The Promise (The 'Burg #5) by Kristen Ashley - Blog Tour

Description... Since his brother’s death, Benny Bianchi has been nursing his grudge against the woman he thinks led to his brother’s downfall. He does this to bury the feelings he has for Francesca Concetti, his brother’s girl. But when Frankie takes a bullet while on the run with Benny’s cousin’s woman, Benny has to face those feelings.

The problem is Frankie has decided she’s paid her penance. Penance she didn’t deserve to pay. She’s done with Benny and the Bianchi family. She’s starting a new life away from Chicago and her heartbreaking history.

Benny has decided differently.

But Frankie has more demons she’s battling. Demons Benny wants to help her face. But life has landed so many hard knocks on Frankie she’s terrified of believing in the promise of Benny Bianchi and the good life he’s offering.

Frankie’s new life leads her to The ‘Burg, where Benny has ties, and she finds she not only hasn’t succeeded in getting away, she’s doesn’t want to.

Before I share my review...

I have to thank my fellow escapism reading friends on Goodreads who introduced me to the world of Kristen Ashley’s stories. If I could hug you, I would, and some of you I have. Thank you, thank you, and thank you! From the bottom of my heart... I can't imagine not having the beauty of Kristen Ashley's stories in my life.

My review...

If you’re like me and live love to read, and you wake up in the morning looking forward to the stolen moments throughout the day you’ll be able to get lost in a story, you know exactly what I mean when I say that when you’re in a reading slump, it’s almost painful to get out of bed some days.

Do. Not. Judge me - yes, I said painful – and sadly, that’s where I’ve often found myself lately. So when I heard my iPad ‘ding’ with a ‘you’ve got mail’ notification and I saw that my blog had been approved for an ARC of The Promise, I nearly wept with joy because reading a Kristen Ashley story is one of the most exciting, comforting, beautiful things I can think of.

And The Promise has given me exactly that. Excitement, comfort, and beauty. Start to finish, first word to the last, I fell in love with Frankie and Benny. They are people I can relate to, people I can cheer for, and yeah... people I can fall in love with.

An added benefit, as if any Kristen Ashley book needs something more to make it shine, spending time with Joe, Vi, and the girls... the icing on top of the icing on this already scrumptious cake!

Blithely Bookish Reviews was given an eARC of The Promise, and in return I'm giving the author an honest review... honestly, it is wonderful!

Lethal Pursuit (Bagram Special Ops) by Kaylea Cross

5 stars just isn't enough! This. Is. Amazing!

Kaylea Cross outdid herself with this third book in her Bagram Special Ops series. She totally blew me away! Intense, brutal, romantic, and sexy, even writing this review I'm still shaking as I remember how things went so horribly wrong before they went so beautifully right!

U.S. Code of Military Conduct, Article 3:

If I am captured, I will continue to resist by all means available. I will make every effort to escape and to aid others to escape. I will accept neither parole nor favors from the enemy.

Description...

Security Forces Lieutenant Maya Lopez is right at home in a war zone: she's been fighting all her life. A hard-won commission in the air force has brought her to Afghanistan, and if she plays her cards right, she could end up with an FBI job. It won't be easy, but that just makes her more determined.

Jackson Thatcher is a protector in all senses of the word. A pararescue jumper with Southern-boy charm, he easily captures Maya's interest, but her trust is another story. He's sexy, strong and caring, but she makes it clear she's no damsel in distress. She's never relied on any man, and she's not about to start now.

When Maya and Jackson become pawns in a radical warlord's deadly game, they find themselves on the run and must depend on each other if they want to make it out alive.

My review...

To say that Lethal Pursuit is a gripping story is putting it mildly. To say I couldn't put it down is not an exaggeration. Start to finish Maya and Jackson's story had me glued to my seat, hands shaking, closing my eyes because I couldn't bear to read what was going to happen next, yet unable to look away as I watched - yes, it felt like I was watching (because that's how incredibly talented Ms. Cross is) - this story unfold.

And the truth is, I still can't find the words to do this story justice so I'll leave you with this:

The bottom line...

If you're a fan of military romantic suspense and you haven't yet experienced Kaylea Cross's stories, you're not just missing out, you're missing out big time, because they're not just a story, they are an experience! And I know some of you are wondering, so I'll tell you now - yes, this book can be read out of order, but don't do it! Once you've read Lethal Pursuit I know you'll rush out to get the first two books, Deadly Descent and Tactical Strike so you might as well read them in order and get to know the incredible men and women who put their lives on the line and, in the process, found their happily ever afters, too.

My thanks to Carina Press and Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this amazing story! It was...well... amazing!!

Upon a Winter's Night - A MacKinnon's Rangers Christmas Novella by Pamela Clare

Reunite with the MacKinnon brothers and their wives for Christmas - and a tale of love, new life, and redemption.

The war between Britain and the French is finally at an end, and the MacKinnons are looking forward to celebrating their first peacetime Christmas in five long years. While Iain and Annie have discovered that the pleasures of marriage grow deeper with time, Morgan and Amalie find themselves at bitter odds. Meanwhile, Connor and Sarah have a newborn son to cherish.

The family's preparations for the holidays are interrupted when Iain learns that Britain has not paid the Rangers for the summer's victorious campaigns. Unwilling to let men who fought under the MacKinnon name suffer deprivation at Christmastime, Iain, Morgan, and Connor leave the warmth of their frontier home for Albany. There, they find their happy Christmas, and even their freedom, at risk at the hands of a ruthless British officer who holds a grudge against them.

With the men gone, Annie, Amalie, and Sarah do their best to prepare for the festivities despite differing traditions, a raging bull - and the gnawing fear that their husbands won't make it home in time for Yule.

Events begin the day after the epilogue of Defiant ends. The story includes Joseph, Killy - and revelations about the fate of Lord William Wentworth

*****

A perfect holiday story!

Upon A Winter’s Night is everything a Christmas novella should be! It’s romantic, passionate, witty, and inspires us to believe that at Christmastide, even the seemingly unredeemable can be redeemed! It is, truly, a perfect holiday story!

          

The Sum of All Kisses by Julia Quinn

Hugh Prentice has never had patience for dramatic females, and if Lady Sarah Pleinsworth has ever been acquainted with the words shy or retiring, she's long since tossed them out the window. Besides, a reckless duel has left this brilliant mathematician with a ruined leg, and now he could never court a woman like Sarah, much less dream of marrying her.

Sarah has never forgiven Hugh for the duel he fought that nearly destroyed her family. But even if she could find a way to forgive him, it wouldn't matter. She doesn't care that his leg is less than perfect, it's his personality she can't abide. But forced to spend a week in close company they discover that first impressions are not always reliable. And when one kiss leads to two, three, and four, the mathematician may lose count, and the lady may, for the first time, find herself speechless ...

*****

Enchanting, Delightful, Passionate...

The Sum of All Kisses is the sum of all things I love in historical romance! It’s romantic, witty, passionate, charming… it’s a story that had me smiling and sighing from the very start, and kept me there right to the very end!

I don’t know how else to explain it except to say there was something endearing about the gruff, bitter, Hugh Prentice. Even when he was being an utter ass, even when his self-deprecation was at it’s peak, I wanted to cuddle him and love him and make him all better. And even when Sarah was being a stubborn ninny, I wanted to cuddle her… okay, that’s a lie. I wanted to smack some sense into the silly chit’s head and shout, “Can’t you see he’s hurting? Can’t you see he needs you??” Thankfully, she figured that out on her own without the need of violence on my part. Close call, that.

Julia Quinn has such a gift for writing about family and close friends. Story after story, she pulls me in, makes me care, and keeps me coming back for more.

My thanks to Avon Books and Edelweiss for providing me with a copy of this story in exchange for an honest review. Truly, it was a pleasure!

Jagged - A Colorado Mountain Novel by Kristen Ashley

An old flame rekindled . . .

Zara Cinders always knew Ham Reece was the one, but he wasn't interested in settling down. When she found someone who was, Ham walked out of her life. Three years later, Zara's lost her business, her marriage, and she's barely getting by in a tiny apartment on the wrong side of the tracks. As soon as Ham hears about Zara's plight, he's on her doorstep offering her a lifeline. Now, it will take every ounce of will power she possesses to resist all that he offers.

Ham was always a traveling man, never one to settle down in one town, with one woman, for more time than absolutely necessary. But Ham's faced his own demons, and he's learned a lot. About himself, and about the life he knows he's meant to live. So when he hears that Zara's having a rough time, he wants to be the one to help. In fact, he wants to do more than that for Zara. A lot more. But first, he must prove to Zara that he's a changed man.

*********

Kristen Ashley is more than a great writer - she’s a master storyteller. I’ve been waiting for this book for a long time – Reece has just been screaming to have his story told - and I was not disappointed. There were things I would have liked to see more of, but all in all, this is another fabulous book from one of my favorite authors!

My thanks to Grand Central Publishers and Forever for providing me with a copy of this awesome story in exchange of an honest review. The pleasure was, as always, mine!

How to Tame a Wild Fireman by Jennifer Bernard

The Bachelor Firemen of San Gabriel have a rebel among them, and there's only one woman who can put his flames out.

Firefighter Patrick "Psycho" Callahan earns his nickname every day. Fast, fit, and a furious worker, he thrives on the danger which helps him forget a near-tragedy that changed his life forever. But when his off-duty carousing gets out of hand, Patrick is sent back to Loveless, Nevada, where the wildfire threatening his hometown has nothing on sizzling Dr. Lara Nelson.

Lara would rather be thought of as the physician who returned to Loveless than as the misfit brought up at a hippie New Age commune. But right now she's focused on her job at hand, patching up injured firemen...until the past hits her in the hard-muscled, blue-eyed form of Patrick Callahan. Now, the embers of their decade-old attraction have ignited into a full-on inferno, as the bad-boy firefighter and the good doctor take a walk on the wild side they'll never forget.

**********

Romantic, Passionate, Poignant and Engaging!

How to Tame a Wild Fireman is the fourth book in Jennifer Bernard’s totally awesome The Bachelor Firemen of San Gabriel series. All the books are fun, sexy, romantic… but there’s always a level of poignancy that brings out the “need to take him home and love him all better” in me.

The Story:

This time the man in need of my tender loving care is Patrick “Psycho” Callahan. For ten years he’s been blaming himself for an accident that almost took the life of his mildly autistic, deaf brother. As the older, more mature sibling, he's supposed to be watching after Liam, not getting him into dangerous situations, and if Patrick had been doing his job, the accident would never have happened. Or so Patrick keeps telling himself. And to further prove his fault, Patrick’s dad, ex-governor of Patrick’s home town of Loveless, Nevada, is an arrogant, blow-hard of man who tosses Patrick not just out of the family home, but out of the family, period. With nothing to lose, thinking there's no one who cares, Patrick has more than earned his “Psycho” nickname. After one stunt too many, Captain Brody gives Patrick just what he needs - a chance to burn off some steam - by sending him to Nevada to help with the out of control fires that are threatening Loveless.

Lara Nelson grew up in Loveless, best friends with Liam Callahan. As Patrick’s younger brother, and always under Patrick's watchful eye, the three of them spent a lot of time together until the accident changed everything. She doesn’t totally understand why Patrick left the family the way he did, but it is what it is, and what it isn't is her business. Ten years have past since the accident, and Lara is settled, practicing Family Medicine at a San Diego hospital. Her life is right on track, but she gets a call that the aunt who raised her has passed away and, much to Lara’s chagrin, she’s the heir to all of Aunt Tam’s worldly goods.

Having no choice, Lara returns home to settle the estate, then jumps right into the thick of things, lending her medical expertise to helping care for injured firefighters working the blazes threatening Loveless. But working this closely with Patrick, Lara finds herself in a whole different kind of “thick of things.”

My Review:

Like I said, I really love these books. They’re not just sexy, they’re truly engaging stories. The characters… their lives, their loves, their trials and their triumphs… every one of these “cursed” firemen are amazing, tormented, lovable people in need of women strong enough to put up with them. What? It’s true! These guys aren’t perfect, but they’re close enough for me! And the stories are always entertaining without being too fluffy or over-the-top dramatic!

Ms. Bernard is one talented author and, lucky for us, she puts that talent to work giving us stories we can get lost in and happily ever afters we can believe in.

My thanks to Avon Book and Edelweiss for providing me with a copy of this story in exchange for an honest review.

The Untamed Mackenzie by Jennifer Ashley

To redeem her family’s disgraced name, Lady Louisa Scranton has decided to acquire a proper husband. He needs to be a man of fortune and highly respectable in order to restore both her family's lost wealth and reputation. She enters the Marriage Mart with all flags flying, determined to find the right bachelor.

But Louisa’s hopes are dashed when the Bishop of Hargate drops dead at her feet—and she is  shockingly accused of murder! Soon, Louisa’s so-called friends begin shunning her, because the company of a suspected killer is never desirable in polite society.

The problem comes to the ears of Detective Inspector Lloyd Fellows, by-blow of the decadent Scottish Mackenzie family and an inspector for Scotland Yard. He has shared two passionate kisses with Lady Louisa–and vows to clear her name. For not only does he know she’s innocent, he recognizes he’s falling for the lovely lady.

Fellows is Louisa's only hope of restoring her family's honor—and it is he alone who intrigues Louisa in a way that may be even more scandalous than murder…

*****

Such a wonderful, hard earned, well deserved, happily ever after!

The Untamed Mackenzie is a novella, book 5.5 in the Highland Pleasures series. This is Inspector Lloyd Fellows’s story, the Mackenzie by-blow of the late and not-so-great Duke of Kilmorgan. Lloyd has had to fight his way through the streets, through hunger, through all the things no child should have to deal with, but he did it and came out on top, as one of London’s most distinguished, successful, inspectors.

Jennifer Ashley has struck gold with these Mackenzie men, each and every one a force to be reckoned with. Tormented, tortured, and brutalized by life… these are men in need of a woman’s love. And though he might not carry the name or have been raised at Castle Kilmorgan, but Lloyd Fellows is a Mackenzie through and through.

I absolutely enjoyed his story, and to be honest, I wasn’t sure I would. For one, it's a novella and novellas are never enough when it comes to series' I love. But we've had book after book to get to know Lloyd, and that makes his story not feel like a novella at all. But that wasn't my only concern. I mean, he wasn't raised Scottish. He wasn't raised in a kilt. He doesn’t speak with that sexy brogue… but let me tell you…he is Scottish, he does wear a kilt, and he might not have a sexy brogue, but he knows how to use his mouth, just the same.

Lady Louisa is a wonderful match for rough, "commoner" Lloyd. The more he pushes her away, the more she pulls him back. They’re perfect for each other, not only in their similarities, but also in their differences, and this makes for a lovely happily ever after story.

I'm excited to read Daniel's story next!        

 

Naked in Death Audio Book by J.D. Robb and Susan Ericksen

It is the year 2058, and technology now completely rules the world. But New York City Detective Eve Dallas knows that the irresistible impulses of the human heart are still ruled by just one thing-passion. 

When a senator's daughter is killed, the secret life of prostitution she'd been leading is revealed. The high-profile case takes Lieutenant Eve Dallas into the rarefied circles of Washington politics and society. Further complicating matters is Eve's growing attraction to Roarke, who is one of the wealthiest and most influential men on the planet, devilishly handsome... and the leading suspect in the investigation.

***********

Spectacular, Amazing, Thrilling, Provocative!

The Story -

Naked in Death is the first book in J.D. Robb’s insanely popular In Death series. It’s a fantastic mystery thriller and once I started, I couldn't put it down...errr...turn it off!

I’m not usually a fan of the Mystery/Thriller genre, but my daughter has been raving about these books for years. While at the public library perusing their audio book collection I came across Naked in Death, and with 4.12 stars after 57,000 ratings, I decided to give it a try. WOW! I am so, so very glad I did!

The world Ms. Robb has created is just futuristic enough to be compelling and believable, but not so complex as to intimidate or turn off those amongst us who are not fans of SciFi. The cast of characters, especially - be still my heart - Roarke, and Eve, are so well developed, so fully fleshed out, that I felt as if I knew them. As if they were people who were somehow part of my life. I wasn't just listening to a story, I was there as the story unfolded!

The Audio -

I’ll admit that I’m fairly new to audio books, but I know what I like and what I don’t. I didn’t like this - I. Loved. It!!! Susan Ericksen does a phenomenal job of bringing the cast to life. She’s an incredible talent and gave each player a distinctive voice and personality. Honestly, only one word describes her narrative skills. BRILLIANT!

I need to mention, though, that while there is some romance and relationship building between the mysterious, sexy, drool-worthy Roarke, and Eve, this is first and foremost a murder mystery.

Updated here: I've changed my mind! This is an amazing romance! Maybe it was because I'm not used to reading stories with so much genuinely plausible violence, that essence of the story stood out more than the romance. But now that I'm doing a re-listen while waiting for book 2, and focusing more on Roarke and Eve, there's no way there is just "some romance and relationship building." It's off the charts!

The Bottom Line -

If you’re a fan of whodunits, you need to get this book. If you enjoy stories that have a futuristic element without space wars with little green men, you need to get this book. If you’re looking for something different from your usual reads, something to get you out of a reading slump, you need to get this book! You know what? Just get this book. Whether you're going to read or listen, JUST. GET. THIS. BOOK!!!

There are not enough words to describe how outstanding and entertaining this book is. Intriguing, exciting, captivating, sexy… absolutely incredible!

Always on My Mind by Jill Shalvis

After dropping out of pastry school and messing up her big break on a reality cooking show, Leah Sullivan needs to accomplish something in her life. But when she returns home to Lucky Harbor, she finds herself distracted by her best friend, Jack Harper. In an effort to cheer up Jack's ailing mother, Dee, Leah tells a little fib - that she and Jack are more than just friends. Soon pretending to be hot-and-heavy with this hunky firefighter feels too real to handle . . .

No-strings attachments suit Jack just fine - perfect for keeping the risk of heartbreak away. But as Jack and Leah break every one of their "just friends" rules, he longs to turn their pretend relationship into something permanent. Do best friends know too much about each other to risk falling in love? Or will Jack and Leah discover something new about each other in a little town called Lucky Harbor?

*****

4 passionate, romantic, poignant, sexy, laugh out loud funny stars!

Always on My Mind is the 8th book in Jill Shalvis’ brilliant Lucky Harbor series. It’s all the things I mentioned above – passionate, romantic, poignant, sexy, laugh out loud funny – and then some.

I’ve truly enjoyed all the books in the series, but this one hits home in a very personal way, and I can totally relate to Leah’s demons because I share the same ones. But I just love the way Ms. Shalvis can take a character’s heartbreaking situations and turn the trials into triumphs, and the things that can tear you down into things that build you up.

And, as always, the entire cast of characters are people we can connect to. From young adults just trying to find their way in life, to the more “mature” adults who are “old enough to know better but too young (at heart) to care…” each and every person in Lucky Harbor is a person I want to know better. A person I’d love to have as a friend or neighbor, or significant other.

The Bottom Line:

Jill Shalvis is one of the few truly amazing voices in Contemporary Romance, and with Always on My Mind, she’s delivered a beautifully told story about letting go of yesterday’s pain so you can live and love like there’s no tomorrow.

My thanks to Grand Central Publishing and Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this story in exchange for an honest review. Again, it’s been a pleasure.

    

Rock Chick Regret by Kristen Ashley

CONTEST NOW CLOSED

And counting it down, we're at day 7, book 7 of my 

ROCK CHICK SERIES RE-READ REVIEW CELEBRATION 

with Hector and Sadie's incredible story. What an emotional ride this was!

Remember!

At the end of this 8 day CELEBRATION, I'll be giving away 1 ebook copy of any ROCK CHICK book, to 3 winners. Be sure and stop by every day and post a comment to be entered for a chance to win 1 of the 3 copies, your choice, of Kristen Ashley's ROCK CHICK books from Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or Smashwords.

Open to US residents only.

You must comment on each book review to win!

Sadie Townsend is known by all as The Ice Princess and she’s worked hard to earn her reputation. Her father, a now-incarcerated Drug Lord, has kept her under his thumb her whole life and she’s learned enough from living in his world to give everyone the cold shoulder. But one inebriated night, she shows the Real Sadie to the undercover agent she knows is investigating her father, the handsome Hector Chavez, and he knows he’ll stop at nothing to have her.

Hector makes one (huge) mistake; he waits for Sadie to come to him. Tragedy strikes and Sadie’s got a choice, she can retreat behind her Ice Fortress or she can embrace the Rock Chick/Hot Bunch World. Guided by Hector, the Rock Chicks, the Hot Bunch and her new gay roommates, Buddy and Ralphie, Sadie negotiates a life out from under her father’s thumb, a life that includes poison, arson and learning how to make s’mores.

*****

Re-read Review - September 1-2, 2013

You know, I have loved each re-read so far, but this is my favorite. Sadie's story is so heartbreaking, so beautiful, I just couldn't put it down. Such a great story.

My only problem with the story is that I can't decide which Hispanic Hottie I love more, Hector or Eddie. I might have to re-read their stories a few more times to decide.

It's a dirty job...

Original Review-

Rock Chick Regret is the seventh book in the Rock Chick series and one of my favorites! The story is truly awesome… heartbreaking, inspiring, romantic and very sexy… a delicious tale served up in true Kristen Ashley form.

I’m in love with Hector Chavez. What an amazing, incredible, all kinds of awesome man. Hector alone made this book worth reading, but then throw in the beautiful, loving, compassionate Sadie and the rest of the Rock Chick cast and this story could be nothing less than 5 stars.

I might do a longer review someday… or maybe not. But if you’re not sure this is a book for you, read the kjillion totally awesome reviews that have been written, then waste no more time. Buy it. You won’t regret it!!!

-----

Rock Chick Reading Order:

1. Rock Chick
2. Rock Chick Rescue
3. Rock Chick Redemption
4. Rock Chick Renegade
5. Rock Chick Revenge
6. Rock Chick Reckoning
7. Rock Chick Regret
8. Rock Chick Revolution

Rock Chick Renegade by Kristen Ashley

CONTEST NOW CLOSED

And moving right along, we're now at day 4, book 4 of Kristen Ashley's 

ROCK CHICK SERIES RE-READ REVIEW CELEBRATION!!! 

I hope you're enjoying my little one-woman party as much as I am! :)

Remember!

At the end of this 8 day CELEBRATION, I'll be giving away 1 ebook copy of any ROCK CHICK book, to 3 winners. Be sure and stop by every day and post a comment to be entered for a chance to win 1 of the 3 copies, your choice, of Kristen Ashley's ROCK CHICK books from Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or Smashwords.

Open to US residents only.

You must comment on each book review to win!

Jules has got a score to settle against the drug dealers of Denver. Vance has made it his mission that Jules won’t get dead while dishing out vigilante justice. Jules doesn’t have time for romance, she’s too busy saving the world and she enlists Zip (the gunstore owner), Heavy (an ex-PI) and Frank (a mysterious recluse) to help.

The Rock Chicks of Fortnum’s Bookstore get involved to provide romantic advice and guidance, none of which Jules accepts at first. The Hot Bunch of Nightingale Investigations adopt Jules as one of their own. Even though Jules tries to hang on to her inner Head Crackin’ Mamma Jamma, the Rock Chicks; Hot Bunch; Jules’s long-suffering Uncle Nick; Jules’s friend the rotund, African-American, Jackie-O wannabe, May; and especially Vance will stop at nothing to wear her down.

But Jules makes some bad guys pretty angry and one is dedicated to taking her out. Vance and the Hot Bunch have to pull out all the stops to keep her alive. At the same time, Jules and Vance learn the true meaning of home but once they find this precious entity they’ve been searching for all their lives, will Jules’s enemies tear it away?

*****

Re-read Review-August 26-27, 2013

When I finished my re-read of this story, I had such a big grin on my face and felt so "still" about it, that I decided whatever rating I'd given it before, I was going to bump it up one more star.

CURSE YOU GOODREADS!!

5 stars is the highest I can go, officially, anyway. But no one can stop me from giving it 6 stars on my own, right? So here goes!

6 ROCKIN' RIGHTEOUS STARS!!

And deserving of even more! I had forgotten how much I adored Vance and Jules, so seeing them again was awesome. But just as awesome was watching big things unfold for Darius and Shirleen, and I hope that one day Roam and Sniff will get their own stories, too!

Up next in my Rock Chick re-read -- Luke and Ava! Wooooot!

Original Review-

Keepin’ it real, keepin’ it short... keepin' it real short....

Vance, the perfect hero… what I loved about him: Everything. What I didn’t love about him: Nothing.

Just sayin’….

And Jules… I loved Jules, her mission, her cause… Sniff and Roam… love, love, love. The way things come together with Darius and Shirleen… fan-fecking-tastic story. And Tex… ride-a-long with Tex as a partner… awesome stuff.

So much to love… romance, passion, sizzle, humor… totally awesome book.

Yep. Just sayin’…

---

Rock Chick Reading Order:

1. Rock Chick  

2. Rock Chick Rescue

3. Rock Chick Redemption

4. Rock Chick Renegade

5. Rock Chick Revenge

6. Rock Chick Reckoning

7. Rock Chick Regret

8. Rock Chick Revolution

Once Upon a Tower by Eloisa James

  

Once upon a time…

A duke fell in love

Gowan Stoughton of Craigievar, Duke of Kinross, values order and self-control above all else. So when he meets a lady as serene as she is beautiful, he promptly asks for her hand in marriage.

With a lady

Edie—whose passionate temperament is the opposite of serene—had such a high fever at her own debut ball that she didn’t notice anyone, not even the notoriously elusive Duke of Kinross. When her father accepts his offer… she panics.

And when their marriage night isn’t all it could be, she pretends.

In a tower.

But Edie’s inability to hide her feelings makes pretending impossible, and when their marriage implodes, she retreats to a tower—locking Gowan out.

Now Gowan faces his greatest challenge. Neither commands nor reason work with his spirited young bride. How can he convince her to give him the keys to the tower…

When she already has the keys to his heart?

***** 

I’m a huge fan of Eloisa James’s Fairy Tales series, each book a delightful, sexy, poignant retelling of a time honored classic fairy tale. Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast, The Ugly Duckling, The Princess and the Pea… all wonderful stories revisited, their happily ever afters given a lively, fresh twist. And now it’s ‘Rapunzel’s’ turn to be freed from the tower she’s locked herself away in, but can her Prince Not-So-Charming convince her to let him in, before it’s too late?

Truly, I’ve enjoyed every single story in this somewhat-related-but-not-quite-connected series. Humor, passion, romance, lessons to be learned… all woven together to create not just romance novels, but beautiful love stories. Book after book I find myself laughing, sighing, fanning myself, and sometimes even crying... and when the story is through, I find myself wanting more.

I fell head over heels in love with Gowan! What an amazing, sexy, Highlander! To say I adore him is putting it mildly, though there were moments I wished I could reach through the pages and smack him right upside his gorgeous head! Stubborn, yes - clueless, definitely! But when a man's heart is on the line - especially a man afraid of repeating his parent's horrible mistakes - there are bound to be issues. But what I love most about Gowan is that he thinks things through, works things out, and does whatever he must to make all things right.

Edie is a fun heroine! Innocent but not naive, clueless but not stupid, in her upcoming marriage she wants to avoid the mistakes that her own parents made. But when your role model is a step mother who thinks flirting with men and smoking cheroots is the way to get your husband's attention, things are bound to get sticky. I truly did love both Edie and her step mother Layla, but I wanted to throttle Edie for turning to Layla for advice, given Layla's unorthodox and ineffective methods for wooing a man.

Despite those moments when I wanted to do bodily harm to Gowan and Edie, I adored them both! Once again, Eloisa James has breathed new life into a classic fairy tale, giving us a story to lose ourselves in with people to love, and they lived happily ever after!

My thanks to Avon Books and Edelweiss for providing me with a copy of this story in exchange for an honest review.

It Had to Be You by Jill Shalvis

 

Ali Winters is not having a good day. Her boyfriend left her, everyone in town thinks she's a thief, and now she's about to be kicked out of her home. Her only shot at keeping a roof over her head and clearing her name is to beg for help from a police detective who's as sexy as he is stern....

After a high-profile case goes wrong, Luke Hanover returns to his hometown for some peace and quiet. Instead he finds a bombshell brunette in a heap of trouble. As he helps Ali put her world back together, the pieces of Luke's own life finally seem to fall into place. Is this the start of a sizzling fling? Or are Luke and Ali on the brink of something big in a little town called Lucky Harbor?

*****

It Had to Be You, the latest addition to my Lucky Harbor addiction, further solidifies Jill Shalvis’ place on my list of top contemporary romance authors. Like all the books in the series, It Had to Be You is romantic, funny, and sexy, with a story that pulls you in and characters who keep you coming back for more, first page to the last.

Whenever I pick up a Lucky Harbor book I’m guaranteed to get a feel good story with people I care about. They make me smile, make me laugh, make me sigh, and sometimes even make me cry and, without a doubt, the time I spend reading is time well spent.

There are many things to love about It Had to Be You, but I think my favorite part of this story is how Luke and Ali, both people who are used to taking care of others and taking nothing for themselves, come together and give to each other exactly what they didn’t even know they were missing. I love their passion, their trials, their triumphs, but most importantly, I love their love!

The bottom line: If you haven’t yet read this series, stop whatever it is you’re doing, pick up the first book, Simply Irresistible, and find out what makes these stories so special. You don’t have to read them in order but so much of the pleasure that comes from these books is getting to know the people and places of Lucky Harbor, and then revisiting them all, time and time again. Trust me on this, you won’t be disappointed!

My thanks to Grand Central Publishing for providing me with a copy of this wonderful story in exchange for an honest review. As always, my visit to Lucky Harbor has been an absolute delight! 

Tactical Strike (Bagram Special Ops) by Kaylea Cross

 The mission of a Combat Controller is to deploy by the most feasible means available into combat and non-permissive environments. Combat Controllers are Special Tactics Operators who establish assault zones while simultaneously providing air traffic control, fire support and command and control communications in the joint arena. Additionally, Combat Controllers expertly employ all terrain vehicles, amphibious vehicles, weapons and demolitions. First There.

Hooyah!

—Combat Controller mission statement

*****

Tactical Strike is, without a doubt, the best military romantic suspense story I’ve ever read, and Bagram Special Ops, the best military romantic suspense series out there. The first book in the series, Deadly Descent, was intense, exciting, emotional, romantic, steamy… I really didn't think anything could top it. Well, I was wrong, because Tactical Strike is all that, on ‘roids!

Straight up? Kaylea Cross is an amazing writer. Somehow she's able to take something I've never experienced and make it real. Make me feel it. Dread it, want it, hate it, love it, crave it... whatever "it" is, I feel it. And this isn't just jogged memories... maybe I can explain it this way...

If you’ve spent any amount of time at the beach, in the water, you know what the push and pull of the tide feels like against your legs. You know exactly what it's like to have the sand washing away beneath your feet, the slight imbalance as the waves roll in and back out… So, if an author describes that in a story, it’s more clear to your imagination because you've lived that. It's a memory that you draw on and it's your experience filling in the gaps in the author's words. Now, stay with me, I'm getting there...

I’ve never known the terror of being chased through the mountains while terrorists are shooting at me. I’ve never had friends die while I watch, helpless to do anything. I’ve never suffered the biting pain of having no shelter in a snow storm, no idea what that level of cold feels like... I've never experienced any of the kinds of things these people have and yet, swear to all that's holy, I felt like I was right there living it. My heart was racing, my hands sweating, my mouth dry... I felt it. And the passion? Burn up the pages and again... heart racing, fanning myself... yep, I felt it. The romance, the uncertainty of it all, I haven’t been as engrossed in a military romance – hell, any romance – in a long time. I started reading and couldn't stop.. just. Couldn't. Stop!

Ryan Wentworth and Candace "Ace" Bradford are incredible together. Ryan's easy going flirtation and subtle seduction, his attempts to get "Ace" to drop her guard a bit - and her resolve to not get involved - to keep her distance... watching Ryan work his magic and make that resolve crumble... so, so good. Their chemistry and their intensity and how it combusted in their first time making love together is one of the most sensual, amazing scenes I've read.

The bottom line: I'm just rambling. Three days I've been writing this review and there's so much to say that I can't find the right words to say it all, so I'll stop. Except to say, read this series. You won't be disappointed.

For anyone wondering; No, you don’t have to read Deadly Descent first to appreciate this story. Now, that doesn’t mean I think you should skip Deadly Descent, quite the opposite. It’s one hell of a story and we meet Ryan and Candace there, getting a small glimpse into their attraction, their dynamic. That carries over to Tactical Strike, and had I not known “Ace “and where she’s coming from going in to this story, I might not have warmed to her as quickly as I did.

My thanks, truly, to Carina Press and Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this amazing story in return for an honest review. Start to finish, incredible.

The Trouble With Sin by Victoria Vane

 The Trouble With Sin is the second installment in Victoria Vane's Devilish Vignettes series. It's funny, sexy, romantic, and told as only Ms. Vane can tell a story.

I enjoyed getting to know Simon "Sin" Singleton better! I felt bad for him with all he has to do to please and appease his parents. But I also enjoyed his escapades as he comes up with devious ways pull the wool over their eyes and live life on his own terms.

And of course, it's always a pleasure to visit with DeVere and Ned and finding out what kind of trouble they're up to!

I'm looking forward to seeing what the future holds for Sin!

My thanks to the author for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review! So much fun!

Blog Tour and Giveaway - Raid by Kristen Ashley

 Hanna Boudreaux has lived in the small town of Willow, Colorado all her life. The great-granddaughter of the town matriarch, she's sweet, cute and quiet.

Too quiet.

Hanna has a moment of epiphany when she realizes her crush for forever, Raiden Ulysses Miller, is not ever going to be hers. She sees her life as narrow and decides to do something about it.

Raiden Miller is the town of Willow's local hero. An ex-marine with the medal to prove his hero status, he comes home, shrouded in mystery. It takes a while but, eventually, Hanna catches his eye.

But after all these years of Raid and Hanna living in the same town, the question is, why? Is Raid interested in Hanna because she's sweet and cute? Or does Raid have something else going on?

***************

 

Raid is the third book in Kristen Ashley’s Unfinished Hero series and right from the start, grabbed hold and never let go. It’s sweet, it’s funny, it’s sexy... yep! It’s all kinds of awesome!

If you’ve read the previous books in this series, Knight and Creed, you know that these “unfinished heroes” are men who don’t just walk the edge of honor, they spit on it, cross it, and never look back. They’re men who live and love by their own code, make no excuses for what they do, and Raiden Ulysses Miller is no different. And thank God for that!

Hanna. She is such a doll! She’s cute, she’s funny, she’s clever and talented… she’s absolutely awesome. With her girlie girl bike, and girlie girl basket and cutsie handlebar streamers, she’s a woman who knows what she likes and isn’t embarrassed to flaunt it. She loves life and does everything she can to make sure the people around her love life, too. She’s the kind of person who is so amazing, so awesome, that if I can’t be her, I’d want to be part of her world. And that’d be true even if she wasn’t getting a happily ever after with one incredibly sexy man.

Speaking of which…

Raid. Intense. Solid. Honorable. Sexy. Devoted. Confident. He’s a man who knows that there’s a big gray area between what’s right and what’s wrong, and I love how he works that area to his advantage. In truth, the world needs more men like Raiden Ulysses Miller. I think of all KA’s unfinished heroes - not just those in the series - he’s the most grounded, and the most okay with what he does, which is something else I love about him.

There’s something extra special about this story, and it's Hanna's great grandmother, Miss Mildred, who is an absolute hoot! I don't think I've ever enjoyed a 'secondary' character as much as I enjoyed her, and truth be told, there's nothing 'secondary' about her. Everything about this woman shines, and I absolutely adore her! Between Raid, Hanna and Miss Mildred, the first several chapters of this story put such a huge smile on my face that my cheeks hurt, seriously! And then as the story continues, the people and places of Willow, Colorado kept that smile there, and, had me laughing, sighing, fanning myself and sobbing so hard I couldn’t see to keep reading… and I loved each and every minute of it.

The bottom line: What can I say? Raid’s a typical Kristen Ashley hero, but there’s something… more… about him... something that makes him stand out from the others. He’s truly incredible and I love how he gives Hanna the happily ever after she's always dreamed of.  And Hanna, with her rose colored glasses and beautiful spirit – I love how she gave Raid the happily ever after that he not only needs, but one he's more than deserving of.

They are, each to the other, their reward.

My thanks to Kristen Ashley and Chas for providing BlithelyBookish with a copy of Raid in exchange for an honest review! What a HUGE treat this has been!

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AND NOW FOR THE SUPER FUN STUFF!!!

It's a Rafflecopter Contest!!!!!!

Prize Packs

First prize pack:

Signed Copy of Raid (when it's available in print)

Amazon or BN.com $25 gift card 

Raid, Knight and Creed E-books

Second prize pack:

Amazon or BN.com $10 gift card

Raid, Knight and Creed E-books

Third prize pack:

Amazon or BN.com $5 Gift card

Raid, Knight and Creed E-books

Along with e-copies of Raid to 5 additional winners.

IMPORTANT! To be eligible for a chance to win one of those fabulous prizes, just click on the +1 below and enter your email address. Winners will be contacted by Chas, so you MUST give us your email address!

Rafflecopter Contest a Rafflecopter giveaway