Kate Stacy

Ship Happens by Kate Stacy
Love at Sea Series - Book 1

Tate and Macy have been friends with benefits in a ‘situationship’ over several years. When not with someone else, they end up together. At the beginning of this story, they find themselves on a ‘love cruise’ together giving them an opportunity to stay as they are, find someone new, or become more to one another.

What I liked:
* Tate Thorne: brother, runs family landscaping business, in need of a break, cares deeply for Macy, a nice guy and great with Marcy in more ways than one
* Marcy Carmichael: RN, only child, good friend, ready to enjoy vacation, never has wanted children, might care more deeply for Tate than she realized – took me a bit of time to warm up to her
* The people that Tate and Marcy met that could be longer term friends – might show up in books of their own
* The food and cocktails – sounded delicious
* The activities on the ship – never have been on a cruise and this one sounded like a lot of fun
* That Tate’s family cared enough for him to play matchmaker
* Marcy’s friend that gave her sound advice
* Finding out more about the two of them and their lives
* Learning about turtle research and that volunteers must sometimes be help out
* That Tate and Marcy seemed to belong together
* Wondering if any of the men met will ever visit Tate and Marcy

What I didn’t like:
* Knowing that irresponsible behavior, on a cruise, tour, or in real life, can be dangerous – as shown at least a couple of times in this story
* That it took a bit of time to warm up to Marcy

Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more in this series/by this author? Yes

Thank you to the author and IndiePenPR for the ARC – This is my honest review.

4 Stars… (más)

Marshall and Kaitlynn.
Two hearts that weren't looking for love...
...but Cupid found them anyway...
...with a BIG FLAMING ARROW...
...and a bundle to boot!

Okay, so it doesn't sound like the recipe for a true romance, but THIS BOOK ROCKED! Marshall was a man's man, but not a complete butt. Despite his natural bachelor ways, he knew how to treat a woman, and his friends, while still having the respect of his Captain come morning. One night out with the guys and his one-night-stands catch up with him in a BIG way...or rather a little way that's recently made his way into the world....and a midnight run takes him frantically to the ER.

Kaitlynn just happened to be working in the ER the night of Marshall's "midnight run", and yes she's taken aback by his good lucks, and obvious love for AJ (the little bundle!), she's also spun round by the fact that he doesn't seem to notice or mind at the very least the scars she carries from her past. Those scars are both physical and emotional, running much deeper than you'd ever imagine, but for someone to look past those and see who she is...is not the norm. Of course, little AJ plays a big part in getting her attention because he's' beyond adorable and she's a NICU nurse, so it's her natural territory. One things leads to another and...well, you'll see, or rather read.

Mind out of the gutter though because while there's plenty of heat, the fire is very much controlled...meaning if you're not looking for full page disclosure, you're in the right book. The story deals with their pasts, and their potential future, but the road to that chance at happiness is paved in anything but an easy ride. No, there will be bumps, there will be hiccups, there will be downright heartbreaking moments, and times when it looks more than bleak, but if you hold on, stay strong, keep your fingers crossed, and let Derrick and AJ work their magic, things may just come up roses in the end.

In the end, I loved the characters, the meet cute, the back stories, and the future that wasn't promised. There was so much to work through, but so much to look forward to that I was glued to the epages as I continued moving deeper into the story. It's not quite a novella, not exactly a short story, and the style makes the pages burn quicker as it's more what I get when I skim a book...the main story without all the fleshed details...but it works, and I've no regrets having picked it up in the least.


**ebook received for review; opinions are my own… (más)

Some really good stories within
4 stars

This limited-time anthology is packed with 12 contemporary stories all set around Christmas and all deliciously steamy.

Each story stands alone and is a short, novella length. All are either a continuation of an earlier HEA, an HEA or a satisfying HFN.

Christmas 911 - Cara Cee
A fairly confusing and gloomy story where Jarrod and Kelly try to spend Christmas with each other. Their main love story was told in The Art of Revenge.

Accidental Girlfriend for Christmas - Rosie East
A fake relationship turns to something more in a story I just didn’t like. It was too juvenile and the characters, Harry and Lou, hugely unlikeable.

A Coincidental Christmas - Michelle Fernandez
This one night stand story was adorable with well-rounded characters of Francesca and Brennan, who had delicious sexual chemistry. I really loved it.

Something More for Christmas - Kim Findlay
This was a new adult story between college senior, Penny, and semi-pro hockey player, Taranis. Their insta-connection was realistic and made me smile. I’ll look out for other books by Kim Findlay.

All I Want for Christmas - Lyla Grace
Callie and Chase are celebrating their first Christmas together after their full story in Whatever It Takes. Callie and Chase are HOT but also so lovely. I just adored this story. I’m definitely going to read more of Ms Grace.

Sleighing His Bells - Elizabeth Miller
A pure, small-town Christmas complete with a sweet and sexy second chance romance between Drew and Maggie. I enjoyed reading it and was satisfied with the way everything was resolved.

A Christmas Distraction - A. S. Roberts
Brody and Amy had their HEA in Brody: Default Distraction. Rockstar romance aren’t usually my favourite but this was a very sexy story and a lovely way to heat up a chilly evening.

The Christmas Surrender - Jade Royal
Mafia books are definitely not my thing but this second-chance story between Elijah and Kelsey was still well written and so, so hot. This book is part of the wider Savage King’s series.

Screwg’d - Willow Sanders
This story just wasn’t my bag. It had a very 90s vibe - and not in a good way. Bear and Marley (yes, really) weren’t really my kind of folk.

Home for Christmas - Kate Stacy
Drake and Hailee had their HEA in an earlier story - in this case Long Road Home. A simple but effective story and I loved reading their sexy shenanigans, friendship and love.

Our Christmas Surprise - S.L. Sterling
I’m partial to a dirty little age-gap, dad’s best friend story and this one was that. Not sure that Ainsley and Spencer are long-term material but I enjoyed myself none-the-less.

Snowed In - Venessa Kimball writing as V. Angelika
College student, Allison, and her professor, Mason, keep each other warm when a snow storm hits. A really enjoyable story, really well written and super steamy.

There are some really good stories in this anthology and although there were some stories that didn't work for me, the better ones outweigh the bad. You get a lot of bang for your buck with this book and I would recommend it for a very hot and sexy time.

Longer reviews for each book can be found on my website.

Although Loni Ree’s name is included on an earlier cover for this anthology, there is no story included from her.… (más)