“Yesterday in the park, I was feeling quite sorry for myself. I sat on that bench for a long time, trying to dredge up the strength to return to my empty apartments. Then an angel dropped in my lap, invited me to tea, and kissed me, and ever since I’ve been struggling to believe my luck. I feel as if I’m in a dream, and at any moment, I’ll wake broken and alone again.”

This book is the perfect blend of paranormal, mystery, historical fiction and romance.  Just an absolutely beautiful story that kept me on the edge of my seat; kept me continuously wondering who to trust, what to believe and how this would end.  And none of it was as I suspected which made the journey that much better.

I adored both these beautiful men and how they each became the angel the other needed to see through their darkness and see light and happiness awaiting them with each other.

And the visual descriptions of this manor, the period dress and the glimpses into London were perfectly captured for me. I was left mezmerized. 

Thanks Marco for the recommendation...truly one to follow.

See my series review here.

**Spoiler Free Series Review**

As I sit here at my kitchen counter trying to decide what the fuck to say about this series I decide to scroll into Amazon for a look around.  In doing so, I see authors like David Baldacci, Ayn Rand, and of course, Tom Clancy.  And I wonder, what the hell?  Why isn’t this series at the top? 

I suppose if you think about it, becoming the next John Grisham is about like becoming the next Beyonce or the next Leonardo DiCaprio.  There are thousands if not millions of talented people in this world.  And those that make it big just happen to win the lottery.  They make that one connection that leads them to the next big thing.    

Last year I completed my read of the Red Rising series by Pierce Brown.  The first book in this series was written in a matter of months by an unknown 25 year old author in a room over his parent’s garage.  And while this brilliant series got over 120 rejections, once it was picked up, it became a NY Times best seller and is soon to be made into a motion picture.  I love this series and if you have not picked it up…do it.  It is truly unbelievable and like Tal’s series, I was a mess of emotions throughout the entire third book.  So what is it that makes one author a household name?

Part of it no doubt is luck of the draw, and part of it I have to believe is getting recognized by that one person that can make a difference.  A YouTube video goes viral. Why?  There are millions out there with very few hits and it is that one in a million that spreads like wildfire.  And I want this series by Tal Bauer to spread like wildfire...

Because I want everyone to read this…I want everyone to know the brilliance that is created here and to see what I see.  See the magic that forms on the page and experience the heart stopping moments I did.  To be left in such a state they can barely go on.

Because dammit…EVERYONE should look like this when they are at work!!!

And I am not going to lie...several times over the last few weeks we (thanks to my fellow buddy-reader, Marco) seriously contemplated that Tom Clancy had not died at all but just became the author we know as Tal Bauer. I have no idea if Tal even likes Clancy’s work and honestly I have only read one.  But dammit…Clancy was a brilliant storyteller and his accolades included such statements as the following:

"He constantly taps the current world situation for its imminent dangers and spins them into an engrossing tale." —The New York Times Book Review

"Heart-stopping action. . . entertaining and eminently topical." —The Washington Post

"Brilliant" —Newsweek

"Highly entertaining" —The Wall Street Journal

And every single one of these comments could equally be attributed to Tal Bauer’s series.  EVERY SINGLE ONE.  

The Executive Order series is absolutely mesmerizing and the amount of research that went into developing this series is quite remarkable.  Tal weaved a tale so applicable to today’s political situation that it was quite scary at times.  And yet the story told here was so completely different.  From LGBT rights, the Presidency, ties to Russia, to moles and spies infiltrating our political system, to even such things as cloning and the modernization of Islam.  And while I would probably characterize this first and foremost as a political and military drama, the romance is so well done and heartbreakingly accurate that the love between these characters just melds into this story beautifully.  We all hope and strive for inclusion, for a world when it doesn’t matter who we love.  To look upon a person in love and see that their life is full because of this other person.  To accept that love, to encourage that love and to help that love succeed is something we as humans should cherish and want to see.  And as the series progresses, the friendships that are formed and forged are strong because of love.  Love binds us all.   

While the entire series is captivating with situations that leave you catching your breath and constantly on guard wondering who will stab you in the back next…nothing beats this third installment. I swear I was a mess for the better part of this book and left staggering around looking for a place to lie down between chapters.  Fucking hell man. 

Yeah…I might have fangirled a bit here with my thoughts and honestly this review may make absolutely zero sense.  I posted really nothing about this story, these characters and posted no quotes…because you just need to read it!!! 

And if you finish this series and don’t honestly wish that you could elect Jack Spiers right now, then that is really unfortunate because you have clearly missed the reasons why.  I would be so damn proud to call Jack Spiers MY President of the United States.  Maybe one day.

As a side note, I am also making my way through the free bytes on Tal Bauer’s website and what a treat these are.  That there is hope for future installments makes me extremely happy.  Much love for all of these beautiful characters and a special shout out to Captain Anderson…gaaahhh I loved this man too and desperately want a snip-it of him post Enemy Within. : )

My boys… 

And Tal…thank you for this unbelievable ride and for a series that lands on my 6 star shelf.  Cheers to you!

And a special thanks to Elsbeth and Marco...what an amazing BR this one has been.

I got nothing else at this point. I'm mentally, physically and emotionally exhausted.

See my full series review here.

He couldn’t think of anything better than a happy ever after with his best friend.

And if they ever need to remake Freaky Friday again...please let it be THIS version!!! What a perfect Disney adaptation this would be.  This was sweet and sexy and just an absolutely beautiful story.  These two were just off the charts adorable.

I have to admit a body switch love story seemed like it would be awkward as hell, but Jay absolutely nailed this.  There was no awkwardness at all, only the rediscovery of the love between two soul mates. 

This was everything he’d wanted since he was old enough to understand his feelings. It was so much more than a crush, and even though it might be too early to say it out loud, he knew he loved Scott. This wasn’t Shakespeare’s version of love in Romeo and Juliet—the temporary insanity of new passion. Olly always suspected that Romeo and Juliet might never have lasted, anyway. They were virtual strangers who never had a chance to get to know each other. With him and Scott, it was the real thing. Something deeper, based on knowing a person’s soul and not just appreciating the body that housed it.

I can't wait to read this one again and again.