Until There Was You by Jessica Scott

 

 

 

He plays by the rules, she’s not afraid to break them. Now these two strong-willed army captains will prove that opposites attract . . .
A by-the-book captain with a West Point background, Captain Evan Loehr refuses to mix business with pleasure—except for an unguarded instance years ago when he succumbed to the deep sensuality of redheaded beauty Claire Montoya. From that moment on, though, Evan has been at odds with her, through two deployments to Iraq and back again. But when he is asked to train a team prepping for combat alongside Claire, battle-worn Evan is in for the fight of his life.

Strong, gutsy, and loyal, Captain Claire Montoya has worked hard to earn the rank on her chest. In Evan, Claire sees a rigid officer who puts the rules before everything else—including his people. When the mission forces them together, Claire soon discovers that there is more to Evan than meets the eye.

He’s more than the rank on his chest; he’s a man with dark secrets and deep longings. For all their differences, Evan and Claire share two crucial passions: their country and each other.

 

******

 

 

 

Until There Was You is the second book in Jessica Scott’s Coming Home series and another great story. The characters, the plot, everything about this book drew me in and didn't let me go.

 

One of the things I most enjoy about this author’s way of telling a story is the unique, candid look we get into the behind-the-scenes, decision making process. These stories are not just blow 'em up, shoot 'em dead military romantic melees, though sure, there's some of that, too. But I really appreciate seeing the things that go into preparing our troops to go off to war.

Now, don't misunderstand, this isn't a politically driven storyline, rather a first hand look at what happens before, during, and after deployment, told the way only someone who has been there and done that can tell it, and Jessica Scott, a career Army officer, has been there and done that. The stories feel real, the characters genuine, and the relationships take time to develop, meaning the romances are believable... comfortable.

Evan and Claire's ongoing struggle to deny the attraction they feel for one another was at times heartbreaking, at times very sexy, but with more coitus interruptus than you can shake a stick at, it was also, at times, a bit frustrating. But their personal struggles, their intense need to always do the right thing made them people I cared deeply about and people I couldn't help but want to see work through their seemingly insurmountable issues to find the happily ever after they were both so deserving of.

I'm looking forward to read more in this series!

My thanks to Ms. Scott for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review.     

Soul Weaver by Hailey Edwards

 

Since the accident that nearly took her life, Chloe suffers from acute agoraphobia. Living alone above her family's bookstore, she spends restless nights terrified by strange visions . . . until a mysterious stranger appears and offers her salvation. Chloe is drawn to the ethereal, gorgeous Nathaniel-but her haunted soul warns her there is more to him than meets the eye.

An archangel who roams Earth collecting souls of the newly departed, Nathaniel is the sole witness to the accident that should have taken Chloe's life. Seduced by the purity of her soul, he defies Providence by saving her life. But his attempt at kindness marks Chloe for damnation, and makes her an unwitting pawn in a game of unholy ambition. Now together they must fight the demons of Hell itself-for a love that defies the boundaries of Heaven and Earth.

*****

Soul Weaver is the first book in the Wicked Kin series. It’s a unique tale, something hard to find in a genre saturated with angels - arch, fallen or otherwise - and I was instantly drawn into the story and the world Hailey Edwards has created.

There’s just something about angels that appeals to me, especially when they are tormented souls, and that is what Ms. Edwards has given us. Nathaniel is such a complex, complicated angel - a Soul Weaver – torn by his duty to collect the marked souls and see them to their destination without interfering, and his attraction to Chloe’s pure soul and his need to allow her to live. As is his nature, he struggles to do the right thing even when what the right thing is, is not clear.

Chloe has always had social anxiety issues, but since the accident that should have killed her and the nightmares ever since, she suffers from a debilitating case of agoraphobia. It was heartbreaking to watch her try and overcome her fears, and fail, resigning herself to a life lived entirely within the walls of her family bookstore and the tiny apartment upstairs. In the beginning I was concerned that Chloe might come across as lacking in personality because she didn’t have much of a life to speak of, but her struggles and triumphs, no matter how small, make her a compelling, lovely heroine who I came to care deeply for.

The bottom line – I really enjoyed this book. It’s not without some flaws, times when things felt rushed and others when they were a bit slow, which isn't unusual with all that goes into setting the backdrop for first books in a series. But when it's all said and done, I was drawn to this unique world and the characters who live there. If you enjoy romances where the hero and heroine have much to overcome and stories where there's a fine line between right and wrong, then check this one out. I found it exciting, passionate, sexy and I'm definitely looking forward to more of what promises to be a very exciting series.

3.5/5 stars

My thanks to Forever Yours, an imprint of Grand Central Publishing, and netgalley.com for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Rev it Up by Julie Ann Walker

 

Soldier. Hero. Ladies’ Man. He’s the one who broke her heart...

Career soldier Jake “The Snake” Sommers has made a few mistakes in his life, but none so terrible as forsaking the only woman he’s ever loved. But he’s finally conquered his inner demon, the one that thirsted only for blood. So, now he’s back. And he’s not leaving without Michelle. Unfortunately, her enemy has other plans. Plans to see her dead.

Mother. Warrior. Lover. She’s the one he left behind...

Michelle Carter has never forgiven Jake for abandoning her all those years ago. Now he’s suddenly back, after she’s finally begun to make a life for herself. But her safe, orderly world is about be blown apart. With a psychotic Las Vegas mobster gunning for her, she has no choice but to turn to Jake. Only there’s more at stake than her life. As they all head for a showdown, something that was never meant to be revealed is suddenly thrown into the light. And with a secret this hot, there’s bound to be an explosion.

 

*******

 Rev it Up is the third book in Julie Ann Walker’s Black Knights, Inc. series and my favorite of the three, so far. The story was both action-packed and poignant, opening with a heartbreaking, intense scene that had me feeling anger, sadness and loss. From the very first pages the tortured hero, Jake Sommers, grabbed hold of my heart and didn’t let go.

 

I’ve enjoyed all three BKI stories but this one drew me in on many levels. A truly emotionally tortured hero, a widow whose husband served with Jake, raising her small child alone, fighting the memories of her own dysfunctional childhood that we learned of in the last book… yes, this story has it all and kept me turning the pages faster and faster wanting to find out what happens next, yet not wanting the story to end.

One of the things I most love about Ms. Walker's writing is her ability to take us from poignant to sexy to funny to intense... and she does it so well that you can actually imagine yourself there, caught up in whatever it is that's taking place. And I love that! I want to be drawn in. I want to feel the passion, the fear, the hope... to be engrossed, enthralled and captivated by the story and the characters, and with Rev it Up that's exactly what I got. I can't ask for more than that!

My thanks to netgalley.com and Sourcebooks Casablanca for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. As always, the pleasure was mine.     

 

 

Never Seduce a Scot by Maya Banks

Eveline Armstrong is fiercely loved and protected by her powerful clan, but outsiders consider her “touched.” Beautiful, fey, with a level, intent gaze, she doesn’t speak. No one, not even her family, knows that she cannot hear. Content with her life of seclusion, Eveline has taught herself to read lips and allows the outside world to view her as daft. But when an arranged marriage into a rival clan makes Graeme Montgomery her husband, Eveline accepts her duty—unprepared for the delights to come. Graeme is a rugged warrior with a voice so deep and powerful that his new bride can hear it, and hands and kisses so tender and skilled that he stirs her deepest passions.

Graeme is intrigued by the mysterious Eveline, whose silent lips are ripe with temptation and whose bright, intelligent eyes can see into his soul. As intimacy deepens, he learns her secret. But when clan rivalries and dark deeds threaten the wife he has only begun to cherish, the Scottish warrior will move heaven and earth to save the woman who has awakened his heart to the beautiful song of a rare and magical love.

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

Never Seduce a Scot is the first book in Maya Banks’ The Montgomerys and the Armstrongs series, and fun, sexy, entertaining tale! From beginning to end, these feuding clans made this a story filled with twists and turns, situations that were both heartbreaking and inspiring, and kept me turning page after page to see what was going to happen next. Anyone who has read Maya Banks’ contemporaries knows that this woman can write burn up the pages sex scenes, but I wasn’t sure how she’d pull off a non-erotic story. Well, it’s an understatement to say I wasn’t disappointed and, for the record, this is one steamy read.

Given the nature of this story I was a tad concerned that the internal dialog would be dry, making the story drag. But I’m happy to say that Ms. Banks’ did a great job of taking inside Eveline’s mind, letting us get to know her and making her thoughts a pleasure to read! At no time did this necessary storytelling bog down the story, and for that I am very grateful!

I can’t often say that I adored the heroine as much as I did the hero but, in this case, I can. Eveline was such a strong, determined young woman who could have justifiably been whiny and bitchy, but she wasn’t. She was feisty, compassionate, loving, forgiving… a truly wonderful lady befitting her role of the Laird’s wife. And speaking of the Laird… lordy, was Graeme ever amazing. He had every right to be angry, bitter, vengeful… but he was none of those things… well, he never directed those things toward Eveline. Honest, understanding, tolerant… the kind of man a woman like Evenline deserves. They were perfectly matched and their happily ever after was hard earned and well deserved.

The bottom line: Never Seduce a Scot is a delightful, sexy story. While I would have loved to have heard a more distinctly highlander voice given to the dialog, I truly enjoyed the way this tale was told. I’m very much looking forward to reading the next installment in this series, Highlander Most Wanted.

4 of 5 stars

My thanks to netgalley.com for providing me with a copy of this eARC in behalf of Ballentine Books,a division of Random House Publishing Group, in exchange for an honest review!

Copy That by HelenKay Dimon

 

Returning from his latest Border Patrol assignment, Jeremy Hill seeks sanctuary in his twin brother's home. The last thing he expects to find is an armed man already inside, or Meredith Samms, a gorgeous tenant caught in the cross fire. Then he discovers that the gunman's attack is meant for his twin brother, who is nowhere in sight, and Jeremy must take matters into his own hands. Searching for his brother while trying to protect this girl next door, Jeremy finds himself caught up in the danger he'd become all too familiar with. In his world, everyone's a target and anyone can be a suspect, so Jeremy has no room for emotions. But what Meredith stirs within him may complicate this unexpected mission to the point of no return.

 

*******

 

I was first introduced to HelenKay Dimon’s writing through her contribution to SEAL of My Dreams, an anthology that contained 18 short stories centering around SEALs and their significant others. I enjoyed her writing and the ease in which she took us straight to the heart and soul of her characters and their relationships, and with Copy That I got more of the same. It’s a fast paced, action packed installment of the Harlequin Intrigue collection and I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed my first experience with this line. Bad guys that were good guys and good guys that were bad kept me guessing right up to the end who it was that really should be feared.

I’ve said this a lot recently, but it’s worth repeating: Today’s Harlequin books are not the same cheesy, melodramatic books they've long been labeled. The stories are well written, and as in this case, exciting tales that draw you in and keep you coming back for more, and it’s authors like Ms. Dimon who have made Harlequin the publishing force to be reckoned with that it is today.

The bottom line: I’ll definitely be reading more by this author and more in the Harlequin Intrigue line of stories.


Overall Rating: 4 stars

Characters: 4 stars
Story: 4 stars
Writing: 4 stars

For those interested I’d rate this a Steam Level: 3 of 5. Passion, but no detailed sex scenes.

My thanks to Novel Sidekick for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.    

First Do No Evil by Carey Baldwin

                  One killer is in her blood. The other is in her house.

First Do No Evil is the first book in Carey Baldwin’s Blood Secrets series. It’s an action packed, romantic, medical thriller that took me on a roller coaster ride of emotions. At times I was riveted to the story and couldn’t turn the pages fast enough to find out what would happen next, while at other times I was reading with one eye squeezed tightly shut, afraid of what might happen next.

Blurb: There’s a killer lurking in Dr. Skylar Novak’s family tree: the gene for breast cancer. That's why her brilliant brother invented the Bella vaccine. But even if the miracle drug protects her from the cancer that took her mother's life, it can't save Sky from the flesh and bone evil stalking her in secret.

When the killer strikes, detective Daniel Benson finds himself in the wrong place at the right time. The bold detective manages to save Sky's life…just in time for her to return the favor. Survival leads to seduction, and Danny risks everything—his career, even his life, to keep Sky safe. But will the buried sins they uncover cost him her heart?

Danny’s strong arms may hold her close, but only Sky can stop the terror that's coming next…

About her recipe for a great book, Ms. Baldwin says: “A dollop of romance + a dash of medicine + a cup of crazy. Fold into a story. Bake until it rises, and voila, you've cooked up a delicious thriller!” Well, I'm here to tell you that’s exactly what she served up with this story. While there were a few things that didn’t work well for me, there were plenty of things that did. Great characters, exciting storyline, passion and romance… this book has it all, and I’m looking forward to reading more by this very talented author.

3.5/5 stars

My thanks to Ms. Baldwin for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The Devil's Match by Victoria Vane

Once burned twice shy… but when old flames come together…passion reignites...

The Devil’s Match is the fourth and final book in Victoria Vane’s The Devil DeVere series and such a fitting end to Vic and Diana’s story. It's true what they say about "opposites attract" because never have two people been so poorly suited, and yet, so perfectly matched!

When burned once…

Arriving in London as her goddaughter's chaperone, Baroness Diana Palmerston-Wriothesley wants to avoid her erstwhile lover at all costs. Once nearly consumed by passion, four years has reduced the former inferno to bitterness and ashes.

By an old flame...

A world-weary master of seduction, Ludovic "The Devil" DeVere is bored with his chosen life of debauchery. When Diana's charge disappears, she is forced to seek help from the devil's lair, and their mutual desire reignites with undeniable ferocity.

Fire is best fought with fire…

While DeVere is hell-bent to have her back for keeps, Diana is equally determined to bring him to his knees…by acquiring some sensual secrets of her own.

I can’t even begin to tell you how much I enjoyed this story! Vic and Diana are fabulous together, their banter, the sexual tension… loved it! And it was such a treat to spend time with Ned and Phoebe, and Hew and Vesta, while getting even deeper into the very hearts and minds of Vic and Diana.

One of the things I most love about these stories is that Victoria Vane provides just enough period detail to make her readers feel like we’re actually there, not merely reading a story, but living it. A part of it. Many authors write historical romance, but not many do it as well as this author does. And can I just mention, this book has one of the steamiest, most sensual and sexually intimate scenes I’ve read. Beautiful and very, very hot.

The bottom line: Over the course of the series I’ve come to adore Vic and Diana, though at times I wasn’t sure how that could possibly happen. Silly me, I should have never doubted Ms. Vane’s ability to weave a tale sure to draw me in and hold on tight, right to the very end. The Devil’s Match is a funny, heartwarming, passionate ‘end’ to Vic and Diana’s story, and though I was left with a smile on my face, I’m also a bit sad that their tale is complete!

4.5/5 stars

My thanks to Breathless Press for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.