Book Tour for Code Name: Ghost by Sawyer Bennett (REVIEW)

A man trying to recover from his past finds himself drawn to a woman who's experienced her own loss in this emotionally intense tale of second chances that will captivate readers.  Keep reading to get a tempting taste of Code Name: Ghost by Sawyer Bennett, along with my impressions of it, then add this fifth installment in the Jameson Force Security series to your bookshelf!

I knew the risks of this job when I signed on with Jameson Force Security. Knew my time as a marine would prepare me for the danger I would face. But no amount of training could have ever prepared me for the helplessness of watching my teammates die, the agonizing mental and physical pain of torture, or the despair of captivity.

Returning home to Pittsburgh following a mission gone wrong, I am riddled with guilt and haunted by nightmares. I spend my days trying to regain the parts of myself I lost in that desert, the pieces that made me the Malik Fournier I once was. While the physical effects of my torture are fading, the emotional ones are proving much more stubborn and I find solace from the last person I should ever seek such comfort.

Anna Tate lost even more than I did in that mission. Now a widow and a single mom to the daughter she gave birth to shortly after her husband’s death, Anna offers me comfort I don’t deserve. As my feelings for Anna grow, I worry that once she learns the truth about what happened, she’ll turn her back on me.

I pull her to me just as tightly as I push her away. Hoping this forbidden love will save me from the ghost I’ve become.

FIND AT GOODREADS here.

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MY IMPRESSIONS OF THIS BOOK:

This is a story that fans of this series have been breathlessly waiting for and I'm happy to report that it was well worth the wait.  From the very first page readers are pulled into the dark history of what Malik Fournier endured after a recent mission went wrong, the physical and emotional toll it took on him, and just how difficult of a journey he'll undertake to take back his life.  Joining him on his journey is the widow of one of the men killed during his mission, a woman he quickly comes to count on for her strong will and unwavering support when he needs it most.  Theirs is a slow and steady journey of friends to lovers, a journey full of tears and moments of joy, that had me rooting for them every step of the way.

Malik's return home was something to celebrate amongst the Jameson Force Security team (a group of larger than life individuals who've come to feel more like family), but for him he's clearly still trying to work through what befell him.  After learning about what he endured for those five months it's understandable to see him on edge at the start, a bit lost and guilt-ridden for all that happened under his command, but he's determined to return to the man he once was.  It's a slow and steady journey that's empowering and ultimately uplifting with moments full of heart and soul.  With each turn of the page I fell for Malik even more, wanted to wrap him in a warm embrace for all the burdens he's taken on himself, but was grateful that Anna was there for him as she was a perfect match for him.

Anna has been struggling too since Malik's return, but for very different reasons.  Her husband was killed during the mission that ended with Malik's abduction and she's now a widow and single mother to four month old Avery.  That mission created an immediate bond between the two of them though and has them relating to each other like no one else can.  Theirs is a connection that starts out supportive but slowly turns romantic as friendship turns to the healing power of love.  Through everything Anna's an admirable heroine, a strong-willed and independent woman not afraid to say what she wants and needs. She's a perfect match to Malik and I enjoyed the mature and realistic flow of their relationship, a relationship that addressed moving on from the past free of guilt and embracing love when and where you find it.

This was a story well worth the wait as it was a beautiful balance of acknowledging the past while embracing the future.  Malik and Anna were an engaging couple, a pair you rooted for every step of the way.  Their interactions were sensual and supportive and were made even more delightful by the addition of Avery.  They were a family in the making and with each turn of the page they endeared themselves to me even more.  I enjoyed seeing the rest of the Fournier family and the strong bond they had with each other too.  It was truly heartwarming to see and was another layer to the familial vibe permeating this series as a whole.  With an eye to the next installment I also enjoyed the playful interactions between Anna and Cage, their sibling-like banter, and I can't wait to see where things go for him after the way things ended here.  In a series that's getting stronger and stronger, readers will find themselves quickly consumed by the action and romance Ms. Bennett has crafted, and will be left anticipating each compelling new release.

My rating for this is an A.

*I got this book from the author for review in exchange for my honest opinion.

AUTHOR INFO:

New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal Bestselling author Sawyer Bennett uses real life experience to create relatable stories that appeal to a wide array of readers. From contemporary romance, fantasy romance, and both women’s and general fiction, Sawyer writes something for just about everyone.

A former trial lawyer from North Carolina, when she is not bringing fiction to life, Sawyer is a chauffeur, stylist, chef, maid, and personal assistant to her very adorable daughter, as well as full-time servant to her wonderfully naughty dogs.

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Book Tour for Virgin Daiquiri by Elise Faber (REVIEW).....

Readers will be charmed by the growing connection between a young woman lacking gumption and the man who inspires her to live life to the fullest in this just-released contemporary romance.  Keep reading to get a tempting taste of Virgin Daiquiri by Elise Faber, along with my impressions of it, then get ready to add this second installment in the Love After Midnight series to your bookshelf!

I’d spent my life watching everything happen around me.

But never actually living it.

Sheltered. Naïve. Shy. The top three adjectives to describe me. Well, that and awkward.

Until Brent.

From the first moment, I’d met him, my filter had disappeared. The things that passed through my lips when I was with him were the thoughts that passed through my mind, but also the things I’d never dreamed of saying aloud. But he seemed to like them, and I couldn’t stop. Not when he was also gentle, kind, and protective. As well as the most beautiful man I’d ever laid eyes on. A total winning package, and one who was into me.

But I was me.

More comfortable on the edges, better at observing rather than living. I’d pushed my boundaries just once, had really gone for what life was offering me, and that had ended about as well as an elephant trying to parachute with a tissue.

Horribly. It had ended horribly. So I wasn’t going to be ready to try again. Not ever.

Even if Brent made a very convincing argument to just suck it up and go for it.

BUY LINKS:  AMAZON (US)  |  AMAZON (INT)  |  iBOOKS |  BN  |  KOBO  |  GOOGLE PLAY

MY IMPRESSIONS OF THIS BOOK:

The Love After Midnight series continues to roll along in a tale featuring an interracial romance between a man weighed down by the guilt of his past and a woman demoralized by her ex.  With both seeking to start over they form a connection amidst the backdrop of the Christmas holiday in a tale that warms the heart before leaving readers with an unexpected epilogue that leaves them waiting in breathless anticipation.

Brent Collins is a perfectly imperfect hero weighed down by the guilt of loss as an honorably discharged veteran who witnessed the death of his best friend and other men under his command.  The incident left him emotionally lost with chronic back pain serving as a constant reminder of him not being good enough in his own mind.  Add in a childhood of religious castigation and you have a man constantly feeling unworthy, a man who keeps himself from committing fully to another out of fear.  From the moment he meets Iris though there's a sizzling connection between them, a connection that has him desperately wanting to be with her.  It's a difficult journey for them as both suffer from self-doubts that led to a bit of heartbreak late in the story before reaching an empowering conclusion that put a smile on my face.  Through everything Brent is an immensely appealing hero who charmed me through his words and deeds, said everything a delicious book boyfriend would say as he helped Iris regain her self-esteem.  He's sexy and supportive and I look forward to seeing more of him in the next book after the jaw-dropping conclusion readers are left with after The End.

Iris Hannigan grew up in a small town on a journey with one man who she had a whole life planned out with before discovering his chronic cheating.  The discovery left her broken and betrayed, not only because of his actions but also the actions of so-called friends.  Leaving all that behind she's now starting over as a curvy woman with a successful bakery who still has moments of uncertainty that leads to an awkward (yet sensual) first meeting with a gorgeous bartender.  Iris is teeming with naïveté and self-doubts when she first meets Brent, but his sure and steady reactions were a solid start to their sweet and sexy connection.  Iris is a likable heroine, someone you can easily see as a friend, and I enjoyed her love of baking that was a display of love and friendship coming from her that had me rooting for her every step of the way.  She and Brent's connection was instant and from there their interactions turned more sensual, along the way allowing for hard truths to be revealed about their pasts that binds them together even tighter.

This was a quick read full of heart and soul, a tale of starting over that brought two people back to the land of the living after keeping themselves closed off from the possibilities.  This story had a good flow on a whole but I was a bit frustrated by the speed bump thrown their way late in the story as it felt unnecessary and melodramatic.  Despite that small quibble I enjoyed the romantic journey between Brent and Iris as they were good for each other, supportive and caring towards each other.  Surrounding this pair was the couple from the previous book, Brooke and Kace, who were an equally entertaining addition with a continuing romance I was happy to revisit.  They were equally supportive friends who helped Brent and Iris work through their issues on the way to HEA.  While this novella stands strongly on its own I recommend reading the previous book in this series as everything comes to a head in the next installment after an unforgettable conclusion to this emotionally engaging romance.

My rating for this is a B+

*I got this book from the author for review in exchange for my honest opinion.

AUTHOR INFO:

USA Today bestselling author, Elise Faber, loves chocolate, Star Wars, Harry Potter, and hockey (the order depending on the day and how well her team -- the Sharks! -- are playing). She and her husband also play as much hockey as they can squeeze into their schedules, so much so that their typical date night is spent on the ice. Elise is the mom to two exuberant boys and lives in Northern California. Connect with her in her Facebook group, the Fabinators or find more information about her books at www.elisefaber.com.

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Book Spotlight on A Cowboy State of Mind by Jennie Marts (GIVEAWAY)

A scarred and battered loner finds himself attracted to a compassionate woman only interested in "nice" guys in this heartwarming contemporary romance that will pull readers in from the very start.  Keep reading to get a tempting taste of A Cowboy State of Mind by Jennie Marts, then start counting down the days until this book releases on June 30th.  In honor of this first installment in the Creedence Horse Rescue series make sure to fill out the form below for the chance to win 2 sets of the Cowboys of Creedence book series too!

Zane Taylor has a gift for communicating with animals, particularly horses, but he’s at a loss when it comes to women. He’s a scarred and battered loner who has sworn off love—except he can’t seem to stay away from Bryn Callahan.

Bryn Callahan has a heart for strays, as evidenced by the assembly of abandoned animals that have found their way to her doorstep. But she is through trying to save damaged men. She vows to date only nice guys, which is a category that does not include Zane Taylor. Too bad he’s the one who sets her pulse racing every time she’s around him.

A chance encounter with a horse headed for slaughter brings Zane and Bryn together. Although starting a horse rescue ranch wasn’t in the plan, now Zane and Bryn have a chance to save not just the animals, but maybe each other...

EXCERPT:

The still-nameless dog jumped into the cab as Zane Taylor opened the door of his pickup, and he absently patted its head and rubbed behind its ears. The dog leaned into him and got that blissed-out look on its face, and Zane’s tension eased a little as it always did when he interacted with an animal. The late spring sun warmed Zane’s back, and as soon as he turned his attention away from the dog, he felt the weight of the decision he bore on his shoulders. His former boss, Maggie, had been nagging him to come back to his old job on her Montana ranch. She’d taken in a herd of wild stallions, and she needed him. He’d gotten by so far with vague replies, but it was time to give her an answer. Time to get back on the road and out of Creedence. Except the reason he was so fired up to leave was also the reason he wasn’t ready to walk away.

He shrugged the soreness from his shoulders. He’d had a good morning with Rebel, the headstrong black stallion he’d been working with for weeks now. Maybe the horse could feel the warmth in the air as well. Although it was Colorado, so they could still get a snowstorm or two before spring reluctantly slid into summer.

“Nice job today, horse whisperer,” Logan Rivers, his current boss, and friend, hollered from the corral where he was putting another horse through the paces.

Zane waved a hand in his direction, ignoring the comment, as he turned the engine over and pulled the door shut. He wasn’t fond of the nickname, even though Logan had been using it since they were in high school and working summers at Logan’s family’s ranch.

Zane could admit grudgingly that he did have a gift with horses, especially the dangerous or wild ones, somehow connecting with the animals better than he ever did with people.

The black-and-white border collie mix rested her head on Zane’s leg, and he stroked her neck as he drove toward Creedence, where no one was a stranger and everyone knew not just your business, but your cousin’s as well.

He lowered the windows and turned on the radio, contemplating the errands he needed to run after he grabbed a plate of biscuits and gravy at the diner. The thought made his mouth water. So did the thought of hopefully seeing a certain blond waitress who had been taking up way too many of his thoughts these last few months.

He slowed, his brow furrowing, as he recognized that same waitress’s car sitting empty on the side of the road. The car was an old nondescript blue sedan, but there was no mistaking the colorful bumper stickers stuck to the trunk. A bright blue one read “What if the hokey-pokey really is what it’s all about?” and the hot-pink one above the back taillight read “It was me. I let the dogs out."

His heart rate quickened as his gaze went from the empty vehicle to a hundred yards up the road, where a woman walked along the side of the highway, her ponytail bouncing with each step and a light-colored dog keeping pace at her heels. Which was pretty impressive, in and of itself, since the dog had only three legs.

But then, everything about Bryn Callahan was kind of bouncy, and she was just as impressive as her dog. The woman was always upbeat and positive. Even now, with her car sitting busted on the side of the road, her steps still seemed to spring, and the bright sunlight glinted off her blond hair.

He drove past the abandoned car and onto the dirt shoulder as he slowed to a stop beside her. “Need a ride?"

She turned, her expression wary, then her face broke into a grin, and it was like the sun shining through the clouds after a rainstorm.

“Hey, Zane,” she said, the smile reaching all the way into her voice as she grasped the door handle. She looked steadily into his eyes, her gaze never wavering, never sliding sideways to stare at the three-inch, jagged scar starting at the corner of his eye and slicing down his cheek. Most people couldn’t keep their eyes off it, but Bryn acted as if it wasn’t there at all. “I sure do. I was supposed to start my shift at the diner ten minutes ago."

She opened the door, and the dog bounded in, hitting the floorboards, then springing onto the seat to wiggle and sniff noses with the border collie. They could have powered a wind farm, the way their tails were wagging and their little butts were shaking.

“Hey, Lucky.” He leaned in as the dog leapt over the collie’s back and into Zane’s lap, where it proceeded to drench his face in fevered licks and puppy kisses. Lucky was like a hyper three-legged Tigger as he bounced from Zane’s lap back to the collie, over to Bryn, and back to Zane.

“Lucky, get off him,” Bryn scolded. She tried to push her way into the truck as she got her own slobbery reception from the collie.

Zane chuckled and grabbed her hand to help her into the cab. But his laugh stuck in his throat as heat shot down his spine and his mouth went dry. He swallowed and tried to focus on assisting her, instead of staring at the area of bare skin he glimpsed as the top of her dress buckled and gaped from her movement. It was just the side of her neck, but it was the exact spot he’d spent too much time thinking about kissing.

“Silly mutts.” She laughed as she tossed her backpack on the floor and plopped into the seat. Her hand was soft, but her grip was solid, and for a moment, he wondered what would happen if he didn’t let go. “Wow, what a greeting,” she said, as she released his hand to buckle herself in.

Zane’s eyes were drawn to her legs like bees to honey. The woman had great legs, already tan, and muscular and shapely from her work at the diner. Her white cross-trainers were scuffed with the red dirt from the road, and she had a smudge of dust across one ankle that Zane was severely tempted to reach down and brush away so he could let his fingers linger on her skin.

Bryn wore a pink waitress dress, the kind that zips up the front, with a white collar and a little breast pocket, and the fabric hugged her curvy figure in all the right spots. For just a moment, Zane imagined pulling down that zipper—with his teeth. His back started to sweat just thinking about it.

Simmer down, man. He took a deep breath, utilizing the stress-reducing exercise he’d learned in the military, and tried to think of something witty to say. He didn’t usually let himself get carried away with those kinds of fantasies. But he didn’t usually have Bryn in his truck, filling his cab with the sound of her easy laughter and the scent of her skin—traces of honeysuckle and vanilla and the smell of fresh sheets off the line on a warm summer day.

“That dog is serious about kissing. I haven’t had that much action in months.” He winked, then laughed with her, pulling his hand back to ruffle Lucky’s ears as the dog settled into the seat next to the collie. He tried to play it off like a joke, to settle his pounding heart, when what he really wanted to do was pull her into his lap and kiss her face and throat the way Lucky had done to him. Well, not exactly the same way.

Bryn snorted and scratched the ears of the collie, who was softly whining as she pressed into Bryn’s shoulder. “He’s just happy to see you. It’s been a while, ya know?"

“Yeah, I know.” It had, in fact, been months since he’d seen her.

“Well, Lucky has noticed you haven’t been around much.” She dropped her gaze and her voice as she focused on petting the dog. “We both have."

Both?

“Are you saying you missed me?"

“I didn’t say missed. I said noticed."

His shoulders slumped. Of course she hadn’t missed him.

She playfully nudged his elbow, and he felt the heat of her skin against his arm.

“Of course I missed you. You all but disappeared after the great Christmas pie bake-off in December."

He chuckled as he shook his head. “I still can’t believe we made fifteen pies in four hours."

“I still can’t believe you wore a frilly apron with a glittery cupcake on the front."

He raised an eyebrow. “What other kind of cupcake is there? And I liked that glittery color. I’m thinking of having it added to the paint job on my truck."

A laugh burst from her. “I dare you to."

He let his voice drop and offered her what he hoped was a flirtatious grin. “I do enjoy a good dare."

She chuckled, then lowered her gaze to the dog’s shoulder, where she scratched its fur. “So, why didn’t I hear from you? Was it something I said or did?"

Yeah, it was everything you did—everything that made me want and hope and wish for something more.

“Nah. I was going to call you, but we got real busy at the ranch. Then I heard you started dating some rough-stock cowboy, and I didn’t want to overstep."

“Is it overstepping to be my friend?"

He cocked his head, eyeing her. “Is that what you want me to be? Your friend?"

“Of course. I didn’t give you my number for you to not call me."

Wrong question, dumbass. Should have asked her if all she wanted was to be his friend.

He offered her a shrug. “I’m not much of a talker."

“That’s perfect. Because I can talk up a blue streak, and I’m always on the lookout for a

good listener."

He chuckled. “I can do that. I can probably even throw in an occasional grunt of agreement just so you know I’m paying attention."

She giggled softly, and the sound swirled in his chest, melting into him like molasses on a warm pancake. “That sounds great.”

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AUTHOR INFO:

Jennie Marts is the USA Today bestselling author of award-winning books filled with love, laughter, and always a happily ever after. She is living her own happily ever after with her husband, two dogs, and a parakeet that loves to tweet to the oldies, in the mountains of Colorado.  Visit her at her website HERE.

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Book Spotlight on The Rebel Wears Plaid by Eliza Knight (GIVEAWAY)

In this exhilarating historical tale a strong-willed woman fights behind the lines for what's right and finds herself caught up in an attraction to man who might be her enemy.  Keep reading to get a tempting taste of The Rebel Wears Plaid by Eliza Knight, then start counting down the days until this book hits shelves on June 30th.  In honor of this first installment in the Prince Charlie’s Angels series make sure to fill out the form below for the chance to win 1 of 5 copies of this book too!

Fraser encounters a mysterious rebel, and he can’t resist being recruited to her cause...

Toran Fraser is hell-bent on taking down the Jacobites. On a late-night mission, he’s intercepted by a woman known only as “Mistress J,” who’s determined to put Prince Charlie back on the throne of Scotland. Toran can’t resist her appeal—especially with her pistol pointed at his heart—and suddenly finds himself joining the rebellion...

By day, highborn Jenny Mackintosh runs her estate in the Highlands. By night, she’s one of Prince Charlie’s Angels—a band of Jacobite rebels. Scoffing at mortal danger, she raises coin, delivers weapons, and recruits soldiers for the rebellion. When she encounters a handsome Highlander who is clearly on the run, she is more than a little intrigued.

She isn’t expecting to be his enemy...

EXCERPT:

Toran jerked around. Suddenly, figures melted out from the shadows. Scots, but in the dark and dressed as they were, he couldn’t make out what clan they hailed from. At the center of the five men stood a lass. Aye, she wore trews and had her hair up under a cap, wisps of golden strands peeking through, but there was no hiding the curves beneath her shirt and waistcoat. In the moonlight filtering through the trees, she looked bonnie—high, arching cheekbones, a mouth that puckered into a frown. But what struck him most was the spark of fire in her gaze. Her eyes reflected the light of the moon, almost making her look like she was glowing.

And the muzzle of her pistol was pointed right at him. Outlaws... Of all the bloody luck. He reached for his own pistol tucked into his belt.

“Dinna move,” the lass said. Her voice was throaty, sensual. “Else I put a bullet through your heart.” A slow grin formed on Toran’s face. “What’s to say I won’t put a bullet in yours first?"

The lass looked down at Archie and then flicked her gaze back to his. “Ye’re outnumbered. Let’s say ye were willing to pull your weapon before I took my shot, and then ye were to waste your bullet, there’d be five more cutting through ye before ye were able to see the result.” Again, she looked at Archie. “And your friend doesna seem like he will be much help."

“We’re verra close to the English garrison, lass. Any shot ye make will be a beacon to the dragoons lurking about. And trust me, there are hundreds of them headed this way as we speak."

“Is that so?” She glanced at Archie once more. “A prison break? So ye two are rebels, aye?"

Toran didn’t answer. Let her come to her own conclusions.

“We have horses.” She kept her gaze on his, and he had the intense urge to draw closer. “Ye and your friend can have one when we return to my camp—for a price. Why not donate your coin to the cause and join us? We’ve a need for more rebels."

Toran did not want to join her. Now, if she’d asked him to join her for some mutual warmth under a plaid, that would be another story. Then again, she had a point about the bullets. And he truly did not want to die.

“I’m guessing from your current circumstances ye are in need of a helping hand, sir.” Her voice was smooth, even melodic, but still filled with authority. And considering that she was the one speaking, she certainly gave the impression that she was the one in charge. Fascinating.

A group of men led by a woman? Not a common thing, and intensely intriguing. Whoever she was, she had ballocks as full of steel as his own. And if he weren’t trapped in the woods with her, a hundred redcoats on his tail, he might have asked her to join him for a dram.

“Who are ye?” Toran asked.

A soft laugh escaped her, and her hand waved dismissively. “Not yet, sir. Ye’ll have to prove yourself first."

Prove himself? He gritted his teeth. “All right, we’ll join ye.” There really was no other choice. He and Archie needed a quick escape, and her horse would provide that. Just because he was taking her up on the offer now didn’t mean he had to stick it out. In fact, as soon as he could, he’d steal the horse and somehow get Archie back to Fraser lands where he could make certain the rest of his family was safe from Boyd.

“Good.” She nodded to Dirk. “Search them for weapons, and then help the wounded man onto your horse."

Toran stood still for the inspection, gritting his teeth as his weapons were removed. “I’ve said we’d join ye. Why then are ye treating me like a prisoner?"

The lass cocked her head to the side, a slight grin curling her upper lip. “We must first see that ye are trustworthy.” With an added challenge echoing in her words, she said, “Ye can ride with me. And dinna try any tricks, else ye find yourself verra dead."

The lass didn’t beat around the bush, and there was no hint of humor in her tone at all. She meant what she said.

Toran climbed onto the back of her horse, his cold, wet body flush to her warmer, dry back. Beneath the icy exterior was a lass full of lush curves. Mo chreach...Good heavens, but she felt good. Hesitantly, he placed an arm around her waist. She shuddered. “Blast, but ye’re soaked,” she hissed. “Ye should have warned me. And ye smell like the devil’s own chamber pot."

Toran chuckled. “A hazard of escape, lass."

Her back straightened, and she leaned forward, away from him. “Ye can call me Mistress J.” Mistress J? Why did that sound familiar?

“And ye are?” she urged.

“I’m called Toran,” he said slowly as realization struck him. The night had taken a very interesting turn. For he was holding onto the woman he suspected might be responsible for his mother’s death.

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AUTHOR INFO:

ELIZA KNIGHT is an award-winning and USA Today bestselling author of over fifty sizzling historical romances. Under the name E. Knight, she’s known for riveting tales that cross landscapes around the world. When not reading, writing, or researching, she chases after her three children. In her spare time she likes daydreaming, wine-tasting, traveling, hiking, and visiting with family and friends. She lives in Maryland.

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Book Tour for Rock God in Exile by Kella Campbell (REVIEW)

Fans of rock star romances will find themselves drawn to this tale of a man trying to atone for his sins and his romantic tug of war with a woman who has difficulty letting her guard down.  Keep reading to get a tempting taste of Rock God in Exile by Kella Campbell along with getting my impressions of it, then add this second installment in the Smidge series to your bookshelf!

Is it overreacting to knock someone down for groping you? Nell Whelan is a black belt whose self-protective instincts kick in hard when she’s uncomfortable.

Then she arrives at her hated day job to find the handsome jerk from the pub kicking the photocopier, and finds out that he looks familiar because he’s the bass player from a famous rock band... but when she asks him what he’s doing working for her boss, he avoids answering.

Eamonn Yarrow — known to the rock world as “Easy” — hasn’t always been a good person and he’s reaping the consequences, but maybe Nell is just what he needs to turn his life around.

FIND AT GOODREADS here.

UNIVERSAL BUY LINK here.

MY IMPRESSIONS OF THIS BOOK:

The first book in this series was a bit rough around the edges, particularly when it came to the heroine, but overall I found it a satisfying start to this rock star fueled series.  While this book is an improvement over the previous installment, courtesy of its delightfully imperfect hero, I still had problems with the heroine as her self-esteem issues overtook her life and kept her continually pushing the hero away.  Theirs is a rocky road to HEA, but it's a journey I was happy to have undertaken and that has me looking forward to the next installment.

From the outside Eamon "Easy" Yarrow looked like a rock star god, a self-obsessed playboy full of flirty one-liners.  Behind the facade though is a man full of vulnerabilities, a man with a soft side slowly revealed throughout the story.  When readers first see Easy in this story he's at a very low point, living far differently than he thought he would.  It's a life that sees his human side come through and he charmed me.  Meeting Nell was an unforgettable moment for him and the constant tug of war between them led him on a merry chase.  Throughout their journey together Easy clearly grew as a man, became someone more real rather than a caricature.  I wish though that we would've spent more time in his head as I would've liked to know more about him and his personal thoughts.

Nell Whelan was a tough nut to crack, tough to warm up to as she always seemed on guard.  She was a master in martial arts and didn't hesitate to let everyone know about her talent to keep others at arm's length.  She was a strong-willed woman, loyal and dedicated, but I wish she'd showed her softer side a bit more often.  The interactions between her and Easy were entertaining on a whole and together they made it a journey with a bit of sweet and a lot of spice.

By the turn of the final page I was once again won over by this story set in the rock star world.  The two leads were an entertaining dichotomy and their imperfections made me like them all the more in a romance that flowed at a nice pace.  While things started out a bit slow early on the story ultimately raced to a satisfying conclusion that has me greatly anticipating where Ms. Campbell will take us next.

My rating for this is a B+

*I got this book from the author for review in exchange for my honest opinion.

**FIND MY REVIEW FOR THE PREVIOUS BOOK IN THIS SERIES here**

UNIVERSAL BUY LINK here.

AUTHOR INFO:

Kella Campbell can usually be found in Vancouver, Canada.

She writes mostly romance, because love and relationships are what she finds most interesting about life and in fiction. Even when she dips into other genres, her writing almost always has romantic/emotional/relationship elements.

Kella likes tea and dark chocolate and happily-ever-after endings

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Book Review for Rock Star’s Heart by Kella Campbell.....

When a twist of fate throws university student Crys Murphy into an unexpected job on tour with a wildly successful rock band, her crush on the guitarist turns into powerful temptation. But there’s a dark side to the glamour and champagne: Blade has anger and addiction issues, a history of partying with groupies, and a tendency to get naked in public — and Crys is supposed to keep him out of trouble.

As she gets to know the talented and lonely man behind the bad boy behavior, the chemistry between them wavers on the edge of something deeper. But he doesn’t do relationships, and she grew up expecting a white-picket-fence future. Can he reform and open his heart to love? Will she give up her straitlaced upbringing for her troubled rock star? 

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When it comes to romances set in the rock star world, I can never seem to get enough.  They're my addiction, and with this new-to-me author's series starter, it's a satisfying addition to my bookshelf.  It's a heavy read at times though as it realistically deals with addiction as the young woman hired to watch over the rocker trying to overcome his issues starts falling for him at the same time.

Crys Murphy is a bit naive when readers first meet her, very sexually curious, and a bit clueless in many other ways.  The first chapter of this book certainly doesn't help my impressions of her either as it highlights her naïveté and shows her profiling every male she meets in terms of their sexuality.  She's clearly drawn to the members of rock band Smidge and when fate intervenes she ends up joining their tour as the fake girlfriend and caretaker to recovering addict Blade.  She's immediately attracted to him and is willing to do whatever to keep him clean, willing to sacrifice her self-esteem at times to help him stay sober.  While I understand how desperate she was to help him, both out of her burgeoning love for him and in her role as caretaker, I wish she'd had more of a backbone from the very start in her dealings with him.  Her actions often left me conflicted and it wasn't until very late in the story that I came around to liking her as she finally stood her ground with him and put her desires first which pushed him to be better.

Blade is a talented guitarist who wholeheartedly lives and breathes the rock star's lifestyle.  The public sees him as the leather-wearing, eyelined, rock god but behind the scenes he's a mess.  His heroin addiction is getting worse, as are his anger issues that are the result of a very painful past.  Once the public sees how out of control he's become though is the moment Crys comes into his life in an attempt to save him from himself and keep the band going.  Blade is a complicated man who's become overwhelmed by fame, weighed down by obligations, and it made me ache for him.  He didn't always treat Crys well though and it was those moments where the price of his addiction was most notable.  Other moments showed him to be a loving and caring man encouraging Crys to reach for her dreams and it's here that I too fell for him.  His journey is a difficult one, not at all sugarcoated by Ms Campbell, and it often pulled at my heartstrings in a tale full of emotional highs and lows.

After a very rocky start with an opening chapter littered with disposable characters and questionable actions this story finally came into its own.  With an imperfect main couple made better through their growing connection to each other, readers will become fully entrenched in this couple's journey to HFN, an ending that I wish had been more fully fleshed out.  The world of addiction was vividly depicted as was the glitz and glamour of the rock star world to pull readers into every facet of these character's lives.  Along with an unforgettable main couple was a cast of secondary characters, the other members of Smidge notably, and I look forward to reading more about them (and getting a more satisfying ending to Crys and Blade's HFN) in the future.

My rating for this is B-

*I got this book from the author for review in exchange for my honest opinion.

Book Tour for Jagger: Steele Shadows Investigations by Amanda McKinney (REVIEW & GIVEAWAY)

It's an exhilarating tale of a woman suspected of murder who finds unexpected support from the local detective carrying demons of his own.  Keep reading to get a tempting taste of Jagger: Steele Shadows Investigations by Amanda McKinney, along with getting my impressions of this series starter, then discover even more about this book by visiting the other sites hosting this tour.  In honor of this first installment in the Steele Shadows Investigations series make sure to fill out the form below for the chance to win a $100 Amazon GC too!

He found her covered in blood.

She promises she’s innocent.

The question is…Can he trust her?

Feared just as much on the streets as at a crime scene, Homicide Detective Max Jagger has dedicated his life to one thing—speaking for the dead. Everyone and everything else be damned, including his own demons. During one of the most oppressive heat waves to hit the small, southern town of Berry Springs, the former Navy SEAL is called to a scene where a real estate heiress is found standing over a dead body, holding the murder weapon. The local cops immediately dub it a slam-dunk case, but if Jagg has learned anything from his days running special ops, it’s that nothing is as it seems…including this suspect.

Despite her name, Sunny Harper is as beguiling as a fallen angel. Clever, cunning, completely unwilling to cooperate, and, perhaps his least favorite quality—mind-numbingly intoxicating. When evidence from the scene suggests an accomplice, Jagg begins to believe that Sunny is both innocent and in danger, despite the towns’ uproar to lock her up. Torn between his growing feelings for his suspect, he takes Sunny to a secluded lake house where he discovers there’s much more behind those enchanting green eyes…including secrets that could take them both under.

With his career on the line and the clock ticking, Jagg must decide if he can trust Sunny…before they both get burned.

FIND AT GOODREADS here.

BUY AT AMAZON here.

MY IMPRESSIONS OF THIS BOOK:

I didn't know what to expect when I first started this book, especially with not having read Ms. McKinney before.  What I ultimately got was a story full of twists and turns, a romance that was often on the back burner, as well as a cast of compelling characters who kept me constantly questioning the definition of good versus bad.  It's a solid series starter that kept me on the edge of my seat with each turn of the page and that has me greatly anticipating the next book in this series.

Max Jagger is a former Navy Seal who became a homicide detective.  His past is littered with emotionally painful moments and it's made him a man not easily defined now.  When readers first meet him they see a brooding man, someone with a lot of attitude and an aura of mystery, one who doesn't trust easily.  He's actually somewhat unlikable at the start, but as the story progressed glimpses of a kind heart and caring nature came through and I started to root for him.  He's clearly a man on edge though and with the death of his friend things are about to become even more complicated with a new murder.  Meeting the woman accused of the murder changes his life irrevocably and takes him on a journey full of secrets and danger, a journey with a slow burn romance that helps him to heal from his painful past.

Sunny Harper is a dog trainer (with an utterly charming collection of dogs surrounding her)...and now an accused murderer with blood literally on her hands.  The town wants her to pay for her apparent crime, but Max doesn't think things are as they appear and goes out of his way to protect her when it becomes clear that her life is next to be in danger.  Sunny's a sassy heroine with a strong will and a strong sense of loyalty.  She's got a lot of emotional baggage from a past that has left her life shrouded in mystery and seems older than her age suggests.  She's a person you can count on though too which is just what Max needs as his life continues to spiral out of control.  Their connection starts out as friends with the goal of solving a crime while slowly evolving into something more romantic which gave them time to build a strong foundation that had me cheering them on to HEA.

This was a satisfying series starter focused on the mystery and secrets found in a small town.  It's a tale full of action and suspense that kept me on the edge of my seat while crafting a romance that's clearly secondary to all else.  The main couple have both been hurt by the past, still struggle with it today, in a journey that made them all the stronger by being together.  Jagger's a man in pain at the start, a man about to implode, and it's only through his time with Sunny that he's able to stay sane.  Sunny too is made better by her time with Jagger and their strengthening bond put a smile on my face.  Surrounding this compelling main couple was an equally entertaining cast of secondary characters (from Lieutenant Colton to recent academy graduate Tommy Darby to Max's brother Ryder as well as a few others) who added their own personal issues to the storyline which made this an even stronger story.  Though I wish the romance between Max and Sunny had been more in the forefront, I still found this an exhilarating read with suspenseful twists and turns that kept me glued to the pages and hoping to revisit these characters soon!

My rating for this is a B+

*I got this book from the author for review in exchange for my honest opinion.

AUTHOR INFO:

Amanda McKinney is the #1 bestselling and multi-award-winning author of more than ten steamy romantic suspense and mystery novels. She wrote her debut novel, LETHAL LEGACY, in 2017 after walking away from her career to become a writer and stay-at-home mom. Set in small, southern towns, Amanda’s books are page-turning murder mysteries packed with steamy romance.

Her books include the HOT new bestselling series, STEELE SHADOWS SECURITY, the multi-award-winning BERRY SPRINGS series and BLACK ROSE MYSTERIES.

Text AMANDABOOKS to 66866 to receive Amanda’s newsletter and get the latest on new releases, promos, and freebies!

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**********GIVEAWAY**********

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Book Tour for Sisters and Secrets ​by Jennifer Ryan (GIVEAWAY)

Readers will find themselves quickly caught up in this emotionally intense tale of sisterhood, secrets, and second chances that will take you on a rollercoaster ride set in a small town.  Keep reading to get a tempting taste of Sisters and Secrets ​by Jennifer Ryan, then add it to your bookshelf.  In honor of this standalone romance make sure to fill out the form below for the chance to win a print copy of this book along with another classic title from this author too!

There’s nothing more complicated than the relationship among family...Especially when the Silva Sisters are keeping secrets.

For Sierra it means returning home with her two little boys after a devastating Napa wildfire takes her home, her job, and even the last mementos of her late husband, David. Determined to start over, how can she ever reveal the truth—that her husband may have led a double life?

To the world, Amy’s world is perfect: handsome husband, delightful children, an Instagram-worthy home. But behind this facade lies an awful truth: her marriage is rocky, her children resentful, her home on the verge of breaking up.

Heather, impulsive, free-spirited, and single mom to an adorable little girl, lives for the moment wearing a carefree smile. But she refuses to reveal the truth about her daughter’s father, and his identity remains a mystery even to her family.

As the Silva Sisters secrets are revealed, each realizes that there is more to their family than meets the eyes...and forgiveness may be the only way to move forward and reclaim true happiness at last.

EXCERPT:

CHAPTER ONE

Flames burned bright orange and red on both sides of the two-lane road as they consumed and destroyed everything in their path. Homes, businesses, multimillion-dollar vineyards. Nothing was spared as the fire climbed over the Napa Valley hills, unrelenting in its destruction. Sierra prayed it spared everyone on the road leading out, especially her sons.

She drove, heart pounding, fear amped to infinity, with her clammy palms locked on the steering wheel. Bumper to bumper, traffic moved at a snail’s pace. Like her, the other residents had been notified too late to gradually evacuate. The sheer number of people trying to escape all at once down a single lane prevented them from racing away from the flames. The other lane was left open to emergency vehicles that occasionally sped into the belly of the beast. Everyone had to feel exactly like her: desperate to flee before this dark and dangerous road became their grave.

She loved watching the flames dance in her woodburning stove, but driving through a wildfire made her feel like she was inside an inferno. Trapped. A wave of terror shot through her, cold fear dancing down her spine. She wanted out. Now.

Sierra glanced at her two small sons in the back seat, danger inches away outside. Helpless to eradicate it, she sucked in a breath to calm the fear and focus on getting them out of here as safely as possible. Every instinct told her to stomp on the gas, jump in the other lane, speed past everyone, and get them to safety no matter what. But like everyone else, she tried to stay orderly and calm.

Noxious fumes, unbelievable heat, and fire surrounded them. Nothing and no one was a match for Mother Nature’s firestorm. Ash, smoke, and sparks blew all around them while the satellite radio cut in and out, the signal blocked by the thick smoke obliterating their view of the night sky. Fear knotted her gut and rising panic sped up her heartbeat. Every second trapped within the blaze raging on both sides of them made it harder to keep it together for her two little boys.

She thought about their lives, how they’d already suffered a great loss when their father died, and all they had ahead of them. She didn’t want it to end this way. She wanted to see them grown, happy, healthy, living the life they chose and thriving.

“Mom.” Danny’s voice shook. “The window is hot."

“Don’t touch it.” She’d flipped the vent system to recirculate, but the smoky stench permeated the car along with the immense heat. The acrid scent turned her stomach and left a sour taste in her mouth.

Oliver held his favorite blanket over his mouth and nose. His eyes held a world of worry, too great for one five-year-old to face and understand beyond the fact that the scene outside was scary as hell and he wanted to be far away.

So do I.

Frustration got the better of the guy in the pickup truck behind her and he laid on the horn. Where did he expect her to go? The line of cars had only moved ten feet in the last two minutes. At this rate, they wouldn’t get out of the fire zone before dawn.

At least, it felt that way.

A rush of adrenaline shot through her again, signaling the flight-or-fight response she’d felt when she’d seen the smoke and fire headed toward their home. She could neither fight it nor flee from it when it literally surrounded her. And so she tried her best to stay alert, remain calm, and pray this all worked out.

Three more fire engines sped past in the opposite lane. Reinforcements for the dozens she’d passed on the tedious and exceedingly dangerous trip out of here.

We’ll make it out. We have to.

She’d worked too hard the last eleven months to keep her head above water after her husband’s tragic car accident to have it all end like this...in a car, on a dark road, consumed by fire.

It felt too eerily close to how they lost David.

Sierra gripped the steering wheel even tighter to stop her hands from shaking and focused on the car in front of her, following it around another curve, not getting her hopes up when their speed increased even marginally, but telling herself steady as she goes was good enough, so long as they got out of this alive.

The thought of anything happening to her babies...She couldn’t go there. It stopped her heart. But that fear drove her to keep her head and do everything possible to get them out of this situation even as thoughts of their home, her job, and the future swamped her mind. She’d barely made it by these last many months. If she lost everything...What then?

How would she support herself and the boys?

More flashing red and white lights glowed against the thick smoke ahead. She inched her way toward the emergency vehicles, the cars slowing ahead of her as they approached what must be an intersection. Fire trucks and police cars blocked the cross street, drawing everyone’s attention and slowing them down as everyone stared to the side to see if the fire had destroyed everything down that road. Ahead, cars shot forward as if they were racehorses released from the starting gates as they passed the commotion and the open road broke free of the fire border.

Relief hit like a crashing wave. We made it.

Now what?

She didn’t really have a plan for where to go. She ran out of her house with the clothes on her back, her purse, an armful of personal files, and her two sons in tow with the stench of smoke heavy in the air and flames devouring the houses only six streets away. By now, for all she knew, her house and all those on her block were gone.

Bile rose to the back of her throat, the thought so terribly upsetting, their future left uncertain.

Right now, though, she’d take the thirty-five-mile-an-hour speeds, the open land and road ahead of her as she outran the fire and smoke and spotted the sign for Yountville and the acclaimed restaurant the French Laundry.

“Is the fire gone?” Oliver asked.

She wished. “We’re getting farther and farther away from it."

“Where are we going?” Danny leaned toward his brother so he could see through the windshield.

Now that the flames weren’t licking at the sides of the car and bearing down on them, Sierra took a moment to think about her next move. She needed a place to put the boys down to bed tonight. In the morning, there’d be news of the firefighters’ efforts to stop the massive blaze and whether or not her home had been spared. She hoped, but her heart sank with the realization it didn’t seem likely and they’d lost everything.

FIND AT GOODREADS here.

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AUTHOR INFO:

NY Times & ​USA Today bestselling author ​JENNIFER RYAN writes suspenseful contemporary romances about everyday people who do extraordinary things. Her deeply emotional love stories are filled with high stakes and higher drama, love, family, friendship, and the happily-ever-after we all hope to find. Jennifer lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband and three children. When she finally leaves those fictional worlds, you’ll find her in the garden, playing in the dirt and daydreaming about people who live only in her head, until she puts them on paper.

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