Reforming the Cowboy: A South Beach Book - Marisa Cleveland

The Book
Release Date: 9 September 20113

Country singer Billy Hardy needs to get back on the charts. His manager assures him headlining the opening of a cafe in South Beach is his best chance at getting back to the big time. If he fails, his career is over for good this time.Lacey Durant can't believe opening night includes the country singer she crushed on through college. And her customers agree he's dreamy. But his playboy reputation threatens her cafe's image and she can't afford that. She insists Billy stay with her so she can keep an eye on him, and thwart overenthusiastic fans.Billy's charms and Lacey's sexy curves prove more than either can resist, but she refuses to be just another lyric in his well-known songs of heartbreak.

My Opinion  2.5 STARS
**Provided by Netgalley and Entangled Publishing, LLC for an honest review**

I really struggled to connect with this book. The story in itself was promising, but I couldn't relate to the characters or really feel the relationship between Billy and Lacey.

The whole relationship between the two just felt wrong, especially at the beginning. Billy's ex girlfriend was just annoying and Chip in his way was nice enough.

So with have Billy a Country singer who has been off the radar for ten years and aiming for a comeback.

Lacey has just opened her coffee house and has got Billy scheduled to help with the opening for the first four nights to boost sales. He was also her college crush.

Things go well opening night and there is chemistry between the two, the is also a potential investor who comes to visit.

The second heralds where Billy doesn't want to go back to his hotel because of fans so Lacey offers her spare room in her flat above the coffee house. Needless to say they don't end up sleeping in a separate bed. Billy also finds his muse again and starts writing new songs for the first time in ten years.

He has to return home after the contract is over for a recording and doesn't like leaving her behind. He sends her a ticket and plane ticket to a charity show he is participating in.

She leaves halfway through his third and last song, a song he has written and dedicated to her. Of course he ends up following her back, where they decide they want everything.

Safe With Me (With Me in Seattle 5) - Kristen Proby

The Book
Release Date: 21 September 2013

Keeping others safe is what Caleb Montgomery does. He’s never had a problem taking on an assignment, whether it was during his dangerous SEAL days or his most recent job of training war mercenaries. But being assigned to keep Brynna Vincent and her adorable daughters, Maddie and Josie, safe from an unknown threat has thrown Caleb off his axis. Hot for the tall brunette since she came back to town more than a year ago, being close to her day in and day out is cracking Caleb’s resolve to keep his hands off her gorgeous body and his head in the mission.

Brynna is sick and tired of being afraid. All she wants is a normal, quiet life for her and her precious girls. Just as she’s settling into her new home in Seattle and feeling safe again, Caleb shows up on her doorstep insisting the danger is as high as ever. But whether she needs to be sheltered from the threat in her past, or from the intense emotions she feels for the sexy, protective man sleeping in her home, remains to be seen. What will happen if Brynna and her girls fall in love with a man so broken he may not be able to protect them from the danger that threatens, much less himself?


SAFE WITH ME is the fifth book in the With Me In Seattle series, and continues to follow this tight-knit, loving family through life’s trials and tribulations with humor, passion and everlasting love.

My Opinion  4 STARS
Caleb is so yummy, and the Montgomery men keep getting hotter and hotter. Honestly who wouldn't want a hot alpha SEAL?

Brynna ran from her previous life back home to Seattle when she found her ex-husband murdered and the killers fleeing the scene. Her ex-husbands now former partner advises her to leave on safety measure with her two twin girls just in case.

Things are quiet for a about a year until strange things start happening around her. Matt has been keeping an eye out for her with his cop tactics from the beginning, however how that Caleb is no longer on active duty, and with suspect evens going on, Caleb moves in until the problem can be sorted.

There has been a smouldering heat between Bryanna and Caleb since she returned to Seattle, however nothing has happened between them until a family night at Nat and Luke's where the girls are talking about orgasm's. Not being able to take it anymore, saying he needs to talk to her he practically drags her to Luke's office where he feasts upon her lips, then goes down on her.

There relationship starts from there, but always when the girls are in bed asleep or out at school. Caleb takes an active role in helping bring the girls up from the beginning, but he doesn't cope well when he wakes on the couch after a nightmare and he is choking Brynna, the girls crying in the doorway. He hadn't had a nightmare since being in Bryanna's bed.

But he completely freaks when Brynna tells him she loves him and earlier that day a sleepy Josie calls him daddy. The next day after a day of awkwardness they talk and he tells her he doesn't want to be round her anymore, he hurts her emotionally, the only way he can break it off, saying that he has called Matt to look after her instead.

As they argue, a dog they have taken on for a few weeks (an ex-solider) starts barking. Caleb tells her to get the girls and hide, passing her his gun. She grabs the girls and the dog and hides in her bathroom, calling both Matt and 911.

All of them hear the sounds going on below before the silence and the dog stops barking, Caleb comes to them, calms them down before Matt comes up police in tow. Caleb leaves them for a job in another part of the country.

A few months later a miserable Caleb takes to a waitress who gives him a few hard truths and he decides that he need to out himself out, then go and get his girls. When he gets back however, he finds that Brynna and the girls have been in a car crash when someone cut her breaks. His family, especially Matt are not as welcoming as he would have thought.

Caleb sits vigil until Brynna wakes and until she leaves the hospital. They have a heart to heart where he tells her he's been sorting out his life and he tells her the she and her girls are everything to him. 

I loved the softness that Caleb showed in this story. The man who has to be so strong and hard with his job, shows us many sides of his personality, but his softer side is the best.

I loved this book.

Rock With Me (With Me in Seattle 4) - Kristen Proby

The Book
Release Date: 1 May 2013

Front Man Leo Nash from the world-famous rock band, Nash, is the last person on earth Samantha Williams would trust. She's already learned about loving a celebrity the hard way and isn't signing up for another lesson.

Every time Sam gives Leo attitude, he wants to knock that chip off her fragile little shoulder. What the hell did he ever do to her, anyway? He's not used to women treating him like he's poisonous, and he isn't about to let her run away every time he gets close. He's had enough of people running away to last him a lifetime...when this one runs, he gives chase. But, catching Sam isn't as hard as he thought.

The sexual attraction between them is so thick, Sam can practically hold it in her hand. There's no way she can deny herself the promise of pleasure being with Leo would provide. 

But, pleasure always comes with pain and when secrets are revealed and trust is challenged, who will run and who will chase?

My Opinion  4 STARS
This series is really just getting stronger and stronger. Again this book is told from both sides as is the story of Leo Nash, Megs brother of the heart and Samantha William's Luke's sister.

Sam is an independent woman and doesn't want the rely on her family especially the famous members. Having been hurt by a famous ex-boyfriend in the past she has walls and rules to stop her from getting hurt.

Leo Nash grew up in foster care after his parents were in a car accident when he was twelve. It was there that he met and immediately started to look out for and protect Megan. As he has no other family he is very protective of Megan and the members of his band. He would do anything for them. 

In Sam he sees a woman with walls but loves her sassy humour and when he sees glimpses of the woman behind the walls. He starts out very attracted to her, but knows when he needs to step up and when to step back. He only pushes her as far as she's willing to go. It really doesn't take long for mutual attraction to lead them into the bedroom, and for them both to break rules they have had in place for everyone else in their past.

Of course they have their ups and downs, the thought that being apart from the other hurting and great sex.

I love that when they are around the other family members how great they are together. The girls when they get drunk together are just hilarious, and that talk of orgasms and all that in front of the boys? OMG so funny.

There may not be as much happening in the relationship as in some of the other books, but that doesn't make it any less of a story. It's just nice to see the relationship between them along with the trust grow.

The only bit that I didn't love as much was the ending, after Sam's firm denials about moving in together permanently and all that Jazz, for her to just come out with it as she did was a massive u-turn in her personality. It came out a little harsher than I personally liked.

Overall, a great read with a series that just keeps getting better.

Liebster Award

I was nominated for the Liebster Award by Monlatable Book Reviews!  She has been quite supportive of me and has followed my blog from the begining.  I have been blogging only a short time and it has been a slow learning curve into all this blogging, but it has been great fun.  I even had butterflies when i did my first blog tour, something i hope to do more of in the future.  This award is given to bloggers by fellow bloggers who have less than 200 followers to get a boost in exposure and hopefully give readers a chance to see some of the smaller blogs that are out there doing great things around the web.

Here are the answers to the questions that I was asked:

1. What is your all time favourite book?

Probably the hobbit.  I read it at school and then have to buy all the Lord of the Rings trilogy and other books by J.R.R. Tolkien.

2. Is there a book that you thought that you would not like that you ended up really enjoying?

Our Souls to Keep by Gary A. Caruso   I wasn't sure when is was asked to read the ARC, but found it gripping right from the beginning.  Another book was The End Of All Things by Lissa Bryan

3. What is the best comment that you have received by an author, other blogger, or blog reader?

It basically said that because of my great review that the blogger was now also going to read the book.  Who wouldn't be happy with that?!

4. What is the best thing about blogging for you?

Knowing that out there somewhere i am bringing other readers info on books that they may not have read yet.  If you influence even just one person to read a new book, that can't be a bad thing.  I will always encourage reading!

5. What is the most frustrating thing about blogging for you?

Not always being to read as fast as i want and therefore not blogging every day.  I always feel slightly guilty if i haven't blogged for a day or two.

6. If you could live the life of any of the characters that you have read about who would it be?

Gosh.  There's just too many to choose from and the answer would change constantly.  My book boyfriend for example has change everyday so far this week.  With so many good books out their how could I possible choose?

7. Is there a character that you love to hate?  You can't say J.R. Ewing (oops my age is showing)

8. Are you a re-reader?

I used to be.  With the amount of paperback books and kindle books i have on my to be read list at the moment that just isn't possible.  Especially as i keep getting more books.  Since i got a kindle i find that i am buying more books than ever.

9. If you could change the ending of any book or series which would it be and why?

There have been a number of books in which the ending has been either too cheesy or just felt too rushed.  I always get the feeling that getting just the right ending for everyone is a difficult and daunting task for any author, and unfortunately you can't get it right for everyone.

10. What is your ultimate goal for your blog?

To get other peoples attention to a book that they may not have noticed yet.  The majority of my blog followers are also book reviewers and its nice just to swap comments about the books we read, knowing that you are not the only avid book reader out there.

Blogs that I would like to nominate:

1.Megan @ My Library Life of Living Through Books

2. Gaby @ The Last Chapter

3. Merlin's Book Nook

4. The Ink Box

5. Brianna C @ Listful Booking

I would have listed more blogs, but most of the blogs that are following me seem to have many more followers than 200.

There are a few rules:

1. Link back to the blogger that tagged you.

2. Nominate 10 others and answer the questions of the one who tagged you.

3. Ask 10 questions for the bloggers you nominate.

4. Let your nominees know of their award.

My Questions to the blogs I have nominated are:

1. Why did you set up your blog.

2. Who is your favourite author?

3. Which book are you most looking forward to coming out?

4. Print version or ebook?

5. If you were stranded on a desert island, what book or series would you wish to have with you?

6. If you could talk face to face with an author, who would it be and why?

7. Are there any books that you have not been able to finish?

8. Would you buy a book purely because of the cover? 

9. How has your reading changed since you set up your blog?

10. How do you choose what books you read?

My thanks to Monlatable Book reviews in passing this award to me :)

Play With Me (With me in Seattle 3) - kristen Proby

The Book
Release Date: 26 February 2013

Will Montgomery is a successful professional football player and seemingly has it all. He’s not used to being told no, and certainly doesn’t take no for an answer. So when he turns his charms on his sister’s sexy rocker-chick friend Meg, he’s not only turned down, but met with open hostility, piquing his curiosity and libido. He’s determined to show her that he’s not the arrogant jock she thinks he is, and to get her into his bed.

Megan McBride is not impressed with Will Montgomery, his fat contract, fancy car, or his arrogant public persona. She doesn’t have time for a relationship, and if she’s learned anything in life, it’s that loving means losing, so she guards her heart ferociously. But she can’t deny the overwhelming attraction to the sexy, tattooed athlete, and when Will starts breaking down her defenses and grabs hold of her heart, will she be able to admit her feelings for him, or will her troubled past cause her to lose the first man she’s ever truly loved?

My Opinion  3 STARS

This book covers the story between Megan (Meg) and Will and is the best book so far. In fact the series just seems to be getting better and better. Oh and i seriously want a family like this and a night out with the girls, they are seriously funny when they are drunk!

Anyway Meg is a nurse on a kids cancer ward and has written to Will's American Football club a number of times over the last few years and keeps being rejected. She thinks Will is a completely arrogant ass.

After a chance encounter with Will and his sister Jules (a girl she was close in college with) she is invited to Nate and Jules' engagement party where Will ends up taking her drunk ass home.

After telling him what she thinks she puts the encounter behind her but two weeks later Will turns up at work with some of his team mates and shows her his softer side.

After sending her flowers with his number on they go and but it doesn't go well and Megan goes home alone. A pissed of Will pursues her with calls cupcakes and they have a much better second date and agree to a third.

They spend the majority of their free time together and both say things that piss each other off, however when Will says he loves her she cant say it back. She just is unable to.

At Jules wedding the surprise band play and it turns out to be a man Meg has not seen or heard of for four years, her brother in her heart Leo Nash who is now a famous rock star who left her behind. The only man she says i love you.

After the wedding Will and Meg have a confrontation and clear the air, saying what they really want to say and get all the stronger with it. We are left with Meg and Leo reconnecting as brother and sister of the heart.

Under the Mistletoe (with me in seattle 1.5) - Kristen Proby

The Book
Release Date: 13 December 2012

Isaac and Stacy Montgomery have been married for ten years. They have a beautiful new baby girl, Isaac’s construction business is thriving, and Stacy enjoys being a stay at home mom, reviewing sexy romance novels for her blog. With a very large extended family, and the many privileges they enjoy, Stacy will be the first to admit that they are blessed beyond measure.

When suspicious phone calls and text messages begin, Stacy questions Isaac’s faithfulness for the first time in their marriage. She knows that a new baby brings changes into a relationship, but has the stress of parenthood sent Isaac into another woman’s arms, threatening to destroy their marriage?

This With Me In Seattle novella shows us a glimpse into Jules’ brother, Isaac, and his wife Stacy’s lives, introduces us to some new characters, and reminds us of what it means to reconnect with the person you love the most, even if they never left in the first place.

My Opinion  3 STARS
This is a really sweet story of Stacey and Issac as they reconnect after the birth of their long awaited first child.

After receiving saucy texts from her husband, Stacey freaks thinking that he is having an affair as he hasn't texted her like that since they first got together.

Issac's response, apart from being a bit pissed is to say that they need to reconnect and have a weekend alone together along with date nights.

Yes just like the other books there is a lot of erotic moments, which seem a lot in such a short novella.

The chemistry is so sweet between them even after ten years, and the struggle to conceive their baby girl.

A feel good book.

Fight With Me (With Me in Seattle 2) - Kristen Proby

The Book
Release Date: 4 January 2013

Jules Montgomery is too busy and content with her life to worry about a man, especially one Nate McKenna. If growing up with four brothers has taught her anything, she knows to stay away from sexy men with tattoos and motorcycles. That goes double if he's your boss. During the one incredible night they shared, he violated the no fraternization policy...among other things, and it won't happen again. Jules won't risk her career for mind-blowing sex, no matter how much her body and her damn heart keep arguing with her. 

Nate McKenna could give a shit about the no fraternizing policy. He wants Jules and he'll have her. The rules could bend around them, or be damned. He's not a man to be taken lightly, and Jules Montgomery is about to find out just how he responds to being pushed aside after the best night of sex he's ever had. She can fight all she wants, but he'll have her in his bed in the end.

FIGHT WITH ME is the second novel in the With Me In Seattle Series.

 My Opinion  2.5 STARS

Ok so this book is MUCH better than the first book, however it still has a little naivety about the writing and still doesn't ring true.I think if this boon had been as bad as the first I would have just felt disappointed at downloading a series that i couldn't read.

Jules (Julianne) was introduced to us in the first book as the BFF and practically adopted sister of Nat's.  We Already know that Jules is there whatever for her BFF and they tell each other everything.  She is a strong woman and very good at her job.

Nate (Nathan) is Julianne's boss and has wanted her from the first moment that he met her.  Eight months after their one and only night together he has had enough and actively pursues her even with the no frat policy within the company.  they keep their relationship secret and spend as much time as possible with each other finding that the do not like the time spent apart from the other.

Jules has a co-worker Carly who has it out for her and has to be careful at her reactions at work with Nate.

At Nat and Luke's engagement party Nate is introduced to her family and apart from a little scuffle with her brother Caleb the party goes off brilliantly.

Mis-happenings at work and miscommunication leads to upset lead to a rocky start along with a very teenage sex fuelled days and nights, where hands are everywhere and they can't stop doing it like rabbits at every turn.

Nat has her baby to the delight and horror of Jules who decides, nah she doesn't want one.  A worried Nate who can't contact her ends up coming back from a work trip early as her can't cope being away from him. This leads to a romantic weekend away where he gives her a necklace that he had given to his mother as a child.

Unfortunately Nate's ex-wife interferes and Jules in pulled in front of the CEO and fired, where the lady from HR and Nate are present.  Nate utters not a word and she feels completely betrayed.  She packs up and goes to stay with her brother Will for a few days turning off her phone.

Four days later and after a talking to from both her brother, her dad and Nat, Jules heads back home before turning up at Nate's to find his ex-wife there.  After a little spat with the ex, Nate and Jules talk and smooth out their wrinkles and get firmly back on track.

A few months later we get Nate's thoughts and fews after a a hectic time just as they are going for the weekend at his beach house, where he not only get his birthday present, but also gets what he truly wants.  Jules by his side permanently.

I am now actually looking forward to the next book, hoping that the winkles in the writing have been sorted out better.

Come Away With Me (With Me in Seattle 1) - Kristen Proby

The Book
Release Date: 7 November 2012

Being confronted on the beach by a sexy stranger wasn't part of Natalie Conner's plans for a peaceful morning taking photos. And why on earth would he think she's taking pictures of him, anyway? Who is he? One thing’s for sure, he’s hot, and incredibly romantic, feeding Natalie’s wounded soul.

Luke Williams just wants the world to give him a break, so seeing yet another camera aimed at his face has him ready to pounce on the beauty behind the lens. When he finds out she has no idea who he is, he's intrigued and more than a little tempted by her. Natalie has a body made for sex, a sassy mouth and Luke can’t get enough of her, but he’s not ready to tell her who he really his.

Natalie is a no nonsense girl who doesn’t do well with lies and secrets. What will happen to this new relationship when she discovers what Luke’s hiding?

My Opinion  2 STARS
I can honestly say that i hated the first 90% or so of this book. It was a if a young teenager had written an adult book that had a dirty mind. I spent most of my time groaning in frustration and eye rolling at the cheesiness and speed at which things happened. Not to mention how much happened that I'm thinking well why not, lets throw something else into the pot.

We have Natalie a couples and landscape photographer who lost her parents three years ago. She lives with her best friend and has been all but adopted by her family. After an altercation with a former boyfriend she is minted along with the proceeds from her parents estate.

Luke is an actor turned producer and shuns the limelight. He all but mugs Natalie for her camera when he thinks that she has taken his picture, something he hates.

They meets up later that day in a shop by accident where he apologies again and invites her out for a drink where they get to know each other over margaritas. She then after saying she felt fuzzy drives him home. Um HELLO. Not cool!! When at his place she has a glass of wine and drives home. Again HELLO. Drink driving?

They end up hooking up where she spends the weekend with him sleeping with him and doing other things she would not normally do with a man before he meets her best friend Jules. Thats where she finally finds out who he is and freaks. Once he's left she feels guilty, however Jules takes her shopping the next day and they come back to a garden of roses on her front door step.

All is forgiven. They basically spend most of their time together, fucking all over the place like Horney teenagers bareback and where when meeting his family there is a hostile sister and her temper gets the better of her. She gets quite a temper in this book.

They go on magical dates, go and holiday and fuck more and he needs to go away on business just after he has proposed, where low and behold she feels after having sensitive nipples, sick. Doctors of course say shes pregnant. Putting on the telly has photos of Luke and a former colleague all over and she gets jealous, hormonal and angry and decides they have to split up and turns off her phone.

After being released and having a cry fest she goes home where Luke has flown home early worried and they have a shouting match. She wakes up in the morning and is sorry and goes to his house to find it empty. His sister arrives to say that he has been in an accident. Blah blah blah.

Of course she sits by his side,his family visits, she wont leave him and he wakes up. Where she promptly says shes pregnant.

I think, if so much hadn't have been thrown in it might have felt believable, unfortunately the writing was a severe let down.

Unfortunately i have downloaded the first five books, and as i already have them i feel obliged to read them rather than to put them aside and accept any loss.

A very disappointing start to what had been brought across as a great series.

Tell Me ({More Than} One Night with Sole Regret 6) - Olivia Cunning

The Book
Release Date: 17 September 2013

He had planned a perfect weekend for her…

Gabriel “Force” Banner has been unable to get a certain sexy accountant out of his head. Sole Regret’s inventive drummer has created big plans to keep sweet Melanie entertained all weekend long. Unfortunately, Melanie arrives for their rendezvous with a bit of baggage that just might ruin their fun.

She didn’t mean to make things difficult…

Melanie wouldn’t blame Gabe if he left her at the airport with her bit of baggage, but he’s determined to make their limited time together work. When they leave behind the bustle of New Orleans and the rock ‘n’ roll scene to visit his serene oasis outside of Austin, Texas, their romantic weekend seems to be back on track. But life has a way of butting in at the worst possible times.

Can they learn how to support each other in the face of adversity or will reality destroy their budding relationship before it even takes flight?

This novella is 60,000 words long and includes an extra night, because one night with Force just isn’t enough.

***

Gabe and Melanie's story continues in Book 11: Trust Me (not yet released).

My Opinion  5 STARS
Olivia Cunning has done it again. She really sucks you into the story and at times had me grinning like a fool.

I loved the fact that we got another look into the relationship of Gabe and Melanie, they really do compliment each other well.

So after their one night together a week ago, they have kept in contact sexting and video chatting and getting each other off. Both have also got closer as they have talked and miss each other terribly.

He plans a weekend off with her, however her clingy roommate finds her way onto the plane and nearly puts a scupper onto their spending time alone.

Gabe takes her home where they get closer both physically and mentally and where they both realise that they love each other, that this is no fling.

The weekend has its misfortunes when Mel falls overboard on his boat and when one of his dogs in run over, however they both cope with the other there. She even gets to meet his parents and their reaction to her shocks yet pleases him.

Mel gets anxious as her friend doesn't contact her until she gets a call she was dreading. Her friend has been hurt and needs her. Gabe is there with her the whole way until he sees them kissing, but doesn't see Mel putting her friend Nikki back in her place gently.

Finding Gabe punishing his drums Mel and Gabe confront each other and slip done truths they had been hiding, making each other happy in the process.

I can't wait to read more from the other characters and for it to come full circle again to read more of Gabe and Mel.

Just my Luck (Escape to New Zealand 5) - Rosalind James

The Book
Release Date: 1 August 2013

A little distraction can be a wonderful thing.

Nate Torrance has a job to do, and the biggest rugby boots in the world to fill. He can't afford to lose his focus, especially not to a brown-eyed Canadian who pushes all his buttons and looks much too good in a climbing harness.

Allison Villiers may not know what she wants to do with her life, but she's clear about one thing. She's not impressed by the new captain of the All Blacks, however big a deal he is to the rest of New Zealand. If only her unfortunate taste for adventure didn't keep leading her astray . . .

My Opinion  2.5 STARS
This was my least favourite book in the series. We are given two couples stories that should have been split, but the author may have been running out of ideas. In any case the bulk of the book was with Nate and Ally with a bit of Liam and Kristin thrown in for luck.

Thankfully the author seems to have run out of history lessons however the game of rugby was still being explained to me. To be honest I am quite happy the series has finished as unfortunately this series just didn't gel with me.

TBR

BLOG TOUR + GIVEAWAY - Healing Rain by Karen-Anne Stewart

The Book
Release Date: 29 August 2013
Genre: New Adult, Romantic Suspense
TOUR:  Irresistable Reads Book Tour

Shattered when Raina runs after his marriage proposal, Kas is hell-bent to find her and bring her home, where she belongs. He will bend every law necessary to do so, willing to do anything to protect Raina from her demons and the men who haunt her, going as far as placing his career and life on the line to save hers. Raina will give up everything she has worked so hard to achieve, even flee the country to keep Kas from the wrath and powerful reach of her abusive father.

In the midst of the FBI team closing in on the Ghost, another ghost from Raina's past taunts her, promising that she will be his. Meanwhile, a different trafficking ring is gaining strength in New Jersey. Michael solicits Raina's help, needing her smooth, sultry voice to win the audition for the new singer in the ring leader's swanky night club. Raina knows her life is in jeopardy with the dangers of being undercover, but she is blindsided when she discovers that it's her heart that is threatened with a mortal blow. 

Raina tries to heal from the nightmares of her dark past as the grisly bodies of innocent victims surface when the team gets closer to discovering the identity of the man responsible for the infuriatingly clever and powerful slavery ring. When Raina finally comes face to face with the Ghost, he quickly engulfs her in a twisted game of cat and mouse, delivering a veiled threat as he slips through her fingers. As the ghosts of her past and present ensnare her in their deadly web, Raina realizes the danger has just begun.

Amazon US  |  Amazon UK  |  B&N 

BOOK EXCERPT

Kas’ embrace is warm, comforting, and Raina wants to just get lost in it, but he pulls away, taking her hand in his, holding it behind his back as he leads her to the couch.

“Please, talk to me, Rain.” She tells him what she confessed to Chase, and Kas’ heart

constricts with guilt that his leaving caused her so much pain and confusion. “I will never hurt you. I will never want to hurt you. I love you, I want to protect you, not punish you because I’m angry, or because you’ve hurt me. I know that I yell sometimes, but I swear to you, I have never wanted to cause you any harm. The thought of laying a hand on you in any way other than lovingly sickens me. I feel terrible with treating you like I did tonight, I was just terrified of you leaving. I can’t take that.” His eyes drop to his hands as he whispers,

“I’m not strong enough to lose you.”

“But, I’ve put you through so much.”

“Raina, you have given me so much. Everything you have done, you have done because you honestly felt it was right, to protect me, or to protect those girls. Yes, I have been furious at you for some of your choices, but I also respect you for those same choices. You can drive me insane with your stubbornness, but your tenacity and your passion, I absolutely love that about you. I will be completely honest with you, there are times when I wish you would just obey me, but not because I want to control you. It’s my job to protect you, and your actions scare the hell out of me sometimes. Don’t you ever feel like you don’t deserve me, that couldn’t be further from the truth. I am blessed to have you in my life, I thank God for you every day.”

Pain and relief flicker across his face. Stress is etched in every line as he looks away before slowly returning his gaze, his dark eyes filled with absolute resolve, “When you walked into my life, I knew at that moment who I am, everything inside of me was no longer mine. One touch from your hand is all it took, from that second on, I knew that I

will always belong to you.”

A tear slides down her cheek, and Kas wipes it away with his thumb. He pulls her onto his lap, holding her in his arms as she lays her head against his chest, nestled under his chin. She lets his warmth comfort her as she leans into the strength of his embrace for several minutes before she speaks again, “Kas?”

“Yeah, baby?”

“You came back to me before you knew the truth. Why?”

Kas gently pushes her back, the potent truth shining unmistakably in his eyes, “Because, darlin’, you are worth fighting for.”

About the Author:

I am a new author and have recently discovered that i an now addicted to writing.  My first novel, Saving Rain, was originally going to be a single novel, but it quickly turned into a trilogy.  I fell in love with the characters and had to continue with the story.  Saving Rain is a new adult contemporary romance meant for readers 18 and older.

I live in the mountains with my family, and I love to read, hike, and travel when I am not writing. I am a sucker for romance, especially a book with a strong alpha male who has a sensitive side. I also enjoy a good mystery and thrillers. My favourite author is James Patterson, he is an amazing writer.

With being a newbie, I am just learning all the ropes, but I'm loving the wild ride. I plan on writing for as long as my fingers have dexterity.

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Just for Fun (Escape to New Zealand 4) - Rosalind James

The Book
Release Date: 1 January 2013

What if the person who broke your heart turned out to be the only one who could mend it? 

Nic Wilkinson is a responsible, organized, disciplined rugby player at the top of his game. Emma Martens is a sometimes-scattered, often-emotional, and always-broke would-be designer with a big chip on her shoulder where Nic's concerned. 

They have no history together, except one perfect week. Nothing in common anymore, except the most important thing of all. Getting together again would be messy. Complicated. Scary. And, just maybe, worth every risk.

My Opinion  3 STARS
This is the best book in the series, although there is a fair bit to do with rugby, there is much less info on New Zealand, meaning more in the romance department.

However, this book still managed to go at a very sedate pace. Good if you want a really slow book to read and for the romance to drag however slowly.

Emma Martens was dumped by her fiance on her wedding day. Having decided to go on her honeymoon alone she knocks into Nic Wilkinson a Blue and an All Black who is going on a holiday. Drunk she stumbles into his lap and soon they are talking.

They agree to spend the week together where they both explore each other and generally have a wonderful time. When she doesn't hear from him, then finds herself pregnant she tries to get in contact with him but is constantly rebuffed.

Six years later Nic goes to rugby practice for kids and finds good player, when he see's his mum (Emma) he just know the kid is his. Finding them, she tells him about Zach and they have a blood test done for his peace of mind. The only problem is that he is already engaged, and Claudia is not pleased to find that he has a kid.

Claudia and Nic split when it is confirmed that he is the father. She does not like that she is no longer first in his life and that he wants to give Emma extra monies. Of course once Claudia leaves the picture Emma and Nic get even closer and go away for a bit to get to know each other again and end up in bed.

Back home Zac gets his own room at Nics and Emma often sleeps over and they tell him that he is Nics son. Once the tour starts it emerges that Nic is with Emma and has a son. Zach is teased at school and runs away scaring both parents and affiliated friends and family. Of course Zach is found, wrongs are put right and the family become one.

Just for Now (Escape to New Zealand 3) - Rosalind James

The Book
Release Date: 29 August 2012

There's no place like home . . .

For teacher Jenna McKnight, nothing spells "heartbreak" like finding her husband with somebody else--in her bed. It's clearly time to reinvent herself. A new body, a new city, and a new job later, she's done just that. The beautiful Auckland villa isn't really her home, though. Finn Douglas and his kids aren't really her family, however much she wishes they were. And playing house can be a dangerous game.

Rugby star Finn Douglas is just looking for a temporary nanny and housekeeper. Not a girlfriend, and definitely not a wife. He can't resist Jenna's cooking, it's true. Who knew he'd have so much trouble resisting her? He wants to do what's right for his kids. But waiting is so hard . . .

My Opinion  3 STARS

I'm starting to wonder at this series, if it would have been better to buy a cheap book on New Zealand and one one rugby instead.  Too much of the books focus on the Island and the game.  I want to read the romance, not have the game of Rugby or the island traditions spouted to me all the time.  Therefore the romance in the story goes really slowly.  Needless to say that i am not liking this particular series much, but i've bought the books, so i'll read them.

On the romance side we have Jenna, she has gone through a shock when she found her husband having sex in her bed with his new partner.  They have since split and she has been travelling and working on the south island.  Needing more cash she applies for a six month nanny job where she doesn't exactly get on with the single dad in the interview.

Finn is a single dad to two young kids under the age of nine.  His current nanny has to go and look after a relative and needs someone in place before he goes off to play rugby with first the Blues and then the All Blacks.  The first nanny he hires smacks the kids (which is illegal) so she is promptly fired leaving only Jenna as suitable.  The kids had already met Jenna in the park whilst she was walking her friends dog and already like her.

Jenna spends her day looking after the kids, cooking for both the kids and the eating machine that is Finn and also teaching the kids about cool things.  Evenings are spent getting to Finn with a glass of wine before bed.  Of course the kids miss Finn when he is on tour and constantly phone each other.

Attraction builds between the two up to a point where there is a family wedding and they finally find nothing between them and jump over their final hurdle and sleep together.  They keep their relationship silent from everyone but his sister has a suspicion.

When Finn goes on tour with the All Blacks, Jenna finds herself pregnant and emotional along with having terrible morning sickness.  Emotions and a bad day leave her shouting at the kids, then having to apologise.  When Finn comes home he is shocked at the news and does not react very well.  The next day they wake up to find that Jenna has left a week early.  He is unable to find her.

Jenna has fled to his sister and taken a job where his sister puts her in an office job when she finds out she's pregnant.  Christmas finds Finn and his two unhappy kids down with his sister for christmas.  All of them are unhappy but he can't find Jenna to make things right.  This is where his sister intervenes of course.  The pair meet, make up and come together in family unity.

As i said before, if it wasn't for all the rugby lessons and the lessons on New Zealand the story isn't bad.

TBR