Read-Love-Blog

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Synopsis:

She’s been broken by her past. He’s been breaking for as long as he can remember.

Together, they can make each other whole–or destroy each other.

When his best friend asks for something, Dane rarely says no. But babysitting a newly sober Scout Grimes for three weeks isn’t exactly a normal request. And with their history, it’s a recipe for disaster. Not to mention, she’s drop dead gorgeous and he can’t touch her.

There are few people Scout trusts as much as Dane Guillot. He’s always been her safe place, where nothing can hurt her. He’s also been the only man she’s never let herself want–screwing up their friendship isn’t worth one amazing night together.

They have too much history, and too much personal baggage to ever work. But if they are willing to take a chance on love–it might be worth the risk.

My review:

Beautiful Broken is the second book in Nazarea Andrews’ University of Branton Series.  I absolutely loved the first book in the series, This Love, and was dying to get my hands on this book and it was freaking incredible.

Attorney Dane Guillot is used to taking care of Scout.  She’s his best friend’s sister and has needed him more times than he can count.  He has never taken issue with that…he cares way too much about her to ever let her down.  If he’s being honest with himself he cares way too much about her, period.  He has for as long as he can remember, even though he shouldn’t think of his best friend’s sister that way.  Now she’s back in his life and is just starting her latest attempt at sobriety, something he knows a little something about himself, and his best friend wants her to stay with him.  So wrong on so many levels, and Dane knows having Scout in his house is going to test his resolve to keep her at arm’s length.  Will he be able to ignore his desire for her long enough to help her get on her feet and out from under his roof?

The reasons that led Scout down the road to addiction are reasons she and only one other person know.  Dane has kept her secret for six years and has always been the safe harbor she’s needed in the storm that rages within her.  Now, she’s out of rehab and wants nothing more than to stay clean and give normal life a try.  As always, Dane is there for her and at the request of her brother, Atticus, gives her a place to stay until she can get her bearings and start living again.  But when too many memories come rushing back and the darkness inside threatens to swallow her whole, she leans on the only person who truly understands her….Dane.  Suddenly Scout sees that he’s not just he brother’s best friend.  He’s the reason she wants to be better and clean and whole.  He’s who she wants to start living life with.  Will he ever look at her other than a broken soul?

A shared history and memories, both good and bad, will either be able to being Scout and Dance together as more than friends or end up pushing them apart, keeping them in friend-only zone forever.  Will they both be able to look past the reasons they shouldn’t and take a chance on the reasons they should?  It’s not easy putting a friendship on the line, especially when that friendship has saved you more times than you can remember.

We met Scout and Dane in This Love and I have to say, as excited as I was for this book, I knew it was going to be an emotional story and damn if I didn’t cry my eyes out more than once. But, if you know me, you know I love that!  Dane is the take charge, no mincing words best friend and cares for Scout something fierce.  He’s sexy and charming when he wants to be but also has an uncontrolled and vulnerable side I didn’t see coming.  With his own share of skeletons in his closet, he has a past that is equally as heartbreaking as Scout’s.  Is there anything better than a sexy alpha male with a broken side? Nope!  Scout really surprised me as well.  I wasn’t sure if I could understand her and her reasons for her drug use, but when the truth came out, it broke my heart.  I admired her strength to make sobriety stick this time and I admired that she saw what she wanted most and went for it.  She took chances when it scared her to death and took her future in her own hands and decided enough was enough.  I loved Scout and Dane together…two broken pieces fitting together to make an imperfect whole but a whole nonetheless.

Nazarea just has a way of telling a story that I adore.  She doesn’t give us a whole heaping spoonful of information in the beginning, but instead gives us juicy bites along the way.  Really enjoyable and makes for a great read.

Thank you, Nazarea, for Dane and Scout and for another kick ass read!

Four-and-a-Half Loves

About the author:

Nazarea Andrews is an avid reader and tends to write the stories she wants to read. She loves chocolate and coffee almost as much as she loves books, but not quite as much as she loves her kids. She lives in south Georgia with her husband, daughters, and overgrown dog.

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The Lovers Unmasked Anthology releases tomorrow, 9/23!

Book links:

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Mystery and intrigue surround Halloween night as friends unwittingly become lovers, enemies surrender to long-hidden desires, and the heat of passion threatens to consume them all… 

 Enjoy your tricks and treats in this sexy anthology featuring bestselling authors Katee Robert, Cari Quinn, Samanthe Beck, and Tessa Bailey…

Seducing Mr. Right by Katee Robert:

Synopsis:

Danielle has a plan—use the company Halloween party to seduce the sexy mail guy who works a few floors up who she’s been meeting for coffee for the past few months. The only problem? He’s not who she thinks he is, and he has seduction plans of his own.

My Review:

This is the first work I have read of Katee’s, and I happily report that I’ve added another name to my list of go-to authors.  I really liked this story and the already present nerves from both Danielle and Grayson…and for very different reasons.  Danielle for taking a chance on telling Grayson she wants to be more than just friends and Grayson having to reveal he isn’t exactly a mail guy.  Their story was hot and intense and I really enjoyed it….oh and the CEO desk scene? DAYUM!

Tempted by His Best Friend by Cari Quinn

Synopsis:

Kindergarten teachers aren’t known for breaking the rules, but Steph is ready to go undercover—and get under the covers—to work her magic on her best friend, Landon. Sexy costume necessary, multiple orgasms crucial, real identity optional.

My Review:

This is also the first work of Cari’s that I have read and also another addition to my list of go-to authors.  So, what better night to seduce the best friend you’ve been pining over?  Halloween, of course!  Steph pulls out all the stops and goes into disguise to a Halloween party to get Landon to realize she can be more than his BFF.  Her plans totally work, sort of.  Now she just has to break the news to Landon that the mystery woman from the party that rocked his world was her.  I adored this story!  These two characters were done so well and I had no problem feeling their emotions, and there were more than a few emotions when it involves a deep friendship and the realization that the feelings go way deeper toward one another.  The sexual tension was juicy and delicious and let me tell you, there were some crazy intense smexy scenes that rank up there on the list of some of the best I’ve read.  The welcome desk in the lobby of Landon’s law firm?  Yep….

Wicked Games by Samanthe Beck

Synopsis:

When Stacy discovers her sex-on-a-stick ex at her Hollywood Halloween blow-out, she decides to show the cocky homicide detective exactly what he’s been missing. But she’s not the only one plotting revenge, and Ian’s the only one who can save her.

My Review:

Oh how I love Samanthe’s writing and I was so happy to get a look into what’s been going on in the lives of our favorite gal twins and their men! Stacy has had a really great go of things recently….a new career in TV and a hot sex life.  Well, she HAD a hot sex life with Ian until they broke up.  Now, she’s at the strip club she used to dance at for a fun, uninhibited Halloween night with her sister.  Ready to let loose and have fun, she doesn’t want to think of the sexy ex she knows is at the club and the reason he is here.  Stacy has been getting threatening letters and he’s here to make sure she’s ok.  She knows it’s him behind the mask he’s sporting and she’s gonna show him she still knows how to push his buttons.  Damn I love Stacy and her bold, take no prisoners attitude.  She’s a contradiction though in that she’s got more than a few insecurities.  Ian is sex on legs and I love that he knows Stacy better than she knows herself.  Their heat and sexual connection burns up the pages.  An above-and-beyond VIP lap dance?  Someone better open up a window cause it’s getting hot in here!

Protecting What’s Theirs by Tessa Bailey

My Review:

Well, since I am anti-spoiler, I can’t give much away but I will tell you this is another example of Tessa and her hot, sexy, intense, emotional writing starring Derek and Ginger.  Derek is more alpha male than ever and damn, it is beyond hot!  Ginger is exactly how I remember her from Protecting What’s His and I was reminded of her loyal, strong-willed personality and how well her and Derek are together.  Positively delectable!  This couple has made it through some rough spots and this latest novella just proves that they can weather any storm and what they have is ironclad.  Oh, some of Derek’s dirty talking and his sexual prowess up against the hallway wall? Oh. Lord. Yes PLEASE…and pass the fan!

Five Loves

Midnight Lies releases September 24

Book links:

Amazon  ~  Barnes & Noble  ~  Goodreads

Synopsis:

The Wilde sisters of Midnight return in this thrilling novel of romantic suspense, perfect for fans of Maya Banks, Allison Brennan, and Lori Foster.

IT’S ALWAYS HOTTER AT MIDNIGHT.

The winds of fate have blown cruelly on a family that once had it all: money, power, prestige. The lives of three beautiful daughters were forever changed when, on a sultry night in Midnight, Alabama, a murder-suicide shattered the Wilde family. The girls grew up to live separate lives but now have returned home, each to face a danger no one can see coming.

Former homecoming queen Samantha surprised everyone by going into law enforcement, but beneath her tough façade lies a wary heart. The tragedy that struck her family is an ever-present reminder that nothing is ever as it seems. When the man she loves, Quinn Braddock, a doctor and Iraq war veteran, is accused of murder, Samantha assumes the worst. Brokenhearted, her confidence shattered, she returns to Midnight. Though exonerated, Quinn still feels the sting of Samantha’s doubt, but he can’t forget his feelings for her and follows her. Soon after his arrival, a shocking murder terrifies the town, and once again, Quinn is under suspicion. This time, Samantha will not turn her back on the man she loves—even if it means walking into a killer’s trap.

My review:

Midnight Lies is the second book in Ella Grace’s Wildefire Series.  After loving the first book, Midnight Secrets, I was anxious to get my hands on this book and I was not disappointed!

As a homicide detective with the Atlanta police department with a sexy M.D. boyfriend, Samantha Wilde is pretty content with her life.  She knows Quinn isn’t looking for more than what they share now…and for the time being they are sharing some great times and equally great chemistry.  She can’t blame him after hearing about the nasty divorce he’s dealt with.  Besides, thanks to her parents’ murders, she always lingering doubts about the true nature of people.  Now, just when Sam is feeling pretty good about things, life throws a curveball.  Quinn has just been accused of his ex-wife’s murder and instantly she is thrown back into the past and the memories of being a young girl thinking her father was a murderer.  All of those trust issues are now threatening to destroy the relationship between her and Quinn.  Is he capable of murder? Does anyone really know everything about a person?

A lot of factors have gone into making Quinn Braddock the man he is today…and not all of them good.  After years in the Army as a medic and trying to ignore his painful past, he finally feels like he is where he should be.  He loves being an emergency room doctor and after a failed marriage, he finally is enjoying the company of a fantastic woman.  Life finally seems to be agreeing with him until he’s charged with the violent murder of his ex-wife.  Luckily, the walls he’s built up through the years prove to serve him some good as he tries to hide the hurt with the suspicion from Sam.  Doesn’t she know he would never hurt anyone? Why was she so quick to doubt him?

Sam finds solace in the rooms of her childhood home and the streets of her hometown.  Even though Quinn is innocent until proven guilty, her foundation has been shaken and she no longer feels confident in herself and her judge of character.  Just when she thinks she can start making a fresh start in Midnight, Quinn shows up and turns her entire world upsidedown….again.

Talk about a thrill ride!  This book started out with a bang and the hits kept coming until the very end.  What a fantastic experience.  Sam is soft at heart with a tough exterior who’s been hurt far beyond what most can imagine and she just can’t shake it.  Quinn is an amazing hero.  He’s had a really rough go of things and tries so hard to still believe in the good in people even though it seems he’s let down at every turn.  Together, the push and pull between them is so intense and emotional.  It went between heartbreaking and heartwarming and had such highs and lows and was truly a growing experience for both of them.  Meanwhile, the murder mystery and who done it had me guessing until the last few chapters….when the “aha!” moment came, I literally yelled “I KNEW IT!”. It was a real nail-biter until the very end.  It was so great to be back in Midnight and see what the Wilde sisters were up to and get back with the familiar characters.  I can’t wait to see what Ella has in store for us and Bri, the other Wilde sister, because she has definitely built up some juicy mystery surrounding her!

Thank you, Ms. Grace, for another delicious, scandalous, mysterious visit in Midnight….I look forward to see what’s next for the Wildefire Series!

Four Loves

About the author:

Writing a biography, short or long, can be daunting. I’m so used to writing about fictional characters, I’d love to embellish and tell you about the amazing feats I’ve accomplished. Alas, as Popeye would say, “I am what I am.”

I grew up in the Deep South, went to a small school, in a small town. Everyone knew everyone and though I had friends, my best friends were my books. Reading was almost as necessary to me as breathing. Without those glorious hours of entertainment they provided each day, who knows what kind of trouble I might have gotten into.

After living in various states, I’m now back in Alabama, where most of my family still resides. I have a wonderful, incredibly supportive husband who believes in me. How I was so fortunate to snag him, I truly do not know. Along with my hubby, I live with five fur-kids. Having five dogs definitely keeps us hopping. The noise quotient is often beyond what’s bearable but the unconditional love these wonderful creatures give makes up for that. In addition to the fur-kids, we have a turtle named Turdie Joe who is, as you might guess, the quietest member of the family.

Since writing takes up a huge part of my life, my hobbies are somewhat narrow. I love to read, of course, make the occasional meal, go to movies, take long walks and travel when possible.

Creating characters in my head has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. The need to get these characters and their stories on paper only started a few years ago. Once I started, I didn’t want to stop. Having a successful career as Christy Reece was a dream come true. And now, writing as Ella Grace, too, my life couldn’t be more exciting or fulfilling.

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