This is a great series!
Hearts and Health Volume 1 By DJ Jamison
Genre: Contemporary Romance, GLBTQ, MM
Released: February 12, 2018
Publisher: Self-Published
Series: Hearts & Health, Book 1-2-3
Heart Trouble (Book #1)
Fresh off his latest heartbreak, nurse Ben Griggs is wary when one of his patients shows an interest in him — especially when that patient showed up in the ER after a motorcycle accident. Ben isn’t the kind of guy who can hold the interest of an adrenaline junkie like Gage Evans for long. If he can’t find a way to trust Gage with his heart, they may be destined to have a fling that goes nowhere.
Bedside Manner (Book #2)
Dr. Paul Johnston can’t get a set of dark, somber eyes out of his head, and the timing couldn’t be worse. Zane Kavanaugh came through the ER, a victim of a hate-fueled assault, and Paul can’t forget him. But under review after a complaint, he also can’t afford to fall for a patient. Paul is afraid to start a relationship, and Zane can only handle so much more rejection. Paul may have to make a choice: His career or the first man to capture his heart.
Urgent Care (Book #3)
Dr. Trent Cavendish made a huge mistake when he walked away from the love of his life at age 18. When his best friend suddenly dies 12 years later, it rattles Trent into seeing how empty his life has become. He returns to his hometown, hoping to make amends to the man he left behind. Instead of the sweet but tame guy he remembers, Trent runs into a smoking-hot Xavier James dressed in bits of lace and silk at a gay nightclub. His plan to earn Xavier’s forgiveness immediately shifts to lust, and love’s not far behind.
Each of these books was previously published individually as part of the Hearts and Health series.
Reviewed by ButtonsMom2003
This is a great series!
I reviewed each of the books in this series previously, when they were released individually. I’ve given a brief summary of my reviews below. You can read the full reviews here.
Book #1 – Heart Trouble (Note: when this book was originally released back in October 2016 it was considered book 6 of Ashe Sentinel Connections. It was moved to book 1 of the Hearts & Health series when the author decided to expand on the hospital theme.)
Heart Trouble really grabbed me and I didn’t want to put it down. I was so frustrated when I had to put it aside after chapter 3 in order to take care of personal obligations. Later that day I started back up and didn’t stop until I’d finished it.
My heart hurt for these two guys who both have insecurities when it comes to relationships. I was confident that DJ would give me my HEA but it didn’t come easy; Ben and Gage had some pretty big obstacles to overcome first.
Book #2 – Bedside Manner
Bedside Manner is a perfect May/December type of romance. Zane is 21, Paul is 39. Now some people might think that big of an age difference is creepy but Zane is really mature for his age and Paul, although he is a doctor, is not mature when it comes to loving a man. Paul has been in denial of his sexual orientation for many years and just recently came out after divorcing his wife. Zane is dealing with the aftermath of coming out to his family and the terrifying reaction of his step-father.
Paul Johnston was actually kind of a creepy character in Heart Trouble. I’m so glad that he got his chance to be explained and redeemed in Bedside Manner. Paul met Zane when he was admitted to the hospital after a beating; Paul hated that he was attracted to a patient but their doctor/patient “relationship” was very brief when Paul saw Zane in the ER.
Paul and Zane’s relationship has many ups and downs. Paul is still coming to terms with being out and thinks he’s too old for Zane. Zane is recovering from the beating he got and trying to get his life back under control. When they are together sparks seem to fly and the sexy time is off the charts.
Book #3 – Urgent Care
Urgent Care is a second chance story; one of my favorite romance tropes. Xavier and Trent were together in high school but their relationship fell apart when Trent wanted to pursue his ambition to become a doctor and Trent needed to stay in their home town to help his family. Hurtful things were said they had no contact for twelve years. Trent has returned to Ashe to work and to try and get Xavier’s forgiveness for how things ended when they were young. Xavier is afraid to trust Trent to not break his heart again.
I loved the heat between these two characters. Even though Xavier’s heart and mind are reluctant to trust Trent again, other body parts are totally on board. Trent is finally making progress with getting Xavier to trust him again when life throws him a curve that jeopardizes all he’s been working for.
♥♥♥♥♥
O Factor: Scorcher
Excerpt from Book 1, Heart TroubleThe man had done a real number on himself. Angry scrapes covered his leg, and he was going to need sutures in two places. But everything looked clean and disinfected, so he reattached the bandage and slid the sheet up.
A smile tugged at his lips when, in the process, he glimpsed tight orange briefs under Gage’s hospital gown. Interesting underwear choice. This guy has a bit of flair.
“Is the leg your only damage?”
Gage chuckled, and Ben’s eyes shot up to his face. His lips smirked as he replied. “That’s debatable. What kind of damage are we talking: mental, emotional or physical?”
Ben laughed. “I only deal with the physical, honey.”
Gage’s smile widened, and Ben realized how that sounded. He hurried to get the conversation back on track. Flirting with patients was not ordinarily something he did, and he especially didn’t need to flirt with a biker. Despite what he’d said to Tripp, he was in no hurry to be another guy’s fuck buddy until he got bored.
“What I meant was, that jacket is looking abused. Do you have any other injuries?”
Even as he asked, Ben grabbed the chart to skim over the details once more. Not that he didn’t trust the patient, but he wanted to be sure he knew what had been detailed thus far.
“Jacket saved me,” Gage mumbled. “I might have a few bruises.”
Ben tsked. In addition to sutures, Gage was going to need a round of examinations to ensure there were no breaks or internal injuries to his body.
“Want me to take it off?”
Ben startled, glancing up. “What?”
“The jacket?” Gage said. “Do you need to see the rest of me?”
Ben bit down on his lip hard as images spilled through his mind. Even in a hospital gown covered by a leather jacket, Gage was a good looking man. His chest was firm and his shoulders broad. It was tempting to agree, just to look a little, after the dry spell Ben had experienced since Tripp dumped him.
That would be playing with fire, and he knew it.
Ben shook his head and replaced the chart.
“The doctor will make a more complete examination,” he said. “Let me go hunt down Dr. Johnston. I’ll scold him until he makes you his top priority.”
Ben smiled his polite nurse smile and turned for the door. He needed to get out of that room before he drooled all over his patient.
DJ Jamison worked in newsrooms for more than 10 years, which helped tremendously when she began her series centered on The Ashe Sentinel, a fictional small-town newspaper in Kansas. She lives in the Midwest with her husband, two sons and three glow-in-the-dark fish.
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