#only really romancing shane just to get the blue chickens though

[beaversatemygrandma]

So, I’ve been playing Stardew with that guy lately. Forgot that switch stardew had multiplayer tbh. He bought the game on sale a while ago and literally never played it past the first week so this was like fully new to him. And the entirety of the first spring, he’s 100% focused on literally everything but the NPCs. Just enjoying the farmsim parts. Everything of it and especially the mines (me too tho). And then i go and I’m like “Dude. Talk to the fucking townspeople. The Heart Events. The sheer lovely characterization. Go Do It.” Then i tell him about the romancing options and how exactly to romance people. And then encouraged him to Finally Just Pick One. He starts looking through the list and says “I see (Single) under your character. So uhhh. How about you?” Dude straight up goes and buys the wedding ring recipe. AND THEN I GET HIM TO START WITH AN NPC. He picked Leah. Solid choice tbh.

[stardewstardropthoughts]

If it's possible, can you do a scenario of the farmer writing a fantasy romance book based of them and bachelor's as a gift. Mainly for Shane and Elliott.

Heck yeah, it may not be my best but like I love it anyway! I only did Elliott and Shane lol but I can do the rest if you want them!

Elliott and Shane react to you writing a romance novel about them

Elliott:

You’ve been going to the mines more and more recently and while he doesn’t want to be unsupportive of your endeavours he is very worried for your health

Unbeknownst to him you’ve just been sitting by the lake up there to get some quiet to write the book you’ve been keeping a secret from him

Your mostly finished now, today your simply binding it together before gifting it to him for your anniversary

The binding is simple but delicate, hand crafted leather with fairy roses imprinted around the edge

It took you forever to make but your very proud of how it turned out

A week later comes your anniversary, Elliotts glad it seems you’ve been taking a break from mining as well

He makes a beautiful dinner, candles, flowers the works really

You shyly hand him the book, wrapped in brown paper packaging and a twine bow

He opens it and is immediately taken back with how beautiful it looks, opening it and recognizing the handwriting has yours

It’s a fantasy romance about a poet and a royal whose love was forbidden but could not be ignored

He’s already on the verge of tears because of all the effort you went to for him

Literally his most cherished and most read book

Shane:

He sees you writing something all the time but generally just assumes it’s a private journal so he doesn’t snoop

Loves watching you while you write in it though because he loves the look of concentration on your face

Thinks it’s adorable when you poke your tongue out just slightly while writing

Meanwhile your actually writing a romance novel all about moving to a whole new place and finding the love of your life

Titled “the feathers of life’s flight”

Charlie of course gets his own little excerpt as the main love interest’s favourite pet, gotta include our favourite chicken

You bind the book with a simple light blue cardboard backing and front, painting delicate feathers around the edges and a tiny little chicken on the back

You give it to Shane on his birthday

He’s not much of a reader but bet your ass he’s reading this book front to back

He’s in tears, no one’s ever done anything this nice for him before

Your getting so many snuggles on the couch with him while he reads it

He absolutely loves it, will not hesitate to brag about you to anyone who will listen (including Elliott, will tell him he thinks your a better writer lol)

[not-poignant]

thoughts on shane from stardew valley?

He's okay, though I've never romanced him.

When I started playing, he wasn't romanceable, and he didn't have the extra cut-scenes etc. that he has now. The blue chicken storyline didn't exist, for example. I'm really glad it does now! Because it feels like he has probably one of the most complete and happiest storylines out of any character there, whether you date him or not.

He gets to come out of Stardew purgatory. Some of the characters you only really 'save' by marrying them. Like Sebastian stays stuck in the basement, Penny's still with her horrible alcoholic mom (though you can at least upgrade their house I guess), Alex never finds a path for his future (I know he now has his final final cut scene, but ehhh), and so on.

Shane gets out of it and gets to be happy no matter what, as long as you just keep moving through all of his cut-scenes. I think that's nice.

But I don't really have much of an interest in personally romancing him and I'm not a huge fan of alcoholism at the best of times (having lived with alcoholics. Once you're a COA you're always a COA).

I actually kind of laugh at how rude he is to you in the beginning, because it just makes me laugh, all these really rude characters who just get slowly won over by jars of mayonnaise.

So yeah, I don't mind him! I think him being ultimately kind to animals, and concerned for Jas (while not constantly talking about babies), means I'm kind of soft for him even if he's not someone I'd romance in the game. I think Eric Barone did a fantastic job with adding to his character as the builds kept coming, and made him really fleshed out and he's probably now the most fleshed out NPC in the game, likely because he has the most sensitive storyline.

Idk, I think that's kind of cool!

[hufflesocks]

Tf2 mercs playing Stardew Valley:

-Scout:

-not really into it as he gets bored easily, but will play it occasionally especially after Miss Pauling suggested the game

-doesn’t really understand the farming mechanics and just focuses on romancing the npcs

-He originally goes after Haley, but switches to Penny because her interest remind him of Miss Pauling. But he got bored with that too and gave up

-his favorite npc is Alex and he chooses the dog with the blue color

-Soldier:

-loves the combat mechanics and always chooses the wilderness farm

-He’s made it really far into the mines

-The plant part of the farm is lacking, but he enjoys taking care of chickens

-has a shared game with demo where they just fight monsters together. Their farm is completely neglected.

-doesn’t really focus on developing relationships with the other villagers, but his favorite npc is Kent

-chooses either the German Shepard or the grey cat

-Pyro:

-they love this game

-they’re on at least year 7 on their main save and have max relationships with all of the npcs(though they never romance any of them) and have completed the community center

-they mostly grow flowers on their farm, but their favorite parts are the animals

-not the biggest fan of mining and it took them a while to get the hang of fishing

-has one shared game each with Miss Pauling, Engie, and Sniper

-tried to start a game with Scout, but Scout lost interest and wouldn’t take the game seriously

-their favorite npc is Evelyn because she’s like a grandma. They like to give her the flowers they grow

-always chooses the orange tabby cat as a pet

-Demoman:

-plays pretty casually. Just does it to relax every now and then, so his farm isn’t anything special

-he finds the bombs to be a fun change of pace from the farming whenever he gets a little bored

-he really only talks to the npcs if he happens to walk by them, that’s why nothing could have prepared him for Shane’s heart events

-Shane’s drinking problem really resonated with Demo and he found himself analyzing his own decisions regarding alcohol

-he really liked the progress Shane made by the end

-his favorite npc is Shane

-He tends to choose the tan cat with the bell for a pet

-Heavy:

-finds the game relaxing and plays it whenever he’s particularly stressed to calm himself down

-has a very simple farm layout

-his favorite season is winter because it reminds him of his cabin back in Russia

-has a shared world with Medic, but after the chicken incident they haven’t really played on it

-Doesn’t really have a favorite npc, but he likes talking to Harvey because he is a doctor

-typically chooses any of the 3 dogs as pets

-Engineer:

-Engie is another one who really enjoys the game. He likes it’s casually nature and it reminds him of his family’s farm back in Texas

-doesn’t really have much time to play since he likes to focus his time on his machines. Tends to usually play whenever he gets homesick or Pyro wants to play

-has the MOST efficient farm set up. Plans field layout to maximize sprinkler usage. Has paths leading to each area so as to minimize travel time. ect.

-Actually really enjoys methodically planing out his farm

-his favorite nps are Marnie and Demetrius

-Usually chooses any of the 3 dogs as a pet like Heavy

-Medic:

-got bored with the game pretty quickly. He feels like he has much better things to do with his time such as seeing what would happen when you give a baboon a human heart

-got the void chicken event pretty early on when playing with Heavy

-He liked the design and concept and was inspired to make his own void chicken.

-it did not end well, unless of course you think that creating some eldritch being with the desire to consume souls and then having to seal it away in a mason jar was a success

-Didn’t play enough to have a favorite npc, but he hates Harvey because he feels like he’s wasting his potential of being the town only doctor and not taking advantage of the experimentation opportunities

-Chose the grey cat when he first tried the game

-Sniper:

-Really enjoys the game

-is the best at the fishing mini-game. He practically never misses

-likes the foraging, animal, and fishing aspects of the game the best

-doesn’t really grow crops

-favorite npcs are Willy and Clint

-Chooses the German Shepard for a pet

-Spy:

-only played the game to placate Miss Pauling. Hasn’t touched it since

-just messed around on it for a little

-He bought the JoJa membership

-Tried to romance the marriage candidates to get the group ten heart event but realized that would take to long and gave up

-doesn’t have a favorite npc, because he didn’t play long enough for that. But he did like Jodi, because for some reason a woman raising her sons by herself resonated with him

-chose the the tan cat with the bell for a pet

Bonus:

-Miss Pauling:

-She really enjoys the game. She likes how relaxing and in control she feels when she plays it. Was actually the one who introduced it to the mercs, because she thought it might help them relax

-unfortunately doesn’t get much time to play since she only has one day off a year, but she plays it when she can

-likes doing quests for the other villagers

-usually goes with the wilderness farm so she can design her farm during the day and fight monsters at night

-has married all of the marriageable candidates at least once, just to shake things up a bit each play through

-her favorite npcs are Maru and Abigale

-Always chooses any of the 3 cats

[xopinkmilk18xo]

Get to know me!

1. Name

Courtney Jane Smith

2. Nationality

Australian

3. Age

18

4. Birthday

11th December 2001

5. Zodiac sign (or your primal zodiac sign)

Sagittarius / Ophiuchus

6. Gender

Female

7. Sexuality

Bisexual💙💖💜

8. Your looks (add a picture or describe yourself)

Ew I know

9. What do you/did you study?

I will be going on to study Children’s Nursing at University but in school I studied Sociology, Photography and Childcare

10. What’s your current job like?/What job would you like to have?

I currently hold a part time job at my local corner shop, but will hopefully end up with a job as a children’s nurse or something to do with childcare:)

-

11. Your birth order

Aaron, Charlotte, Abbey, Me:), Lacey

(I think that is what this means)

12. How many siblings do you have?

4

13. Do you have good relations with your family?

Yes but not with my first oldest sister

14. How many friends do you have?

Like 2 lol

15. Your relationship status

Taken🥰

16. What do you look for in a SO?

Good personality, being good looking helps (dont want to date a troll u know) and well I guess that’s it really

17. Do you have a crush?

Yes on my boyfriend

18. When did you have your first kiss?

When I was 14

19. Do you prefer serious and meaningful relationships or casual dating/one night stands?

Serious and meaningful

20. What are your deal breakers?

I’m not really sure:/

-

21. How was your day?

It was okay, could’ve been better but overall it was meh

22. Favourite food & drink

I love pasta like I could marry pasta haha. And my favourite drink is probably either fresh orange juice or something fizzy

23. What position do you sleep in?

On my side, hugging my pillow with my leg out as if it’s straddling someone (I’m lonely, my boyfriend needs to stay over at some point)

24. What was your last dream about?

I honestly wish I could remember but they are so fucking crazy right now

25. Your fears

Spiders, snakes, heights, large crowds, death (morbid I know) and being lonely:(

26. Your dreams

To travel the world with my baby�� as well as buy my own house, get my dream career, get married and have babies (basic I know but this is what I want in life and will feel so lucky and blessed if this happens)

27. Your goals

Same as the above I guess? To travel the world with the loml, become a child nurse, get my dream house then get married, have babies and live a happy long life:)

28. Any pets?

Yes! A cat called Binka and a dog called Shiro (Japanese for White as he is a white Japanese Akita)

29. What are your hobbies?

Cooking, baking, cleaning (weird I know), singing, dancing and sleeping haha

30. Any cool places in your area?

Um, I mean I live about 30 minutes from the beach and it has a “hidden cave” (it’s quite easy to spot if you know where it is) that I go to with a few friends some nights and watch the sunset. So that’s pretty cool

31. What was your last awkward situation?

They happen so often I don’t even know which one to write about I’m such an awkward person lol

32. What is your last regret?

I don’t know really

33. Language/s you can speak

I can speak Italian, Spanish, Russian and some French

34. Do you believe in astrological stuff? (Zodiac, tarot, etc.)

To a certain extent, yes

35. Have any quirks?

Um I’m not sure?

36. Your pet peeves

I have so many but my BIGGEST pet peeve is the people who like to one-up a situation so I have a friend like this but she’s like one of my only friends so I don’t want to say anything woops but for example I could say to her “I only got 5 hours sleep” she would then turn around and be like “oh well I went to bed at 11 and woke up at 3am and couldn’t sleep” it’s like okay cool but stop trying to one up me thank u bye

37. Ideal vacation

DisneyWorld or Bora Bora (two complete different places I know but I’ve been to both many times and they’re both amazing)

38. Any scars?

I have a scar on my chin from when I hit it on the stair rail when I was a child and I have a surgery scar from when I had my appendix removed

39. What does your last text message say?

It’s me texting my email to my boyfriend because he needed it for something (kinda personal nothing bad tho)

40. Last 5 things from your search history

Majority of it right now is me googling Birthday presents for a family member as well as flight times because I was curious what the time from LA to Texas was haha

41. What’s your [device] background?

Lock screen is me and my boyfriend and my home screen is a flower picture I took

42. What do you daydream about?

A lot of different things, it all depends on how I’m feeling

43. Describe your dream home

Something small and quaint yet modern and big enough to raise a big family

44. What’s your religion/Your thought about religion

I have nothing against religion and what people believe in. I personally am not religious but I do believe in something. Not God or Jesus but I believe that something like that HAS to exists (sorry if I offended anyone I really did not mean to:/)

45. Your personality type

Really shy and quiet (social anxiety tings😚dont worry I have actually been diagnosed) but ince you get to know me I come out of my shell a bit more

46. The most dangerous thing you’ve done

Went sky diving (it was terrifying)

47. Are you happy with your current life?

Yes but no

48. Some things you’ve tried in your life

I don’t really know how the hell to answer this question I’m sorry🥺

-

49. What does your wardrobe consist of?

A lot of different colours but I wear mainly grey and black clothes hehe

50. Favourite colour to wear?

Black or grey🤪

51. How would you describe your style?

I don’t really know, definitely not trendy I can tell you that but all the styles I want to try I just KNOW will look bad on me

52. Are you happy with your current looks?

Not really no lol😚✌🏼

53. If you could change/add something to your appearance - impossible or not - what would it be?

I honestly would change my entire face, especially my nose, if it was smaller I’d feel slightly better about my appearance (nothing against big noses lol I just don’t like mine)

54. Any tattoos or piercings?

I had my ears and nose pierced but took them out and just forgot to put them back in and now the holes have sorta closed up.

I then also have a small turtle on my ankle - for a close friend (still alive lol but it’s just a nice thing to have) and I have plans to get a few more just need to decided when I want them because I keep chickening out

55. Do you get complimented often?

Yes sorta but only by my boyfriend

56. Favourite aesthetic?

I’m not sure?

57. A popular trend that you dislike

I’m not really aware of any popular trends as of right now tbh

-

58. Songs you’re currently obsessed with?

Adore You by Harry Styles and for some reason Feel so Close by Calvin Harris

59. Song you normally wouldn’t admit you like.

Mr Brightside - I hate the song (dont attack me pls) but it lowkey, high key is a BOP

60. Favourite genre?

Mainly throwback songs so I guess pop songs? Tbh my genre of music is all over the place

61. Favourite artist/band/genre?

I love 5 Seconds of Summer and One Direction but that’s it really

62. Hated popular songs/artists?

I HATE Dance Monkey and High Hopes (they get on my nerves so much idk why)

63. Put your music on shuffle and list first 5

September - Earth Wind & Fire

Truth Hurts - Lizzo

Jealous - Labrinth

Bad Romance - Halestorm (such a bop)

Break Free - Ariana Grande

64. Can you sing or play any instruments?

I can sing, I also play piano and guitar (strings have broken though and so haven’t played in a while)

65. Do you like karaoke?

I LOVE karaoke

66. Own any albums?

Yes, mainly 5SOS and One Direction haha

67. Do you listen to radio? What stations?

Sometimes, no particular station as I only listen to it to fill in the silence in certain situations

-

68. Favourite movie/series?

I love the Frozen films but also the Harry Potter films sooooo much

69. Favourite genre of movies/books/etc

I don’t really have a favourite tbh

70. Your fictional crush/es

I know it’s typical but I have the biggest crush on Harry Potter lol

71. Which fictional character is you?

I don’t know?

72. Are you a shipper? List your otps, if so

No not really

73. Favourite greek god?

I don’t have a favourite Greek god but I like Athena purely because I like the name haha

74. A legend from where you live that you like

I don’t really know of any legends however there is a myth that a Panther is on the loose in the Blue Mountains

75. Do you like art? What’s your favourite work or artist?

I like to look at art and admire it however I do not have a favourite artist or anything like that

76. Can you share your other social media?

I sure can:)

Twitter       Instagram      Wattpad

Snapchat - cjmushmush (you don’t have to add it and also don’t question the name I was 11)

77. Favourite youtubers?

Shane Dawson, Ryland Adams, Morgan Adams, Jeffree Star and The Dolan Twins

78. Favourite platform?

I am obsessed with Tik Tok so I’d say that’s probs my fave

79. How much time do you spend on the internet?

Far too much I can tell you that

80. What video games have you played? Which one’s your favourite?

I used to play minecraft and now all I do is play Sims 3 and 4 which are my absolute faves

81. Your favourite books (manga also counts)

I don’t really have any

82. Do you play board/card games?

Yes but not very often

83. Have you ever been to a night marathon in cinema?

No I didn’t even know that was a thing

84. Favourite holiday

I LOVE CHRISTMAS SO MUCH❤️💚❤️💚

85. Are you into dramas?

Yes

-

86. Would you use death note, if you had one?

I don’t know what a death note is?

87. What changes would you make in the world, no matter how impossible, if you had the power to?

I wouldn’t choose world peace because then everything would be the same and it would be boring but if I had the power I would make sure everyone had a stable home with at least hot clean water and a nice warm bed, as well as curing world hunger because I’m nice like that

88. Could you survive a zombie apocalypse?

Probably not

89. If you had to be turned into a paranormal being, what would it be?

A ghost

90. What would you want to happen to you after your death?

Become a ghost haha

91. If you had to change your name, what would be your pick?

Anything but Courtney - my name was almost Octavia so that would also be out of the question

92. Who would you switch your life with for a week?

So many people I’d love to do this with so I’m not sure

93. Pick an emoji to be your tattoo

🦥 (only because I love sloths)

94. Write 3 things about yourself - only one of them must be true

(these are the most random things I’m sorry)

I was born in the UK (not true, born in Sydney)

I am not single (True, I am in a relationship:))

I love avocado (I actually DESPISE IT)

-

95. Cold or hot?

Cold because that can = snuggles duh

96. Be a hero or be a villain?

Be a villain because I hate the attention (hero would probs get a lot of attention) and everyone hates me anyway lol

97. Sing everything you want to say or rhyme?

Probably sing everything considering I do that a lot anyway

98. Shapeshifting or controlling time?

Control time because I’d go back to the past a change some things then go back to today so I can still be with my boyfriend❤️

99. Be immortal or be immune to everything aside from natural death?

Be immortal that would be pretty fun

100. ….. or …..?

What does this one even mean?

[roguetatertot]

I’ve been playing Stardew Valley lately, and I’ve come to romance all bachelors and bachelorettes in the game. But I can’t decide who I want to marry!!!

My initial plan was to marry Leah, but now that I’ve seen all the candidates’ 10 heart events, I’m in a quandary. I need to break it down for my sanity.

The Bachelors:

Alex

I avoided him at first, seeing as how he was into Haley. I’m not a fan of the jock attitude, and I’m fairly sure the dude’s never read a book in his life before, but I mean.....he’s pretty damn cute. But I feel like he’s still in high school, and me being in my thirties, I feel kinda creepy if I were to choose him.

Elliot

The fact that his hair is prettier than mine was the first turn-off. He struck me as pompous at first, up until the Moonlight Jellies came and he conveyed his dismay over how humans treat the oceans poorly. I was like “OKAY there’s more to him than his hair.” The fact that he’s a writer actually turned me off, but his dedication to his craft is commendable. He’s studious, and hey, he can play piano! Not only that, but the dude actually fixed up a rowboat just to take me out on an ocean date! That’s more than any real man has ever done for me lol

Dr Harvey

SWIPE LEFT ON THAT MUSTACHE. But swipe right on his sweet and caring nature. He’s got his shit together, being a doctor and having his aircraft hobbies. He’s a little dorky, and despite his fear of heights, he hitched up his pants and took me out on a hot air balloon ride (which is something I’ve always wanted to do IRL). But I just can’t get past his sprite!! I really don’t like the way it looks. I mean....LOOK AT IT.

Sam

I can’t say that I’m too into the Super Saiyan look. 15-year-old me would’ve loved the Vash-the-Stampede-esque hair, but 34-year-old me doesn’t exactly dig the skateboarding, “I’m in a band”, still-living-with-my-parents-and-kid-brother vibe. The dude had me sneak in through his window and hide in his bed when his mother came into the room for Yoba’s sake! I’m looking for a spouse, not a manchild!

Sebastian

Oh dear, where do I begin with him. He is an enigma to me. I’m a little too old for his woe-is-me-the-world-sucks bullshit, but I’ll be damned if I don’t find him attractive. I think it’s because he reminds me of Cloud Strife....if Cloud Strife smoked and lived in his mother’s basement, sleeping in until noon. He was actually the last one I maxed out to ten hearts because he was always holed up in his bedroom on the computer all day! I was like GET A JOB.....but come to find out he was actually freelancing that whole time....haha

Shane

Shane....oh Shane......sigh. He and I got off on the wrong foot immediately. It was his birthday, and I ran into him in the saloon, chugging away next to the fireplace. I had a can of Jojo soda in my inventory, so I gifted that to him, thinking HEY THIS DUDE LOOKS THIRSTY BY THE WAY HE’S GUZZLING THAT BEER. Boy was I wroooong. He hated me for giving him “trash” on his birthday. So after getting to know him, I had a soft spot in my heart for this suicidal alcoholic. But.....I’m not here to be anyone’s keeper, or to fix anyone. He’s getting his shit together slowly, sure, but I’m not so certain he’s husband material. HOWEVER. Look how freaking cute he is with his chicken, Charlie.

The Bachelorettes:

Abigail

She was the first person I asked to dance with at the Flower Dance festival, but of course she said no since I had no friendship built up with her. But as I got to know her, I really started to dislike her. Much like Alex and Sam, she strikes me as being in her early teens with her behavior and childish attitude towards her parents so that makes me want to stay far faaaar away from her as a marriage candidate. 

Emily

I found it especially hilarious that during the Stardew Valley fair, she remarks that she always thought she’d make a good clown, because she sure looks like one to me. I don’t know what it is about her....maybe the pale skin and the red lips with blue hair....but she looks ridiculous to me. I like her carefree disposition, and the camping date we went on was adorable....yet I just can’t get past her design.

Haley

Beneath that pretty girl vapid exterior lies.....a pretty girl vapid interior. While the photography date with her was cute, I just don’t find substance in her at all. I was hoping for more with her character development by the time we reached 10 stars. I was very disappointed. I do appreciate her passion for photography, though.

Leah

Ah yes, my girl Leah. She has her shit together more than any other NPC I feel. Here was a woman who lived in a big city with her significant other, but decided to break up due to conflicting goals. She made her way to Stardew Valley, bought her own cottage, and pursued her dream of becoming an artist even though she has trouble paying her bills sometimes. She’s self-sufficient, mature, resourceful, and a go-getter. She is spouse material in my mind. I would totally date her IRL if I could. Plus, she’s a redhead which is an absolute turn-on for me.

Maru

I have tried so hard to like Maru, but much like Abigail, she strikes me as being in her teens or early twenties or something. I feel like a creeper considering her as a marriage candidate. I love her zany ideas and her dedication, but she’s too childlike for my comfort.

Penny

Another gorgeous redhead. I’m so conflicted with Ms Penny, because I want to whisk her away from her alcoholic mother and bad home life, and treat her like a queen on my farm, but I can’t shake the feeling that she would be marrying me for all the wrong reasons. There were a few bits of her dialogue here and there that struck me as desperate. Of course I don’t blame her and I think she would make a wonderful wife, but I feel like she should grow as an individual and make her own way in life before becoming anyone’s housewife. I’d hate to see her go from being her mother’s slave, to being tied down with more of the same domesticity. But I mean, if that’s what she truly wants, then who am I to stop her? 

.......YES I REALIZE SHE’S A FICTIONAL CHARACTER. 

I feel like I’ve helped to narrow down my choice through this break down analysis: Bachelors: Harvey or Shane Bachelorettes: Leah or Penny

I find it funny that both Harvey and Leah seem the most put together and stable, while Shane and Penny are sympathy cases/”fixer-uppers.” I think it reflects my current real state of being 34 and tired of dealing with people’s bullshit, of wanting to find someone who’s capable and steady, while also wanting to be that way myself. Then there’s a part of me that I can’t ignore...the truth that I AM a sympathy case currently, but despite that, I also have a sense of wanting to help others as I’ve been helped in my life thus far. 

Who knew this silly little game could be this telling of my own nature? 

.....epiphany aside, I still NEED TO MAKE A CHOICE.

[cathygeha]

REVIEW

Up In Smoke by Annabeth Albert

Hot Shots #4

 This book left a smile on my face. It was a steamy-sweet romance between two men that so deserved to find happiness. No major drama for the couple though taking on the care of an infant baby girl was definitely not easy…but so much easier together than it would have been for either to do alone. It almost had a fairytale feel to it and was perfect reading for me the day I read it!

 What I liked: * That the backstories of the two men had commonalities

* That I felt both men were “equal” and brought qualities that would support the relationship

* That the two men communicated openly and maturely

* Shane: good brother, musician, loving uncle, has goals and dreams, a good person

* Brandt: firefighter, a bit of a rambler, professional, caring, team player, a good person

* The growth in both main characters

* How the two dealt with the situation they found themselves in

* That they were there for Jewel, the baby, and for one another

* That there was no major drama between the two men

* That it felt believable – mostly

* The fairytale feel of the story that might have been less believable but that was very nice indeed

* The happy ending

* Seeing/hearing about some of the characters from previous books in the series

* Wondering if there will be more books in the series

* That there was no “bad guy”

* All of it really except…

 What I didn’t like:

* Being reminded that firefighters have a tough life and that they sometimes die as a result of the job(s) they do.

 Did I enjoy this book? Yes

Would I read more in this series? Yes

 Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin-Carina Press for the ARC – This is my honest review.

 4-5 Stars

Up in Smoke by Annabeth Albert is available in eBook, mass market paperback and audiobook formats on April 27th!

  Book Description

Three Men and a Baby meets Backdraft with explosive chemistry and heartfelt feels.

 Freewheeling smoke jumper Brandt Wilder thrives on adrenaline. He’s never met a parachute he can’t repair or a dangerous situation he couldn’t wrangle his way out of. He’s popular and fun-loving and not at all looking to settle down or form lasting relationships. It’s a lifestyle that’s served him well…right up until the day he finds a baby on his doorstep.

 Shane Travis is used to putting his country music career—and his own happiness—on hold after his sister rolls through his life. Like last spring when she convinced him to try skydiving for his birthday—and she walked away with the hot parachute instructor.

 Now he gets to deliver the piece of news that will upend Brandt’s carefree life: he very well might be a dad.

 Shane’s niece is safe in Brandt’s strong, capable hands, but too many questions remain unanswered. Co-parenting while they sort it out leads to late-night talks, and soul-bearing confessions lead to a most inconvenient attraction. Still, Shane can’t leave this makeshift family behind—even if it means playing house with the one man he can’t resist.

 Hotshots

Book 1: Burn Zone (available now!)

Book 2: High Heat (available now!)

Book 3: Feel the Fire (available now!)

Book 4: Up in Smoke (coming April 27)

  Read on for an excerpt from Up in Smoke.

 Brandt’s deep chuckle rumbled straight through Shane. Damn. This was torture. Then the other man wrapped an arm around Shane, positioning his muscled forearm where Shane could see his fancy-looking watch gadget. “Now this is my altimeter. It tells me when we’re at five thousand feet and ready to deploy the chute.”

“Got it.” Shane wasn’t about to study that meaty arm any more than he absolutely had to.

“Okay, it’s go time.” Dallas’s voice echoed though the room. Brandt quickly unclipped them, but as soon as he stepped away, Shane’s pulse kicked up. Maybe he couldn’t do this. Jump out of a plane? Who was he kidding? He was a ground dweller, through and through.

Right when he was about to turn away, though, Brandt grabbed his biceps. “Nerves hitting you? Trust me. You’ll be just fine. I haven’t lost a jumper yet.”

Shane barked out a laugh. “Not exactly making me feel better.”

“Listen, I can tell you all day about how awesome this is.” Brandt looked him dead in the eyes, gaze serious for once, all his charm turned to raw intensity. “But until you do it, you’re gonna think it’s all BS. Sometimes you gotta take a leap of faith.”

“Not very good at those,” Shane admitted quietly as he stepped free of the other guy’s grip. He couldn’t keep meeting his eyes either. Too much power there, like a shot with an extra kick.

“Okay. You want me to tell Dallas you want out?”

A yes was right there on the tip of Shane’s tongue, but then he heard Shelby’s laugh ring out. She’d love it if he chickened out. Not only would she get bragging rights for all of eternity, she’d get what she’d wanted and get to go with Brandt. And for whatever reason, Shane hated that most of all. “Nah. I’m going.”

He white-knuckled his way out to the small plane, spared a nod for the female pilot, and squished his eyes shut until Shelby jostled him into looking at the valley underneath them, the green canopy of the national forest contrasting with the pristine blue sky. Random snippets of lyrics danced through Shane’s head, ways that he might try to describe this view. But then, right as he was settling into something resembling comfort, everyone started shuffling around, getting ready to go. The wind rushed in as the hatch opened, and a full-body shiver raced through Shane.

Then Shelby gave him and Brandt one last coy grin before she and Dallas were away, her whoop echoing across the sky.

“Ready? Here we go.” Brandt nudged Shane closer to the open hatch. Shane wanted to say no, wanted to drag their clipped-together bodies back inside the plane, wanted to both hurl and yell. But in the end, all he could do was nod. Only one way down.

His knees had locked up even as his thighs trembled. Behind him, Brandt was sure and solid. He could push Shane out the hatch pretty easily, but he didn’t. He was letting it be Shane’s choice. And somehow that patience and restraint gave Shane a jolt of courage. One step into nothingness. That was all it took.

Brandt was right behind him, smooth as if they were on a dance floor, not open sky. And now they were fall­ing. Falling so fast. Faster than a car on the interstate with the windows all down, faster than a dirt bike on a steep incline, faster than the whoosh down a water slide. There was no describing the feeling of the wind on his cheeks, the roar in his ears, the shout that probably be­longed to him, the adrenaline that crashed through him as he tried to remember what they’d practiced about po­sitioning. Damn. Hard to think.

Which was funny because that was the one thing he was good at. Shelby was forever teasing him about overthinking. But now, his brain couldn’t even pull two words together as they rushed through the air. Brandt yelled something, but Shane was too busy hurtling through the sky to focus on it. And then he was pulled backwards, a hard yank as the parachute deployed. No more freefall. And the oh-my-God-about-to-die adrenaline quieted enough that he could look down, really look.

“Oh my word. It’s… .”

“Beautiful isn’t it?” Brandt’s voice was deep and rich, like warm honey over Shane’s still jangling nerves. Now that the air wasn’t rushing so fast, he could hear him better. Almost too much better, because it felt like they were soaking up each other’s awe and wonder. Sharing something warm and tender and perfect.

“Yeah.”

“Nothing like it.” Brandt whistled low, a sound that hit Shane somewhere soft. “Never gonna get tired of this view.”

“Me either.” Shane almost didn’t recognize his own voice, up this high, this far removed from everything that usually weighed him down.

“Hey, Superman. You want a turn steering?” Brandt didn’t wait for Shane to reply, grabbing his arms, guid­ing his hands.

“Whoa. Wow. I’m doing it. Look at us.” They swooped gently from side to side, and it was quite possibly the best feeling Shane had ever experienced.

“Look at you. Didn’t know your smile muscles even worked.”

“Screw you. I can smile.” Shane was feeling so good that he had to laugh.

“Well, then get ready. The landing crew will snap your pic as we land. It’s your rock-star moment.”

“Feels like it,” he said right before Brandt took over and set them down softly in a clearing, barely even jarring Shane’s knees. “Damn. That was…”

“It was something.” Brandt was looking right at him, like he could see straight through Shane’s layers, strip him bare. And Shane held his gaze, held the moment as long as he could.

 Copyright © 2021 by Annabeth Albert

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  About Annabeth Albert

Annabeth Albert grew up sneaking romance novels under the bed covers. Now, she devours all subgenres of romance out in the open—no flashlights required! When she’s not adding to her keeper shelf, she’s a multi-published Pacific Northwest romance writer.

 Emotionally complex, sexy, and funny stories are her favorites both to read and to write. Annabeth loves finding happy endings for a variety of pairings and is a passionate gay rights supporter.  In between searching out dark heroes to redeem, she works a rewarding day job and wrangles two children.

 Connect with Annabeth Albert

Website: http://annabethalbert.com/

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