I can promise you it is well worth that and more.

Buy Links

Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/Dax-Bad-Boys-Willow-Valley-ebook/dp/B076BTG2FV/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1508887843&sr=1-1

B&N

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dax-bad-boys-of-willow-valley-shannyn-leah/1127217364;jsessionid=C0FA42F2C39AB60355E915906CB770A5.prodny_store02-atgap07?ean=9781389533891&st=AFF&2sid=Goodreads,%20Inc_2227948_NA&sourceId=AFFGoodreads,%20IncM000004

Google Play

https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Shannyn_Leah_Dax?id=xC85DwAAQBAJ

Kobo

https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/dax-5

Summary

Dax Colyn is one of the bad boys of Willow Valley. A fearless volunteer firefighter and hard ass mechanic, he makes all the woman swoon and he likes it that way. He keeps people at a distance since his mother died. He doesn’t want to let anyone in, much less a woman he knows he could fall in love with.

Ava Anderson keeps people away, too. Haunted by her tortured past and constantly fearful of the future, it’s only her daughter Olivia and Dax’s dad Rowdy that she’s let in.

But when tragedy strikes, it pushes Dax and Ava together, forcing them both to let go of their fears. They soon learn how hard it is to keep pretending and how easy it is to let others in. Especially when those people are family.

“Dax” is the first in the “Bad Boys of Willow Valley” series from author Shannyn Leah.

Blissed: Misfit Brides (audio)

Blissed: Misfit Brides, Book 1

Written by: Jamie Farrell

Narrated by: Karen White

Length: 11 hrs and 35 mins

Series: Misfit Brides, Book 1

Unabridged Audiobook

Release Date:06-10-16

Publisher: Jamie Farrell

My Review

I totally loved this story and all the characters that keep you smiling and laughing the whole way through this outstanding listen. I have read this book and totally loved it. After listening to the audio I am even more in love these characters and this town. I love Ms. Farrell’s writing style I know if I am every down or having a bad day I only have to pick up one of her books to put my smile back on my face.  Once you pick up one of her book you will have no doubts to why she is one of my go to authors.  I love her sense of humor how she always wears a smile that you can read in her writing.

Ms. White as narrator blew me away with how she got the voice to match each character. When you read a book in your mind you picture what they look like and what they sound like. Ms. White hit it right on the money for me. She really brought this story to life making it very easy to picture the scenes in your mind which gave it even more humor.  There are no background noises or any breaks take that I can tell. The volume is nice and easy never higher or lower giving you a very smooth listen. Her male voices are outstanding CJ’s is very sexy smooth that you get lost in. Her female voices are wonderful fitting each character as if they were made for them. Ms. White has a very pleasant voice that is smooth, sexy and exciting when it needs to be. I found myself doing things I have been putting off doing so I could listen longer. You have no trouble know each emotion and what each character is feeling at any given time. You can hear the pain, sorrow, hope, happiness and love each character in the tones as Ms. White brings the story to life. I am looking forward to listening to more from this narrator.

The book takes place in the town of Bliss where the whole town is about happy ever after. Bliss is the merriest town on earth they take this title very seriously live for weddings and the games. Knot Fest and The Husband Games is an annual event where men play against each other in a series of challenges in order to be declared Husband of the Year.

Natalie is a divorce single mother who is on The Aisle (which would be main street to us) and is running her mother’s bridal shop. Her mother was the head of and ran The Husband Games until she died. She is doing everything she can to make this the best games ever in her loving memory. The Queen General is doing her best to make Natalie’s life a living hell as she tries to make her leave the Aisle and hopefully the town. The Aisles is no place for a divorce women they have high standard and Natalie must go. Natalie is taking all the QG is dishing out just hanging on long enough to do the games one last time for her mother. Both women get their digs and do not mind fighting dirty keep you laughing.  If that isn’t hard enough to deal with CJ is back in town he is the one man she can’t forget and would rather not see. Natalie said he destroyed her marriage in just a few minutes when they played the husband games leaving her embarrassed walking the road of shame.  When they finally come face to face after they have nice chat (you are going to love this chat and die laughing through it) he doesn’t remember anything about her and is surprised she said he destroyed her marriage. She is just like this town crazy, he does his best to stay out of her way until he can leave. It does seem their paths keep crossing which has the GQ up in arms spiting flames (well maybe not that bad but it isn’t pretty). One does not mess with the GQ she has been known to raise the tides, move mountain well you get the idea.

CJ is back for a wedding but he would rather be anywhere else. He is from a big family that has a way of driving a man crazy. He wants to make this a fast quick stop and move on. His parents have named their entire family for spices.  It is going to drive you nuts trying to work out CJ’s name. Once you find out what it is you will die laughing. If my name was this I wouldn’t be giving it out either.  CJ is a sweet man who is haunted by his past and the death of his wife knowing he could have done better by her.  Now he has the guilt of wanting Natalie and the trouble he has caused her. She might be crazy but it seems he is into crazy. The GQ wants him to play in the Husband Game to honor his dead wife. Natalie wants him to leave town. Hum I wonder who will win this battle.

One things leads to another and sparks fly why tempter rise as passion takes control.  Have they found their match or will the QG win this war of the Husband Games. One thing is for sure she has a few tricks up her sleeves she has plans for CJ which sure do not include Natalie. Can Natalie stay one step ahead of the QG or will the QG run Natalie out of town. Can CJ get over his past making Bliss his home or will he run for the hill at the first chance. What about their feelings for each other will they keep fighting their attraction or give in and let the cards fall where they may.

Jamie is a very talented author who knows how to pull her readers in giving them a highly entertaining read. She keeps her readers invested in her characters cheering them on as we laugh ourselves silly. She gives you down to earth characters who are a little on the crazy side which fits in just perfect with my sense of humor.  She is one of the few authors I can read her books over and over again never getting tired. I know what is coming but it still keeps me laughing time and time again. There is no doubt after reading one of her books you will be smiling and laughing the whole way through as it reaches deep in you with a meaning you can relate to.  I cannot wait to listen to the rest of this series on audio. If you haven’t read any of her work this would be a great one to start with I promise you will be smiling from the beginning to the end.

Buy Links

Audible when you buy the book the audio is 1.99

Amazon free

Kobo

B&N

Summary

Welcome to Bliss, the bridal capital of the Midwest!
Natalie Castellano practically has it all - beauty, brains, and a stellar reputation. Because childbearing hips and exhaustion lines are totally sexy. And knowing when to let go of her family's failing bridal boutique is smart...right? Plus, who doesn't want to be that divorced mother in Bliss?
With all she has going for her, it would be selfish to secretly wish for love too. Who needs it? Definitely not Nat. But perhaps she does need to take her wedding dress-obsessed little boy somewhere else for a fresh start.
CJ Blue is on top of the world. At least, he was last week when he stood on the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. Now, he's in an empty confessional, hiding from the hullabaloo of a family wedding. a.k.a. the depths of hell.
His meddling relatives want to poke at the deep psychological wounds he supposedly bears from being a 20-something widower. But he doesn't want to talk, he doesn't want to be fussed over, and he certainly doesn't want another chance to fail at love. He just wants to get through this wedding and back to his adventurous life.
But when a dark-haired, wounded-eyed beauty invades his sanctuary and whispers a secret he was never supposed to know, he gets swept up in her life. Is he brave enough to tackle the adventure of life in Bliss, or will he walk away from the only woman in the world who could offer him love, forgiveness, and a second chance?