Four Loves « Read-Love-Blog

ARC Review…Spotless by Camilla Monk

by Jilly

Spotless releases today, 5/12

Synopsis:

Island Chaptal—nerdy IT engineer by day, romance novel junkie by night—just walked into her messy New York apartment to find Mr. Right waiting for her. No, wait…Mr. Clean.

A gentleman professional killer with a bad case of OCD and zero tolerance for unsorted laundry, March isn’t there to kill her…yet. He wants the diamond her late mother stole for a sinister criminal organization. Island agrees to help him find it, facing the kind of adversaries who dismember first and ask questions later. Good thing she’s got March to show her the ropes. And the guns. And the knives.

The buttoned-up Island is soon having a blast racing from Paris to Tokyo following the clues in her mother’s will, and for the first time, she’s ready to get close to someone. But falling for a hit man may be the very definition of loving dangerously.…

My Review:

Spotless is the debut work from author Camilla Monk and kicks off this series with a quirky and suspense fantastic start!

Island Chaptal’s world has just been turned upside down. Her life is being threatened by a dangerous stranger now standing in her living room. He’s also just informed her that her mother was not at all who she thought she was and that Island was supposedly the keeper of quite a large treasure that her mother had apparently left with her. Of course, she had no idea what this man was talking about and his murderous threats weren’t bringing up any repressed memories of a mysterious priceless treasure. His murderous threats also didn’t stop her from wondering why this killer was cleaning up her apartment as he ransacked it or why she was weirdly curious about him. He didn’t seem like he would actually kill her which only added to the mystery at hand. This mystery wouldn’t be over any time soon and before she realizes it, Island is in the middle of a bad guy vs. worse guy in a mission to not only find one of the largest diamonds in the world, but to also stay alive.

Island and her anally organized hit-man, March, head off on a trip across the globe in search on answers and treasure all while fighting off attempts on their lives and growing more and more attracted to each other with every hour they spend together. Talk about one hell of a mixed up mess…will they get out of it alive?

I was intrigued by this story from the synopsis and while the plot was just as great as the synopsis promised, I was pleasantly surprised at just how I much I adored the two main characters, Island and March. Island is one of the quirkiest, funniest, and totally endearing gals I’ve read. She had me laughing at how she was processing all of the craziness that just dropped into her lap. She reminds me a bit of Kathleen Turner’s character, Joan Wilder, in Romancing The Stone…a bit of a buttoned up homebody dropped into an insane adventure. She’s honest and doesn’t have much of a filter which leads to some pretty funny dialog between her and her hit-man. Speaking of March, he is just as quirky with a bad case of OCD and a soft spot for Island. The banter between the two as they go off in search of this huge diamond is just fantastic. Their attraction was bound to happen and I liked March so much by the end that of course I was willing to overlook the fact that the had killed people in his past. Then, after learning of his childhood and how he ended up in the murder-for-hire field, I was a goner and loved him even more.

Now, I won’t give anything away in regards to finding the diamond or falling head over heels for one another but I will say that the ending of this book has me DYING for the next installment in this series.

Humor, suspense, emotions, and a dash of heat, Spotless has it all. Thank you, Camilla, for an amazing read!

Four Loves

Book Links:

Amazon | B&N | Goodreads

About the author:

Camilla Monk is a French native who grew up in a Franco-American family. After finishing her studies, she taught English and French in Tokyo before returning to France to work in advertising. Today, she’s a managing partner in a small ad agency, where her job is to handle all things web-related and make silly drawings on the whiteboard when no one is looking.
Her writing credits include the English resumes and cover letters of a great many French friends, and some essays as well. She’s also the critically acclaimed author of a few passive-aggressive notes pasted in her building’s elevator.
To learn more about Camilla’s writing projects, you can visit the blog she doesn’t update enough.

Website | Twitter

Four Loves May 2015 Romantic Suspense

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Ivory Ghosts by Caitlin O’Connell…Blog Tour Stop & Review

by Jilly

Synopsis:

In a blockbuster debut thriller brimming with majestic wildlife, village politics, and international intrigue, a chilling quadruple homicide raises the stakes in the battle to save Africa’s elephants.

Still grieving over the tragic death of her fiancé, American wildlife biologist Catherine Sohon leaves South Africa and drives to a remote outpost in northeast Namibia, where she plans to face off against the shadowy forces of corruption and relentless human greed in the fight against elephant poaching. Undercover as a census pilot tracking the local elephant population, she’ll really be collecting evidence on the ruthless ivory traffickers.

But before she even reaches her destination, Catherine stumbles onto a scene of horrifying carnage: three people shot dead in their car, and a fourth nearby—with his brain removed. The slaughter appears to be the handiwork of a Zambian smuggler known as “the witchdoctor,” a figure reviled by activists and poachers alike. Forced to play nice with local officials, Catherine finds herself drawn to the prickly but charismatic Jon Baggs, head of the Ministry of Conservation, whose blustery exterior belies his deep investment in the poaching wars.

Torn between her developing feelings and her unofficial investigation, she takes to the air, only to be grounded by a vicious turf war between competing factions of a black-market operation that reaches far beyond the borders of Africa. With the mortality rate—both human and animal—skyrocketing, Catherine races to intercept a valuable shipment. Now she’s flying blind, and a cunning killer is on the move.

My review:

From the very beginning, Ivory Ghosts was filled with rich description, thoughtfully developed characters, and tons of suspense and mystery.

I loved Catherine, her tenacity and belief in doing what’s right by the people of the village she was living in and the elephants she loved so much. I appreciated her strength in overcoming the loss of her fiancée and her determination in getting to the bottom of the illegal trade happening on her doorstep.

There are many faces to the multi-layered illegal trade storyline and I was truly kept guessing until the very end who the mastermind behind it all was. The players in the game were reveled at a pace that was perfect. Nothing was revealed too early and I really enjoy that in a story as this.

I also really enjoyed that there is a romantic layer that develops between Catherine and one of the gentlemen she is working for. It had an enemies-to-lovers vibe that I enjoyed a lot.

Now, in the copy I received, the author’s note was at the end, after I had finished the story. I loved reading about the author’s background and connection with Africa. It gave me an even greater appreciation for the lush description of the sights, sounds, and smells Catherine experienced in this book. I highly recommend reading it before starting the story and think it will really give the reader a greater connection to the character and the book.

Thank you, Caitlin, for a wonderful read!

Four Loves

Book Links:

Amazon | Goodreads | B&N

Giveaway:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About the author:

Dr. Caitlin O’Connell is a Consulting Assistant Professor in the Department of Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery at Stanford University School of Medicine and a world renowned expert on elephants and vibrotactile sensitivity. She is the author of the internationally acclaimed nonfiction science memoir, The Elephant’s Secret Sense (2007, Free Press), which highlights a novel form of elephant communication as well as their conservation plight. Her narrative nonfiction photo book An Elephant’s Life (2011, Lyons Press) uses a graphic novel approach to revealing subtle and intimate aspects of elephant society. Her co-authored nonfiction children’s book, The Elephant Scientist (2011, Houghton Mifflin Children’s Books) won five awards, including the Robert F. Sibert Honor and Horn Book Honor for 2012. A Baby Elephant In The Wild (2014, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Books for Young Readers) is a Junior Library Guild Select and winner of the 2015 NSTA award for Outstanding Science Trade Book for students K-12. Elephant Don: The Politics Of A Pachyderm Posse (University of Chicago Press) comes out May, 2015. Her debut novel, Ivory Ghosts, comes out with Random House, April 7, 2015. O’Connell is the co-founder and CEO of the nonprofit organization, Utopia Scientific (www.utopiascientific.org), dedicated to research and science education. She is also co-director of Triple Helix Productions, with a mandate to develop more accurate science content for the media. She has taught Science Writing for Stanford University and The New York Times Knowledge Network.

April 2015 Four Loves Suspense

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Behind Closed Doors by Elizabeth Haynes…Blog Tour Stop & Review

by Jilly

Synopsis:

An old case makes Detective Inspector Louisa Smith some new enemies in this spellbinding second installment of New York Times bestselling author Elizabeth Haynes’s Briarstone crime series that combines literary suspense and page-turning thrills.

Ten years ago, 15-year-old Scarlett Rainsford vanished while on a family holiday in Greece. Was she abducted, or did she run away from her severely dysfunctional family? Lou Smith worked the case as a police constable, and failing to find Scarlett has been one of the biggest regrets of her career. No one is more shocked than Lou to learn that Scarlett has unexpectedly been found during a Special Branch raid of a brothel in Briarstone.

Lou and her Major Crime team are already stretched working two troubling cases: nineteen-year-old Ian Palmer was found badly beaten; and soon after, bar owner Carl McVey was found half-buried in the woods, his Rolex and money gone. While Lou tries to establish the links between the two cases, DS Sam Hollands works with Special Branch to question Scarlett. What happened to her? Where has she been until now? How did she end up back here? And why is her family–with the exception of her emotionally fragile younger sister, Juliette–less than enthusiastic about her return?

When another brutal assault and homicide are linked to the McVey murder, Lou’s cases collide, and the clues all point in one terrifying direction. As the pressure and the danger mount, it becomes clear that the silent, secretive Scarlett holds the key to everything.

My Review:

Behind Closed Doors is the second book in author Elizabeth Hayes DCI Louisa Smith series and the first of author Hayes’ work I’ve read. While this is, in fact, a book centered around the victim of human trafficking, and obviously a bit dark, I did enjoy it quite a bit.

We follow the ten-year journey a young girl, Scarlett, who was taken away from her family while vacationing in Greece. What follows is the mystery and story of a young woman being trapped in a very dark and dangerous world with no way out for those ten years and her sudden and unexpected return.

Of course, there were clear hints that all was not as it had appeared within Scarlett’s home life and that even though she was in the awful world of human trafficking, it wasn’t as though she had been taken from a world of warmth and love. I was kept on the edge of my seat, waiting to get the bottom of why this girl had returned to her hometown, after being missing for ten long years, but had no desire to see her mother and father. She did, however, share a close bond with her sister and I was hoping the two girls would have a nice reunion. Of course, with things not as they seem within the family, things will get worse before they have a chance at getting better…if at all possible.

The story also mirrors the current investigation into Scarlett’s return and the detectives working to get to the bottom of where she had been and hopefully will result in some arrests and rescues of other woman being held against their will. These detectives are pretty amazing, excelling at their careers while possessing big hearts and the gift of being able to deal with the most fragile of victims. I really enjoyed reading the two sides simultaneously. It added a nice layer to the book.

I went through many emotions while reading this story. I was anxious and sickened by what women go through every day in this very real situation. I was filled with emotion and worry for Scarlett and wasn’t sure there was any way she could have a normal life again. Through reading her journey, and having suspicions that her childhood before she was taken wasn’t ideal, I knew there would be one hell of an ending and I wasn’t disappointed. Up until the very end I was kept on the edge of my seat and I loved the amount of suspense that was written into the situations.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. If you’re a fan of mystery and suspense, this is a book I’m sure you’ll enjoy. Thank you, Ms. Haynes, for an emotional and thrilling read!

Four Loves

Purchase Links

Amazon | IndieBound | Barnes & Noble

About Elizabeth Haynes

Elizabeth Haynes is a police intelligence analyst, a civilian role that involves determining patterns in offending and criminal behavior. Dark Tide is her second novel; rights to her first, Into the Darkest Corner, have been sold in twenty-five territories. Haynes lives in England in a village near Maidstone, Kent, with her husband and son.

Visit her at elizabeth-haynes.com, connect with her on Facebook, and follow her on Twitter.

April 2015 Four Loves Suspense

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Wild With You by Sara Jane Stone…Blog Tour Stop with Excerpt and Review

by Jilly

Synopsis:

One night with a hero is just what she needs. But more spells trouble . . .

Dr. Katherine “Kat” Arnold left Oregon and never looked back at the town that failed her as a child. But when a new patient from Independence Falls joins her clinical trail, she returns determined forward to show everyone in her hometown how she has thrived—including her high school crush.

Brody Summers saves people. For years, he looked out for his younger siblings and ran the family business. Now, he works search and rescue. After a failed mission, Brody plans to take a night off. When a blonde city-girl knocks him off his feet, he refuses to walk away from desire. But it doesn’t take long for Brody to realize the past is returning to haunt him—and it goes back further than one wild night.

The last thing Kat wants is a reason to extend her stay in Independence Falls. But she can’t escape the memory of Brody’s wicked touch. As their passion heats up, Brody wonders if he’s falling for the one woman who doesn’t need rescuing.

Links to Buy

Amazon ~ http://amzn.to/1DnlUQX
B&N ~ http://bit.ly/1EORxlW
iBooks ~ http://bit.ly/1D9ileo
Google ~ http://bit.ly/1wmBEnz
Kobo ~ http://bit.ly/1BplID2

My Review:

Wild With You is the fourth book in author Sara Jane Stone’s Independence Falls Series, a series I have loved from the beginning and love even more with each book. This newest installment follows big brother Brody and former Independence Falls resident Dr. Katherine Arnold and from the very start the heat and connection they share is incredible.

Kat wasn’t exactly thrilled to be back in town. She had left this life and the memories surrounding her upbringing long behind. So she thought. Now she was back in Independence Falls and here to take care of a patient that her colleague wasn’t able to attend to but a patient who was so important to the study on brain injuries they had been working on. A patient who also happened to be the younger brother of the only good memory she had of this town. Brody Summers. He had been kind to her when no one else was. He was also adorable back then. She had always wondered what he had done with his life. Imagined he had gotten married to a beautiful woman and now had a gaggle of kids as adorable as he had been. She wouldn’t have to ponder those thoughts for much longer when she spots him in her hotel lobby. He hadn’t recognized her but there was an immediate and undeniable connection. She knew he felt it too and no way was she going to pass up the chance to live her teenage dream….one night with Brody Summers. She would worry about what happens when he finds out she’s his brother’s doctor later. Now? Now was for seducing…

Brody Summers was always looking out for people. His siblings, the people he was sent out to rescue when he got the call, anyone who needed a hand. He really needed a night to himself without worries and the beautiful woman he just met is exactly what the doctor ordered. Imagine his surprise when he finds out not only that she had grown up in the same town but that she was the doctor sent to help his brother heal. He kind of remembered her from their childhood and, man, had she changed. She was incredible now. Exactly the kind of woman he could fall for…

A small connection from the past turns into an emotional connection neither Brody nor Kat can deny. It came on fast and intense and it was so very real. But their time was limited and with his life in Oregon and hers in NYC, there was no way they could make things work….or could they? It was about time they both got a happy ever after.

Hands down, this was my favorite of the series thus far. I loved so many things about both of these characters. Brody is the pillar of the Summers family. Responsible and loyal with a heart of gold. Of course he’s also sexy as all get out which just adds to his overall appeal. Kat had a terrible childhood that broke my heart but she was a survivor and had turned her life into something amazing and admirable. I loved her so much and I wanted nothing more than for things to work out between these two. The emotion and connection they share is strong and so damn heated. I couldn’t get enough of them! I won’t give you any spoilers but I will say I was so worried that the whole distance thing was going to keep them apart. Don’t worry about it too much though…. *zips lips*

I also loved seeing the other characters from the series I have grown to love. There were more than a few happy moments all of them shared together and I loved reading it!

Thank you, Sara Jane, for yet another fabulous Independence Falls story! I can’t wait to see what’s in store next!

Four Loves

Excerpt:

“I bet my mental image for tonight beats yours,” she said, her green eyes blazing with mischief.

“Oh yeah?” He closed the space between them in two long strides, just in case his siblings were close by. Not that he was hiding his relationship with Kat. He’d seen the smirk on Chad’s face when he slipped into the reception last night just moments after Kat returned. But his siblings didn’t need details, and Brody didn’t have a clue what would come out of her mouth next.

“I have two words for you.” Her voice hit a sultry note that drove him damn near crazy. “Whip cream.”

The best two words he’d heard all day.

“I was thinking pizza,” he said. “And while you might win points for creativity, my idea gets us both fed while you tell me about your day.”

“My day?” She raised an eyebrow. “I spent the last hour sitting at the table you made wondering if you’d ever thought about bending me over it and binding my ankles to the table legs.”

His imagination followed her words, summoning the image. His body hardened, sending one message to his brain: I want that.

“Kat—”

“Once you had me there, I wonder where you’d put the whip cream.”

Heat, need, desire roared through him. He stepped closer, pressing her back against the door. “I swear there is something about you that is so goddamn irresistible.”

“My mouth?”

“That’s part of it.”

His hands found hers. Fingers interlaced, he drew her arms up, pinning them against the solid wood door. He didn’t give a damn who saw, he had to touch her, taste her. His lips brushed hers, stealing a kiss.

Additional books in this series

Book One: Caught in the Act

Falling for his rivals’ little sister could cost him everything …

For Liam Trulane, failure is not an option. He is determined to win a place in Katie Summers’ life before she leaves Independence Falls for good. But first, he needs to make amends for the last time they got down and dirty.

Only problem?

His professional success hinges on striking a deal to buy Katie’s family business. And after Liam’s relationship with their Katie went south years ago, the Summers brothers are more enemy than friend. If both parties agree to set the past aside, they can reach an understanding. But when Katie welcomes him back into her bed, Liam risks everything to make her his.

After Liam betrayed her trust, Katie Summers will do anything to keep him from walking away with the family business. She decides to seduce him, knowing that when her brothers find out, they will back off from the deal. And she’ll finally have her revenge. But when her plan spirals out of control, Katie learns that payback may come at too high a price …

Amazon ~ Barnes and Noble ~ iBooks ~ Google Play ~ Kobo

Book Two: Full Exposure

No touching allowed …

After serving her country, Georgia Trulane craves adventure—and sex. She’s set her sights on her brother’s best friend—now her boss, since she took a temporary job as his nephew’s live-in nanny. Only problem? Eric refuses to touch her. That doesn’t stop Georgia from seducing him. But an earth-shattering encounter leaves her fully exposed, body and soul.

Eric has a long list of reasons to steer clear of the woman he has wanted for as long as he can remember. For one, he refuses to be her next thrill ride. When he claims her, it will be for good. But the attraction is undeniable, and the more they fight it, the stronger it pulls. But will it be enough to conquer their obstacles?

Links to Buy: Amazon ~ Barnes and Noble ~ iBooks ~ Google Play ~ Kobo

Book Three: Independence Falls

Synopsis

He was nobody’s hero until he landed in the wrong bed …

Armed with a golden retriever and a concealed weapons permit, Lena Clark is fighting for normal. She served her country, but the experience left her emotionally numb and estranged from her career-military family. Staying in Independence Falls seems like the first step to reclaiming her life until the town playboy stumbles into her bed …

Chad Summers is living his dream—helicopter logging by day and slipping between the sheets with Mrs. Right Now by night. Until his wild nights threaten his day job, leaving Chad with a choice: prove he can settle down or kiss his dream goodbye. But when he ends up in the wrong bed, the one woman in Independence Falls he can’t touch offers a tempting proposition. Chad is ready and willing to give in to the primal desire to make Lena his at night—on one condition. By day, they pretend their relationship is real.

But their connection extends beyond the bedroom, threatening to turn their sham into reality if Chad can prove he’s the hero Lena needs night and day … forever.

Buy: Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble ~ iBooks ~ Google ~ Kobo

Author Bio
After several years on the other side of the publishing industry, Sara Jane Stone bid goodbye to her sales career to pursue her dream—writing romance novels. Sara Jane currently resides in Brooklyn, New York with her very supportive real-life hero, two lively young children and a lazy Burmese cat. Visit her online at www.sarajanestone.com or find her on Facebook at Sara Jane Stone.

Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Website ~ Goodreads

April 2015 Blog Tour Contemporary Romance Four Loves

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The Phoenix Candidate by Heidi Joy Tretheway…Blog Tour Stop & Review

by Jilly

The Phoenix Campaign Synopsis:

Ambition. Lust. Sacrifice. Politics just got a whole lot sexier.
Grace Colton’s life is a blur—security, appearances, and a desperately fast ramp-up to Election Day. Political consultant Jared Rankin is pulling the strings to win the White House with the Conover-Colton ticket.
But the fragile relationship Grace and Jared forged could be ruined by secrets traded for political leverage. She’s hiding her new relationship with Jared from the public, and concealing a deeper secret from everyone.

When Grace reveals the explosive truth to her running mate, squeaky-clean Senator Conover must confront his own haunted past. Grace’s future—and their campaign—could be ruined by the lies meant to protect what they love most.

Peek behind the curtain and under the covers in this sexy political drama that exposes the true cost of ambition, lust and sacrifice.

The Phoenix Campaign is an erotic romance set in the world of presidential election politics. Recommended for mature readers due to sharp dialogue, wickedly hot sex, and a few delicious taboos. This full-length novel is second in a series but can be read as a standalone.

My Review:

The Phoenix Campaign follows author Heidi Joy Tretheway’s The Phoenix Candidate, and being a big fan of Ms. Tretheway’s Tattoo Thief Series I was looking forward to diving into this series. While I didn’t read the first installment, I didn’t feel that impeded my enjoyment of this sexy and interesting read.

Vice President candidate Grace Colton’s life had been shattered with the death of her husband and son. But she was moving on and those plans included her push for votes in the upcoming presidential race. Those plans also included her growing relationship with her political consultant, Jared Rankin. She had never dreamed she would find even a glimmer of love again after her husband and son were killed but now that she had Jared, the future seemed a bit brighter. With him by her side she felt she was capable of facing whatever came her way…and there would be plenty. When her mother resurfaces with some demands and threats, never had it been more important to have a team by her side. And Jared. But just when things seem to be going well, fate throws a wrench into her life and once again Grace is facing some major life changing decisions. Would Jared stand by her side and weather the storm? Would she be able to handle it all regardless?

This was a fast paced read packed with a whole lot of heat, emotion, and angst. Grace is one tough cookie and going through so much in both her personal life and her professional life. I admired how strong she was when the chips were down and she had to make some potentially life changing decisions. I also loved Jared and how well he knew Grace and what she needed. Yes, there are more than a few stumbles in this chapter in their relationship (and because they are a tad spoiler-y I can’t give them away) but they are able to find their way through the turmoil in the end. I also loved that there were more than a few surprises along the way with the secondary characters and some secrets were revealed. It made me enjoy this story even more.

Overall, I really enjoyed this look into what I can only imagine it must be like for a woman in the political game. Thank you, Ms. Tretheway, for a fabulous story!

Four Loves

Buy Links:

Amazon | iBooks | BN | Kobo

The Phoenix Candidate:

Amazon | iBooks | BN | Kobo

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Heidi Joy Tretheway Bio:

Heidi Joy is a sucker for campfires, craft cocktails, and steamy romance in books and real life. She sings along with musicals (badly), craves French carbs, and buys plane tickets the way some women buy shoes.

Her first career as a journalist took Heidi behind the scenes with politicians, rock stars, chefs, and detectives, all of whom inspire her stories. Heidi Joy is currently working on her eighth book from her home in Portland, Oregon. She adores hearing from readers at author.heidi@gmail.com.

Links:

Facebook | Twitter | BN

April 2015 Blog Tour Erotic Four Loves

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Blush by Cherry Adair…ARC Review

by Jilly

Blush releases tomorrow, 4/7

“She was the witch with the pretty, shiny red apple. Delilah with the scissors hidden innocently behind her back. The beautiful vampire sleeping at night, mouth closed, fangs covered. It was damn impossible not to want to touch her.”

Synopsis:

In the same pulse-pounding style as Maya Banks and Kresley Cole, New York Times bestselling author Cherry Adair delivers a sizzling erotic romance about a sexy billionaire who’s on the run—and the hit-man-turned-handyman who’s supposed to kill her.

Sex with a stranger. Learn to drive. Learn to cook. Learn to pole dance. Sex under the stars. Buy a truck. These are just a few of the things on Amelia Wentworth’s bucket list, but as the CEO and face of a multi-billion-dollar cosmetic empire, she’s never quite found the time to do them.

Until, after a series of accidents, Amelia discovers that someone wants her dead. But who? And why? She has no time for questions as she changes her name to Mia, buys a secluded fixer-upper near the Louisiana bayou where no one will recognize her, and starts checking things off her bucket list like there’s no tomorrow—which there might not be.

Meanwhile, Cruz Barcelona is a hit man who’s promised himself this will be his last job. Then he’ll take the money and move to a warm, sunny place where he doesn’t have to hide anymore. But when Cruz goes undercover to Mia’s ramshackle house, he starts to realize there’s far more to this poor-little-rich-girl than he thought—and he starts to fall for her. Which is going to make his job a whole lot harder…

My Review:

Blush is the newest work from author Cherry Adair, and admittedly the first of her work I have read. I clearly have been missing out because this book was fantastic. Filled with a scorching amount of heat and thrilling suspense, I was glued to every page.

CEO Amelia Wentworth was in a huge amount of danger, and now, in hiding. It became clear to her that someone wanted her dead. But being the head of one of the biggest, if not the biggest, cosmetic empires has taught her more than a few things about resolve and strength. All of those lessons were being put to good use now, while trying to stay out of the public eye. While trying to stay alive. But being in hiding didn’t mean life had to stop being lived and truly, this was the perfect opportunity to live out her bucket list. Of course it would have to be done in the backwoods of Louisiana, but she was ok with that. And the man standing at her door getting ready to help her cross of one of those list items? Yeah, she was ok with him too…more than ok. He was sexy as hell and she had no idea who he was. Sex with a stranger was ready to get a check mark. Too bad Amelia had no idea this stranger was sent here to end her life…

Hitman Cruz Barcelona had made death his life’s work. All of that work and the payouts, had led him to this very moment. His last mission. This was the hit that would put him into retirement. He excelled at this. Keep emotions out of it, know your mark, do the job, and get out. Too bad this one last job will turn his life completely upside-down…

Two people thrown together in the most dire of situations. Two people who met by some twist of fate. Two people who couldn’t be more wrong for one another. Two people who realize soon enough that fate has a plan for them…

Wow. From almost the very first page, I was treated to a delicious amount of heat and suspense. And what better way to start off a book, right?

Cruz finds himself in a bit of an awkward situation when he opens the door (to kill Amelia) and is treated to a half-naked woman ready to get busy. She had wanted sex with a stranger, and she got it alright…and it was that moment that sealed Amelia’s fate. Only not for what Cruz had been sent for. He can’t stay away from her and she doesn’t want him to. It doesn’t hurt that she needs work done around her fixer upper and he has the skills to do it. This, of course leads to a bit of a conundrum for Cruz. There was no way, even after a few days together, that he could kill her. But just because he didn’t want to do the deed didn’t mean there wasn’t someone else hired to get it done. Soon enough Cruz finds himself in a completely different role. The role of protector.

I was so nervous for both Cruz and Amelia. Of course, for her safety, but I was more worried for their relationship. How could Cruz go from seducing her to telling her she was a hit man? Nothing good was going to come of that conversation and yet, against all odds, I was pulling for them to somehow find a way. Cruz, despite being a killer, has a good heart. A murderer with a conscience, if you will. He only killed the immoral and the perverse. Neither of which Amelia was. Again, I have to say how worried I was! Now, I can’t ruin anything for you, but after a huge “whoa moment” when we find out who is responsible for the hit, I was beyond happy with how Ms. Adair ended this story.

I once again have an author I will be looking forward to reading more from! Thank you, Ms. Adair, for a smoldering, sexy, suspenseful read.

Four-And-A-Half Loves

Book Links:

Amazon | B&N

About the author:

Always an adventurer in life as well as writing, New York Times best-selling author Cherry Adair moved halfway across the globe from Cape Town, South Africa to the United States in her early years to become a interior designer. Now a resident of the Pacific Northwest she shares the award- winning adventures of her fictional T-FLAC counter terrorism operatives with her readers.

Cherry settled in beautiful San Francisco, where she started what eventually became a thriving interior design business. “I loved being a designer because it was varied and creative, and I enjoyed working with the public.” A voracious reader when she was able to carve out the time, Cherry found her brain crowded with characters and stories of her own. “Eventually,” she says, “the stories demanded to be told.”

When asked why she chooses to write romantic action adventure, she says, “Who says you can’t have adventure and a great love life? Of course if you’re talking about an adventurous love life, that’s another thing altogether. I write romantic suspense coupled heart-pounding adventure because I like to entertain, and nothing keeps readers happier than a rollercoaster read, followed by a happy ending.”

Popular on the workshop circuit, Cherry gives lively classes on writing and the writing life. Pulling no punches when asked how to become a published writer, Cherry insists, “Sit your butt in the chair and write. There’s no magic to it. Writing is hard work. It isn’t for sissies or whiners.”

Cherry loves to spend time at home. A corner desk keeps her focused on writing, but the windows behind her, with a panoramic view of the front gardens, are always calling her to come outside and play. Her office has nine-foot ceilings, a fireplace, a television and built-in bookcases that will house approximately 3,500 paperback books.

“What can I say? My keeper shelf has been breeding in the middle of the night, rather like drycleaners’ wire clothes hangers.”

Website | Twitter

April 2104 Erotic Four Loves Suspense

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All For You by Christi Barth…Review

by Jilly

Synopsis:

Small-town park ranger Casey Hobbes has spent her life under the radar, carefully guarding a secret. “The forest flirt,” as her best friend calls her, keeps things casual with men. That way she’ll never care enough to be tempted to share the truth about her past. But when she spots a half-naked stranger on the lake’s edge, Casey can’t resist his muscles or his charm and she’s all-in for enjoying both, while keeping emotion out of it. What could be the danger of one summer fling?

Professor Zane Buchanan has built his entire career on exposing the dark realities of cults, but one—the Sunshine Seekers—remains infuriatingly impossible to crack. Zane’s shocked to discover its sole anonymous survivor is hiding in his new hometown. It’s nearly impossible to concentrate on work, however, when he’s derailed by his attraction to the beautiful blonde in khaki uniform shorts.

As things between Casey and Zane heat up, she struggles with keeping her past from him. And Zane’s on a quest to expose the truth, no matter the consequences. Will their growing emotions finally unseal Casey’s big secret? Or will she turn her back on love to keep the past safely buried?

My review:

All For You is the second book in author Christi Barth’s Shore Secrets series, a series I fell in love with in the previous book and my love continued with this next installment. Two amazing characters drawn together with a secret that could tear them apart just as they begin their relationship? Yep, I was totally hooked and loved every minute of Casey and Zane’s story.

Park ranger Casey Hobbes and new-in-town professor Zane Buchanan meet under less than ideal circumstances, thanks in part to Zane’s misadventure with diving in their local lake in colder temps than he’s used to. Luckily, Casey has seen it all before and didn’t make Zane feel worse than he already did about the whole “I’m almost a bona fide mansicle” situation. Zane knew better than to dive when it was too cold but he can’t even be angry with himself since it was this situation that introduced him to this gorgeous park ranger. The heat and attraction between them is immediate and unable to ignore. Luckily Zane would be in town for a little bit, interviewing for a position at the university, and with a little bit of luck, would get a chance to explore things with Casey.

But what seems to be a delicious match on the surface may prove to be a match that is doomed from the start. Zane’s life’s work has been studying cults and the dangers and darkness within them, specifically The Sunshine Seekers. A group of extremists with only one lone survivor left and that survivor is the person he has his sights set on. Zane had no idea that he was closer to that survivor than he ever imagined…and Casey had no idea that her secret, the one she’s kept for so many years, was the closest it’s ever been to being revealed. Were Casey and Zane destined to lose what they have just found between them?

Oh, how I love this series. There is something so wonderful with this town and all of the characters it holds. I have loved Casey since meeting her in the previous book and I was so happy she would have a chance at love. And who better than with the sexy newbie, Zane? He’s everything a gal could want. Smart, sexy, curious, and witty. Casey is also smart and witty on top of dedicated and caring. The banter they share is fantastic and beyond enjoyable. I love that between a hero and heroine. Adding to that is the smoldering heat that sparks between them almost immediately and continues to grow and at a delicious pace. Oh, my, only a few pages in and I was hot for teacher. Of course, as I read, I realized what Casey was keeping secret and that it had every potential to ruin things between them and I was so worried! It was s secret that could make Zane’s career, his life’s work, and solve a mystery that has been plaguing him for years. I just kept worrying that this whole thing would end in a crash and burn, with Casey hurt. Luckily, Christi writes some pretty amazing men and Zane was no exception. (I can’t give anything away but trust me when I say the ending was “dreamy sigh” worthy). And it’s not without a lot of emotion along the way!

Adding to their story is the continuing appearances of all of the people in the town I adore. It was like visiting with old friends!

Thank you, Christi, for another wonderful addition to the Shore Secrets series and I cannot wait to see what you have in store for us next!

Four Loves

Book links:

Amazon | B&N

About the author:

Christi Barth earned a Masters degree in vocal performance and embarked upon a career on the stage.
A love of romance then drew her to wedding planning. Ultimately she succumbed to her lifelong love of books and now writes contemporary romance.
Christi is President of the Maryland Romance Writers and lives in Maryland with her husband.

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Contemporary Romance Four Loves March 2015

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Sex On The Beach Series….Tour Stop & Chasing Me by Jennifer Probst Review

by Jilly

Chasing Me Synopsis:

The New York Times Bestseller, Beyond Me, captured reader’s hearts.

Now the stunning story of Quinn and James continues…

It was supposed to be a love story….

I knew she was out of my league but I didn’t care. Looking back, I wonder if I hadn’t pursued her, would things have turned out differently? Is it Fate that determines our choices in life? God? Free will? Or just plain old innate selfishness?

I got her, of course. There hadn’t been a girl I wasn’t able to seduce. Problem was she seduced me right back, body, mind, and soul. She possessed me, tormented me, and showed me a world that was so bright and pure I was almost blinded.

Didn’t she know after such a drug I could never settle for less? Didn’t she realize no matter how many times I screwed up, or broke her heart, or bent her to my will, I’d never be able to let her go?

If I hadn’t known such intensity existed, would it have been better for both of us?

True love, the real kind, isn’t nice and sweet and pure. No, it’s dirty, and sinful, and messy.

It’s like ripping a chunk of flesh from your body and watching yourself bleed out in slow, helpless intervals until you thankfully pass out.

This isn’t a love story. But it’s the only story I got.

James and Quinn steam up the pages again in Chasing Me. Their chemistry will pull you in and keep you on the edge of your seat in this deliciously sexy story of love, trust, and forgiveness. –NYT and USA Today Bestselling Author Kelly Elliott

My Review:

Chasing Me is the follow up to author Jennifer Probst’s story Beyond Me and picks up with Quinn and James and their blooming relationship after the move to Chicago. I loved catching up with these two and the emotional ride was fantastic!

Quinn is on the road to landing her dream career working to help people struggling like her father had with alcoholism years ago and she’s never been happier. And with James having moved to Chicago to be with her it was the icing on the cake. But you know what they say about things being too good to be true…

James is happiest these days doing two things: making art and spending time with Quinn. Sure, he had given up taking money from his wealthy family and adjusting to living like a regular college student was sure a challenge, but he was willing to do it for Quinn. He had found the girl of his dreams and he would do anything for her. Of course just when things seem to be as good as they could ever be, one woman threatens to ruin everything. Add that to adjusting to a whole different way of life and things start to get really rough, really fast. Will he be able to hold it all together and not lose Quinn in the process?

With so many ups and downs and outside influences threatening to tear them apart, will the relationship and bond Quinn and James have be able to weather the storm?

First off, I have to say, I adore how Ms. Probst wrote the beginning and ending of this story. Through her words and the voice it was written, I was pulled in and fell in love with James even more than I already had been. It was done so well!

This story is a journey, filled with twists and turns along the path. Twists and turns involving love, trust, hurt, and emotional growth both as individuals and as a couple. It was also very real. I can recall with vivid clarity going through issues they did in this story. Jealousy, feeling unappreciated, wanting more from a boyfriend. All of it. I do love that in a book. On top of the emotion was incredible heat between Quinn and James and it was delicious. I was a nervous wreck more than a few times while reading and wasn’t sure they would be able to make it though the challenges they are facing, but if you know Ms. Probst, you know she writes some of the best endings out there and this was no exception!

Thank you, Ms. Probst, for giving us more of Quinn and James. I loved it!

Four Loves

About the author:

Jennifer Probst wrote her first book at twelve years old. She bound it in a folder, read it to her classmates, and hasn’t stopped writing since. She took a short hiatus to get married, get pregnant, buy a house, get pregnant again, pursue a master’s in English Literature, and rescue two shelter dogs. Now she is writing again.

She makes her home in Upstate New York with the whole crew. Her sons keep her active, stressed, joyous, and sad her house will never be truly clean.

She is the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of sexy and erotic contemporary romance. She was thrilled her book, The Marriage Bargain, was ranked #6 on Amazon’s Best Books for 2012. She loves hearing from readers. Visit her website for updates on new releases and her street team at www.jenniferprobst.com.

Website: www.jenniferprobst.com

Facebook Fan Page: https://www.facebook.com/jenniferprobst.authorpage

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jenniferprobst

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2965489.Jennifer_Probst

The Sex On The Beach Series:

BOOK SUMMARY:

Sex on the Beach, the do-over.

I had a simple plan for what to do in Key West the second time around.

Testify at the trial of the rapist I helped catch last year.

Make sure he gets locked away for the rest of his natural life, so he can never, ever hurt another girl.

Wait for my BFFs to get to town, so we can celebrate.

And stay far away from Ty Connor, because three months after breaking up with him, I still don’t know whether being with him is worse than being without him.

Spring Break, take two.

All of the above? Out the window.

Turns out testifying is a lot harder than I thought it would be.

Not only is the rapist I helped catch last year not locked away for the rest of his life, he’s on the loose and looking for me.

Oh yeah, and it’s definitely harder being without Ty than being with him, especially when I have to watch him with someone else.

Welcome to my world.

About the author:

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Jenna Bennett (Jennie Bentley) writes the Do It Yourself home renovation mysteries for Berkley Prime Crime and the Cutthroat Business mysteries for her own gratification. She also writes a variety of romance for a change of pace. For more information, please visit her website, www.jennabennett.com

Website: www.jennabennett.com

Facebook Fan Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jenna-Bennett-Jennie-Bentley/192400104127600

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Bennett_Jenna

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1549070.Jenna_Bennett

BOOK SUMMARY:

When it all comes crashing down…

Everything I thought I had with Austin Murphy—safety, stability, the normalcy I crave but my celebrity lifestyle rarely allows—was ripped away in one night. I wanted to surprise him, but the joke was on me. Now I don’t know if I ever really knew him at all.

Someone has to pick up the pieces…

Mackenzie Forbes was everything I ever wanted and the one person I didn’t deserve. When a past mistake costs me the girl I love, I’ll do everything I can to get her back. We both have demanding careers and family secrets darkening our pasts, but I need Mackenzie in my future.

Sometimes everything you have to give just isn’t enough…

About the author:

Jen McLaughlin is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of sexy New Adult books. Under her pen name Diane Alberts, she is a multi-published, bestselling author of Contemporary Romance with Entangled Publishing. Her first release as Jen McLaughlin, Out of Line, released September 6 2013, and hit the New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal lists. She was mentioned in Forbes alongside E. L. James as one of the breakout independent authors to dominate the bestselling lists. She is represented by Louise Fury at The Bent Agency.

Though she lives in the mountains, she really wishes she was surrounded by a hot, sunny beach with crystal-clear water. Though she lives in the mountains, she really wishes she was surrounded by a hot, sunny beach with crystal-clear water. She lives in Northeast Pennsylvania with her four kids, a husband, a schnauzer mutt, and a cat. Her goal is to write so many well-crafted romance books that even a non-romance reader will know her name.

Website: http://www.jenmclaughlin.com/

Facebook Fan Page: https://www.facebook.com/DianeAlberts6

Twitter: https://twitter.com/DianeAlberts

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6921962.Jen_McLaughlin

BUY LINKS:

LOSING US by Jen McLaughlin Links:

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1DCF4RG

Kobo: http://bit.ly/1ufej5V

B&N: http://bit.ly/1DnGHoD

iTunes: http://apple.co/1zCXgXA

CHASING ME by Jennifer Probst Links:

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1xrPrTw

Kobo: http://bit.ly/1uf6jlA

B&N: http://bit.ly/18gYQba

iTunes: http://apple.co/18hPUm3

FINDING YOU by Jenna Bennett Links:

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1DixYUx

Kobo: http://bit.ly/1Kjb01B

B&N: http://bit.ly/1BRanfl

iTunes: http://apple.co/1GKUB44

Giveaway:

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Blog Tour Four Loves March 2015 New Adult

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For The First Time In Forever by Sarah Morgan…Blog Tour Stop & Review

by Jilly

Synopsis:

Windswept, isolated and ruggedly beautiful, Puffin Island is a haven for day-trippers and daydreamers alike. But this charming community has a way of bringing people together in the most unexpected ways…

It’s been a summer of firsts for Emily Donovan. From becoming a stand-in mom to her niece Lizzie to arriving on Puffin Island, her life has become virtually unrecognizable. Between desperately safeguarding Lizzie and her overwhelming fear of the ocean—which surrounds her everywhere she goes!—Emily has lost count of the number of “just breathe” pep talks she’s given herself. And that’s before charismatic local yacht club owner Ryan Cooper kisses her…

Ryan knows all about secrets. And it’s clear that newcomer Emily—with her haunted eyes and the little girl she won’t let out of her sight—is hiding from something besides the crazy chemistry between them. So Ryan decides he’s going to make it his personal mission to help her unwind and enjoy the sparks! But can Puffin Island work its magic on Emily and get her to take the biggest leap of trust of all—putting her heart in someone else’s hands?

My review:

For The First Time In Forever is the first in the new Puffin Island series from author Sarah Morgan and kicks of the series with a heart warming and emotional start. I loved everything about it from the small town feel to the main characters’s histories and what leads them to cross paths at this moment in their lives.

Raising a child and living on a small town island. Two things Emily Donovon never would have pictured for herself. Yet, here she was, on Puffin Island now raising her six-year-old niece….and not really adjusting well. Her adjustment could be because she was trying to keep her semi-famous niece out of the spotlight while simultaneously trying to avoid a panic attack with every glance at the ocean thanks to a traumatic event from her childhood. Yeah, because avoiding ocean views while living on an island was easy to do. But this island had been a place of solace though her younger years and there was no better place to rebuild and restart than here. An added distraction she didn’t need was one like Ryan Cooper. Handsome, charming good with kids, smart, kind…and not on the menu. She had sworn off men the minute she broke up with her serious boyfriend a month ago and it was solidified when took on parenthood. That would prove to be easier said than done when Ryan is there every time she turns around, willing to lend her a helping hand and a shoulder to lean on…

Ryan Cooper can spot a woman with baggage a mile away. He had plenty of his own to know that look. He saw it every day when he looked in the mirror. He had promised his childhood friend that he would help her friend and the new guest on Puffin Island, and, because he wouldn’t dare say no to his friend, he was doing just that. It should have been a whole lot easier than it was turning out to be. He swore off having kids of his own years ago, and in turn dating a woman with children. He had been down the child rearing route before and now he just wants his freedom to come and go as he pleases. Unfortunately, every time he looked at Emily, those reasons flew out the window like an island summer breeze. This favor would soon turn from a favor for a friend into a possibly life changing relationship….

Each suffering from a less than picture perfect childhood and plenty of emotional damage, Ryan and Emily couldn’t have been more perfect for one another. Of course, it will take a whole lot longer for them to realize it. Will they give love and new beginning a chance to blossom on Puffin Island?

This book was just so wonderful and well-rounded. There was a bit of mystery to both Emily and Ryan that lingered on and made me curious. There was sexual attraction and heat between them that made me swoon. There was a soft side to Ryan that made me melt. There was a vulnerable side to Emily that made my heart ache. There was a sense of community with the secondary characters that made me appreciate each and every one of them. I loved that I was able to feel so many different feelings and emotions as I dove into this story. I truly felt as though I was a visitor on Puffin Island, enjoying visits with friends. The best part, however, were the interactions between Ryan and Emily and their relationship as it builds. Neither one wants it, but neither one can deny the pull they feel. The heat builds at a delicious pace with quiet moments and stolen kisses and before they realize it, into something much more potent. I don’t blame Emily…there ’s no way any woman could stay away from someone like Ryan! Talk about the whole package…yum. Together they make a well-balanced couple and even with a few stumbles along the way, manage to make it work in the end.

If you’re looking for an afternoon escape with a really good book, this should be on your list. I know I enjoyed my stay on Puffin Island and am looking forward to a return trip in the future! Thank you, Ms. Morgan, for a fabulous read!

Four Loves

Book Links:

Amazon | B&N | Harlequin | iBooks

About the author:

Sarah Morgan is a USA TODAY bestselling author who writes hot, happy, contemporary romance, and her trademark humor and sensuality have gained her fans across the globe. Described as “a magician with words” by RT Book Reviews, she has sold more than 11 million copies of her books. She has been nominated three years in succession for prestigious RITA® Awards from the Romance Writers of America and won the award twice: in 2012 for her book Doukakis’s Apprentice and in 2013 for A Night of No Return. She also won the RT Reviewers’ Choice Award in 2012 and has made numerous appearances in their Top Pick slot.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest

Blog Tour Contemporary Romance Four Loves March 2015

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Bring On The Dusk by M.L. Buchman….Tour of Duty Guest Post, Review, & Giveaway

by Jilly

Synopsis:

Name: Claudia Jean Casperson
Rank: Captain, SOAR – 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne)
Motto: Night Stalkers Don’t Quit

Name: Michael Gibson
Rank: Colonel, Delta Force – Special Forces Operational Detachment – Delta (“The Unit”)
Motto: Without Equal
Mission: To go together where no one else can, and to get out alive with no one the wiser

Five nations surround the Caspian Sea, five nations desperate for the vast resources there, and willing to go to war. It will take all of Claudia and Michael’s ingenuity to avert disaster. As they discover how right they are for each other, it will take even more to breach the walls they’ve so carefully built around their hearts…

Guest Post:

The Warrior Most Likely… by M.L. Buchman

I’m currently celebrating the release of the sixth book in my Night Stalkers military romantic suspense series Bring On The Dusk. In the story, long-time team member Colonel Michael Gibson of Delta Force finally finds true love with pilot Captain Claudia Casperson.

Each book in the series has followed the battles and loves of members of the real-world’s U.S. Army’s 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment. These are the best helicopter pilots and crew on the planet, far in advance of even our closest allies.

The fictitious 5th Battalion D Company was founded by Major Mark Henderson and it is he who has overseen the building of the unit. But in many ways it is the wife he met in Book #1 The Night is Mine who has overseen the lives and loves of those who fly for the 5D. In six books, there has been a wide variety of personalities and skills.

One of the unexpected joys of having the opportunity to build a cast over the course of six books (and yes, there is already a 7th in planning) is learning more about them as each book progresses. Even though Emily and Mark were book #1, Kee and Archie book #2 I Own the Dawn, or Trisha and Bill book #5 Light Up the Night, both the writer and the reader learn more about them as we go. It’s part of the joy of the journey.

So fans look back and ask: Who Is The Warrior Most Likely To …

· … use the ejection seat from their helicopter after a dangerous run in with enemies?

Surprisingly, or perhaps not, there is only 1 helicopter (excluding James Bond) that has an ejection seat, the Russian Kamov Ka-50 assault helicopter. The problem is that if you eject upward, you hit the rotors. (The Kamov carries heavy explosives to sever the blades and a heavier rocket seat to eject the pilot.) If you eject downwards, well helos tend to fly very low so you’re going to be propelled straight into the ground.

All that aside, who is the warrior most likely to get his butt shot out of the sky…but survive? Major Mark Henderson takes the cake on that one. He’s shot down over Uzbekistan in I Own the Dawn(where it is noted that it is far from his first time). He also trashes a perfectly good stealth Black Hawk inTake Over at Midnight. I often think the only reason he didn’t crash more of them was because left the military to fly in the Firehawks firefighting series. In that, he flies his command plane with his kid aboard and Emily would kill him if he crashed with her aboard!

· …not wait for backup?

Lola LaRue Maloney and her husband Tim are always pushing the limits. Are they that stupid, nope, they’re that good. Just check them out in Take Over at Midnight or Light Up the Night.

· …decorate their military living quarters with pictures of their significant other?

Curiously I think this is the notoriously unsentimental Sergeant Kee Stevenson…and it would surprise her no end when you pointed it out. Her best friend Connie from Wait Until Dark would have mechanical diagrams on her walls. Michael and Claudia from Bring On the Dusk would each carry a small picture of the other next to their hearts.

But Kee had no past and keeps being surprised at having Archie and Dilya in her life and is fascinated each time the moment is captured. She remains herself, but it is a part of her that she doesn’t recognize, the big heart that she wears right on her sleeve.

And now for a fun one!

· Who is the most likely to have a little too much fun celebrating a successful mission and end up karaoke-ing the night away?

I think this would fall to “The Girls of the Night Stalkers.” I can just see them in a band like Donna and The Dynamos in “Mamma Mia.” Trisha and Lola completely leading the way. Connie checking their sound balance. Kee beat boxing in the background, but only after she’s had at least a half a beer. Claudia dragged reluctantly onstage for the sweet ballads, and slipping away at the first opportunity. And Emily, sitting back with Mark, a kid on a her lap, and a clear expression that informs her friends that she wishes them all the best and says “Don’t even think about it.”

My review:

Bring On The Dusk is the sixth book in author M.L. Buchman’s Night Stalker Series, a series I have loved since stumbling upon a few years earlier. With each book I grow to love the series more and more and with Bring On The Duck, I have found my favorite in the series thus far. Claudia and Michael’s story was beautiful and thrilling. I loved everything about it.

Captain Claudia Jean Casperson is the newest pilot and member of SOAR, the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment. This is something she has dreamed of her entire life and now she had finally made it. She had been bitten by the flight bug when she was just a little girl and the need to fly had never left her. Since then, she had worked hard though Annapolis and the Marine Corps to make it to where she is right now. She took pride in her skill and pride in always being prepared. Pride in her ability to assess situations and remain level-headed and in control. Most of that had earned her the nickname “The Ice Queen”, but she hadn’t really minded much. It kept the men at bay and when it came to military men, that was fine by her. That all changed when Colonel Michael Gibson got into her helicopter and into her life…

Colonel Michael Gibson excelled at what he did. He didn’t get to be his rank in Delta Force without excelling. He loved the solo aspect of his missions. He had always been a solo kind of guy and enjoyed things that way. No attachments. It kept his life light and simple. Like his childhood had been in the Redwood tress of Oregon. He liked blending in and no one taking notice of him. One, because he didn’t crave the spotlight and two, because he could take more of his surroundings and the people in his presence when he was quietly observing from the shadows. People had always been interesting to him but no one had ever captured his attention more than the SOAR pilot that had picked him up the night before. Claudia Jean Casperson was a woman and pilot like no one he had ever known. There was a quiet grace about her that matched his own. Captain Casperson just may be the only woman who had the ability to make him want more…

The immediate attraction and pull between Claudia and Michael is something neither one can ignore. It’s strong and powerful and something neither one has ever experienced before. But when a black in black mission comes their way, their budding relationship will be put to the test when one of them may not make it back alive…

There is just something about the way author Buchman wrote these characters that made my heart sing. Michael has a quiet and intense way about him that drew me in from the very start. It’s quite opposite of the way one would think a Delta Colonel would be. He isn’t one to brag or stand in the spotlight. He isn’t one to act the macho part. I loved that about him. Claudia is equally amazing. She is strong, determined, and goes after what she wants at every turn. Especially when it came to Michael. I loved that she was willing to take charge and risk her heart when it came to him. Together they are quite dynamic. They balance each other out beautifully and there is a light humor and banter between them that comes out every now and then that had me chuckling. They truly just got one another on a different level. One of my favorite parts that I must mention is when Michael takes Claudia to the redwood tress he grew up in…that bit of this story will stay with me for a long time. That was the point I really fell in love with these two characters. There was laughter, frustration, emotion, and plenty of heat.

While the writing in this book is heavier on the technical military aspect than other books in this genre, it’s always balanced out well with well-developed characters and plenty of emotion. Thank you, Mr. Buchman, for another amazing addition to the Night Stalker series!

Four-and-a-Half Loves

Book links:

Amazon | B&N | Goodreads | iTunes

About the author:

M. L. Buchman has over a dozen romances and more than 30 books in print (he also writes science fiction and fantasy). His full name, Matthew Lieber Buchman, translates as Matthew Beloved Book Man, no wonder he’s a writer. It didn’t jump him until he’d tried a “few” other careers. He has worked decades (yes, really) as a corporate project manager in 7 different industries. In among that, he has: rebuilt and single-handed a fifty-foot sailboat, both flown and jumped out of airplanes, designed and built two houses, and bicycled solo around the world. He is now making his living full-time as a writer, scribbling away with his wife on the Oregon Coast. You may keep up with his writing at www.mlbuchman.com.

Social Media:

Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter | Youtube

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Four Loves March 2015 Romantic Suspense

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Vanished by Elizabeth Heiter…Review

by Jilly

Synopsis:

Sometimes the past can haunt you…

Eighteen years ago, FBI profiler Evelyn Baine s best friend, Cassie Byers, disappeared, the third in a series of unsolved abductions. Only a macabre nursery rhyme was left at the scene, a nursery rhyme that claimed Evelyn was also an intended victim. Now, after all these years of silence, another girl has gone missing in South Carolina, and the Nursery Rhyme Killer is taking credit. But is Cassie s abductor really back, or is there a copycat at work?

Sometimes the past is best forgotten…

Evelyn has waited eighteen years for a chance to investigate, but when she returns to Rose Bay, she finds a dark side to the seemingly idyllic town. As the place erupts in violence and the kidnapper strikes again, Evelyn knows this is her last chance. If she doesn t figure out what happened to Cassie eighteen years ago, it may be Evelyn s turn to vanish without a trace.

My review:

Vanished is the second book in author Elizabeth Heiter’s The Profiler Series and the first that I have read. Well, I can say after delving into this pulse pounding and suspenseful world, this will certainly NOT be my last!

FBI profiler Evelyn Baine has never been able to forget the night that forever changed her life eighteen years ago. The night that put her on the path to her current position in the FBI. She was determined to do all that was in her power to make sure no other family ever went through what her best friend’s family went through when her best friend was abducted that night, eighteen years ago. Evelyn never expected that she would be working on the very case that changed her. But here she was in her hometown, looking at the distinct possibility that the kidnapper was back and targeting new children. She shouldn’t be here. She shouldn’t be working on this case with such a conflict of interest…but there was no way in hell she would stay away. She would solve this case, not just for her long-lost friend, but for the new victims, and to make damn sure it never happened in this town again.

Wow. Talk about one hell of a thrill ride! As we follow the amazing and determined Evelyn Blaine through her ups and downs working on a case that hits so close to home for her, I was pulled in so many different directions. I was emotional when she recalled her missing childhood friends, I was angry when she encounters ill will from the local police in her hometown, and I was torn on who I suspected as the kidnapper. At first there are two main suspects I kept throwing my suspicion toward, but then there is another addition to the line-up and I was truly torn until the very end. I absolutely love that in a book! And when the mystery is finally brought to an end? Whoa. I never saw it coming. Kudos to Ms. Heiter for keeping me guessing and on the edge of my seat!

Thrilling, suspenseful, and emotional, Vanished is the whole package! Thank you, Elizabeth, for giving me a new series to put on my list!

Four Loves

Book links:

Amazon | B&N

About the author:

ELIZABETH HEITER likes her suspense to feature strong heroines, chilling villains, psychological twists, and a little bit (or a lot!) of romance. Her research has taken her into the minds of serial killers, through murder investigations, and onto the FBI Academy’s shooting range.

Her suspense series, The Profiler novels, have received critical acclaim. BookReporter called her debut HUNTED “a thriller that grabs readers from the first page” and Fresh Fiction said the sequel VANISHED “is a fast paced thriller that keeps the reader on the edge of the seat.” Her romantic suspense series, The Lawmen series, will release in early 2015.

Elizabeth graduated from the University of Michigan with a degree in English Literature. She’s a member of International Thriller Writers and Romance Writers of America. You can also find Elizabeth on Facebook at www.facebook.com/elizabeth.heiter.author

February 2015 Four Loves Suspense

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