Tag Archives: Contemporary Romance

Sworn to Protect by Jo Davis – a Review

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Sworn to Protect by Jo Davis – a Review

Sworn to Protect

Links to order Sworn to Protect: 
Amazon / Barnes & Noble / The Book Depository / Kobo

 

Description:
Sugarland loves their men in blue, especially Detective Shane Ford. But Shane’s mission to protect and to serve has just gotten personal…

Detective Shane Ford, Sugarland’s favorite cop, has been blindsided by the sudden death of his best friend, NFL star Brad Cooper, and becoming the legal guardian of Brad’s son, Drew—a bitter, angry sixteen-year-old with a dangerous secret. Shane is determined to pry the truth from Drew, but only manages to alienate him—and winds up going head to head with Juvenile Detective Daisy Callahan, whose job is to protect the teen’s best interests.

Shane has always been drawn to Daisy’s beauty and strength, but he’s determined not to allow their intense attraction to interfere with his duty ever again. It’s a vow that will prove difficult to keep, as the realities of Shane and Daisy’s blossoming love and their growing bond with the grieving teen propel Shane headlong into danger for the new family he’s sworn to protect.

Review:

Sworn to Protect is the first book in Jo Davis’s new Sugarland Blue series.  This is my first time reading anything by Jo Davis, and this will not be my last.  Sworn to Protect is Contemporary Romance Suspense, and an excellent fun read. 

We meet our hero, Shane Ford, at the Sugarland police station, as all the detectives were sitting around complaining of boredom, and the simple cases they get.  Shortly thereafter, Shane and another detective are called onto a murder case. 

During this time, Shane laments his lost relationship with Daisy, a female cop in the Juvenile division.  Daisy Callahan is our heroine, and she makes a wonderful caring cop, who works with young & teenage children.  She still loves Shane, but was hurt badly when they broke up.  Shane was not ready to settle down, and now he regrets his actions, especially every time he sees Daisy, who is very beautiful and sexy, as all the men ogle Daisy, which makes Shane angry. 

When Shane’s best friend dies, he has to take care of his teenage god-son, Drew.  It is Daisy, who drops everything to help Shane, who needs all the help he can get trying to be a father figure to Drew.  From this point on, this becomes a multi faceted story of a beautiful romance,  a teenage boy trying to rebuild his life and get past a terrible tragedy, of friends and family joining together to help those they care about, and a murder mystery that puts a few lives in danger.  Shane and Daisy made the perfect couple, and their steamy sex scenes were on fire.  During the suspense of tying together a mystery that will tie all the pieces together, it was a wonderful story of true romance, with a great cast of wonderful characters.  I really enjoyed this story, as I read this in one day.  I plan to continue to read this series.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

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Blind Attraction by Eden Summers-Cover Reveal and Giveaway

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Blind Attraction by Eden Summers-Cover Reveal and Giveaway

Coming on May 28th, the first book in the Reckless Beat rock star series

Blind Attraction_525

He can seduce with a single glance.

Peering down at a sea of fans, rock star, Mitchell Davies can’t deny the innocent beauty of a woman in the front row. He’ll stop at nothing to get to know her. When a public altercation leaves her weak and defenseless, he takes the opportunity to be her savior.

She’s been sheltered from the world.

Alana Shelton wants to spread her wings and experience life away from her restrictive upbringing. But she isn’t prepared for a gorgeous stranger to sweep her off her feet while at her most vulnerable.

Attraction will bring them together, but their pasts will try to tear them apart.
He wants to teach her how to trust, but she’ll show him how to love. In a glamorous world of rock-and-roll, only time will tell if they’re up for the challenge.

Links

Blind Attraction page on Goodreads
Eden Summers Website
Eden Summers Facebook Page
Twitter

Rafflecopter Giveaway Black and White

Eden is offering 3 e-copies of Blind Attraction and First Prize will also receive a gorgeous beaded purse pull (made by Swagmaster Designs) valued at $10.

Blind Attraction Giveaway

The Reading Cafe is NOT responsible for the Rafflecopter Giveaway.  If you have any questions, please contact the author

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Tempted by Trouble by Susan Arden-A Review

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Tempted by Trouble By Susan Arden -a review

Tempted by Trouble

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca/ KOBO /

About The Book:   Release Date April 1, 2013

When a woman is the magnet for the wrong man, it takes a bad boy to break old habits.

Carolina Rodriguez is a large-animal veterinarian on a mission to escape South Florida. Willing to do just about anything, she accepts a job in Annona, Texas over the internet from a family connection. At her cousin’s wedding, she runs into-literally-a handsome Texan in the parking lot. Matt McLemore is more than gorgeous, he’s Carolina’s new boss, and needs her help to determine why his cattle keep dying.

Matt proposes to introduce Carolina to his family as his girlfriend, giving her the opportunity to work and stay at his ranch without arousing his family’s suspicion. Only when she learns she’s the last chance to help save his family’s cattle reputation (given his father’s refusal to listen to reason and modern genetic testing) does she agree to act the part of his girlfriend.

Matt’s instantaneous attraction to Carolina is an excruciating temptation but a roll in the hay may prove too volatile to handle. He attempts to keep a hands-off relationship until she arrives on his ranch and she is too hot to resist.

Carolina refuses to admit Matt’s raw sexuality is more than overpowering or that she’s the least bit tempted by a smooth talking bad boy. By the time the lab reports comes back, they’ve explored every inch of each other. All of a sudden, this fiery affair is more than just a fling. When a past flame threatens to overwhelm their newfound romance, Matt must find a way to stake his claim to Carolina’s heart before it’s too late.

Review:

(fanning self with her cowboy hat) Matt McLemore is one damn fine cowboy and can be my bad boy any day!! If you are looking for a book with a drop dead gorgeous, swoon-worthy alpha male lead then Susan Arden’s Tempted by Trouble is just the book for you. Being a cowboy on top of all that is just the icing on the cake for this little cowgirl at heart. 😉 I must admit at first I thought Matt was going to be a real arrogant jerk-type character I would want to slap across the head at every turn. Boy was I wrong. That whole macho bravado act he first shows to Carolina is just that, an act. He’s hot, good looking and pretty much sex on a stick and knows it, so he uses it to protect his already damaged heart. It isn’t until we learn more about Matt that underneath it all he’s a good man, with a good heart and knows how to treat a woman. His past played a number on his heart and he doesn’t want to go down that path again, until he meets Carolina and everything in his world is turned upside down.

For this little cowgirl at heart this book hit all the high notes. I love a good story set on a ranch with good looking cowboys, a little drama and romance. It’s a quick read, but the drama begins on the first page, draws the reader in from the get go, and there’s no turning back till the last page. For me, that’s something I enjoy in my reads, being pulled into the story from the first page. When this happens I know I won’t be able to stop till I turn that last page. The one thing I was worried about was that the author wouldn’t have enough time to delve into everything(cattle/breeding issues, ex boyfriend, romance angst between the two leads, etc) However, I couldn’t have been more wrong. Ms Arden does a wonderful job of blending it all together to fit into a neat tidy story that just flows from beginning to end.

The issues with the cattle and breeding that Carolina is called into handle is well written and helps to draw the reader further into the story. Throughout the whole ordeal we get to see both Carolina and Matt try to come to terms with everything that is happening on the ranch and between them. There’s this push and pull chemistry between them that at times caused me some angst of my own, as I wanted to slap both upside the head and tell them; “look, stop being stubborn and just open your hearts to one another already” aaaaaaa!!!!. This whole back and forth thing can be a total pain in the butt sometimes for me as I read a book, but in this case only added to the already combustible chemistry between Matt and Carolina and gives us a clearer understanding of where to two characters are coming from.

It takes some time but finally, yes finally Matt and Carolina both are able to put their pasts to rest so they can have a future together. Let me tell you, Ms. Arden had me worried for a little while near the end, what, with the arrival of Carolina’s past flame, and neither Matt nor Carolina having the courage to own up to their feelings for each other, if it would all work out or not. Thankfully it did, but I would have preferred a little more after that final scene. Just something more to really tidy it up and make it more complete for my liking. It’s just how I’m wired when it comes to my books. Yes, I like a good declaration of love between the lead characters, but I also like a little more completion, like a short epilogue that shows them a few weeks, or months down the road etc. What can I say, I’m a sucker for romance and the happily every after stuff. 😉

Tempted by Trouble is a perfect title for this book. Carolina is definitely tempted by Matt, and he’s definitely trouble where she’s concerned thanks to her past relationships. However, it goes both ways as Carolina is also trouble for Matt and his already damaged heart. It’s a good, quick, fun, and steamy read. Both characters are well written and the chemisty between Matt and Carolina is off the charts. Keep a cold glass of water within reach well reading this one ladies. 😉 If you like a good romance, cowboys and alpha men, then this one’s a must read. Happy trails to you and happy reading.

Copy supplied by the author

Reviewed by Marcie

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Being Me (Inside Out Trilogy #2) by Lisa Renee Jones-a review

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BEING ME (Inside Out Trilogy #2) by Lisa Renee Jones-a review

being Me

Pre Order:  Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Barnes and Noble / The Book Depository

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date June 2013

Fascinated by the dark fantasies in the journals she’s discovered, and the two men who have now found a place in her life, Sara McMillan finds herself torn between her new life and her past. Now, more than ever, Sara identifies with the lost journal writer, Rebecca, and is certain that something sinister has happened.

In the arms of the sexy, tormented artist Chris Merit, Sara seeks answers about Rebecca and ends up discovering things about herself she never knew existed. Chris forces Sara to reconsider who she is and what she truly wants from life, but not before his dark desires threaten to tear them apart. Her boss, Mark Compton, offers her the shelter to understand just what those needs mean to her, and what they might have meant to Rebecca, but can she trust him to lead her to a final conclusion to Rebecca’s story?

••••••••••••••••••••

REVIEW: Some background information: Sara McMillan is a woman who has found and is reading a series of journals written by a young woman who was once employed by the same man with whom Sara is now working. Hoping to find some clue about Rebecca’s disappearance, Sara searches for answers in the sometimes less than revealing journals about the ‘what’ and the ‘who’ in Rebecca’s life.

BEING ME is the second installment in Lisa Renee Jones’s Inside Out Trilogy focusing on Sara McMillan and her almost obsessive need to discover the truth about Rebecca and the information contained within a series of journals found in an abandoned storage locker. The journals chronicle several weeks in the life of Rebecca as she is pulled into the dangerous world of BDSM and becomes the slave to her Master. When Sara discovers that Rebecca has been missing for a number of weeks, she endeavors to uncover the truth about what happened but in doing so sets into motion a waterfall of untapped emotions and information that could very well turn her world upside down and threaten to destroy the man with whom she is falling in love. Lies will be uncovered, identities revealed and the players involved would much rather the journals were buried and forgotten.

Sara’s relationship with artist Chris Merit will be tested on several levels especially when it comes to trust, honesty and full disclosure. As Sara begins to dig deeper into Rebecca’s life, she will uncover the darker side of a lifestyle and of her boss, unlike anything she has ever known. And when Sara’s life begins to unravel, Chris will pick up the pieces to make sure that the woman he loves is protected; but who will protect Sara from herself when she willingly places herself in danger by confronting the people she holds responsible for Rebecca’s disappearance? The world into which Sara has stepped is dangerous, seductive, mysterious and dark as is the man who has stolen her heart.

As the story develops, the reader is taken on a journey of discovery; not only for Sara but for several of the storyline characters as well. We are given a glimpse into a world very few experience but a world where power and control are gained through pain and pleasure. And it will be Sara who must fight for the ultimate control of a man’s heart when he becomes lost and has difficulty accepting that not everything is his to control. When pain seems to be his only avenue, Sara must fight for what she believes but sometimes believing is not enough.

Being Me reveals and answers many of the questions and unknowns in Rebecca’s journals as well as the truth behind Rebecca’s disappearance; and uncover some secrets about our heroine she had hoped would remain buried with the past. But there is still one major storyline premise that has yet to be resolved.

BEING ME is an amazing and fascinating addition to Lisa Renee’s Inside Out Trilogy. Lisa combines the mysterious allure of the world of BDSM with the thrill of falling in love with the unknown. Chris Merit is an alpha hero who has lost his heart to Sara but a heart that is easily broken; Sara is a woman who is determined to uncover the secrets hidden within the journals only to discover that she has stepped into a world of which she knows nothing about. Being Me will seduce you emotionally and pull you in before you ever have a chance to say no.

The final chapter in the trilogy ‘REVEALING US’ is schedule for release September 2013 as well as THE MASTER UNDONE -a novella from the ‘master’s’ point of view.

Inside Out Trilogy

Copy supplied by the author.

Reviewed by Sandy

REMINDER:  Rebecca’s Lost Journals by Lisa Renee Jones is a must read for everyone hoping to learn what is behind Sara’s obsession in finding Rebecca and the world in which she has been pulled

Click HERE for my reviews of REBECCA’S LOST JOURNALS 1-4 (Inside Out Novellas)

Rebecca's Lost Journals

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The Summer He Came Home (Bad Boys of Crystal Lake #1) by Juliana Stone-A Review and Giveaway

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THE SUMMER HE CAME HOME (Bad Boys of Crystal Lake #1) by Juliana Stone-a Review and Giveaway

The Summer He Came Home

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Barnes and Noble/ KOBO/ The Book Depository

ABOUT THE BOOK: Released April 2013

Sometimes the best place to find love is right back where you started…

Falling asleep in a different bed every night has made it easy for Cain Black to forget his past. It’s been ten years since he packed his guitar and left Crystal Lake to chase his dreams. Now tragedy has forced him home again. And though Cain relishes the freedom of the road, one stolen moment with Maggie O’Rourke makes him wonder if he’s missing out on something bigger than fame.

For Maggie—single mother and newly settled in Crystal Lake—love is a luxury she just can’t afford. Sure, she appreciates the tall, dark and handsome looks of prodigal son Cain Black. But how long can she expect the notorious hellion to stay?

The last thing either of them wants is something complicated. But sometimes love has its own plans

••••••••••••••••••••••

REVIEW: THE SUMMER HE CAME HOME is the first storyline in Juliana Stone’s new Bad Boys of Crystal Lake contemporary romance series focusing on a small town group of childhood friends who are brought back together at the funeral of one of their own. Future storyline heroes are introduced, each with a haunted past, but The Summer He Came Home is Cain Black’s story.

Cain is the epitome of a rock and roll star: tattoos, sexy starlet for a wife, and a lifestyle conducive to tabloid rumors and innuendo. But the day he returned to Crystal Lake for his friend’s funeral, all bets are off. Reeling from a double betrayal at the hands of his wife and a fellow band mate, Cain is instantly drawn to Maggie O’Rourke-a beautiful single mother who works hard and keeps to herself in the small Michigan town. But Maggie’s move to Crystal Lake comes with a few secrets, and if her whereabouts ever become public, Maggie will lose more than her freedom-she could lose her son as well.

The Summer He Came Home has the usual romantic storyline push and pull of the forbidden attraction. Juliana Stone writes a story with a build-up of the relationship, not jumping too quickly into the sex and morning after regrets. But if you are looking for the bad boy of rock and roll image, Cain’s character (back home) is nothing like what fuels the tabloid pages.

There are a few unanswered questions regarding Cain’s future and music career, especially as it pertains to his relationship with Maggie and her son, but perhaps these issues will be resolved in a future storyline when one of his childhood friends has his story told. There is also the fact that Maggie and Cain’s ex-spouses are still very much in the picture-hopefully there is some resolution on the horizon.

The Summer He Came Home is a storyline of betrayal and loss, finding yourself and being able to love again despite a history of failure in the relationship department. Juliana Stone introduces a cast of characters right from the pages of Small Town, USA and forges a bond between the reader and her hero/heroine and friends. I am looking forward to reading the next installment in The Bad Boys of Crystal Lake series.

Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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Sourcebooks is offering a paper copy of THE SUMMER HE CAME HOME to one lucky reader at The Reading Cafe.

1. Please register using the log-in at the top of the page 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. Giveaway is OPEN to US and CANADA only.

4. Giveaway runs from April 30 to May 3, 2013

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The Best Man by Ana Blaze-a review

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THE BEST MAN by Ana Blaze-a review

The Best Man

Purchase Link:  Entranced Publishing / Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Barnes and Noble/

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 29, 2013

Beth Chase is too busy planning perfect weddings to worry about the lack of action in her own love life. But if she was looking for a man, she wouldn’t be looking at Colin Pratt. Her boss swears that Best Man Colin is a quiet scholar and science fiction writer who couldn’t possibly cause a fuss at his own brother’s wedding. He’s clearly never met the man in question. Snarky, sexy and more than a little inebriated, Colin is the final obstacle between Beth and the last perfect wedding she needs to make partner. Of course, when she helps him into a taxi at the end of the night she has no idea that he’s only just begun to poke holes in her professional exterior. Colin might have the skills to seduce a romance professional, but can he convince her that he’s the best man to share her happy ever after?

••••••••••••••

REVIEW: THE BEST MAN is a contemporary romance storyline focusing on wedding planner Beth Chase and Colin Pratt-a self proclaimed quiet Scottish professor who, but for the quick actions of Beth, almost destroyed an entire wedding ceremony before it ever began. As the best man at his brother’s wedding, there is more to Colin than meets the eye.

The storyline follows as Colin endeavors to apologize to Beth for his recent behavior at his brother’s wedding. A quick series of mishaps will force the couple together and out of guilt, Beth invites Colin to stay at her place for a few days. Colin and Beth are instantly attracted to one another, and Beth tries but fails, to keep Colin at arm’s length. Beth doesn’t do relationships-although we are not privy as to ‘real’ reason why- and Colin wants more from Beth than a couple of days of relaxation and fun- he wants forever.

Colin is a man possessed-possessed by the need to be loved and find a woman who will accept him. There is plenty of humor as we watch Colin seduce his way into Beth’s bed on numerous occasions. Colin’s backstory is revealed and we learn that he really is the quiet, nerdy professor. And Beth-she is a strong, independent, successful woman, who is afraid to lose everything to the man who has stolen her heart. But she may be too late when she finally realizes that Colin is the man for her.

THE BEST MAN is a fast paced, short story and humorous look at one week in the life of Beth Chase and Colin Pratt. From Colin’s first drunken stumble to his last declaration of love, he is the man who would find his way into Beth’s heart and her life. Ana Blaze has written a cute storyline that pulls you into the hectic life of a successful wedding planner who is reluctant to find love in a quirky Scottish professor.

Copy supplied by the publicist.

Reviewed by Sandy

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Bound With Pearls by Sidney Bristol- a review

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Bound With Pearls by Sidney Bristol-a review

Bound with Pearls

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Barnes and Noble / KOBO

DESCRIPTION-Release Date December 2012

The last thing Christine wants to do is another favor for her sister, but Lucy always gets what she wants. This time it’s Chris playing sub to a demanding Dom. Their relationship begins with a power exchange and progresses to time spent between the sheets. Now emotions are getting complicated and the Dom isn’t just a hunky guy in black.

Daniel’s expectations are turned upside down when he meets Chris. She’s more than a well-trained submissive. She’s a woman with a body he wants to memorize. He’s willing to spend as much time as it takes to learn her, because she might be his match and his muse. He’ll make her come so hard he’s imprinted on every inch, and then he’ll offer her the most precious thing he can, himself.

REVIEW

5 out of 5 for this reader folks!

What a HOT, SMEXY SMEXY, WILD read! (*Fanning Myself*)

So before I begin this review I have a secret to reveal! I LOVE me a hot smut filled book. However if you add great characters and a great story then I LOVE LOVE LOVE me a hot smut filled book. This was a LOVE LOVE LOVE! LOL

Bound with Pearls written by Sidney Bristol is all about the formation of a dom/sub relationship and the many (did I mention MANY) emotions that are explored during this formation.

This book is not for the easily offended. There are extreme sexual scenarios that are played out and extreme language used. This is a dirty, gritty and sexy book that exploits many common and not so common (pass the ginger …lol) sides of the dom/sub relationship.

Now that I have armed you a little .. let me “de-arm” you! This story for a BDSM book was FUN and much less intense than many books in the BDSM genre that I have read! While some scenes were intense, there was so much blooming within the forming relationship that it didn’t feel “heavy”! Don’t get me wrong, all emotions were felt but I never went to a dark ugly place. Not sure if that makes sense but it’s the best way I can explain it! LOL

So our submissive’s name is Christine. Christine is an unattached submissive that had adopted the lifestyle many years ago and was well trained by a previous dom. After being begged by her horrible, spoiled brat bitchy sister Lucy, to please fill in as a sub (bitchy sister’s dom lost a poker game and bet the use of his sub to another dom … DUDE REALLY???) on her behalf, Christine agrees to spend one night with the winning poker game dom named Daniel.

Seeing as neither Christine nor Daniel know each other (either by rep or by looks) this makes for a very uncomfortable situation and both are NOT looking forward to this “play session”! Well aren’t they pleasantly surprised when they are clearly not only attracted to each other but they also “fit” together. I had to chuckle when Christine suddenly wanted to take back many of her “limits” and go all the way. I also melted a little when Daniel said NO and refused to take advantage because the .. er… um …. did it just got really hot in here!? LOL

From this one night, these two decide to see each other again and again, and trust builds between them (that’s pretty great considering a dom/sun relationship REQUIRES that)! Tenderness like you can never imagine, and serious boundaries are crossed! Limits are pushed. I found while I was getting angry I was completely smitten as well.

Loved this blurb and it paints the perfect picture.

“Any man could get her off, but she needed him. Their connection, the chemistry wasn’t something easily found.”

This is a shorter book and I hate giving anything away, so I will leave this review at that! I really truly loved this book and I was fulfilled in all aspects that I have learned to expect and appreciate when reading a BDSM story. I believed in this relationship and I was cheering them on throughout their journey to each other!

I have to comment quickly on this books cover! IT’S BEAUTIFUL! You understand why the title was named what it was, and the model is exactly how I pictured Christine. This is BDSM in it’s sexiest! 🙂

As I do for many of my reviews, let me leave you with a yummy blurb of a breakfast tied up…. that made me …er… um…. yup it’s definitely hot in here .. WINK!

“You aren’t in trouble.”

She hurriedly chewed and swallowed. “I’m not?”

He chuckled. “Nope.” One side of his mouth kicked up in a lopsided smile, giving him a boyish look.

“Then, why …” Her voice trailed off as he pressed another bite of pancake to her lips.

“Why did I tie you up?” he filled in for her. “Because I like you tied down and at my mercy.”

Yes Sir Daniel .. SIGH! LOL

Copy supplied by the author

Reviewed by Rachel

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Against The Wall (Maverick Montana #1) by Rebecca Zanetti-a review

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AGAINST THE WALL (Maverick Montana #1) by Rebecca Zanetti-a  review

Agains The Wall

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release March 23, 2013

Never challenge a cowboy in the courtroom…

Surveying the proposed site for a high-end golf course should have been a breeze for spunky Landscape Architect Sophie Smith. But when this born-and-bred city girl is suddenly—and quite literally—swept off her feet by a sexy cowboy on horseback, she realizes that the country life has some serious (and seriously steamy!) possibilities. That is, until she finds out exactly who her smokin’-hot wrangler really is.

Cowboy and Tribal lawyer Jack Lodge is desperately trying to block the development. And if that means playing hardball—and being every inch the shark lawyer—so be it. But Sophie is a distraction he didn’t expect. A distraction that makes his blood burn.

Two different worlds. Two opposing sides. And when they finally give into the exquisite temptation, the consequences will shake the foundations of both of their lives…

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

REVIEW: AGAINST THE WALL is the first storyline in Rebecca Zanetti’s new Maverick Montana contemporary romance series focusing on the Lodge brothers and, the men and women of the Kooskia Tribe of Montana.

The Charleton Group of investors hires an architectural firm to design and oversee the plans for a golf course surrounding the Native community near Mineral Lake. Sophie Smith is the landscape architect who must present her designs to the local band (tribe) members for final approval, while trying to win the support of the various groups opposed to the development. But convincing the elders was futile when the tribe has plans of their own. And Sophie’s fight was only beginning when vaguely disguised threats begin to surface suggesting she leave town. There was no recourse open to Sophie and failure appeared to be the only option-only failure meant that her uncle’s firm would most likely suffer a terrible financial blow.

Concerned for the environment, the Kooskia Tribe hire one of their own, lawyer Jake Lodge to represent the community in their fight to preserve the natural resources of Mineral Lake. But Jake’s struggles now included his Sophie. Pitted on opposite sides of a debate, Jake knew that to prove his case and win, he may lose Sophie in the process.

Against The Wall is an interesting tale but left a few questions and holes with a number of storyline premises. There is some bad blood between Sophie and her family but it was never fully addressed; a potential suitor from within her uncle’s firm is brought into the storyline but this particular angle ends rather abruptly without explanation; the threats against Sophie are resolved too quickly and rather poorly.  Too many holes and unexplained variables did not sit well with this reader. The storyline had potential but fell short on many levels with what felt like a rush to the finish and in doing so, there was something missing. Everything came to conclusion too quickly; too neatly. There was a definite problem with cohesion.

Overall, AGAINST THE WALL is a fast paced storyline with an interesting premise that can be found in many local headlines wherever the environment, Native communities or land acquisitions are threatened. The love interest and relationship between Jake and Sophie is aided by several well meaning men and women of the community and when things begin to unravel for Sophie, she knows she has the support of Jake and the people she has grown to call family and friends. 

Reviewed by Sandy

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