Crocus

I want more please

I'm not ready to hear the last of this wonderful caste of Characters that Amy Lane created. I really hope that she will decide that the story hasn't quite ended yet. I absolutely love Larx and Aaron, and the fact that these two very hot men were in their late 40s , early 50s for me even made it more special. It added that touch of realism that a lot of romance novels lack in my opinion. I did enjoy Nick J. russo's performance, but he has a very young sounding voice and so I'm not sure if he was the best fit, but it didn't really take away from my enjoyment of the story, just an observation. 4.5 stars.

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wonderful sequel

In my opinion you really do need to read or listen to book 1, Bonfires, before starting Crocus. Bonfires is the story of how Aaron and Larx meet and fall in love with all the complications of joining two families. It ends when Larx’s eldest daughter Olivia comes home from college and tells them she is pregnant. This book takes off from that point. We learn that not only is she pregnant she also has Depression. Amy Lane handles this very difficult subject very well. There is no miraculous recovery just because it suited the storyline. We go through Olivia’s struggles to move out of the dark place she is in and Larx’s struggles as a parent to help her. At the same time his rock, Aaron is injured whilst on duty, one of his students is suffering from domestic abuse and is missing in a snowstorm. In amongst this two brothers need his support. There is so much to keep you on edge desperate to know more and wanting everything to work out. I love the dose of reality and practically Amy Lane has in these stories. By the way the book ended I am certain there will be a third book, can’t wait.

I absolutely agree with Mary. Even though the HEA for our guys happens in book 1, we don’t really see them interacting a whole lot together because – in typical Amy fashion – they are BOMBARDED with drama. Though the drama is still in heavy doses in book 2 – our guys handle it TOGETHER and that makes all the difference.

I was glad to see Amy confront the depression issues head on and not shy away from the less than perfect side of pregnancy, etc.

Highly recommended and can’t wait for book 3!

Audio

I just love Nick J Russo. I can’t say that enough. He makes every listening experience a joy and I always know I can depend on him to provide a quality character choice and interpretation. I love how he manages to give Aaron the laid back and stolid voice while in the next breath giving us the hyper and sometimes frenetic Larx.

Well done and highly recommended!

5 of 5 stars for both

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Fantastic

I'm usually leery of sequels featuring an established couple, mostly because I'm afraid the author will mess with the happy ending I've already enjoyed.

Add Amy Lane, who's notorious for putting characters through emotional and angst-filled trauma, and I worried for Larx and Aaron.

But I'm happy to report that even though Larx and Aaron are put through the ringer with multiple crazy and scary things happening (Larx's daughter coming home pregnant, her baby daddy showing up, different kids needing to be saved, Aaron being hurt)...Larx and Aaron never lose sight of each other and how much they mean to one another.

I love all of these characters - they're not perfect - but they communicate and support each other.

Nick J. Russo did a fantastic job with the narration. He captures all of the emotions throughout the book without ever going over the top, provides clear, distinguishable character voices, and a terrific pace.

I know I'm loving an audiobook when I get mad every time I have to pause it!

Established couple, multiple POV, contemporary romance with medium angst, sexy times, suspense, and a very happy ending.

Recommended! ❤️

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Yes!

I was looking forward to this book. I'm thoroughly enjoying this series. It's such a "feel good" read even with all it's horrible twists and turns. Love and family is everything. *smiling*

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Romance and a plot.

HEA means more when lots happens before you get there. I thank you Ms Lane.

Crocus, Bonfires 2

The second part of the Bonfires series by Amy Lane does not disappoint. I really liked the first book and wasn’t sure what we would get next in the follow up to that. That being said, you really have to read book one in order to follow this one, as if not, I think you will be missing a major part of their storyline and will probably be lost and a bit confused. Also, book one is really good too, so you should really read/listen to it just for that reason - you don’t want to miss out on a great book!

Larx and Aaron finally made a home with all their kids and patched-together family and are getting into the groove of being not just fathers but lovers as well. They always put their family and kids first and I really respect them for that. They have a real down-to-earth relationship that includes actual talking and sorting things out, all the awkward moments that two people can have together, disagreements and fights. We get to see it all with them.

These guys are seriously amazing characters that seem so dang real. Aaron is a sheriff and Larx is a principal/science teacher, so they have dedicated their lives to helping others. So naturally when something happens that puts more kids in danger they just can’t help themselves, which ultimately puts them right into the face of danger.

While book one was more suspenseful, this book isn’t lacking on that front either. However, I do feel like this book was more family focused. We get to see Aaron and Larx and more on how they interact together, with issues arising with their kids, and Aaron getting hurt in the line of duty, and Larx having to hold up the fort at home. Larx's daughter, Olivia, has some major issues to deal with and work out in this book and it’s great that both men take the time to make sure that she is OK and not just avoiding what really needs to be done.

Let me also add that every single time Wombat Willy was said I could not help but giggle out loud. It is hilarious when Elton is given that nickname. The guys reinforce with all the kids that family is forever and that they should all feel safe and secure at home, all while opening Aaron’s home up to others who need a place to stay. God, I loved this story and these men, two fantastic books with the best plot and storyline throughout them.

I really recommend getting both these stories in e-book format at least, but you really cannot go wrong picking up the audio for both books as well, since the narration is wonderful too.

Nick J Russo is brilliant when it comes to narrating. I just like listening to his voice more and more with each narration I’ve heard from him. He has a really pleasant rhythm and cadence to his voice that pulls you into each story. I think he really did a fabulous job with both Bonfires and Crocus, and all the characters involved. And, there were quite a few; he gave the two main characters their own voices along with all their children, and their extended families and friends. He really did well giving us the full picture of the story overall with so much going on in each book.

Wonderful Sequel to Bonfires!

I fell in love with Larx, Aaron, and everyone in their extended family in the must read prequel of Amy Lane’s wonderful Bonfires series. If you did as well, then Crocus is an absolute must-read continuation. If you haven’t, start with Bonfires, because I’m not giving anything away here!

One of the all-time best storytellers, Amy Lane creates a world of gritty, realistic characters. The Larkin and George families face their mistakes and deal with the trials of living in the real world. This is the best kind of angst, and while I can always count on Amy Lane to deliver a happy ending, getting there is what it’s all about.

There are some beautiful messages in Crocus, and the one that really resonates with me is about respecting others’ problems. Everyone has their own issues to deal with, their own crosses to bear. If it’s important to you, and you’re going through it, then it counts just as much as whatever I’m dealing with. This is one directive that always bears repeating.

I can’t think of a series better suited to audio, and the highly talented Nick J. Russo brings these characters to life. Larx and Aaron go through so much in Crocus, between their playful banter, life-changing events, and the delightfully furtive sex scenes, the emotion Mr. Russo imparts truly makes the story for me.

The ending of Crocus leaves no doubt that there’s more to come, and Amy Lane promises at least two more episodes in the Bonfires series. Coming in 2019 is Sunset, which I’m hoping is a happily-ever-after for Larx and Aaron. With Kellan and Isaiah’s story to look forward to after that, I can hardly wait!

A beautiful afternoon in the Sun - Larks and Aaron

While I may mislead (their lives are not always peaceful - and there is plenty of chaos) These two are people you'd love to know, written beautifully - intelligently - Larks and Aaron are unforgettable - just love them and their smarts, their approach to living life. They are like a warm cozy all-inclusive blanket. Thanks Amy - and please, please do not change narrators, Nick Russo has these two nailed!

A+ rating...

My Review:
Overall: 4.75
Performance: 4.75
Story: 5.0

I was so excited when I found out there was a second book in this series, because I adored the first book. And omg, it did not disappoint...at all. This book was just as good as the first, but better in the fact that the two guys are in such an amazing place together that although neither is in a good place mentally, they don't let it affect the strength within their relationship. That made it an amazingly fantastic read that just melts my heart. (And please, please, please...I'm begging that there's a third book in the series. I LOVE THESE TWO and their menagerie of family and strays.)

So, the basics...Larx is the high school principal. Aaron is a sheriff's deputy. They both care deeply about the people that they come in contact with which is where they get into trouble. At their hearts, both of these guys are HUGE PROTECTORS. They physically can't standby when someone's in danger of any sort. That's great except it puts both of them in the line of fire, over and over again. But neither one of them would be who they are without that fact.

I'm not going to say anymore about that though because...no spoilers.

Just know...this book was AMAZINGLY good! OMG, so, so good!! Because this isn't a story just about these two guys. This is also about their family...their tribe. They tend to take in the strays along with anyone they love who needs help. As a result, there are story lines all over the place in this book. But all of them are good...the brothers, the wombat, the girls. All of those stories had heartwarming points, ridiculous points, and points where I just wanted to cry. But in the end, it was all incredibly sweet and filled with love. The way it should be.

These characters...they know how to love with every part of their being and that makes reading these books...pure happiness. I loved it!

My favorite

This is my favorite series by Amy Lane and I hope there will be more about this family. I just found the audioversion and this is my third time listening to it. I love the men in this story. They are so relatable. This is the kind of love anyone wants, solid and supportive even in the midst of chaos. Also, it is performed so well. Amy Lane is a gem!