Seven tales of romance, hope, and passion. Even after the roughest night, dawn promises new beginnings.Resisting Desire by Talia HibbertActivist, womanist and journalist Nina Chapman is in love with her brother’s best friend. Oops. When her attempt to seduce calm, reliable James Foster backfires, Nina’s mortified—but as much as she’d like to avoid him, she can’t. No; she literally can’t. Because … literally can’t. Because Nina’s latest article has made her public enemy number one, and now the man who broke her heart just might be her only protection…
Dropped Stitches by Annabeth Albert
When activist knitter Bea goes to vote, the last person she expects to run into is her high school crush. The two women forge an unlikely election day connection, but can they see a future beyond the victory party?
Parking Lot Cowboy by Rebecca Crowley
Margot Dunn has spent months making up an elaborate fantasy about the tall, silent cowboy who serves as her fellow volunteer escort at a family planning clinic in Topeka. Then one morning he speaks, and the complicated reality of ranch-hand Tyler Olsen is better than any story she could make up.
Dare to Dream by Hudson Lin
After the 2016 election, Derek Lam kicked his political activism into high gear—it’s what anyone with half a conscience would do. Which is why he doesn’t understand how Diego Ortega, a classmate from law school and a Dreamer, could be so politically disengaged.
For Diego, pursuing law had never been about social justice. His priority has always been providing for and protecting his undocumented mother and his kid sister. Getting political did nothing but draw attention his family didn’t need.
Working on a class assignment together, Diego and Derek’s mutual attraction bubbles just under the surface. But any potential relationship will have to survive the sparks that fly from their clashing political views.
The Coffee Shop Around the Corner by Shae Connor
Political discourse is Madeline Maloney’s jam. Social media manager for a progressive mayoral candidate, she finds her interest piqued by an email exchange with a local businessman—but also by the cute guy at the coffee shop where she buys her morning cup. Palmer Harrison spends his mornings smiling at the beautiful woman who orders a caramel latte every day and his off hours emailing with a mystery woman who works for a mayoral campaign. Their parallel relationships intersect on Election Day…
Love Your Face by Ainsley Booth
Fifteen years ago, Fred left the Midwest behind and moved to New York City. Return visits have been rocky, and this Thanksgiving promises more family drama Fred really doesn’t want to deal with. Her best friend’s surprise appearance smooths over a difficult holiday, but raises new, complicated personal feelings when the very straight Ami confesses she’s not very straight after all.
Sacred Son by Robin Covington
Adam Woodson has dedicated his life to fighting for the rights of Native Americans in court and in the legislature, a career that has kept him too busy to regret the man who got away. Judah Nighthorse is rebuilding his life after prison, fighting to regain custody of his son from a non-Native foster family so he swallows his pride and asks the man he left behind for help. When fighting the good fight together sparks desire they can’t resist, they must decide if their future holds a second chance or a final goodbye.
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There is no need to summarise, as the short descriptions are clear and concise. ROGUE NIGHTS is about romance but also about politics and political activism: equality and freedom for all; immigration; the rights of Native Americans; as well as family planning. If you agree with ultra conservative policies, this will not be your cup of tea, so please abstain.
I seldom read every book in anthologies, and I read every story in ROGUE NIGHTS because the issues that provide the backdrop for the romances are real, they affect us every day, and some of us would like things to move forward instead of stagnating or worse. I had read only three of the authors previously: Ainsley Booth, Robin Covington (a long-time favourite, whose stories I will read without even knowing the topic; she’s that consistently amazing), and my latest literary darling: Talia Hibbert, who writes heroines I had only dreamed about prior to reading her books.
Talia Hibbert’s story was a complete delight I had hoped for! Featuring a heroine – Nina – whom I admired, a hero – James – I would wish for myself, RESISTING DESIRE is about politics and how they affect women, Britain, and Black Britons. It is only the second book by Ms. Hibbert that I read, and I love her voice! Urban and lyrical with incisive dialogues, and engaging and relatable characters; it’s a perfect novella, with sizzle and sexy sweetness. “Hope never dies”. Smashing!
DROPPED STICHES by Annabeth Albert is an interracial lesbian romance set against the backdrop of election night, and there is a lot of emotional action here! This was only the second F/F romance I had ever read, and the first Ms. Albert’s has ever written, and it is awesome! The characters are multidimensional; the conversations frank and honest; there is “Resistance Knitting”, which I had never heard of; and the splendid descriptions. No wonder Bea falls for Kira, who is a goddess – if at times a misguided one. This is a fantastic novella! Annabeth Albert asks us if we want more: Yes, I do!!!
PARKING LOT COWBOY by Rebecca Crowley has probably the most improbable setting for a romance: a family planning clinic. Both Margot and Tyler volunteer on Saturdays, and the day when silent Tyler finally speaks, Margot is lost. They are such polar opposites that the mind boggles, and yet … This was a gripping and very emotional story that I enjoyed very much.
DARE TO DREAM by Hudson Lin features a male/male romance in the explosive context of immigration, which is a very hot topic these days. Both Derek Lim and Diego Ortega are law school students, and their partnering for an assignment becomes problematic as they cannot fail to acknowledge their attraction while having very different views on their subject matter. There is a lot of very serious matter here, Diego is very intense, and Derek is so darn cute, and he has a lot of guts! This is a very pouching story, and a realistic and compelling romance as Derek and Diego epically clash politically amidst the sexual tension that cannot be ignored. A fabulous story!
Fans of You’ve Got Mail will love Shae Connor’s THE COFFEE SHOP AROUND THE CORNER. I particularly enjoyed how the author dealt swiftly with matters, and how both Madeline and Palmer were so very engaging. The context is mayoral elections in Atlanta, and I loved that I felt like an insider while watching the campaign unfold.
LOVE YOUR FACE by Ainsley Booth is a female/female romance. It mostly takes place over a very painful Thanksgiving over at Fred’s parents’, and dear me, this was so well described I felt uneasy at the whole thing. There is an age difference factor, that is not icky at all, and I loved Ami – all bubbly and sunny and enthusiastic. Another fine offering from Ms. Booth.
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SACRED SON by Robin Covington is a steamy and very emotional male/male romance where Judah, a Native American, fights to get his son back from foster care with the help of his former boyfriend. Ms. Covington touches on a few Native American issues with her usual tact in a very compelling story. There were quite a few unexpected plot twists, tender moments, and some sizzling passages. Another winner from Robin Covington.
ROGUE NIGHTS is a fabulous anthology which, apart from featuring favourite authors, gave me a chance to discover some new-to-me novelists. I loved that romance triumphed, sometimes against seemingly impossible odds, while relevant and vital causes were seamlessly woven into the narratives. All the novellas are solid – there is no substandard story –, the writing is outstanding, and most of us will find something to broaden our horizons as well. If you like any of the authors, or if you have any interest in any of the causes that feature in this anthology, do yourself a favour and grab this book right away, you will not regret it!
Resisting Desire by Talia Hibbert
4 stars
M/F
I was wary about starting this as it’s been a while since I read a m/f story. But I thoroughly enjoyed it. Nina and James were being total idiots-in-love and falling for your sibling’s best friend is one of my favourite tropes.
Dropped Stitches by Annabeth Albert
5stars
F/F
I love all of her books and this one isn’t any different. Meeting your high school crush after a long? She nailed this. I absolutely loved Bea and Kira. This left me wanting for more.
Parking Lot Cowboy by Rebecca Crowley
5 stars
M/F
Margot and Tyler were adorable together. I loved the characters. The family planning clinic escorts was something I’ve never read about before and I thank the author for giving me a chance.
Dare to Dream by Hudson Lin
5 stars
M/M
Derek and Diego were amazing!! I loved their little conflict and how Diego finally decided to fight for his dream.
The Coffee Shop Around the Corner by Shae Connor
4 stars
M/F
Who doesn’t like coffee shops and baristas? And the two people who have caught your interest is really just one person? Mads and Harris were another amazing couple.
Love Your Face by Ainsley Booth
5stars
F/F
I loved this story to bits!! Best friends to lovers is fav of mine and Fred and Ami make the list of my top couples!
Sacred Son by Robin Covington
5stars
M/M
This is a heartwarming story of redemption and second chances. Adam and Judah went through a lot but finally got the HEA they deserved. I loved Gideon so much. It also made me want to know more about Oliver and Gareth.
Overall I absolutely loved this anthology and every single story in it was something different.
*ARC provided by the author in exchange for honest review
This anthology is a collection of seven tales of romance, hope, passion, and the promise of new beginnings.
~ Sacred Son by Robin Covington This is a beautiful, moving and steamy second chance romance. Adam Woodson and Judah Nighthorse were young lovers. They were on two very different paths and Judah did not want to hold Adam back so he walked away from the man he loved, breaking both their hearts. Now years later, Judah needs Adam to help him get his son back. Neither has forgotten the other and can’t deny how much they still care for each other. But Judah’s son, Gideon, must come first, no matter how much they want to explore their feelings for each other. This is a beautiful and moving story of redemption, trust, and love. I really connected and cared for Adam, Judah, and Gideon. They are complex characters that have so much to say and I would love more of them. Their story was quick, and satisfying, and I really hope to see them again!
I have only read this story so far but am excited to check out the rest of this anthology and find new favorite authors!
I totally enjoyed Judah and Adam’s story in Sacred Son by Robin Covington. This the only story I have read so far in the anthology Rogue Nights, book six in the Rogue series. This is a hot m/m story involving the attraction and history between Judah and Adam. Ten years ago Judah and Adam ended an intense relationship, as Judah did not want to keep Adam from pursuing his law degree at an Ivy League college. Since then, Adam has made a career for fighting for the rights of Native Americans in court and the legislature. Judah has been rebuilding his life after prison and fighting to regain custody of his son from a non-Native foster family. Judah decides to ask Adam for help with his case, despite there being bad feelings between them. The sparks of attraction and desire did not die out during their separation and they struggle to resist each other. These two need to decide if their future allows for a second chance or a final goodbye between them.
Ms. Covington wrote an emotional and moving story filled with sexual chemistry, fun dialogue, and endearing characters that is not to be missed. I highly recommend Sacred Son to other readers.