Book Tour for Crazy Daisy by Maggie Adams (REVIEW)

A wounded warrior returns home to find himself drawn to a young woman with a heart of gold in this novella that pulls at the heartstrings.  Keep reading to get a tempting taste of Crazy Daisy by Maggie Adams, along with my impressions of it, then add this standalone contemporary romance to your bookshelf!

Daisy Jones has loved Gideon McElroy her entire life. Painfully shy, she had lived for the summers spent on the small island near Wisconsin at her grandpa’s cabin, when Gideon would come to stay with his grandfather, the Colonel. While the old men reminisced on happier times, Daisy would follow Gideon like a puppy, thrilled just to be in his presence. When he enlisted, she was heartbroken but took solace in the fact that he would still come to visit his aging grandfather when time allowed. 

Fate had other plans. When his grandfather passed on, and Gideon didn’t attend the funeral, Daisy knew he was gone forever.  She married, had a child, and tried not to think of Gideon or what had become of him.

Fifteen years have come and gone.  Daisy, now a widow, is the veterinarian on the island.  She sees to the animals of the tiny town and lives a simple life. But when rumors fly that a strange man is living on the Colonel’s land, she makes it her duty to investigate.

Gideon McElroy has come home to die. He knows he should have left this earth back in Afghanistan, not stitched back together to satisfy some damn surgeon’s “God complex.” The scars left behind have given him a grotesque appearance, a good reason to stay to himself. Between his appearance, the locked fence, and Samson, his large Mastiff, he’s confident in his solitary existence until he exits this world.

But he never counted on “Crazy Daisy” and her determination to drag him back into life.

EXCERPT:

She glanced around. Nothing much had changed except the large exercise machine in the corner facing the window. All the books, the old rugs, were in place; even the chess set was still in front of the window.  It even smelled the same – slightly moldy, but redolent with the cherry vanilla tobacco the Colonel had smoked, and the Pine-Sol he had used to clean everything.

“Gideon? Where are you?” Daisy walked through the kitchen toward the back of the cabin.  Perhaps he had been hurt. In concern, she quickened her steps. As she neared the bathroom, there was what sounded like a groan. Truly worried now, she opened the bathroom door and stood stock still.

Gideon McElroy was stark naked and hard, his cock in his hand.

“What the fuck? Woman, are you crazy?”

She heard him yell, but she was transfixed. Most of his left side was crisscrossed with scars, like he had been in a fire. Even his groin and chest looked like a roadmap. The beard obstructed his neck and jawline, but the scars continued up the side of his face and into his hairline.

And he was pissed.

Daisy mumbled an apology and frantically searched for a towel. She spotted it on the vanity base and threw it at him, backing out of the room as he tied the towel around his waist and advanced on her as she hurried down the hall into the living room.

She held her hands up to ward him off and began to babble. “I’m sorry; I thought, well, the dog was missing, and the door popped open and I wasn’t sure if you were hurt, or even here and I wanted to…” She tripped on the leg of the large armchair and fell into it. The sun was completely blocked from her sight as Gideon closed the distance between them. For a moment, she thought this must be what Belle felt like when the Beast got in her face. She could feel his breath against her cheek.

“Now I know you’re not blind,” he snarled. “But are you deaf and dumb? I told you to leave and not come back. To stay away. Now what part didn’t you understand? Or maybe you’re just crazy like people in town say?”

That hurt. She had thought the name was because she was crazy enough to take on the local VA hospital when her David couldn’t get help with the PTSD he had suffered from after Afghanistan; not that she was, well, crazy. Tears began to fall, and she cursed inwardly. She hated that she cried when she was angry. It was a sign of weakness to her mind.

“Fuck! Don’t start the waterworks.” Gideon flung himself away from her. “I don’t care why you are here, I just want you gone.” He looked around the room. “Where the hell’s Samson? How did you get past him, anyway?”

“I, er, I don’t know.  He wasn’t here. That’s why I thought something was wrong.” She wiped her tears with her coat sleeve. “I heard what sounded like a moan in the back, and I came down the hall to make sure you or Samson weren’t hurt.”

Gideon eyes lit on the basket of goodies Daisy had brought. “You’re the fuckin’ welcome wagon?”

“No! Um, well, yes, I guess, in your case. I needed to make sure Samson had, um, his shots and was chipped, so I brought the basket and some of the cookies you liked when we were kids.” Daisy shrugged. Now that she thought about it, that did sound kind of lame - here’s some cookies. Remember me?

He quirked an eyebrow and picked up the taser. “And if I didn’t cooperate, you were going to taser me into accepting the basket?”

“No!” she laughed. “The dog,” but as soon as she said it, she knew she was in trouble.

“You were going to taser my DOG?” he roared, advancing on her once again.

FIND AT GOODREADS here.

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MY IMPRESSIONS OF THIS BOOK:

The moment I read the synopsis for this book I was drawn to its theme of starting over and to its main couple who experienced a lot of emotional and physical pain in their pasts.  As childhood friends there was a solid foundation for romance which made their sensual reunion early in the story a bit more believable.  With each turn of the page readers will become invested in these wounded souls and will be rooting them on every step of the way.

Gideon McElroy once had a home full of love and support in the small town of Watertown, so it’s naturally where he’s returned to in order to recover.  A wounded warrior full of anger and only wanting to be left alone, he at first turns away the kindhearted young woman who was once so important to him.  But when he needs her most she’s there, turning a night full of tears into something long-anticipated as their reunion brings him back to life.  Though not much time is spent with these characters, there’s much to like about Gideon.  He’s strong and protective, jumps in the moment he senses danger.  His scars may have bothered him early on but through Daisy’s eyes he sees himself as the only man she needs in a romance full of heart.

Daisy Jones is a truly good person, caring of those who are in pain and a champion to all those wounded warriors returning home.  The suicide of her husband drove her to take on the VA, earning her the moniker of “Crazy Daisy”, and showing herself to be a kindhearted heroine with a strong sense of protectiveness and a soul that lit from within.  Daisy always had a crush on Gideon and has no intention of letting him live like a pariah, making it her mission to drag him back to the land of the living.  It’s a journey full of heartwarming moments, as well as a few tears, that will keep you glued to the pages while watching them make a life for themselves.

This is a quick read, too quick of a read as it jumped many years in the life of this couple to show some of their most emotional moments.  I would’ve love digging deeper into these two characters, having their pain amplified to make their message regarding veteran’s care a more potent debate.  This story on a whole remained light, leaving readers wanting more, but content with what’s between the pages as we’re left with a very HEA.

My rating for this is a C+

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

AUTHOR INFO:

Maggie Adams is an internationally bestselling romance author. Her first book in the Tempered Steel Series, the romantic comedy-Whistlin’ Dixie, debuted in Top 100 for Women’s Fiction, Humor, on November 2014. Since then, she has consistently made the various best seller 5-star list with her Tempered Steel Series. Her series has launched the tiny town of Grafton, Illinois, into international recognition with sales in Mexico, Ireland, Scotland, Australia and the UK. She is the recipient of various awards for excellence including Dayreader Reviews Best of 2015, the Readers Favorite Award 2016, the Indie Romance Convention Romantic Comedy Award 2017 and the 2017 New Apple Awards -Suspense.

She also writes paranormal romance, young adult romance and women’s fiction. Maggie’s books can be found on eBook and paperback on her website and all major book sites.

When she’s not writing, she can be found dancing, singing and cooking (usually all at the same time), and spending time with her family and friends.

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Book Release Blitz for Lost and Found by Lexi Blake (REVIEW)

A man whose past was taken from him, and a woman who’s missed out on life because of her desperation in finding a cure for her mother, find an intense connection that could lead to her death.  Keep reading to get a tempting taste of Lost and Found by Lexi Blake, along with my impressions of it, then add this second installment in the Masters and Mercenaries: The Forgotten series to your bookshelf!

Owen Shaw and his “brothers” lost everything, their entire existence erased. Science had robbed he and all the Lost Boys of their memories and their past, but not their future. Hunted by every intelligence agency in the world, they are focused on two goals: find a cure for what was done to them and ensure that the technology that ruined their lives doesn’t get out into the world. Rebecca Walsh might be the key to achieving both. Owen has been studying her closely, living in her building, and he cannot resolve how such a beautiful, giving woman could have helped design the evil process that destroyed his past.

Dr. Rebecca Walsh has dedicated her life to researching the secrets of the mind. Her atmospheric rise in her field was fueled by the horror of watching her mother’s agonizing journey into madness at the hands of a disease with no cure. She vowed to never rest until she finds it. But obsession takes a heavy toll, and when Owen moves into her building she realizes how much of her life she has missed out on. Owen opens her eyes to a whole new world, filled with joy, laughter, and possibly love.

Owen and Rebecca grow closer, unraveling more about each other and the mysteries surrounding her connection to Hope McDonald. As the sinister forces working against the Lost Boys descend on Toronto, secrets long buried are uncovered that could shatter the bonds holding the Lost Boys together and cost Rebecca her life.

EXCERPT:

“Becca.” Owen’s voice was low. “Concentrate on me, on our conversation. You’ve done incredibly well. You’ve been able to hold it off, but this has gone on far longer than you ever should have been expected to handle it. This elevator is tight. I feel it, too, but we can hold off the anxiety together.”

She doubted very much the man in front of her was anxious. He looked solid, like the kind of man who took whatever came his way and simply dealt with it. He wouldn’t have needed two freaking years to figure out what he wanted. He would have signed his divorce papers and moved on, not hiding in his work.

It struck her forcibly that she might never have met a man like Owen Shaw. Her childhood had been fairly sheltered. She’d constantly been surrounded by intellectuals, men and women who were far more concerned with their work than anything else.

The ground beneath her shifted and the elevator dropped what felt like ten feet, but she knew in her head it was mere inches. Her heart rate tripled, and she grabbed on to the closest thing she could—him.

His arms went around her, holding her up, and she heard it. He was so tall that her head naturally rested on his chest, and she could hear his heart beating in rapid time.

He was nervous.

The phone rang and Owen cursed, reaching out to grab it. The shaft was so small, he didn’t have to let her go to grasp it.

“What the bloody hell is happening, Colin?”

She could hear his voice over the line. “Sorry. So sorry. We had to lower the shaft the tiniest bit. I should have warned you. It’s not going to fall. Just needed to reposition to get to the problem. Not long now. Another half an hour or so and I’ll have you right out of there.”

“If you do that again, do you know what I’m going to do to you, Colin?”

There was a pause over the line and she could practically hear Colin’s gulp. “Write my father a tersely worded letter of complaint?”

“No, I’m going to pull your heart out through your throat and then I’ll shove it back up your arse.”

“You sound very much like Liam Neeson in that movie.”

“Liam Neeson is Irish. I’m a Scot. I assure you what I’ll do to you will make you run into Liam Neeson’s arms and beg him to save you.” He reached back and hung up the phone with a resounding clang.

His arm went back around her. “It’s going to be all right. They’ll move faster now. So you’ve taken a sabbatical from men.”

She breathed him in, loving how he smelled. Were men supposed to smell so good?

She could feel herself relax as he held her. She’d known him for three hours. She shouldn’t let him hold her like this.

And why the fuck not? Because it wasn’t smart? Because he might think she wanted something she shouldn’t?

She was human. Why shouldn’t she want him? Because society told her that good girls didn’t make out with guys they’d just met in an elevator?

Society sucked, and she wasn’t a good girl. When her husband had tried to put his name on her work, she’d told him to fuck off and write his own paper. When he’d cheated on her, she’d walked away.

She was single.

God, was he single?

She stepped back.

“What’s wrong?” Owen asked.

“Do you have a girlfriend?”

His lips curled up in the sweetest grin, as though he knew exactly why she was asking that question. “No, love. I don’t have a girlfriend and I don’t have a wife.”

He was single. She was single.

The moment lengthened between them.

He stepped back. “I’m sorry. I’m coming on way too strong.”

He wasn’t. He’d been gentlemanly, friendly. Up until the last couple of moments, he hadn’t put a hand on her or leered. She could feel his attraction. It was there in the warm way he looked at her, in the set of his shoulders, relaxed earlier and tense now that he’d touched her. He was thinking about the same thing she was.

“I’m very nervous, Owen. My logical mind knows that it’s far more likely for me to die getting hit by lightning than in an elevator, even one that’s stuck.” Unfortunately, her logical mind was slowly losing control of her dumbass lizard brain.

“Will talking help?” Owen asked. “Because I’m willing to do that. Or whatever you need to take your mind off things.”

There was a wealth of promise in those words. Dirty and sweet at the same time. They’d shared her wine, passing it back and forth between them, her lips touching the same place his had been moments before. When she’d drank after him, she’d thought about kissing him.

It had been too long. Two years was way too long to go without sex.

They had a half an hour or so. At least that’s what Colin—who might be murdered soon by Owen Shaw—said. She even thought his name was sexy.

What exactly would it hurt if she did kiss him? If she touched him and let him touch her? Hell, what would it hurt if she fucked him? They were both single, both a little needy. They had some time to kill. They’d done everything else.

“I would like to kiss you.” If he didn’t want her to, he could say no and they could find something else to do. She wasn’t going to be embarrassed because some guy didn’t want her. Some stunningly gorgeous guy. Some really funny, sexy guy. After all, she wouldn’t see him after this. She’d never seen him before. He’d told her he was moving in, but she went into work early and came home late. He was a bodyguard, so he likely worked odd hours and traveled a lot.

He was safe. She could open that door, enjoy herself, and then close it again. Owen Shaw could be her first really good memory in a long time, the start of many because it was time to get serious about finding some joy and balance in her life.

But only if he wanted some joy, too.

He moved back, placing his back against the elevator wall, the sweetest smile lighting up his face. “You have no idea how much I want you to kiss me. I’m right here, love. Do your worst.”

He was letting her make the first move. And probably the second. And the third. He was obviously a careful man. It would be easier if he took over, but he was right. This needed to be her choice, and she had to make the move.

She’d been the girl who’d told her parents at the age of five that kindergarten was boring and she wanted to move through the grades until she found something challenging. When they’d told her they wanted her to slow down and enjoy her childhood, she’d gone on strike until the teachers at her school begged her parents to let them move her up.

She was the girl who’d put it all on hold to take care of her mother, too.

She wasn’t the girl who didn’t take what she wanted, and she wanted Owen Shaw.

“It’s been a long time since I did this.” But her body was already heating up. Her body remembered. Her marriage might have sucked, but the sex had been fairly good. It had been the reason she’d married him. She’d gotten used to regular, good sex.

She’d get used to it again, just on her terms this time.

“Somehow, I think you’ll remember,” he said. “You play all you like. Stop when you want to.”

She’d been right about him. He was a careful man. “And if I don’t want to stop?”

“Then you should be happy I’m a man who believes in being prepared.”

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MY IMPRESSIONS OF THIS BOOK:

Readers will find themselves once again captivated by this newest entry in The Forgotten series, an off-shoot of Ms. Blake’s engaging Masters & Mercenaries series.  In a tale full of twists and turns, readers will also find their heart’s breaking over all that befell the main couple before they found each other as well as fearing what the ghosts of their pasts will do to their future.  From the first page to the last, this is one heckuva rollercoaster ride that will keep you on the edge of your seat, a witness to a sweet and scorching romance full of danger to their bodies and souls.

Owen Shaw was once a man full of loyalty to his team, a man devoted to his mother and sister, a man who was ultimately given a heartbreaking ultimatum by an insidious doctor bent on taking over the world by turning soldiers into her personal slaves through medical manipulation.  The decision he made ended up being a no-win situation that ended with his family dead and him with amnesia and scars that have left him feeling like a traitor.  Desperate to make amends for sins that aren’t his own, Owen’s doing all he can to help a new team formed out of other men whose lives were similarly stolen to destroy the technology that took their pasts in hopes that no one else will ever be hurt in the future. Owen was once a fun-loving man who jumped into every situation without any hesitation, but he’s now a much paler shadow of the man he used to be as he’s now willing to stay in the background.  He feels like a traitor and assumes that others see him that way too.  To get through the day, alcohol and meaningless sex have now become his crutch and it’s a heartbreaking thing to see.  Owen’s carrying a heavy burden of guilt and it’s left him broken, but the moment he comes face to face with his latest assignment it felt like a jolt of electricity. Meeting Doctor Becca Walsh makes him feel alive again, talking to her has him wanting to hold her close though he knows that any relationship they form will only end badly as it’s his lies that have brought them together.  Despite all that though, he still wants her and when her life is put in danger by unforeseen adversaries he’ll do whatever it takes to keep her safe.  I adored Owen and his sexy Scottish accent!  I ached for all that was taken from him but cheered the joy, and the reason for living, that he found with Becca.  He was an intriguing dichotomy of being dominant one moment while letting Becca take control when she needed to in a connection that amped up the book’s sensuality.  He’s a decadently delightful hero who captured my attention the moment I first saw him and his story didn’t disappoint.

Becca Walsh has always been a bit of an outsider, never quite fitting in completely.  The super smart daughter of two genius parents had her always the youngest student in school with others jealous of her accomplishments.  It didn’t leave her with many friends but it did fuel her close-knit connection to her parents.  This close connection left her especially devastated as her mother’s dementia robbed her of her dignity and her life, something that fueled Becca’s need to find a cure for this heartbreaking disease.  Her discoveries captured the attention of Doctor Hope McDonald (the truly twisted woman who robbed the Lost Boys of their lives) and put her on Owen and his teammate’s radar.  From the outside Becca seems like a quiet and reserved person, someone uncomfortable in public, someone devoted to her work to the exclusion of all else.  In reality though that picture isn’t quite accurate. Yes, she’s devoted to her work as she doesn’t want others to suffer the way her mother did.  But she’s definitely not reserved as she’s come to realize that she’s letting life slip away from her and is more than ready to end her sexual sabbatical.  She’s a bit quirky, a bit irreverent at times, and I adored her love of superheroes.  She’s comfortable in her own skin, isn’t one to apologize for going after what she wants, and this is exactly what makes her and Owen such a good pairing.  While she may look guilty at first, readers and Owen’s team quickly discover the truth which lets Owen enjoy her for as long as he’s willing to let himself be happy. Becca’s an endearing heroine, smart and funny, and easy to relate to.  When danger comes calling she’ll have to do more than play at being a superhero though in this fast-paced and suspenseful story.

This was an exhilarating read from the first page to the last, one full of unexpected twists and turns as a new villain emerges, one that’s under the shadow of Hope McDonald.  New and dangerous connections are also revealed as glimpses of the other characters are continually being doled out.  Along with all the suspense comes the combustible romance between Becca and Owen, one that will have readers rooting for them from the moment they meet.  Owen’s a tarnished hero, one weighted down by a past forced upon him, one he’s desperate to make amends for and his need for redemption endeared him to me.  Meeting Becca saw a weight lifting off him and from that moment on I was fully invested in their pairing.  Becca too came alive in his arms and it made for scorching encounters teeming with sensual and playful banter that made them a formidable couple.  Surrounding this unforgettable main couple is an equally captivating cast of secondary characters whose stories I’m looking forward to reading as it’s a twisty journey that each character has had a part of.  I’m especially intrigued by Tucker and his connection to Hope McDonald, the crackling connection between Robert and Ari, the reveal of a new villain, as well as another “Lost Boy” Sasha who seems lackadaisical but is in fact all knowing. All in all this was another winner in a series that keeps you on the edge of your seat with a story arc full of unexpected twists.  Suspense and romance are perfectly balanced to keep readers wholeheartedly invested in these men and their need for justice in a series that keeps me coming back for more as I wait breathlessly for the next installment.

My rating for this is an A.

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

AUTHOR INFO:

NY Times and USA Today bestselling author Lexi Blake lives in North Texas with her husband, three kids, and the laziest rescue dog in the world. She began writing at a young age, concentrating on plays and journalism. It wasn’t until she started writing romance and urban fantasy that she found the stories of her heart. She likes to find humor in the strangest places and believes in happy endings no matter how odd the couple, threesome, or foursome may seem.

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Book Tour for Parrish by Janine Infante Bosco (Review & GIVEAWAY)

From the moment readers met Jack Parrish they knew they’d discovered a complex and unforgettable hero, a hero who’s a bit tarnished, but a hero nonetheless as he gives his all to help those he claims as his own.  This story is his story, his and Reina’s story of love, and it’s one heckuva ride.  Keep reading to get a tempting taste of Parrish by Janine Infante Bosco, along with my impressions of this emotionally intense read, then add this powerful tale to your bookshelf.  In honor of this fourth installment in the Satan’s Knights series make sure to fill out the form below for the chance to win a mystery box too!

It’s not a wicked world that drives a man to sin, it’s a deranged mind. Baptized in dirty water by Satan himself, I’ve spent my whole life fighting the good fight, searching for the light in the darkness of insanity. Now, the light I’ve basked in for so long is finally dimming and the time has come for me to take my final bow before the curtain closes on my sanity.

After making a deal with the district attorney and providing my club with full immunity for the crimes we’ve committed, I have twenty-four hours to remind my wife, Reina, why she fell in love with a bastard like me before I turn myself in and break her heart.

But twenty-four hours isn’t enough.

Not for me and certainly not for the Devil.

Tragedy strikes, and my world implodes. It’s lights out for Jack and Reina and a man can’t survive without his sunshine. Engulfed in darkness, consumed by the crazy, I’m a weapon of mass destruction, ready to wreak havoc on the wicked world.

Word to the wise—proceed with caution, motherf*ckers.

The Bulldog is back!

EXCERPT:

Jack’s mood was ping-ponging. One minute he was the loving man on the cusp of signing his life away, the next he was a desperate creature, trying to prove his existence. If he could paint the world and leave his mark, I’m sure he would. Instead, he painted me, branding me in front of a faceless stranger in a parking lot.

It was nothing I pictured our final time together would be and yet, at that very moment, it was everything I needed. Desperation will make you insane and I’m starting to wonder if maybe Jack isn’t the only one losing his mind because I am not ashamed of what we did.

I’d do it again.

And again.

In front of thousands of eyes.

I’d paint the world too, letting everyone know I’m his.

The other half of Jack’s heart.

The broken piece he’ll leave behind in a few hours.

“Reina,” Jack calls from behind me, pulling me away from my thoughts. Shrugging my jacket off, I drape it over the back of one of the kitchen chairs before glancing over my shoulder at him. Leaning against the door frame, he crosses his arms and studies me for a moment.

“Are you okay?” he questions, narrowing his dark eyes.

“Of course,” I reply, turning around to completely face him. I comb my fingers through my hair and stare at him. “Why wouldn’t I be okay?”

“You barely said a word to Grace before she left,” he points out.

A frown ticks the corners of my mouth as I realize he’s right. I was too lost in my own head to pay much attention to Grace. I didn’t even bother to thank her for watching Danny or ask if she had heard back from her husband’s lawyer. Truthfully, I was relieved when I heard the door close behind her and for that I’m ashamed. In my defense, I’m terrified of the sun coming up and all I want is to lay next to my husband. I want to memorize the rhythm of his heartbeat and the way I perfectly fit in the crook of his arm.

I’ll have plenty of time to talk with Grace.

Plenty of chances to thank her for watching my son.

But I won’t have my husband.

“I’ll call her tomorrow to apologize,” I say as he pushes off the doorjamb and takes a step closer to me.

“Talk to me, Reina,” he pleads. “Tell me what’s going on inside that head of yours.”

I smile at his choice of words.

“Isn’t that my line?”

He cocks his head to the side as he reaches me and lifts his hand to my cheek.

“I love looking at you,” he says softly. “In the morning when you wake up. When you’re cooking and helping Danny with his homework. When you smile and fuck, I love watching you laugh too. After you come when you’re completely satisfied and look at me like I’m some kind of fucking king—that’s another look I love.”

Pausing, he lifts his other hand to my face and cups my cheeks as he leans his forehead against mine.

“But this look, the one you’re giving me right now, it’s fucking breaking my heart Reina.”

“What look?”

“Your light is dimming, Sunshine,” he whispers.

As much as I hate to admit it, he’s right. I told myself I wouldn’t fall to pieces, that I’d stay strong until he surrendered, but I’m losing my will. It’s all too much and I can’t help but feel like I’m grieving a living man. The very last thing I want is our final memories of one another to be these. I want us to remember each other as lovers and know the part of him that is me, will never die.

“I’m fine,” I tell him.

“You’re breaking.”

“No,” I argue, shaking my head free of his hold. “I don’t break, Parrish.”

The words sound weak to my own ears, but I refuse to show defeat. Smoothing a hand down his chest, I force a smile.

“Go check on Danny, give him a kiss and tuck him in for the night. I’m going to take a quick shower before I meet you in bed.”

“Reina—“

“Please, Jack,” I interrupt hoarsely. Something snaps deep inside of me and I lose my filter. “I haven’t asked you for a thing since you told me you were taking the deal. I didn’t beg you to change your mind or ask you to choose me. I stood by your side and performed the role of the supportive wife like it was my God given right. In reality, I’m mourning my husband and he’s standing right in front of me. Do you have any idea how that feels?” I cry, balling my fists angrily. “My heart is broken and in the back of my mind I’m wondering how I’m going to go on without you, but I can’t let that consume me because we’re not going to remember our love this way. We get one chance at goodbye, Jack. One shot at closing the story with a beautiful memory. Now, I’m asking you to pretend like you don’t see the cracks in my bravado. I want to remember how loved I felt every time my husband looked at me and how safe I felt in his arms. I want to remember his gruff voice in my ear and the scent of his cologne on my sheets. I want to remember you the way I saw and felt you since the day I met you. Give me that. Please, give me that memory.”

I wait for the regret to seep into my soul but the need to wish my words away doesn’t come. Not even when he takes a step backward and flinches as if I’ve smacked him across the face. We’re a lot of things but what we’re not are liars. Our marriage is full of ugly truths we’ve both accepted, this is just another added to the list.

FIND AT GOODREADS here.

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MY IMPRESSIONS OF THIS BOOK:

From the moment I was introduced to the tarnished white knight that is Jack Parrish I knew he’d take us on an incredible journey.  Whether in the forefront with guns blazing, or in the background making plans like a master chess player to keep his brothers safe, he’s always been larger than life.  His journey has been joyous, sensual, scary, and heartbreaking at times throughout the Satan’s Knights series of books and with this latest release he once again takes center stage in an exhilarating ride that kept me frantically turning the pages to see what happens next.

With the previous book’s jaw-dropping conclusion, readers are still reeling as it appears that time’s run out for Jack and left him with no more options to save his club and his son-in-law, Blackie.  Ready to make the ultimate sacrifice Jack makes the most of his final day of freedom to take his soulmate Reina on a journey that reminds readers of their undying love and gives us even more reason to adore Jack as he sweeps her off her feet in a sweet and sexy goodbye.  Just when you think you know what’s coming though, things take an unexpectedly shocking turn that unleashes “the Bulldog” as he once again fights to save those he loves while proving to Reina that he’s worthy of her love in a sentimental and emotionally intense love letter.  Jack’s a character not easily defined as he’s done some very bad things in his life, though they were done in protection of others.  He’s not exactly a hero either, but he’s definitely not a villain as his love for his club and the unconventional family he’s created shines bright in all that he does.  He has a big heart and has repeatedly shown it throughout the series by making many other bruised and broken characters “Property of Parrish”.  Helping others has led him to this tumultuous point, along with his deteriorating mental health, and the low point he reaches here broke my heart.  I shouldn’t have counted him out though as, like a phoenix, he rises from the ashes to once again make right the wrongs that befall those closest to him.  It’s a ride full of shocking twists and turns, suspenseful moments, and pulse pounding action that made for an unforgettable story that I never wanted to end!

Standing by Jack’s side is the strong-willed Reina, a woman with plenty scars of her own who never saw herself as the Old Lady to a club president.  It’s forced her into being stoic, hiding her fears of Jack’s losing battle with insanity and their uncertain future.  This book shows a chink in her armor, but it’s a sweet and sexy reminder of their love for each other too.  It’s a love that’s put through the wringer, broken down before being beautifully rebuilt.  Theirs is an epic love story, set against the backdrop of danger and suspense careening towards the club, and all I could do was hold on for dear life.  Along with solidifying his connection to Reina, there were the changes going on in the club that Jack also had to deal with which added another level of heartache to the story. His brothers were always there for him in the past, could always be counted on to follow him into the fire, but there’s doubt in this story caused by the fallout from the previous book and Jack’s declining mental health.  For all that Jack’s sacrificed for them I was a bit disappointed, but Ms. Bosco quickly reminds them and us of what being “Property of Parrish” means in a story that ultimately has you cheering after all sorts of heart pounding and action-packed scenes.

Throughout this series Ms. Bosco shows why she’s my go-to author for MC-themed romances as she’s a master of balancing love with suspense, heartwarming encounters with heartbreaking events, all in order to tell a story full of heart and soul.  Her characters are far from perfect, but their imperfections make them perfect in my eyes and have kept me wholeheartedly invested in each one of these characters.  The depiction of Jack’s mental demons was vivid, realistic, and added a sense of foreboding to a story that already had me on edge.  This was a story worth waiting for, an end in some respects, but a beginning in other ways that has me greatly anticipating where Ms. Bosco takes us next!

My rating for this is an A.

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

AUTHOR INFO:

Janine Infante Bosco lives in New York City, she has always loved reading and writing. When she was thirteen, she began to write her own stories and her passion for writing took off as the years went on. At eighteen, she even wrote a full screenplay with dreams of one day becoming a member of the Screen Actors Guild.

Janine writes emotionally charged novels with an emphasis on family bonds, strong willed female characters, and alpha male men who will do anything for the women they love. She loves to interact with fans and fellow avid romance readers like herself.

She is proud of her success as an author and the friendships she’s made in the book community but her greatest accomplishment to date would be her two sons Joseph and Paul.

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Book Spotlight on False Hope by Meli Raine

After waking up from a year-long coma, a woman finds herself in even more danger...danger from a killer hoping to finish the job and danger to her heart from the man hoping to keep her safe in this exhilarating and romantic read.  Keep reading to get a tempting taste of False Hope by Meli Raine, then add this second installment in the False series to your bookshelf!

She thinks she’s fooled me. But I’ve known all along.

Almost.

Lily is hiding something, a secret so big, she came out of a year-long coma and her first instinct was to lie.

Who does that? Someone who is afraid. No—not afraid.

Terrified. And it’s my job to take that fear away.

My partner and I have spent countless man-hours hunting down the cold-blooded killer who did this to her. Meanwhile, Lily’s spent her waking hours recovering. Getting stronger. Getting smarter.

Staying beautiful.

Never get involved emotionally. That’s my dictate. Never get attached.

When you realize you’re caught in a triangle, it turns out there is no exit.

Crossing a line is easy. Holding a line takes strength.

Lily’s shooter knows that she’s my weakness.

One I have to get back.

No matter what it takes.

EXCERPT:

I’ve always been able to identify with Lily and her wounds to understand her healing process, to grasp the subtle and not-so-subtle psychological developments that help her to reconstruct a self. What I didn’t feel enough, though, was empathy.

Putting yourself in another person’s shoes isn’t just about imagining the body. We can create little movies inside our minds as mirror neurons give us the ability to imagine ourselves in someone else’s place.

Going deep emotionally, though, is a skill set you can’t develop. The building blocks have to be inherently in place. It’s like fast-twitch muscles that allow athletes to go from great to Olympic level. You have it or you don’t. And if you don’t, you’ll never develop it.

If you do, it’s up to you to find a way to optimize it.

As we sit here eating, I focus on the food. Never underestimate the power of macronutrients in reestablishing stability and empathy, though there’s no perfect ratio of protein to carbs to fats to give yourself an edge in that department.

I’m sitting here at the table, feeling all these feelings, when Lily taps my hand. She’s freshly showered, her hair hanging in loose, wet waves around her face. Soaked through, the strands of her hair hang longer than they do when dry, giving her an even more wholesome look.

And covering the scar in the back of her skull.

She smiles at me. “You’re a million miles away.”

“No, ma’am,” I tell her. “I’m right here, present and on duty.”

“Must have a nice job if duty involves raclette.” She looks at the hot stone in front of us with melted cheese and an assortment of meats and other foods.

I have to laugh. “It’s a tough job, but someone has to do it.”

FIND AT GOODREADS here.

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GET A GLIMPSE OF THE OTHER BOOKS IN THE FALSE SERIES:

FALSE MEMORY (Book #1)

FIND AT GOODREADS here.

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FALSE START (Book #3)

FIND AT GOODREADS here.

PRE-ORDER LINKS FOR JANUARY 15TH RELEASE DATE:  iBOOKS  |  BOOKBUB

AUTHOR INFO:

Meli Raine writes romantic suspense with hot bikers, intense undercover DEA agents, bad boys turned good, and Special Ops heroes — and the women who love them. Meli rode her first motorcycle when she was five years old, but she played in the ocean long before that. She lives in New England with her family.

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