New Reviews – Page 129 – Read-Love-Blog

ARC Review…The Officer and the Secret by Jeanette Murray

The Officer and the Secret releases July 2

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Synopsis:

After a rougher than expected deployment, Captain Dwayne Robertson craves the sense of normalcy that his friends can bring him. But when he returns home, there’s an unexpected, but pleasant, twist in the mix—Veronica Gibson. As he struggles to adjust to daily life again, Dwayne craves Veronica and the peace she brings him. But Veronica isn’t without faults. Dwayne hates lies, and Veronica’s entire past is a well-guarded mystery. When the completely unexpected happens, they both realize it’s time to lay their cards on the table and hope they’re ready for love.

My Review:

The Officer and the Secret is the third book in Jeanette Murray’s Semper Fi Series and like the other two in this series, this book was fantastic!

Dwayne Robertson is back from deployment and is more than happy to be home. He’s happy to see his friends and get back into the normal, every day life here in the States. He’s also happy to finally meet the girl who had unexpectedly given him a lifeline to cling to when he was away. Even though he and Veronica had only spoken to a few times on skype, she has made such an impact on him and he needs to explore more of his feelings for her and see if they can build on what they have. But this deployment had been rougher than expected and Dwayne isn’t having such an easy time getting back into things. He may need Veronica and her lifeline more than he thought….

Veronica Gibson is finally feeling more and more like a normal woman in today’s times. She had lived a very sheltered life, to put it mildly, and has had some struggles with adjusting to the way life was lived in these current times. Fortunately she has her cousin, Skye, and her new friends to help her learn how to be a modern woman…and with that comes dating. Not fully knowing if she’s ready to jump into the dating pool just yet, she is sure of one thing…the attraction she feels toward the big, handsome southern Marine just back from deployment. Nervous and unsure of how to handle those feelings, she realizes quickly that she may be in over her head. But she also realizes Dwayne may need her help with his reentry into life here and they just may have more in common than she ever imagined.

Together Dwayne and Veronica have somewhat similar issues with life at the moment, and they find their mutual attraction has become very strong and very real. Just when they think they’re on the right track to starting a relationship and have taken steps that were controlled, well though out & responsible WHAM! life throws them a curve ball. Will they be able to handle the newest obstacle?

This is one of my favorite series and I was eagerly waiting for Dwayne’s story and I was so happy with how it all played out! Dwayne is a big ol southern teddy bear with a huge heart. He’s loyal and strong….all wrapped into a deliciously handsome package. He knows how to make the gals swoon with his sweeter than sugar accent but also knows when to take things slowly and give space that is sometimes needed. Veronica, although still working through her own issues, knows what she wants out of life and is willing to learn how to get it. She learns that taking risks is all a part of life and sometimes those risks reap great rewards. It was really great to see her grow and turn into an amazing woman by the end of the book. Dwayne and Veronica as a couple are a great match, totally balancing each other out and willing to lean on one another when they needed it. That being said, they sure do have their share of struggles in this book, but it made the ending all the sweeter!! And as always, it is great to see the characters form the first two books in the series…Tim and Skye and Madison and Jeremy. They really are a dynamic group and I sure hope we get to see more from them!

Thank you, Jeanette, for another kick ass addition to the Semper Fi Series!

Four-and-aHalf Loves

About the author:

Kat (or Jeanette!) spends her days surrounded by hunky alpha men…at least in her imagination. In real life, she’s a wife and a mother, keeping tabs on her husband of six years, her three year old daughter and the family dog, a lovable (but completely stupid) Goldendoodle. Hang around long enough and you’re guaranteed to hear at least one or two stories about these three.

What’s with the two names? Great question. Kat (or Jeanette) writes for a few different publishers. And due to the timing of some releases, two names just seemed like the right option. But Jeanette (or Kat!) can assure you, no matter which pen name you’re reading, you’re going to get sexy contemporary love.

If you want to stay in the know on when my books are coming out, sign up for my newsletter below! I never spam my readers, I love you all too much. But I’ll keep you up to date when new releases are coming out so you’re never caught unaware!

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ARC Review…Out of Control by Stephanie Feagan

Out of Control releases June 24

Book Links:

Barnes & Noble ~ Amazon ~ Goodreads

Synopsis:

And they thought the blowout was hot…

Oil rig blowout specialist Blair Drake is finished with men—especially after her disastrous marriage that caused her family to disinherit and cut all ties with her. But when Nick Robichaud, a handsome, roguishly charming oil well fire expert, wildcats into her life, throwing his devil-may-care attitude all over the place, the real sparks begin to fly.

Forced to work together to kill a string of sabotaged oil rig explosions, Nick and Blair discover a plot to cripple the world’s oil supply. Unless they stop the doers, it’ll mean global economic catastrophe. With time running out and their lives on the line, they risk everything to prevent disaster. But nothing can stop the fire between them from burning out of control….

My Review:

Out of Control is the first work of Stephanie Feagan that I have read. I was pulled in the minute I read the synopsis and wasn’t let go until I finished the last page! What an incredible ride!

As an oil rig blowout specialist, a work field made up of 99% men, Blair Drake is used to being the only woman on the job. She’s used to the ribbing from the guys and has successful tuned it out for years….well, the ribbing along with men in general. Since her divorce from the jerk she had married and divorced, she’s decided her career is really the only thing she loves and wants to focus on. But when the latest job puts her in contact with her ex, she has no choice but to deal with him once again. Luckily for her, a handsome newbie crew member is a welcomed distraction. The attempts on her life upon witnessing suspicious things after a string of oil well explosions? Well, she soon realizes on this particular job, nothing will be following protocol.

Nick Robichaud, an oil well fire expert, is a man on a mission and a man with a past. He’s here on this latest job not only to put out a fire but to protect the beautiful and sassy gal running this crew. There have been a slew of suspicious blowouts and the one person who has put together a few odd coincidences and circumstances is Blair. Even though she is his supervisor and her life is at risk, he can’t ignore the attraction he feels toward her and will be happy to lay on his Southern charm to get her to admit she feels the same attraction toward him.

Together, Blair and Nick embark on a mission to prove the well fires were set on purpose and to find out who is responsible. Not an easy task when you’ve got players from Homeland Security, a Saudi King, oil company execs and a slimy ex husband involved. But what Blair and Nick find along the way is beyond what either one of them were looking for…..love.

Wow….just wow. I absolutely loved this book! What didn’t this story have? Mystery, suspense, action, emotion…a total package of awesome! Blair is an amazing character with so many facets to her that I adored her. Sure, she’s tough and strong but she’s still a woman and when she starts to show those feminine sides, it completes her complexity. She’s no-nonsense and a straight shooter and goes after what she wants but she’s also vulnerable and has her share of weaknesses. I loved when she started telling us about her past and let us see what made her who she is today. Nick is simply delish! He oozes charm and confidence and is all alpha male but also has his share of weaknesses. He’s loyal and honorable and has secrets and a past that are heartbreaking when he shares them. Together the relationship they form isn’t one of a typical romance….and I loved it. They build on an instant and intense attraction but do so slowly and it ends up being so real and believable to the reader. There are a few scenes toward the end that I absolutely died over….emotional and intense and absolutely beautiful! I was so pleased with how their story ended and loved the inside jokes that Blair had with the reader….fantastic way to build a connection to a character! (When you read this book and get to the “killing the shark” parts, you’ll get it)

Overall I adored is book and recommend to all you romantic suspense fans. I hope we see more from this series and the secondary characters because they are all amazing! Thank you, Stephanie, for a fantabulous story!

*I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

Four-and-a-Half Loves

About the author:

Stephanie Feagan is a multi-published RITA winning author who also writes YA paranormal romance as Trinity Faegen. A practicing CPA who loves travel, books, and smart guys, Stephanie lives in the oilfields of west Texas with her husband and a mean cat.

Goodreads ~ Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook

Review…Skin in the Game by Jackie Barbosa

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Synopsis:

Angela Peterson was always the quiet, shy kid growing up in Harper Falls, crushing on the high school quarterback and honing her football strategy skills. Now grown up and coaching the high school team, she’s shocked when that same sexy quarterback returns to Harper Falls asks her back to his hotel room. And then tries to steal her job.

Injured NFL quarterback Cade Reynolds is in Harper Falls to take over as interim head coach, and he never thought the tall, blond bombshell he propositioned would offer up any resistance. Not to a repeat of the amazingly wild night they shared and certainly not to his coaching position.

But the Harper Falls High Eagles are Angie’s team, and even the hometown hero won’t take that away from her, no matter how hot he is. As the two engage in a battle of wits and wills, this is one game neither is prepared to lose.

My Review:

Skin in the Game is book #1 in Jackie Barbosa’s Play Action Series and this story definitely kicks the series of with a great start!

Angela Peterson can’t believe her eyes. Is that Cade Reynolds she sees sitting in her little hometown coffee shop? The very same Cade Reynolds NFL quarterback who she’d gone to high school with and had the biggest crush of her life on? What could he be doing back here? Before she can think of those answers, she finds herself sitting at the table with him and accepting an invitation to dinner…now she’s questioning of she should be upset that he didn’t recognize her from all those years ago. Guess she really had changed from the awkward, football fanatic teen he’d known back then.

Cade Reynolds, after being sidelined with an injury, is back in his hometown and ready to help coach his old high school football team at the request of the coach who’d practically raised him. It feels good to be back and feels even better to have met the beautiful blond at the coffee shop this morning. He has a nagging feeling he knows her from somewhere but surely he wouldn’t have forgotten a woman like her. Maybe he can learn more about the sexy high school math teacher over dinner….or room service if he has anything to say about it.

Well, the fates certainly have surprises in store for Cade and Angie. When they realize their history and realize they will both be coaching the football team, sparks start to fly. Their chemistry is undeniable and now, being thrown into a situation where they see each other and work together, they will have to decide if they have something between them worth throwing a pass at. With emotions, and careers at stake, hopefully it won’t end in a fumble.

What a great take on a contemporary romance! I adored the sporty spin on things! It was a fresh and interesting story packed with emotions, sexiness and fun. I really enjoyed Cade and Angie as characters and the chemistry between them was done just right. She wasn’t a starry-eyed gal mooning over the larger than life sports star Cade has become and Cade wasn’t a self-absorbed jock. He was humble when needed most and was really a heart-warming hero. The ending was absolutely perfect and played out like a chick flick and I loved it! Well done, Jackie!

If you’re looking for sweet and sassy with a sporty spin on romance, then definitely pick this book up! Thank you, Ms. Barbosa, for a great read!

Four Loves

About the author:

“I can’t remember a time when I didn’t want to be a writer when I grew up, but there were plenty of times when I wasn’t sure I ever would be. As it turns out, it just took me about twenty years longer to grow up than I expected!

On the road to publication, I took a few detours, including a stint in academia (I hold an MA in Classics from the University of Chicago and was a recipient of a Mellon Fellowship in the Humanities) and many years as a technical writer/instructional designer for a data processing company. I still hold my day job in instructional design, but my true passion is writing steamy romances–both historical and contemporary.

I learned to believe in love at first sight when I met the man of my dreams twenty years ago and to believe in happily ever after when I married him. I live in Southern California with my husband, our three children, and an ever-changing menagerie of pets.”

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Guest Review…Phoebe Chase reviews Just What He Wanted (The Holloway Series, Book Four) by Helenkay Dimon

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Synopsis:

Travis Yardley thought he had everything he needed, but one look at Andrea Patterson shows him he was wrong. Andie is a gorgeous, curvy blonde who moves to town to manage a nearby campground. Seizing the chance to get close to her, Travis volunteers himself as tour guide and “bodyguard.’

After a bad breakup, Andie is looking to start over and determined to put her heart on hiatus. She’s working on her self-esteem, and she is not ready for the likes of Travis. He comes on strong, with all the energy of a guy almost ten years her junior, which is exactly what he is.

Even as Travis’s troubled past catches up with him, he pulls out all the stops to convince Andie he deserves a chance. And with the spring thaw hitting the Mountain View Resort, Andie discovers her own temperature rising whenever Travis looks her way…

My Review:

When I approached Jillian about doing an occasional review for Read-Love-Blog, I wanted to focus on stories that were out of my wheelhouse, my wheelhouse being quite narrow the last few years: paranormal romance, fantasy, YA, and, yeah, that’s about it. So this contemporary novella with a zaftig heroine who has 10 years on the hero was right up my alley.

Andie is a 35-year-old woman who comes to small-town Holloway after a break-up looking to simplify her life. She takes a job as manager at Mountain View campground and promptly runs into 25-year-old hottie, Travis. Travis is the nursery foreman for the company that owns the campground. Sparks fly, but Andie is hung up on the age difference and uses a few hang-ups about her body (even after dropping 20 pounds) as excuses for reasons to not get involved with Travis. I loved their first meeting. It was sweet and funny and sexy. Travis is not without his baggage. An abusive childhood means he has some issues that speedbump the happily ever after. But they do get there.

I liked this couple. I liked the accurate representation of women whose size is in double digits. And even though it’s a novella, it has emotional depth. Andie and Travis’s interactions rang true and the sexual chemistry was high. I loved the small-town setting (makes me want to pack up and hit the mountains this weekend!). This is the fourth book in the Holloway Series, but can be read on its own. I’m planning on revisiting Holloway and reading the first three books.

Four Loves

About the author:

HelenKay Dimon spent the last twelve years in the most unromantic career ever – divorce lawyer. After dedicating all that time and effort to helping people terminate relationships she is thrilled to write romance novels full time. Her books have earned praise, appeared on besteller lists and won numerous awards. Her first single title, YOUR MOUTH DRIVES ME CRAZY, was featured in Cosmo as a “Red-Hot Read” for August ’07 and spotlighted at E! Online. Her novella, “It’s Hotter At Christmas” from the KISSING SANTA CLAUS anthology, was featured in Cosmo as a “Red-Hot Read” for November ’09.

Website ~ Goodreads ~ Facebook ~ Twitter

About the guest reviewer:

Phoebe Chase loves books. Keep your eye on her, she may just tempt you with some stories of her own. You can catch a little of what goes on in her head at Wickedly Twisted Tales.

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Guest Review…Phoebe Chase reviews Bayne by Misa Buckley

Buy from Amazon ~ Buy from Champagne Books

Synopsis:

Malia dreams of a life less ordinary but when her planet is visited by the Bayne, Destroyer of Worlds, she surrenders herself to him in order to give her people time to collect the tribute that the Overlord demands. Despite Bayne being as much machine as man and having a violent temper, he rescues her from the unwanted attentions of his second-in-command and gives Malia a glimpse at the battered heart lying beneath the steel and scars.
As they start their relationship over, Malia discovers a man very different to the reputation that precedes him and probes deeper. However, her investigation uncovers a dark truth: a truth that someone wants to remain hidden no matter what the cost.

Review:

In just 70 or so pages, this sci-fi romance whisked me away to another time and place. I wish this story was longer so we could really get into all the interesting twists and action.

The characters were well developed and I enjoyed watching their relationship develop from one of an arrangement to an actual partnership. Both Malia and Bayne are quite interesting. Malia with her affinity for technology and Bayne with a ruthless reputation built on a mysterious past. The twists and intrigue kept me turning the page.

The world building was good. I got a good sense of their environment and could easily picture both the station on Malia’s home world and Bayne’s ship. I think with a longer story we would have gotten more, but for the length of the story it worked well enough.

Would definitely read more from Misa Buckley.

Four Loves

About the author:

Misa Buckley is a sci fi geek who escapes the crazy of raising five children by creating imaginary characters who experience adventure, romance and really hot sex on their way to a happily-ever-after. You can keep up to date with Misa’s latest news by following her on Twitter (@MisaBuckley) or at her website (www.misabuckley.com)

About the guest reviewer:

Phoebe Chase loves books. Keep your eye on her, she may just tempt you with some stories of her own. You can catch a little of what goes on in her head at Wickedly Twisted Tales.

Twitter ~ Facebook

Review…Drawing the Line by Kimberly Kincaid

Buy from Amazon

Synopsis:

When Detective Jason Morgan is tasked with keeping a local restaurant owner safe as part of a make-or-break case, he rises to the challenge. The job is his first priority, and he owes it to the memory of his father, a detective killed in the line of duty, to do it at any cost. But Jason never expected Serenity Gallagher to be so beautiful, so serious…or so tough to protect.

Serenity has moved from place to place at the whim of her capricious mother all her life. The last thing she wants is to leave the diner she finally calls home, even if it means being stuck with a sexy blue-eyed detective. But she’s the only witness to a horrible crime, and the man behind it wants her very, very dead. Going into protective custody means survival, no matter how much Serenity hates hiding.

As Jason and Serenity bide their time together, they are shocked to discover they have much more in common than the surface reveals. But keeping her safe is Jason’s number one priority, no matter how much he’s drawn in by the woman beneath the witness, and Serenity’s past makes it difficult to trust. As the stakes get higher and the spark burns hotter, can Jason and Serenity draw the line?

My Review:

Drawling the Line is the first work I have had the pleasure of reading from author Kimberly Kincaid and I have to say, she is now on my list of go-to authors! Really enjoyed this novella!

Serenity Gallagher has just walked into an honest-to-goodness nightmare unfolding in her diner. Mac’s, the diner she has built with her recipes and home cooking and the place she calls home. Her cook is lying on the floor, bleeding to death and while on the phone with 911, she finds herself a victim right alongside him. After leaving the hospital, and being anxious to return to Mac’s, she finds she can’t exactly do that…not with the suspect out on bail. She finds herself in a safe house under the watchful blue gaze of the handsome detective who she is used to seeing weekly for lunch at Mac’s. If she thought him as delicious as one of her apple turnovers before, imagine how she’ll feel after having to be in close quarters, alone with him for the next few weeks.

Jason Morgan can’t believe his favorite diner is the scene of a crime. Who would want to ruin what the beautiful and talented owner has made here? As determined as he is to find the answer to that, he’s just as determined to keep her safe. He has seen too many people close to him hurt, first his father killed in the line of duty then his partner shot, and he refuses to let Serenity become more of a victim than she already has become. He’s always admired her from afar and now, being forced to keep her in protective custody, his protective custody, he will do what it takes to keep her safe. One problem…he knows the longer he spends with her, the harder it will be to ignore his attraction to her.

Being forced into a stressful situation together, Serenity and Jason have a whole lot of time on their hands to get to know one another. Will they be able to start something meaningful from a dismal beginning? Surely, if you have the right ingredients to start with, a delicious dish is bound to be served, right?

This story was jam-packed with drama, suspense, passion, mystery and lots of sizzling heat! I started it and ended up finishing it in one sitting….of course I did have to get up a few times to indulge in some sweets along the way! Jason is a delicious, loyal, trusting, caring and handsome detective who I enjoyed tremendously. Serenity is a beautiful, sassy, no-nonsense kind of gal who I admired a lot. She isn’t looking for anything but the truth, even if it is hard to swallow. I appreciate that kind of heroine! Together, they were perfect. I liked that when the book picks up, Serenity and Jason already know each other and have a history. It made the story more believable, to me, because it wasn’t as thought they met one day and fell in love the next. I feel that’s the problem with some novellas, but certainly not the case here! I truly enjoyed every step of Jason and Serenity’s journey!

As I said earlier, Kimberly has a new fan in me! I will be on the lookout for more from her and say get this delectable story on your summer reading list…you will be happy you did!

* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

Four Loves

About the author:

Kimberly Kincaid writes contemporary romance that splits the difference between sexy and sweet. When she’s not sitting cross-legged in an ancient desk chair known as “The Pleather Bomber”, she can be found practicing obscene amounts of yoga, whipping up anything from enchiladas to éclairs in her kitchen, or curled up with her nose in a book. Kimberly is a 2011 RWA Golden Heart® finalist who lives (and writes!) by the mantra that food is love. Kimberly resides in northern Virginia with her wildly patient husband and their three daughters.

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Review….Devoured by Emily Snow

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Synopsis:

Sienna Jensen had no plans to return home when she graduated college last spring—after all, her dreams lie in California. But when she discovers her grandmother’s Nashville home has been foreclosed, and the new owner has started the eviction process, Sienna has no other choice but go back to Music City. And she comes face to face with the flawed, gorgeous man she never thought she’d see again. The man who now holds the deed to her grandma’s estate.

When millionaire rock star Lucas Wolfe finds the outspoken redhead glaring at him from across a courtroom, he’s both infuriated and intrigued. He still can’t get the night Sienna almost spent with him out of his mind, and the chemistry between them is as undeniable as it was two years ago. He craves Sienna more than ever. And just like everything Lucas hungers for, he’s determined to have her.

Now, Lucas will do whatever it takes to lure Sienna into his bed, even if that means making a deal with her: ten days with him, playing by his rules, and he’ll hand over the deed to her grandmother’s home. Though she agrees to the arrangement, Sienna is conflicted. Because of her duty to her family. Because of promises she’s made to herself and a past that still haunts her. And as Lucas’s game of seduction continues, and Sienna is introduced to his dark, erotic world and even darker background, she realizes that at any moment, she could be devoured.

*This novel contains adult situations and content*

My Review:

Devoured is book one in Emily Snow’s Devoured Series. Being a sucker for a delicious cover, and this definitely falls into that category, I was drawn in at first sight and I gotta say….the story was just as delish as the cover!

Sienna Jensen is a country girl at heart living in L.A., sharing an apartment with her crazy-but-amazing roomie, just barely making ends meet with a job fellow wardrobe stylists would kill for and trying to forget her past. She vows never to head back to her hometown and all the drama and gossip that comes with it but when she gets numerous calls in a row from her younger brother, she knows something has to be wrong. Sienna’s fears are realized when she finds out something is wrong…her Gram is in financial trouble and the only place she ever really truly called home is going to be foreclosed on leaving her Gram with nowhere to go. So naturally, Sienna ends up back in her hometown trying to figure out what to do. But when Sienna realizes who is trying to take her Gram’s home she realizes she is in way over her head…and in over her heart.

The last person Lucas Wolfe ever thought he’d see in this court hearing is the beautiful red-head he left behind two years earlier. But here Sienna is, in this very courtroom fighting for her Grandmother’s home…the very home he wants to acquire. Talk about the fates smiling upon him. He hasn’t stopped thinking about Sienna since their relationship began, and abruptly ended, two years earlier. He knows by the scathing looks she’s giving him, she has no interest in reliving that experience… and now there’s a little issue of him holding the deed to her beloved Gram’s house in his hands. Lucas Wolfe is used to getting what he wants…and Sienna happens to be one of the things he desires most. Can you see where this is going?

Sienna and Lucas have a lot more in common than they think and despite living totally different lifestyles, are more alike then they realize. Both of them will have to fight to overcome ghosts of their pasts and people wishing them the worst at every turn. But the question ends up being, are they both fighting for the same thing? Will love and trust ever be something they can win?

Not only am I a sucker for a delish cover, but I’m also a sucker for a scrumptious bad boy rocker with a soft side, a damaged heart and an effed up past…all of which describes the luscious Lucas. He is the ultimate damaged hero and I alternated between scoffing at his attitude and going all mushy over his words to Sienna. Perfect combo, if you ask me! Sienna is the perfect match for him. She’s a gal who has learned some harsh lessons about love and trust in the past and isn’t willing to make the same mistakes twice but also knows when someone is genuinely trying to make up for their past offenses and is willing to forgive…but she never forgets. Another perfect combo! Together they have chemistry that ignites the pages. And some of the hot scenes in this book are proof of that (I may never look at a piano the same way again *cough*) I have to say, that by the last 15 or so pages I was really nervous it was going to end on one of those unfulfilling cliff hangers but HALELUJAH it didn’t! The ending is perfect. totally swoon worthy that leaves the reader happy but still wanting more with a hint of the mess lurking in Lucas’ past. Oh, how I love those kind of endings!

This was a quick, intense, delicious read that I recommend for all you book-bad-boy lovers! I am SO looking forward to the next book in the series, Consumed, which is due out this summer. Thank you, Emily, for a great read!

Four Loves

About the author:

Emily Snow is the New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author of the DEVOURED series (2012, 2013) and TIDAL (2012).

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ARC Review…Officer Off Limits by Tessa Bailey

Officer Off Limits releases June 10

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Synopsis:

His need to possess her is non-negotiable.

Story Brooks’ fiancé just called off their wedding two weeks before the happy day. As if that isn’t bad enough, her semi-estranged father, an infamous NYPD hostage negotiator, has suffered a heart attack. Not wanting to examine her lack of emotion over the broken engagement, she hops on a plane to reconnect with her father before it’s too late.

Playboy hostage negotiator Daniel Chase has never, not once, been refused by a woman, so when a debate over hospital snack foods with a delectable kindergarten teacher ends in flat-out rejection, he makes it his mission to seduce her. His only obstacle? She’s the daughter of his mentor who implicitly forbade Daniel from pursuing her.

Despite her father’s warnings and Daniel’s troubled past, Daniel and Story can’t resist their intense attraction to one another. But when the reason for her fiancé’s abrupt wedding cancellation comes to light, can Story and Daniel’s already forbidden relationship survive?

My Review:

Officer Off Limits is the third book in Tessa Bailey’s Line of Duty Series and if you’ve followed my reviews, you know I’m a huge fan of Tessa and her writing. I was beyond excited to get my hands on this book and after finishing it I can tell you….Tessa has done it again! This book was fantastic!

You know that saying “when it rains, it pours”? Well, never has that saying been truer than it is for Story Brooks right now. Her fiancé just dumped her, two weeks before their wedding, and now she has just gotten a phone call that her larger-than-life NYPD hostage negotiator dad, who she doesn’t exactly have a relationship with, has had a heart attack and is in the hospital. Who knows, maybe the unplanned trip to see her father in NYC just may be what she needs to gain some clarity on her life and make some decisions on what to do next with her future.

NYPD hostage negotiator Daniel Chase is used to taking orders from Jack Brooks…after all, Jack has taken him under his wing from day one and has taught him every thing he knows about hostage situations and negotiations. Now, after unknowingly meeting Jack’s daughter, Story, in the hospital vending area, he has explicit instructions from Jack to stay away from her. Usually Daniel wouldn’t think twice about obeying Jack’s orders but this is not an order he can follow. Add Story shooting down his usually successful flirt tactics into the equation and Daniel is now even more determined to get to Story a whole lot better even if it means disobeying orders and ignoring all sorts of lines not meant to be crossed.

Story and Daniel can’t deny the immediate attraction they both feel when they meet over vending machine snack choices but they don’t have much time to explore the feelings before Story is due to head back home to California. With so many things working against them, will they be able to ignore all the reasons they shouldn’t act on the attraction and instead, focus on all the reasons they should?

So I’ll say it again, this book was fantastic! FANTASTIC! Just when you think you’ve encountered all types of alpha males, and there can’t possibly any more facets to add to an alpha male to make them stand out above the rest, you get a new release from Tessa and BAM! welcome to your new alpha male obsession. Daniel was scrumptious. Drop dead gorgeous, he is all gruff and tough on the outside but holds a soft and slightly insecure inside that made me love him from the very beginning. He has the admirable quality of knowing his weaknesses and, although not always wanting to admit them, does when it was warranted. Story is a perfect pairing for him. She is witty, bright, strong and is willing to listen to that little voice in her head, even when it means she has to step outside of her comfort zone. The chemistry between them is undeniable and pulls the reader in and refuses to let go until the very last page. Delectable. Their story is a journey of finding happiness, coming to terms with the past and learning to trust and to love. So damn good!

If you haven’t read anything by Tessa, you REALLY need to…like, stop reading this review and get to the bookstore or go online and buy a Tessa Bailey book right now. She writes hot, sexy, and delightfully dirty dialogue like no other….add in some romance, mix in some drama like Tessa does and you’ve ALWAYS got a winner in my book! I can add Daniel to my list of fave book guys and this story to the list of books I will recommend time and time again. Thank you, Tessa, for another fantabulous read!

*I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

Five Loves

About the author:

Tessa lives in Brooklyn, New York with her husband and young daughter. When she isn’t writing or reading romance, Tessa enjoys a good argument and thirty-minute recipes.

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ARC Guest Review….Phoebe Chase reviews Fire Inside by Kristen Ashley

Please welcome my friend, Phoebe Chase, and her review of Fire Inside by Kristen Ashley

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Synopsis:

Lanie Heron isn’t looking for love—no surprise, considering her last serious relationship nearly got her killed. So when Lanie propositions Hop Kincaid, all she wants is one wild night with the hot-as-hell biker who patrols with the Chaos Motorcycle Club…

For Hop, Lanie has always been untouchable. She’s too polished and too classy for his tastes. But when she gives Hop the once-over with her bedroom eyes and offers him a night in paradise, he can’t say no. And he doesn’t regret it when he finds that Lanie is the best thing that’s ever happened to him—in or out of bed. Now the trick will be to convince her of that.

Phoebe’s Review:

Kristen Ashley writes books that readers liken to crack—and with good reason. Though she has written several books, I’ve only read the ones centered around the Chaos motorcycle club (with plans to read the rest!). Her characters are vibrant and her world building of life in a motorcycle club is detailed enough that I feel like I could walk into a biker bar and know how to act.

I’m a sucker for a redemption story, and Hopper Kincaid did not have the best reputation when it came to how a man should treat a woman. But Ashley redeems him one chapter at a time—with a few bumps in between—until you’re staring at the words and thinking, “Holy crap, he’s hotter and deeper than Tack.” No, really. Hop is my number one alpha biker male in Chaos right now. Lanie is damaged after going through a mess with her fiancé that got her and Tyra (best friend, old lady to Chaos leader Tack) kidnapped by the Russian mom, Tyra stabbed, and Lanie shot. And her fiancé dead due to his own stupidity. Lanie is gun-shy about getting involved with a man who lives a dangerous life, but Hop breaks through the walls she puts up and wins her heart and soul.

What Ashley got right—again—is the romance story and the ridiculously hot sex. What was missing from this book and the previous one in the series, Own the Wind, was the action. The Chaos series is an offshoot from Motorcycle Man and that book had both a great love story and some serious nonstop action (see previous comments about Russian mob, kidnapping, etc.). This book was missing that and missing that “crack” feeling. I needed a fix and it didn’t exactly deliver.

So, in a nutshell, hot alpha biker male who has issues, believable heroine who has some issues, and great story that works through those issues but lacking in the action. A definite must read.

Three-and-a-Half Loves

About the author:

Kristen Ashley was born in Gary, Indiana, USA. She nearly killed her mother and herself making it into the world, seeing as she had the umbilical cord wrapped around her neck (already attempting to accessorise and she hadn’t taken her first breath!).

Kristen grew up in Brownsburg, Indiana but has lived in Denver, Colorado and the West Country of England. Thus she has been blessed to have friends and family around the globe. Her posse is loopy (to say the least) but loopy is good when you want to write.

Kristen was raised in a house with a large and multi-generational family. They lived on a very small farm in a small town in the heartland and existed amongst the strains of Glenn Miller, The Everly Brothers, REO Speedwagon and Whitesnake (and the wardrobes that matched).

Needless to say, growing up in a house full of music, clothes and love was a good way to grow up.

And as she keeps growing up, it keeps getting better.

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About the guest reviewer:

Phoebe Chase loves books. Keep your eye on her, she may just tempt you with some stories of her own. You can catch a little of what goes on in her head at Wickedly Twisted Tales.

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Review….My Now & Forever by H.J. Bellus

My Now & Forever releases today!

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Synopsis:

Whose parents abandon them in a trashy trailer when they are five years old? Oh Yeah! Mine do!

Hey Hoochies! I’m Milly, and I am tired of taking kicks to the gut. A broken family, an asshole husband and the loss of loved ones have left me crying Uncle, and declaring a serious case of the Fuck-Its!

I had my heart broken, stomped on and shattered before I ever started on my journey to find my little piece of happiness. With a bucket list, a ’66 Ford and wild dreams, I set out on an adventure that changed my life forever. Follow me on my journey that resurrected my inner badass.

I found my soul sista from another mista, and opened my dream shop along the way. Just when I gave up on finding true love, a pirate and a princess swept me off my ever lovin’ feet and filled my world with sprinkles, mac n’ cheese and the courage to live again. They forced my fragile heart to trust and love without fear.

Truth is, nobody’s past stays hidden forever. It’s an invisible monster waiting to attack and destroy. It has the capability to ruin everything you’ve worked to set right. All it takes is one final blow to the gut to end everything.

My Review:

My Now & Forever is the debut work from author H. J. Bellus and let me say, she started her writing career with a real bang! I was already hooked after reading the synopsis….and it only got better from there!

Milly starts out her story by giving us a glimpse into her awfully sad childhood…and I was crying by the second page. Things don’t really improve much for the funny, spirited, entertaining gal until the loss of the only person that has ever truly mattered in her life. That’s when Milly decides it’s time to take control of her life and happiness. This is where the fun begins! Starting off with a bucket list “thingy”, Milly takes us on an emotional ride that had me laughing hysterically one minute and crying the next. C’mon, you all know I love that kind of book! After she decides on a new place to start her new life, she finds true friendship and gets a chance at real love. We meet some amazing characters along the way…Lacey, her new BFF, and Cree, the new man in her life but typical for Milly, things are never easy. Cree has a past, and even though Milly is willing to take a chance and look past it, the past comes back to bite them in the ass. But Milly isn’t going to give up her new amazing life without a fight…and it’s one she’s determined to win.

I adored this book! ADORED! I finished it in a day, it was that good. Milly is just too amazing. She’s fun and bright and foul-mouthed and simply incredible. Her outlook on the craptastic cards life has dealt her is truly admirable. Life handed her lemons and she turned it into a spiked lemonade cocktail with a paper umbrella! She is a gal I would love to hang out with! Cree is freaking drool-worthy to the max. He’s gorgeous with a charm about him that had me sighing out loud on more than one occasion. Don’t even get me started on his magic sprinkles! (can’t spoil it for you, you just gotta read the book!) He is one hell of a catch and together Milly and Cree are book-couple perfection. They each bring the missing piece into one another’s lives and it’s magical to see play out.

I also have to mention that Lacey and Milly together are freaking HILARIOUS and have language that gives an insight on what girl talk is really like…at least for me and my gals it is!

So, add this book to your summer reading list and sit back and enjoy the ride….I know it’s going to be a book I will be recommending for quite some time! Thank you, H.J., for a kick-ass read and I can’t wait for more!

*I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

Five Loves

About the author:

I am an independent author excited about releasing my first novel very soon. A big dream coming true!!! I’m all country…the kinda country where green grass grows and corn pops up in rows….love Miranda and her bad ass music!!! Just a simple country girl getting one story out of her head at a time…I always fall hard for a trucker style hat…especially if it’s a John Deere hat….loves me a good ol’ farm boy!!!!!!

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Guest Review….Clockwork Mafia by Seleste deLaney

Please welcome my friend, Phoebe Chase, and her guest review of Clockwork Mafia by Seleste deLaney:

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Synopsis:

Inventor Henrietta Mason is retiring from airships and adventuring to return home to Philadelphia. Determined to erase all trails leading to her late father’s duplicity, she dismantles his lab and removes all records of the Badlands gold. While in the city, she can’t resist the lure of a charity gala but winds up regretting the whole experience. Well, everything except a heart-racing dance with a certain U.S. Marshal.

His career and vengeance on the line, Carson Alexander must prove a connection between Senator Mason and the mafia. He lucked out happening across Mason’s strikingly beautiful daughter, only to have her slip through his fingers. On a desperate hunt to track her down, he never expects his search to take him into the brutal Badlands.

With a mechanically enhanced enforcer after them, only Carson knows the extent of the danger they face. He’ll have to win over Henrietta’s trust, and her heart, before it’s too late…

Phoebe’s Review:

Lots of adventure mixed in with a little romance and, of course, gadgets.

This is my second steampunk novel, the first being Delaney’s prequel to Clockwork Mafia–which I recommend both because I liked it and it helps set up this book–and I’m now calling myself a steampunk fan! Also, a Seleste deLaney fan.

The thing that shines the most in Clockwork Mafia is the adventure. If you like a fast-paced, fun romp that includes corsets, airships, strong females, and steampunk gadgetry, this is the story for you. Let me get back to that list for a minute and talk about the strong females. Delaney does an excellent job of creating women who have strength in one way or another that doesn’t make you roll your eyes with it’s over-the-top, hear-me-roar-I-am-woman feel. I love her characters.

The romance is secondary to the action, but it’s sweet and is weaved in quite nicely. I like Henrietta and Carson’s first encounter. The instant attraction is believable, but as always, I have a hard time buying the depth of those feelings right off the bat. Delaney does a good job of building on that through the rest of the story.

The steampunk elements are fun. And cool. And a little nerdy. I loved them. Animals and people enhanced by clockworks to become something stronger and, in some cases, very hard to kill. Henrietta’s own inventions are pretty and can be functional or deadly–or both.

I’m looking forward to more from this author!

Four Loves

About the guest reviewer:

Phoebe Chase loves books. Keep your eye on her, she may just tempt you with some stories of her own. You can catch a little of what goes on in her head at Wickedly Twisted Tales.

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About the author:

Author of speculative romance (aka Julie Particka, young adult author).Two series coming soon from Entangled Publishing!My steampunk romance series is from Carina Press: BADLANDS and CLOCKWORK MAFIA (coming April 2013).The Blood Kissed novels (KISS OF DEATH and, coming soon, KISS OF LIFE) are available from Mundania Press.

The short stories that begin the Blood Kissed series (OF COURSE I TRY and THE GHOST OF VAMPIRE PRESENT) are available at Decadent Publishing.

My short stories YES,ALANA, THERE IS A SANTA CLAUS; MAKING THE NAUGHTY LIST; and A FEW OF MY FAVORITE THINGS are part of Evernight Publishing’s holiday anthologies, in addition, Evernight is the home of the Cupid’s Conquests multi-author, shared world series. (GUNSHY–book 1, and LOVE & OTHER INDOOR SPORTS–book 4)

Also writes young adult fiction as Julie Particka.

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