Dare to Run by Jen McLaughlin – Review & Giveaway

Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / BAM / The Book Depository

Description:
She knows what he’s like on Boston’s mean streets. Now she’s going to find out if he’s got some heart.

Lucas Donahue is not ashamed of his criminal past, but after a brief stint in prison, he’s ready to go legit and live a normal life. The problem is, no one leaves the gang without permission—even if he is one of the boss’s top men. Plus someone’s placed a hit on him. And then there’s that feisty little bartender who’s going to cause him even more trouble.

Heidi Greene knows to keep her distance from a ladies’ man like Lucas—even if she can’t keep her eyes off him. When he rescues her from an attack in the alley outside her bar, she’s forced to stay by his side for safety. But the longer she spends time with him, the greater her chances are for getting hurt in more ways than one.

 

 

Review:

Dare to Run by Jen McLaughlin is the first book in her new The Sons of Steel Row series. This is my first book by McLaughlin and after reading this book, it will not be my last. The cover on this book was hot, but nothing in comparison to our couple, who not only were both tough, savvy, street smart; they totally scorched the pages throughout the story. I loved them both.

Lucas Donahue is our hero, and though he is hot, he is also very dangerous. Lucas grew up in a gang environment after the death of his mother. He took care of his younger brother, Scott, who is also part of the gang that they are members of. After a short stint in prison, Lucas, is now one of his boss’s top men. He thinks nothing of killing those who threaten him, as this is the only life he knows.

Heidi Greene is our heroine, and she owns a bar that was left to her. Heidi is beautiful, tough and also comes from a bad childhood, where she ran away and learned to live on the streets. Heidi’s beauty and sex appeal causes her to be attacked outside her bar, when Lucas comes to her rescue.

Lucas is determined to protect Heidi, not to mention he finds himself attracted to her. The men he killed trying to protect Heidi are members of a rival gang, and Lucas has to say that they tried to attack his women. That claim somewhat lets Lucas off the hook, but it forces both him and Heidi to live together to prove his claim is real; saving both of their lives.

While this is going on, Lucas learns that his brother is working with the rival gang and is planning to kill him. At this point, anything more would be spoilers. What follows is a tense exciting dangerous adventure which puts their lives in danger, with many twists along the way that will reveal some secrets and betrayals.   But most of all, this is a scorching and sweet romance that starts off a bit slowly as Lucas and Heidi begin to become attracted to each more every passing day. Even when they are falling hard, they know there can be no future for them. All Lucas wants is to keep Heidi safe, which means eventually pushing her away from the life he lives. What will happen between Lucas and Scott? Will Heidi allow Lucas to walk away?

Jen McLaughlin did a fabulous job holding my attention throughout the book from start to finish. She has created a great storyline, great characters, a fantastic couple, with a hot hot romance. After reading this book, I plan on adding Jen McLaughlin to my must reads. Dare to Run is a wonderful read, and I suggest you read this book now.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

Jen McLaughlin is the New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of sexy books with Penguin Random House. Under her pen name, Diane Alberts, she is also a USA TODAY bestselling author of Contemporary Romance with Entangled Publishing. Her first release as Jen McLaughlin, Out of Line, hit the New York Times, USA TODAY and Wall Street Journal lists. She was mentioned in Forbes alongside E. L. James as one of the breakout independent authors to dominate the bestselling lists. She is represented by Louise Fury at The Bent Agency.

Though she lives in the mountains, she really wishes she was surrounded by a hot, sunny beach with crystal-clear water. She lives in Northeast Pennsylvania with her four kids, a husband, a schnauzer mutt, and four cats. Her goal is to write so many well-crafted romance books that even a non-romance reader will know her name.

See more at: http://www.jenmclaughlin.com/about/#sthash.Yfyuj9rF.dpuf

 

Jen’s publisher is offering a paper copy of DARE TO RUN to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe

1. If you have not previously registered at The Reading Cafe, please register by using the log-in at the top of the page (side bar) or by using one of the social log-ins.

2. If you are using a social log-in, please post your email address with your comment.

3. Please LIKE us on FACEBOOK and click GET NOTIFICATIONS

4. Please LIKE us on Twitter for an additional entry.

5. Please LIKE us on GOODREADS  for an additional entry.

6. Please LIKE us on TSU.

7. Please LIKE  Jen McLaughlin on FACEBOOK.

8. Giveaway is open to USA only

9. Giveaway runs from February 1 to February 6, 2016