Kiss Kiss Bang (Iron Clad Security 3) by Sidney Halston-Review & Excerpt

KISS KISS BANG (Iron Clad Security #3) by Sidney Halston-Review & Excerpt

Kiss Kiss Bang

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 5, 2017

Six-foot-two and ripped…with superior computer skills, Josef “Joey” Clad is not your typical ex-Marine. The co-owner of Iron-Clad securities is 100% Alpha male, but under his muscular physique, he’s the best hacker in Miami who specializes in running Iron-Clad’s cyber ops. The perfect skill set for their new client who is getting threatening emails, a client who he definitely wants to get to know better. Much better.

Single mom, widow, Olivia Monroe has exceptional dreams that she refuses to let go of. Fifteen years ago, she left her broken home in New York City and never looked back. Now a dark horse candidate for Florida governor, she’s not looking for a relationship. Even with the hot guy who sweeps in and saves her computer the night before a big speech. Her hero has trouble written all over him. Joey is too handsome, too funny, too confident, and way too hard to resist.

Too bad he’s now her bodyguard.

••••••••••••••

REVIEW: KISS KISS BANG is the third and final instalment in Sidney Halston’s contemporary, adult IRON CLAD SECURITY romantic, suspense series focusing on the men and women who work for Iron Clad Security (ICS). This is thirty-seven year old, former Marine and ICS co-owner Josef ‘Joey’ Clad, and thirty-five year old, single mom, widow and candidate for Florida governor Olivia Monroe’s story line. KISS KISS BANG can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Joey and Olivia) KISS KISS BANG follows the building relationship between candidate for Florida governor Olivia Monroe, a single mother of a five year old daughter, and Iron Clad Security co-owner Joey Clad. Hours before a televised debate Olivia Monroe’s lap-top computer died. In desperate need of repair, Olivia accepts a complete stranger’s offer, to help in her endeavour to acquire a new device. Enter Joey Clad, security specialist, hacker and the man with whom Olivia will fall in love. What ensues is the building romance between our leading couple, and struggles to stay one step ahead of the person(s) trying to sabotage Olivia’s gubernatorial race, and the potential fall out when Olivia’s past comes seeking retribution and revenge.

Olivia’s husband was killed in a car accident shortly after the birth of their daughter. In the ensuing years our heroine has struggled to raise her precocious daughter but with the ineptitude of the current governor and his lackluster stand on pollution and industrial emissions, Olivia faces a new battle in her bid to run for the governor’s position when threats are made, and physical violence ensues. Running a platform based on family values and single motherhood, Joey’s appearance in her life forces Olivia to reconsider her involvement with our story line hero. Joey Clad knows that the frazzled woman at the computer store is the woman that calls to his heart but threats against Olivia means that our hero must become both lover and protector in order to keep safe the woman with whom he is falling love.

KISS KISS BANG is a story of betrayal and revenge; political interference; falling in love and letting go of the past. The premise is intriguing and engaging; the romance is quick to build without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

The rush to the finish was a bit of a disappointment. There was no epilogue or revisiting of previous couples in so much as this particular story line is the final instalment in the ICS series. And I had a difficult time with a perceived lack of palpable, sexual energy between our leading couple- it felt like everyone was going through the motions without a true emotional involvement. I think if there was more conflict between the leading characters I would have felt more of the pull of attraction.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Kiss Marry Kill
Last First Kiss
Kiss Kiss Bang

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Excerpt

Excerpt supplied courtesy of St. Martin’s Press

 

It was five in the afternoon and all Olivia had done was bathe and shave. She wasn’t dressed, her hair was still wet, and she hadn’t even texted Joey to let him know she was un-canceling their date.
I can’t do this.
I can’t do this.
I can’t . . .
Her doorbell rang.
Open the door, darlin, Joey texted her as the bell rang again.
Oh damn! She was in a robe, her hair wet, as she jogged to the front door and looked into the peephole.
“I can hear you, Livie. Open the door.”
“It’s not seven yet.”
“You canceled, so the time’s irrelevant.”
She exhaled and her shoulders sagged. Damn it. There was no way of getting around this. She opened the door. “I canceled.”
With a sly smile he placed his hand on her belly, gently pushed her back, and then walked right in as if he owned the place, closing the door behind him. “I’m not great at following instructions.”
“And you don’t eat vegetables. I’m sensing you have a lot in common with my daughter.”
God, he looked good. He was wearing jeans and a T-shirt with an old rock band’s logo on it. His mostly shaved hair was a little longer than when she’d met him three days before, and he had a bit of scruff on his face.
“Sit. We need to talk,” he said, his mood changing enough to give her goose bumps. He couldn’t be breaking up with her—they weren’t even dating.
“I know,” she said, putting him out of his misery. “You saw the photos. They look bad, but . . .” She shrugged and then, needing to do something with her hands, she found one of the twenty fidget spinners she had around the house. You’re a good kisser, and yes, I’ll admit it had been a long time since I’d kissed anyone, and yes, “maybe I lost control. But I don’t want you to get the wrong impression. I’m not desperate. You’re not that good.” She was babbling nervously. She knew she made no sense but she needed to say something before he did, or else it would be awkward.
Or maybe she’d made it worse . . .
“How long?” he asked, and when her brows furrowed he continued. “Since you’d kissed anyone. How long had it been?” He reached forward and snatched the spinner from her hand and softly placed it on the table.
“Since Neil. Five years. But the clawing . . . I’ll have you know I have plenty of men coming on to me. You just . . . you confused me, and then the elevator got stuck. I’m a woman. Women have needs too. It’s not because you’re a great kisser.” She poured herself a glass of water and then drank it all in one single gulp as he watched her, amused.
“Great,” he said with a smirk that befuddled her.
She placed her glass down a little too forcefully and wiped her mouth with the back of her hands. “What?”
“You said I was great. You didn’t say good. You said great.”
“That’s not the point, the point is . . .”
He took a step closer and her heart rate—her stupid heart rate—spiked.
“The point is . . .”
“The point is?” He smirked again.
What were they talking about? God, he smelled good. Why did he always have to smell that good? And those baby-blue eyes, they were so clear and mesmerizing.
“Uh . . . what were we talking about?”
He chuckled. “Do you think I’m here to discuss the way you kiss?”
“No. More like to discuss the way I was all over you in that picture.”
“I was one of the two people in that picture, if I remember correctly.”
“Well . . . yes. And?”
“And?” He reached forward, cupped the back of her neck and pulled her forward. “And, my cock was pressed against you. I know you felt it. My tongue was in your mouth. I almost got on my knees to taste you. You were desperate? No, sweetheart, I was fucking frantic. But now that I know that you haven’t had a man in five years, I’m glad we didn’t go any further.”
“You were? You are?”
“Yes, you deserve better than a quickie in an elevator. And don’t doubt, not ever, that I want you as much as you want me. Hell, I’m sure I want you more. Any man would be lucky to have you. Don’t second-guess that. Not ever.” Then his lips came to hers, but this time it wasn’t the crazed open-mouthed kiss from the elevator. This was soft and reverent but just as erotic because now she knew it wasn’t just the heat of the moment drawing them together. There was something else . . . some mutual attraction that maybe needed to be explored.
He kissed her one last time before lacing his hands around hers and pulling her to her couch as if he’d been in her house a dozen times.

 

 

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Last First Kiss (Iron Clad Security 2) by Sidney Halston-a review

LAST FIRST KISS (Iron Clad Security #2) by Sidney Halston-a review

 

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Chapters Indigo /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date August 29 , 2017

He’s an A-list Hollywood heartthrob.

She’s trying to prove herself in a man’s world.

For this female bodyguard, protecting her client is simply business, but what happens when sparks fly and the danger heats up?
After a series of box office flops, Rocco Monroe needs a hit. Bad press, shit talking, rumors, lies…it all goes with the territory after almost two decades in the spotlight, but when he lands the role of his career in a controversial biopic, the part of a lifetime comes with a catch: a hired bodyguard.

Annabelle Clad is so bored she wants to scream. Her life is coding and algorithms and binary codes…rinse and repeat. To her Rocco Monroe means freedom, a chance to show her overprotective brother and business partner that she can contribute to Iron Clad Securities. And no arrogant playboy will f*ck up her concentration by batting his lashes at her. She would never jeopardize her reputation by swooning over any man.

That had happened once, and she wouldn’t bear that loss or humiliation ever again. Even if Rocco looks like a walking fantasy…

•••••

REVIEW: LAST FIRST KISS is the second instalment in Sidney Halston’s contemporary, adult IRON CLAD SECURITY romantic, suspense series focusing on the men and women who work for Iron Clad Security. This is Hollywood actor Rocco Monroe, and former US soldier/IT specialist Annabelle Clad’s story line. LAST FIRST KISS can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Annabelle and Rocco) LAST FIRST KISS follows the forbidden relationship between former American solider and IT specialist Annabelle Clad, and Hollywood actor Rocco Monroe. Rocco Monroe’s star has started for fizzle but a role in an upcoming controversial bio-pic finds our hero on the receiving end of a series of threats both personal and professionally including the potential fall-out of filming on location in the jungles of South America. When the production company forces Rocco to accept tightened security measures he will come face to face with a smart-mouthed, prickly, and over the top, alpha female Annabelle Clad-a former US soldier who served two tours in Afghanistan, and a woman who is desperate to prove she is just as capable as the men with whom she works. What ensues is the building relationship between Annabelle and Rocco as Annabelle is hired to play Rocco’s newest love, and the fall out as Annabelle continues to put her life in danger to protect the man with whom she is falling in love.

Annabelle Clad is just trying to do her job but it is in Rocco’s instinctive nature to protect the woman hired to protect himself. Our heroine has proven she can survive the mean streets of Afghanistan but surviving the over protective nature of Rocco and her brothers is less than conducive to our heroine’s independent charm. Rocco’s life hangs in the balance when the threats become physical, and Annabelle will become collateral damage for someone elses sins of the past.

The relationship between Annabelle and Rocco begins as a mutual attraction but Anna knows to get involved with a client would be a distraction when lives have been threatened by an unknown source. The allure of a female bodyguard has Rocco reconsidering his need for protection replacing it with the possibility of a romantic happily ever after. The $ex scenes are intimate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

From the outset I had issues with the heroine’s immature attitude and her ongoing childish interplay and emotional behavior as it pertained to her brothers and their need to protect and control. Wanting to be accepted as an equal Annabelle’s temper tantrums and the sibling’s adolescent conduct diminished my enjoyment of the overall story as each encounter with her brother resulted in juvenile name-calling, screaming matches and rude finger gestures. This does not scream responsible adult but spoiled child. The men in her life, including Rocco Monroe, were constantly second guessing Anna’s ability to do the job-surviving two tours of duty made little difference in the grand scheme of security and personal independence but her immaturity could have played a role in her brother’s unwillingness to hand over complete control.

LAST FIRST KISS is an energetic and lively story line. The premise is entertaining; the characters are somewhat infuriating; the romance is tender and optimistic.

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of book one KISS MARRY KILL

Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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Kiss Marry Kill (Iron Clad Security #) by Sidney Halston-Review, Book Tour & Giveaway

KISS MARRY KILL (Iron Clad Security #1) by Sidney Halston-Review, Book Tour & Giveaway

Kiss Marry Kill banner

KISS MARRY KILL
Iron Clad Security #1
by Sidney Halston
Genre: adult, contemporary, romantic, suspense
Release Date: March 28, 2017

Kiss Marry Kill

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / BAM / ITUNES

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date March 28, 2017

Five years ago they fell in love after one whirlwind summer. Now she’s an internationally famous musician and he’s officially out of the military, but when their worlds collide, can they keep things strictly professional? Sweet, thrilling, emotional, and sexy, fall in love with Megan and Jax in USA Today bestseller Sidney Halston’s Kiss Marry Kill.

He’s been chasing a memory . . .

It was just supposed to be a regular Thursday afternoon…and then he saw her. Sitting in seat L214, one seat over from his at the baseball game, right next to her douche of a soon-to-be-ex-boyfriend. An impromptu kiss for the kiss cam, and Jax knew his life would never be the same. Five years and a tour in Afghanistan later, Jax is back stateside running his own private security firm, Iron-Clad, with his best friend. He isn’t the man he used to be… but Megan isn’t the sexy and sweet, though sheltered, twenty-two-year-old he left behind, either. And she’s in trouble.

…but now they’re on the run.

Megan Cruz has made something of herself. She’s turned her dreams of pop stardom into a reality. But when a deadly stalker breaks into her home claiming to be her number-one fan, the only person she can turn to is the boy who got away. But Jax isn’t the same carefree charmer who stole her heart, then broke it when he joined the military. This man is seductive, hard, guarded. And he’ll do anything to protect what’s his.

•••••••••••

REVIEW: KISS MARRY KILL is the first installment in Sidney Halston’s contemporary, adult IRON CLAD SECURITY romantic, suspense series focusing on the men and women of Iron Clad Security. This is former Marine and owner of ICS Jackson ‘Jax’ Irons, and Grammy award winning singer Megan Cruz’s story line.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Megan and Jax) KISS MARRY KILL focuses on the rekindling relationship between singer Megan Cruz, and security specialist Jax Irons. Five years earlier Megan and Jax spent four days together that would change their lives: Jax headed off to his second tour of Iraq, and Megan walked away from a potential law career and into the spotlight of stardom and fame. Fast forward to present day wherein Megan Cruz finds herself the victim of a stalker, and Jax Irons offers up himself as her personal bodyguard and protector. What ensues is the rekindling romance between Megan and Jax, and the hunt for a potential killer whose threats against Megan are becoming more dangerous and personal.

Jax has struggled with pain and PTSD since the attack on his team left our hero fighting for his life. Losing 7 of his men meant Jax took it personally that not everyone came home alive and well. For five years Jax has never forgotten about the woman that called to his heart but reconnecting with Megan would mean facing the truth about what he left behind. Megan Cruz is a world famous star; an award winning singer whose star rose to fame shortly after meeting the man who pushed her to go after what it was she wanted. Four days together changed the direction of her life, and she has never looked back.

The relationship between Jax and Megan is one of second chances. Five years since they last spoke their reconnection is powerful and strong but Jax knows that to protect the woman he loves he must remain professional until her stalker is caught. The $ex scenes are intimate, intense and seductive without the over the top sexually graphic language and text.

We are introduced to Jax’s former Marine buddy Joey and his sister Annie as well as security agents Jason and Ben-all of whom are employees of Iron Clad Security; Megan’s fellow band mates Taylor and Nelly; former band mate Tamara, as well as Megan’s mother attorney Rose Cruz. Annie’s story is next in Last First Kiss-August 2017.

KISS MARRY KILL is a story of romance and suspense; betrayal and revenge; second chances and falling in love. The premise is intoxicating; the characters are spirited and energetic; the romance is passionate, spicy and provocative. KISS MARRY KILL is an exciting and inspiring look at second chances and a happily ever after.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

Kiss Marry Kill teaser

Excerpt Black and Hot Pink

“Promise me, you’ll be happy,” he sang from the other side of the door. “Promise me, you’ll always sing. Promise me you’ll never settle . . .” He jiggled the door handle. “Meggy? Where are you, my little mouse?” he said in a sing-song voice, sounding nice enough. Soft enough.
Safe enough. But Megan Cruz knew better. The man trying to lure her out of her enormous walk-in closet was deranged. Megan huddled in a corner behind all of her cocktail dresses, her knees pushed up and a butcher knife in one of her trembling hands. Just waiting. Waiting for the cops to show up, or for Ryan to finally find her. If she could stop breathing, she would. Trying to stay perfectly still and utterly quiet was an impossible feat with her hands shaking so violently. Surely he could hear her fear from where he stood on the other side of the door. If he walked deep enough into the closet, the dresses that served as a barrier between them would not be sufficient to shield her. And the fact that he’d broken into her house in the middle of the night was a good indication that he did want to hurt her.
Twenty minutes earlier she had been sitting on her bed, completely immersed in writing some lyrics in her notebook, when she heard the sound of a window shattering downstairs. Her house may have been huge, but it wouldn’t take long for whoever had broken in to find her, especially since her room was the first one up the grand staircase, even more obvious because of its huge double doors. Not about to sit and wait to find out if it was her stalker or a robber who had broken in, she immediately sent a text to her parents who lived close by, praying they’d understand the message: Break in. 911. Help! Then she silenced her phone and tucked it into her bra. She had also grabbed the enormous butcher knife she’d hid under mattress six months ago when Ryan had started sending her disturbing emails and letters.
At that time she’d thought he was just an overzealous fan and had worried she was being overly cautious, but now, as she cowered in fear, she realized how wrong she’d been. Megan actually held her breath when she heard the squeaky noise of the hinges of her closet door. He was inside now. Sweat dripped down her back and her heart pounded so loudly it seemed he had to have heard it. It felt as if it was going to physically come out of her chest, together with the sandwich she’d eaten a few hours ago. Peering under the hanging clothes she could see green
Converse sneakers moving closer to where she sat curled into a small ball, her arms around her knees.
“Oh Meggy, where are you? Sing for me, my naughty little mouse. Just one song. Just ‘Promise Me,’ that’s my favorite.”As he stepped closer, she tightened her grip on the knife.
“You’re supposed to make your fans happy.” His voice was louder and more agitated this time.
She could hear the fabric running through his fingers as he caressed her clothes, shifting the fragile curtain of dresses and shirts she was hiding behind.
“Oh, this is what you wore to the Grammys last month!” He pulled the dress out, and Megan tensed when a sliver of light cut through her hiding place. The small gap where the dress had hung made her more visible, and if he happened to look down he’d undoubtedly see her on the floor behind the rest of the clothes. She shut her eyes. “This is perfect. You can wear this when you sing for me at my house. Does anyone else know how much you love the chase, Meggy? Am I the only one that knows your secret? I have your new room all ready for you. We can play and sing all the time…It’ll be so fun, Meggy.”
His feet were moving slowly, as if he had all the time in the world. She could tell he was directly in front of her now by how close the sound of his heavy breathing was and by the way the rubber soles of his sneakers skidded against the wood floor. She shut her eyes harder and braced herself. She didn’t need her eyes open to see him—the memory was burned into her brain. His face was unassuming and his body unimposing. White skin, rounded cheeks, kind-looking face, maybe even cute, if he wasn’t a complete sociopath. He wasn’t too thin or too large, not too tall, not too short. Just an ordinary-looking guy. One you would smile at in line for coffee or at the grocery store. The non-threatening Good Samaritan who helped you with your flat tire. Completely harmless, completely average, except for his eyes, gray eyes that were a bit too large and had a slight tilt upward, reminding her of a cat. Gray eyes that could be considered attractive if it weren’t for the coldness behind them.
Megan didn’t want to die looking into that coldness. She didn’t want to die hiding in her closet, with the creepy man asking her to sing the song that was about the best four days of her entire life. The four days that also changed the course of her life. Ironic, she would potentially die thinking of those memories.

About the Author Black and rose

Sidney_HalstonSidney Halston lives her life by one simple rule: “Just do it.” And that’s exactly what she did. At the age of thirty, having never written anything other than a legal brief, she picked up a pen for the first time to pursue her dream of becoming an author. That first stroke sealed the deal, and she fell in love with writing. Halston lives in South Florida with her husband and children.

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