Title: Northbound
Author: Cara Dee
Series: The North Novels #1
Reviewer: Lita Thomas
Stars: 4.0 ★★★★
Release Date:
~~SUMMARY~~
Quinn Sawyer didn’t apply for a temporary job at the remote O’Connor Adventure Retreat all the way in Alaska because he wants a change of scenery. He loves his sunny Florida, and he’s only heading north because he needs answers from Declan O’Connor, the man who dated Quinn’s aunt six years ago.
One day, Declan was just gone, and it had been the beginning of hell for Quinn. Most of his family suddenly hated him and still blames him for Declan ending the relationship with Quinn’s aunt, though nobody will tell Quinn why.
He deserves to know how it could’ve possibly been his fault, and he’s not going to let the crush he harbored for Declan stand in the way.
After finally tracking down Declan, Quinn gets on a plane. Or death machine, as he prefers to call it. But in his quest to find out the truth, he discovers there’s a lot more to the Land of the Midnight Sun than seeking answers.
Add to Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25695997-northbound
Lita Thomas’s Review: 4.0 ★★★★
Northbound (The North Novels #1) by Cara Dee for this reader is the first book I have read that was specifically an M/M book. Northbound is the story of Quinn who has been out sexually to his family since her was 19 years old. His mother and father accept him for who he is but his uncles, aunts and cousins have never been happy that he was gay buy recently they have been downright cold and distant. It seems every since Quinn’s aunt’s boyfriend Declan left her things changed with the family regarding their feelings toward Quinn. When Quinn has the opportunity to leave Florida and go to Alaska to confront Declan Quinn take a 3 month job working with Declan. While living and dating Quinn’s aunt Declan has developed quite the friendship with Quinn. Quinn thought he and Declan were good friends and he never understood why one day Declan just up and left with not one word of goodbye or why he had to go. Quinn was hoping to get all his questions answered once he got to Alaska. Declan was shocked when he found out that his seasonal worker for 3 months was no other than Quinn. What Declan doesn’t know is that Quinn has always had a crush on him every since Quinn’s aunt brought him around the family. What Quinn doesn’t know is that Declan left Florida due to his feelings for Quinn. With a large age gap can Declan overcome that issues and can Quinn get what he thinks is a straight guy to notice him. I can say I was pleasantly surprised as to how much I enjoyed their story. Love is love and it doesn’t matter if it is with the opposite sex or the same. The sex was nice and sweet with a little bit of kink. A story that flowed and was told in a way that this reader could not get enough of Quinn and Declan. I give this story 4 O’s.
Title: Northland
Author: Cara Dee
Series: The North Novels #2
Reviewer: Lita Thomas
Stars: 5.0 ★★★★★
The North Novels, #2.
Two years ago, Logan Ward got the surprise of his life when he discovered he was the father of a two-year-old boy. Professionally and romantically adrift, he devoted all his time and energy to caring for his son. But now he’s searching for something more, and he and Justin head north to Alaska to try out the life his best friend Quinn has been raving about.
Kyle Shaw has been living off the land his whole life, comfortable with nature and the challenges of surviving in the Alaskan wilderness. He enjoys his seasonal work at the O’Connor Adventure Retreat and is looking forward to this year’s stint. He’s not in the market for anything more than hard work, good friends, and reasonably priced milk.
The work brought Logan to Alaska, but a late-night encounter with Kyle opens his mind to the possibilities of a future richer than any paycheck.
~~Add To TBR List~~
Review by Lita Thomas: 4.5 ★★★★.5
Northland (The North Novels, #2) by Cara Dee is a continuation of book 1 but focuses on Kyle and Logan. We met both guys, Kyle is the electrician who works at the retreat with Quinn and Declan and Logan is Quinn’s best friend from Florida. Quinn ended going back to Florida to be with Logan when he found out Logan has to end up coming back early from his contract job in Iraq due to the fact Logan finds out a bay he didn’t know existed was dropped off on his parent’s doorstep. Since the 3 months are up Quinn is in Florida trying to be there for Logan but is missing Declan. Kyle is home in the outlands of Alaska taking care of his father and his niece who lives with them since his brother and sister in laws death. Logan decides to go to the retreat to earn extra money and to visit Quinn who is now with Declan. Logan and Quinn end up having to stay in Anchorage while everyone else goes on to the retreat. Logan still has his questions about his sexuality and spending time with Kyle who we know is bisexual in Anchorage at Quinn and Declan’s apartment doesn’t help with Logan’s confusion. One night together is the beginning of a set of feelings in motion that neither Logan nor Kyle are ready to handle. The tension between the two is quite the story. This was more than a story about two guys finding love but a journey of self discovery and acceptance of different cultures. A true lesson on compromise and love. I give their story 4.5 O’s
There aren’t many things better than picking up my Kindle and getting completely sucked into a whole new world—where words morph into images and characters’ moods suddenly reflect my own. Aside from good plot and writing, for me, it boils down to relatable characters.
As a writer, I’m not finished until the men and women in my books come to life, until I can see them as real people, until I can connect with them. Which means I write what I want to read: everyday heroes and heroines who have the same struggles we all do. They evolve, have flaws, make mistakes and amends, learn, and find the endings they fight for.
Those are the characters who take the readers on a journey away from work, laundry, grocery shopping, and to-do lists.
When I’m not writing, researching, or brainstorming, I’m either planning my next trip (never-ending bucket list!), reading, watching hockey, or spending time with family and friends.
TaSTy WordGasms 