Fight to The Finish (First to Fight #3) by Jeanette Murray-Review & Giveaway

Posted on March 1, 2016 by Sandy

FIGHT TO THE FINISH (First to Fight #3) by Jeanette Murray-Review and Giveaway

FIGHT TO THE FINISH
First To Fight 3
by Jeanette Murray
Genre: adult, contemporary, romantic, suspense

Fight to the Finish

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date March 1, 2016

Kara is a single mom working hard to keep life running smoothly for herself and her son, but a custody battle is wearing her down. When her friend suggests asking a JAG officer for some unofficial advice, Kara agrees—and soon finds herself officially head over heels…

As a Judge Advocate, Graham has seen his share of nasty custody disputes—and he plans on keeping his distance from this one. But this purposeful, passionate woman has a way of drawing him ever closer to the edge. And when Kara’s ex starts to throw his weight around, Graham will have to choose between toeing the line or stepping into the ring.

•••••••

REVIEW: FIGHT TO THE FINISH is the third and final installment in Jeanette Murray’s contemporary, adult FIRST TO FIGHT romance series focusing on a group of US Marines’ boxing team. This is Judge Advocate Graham Sweeney, and single mom/yoga instructor Kara Smith’s story line. FIGHT TO THE FINISH can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty but I recommend reading the series in order as there is an ongoing story line of attack against the Marines that runs through each of the installments.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Kara and Graham) FIGHT TO THE FINISH is the culmination of three stories; three couples, and the increase in vandalism against the Marines in question. Graham Sweeney is a Judge Advocate with the Marines, and a member of their boxing team whose attraction to yoga instructor Kara Smith does not go unnoticed by everyone around. Kara is a single mother to ten year old Zach-a young boy with multiple food allergies that forces our heroine into a rigid lifestyle when it comes to protecting her son. What ensues is Graham’s seduction of Kara Smith, and Kara’s struggle to keep Zach’s father from destroying their lives.

The relationship between Kara and Graham is one of immediate attraction but Kara knows that their time together is limited. Graham will one day be shipped out of state, and Kara does not have the ability to move at will. The $ex scenes are impassioned and intense.

There is a secondary story line running through the series following a number of minor vandalism cases that have been increasing in damage and danger. The Marine’s appear to be the target of these attacks but the attacks have become more personal and dangerous. The person(s) responsible is becoming obvious, but the twist, is the reason why.

All of the previous story line couples and characters play secondary and supporting roles. The world building continues to focus on the boxing team, their friendships, their loves, the struggles both in and out of the ring. The action takes place behind the scenes, outside the ring, and of course, during their tournament play.

FIGHT TO THE FINISH is an emotional story line about friendship and family; betrayal and revenge; moving forward and letting go of the past. The premise is revealing, entertaining, and heart warming especially as it pertains to Kara’s son Zach and his relationship with Graham. The characters are charismatic, energetic, fun and animated; the romance is passionate and alive.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

Giveaway Gold and Black

The Reading Cafe and Jeanette’s publisher are offering a paper copy of FIGHT TO THE FINISH 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.

NOTE: If you are having difficulty commenting after logging onto the site, please refresh the page (at the top of your computer).

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

3. Please tell us to enter you into the giveaway.

4. Please follow Jeanette Murray on Facebook.

5. LIKE us on FACEBOOK and then click GET NOTIFICATION under ‘liked’ for an additional entry.

6. LIKE us on Twitter for an additional entry.

7. Please FOLLOW us on GOODREADS for an additional entry.

8. Please follow The Reading Cafe on Tumblr

8. Giveaway is open to USA only

10. Giveaway runs from March 1-5, 2016

Against the Ropes (First to Fight #2) by Jeanette Murray-a review

Posted on October 11, 2015 by Sandy

AGAINST THE ROPES (First to Fight #2) by Jeanette Murray- a review

Against the Ropes

Amazon.com / B&N / KOBO / The Book Depository

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date October 6, 2015

As a troubled teen, Gregory Higgs channeled his energy into boxing instead of breaking the law. The ring gave him purpose and something to strive for. So did the Marines. Combining the two seemed like a natural fit.

Another natural fit? Reagan Robilard, the sweet athlete liaison who keeps all the fighters out of trouble and manages their PR—a job that gets more challenging when someone digs up the truth about Greg’s not-so-shiny past after equipment is vandalized at the gym.

Even if it wasn’t her job, Reagan can’t let Greg take the fall. Because passion doesn’t pull any punches when it comes to matters of the heart

••••••••••••

REVIEW: AGAINST THE ROPES is the second instalment in Jeanette Murray’s contemporary, adult FIRST TO FIGHT military, romance series focusing on a group of Marine Corps boxers and the women they love. This is Marine/boxer Gregory Higgs, and PR representative Reagan Robilard’s storyline.

Told from several third person points of view AGAINST THE ROPES continues to focus on the destruction, and threats against the Marine boxing team with the attacks becoming more personal and aggressive. As the PR representative for the boxing team, it is Reagan’s job to spin the press but the continued attacks and threats against their own find Reagan falling behind when the attacks become personal and Greg Higgs is a target for both the press and the harassment. Several purposefully planted clues take aim at Greg and his ‘colourful’ past, and Reagan’s job is on the line when she is unable to keep a handle of the negative PR.

The relationship between Greg and Reagan is one of mutual attraction that finds our couple trying to keep secret their liaisons and personal life. While Reagan continues to push Greg for information about his earlier life, Reagan soon discovers that the man with whom she has fallen in love has a secret and dangerous past she knew nothing about. The $ex scenes are intimate and romantic; there are no erotic sexual situations and no graphic sexual language.

AGAINST THE ROPES is an ensemble storyline with several of the previous storyline characters playing supporting and secondary roles. Marianne and Brad (Below the Belt #1) have a strong presence throughout the story, as does Marine Graham who begins to take an interest in Kara-the team’s yoga instructor. The banter and camaraderie between the boxers is friendly; there is a definite support system in place.

The world building continues to focus on the preparation for the upcoming boxing matches, but begins to aggressively turn its’ attention to the investigation into who or what is responsible for the acts of violence and betrayal against the Marine boxing team. I do have an issue with the unreality as it pertains to a lack of security and closed circuit monitors on a Marine base with visible MPs who apparently are not doing their job. The situation is disconcerting under the circumstance and what could very well be terrorist threats at another time seems to be all but ignored by the people in charge-they are quick to blame a PR rep for the trouble and not actively looking into the who, what and why. The situation, as presented, is not believable as it pertains to the investigation and blame.

AGAINST THE ROPES is an entertaining storyline. The premise is engaging with colourful and charismatic characters. The romance is predictable but seductive; the happily ever after has yet to be revealed as the Marine Corps boxing team continues to struggle with threats from an unknown source. There are no active military scenes or sequences; the series focuses on the boxing team and the person(s) responsible for the attacks.

Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy
Series spotlight

Below The Belt
First To Fight #1
by Jeanette Murray
Release Date: April 7, 2015
Genre: adult, contemporary, military romance

Amazon.com / B&N / KOBO / The Book Depository

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 7, 2015

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of BELOW THE BELT

There’s more than one way to win in the debut of the First to Fight series…

Athletic trainer Marianne Cook is ready to do whatever it takes to turn the men of the Marine Corps boxing team into fighting machines. After all, her ultimate goal is to land a job training professional athletes. But when she notices a certain hard-bodied marine trying to hide an injury, Marianne realizes that she’ll have to use covert tactics to get him talking.

First Lieutenant Brad Costa has waited years for the chance to fight for a spot on the Marine Corps boxing team, knowing he has to push twice as hard to get half as far as his younger counterparts. Brad tries to downplay his injuries to the attractive trainer who has his dreams in her hands, but Marianne isn’t buying it. Maybe it’s time to deploy some targeted flattery.

As Brad and Marianne’s attraction turns red-hot, there’s more than one person having a hard time keeping their eyes on the prize…

Against The Ropes by Carly Fall-a review

Posted on June 3, 2013 by Sandy

AGAINST THE ROPES by Carly Fall-a review

Against The Ropes

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / KOBO/ Smashwords

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date May 29, 2013

Winning the next fight will mean nothing . . . if he can’t win back the heart of the woman he loves. . .

Five years ago Dylan Gomez had it all. He was an up-and-coming boxer with a loving girlfriend, and his sights were set on the big league. Then he let the hype of the fans inflate his ego—he thought he was invincible. That all changed when an alcohol-fueled decision altered the course of his life. He lost his girlfriend and then bit-by-bit his life crumbled around him.

Physical therapist, Regan Holloway, has coasted through life for the last five years. She’s been in the same place all that time and most of her things are still in boxes. Agreeing to a “friendly” date with a co-worker, she ends up ringside and face-to-face with the man she’d fled to forget—Dylan.

•••••••••••••••••••

REVIEW: AGAINST THE ROPES is the latest contemporary romance short story from Carly Fall. Approximately 135 pages in length, Against The Ropes is a novel about second chances, forgiveness and saying goodbye.

Five year ago, Dylan Gomez and Regan Holloway were a couple-but fame, a cocky-attitude, alcohol and wrong choices would send Dylan spiraling out of control, losing the woman that he loves and eventually his freedom. But a chance at reconciliation with Regan, will find Dylan a different man. Hoping to prove himself worthy of her love, Dylan tries one more time to be a contender both in and out of the boxing ring.

The sexual relationship between Dylan and Regan has already been established as the couple is well known to each other but a history of betrayal and thoughts of forgiveness will find Regan contemplating whether or not to risk loving a man who has yet to prove he has changed. But over the course of a few weeks, Dylan and Regan will be pushed together by a mutual friend who knows that what Dylan and Regan need is each other.

There are a few secondary characters, especially Dylan’s manager and substitute father Max who keeps Dylan on the straight and narrow, and it is Max who will be the proverbial match-maker when he sees something in Dylan and Regan that both were too stubborn to admit. To love someone means to forgive but forgetting will be a much harder thing to do.

The character development is thorough considering the relatively short length of the novel, but since the characters already knew each other there was none of the push and pull of a new relationship-only the rebuilding of trust and love. The world building was minimal as most of the storyline focused on the characters and their relationship to one another.

Carly Fall has written a romantic, heartwarming and endearing storyline of forgiveness and love. To forgive someone for, not one but two past transgressions, takes a much stronger person than many of us ever hope to be but the storyline scenario demonstrates that not only can we forgive but we can love again. There are a couple of moments of heartbreak and loss, but the HEA is well deserved and one that we can all aspire to in our own lives.

Copy supplied by the author.