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Seth Walker was my first love and I always swore he’d be my last. Even after he moved away our senior year in high school, we vowed to reunite after graduation. But when he suddenly broke things off without explanation and crushed my heart, it was my turn to run. After a decade in the navy, I’ve finally come home ready to move on with my life as Hobie’s newest firefighter. Unfortunately, the minute I set eyes on the new sheriff in town, I know I’m screwed. Hobie’s top cop is none other than Seth Walker.
To bond with his destined mate, an Alpha wolf must look past what he sees and trust what he feels. Bonded by their parents before they were conceived, wolf shifters Abel and Kai adored each other since they were children. As teens, the two future Alphas took the next step in their bonding process and vowed to remain true to one another until Kai came of age. But when tragedy struck, Abel felt betrayed and ran from Kai instead of completing their mating.
Six years ago, Noah Wheeler went to meet his boyfriend, Dante Cerreto, at the airport, and his world ended. Dante was kissing someone else and claimed to be in love. So Noah took his heartbreak and closed the door on the big picture of what he thought his life would be, focusing instead on the piece of the dream he got to keep, being a father. Six years later, Dante wants to make up for lost time, but he's going to have to take a crash course in communication and seduction. Noah's not going to fall in love just to be broken again.
Blue: When my ex walks into the resort bar with his new husband on his arm, I want nothing more than to prove to him that I've moved on. Thankfully, the sexy stranger sitting next to me is more than willing to share a few kisses in the name of revenge. It gets even better when those scorching kisses turn into a night of fiery passion. The only problem? Turns out the stranger's brother is marrying my sister later this week.
Exiled by his pack as a teen, Omega wolf Simon Moorehead learns to bury his gentle nature in the interest of survival. When a hulking, rough-faced Alpha catches Simon on pack territory, he tries to escape what he’s sure will be imminent death. But instead of killing him, the Alpha takes Simon home. A man of action, Mitch Grant uproots his life to support his brother in leading the Blue Mountain pack. Mitch lives on the periphery, quietly protecting everyone, but always alone.
Retired soldier Richard Davis wants a stable life in a quiet town with a forever man. Becoming the sheriff of Hope, Arizona, accomplishes two of his three goals, but instead of finding a serious partner, he falls for too-young-to-be-committed and too-flakey-to-be-serious, Todd Smitty. Richard won't find the right man if he's obsessed with the wrong one, so he walks away from Todd. When a mutual obligation requires Todd to move into Richard's house, he's thrilled at the opportunity to earn a second chance.
Seth Walker was my first love and I always swore he’d be my last. Even after he moved away our senior year in high school, we vowed to reunite after graduation. But when he suddenly broke things off without explanation and crushed my heart, it was my turn to run. After a decade in the navy, I’ve finally come home ready to move on with my life as Hobie’s newest firefighter. Unfortunately, the minute I set eyes on the new sheriff in town, I know I’m screwed. Hobie’s top cop is none other than Seth Walker.
To bond with his destined mate, an Alpha wolf must look past what he sees and trust what he feels. Bonded by their parents before they were conceived, wolf shifters Abel and Kai adored each other since they were children. As teens, the two future Alphas took the next step in their bonding process and vowed to remain true to one another until Kai came of age. But when tragedy struck, Abel felt betrayed and ran from Kai instead of completing their mating.
Six years ago, Noah Wheeler went to meet his boyfriend, Dante Cerreto, at the airport, and his world ended. Dante was kissing someone else and claimed to be in love. So Noah took his heartbreak and closed the door on the big picture of what he thought his life would be, focusing instead on the piece of the dream he got to keep, being a father. Six years later, Dante wants to make up for lost time, but he's going to have to take a crash course in communication and seduction. Noah's not going to fall in love just to be broken again.
Blue: When my ex walks into the resort bar with his new husband on his arm, I want nothing more than to prove to him that I've moved on. Thankfully, the sexy stranger sitting next to me is more than willing to share a few kisses in the name of revenge. It gets even better when those scorching kisses turn into a night of fiery passion. The only problem? Turns out the stranger's brother is marrying my sister later this week.
Exiled by his pack as a teen, Omega wolf Simon Moorehead learns to bury his gentle nature in the interest of survival. When a hulking, rough-faced Alpha catches Simon on pack territory, he tries to escape what he’s sure will be imminent death. But instead of killing him, the Alpha takes Simon home. A man of action, Mitch Grant uproots his life to support his brother in leading the Blue Mountain pack. Mitch lives on the periphery, quietly protecting everyone, but always alone.
Retired soldier Richard Davis wants a stable life in a quiet town with a forever man. Becoming the sheriff of Hope, Arizona, accomplishes two of his three goals, but instead of finding a serious partner, he falls for too-young-to-be-committed and too-flakey-to-be-serious, Todd Smitty. Richard won't find the right man if he's obsessed with the wrong one, so he walks away from Todd. When a mutual obligation requires Todd to move into Richard's house, he's thrilled at the opportunity to earn a second chance.
"Sexiest Man Alive" and Golden Globe-winning actor Ethan Baker lights up the screen but fizzles in his personal life. When his latest girlfriend breaks up with him, Ethan turns to his one "forever" person - Jude Harrison. But as Ethan makes the familiar drive to his best friend's house, an unexpected detour and a bewildering passenger take him through places in time he'd long forgotten. Suddenly, Ethan sees Jude's actions over the years from a different perspective, but it's his own reaction that's the biggest surprise.
I left my family and tiny Texas hometown 15 years ago to escape small-town gossips and to give my mom and sister the chance at a better life. But when a phone call from an attorney back home informs me that my sister passed away, leaving me custody of her newborn baby, I'm shocked out of the steady life I've built for myself running a tattoo shop in San Francisco. The thing is: I don't do babies. And I don't do small towns. Or commitment. And I especially don't do family.
Taylor Langford’s world is torn apart when he is only 13 years old - his parents killed, leaving him alone and orphaned. With no living relatives, he’d certainly be another statistic if not for the intervention of the policeman who found Taylor in the crawl space where his mother hid him that fateful night. Frank Moore is a rookie with the Dallas Police Department when he and his partner answer the call in Devonshire. Over the years, Frank becomes a permanent fixture in Taylor’s life.
Hagen Wylie has it all figured out. He's going to live in his hometown, be everybody's friend, explore new relationships, and rebuild his life after the horrors of war. No muss, no fuss is the plan. He's well on his way - until he finds out his first love has come home too. Hagen says it's no big deal, but a chance encounter with Mitch Thayer's two cute sons puts him directly in the path of the only guy he's never gotten out of his head.
He promised to never leave me. But when I needed him the most, that was exactly what he did. Wilderness guide Xander Reed has spent fifteen years trying to forget the night he turned to his best friend in his darkest hour, only to find the young man who'd sworn to always have his back was turning his on Xander instead. Two thousand miles and fifteen years of building a new life in the quiet backcountry of the Rocky Mountains should have been enough to put the memory of Bennett Crawford out of his mind.
Thornwell Shipton is wealthy, uptight, closeted, and an incurable workaholic. A tragic love affair left him terrified of relationships, so he tells himself sex is better scheduled and paid for. Riley Dashwood is young, easy-going, and comfortable in his own skin. He's a passionate baker and an aspiring chef, working as an escort to save up for culinary school. When Thorne hires Dash, it's lust at first sight. After a few scorching nights together, both men start to wonder if what's between them is more than physical.
Terrence Moss. Conrad Harris. Gold Team Leader. Darius Hawthorne. The Vault. Juggling all these names would bother some, but for Darius, it’s business as usual. When he closes a chapter in his life, he leaves a name - and the people associated with it - behind. He’s managed to keep a few colleagues, even fewer friends, and no companionship through his 40-plus years...but that’s now changing. The newest chapter of his life brings a chance encounter with the one man Darius ever loved: Efrem Lahm.
At 10 years old, Noah Jameson and Cooper Bradshaw collided midair when they dove for the same football. For three years they were inseparable...until one day when Noah and his parents disappeared in the middle of the night. Noah and Cooper never knew what happened to each other. Now, 17 years later, after finding his boyfriend in bed with another man, Noah returns to Blackcreek looking for a fresh start. And damned if he doesn't find his old friend grew up to be as sexy as sin.
Gary should be living it up in his South Tower unit of Metropolis, but he's having a hard time adjusting to his newly single status. It's not easy to walk away from five years with his ex, who he discovered was cheating on him with some North Tower twink. After a night out partying, licking his wounds, he goes to bed alone. When he wakes the next morning, there's a naked guy in his bed. Not just any guy. A stud from North Tower. But hot as he is, what the hell is he doing in his room?
The night I twice rescued presumably straight Ethan Harris, I figured that would be the last time I saw him. However, he keeps finding his way back into my life - and into my bed. Guess he wasn't as straight as I thought. Ethan's full of surprises, though, and being bi is just one of them. As cocky as he can be, he's also sharp and witty and, even when he's being his most arrogant self, he's charming as hell. He likes to win, but so do I. However, as we get to know each other, I realize there's more to us than the games we play in and out of the bedroom.
Life takes delight in stabbing Gus Scott in the back when he least expects it. After Gus spends years running from his past, present, and the dismal future every social worker predicted for him, karma delivers the one thing Gus could never - would never - turn his back on: a son from a one-night stand he'd had after a devastating breakup a few years ago. Returning to San Francisco and to 415 Ink, his family's tattoo shop, gave him the perfect shelter to battle his personal demons and get himself together...until the firefighter who'd broken him walked back into Gus's life.
Small town cop Clint Rivera can't catch a break. His ex of two weeks is suddenly getting married, his dogs tore up his furniture, he's getting evicted, and he's out of beer. When he decides to solve his alcohol shortage by going to his ex's engagement party, Clint winds up too drunk to drive himself home. Enter gorgeous deputy mayor Hawk Black, the man who constantly shows up unexpectedly and sends Clint's body and mind into a tailspin with nothing but his whiskey voice and blue eyes.
In Another Life
At age 18 Shiloh Raben is tired. He no longer has the energy to deal with mean classmates, inner doubt, and fear of familial rejection, so he takes a razor to his wrist. When he wakes up in the hospital, Shiloh meets Travis Kahn, the EMT who saved him and didn't leave his side.
Travis is handsome, smart, and funny - the type of guy Shiloh would never be brave enough to approach. But his near-death experience has an unusual side effect: The life that flashed before his eyes wasn't the one he had already lived but rather the one he could live. With visions of a future by Travis' side, Shiloh will find the strength to confront his fears and build a life worth fighting for.
Second edition.
Eight Days
Childhood family friends Maccabe Fried and Josh Segal have always gotten along despite having nothing in common. Maccabe is an athlete with dreams of playing professional baseball. Josh is an aspiring architect with dreams of being with Maccabe. Despite all odds, both dreams come true.
Maccabe and Josh fall into a long-distance romance, which is everything Josh thought he wanted. But after years of hiding from the world, Josh wants to bring their relationship into the open. When Maccabe refuses, Josh is faced with a tough decision: stay with the man he loves or live the life he deserves. No matter the choice, somebody's bound to get hurt. Thankfully, in the season of miracles, there's always hope for a happy ending.
Second edition.
In Another Life
Without revealing what happens… Shiloh is shown at 18 and 36 … then again at 18 and 36. He gets “shown” a couple different variations of how his life “could” be and we are left when he finally figures it out right! Travis is his savior and whom he saves and finds true love with in the end.
It’s a bit like a morbid, gay, choose your own adventure and it has some funny lines, a bit of hot smexy times, and a very sweet HEA. This is an unusual story and though it’s short, tells a lot. There are a lot of plot inconsistencies without explanations, but overall it’s a very sweet holiday story that, like all of Cardeno’s works, is delightfully ooey, gooey, sweet and tender.
John Solo does the narration for this and he does a nice job – especially with all the coughing! He doesn’t use any accents or do anything OTT, just delivers a nice narrative.
For the story and the narration 3.5 of 5 stars
Eight Days
Maccabe is the nerd and Josh the jock. They hook up in college but when Maccabe wants to come out and Josh doesn’t, they split for years. It takes Hanukah to bring them back together.
On the one hand I loved Josh’s explanation about who he is and why he didn’t want to come out – it’s unique. But I didn’t really understand why he’d let things go as long as he did. Then when he comes back in to Josh’s life, Josh doesn’t really offer up much of a protest, despite all the time gone by.
It’s another lovely holiday story with a bit of hot smexy times and some very sweet Cardeno lovin’.
Nick J Russo did a great job with all the unique words and his voice for Josh felt very authentic. I love his narrations as he’s so easy to listen to and he has a way of really bringing the listener into the story.
I liked this story best of the two and give it and the narration a 4.25 of 5 stars
I think anyone in the mood for a short, sweet, sexy, holiday story will love these and I recommend them highly.
(I love the new cover!)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
Any additional comments?
Brilliantly narrated by John Solo, In Another Life gives a glimpse of what could be and fateful encounters. This story is hands down one of my favorite novellas of Cardeno's. Filled with so much love and hope it definitely doesn't hurt that the sex is hot as hell too.
But more than that I absolutely love that Shiloh remembers the glimpse of the life that could have been and am completely enamored of Shiloh and Travis's whole love story. John had me crying while listening to this story...twice.
Speaking of brilliant, Nick J. Russo lends his own considerable voice talent to Eight Days. Nick perfectly captures Maccabe's cluelessness, Josh's affection and frustration, and, as always, brings the heat for the sexy times.
I want so much more with this story. I feel like begging for a sequel. I need more, Cardeno C., please!
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
*3.5 stars*
Jewish comfort food for Jews and Goys alike.
I'm a big Cardeno C. fan, especially when CC delivers, and I think that happened with these two stories. Cardeno C. is my go-to for Jewish MC romance, and these two Hanukkah stories really hit the mark.
In Another Life
I'm not always a fan of John Solo. The way he narrates sometimes irritates me, and I've made some comments in previous reviews about not liking the sound of his voice, especially for certain characters. Here, it irritated me less than usual, and I was surprised that I actually enjoyed his narration. By far the best that I've heard from him.
This story was over the top and TOTAL insta-love, which is usually a big pet peeve of mine, but I actually... sort of liked it here! The story is told in an interesting way, and I dug that. Plus, hot Jewish doctors are sort of my weakness...
It was sweet, moving, and pretty romantic. 3.5 stars
Eight Days
Eight Days reminded me a bit of Walk With Me, in a good way. It is a second chance romance between two life-long friends, whose relationship has evolved over time.
Maccabe was a bit harder to like than Josh, with his back and forth and the inconsistent portrayal of his relationship with baseball. I found myself getting frustrated with him, but I still enjoyed the dynamic between him and Josh, overall.
What made this story was the stellar narration from one of my faves, Nick J. Russo, who always kills it. He is my go-to in M/M romance these days. His voice was sexy, compelling, and not over-acted. I really liked his performance. 3.5 stars
*Audiobook ARC provided in exchange for an honest review*
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
In Another Life:
Holiday romances are easy for me to tire of pretty quickly. But what In Another Life is? It is so much more than just another holiday romance. It’s also a very unique take on second chance romance, with just a touch of…I don’t know-maybe supernatural would be the best way to describe it? A near-death experience that has resounding effects always has me thinking of otherworldly things. Plus, the holiday this is set around is Hanukkah, not Christmas as you might expect-and a genuinely pleasant surprise.
The matchup of Shiloh and Travis is sweet and immediately intense, smacking of insta-love but in the overall context of the story it really works well. When it’s right, you just know. The two of them just fit together like two puzzle pieces-physically, emotionally, and personality-wise they are the perfect complement to each other.
While this story gives us twice the tragedy, it also give us twice the love and hope. A tear or two might have escaped me…and a lot more smiles than that as well. This was a 4.5-star read for me, and I’d definitely recommend this story to any M/M romance fan-regardless if you are a holiday romance person or not (18+ for adult language and M/M sexual content).
I really enjoyed the audio narration of this story. The voices were done well-each character very distinct, and the pacing spot on where I was able to enjoy the story with only listening to it and not reading the ebook first (I usually prefer reading first before listening). This is definitely a story I will be listening to again and again-and not just during the holiday season.
Eight Days:
First off, I love that this holiday romance is centered on Hanukkah-there are nowhere near enough romances out there with this holiday focus. It provides an uncommon yet excellent way to pace the story, particularly since the first several days are not consecutive, but over the course of years instead. Second, I have to tell you that I adored Josh’s character-but Maccabe aggravated the heck out of me for a large chunk of the story. BUT, thank goodness this isn’t just a holiday romance-it’s a second chance one as well…one of my favorite tropes, particularly in the M/M romance genre.
Josh is so sweet and innocent as the story starts out, and I couldn’t help but feel so much for his character throughout the entire book. Maccabe came across as a typical jock to me, just one who’s not quite so sure about his sexuality. Once the two of them finally get together, it seems like everything is primarily physical-and that chemistry is phenomenal-but Maccabe’s insistence on keeping their relationship quiet drags things between them down and ultimately results in them breaking apart. The older they got, the more Maccabe’s attitude ticked me off-I don’t care if he was in professional sports or not.
But Maccabe mostly redeemed himself in my eyes seven years after they split at the family Hanukkah dinner…although the way he acted after his and Josh’s initial reunion when Jim…er…James…er…no…John shows up I thought was a bit much. Maccabe has an ego-a big one-and he knows it too, it’s the one thing that I wasn’t fond of about his character. I’m just glad that in the end, it’s not himself that he puts first.
4 stars for Eight Days, it’s a good M/M holiday romance-even with Maccabe’s annoying attitude. Recommended for readers 18+ for adult language and M/M sexual content (oh yes, that part-hot…very hot).
The audio narration for Eight Days was a perfect 5 stars-unique character voices, packed full of emotion when needed and it really drew me into the story even more so than reading the ebook. The narration actually made Maccabe’s character a bit more palatable for me, particularly in that dinner scene seven years later where it is plainly obvious from his tone and the emotions in his voice that he realizes what he should have known before everything went wrong. Excellent narration, it really made this story so much more for me than the printed version gave me.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?
Yes I have recommended it to some friends that like the genre
Would you recommend In Another Life & Eight Days to your friends? Why or why not?
I have recommended it to a couple of friends because they read other books like this.
What does John Solo and Nick J. Russo bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?
Both John and Nick did a great job bringing the characters to life for me, John didn't go overboard with the narration, he did a great job. Nick made the character really come to life for me, he did a great job bringing me as a listener into the story. Nick is one of my favorite narrators so far.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?
I enjoyed listening to both of the stories, In Another Life kind of confused me as it backtracks, but it puts a whole different spin on the the characters and their relationship.Eight Days to your friends was just as interesting and also a fun read.
Would you recommend In Another Life & Eight Days to your friends? Why or why not?
When I have friends who are looking for this type of books I will add these titles I recommend.
Which character – as performed by John Solo and Nick J. Russo – was your favorite?
I liked Maccabe and Josh, there were so many twists to the story that it was memorable.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
Two wonderful stories that are well written and performed.
Both stories have a great balance of heat, romance, and drama, making the stories really enjoyable.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
I like it a lot more than i thought i love romance a lot and it was pretty much want i like it is worth it happens is always worth it
Any additional comments?
In another life- Is an amazing story with a wonderful ending to it.
Eight days- A good listen, but don't expect much in character development. It only shows eight days of the characters lives throughout time.
Two well-written novellas, two superb narrators, a hot cover, and all at a very reasonable price.
In Another Life – 4.5*
This is a fabulous and cleverly-crafted story that ran me through a range of emotions. I laughed, I cried, and I swooned as I listened to Shiloh’s and Travis’ story. As often is the case with CC we are treated to insta-love, but keep with it if it’s not your thing. It all works out wonderfully in the end. It’s a story of second chances but sort of in reverse. The only thing I wondered about was the make-out scene in the hospital bed. Not very professional. Luckily they weren’t interrupted. Excellently narrated by John Solo and his character voice for Travis was just hot and lovely.
Eight Days – 3.5 (4* for the early part of the story)
I liked the premise of this story—eight snapshots of a relationship that just happened to coincide with Hanukkah celebrations over several years. I enjoyed the early chapters with Maccabe and Josh, but the reason behind their split and the lack of contact for seven years was a little flimsy. The separation hardly seemed to affect Maccabe, but then all of a sudden he feels he has to do something to put it right. I’m glad Josh had tried to move on with his life, but my heart hurt for him because he hadn’t really managed it. I can understand why he was reluctant to have Maccabe back at first. The final chapter was a let down. I was hoping to see Maccabe come out to their families and admit he was in a relationship with his best friend. Instead we get an extended family scene with banter/arguing and only a brief glimpse at how Josh and Maccabe are together. So for me although the idea of the story was good and it ends happily, I would have liked a slightly different ending or an extended story with more scenes. Nick narrated the story very well, although a little fast at times, with distinguishable voices and the right emotions.
What did you like most about In Another Life & Eight Days?
In another life is a 'turned on it's head' life flashing before your eyes tale that gripped me from the outset. Shiloh & Travis are perfect for each other, and in the end, shape their own happily ever after. Wonderfully absorbing and relatable characters in a sweet story that is so fresh, I adored it.Eight Days tells the story of two men finally finding themselves and each other told via the Eight Days of Hanukkah over several years. The cute geeky band-boy Josh falls for his closeted jock best friend McCabe but McCabe insists he isn't gay and doesn't want their close families to find out the truth about them. Eventually, pro ballplayer McCabe comes to his senses and goes to get Josh and start their life together. Its a 'doesn't run smooth' love story, but very sweet and satisfying in the end. I loved it.
What other book might you compare In Another Life & Eight Days to, and why?
These two stories are so original, and approached by the author in such a fresh way, that there isn't anything else I've read that is like them. That the stories are romantic and satisfying in the end, doesn't mean they don't have their share of difficulties that real life possess.
Which character – as performed by John Solo and Nick J. Russo – was your favourite?
John's narration was excellent, as was Nick's. They both portrayed the characters well, clearly and in a way that was perfectly in line with how I heard the characters when I first read the book. Of all the characters in both stories, Shiloh was probably my favourite, as he was the one who went on the biggest journey to find his place in happiness.
Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?
So many! The brilliantly bossy jewish moms always trying to feed everybody were awesome, but when Shiloh woke in the hospital too his dad's almost barked 'I love you' i nearly cried.
Any additional comments?
Both stories are written with Cardeno C's usual humour and brilliant dialogue, if you like cleverly done gay romance stories, and appreciate the healthy representation of Judaism, this book is for you.