Guardian of Darkness (Darkness #7) by Katie Reus-a review

GUARDIAN OF DARKNESS (Darkness #7) by Katie Reus-a review

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About the book: Release Date March 20, 2018

He saw her die in a vision…

Before five years ago, Gabriel had never met Vega, but he knows how she’s going to die. He knows he’ll be involved… unless he can make sure they never meet, never cross paths, so that his vision will never come true. So he left his pack behind, joined the Stavros pack and was determined to never let that future play out. To never meet her at all. Fate had other plans—and she walked right into his life when he least expected it. For the last five years he’s avoided Vega whenever possible even while trying to keep an eye on her. But when she gets cagey with her pack and disappears, he has no choice but to follow her. Now, circumstances are forcing them to work together and he’s determined to protect her against any threat. If that means dying for her, he’s more than willing to. But she doesn’t want his protection. If anything, she’s determined to prove she’s stronger than everyone thinks.

She’s writing her own future…

Vega isn’t the same moody teenager who came to live with the Stavros pack all those years ago. With college behind her, she’s been recruited by a division of the government’s supernatural Black Ops. Trained and more than ready for her first mission, she doesn’t expect Gabriel to crash her assignment. To save her cover, they pretend to be a couple. But soon lines are blurred and neither can deny the incendiary attraction between them. As they race to stop a man who wants to sell out their people to the highest bidder, they find themselves fighting for a future together. With time running out, she has no choice but to rely on the irresistible male who’s turned her world upside down. Unfortunately, in order to save the woman he loves, Gabriel has to give her up.

•••••••••••

REVIEW:  GUARDIAN OF DARKNESS is the seventh full-length instalment in Katie Reus’ contemporary, adult DARKNESS paranormal, fantasy romance series. This is wolf shifter and Stavros Pack guardian Gabriel, and vampire/wolf hybrid Vega Stavros’ story line. GUARDIAN OF DARKNESS can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary although I recommend reading the series in order for backstory and cohesion.

Told from several third person points of view including Gabriel and Vega, using present day and ‘letters’ from the past, GUARDIAN OF DARKNESS follows the hunt for a traitor, a shifter willing to sell secrets of the paranormal to the highest bidder. Vega Stravros is the newest member of the government’s supernatural Black Ops team, a position she has trained for the past few years. When her father’s Guardian, the man that calls to her heart but a man that refuses to acknowledge their attraction, walks in on Vega’s latest assignment, our heroine must come to terms that not everything is as it seems. Enter Gabriel, her one-time bodyguard, and the man with whom Vega is still in love. What ensues is the ‘pretend’ lovers relationship between Vega and Gabriel as the couple must go undercover in an effort to ferret out the traitor hiding in a place Gabriel knows only too well.

Gabriel walked away from Vega two years earlier when a seer showed our hero the future-a future wherein Vega would die in Gabriel’s arms. Gabriel intends to keep his distance believing he can change the future, a future he knows will break his heart. Vega Stavros has no idea why the man that she loved walked away without a backward glance. Intending to move forward without the man she believed was her intended mate, Vega will come to learn the truth about the past, the present and their future.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful secondary and supporting characters, most are familiar but with the re-introduction of the Black Ops Team including August McGuire, Neema and Eli, and Gabriel’s cousin Judoc McGrath and his Pack, there is the potential for many more story lines especially with the discovery of a long, lost ancient.

GUARDIAN OF DARKNESS is a sexy thrill ride with sassy characters and an intriguing plot. The premise is entertaining and engaging; the characters are familiar and intense; the romance is fated and seductive.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews

Darkness Awakened
Taste of Darkness
Beyond the Darkness
Hunted by Darkness
Into The Darkness
Saved by Darkness

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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Dangerous Witness (Redemption Harbor #3) by Katie Reus-Review Tour & Giveaway

DANGEROUS WITNESS (Redemption Harbor #3) by Katie Reus-Review Tour & Giveaway

DANGEROUS WITNESS
Redemption Harbor #3
by Katie Reus
Genre: adult, contemporary, romantic, suspense
Release Date: January 30, 2018

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About the book: Release Date January 30, 2018

He foolishly let her go…

When the woman he loved walked out of his life, Brooks Alexander was certain she did so willingly—with the cool two-million his father had offered as incentive to walk away. So when he learns that Darcy didn’t take a dime of his father’s payoff, Brooks realizes he made an epic mistake. He’s determined to make things right and reclaim his woman. Except neither task is as easily accomplished as he first thought.

Now her life is in his hands…

Wedding planner Darcy is no stranger to disappointment when it comes to the men in her life. When Brooks accused her of taking his father’s bribe, she was devastated that he thought so little of her—and realized he never knew her at all. So she walked away with her pride intact and her heart broken. Now, months later, an overheard conversation puts Darcy in the crosshairs of a dangerous criminal with powerful connections. With nowhere else to turn, she has no choice but to put all her trust in Redemption Harbor Consulting—and its cofounder, the man who broke her heart.

•••••

REVIEW:  DANGEROUS WITNESS is the third instalment in Katie Reus’s contemporary, adult REDEMPTION HARBOR romantic suspense series focusing on a tight knit group of friends who grew up together but now work security and Black Ops investigations for Redemption Harbor Consulting. This is former Marine sniper, millionaire rancher and co-founder of Redemption Harbor Consulting Brooks Alexander, and wedding planner Darcy Cooper’s story line. DANGEROUS WITNESS can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

Told from several third person perspectives including Brooks and Darcy DANGEROUS WITNESS follows the rekindling relationship between former Marine sniper, millionaire rancher and co-founder of Redemption Harbor Consulting Brooks Alexander, and wedding planner Darcy Cooper. Approximately seven months earlier Brooks Alexander pushed away the woman he loved when his father told him he offered Darcy a two million dollar pay-off to walk away and never look back. Fast forward to present day wherein Darcy Cooper, while planning her sister’s upcoming wedding overhears a plot to blow up a local school. Desperate to find help, our heroine goes in search of the man she once loved. Enter Brooks Alexander, co-owner of Redemption Harbor Consulting. What ensues is the rebuilding romance and rekindling love between Darcy and Brooks, and the set up and take down of several men with criminal connections seeking vengeance against those who did them wrong.

Brooks Alexander screwed up big time believing the woman he loved could be so easily paid off. Darcy never took the money but was never given the chance to defend or explain the events leading up to Brooks’ father’s proclamations. Hoping to rekindle their relationship Brooks works overtime to win back Darcy’s love but in doing so discovers that Darcy has been targeted by a very dangerous man. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

Once again, there is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including the men and women who work for Redemption Harbor Consulting: Mary Grace and Mercer, Colt Stuart and Skye Arevalo (Resurrection #1), Zac Savage and Olivia Carter, her daughter Valencia (Savage rising #2) and Valencia’s nanny Martina Cruz, Leighton Cannon, Gage Yates, Brook’ father Douglas; Darcy’s sister Emma, and her fiancé Peter Markov. The requisite evil has many faces with connections to the Russian mob.

The world building continues to focus on the take down of the bad guys. There is no hesitation as is pertains to protecting the people that they love including using some questionable tactics to get the job done.

DANGEROUS WITNESS is a story of second chances and hope; of vengeance and betrayal; friendship and family. The premise is intriguing and entertaining; the romance is provocative and intense; the characters are colorful, charismatic and passionate. My only complaint is the convenient and tidy conflict resolution to the slow building, story line set up as the Redemption Harbor team work together to prevent a series of explosions all aimed at vengeance for sins of the past.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Resurrection
Savage Rising
Dangerous Witness

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

Katie ReusKatie Reus is the New York Times, USA Today, and IndieReader bestselling author of the Red Stone Security series, the Moon Shifter series and the Deadly Ops series. She fell in love with romance at a young age thanks to books she pilfered from her mom’s stash. Years later she loves reading romance almost as much as she loves writing it.

However, she didn’t always know she wanted to be a writer. After changing majors many times, she finally graduated summa cum laude with a degree in psychology. Not long after that she discovered a new love. Writing. She now spends her days writing dark paranormal romance and sexy romantic suspense. Her book Avenger’s Heat recently won the Georgia RWA Maggie Award for Excellence in the fantasy/paranormal category.

Connect with Katie:

Facebook | Blog| Twitter | Goodreads | Pinterest | Website

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Tempting Danger (Retribution #2) by Katie Reus-a review

TEMPTING DANGER (Retribution #2) by Katie Reus-a review

Tempting Danger

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ABOUT THE BOOK: RELEASE DATE December 5, 2017

They’re enemies.

Alena Brennan’s relationship with Andre Makarov is… complicated. The casino magnate was a means to an end. Nothing more. At least that was what she tried to tell herself. Then she fell for him. Hard. But he kicked her out of his life when he discovered her lies.

Now she’s pregnant with his baby.

Andre understands why Alena wanted revenge. His father took everything from her, leaving her an orphan at a young age. But Andre still had to cut her out of his life. Now that his father is dead, she’s safe. He should just move on. But when he learns she’s carrying his child, all pretense is gone—he’ll protect Alena whether she likes it or not. She may kick up a fuss, but Andre knows the gorgeous model with a party-girl rep attracts attention…including the dangerous sort.

•••••••••••••

REVIEW: TEMPTING DANGER is the second novella in Katie Reus’ contemporary adult RETRIBUTION romantic, suspense series. This is American model Alena Brennan, and casino magnate Andre Makarov’s story line. TEMPTING DANGER can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary. Alena and Andre’s story line began in book one-RETRIBUTION.

SOME BACKGROUND: Years earlier Alena and Nika’s parents were murdered by four men from Russia, and in the ensuing time our heroine made it her sole purpose to kill the people responsible including the father of the man with whom she would fall in love.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Alena and Andre) TEMPTING DANGER picks up several months following the events of book one –RETRIBUTION-in which Andre Makarov discovered that everything about the woman with whom he fell in love was a lie. Hoping to end Yasha Mkarov’s life, Alena devised a plan to seduce our story line hero in order to get close to the man who ended her mother’s life. Fast forward four months wherein our heroine, who has been laying low, heads to Florida to visit her sister, only to come face to face with the man that she still loves. Enter Andre Makarov, the man who stole Alena’s heart, but the man Alena destroyed in the process. What ensues is the rebuilding relationship between Alena and Andre as they work together to forge a deeper bond with the impending birth of their unborn child, and the potential fall out when someone from Alena’s past seeks retribution for a perceive sin.

TEMPTING DANGER is a quick read; a second chance romance; a rekindling trope that focuses on forgiveness and understanding; retribution and revenge; falling in love and happily ever after. Nika Brennan and Declan Gallagher (Retribution #1) play secondary and supporting roles as the author revisits some of the events of book one, that will outline the reasons for the breakdown in Andre and Alena’s original relationship. The premise is revealing and entertaining; the characters are colorful and dynamic; the romance is sensual and seductive. There is a minimal amount of story line conflict between our leading couple; Andre easily and readily accepts Alena back into his life, and Alena is willing to acknowledge the potential damage she caused in her need to seek revenge for the death of her beloved parents. Katie Reus continues to pull the reader into story lines that will leave you breathless and wanting more.

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of book one-RETRIBUTION

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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Mistletoe Me, Baby (O’Connor Family #4) by Katie Reus- review

MISTLETOE ME, BABY ( O’Connor Family #4) by Katie Reus-a review

Mistletoe Me, Baby

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date November 1, 2017

She needs a fake fiancé…

With the holidays fast approaching, Miranda Flores makes up a fake fiancé so her well-meaning family will get off her back. She just never expected them to suddenly show up on her doorstep a couple weeks before Christmas, wanting to spend the holidays with her. So she turns to Nolan O’Connor, her sexy best friend, and asks him for the favor of a lifetime: she needs him to act the part of her fiancé until her parents leave town.

He wants forever…

Pretending to be engaged to the woman he’s already fallen for? No problem. Nolan agrees to Miranda’s fake engagement scheme because as far as he’s concerned, she’s the one. But he plays his role too well, because soon the entire town thinks they’re engaged and things get more complicated—especially since he can’t pretend with her anymore. Then tragedy strikes and Miranda tries to shut him out, but Nolan won’t let her. He’ll do whatever it takes to convince her that he wants to make her his forever.

•••••••••

REVIEW: MISTLETOE ME, BABY is the fourth instalment (and novella) in Katie Reus’ contemporary, adult O’CONNOR FAMILY romance series focusing on the O’Connor family of Holly, North Carolina. This is Miranda Flores, and Nolan O’Connor’s story line. MISTLETOE ME, BABY 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 (Miranda and Nolan) MISTLETOE ME BABY follows the fake engagement between co-workers at the local community centre Miranda Flores, and Nolan O’Connor. Ten months earlier, to escape her smothering family Miranda left Florida to set down roots in Holly, North Carolina-a small town that celebrates Christmas year round. As full-time guardian to her sister’s eleven year-old son Mateo, Miranda spends most of her time working to support a child she loves as her own. When Miranda’s parents announce a surprise holiday visit, our heroine panics in the face a lie she told to keep her mother off of her back-Miranda needs a fiancé, and the perfect man for the job is her best friend Nolan O’Connor-the man with whom Miranda is secretly in love. What ensues is the building friends to lovers relationship between Miranda and Nolan-a relationship that has simmered for close to ten months, and the potential fall out when Miranda places an end date on their ‘fake’ romance.

MISTLETOE ME, BABY is a story of family and friendship; heartbreak and grief; love and happily ever after. Tragedy will strike the Flores family leaving a grieving family struggling with the loss but none more so than our story line heroine. The premise is sweet, engaging and entertaining; the characters are colorful, real and charismatic; the romance is passionate and seductive without the use of sexually graphic, over the top language and text. MISTLETOE ME, BABY is a quick read; a wonderful holiday love story; a welcome addition to the O’Connor Series by Katie Reus.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Merry Christmas, Baby
Tease Me, Baby
It’s Me Again, Baby
Mistletoe Me, Baby

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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Savage Rising (Redemption Harbor #2) by Katie Reus-Review Tour & Giveaway

SAVAGE RISING (Redemption Harbor #2) by Katie Reus-Review Tour and Giveaway

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SAVAGE RISING
Redemption Harbor #2
by Katie Reus
Release Date: September 26, 2017
Genre: adult, contemporary, erotic, romantic, suspense

Savage Rising

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Barnes & Noble NookChapters Indigo /

iBooks | iTunes (audio) | Audible (audio) | Kobo

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 26, 2017

He’s a former Marine, her new fake boyfriend, and the only way to escape her dangerous past.

Having a child changed everything for Olivia—she vowed to keep her little girl safe from the mistakes of her past. But when the most dangerous person she ever met blackmails her into doing one last heist, the world she’s so carefully built goes into a tailspin. Frantic, she heads to Redemption Harbor in search of help. Sparks fly when she meets Savage, a man who will do anything to keep Olivia and her daughter safe. He’ll help her get her life back, but can he handle seeing who she once was?

Can they pull it off?

Savage poses as her obsessive ex during a daring undercover operation—and soon the line between reality and their cover story becomes blurred. He’ll use every trick he knows to keep the sensual woman alive and out of jail—and in his life. But the clock is ticking and if they can’t find a way to trust each other, no one will make it out alive.

•••••••••••

REVIEW: SAVAGE RISING is the second intalment in Katie Reus’ contemporary, adult REDEMPTION HARBOR romantic, suspense series focusing on a tight knit group of friends who grew up together but now work security and Black Ops investigations for Redemption Harbor Consulting. This is former Marine Zac Savage, and single mother/thief/ security specialist Olivia Carter’s story line. SAVAGE RISING can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous instalment is revealed where necessary.

Told from several third person perspectives including Zac and Olivia SAVAGE RISING focuses on Olivia as she comes face to face with a past she thought she put behind her. A former thief who specialized in big paydays Olivia walked away from the lifestyle following the birth of her daughter. When a former ‘colleague’ threatens the people that she loves, our heroine is forced to do one last job. On the run, Olivia seeks helps from Skye Arevalo, who works and lives in Redemption Harbor. Enter Zac Savage, former Marine and Redemption Harbor Consulting team member, and the man with whom Olivia will fall in love. What ensues is the building relationship between Zac and Olivia, as they go undercover as a couple in the hopes of uncovering the truth behind the threats against Olivia and the people she loves.

Olivia Carter is a single mother whose six-year old daughter Valencia is hearing impaired. When someone from her past threatens not only Valencia but her daughter’s nanny as well, Olivia knows it is time to run. Zac Savage doesn’t do relationships but his attraction to Olivia is immediate and intense. A past mired in too many kills, Zac struggles with his path in life. Pretending to be a couple comes with the perks of the ‘job’ but Zac will soon lose his heart to Olivia knowing their time is limited once the threats against Valencia have been quelled.

The relationship between Olivia and Zac is one of immediate attraction but Zac knows protecting Olivia and gathering information is first and foremost in his mind. Zac will play the over protective lover of our story line heroine- an act that comes too easily for the former Marine. The $ex scenes are seductive and intense; the sexual attraction is palpable.

There is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including the men and women who work for Redemption Harbor Consulting: Mary Grace and Mercer, Colt Stuart and Skye Arevalo (Resurrection #1), Leighton Cannon, Gage Yates, Brooks Alexander and his father Douglas; as well as Valencia’s nanny Martina Cruz, and DEA Agent Darius Moore. The requisite evil has many faces including Olivia’s former partner in crime Kyle Neely, and Valencia’s father Heath Price. The entire Redemption Harbor team of ex-military personnel will set up and take down the people threatening our story line heroine. There is something brewing between Douglas and Martina; I hope the author has plans for Agent Darius Moore.

SAVAGE RISING is a story of action and suspense; a fake relationship trope that grows into something more. The premise is dramatic, intense and entertaining; the characters are colorful, edgy and charismatic; the romance is captivating and passionate. SAVAGE RISING is a spirited and thrilling story about retribution and revenge with a remarkable cast of friends and family-by choice.

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of book one-RESURRECTION

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

About the author

Katie ReusKatie Reus is the New York Times, USA Today, and IndieReader bestselling author of the Red Stone Security series, the Moon Shifter series and the Deadly Ops series. She fell in love with romance at a young age thanks to books she pilfered from her mom’s stash. Years later she loves reading romance almost as much as she loves writing it.

However, she didn’t always know she wanted to be a writer. After changing majors many times, she finally graduated summa cum laude with a degree in psychology. Not long after that she discovered a new love. Writing. She now spends her days writing dark paranormal romance and sexy romantic suspense. Her book Avenger’s Heat recently won the Georgia RWA Maggie Award for Excellence in the fantasy/paranormal category.

Connect with Katie:

Facebook | Blog| Twitter | Goodreads | Pinterest | Website

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Resurrection (Redemption Harbor #1) by Katie Reus-Review,Excerpt & Giveaway

RESURRECTION (Redemption Harbor #1) by Katie Reus-Review, Excerpt, Book Tour & Giveaway

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RESURRECTION
Redemption Harbor #1
by Katie Reus
Genre: adult,contemporary, erotic,romantic suspense
Release Date: July 11, 2017

Resurrection

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date July 11, 2017

She faked her own death…

Skye Arévalo left the CIA and faked her death to protect Colt Stuart, the only man she ever loved. Months later, a brutal kidnapping draws her to quietly infiltrate a dangerous cartel. Just when she thinks she’s home free, things go horribly wrong and she escapes with bloodthirsty enemies on her heels…only to find herself face to face with a bewildered and angry Colt.

He’ll cross every line to save her…

When Colt, a former Marine, finds out the woman he loved betrayed him, he’s shocked and hurt, but it doesn’t stop him from breaking every law on the books to keep her alive. Unfortunately, it might not be enough to stop a powerful enemy who will do anything to see the world burn and Skye dead.

FIRST IN NEW SERIES.

••••••••••••

REVIEW: RESURRECTION is the first installment in Katie Reus’s contemporary, adult REDEMPTION HARBOR romantic suspense series focusing on a tight-knit group of friends who grew up together but now work Black Ops for the CIA. This is CIA operatives Colt Stuart and Skye Arevalo’s story line.

Told from several third person perspectives including Colt and Skye including both past and present time lines, RESURRECTION focuses on the reappearance of not one but two women in Colt Stuart’s life-his life long friend Dr. Mary Grace Mercer, and the woman he loved fellow CIA special operative Skye Arevalo-both women presumed murdered by the Mexican Cartel. When information about the possible sighting of Mary Grace Mercer comes into Colt’s possession, our hero goes rogue hunting for the woman he has known most of his life. Enter Skye Arevalo, the other woman Colt has been grieving, and Mary Grace’s would-be rescuer from the Mexican Cartel. What ensues is the rekindling romance between Colt and Skye; Skye’s attempts to return to the scene of the crime, and the fall out of Colt’s love for a woman who also went rogue, months before.

RESURRECTION is a second chance story line; a rekindling romance between Skye Arevalo-a CIA operative who faked her own death to protect the an that she loved. Not only did Colt mourn the loss of his friend Mary Grace Mercer but his best friend, Mary Grace’s husband, slowly succumbed to the grief and the loss. Struggling not to fall victim to his own grief, Colt heads out in search of Mary Grace only to find Skye Arevalo alive and well. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and intense.

We are introduced to Colt’s fellow CIA operatives-Brooks, Gage Yates, Zac Savage, and Leighton Cannon. Their lifelong friendship shows in the love and support they give one another throughout the story line. The requisite evil has many faces including David and Rafael Ramirez. and Mark Gianni- a man Skye and Colt know only too well. We are also introduced to Colt Stuart Sr-our hero’s father, and a man who is also a former operative for the Agency.

RESURRECTION takes the reader from Mexico to Texas, to Redemption Harbor, South Carolina. Redemption Harbor is home and the location of the security firm that Colt envisions for their future-together. The premise is entertaining, suspense filled and intriguing; the characters are animated, engaging and spirited-the sense of camaraderie is heartwarming and fun. The romance is sensual and passionate. RESURRECTION is a fantastic start to a new romantic suspense series by the talented Katie Reus.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

excerpt

NOTE: Excerpt intended for mature readers 18+

Copyright © 2017 Katie Reus

 

 

Colt banged his fist against the door, fear and the smallest bit of hope punching through him. “Answer the fucking door,” he snarled. “Open, or I kick it in.”
“Maybe you should take it down a notch.” Next to him, Brooks shoved an agitated hand through his hair, his Stetson held loosely at his side.
“And maybe you should be freaking out more.” One of their best friends had been holed up in his home for weeks, refusing to talk to anyone, to see anyone. Colt didn’t know exactly what his friend was going through, but he’d lost a lot of damn friends in the sandbox and the only woman he’d ever loved had died too. Something he couldn’t think about right now. He couldn’t focus on his own pain when he could help his friend, when he had a damn purpose.
Mercer had recently lost his wife, and the man wasn’t handling it. The guy had been in love with Mary Grace since he was fifteen. They’d been each other’s world. And two months ago she’d been killed in Mexico, a victim of cartel violence. Allegedly.
Colt hadn’t been in love with Skye since he was a kid, but eight months with her sure felt like a lifetime. Hell, when she died it felt like he’d lost part of himself. The only part that mattered. He had to force himself out of bed every day, to shove back the emptiness. So on one level, he understood how Mercer felt. He shoved that thought right back inside where it belonged and ignored it. He couldn’t fix his own problem, but he could help out Mercer.
Panic swelled through Colt as the seconds ticked by without any response from inside—until he heard cursing on the other side of the door. Good. If his friend was cursing, he was alive. A solid minute later the lock snicked loudly as it twisted open.
Colt grabbed the handle and shoved it open, pushing past his best friend in case he tried to slam the door closed in his face.
Mercer, wearing boxers and nothing else, had grown a full black beard and his dark eyes were glassy. “What the hell are you doing here this early?”
“First, it’s two o’clock in the afternoon. Second…” Colt hauled off and punched him right in the nose. He needed to wake Mercer the hell up. Violence was pretty much the only way to do that now.
“Ah, hell,” Brooks muttered as Mercer flew back and fell on his ass with a grunt.
He held a hand to his nose, looking more alert than he had in two months as he glared up at Colt and Brooks. “What the hell, man?” His voice was muffled as he tried to stop the bleeding.
“I believe this is called an intervention,” Colt said, stepping into the foyer, cringing at the stench. “God, it smells like old pizza and cow crap in here. Mary Grace would kick your ass if she saw you living like this.”
“Don’t say her name!” Mercer shoved to his feet, letting his hand drop. Blood dripped down his face as he snarled at Colt. His teeth were toothpaste commercial white against his dark brown skin. Right now he looked like a rabid wolf baring his teeth at them.
“I’ll say her name if I want.” Yeah, he knew he was being harsh, but this was what Mercer needed. He needed to feel something, to wake the hell up. And making Mercer angry was the only way Colt knew how. Because the guy sure wasn’t going to talk about his fucking feelings. He needed to get out of this rabbit hole he’d let himself fall into. “We all lost her. Every single one of us.”
Most days Colt couldn’t believe she was gone. They’d all grown up together, and in his case, he’d been friends with Mary Grace since they were five years old. She was like a sister to Colt. Hell, he was still holding on to the hope that she wasn’t actually gone. It was why he was about to get on a plane in two hours and see if the tip he’d received was right. But first he had to make sure one of his best friends didn’t do something stupid while he was gone.
“Mary Grace.”
“Ah, hell,” Brooks said again, clearly not going to intervene. Just muttering his standard curse.
“Fuck you,” Mercer snapped, taking a step toward Colt.
That was it. Get angry, he silently willed his childhood friend. Mercer needed anger to replace the grief. God, or at least mute it. Just for a week. That was all Colt needed. Because if Mary Grace was alive, he was bringing her home to his best friend. He just couldn’t give Mercer the hope she was alive. Because if he did and it turned out she wasn’t… It would destroy him. “Mary. Grace.”
Mercer rushed at him like a bull.


 

 

About the author

Follow: Goodreads / Twitter / Website / Facebook

Katie ReusKatie Reus is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Red Stone Security series, the Darkness series and the Deadly Ops series. She fell in love with romance at a young age thanks to books she pilfered from her mom’s stash. Years later she loves reading romance almost as much as she loves writing it.

However, she didn’t always know she wanted to be a writer. After changing majors many times, she finally graduated summa cum laude with a degree in psychology. Not long after that she discovered a new love. Writing. She now spends her days writing dark paranormal romance and sexy romantic suspense.

For more information on Katie please visit her website: www.katiereus.com. Also find her on twitter @katiereus or visit her on facebook at: www.facebook.com/katiereusauthor.

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It’s Me Again, Baby (O’Connor Family 3) by Katie Reus-Review, Excerpt and Giveaway Tour

IT’S ME AGAIN, BABY (O’Connor Family #3) by Katie Reus-Review, Excerpt and Giveaway Tour

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IT’S ME AGAIN, BABY
O’Connor Family 3
by Katie Reus
Genre: adult, contemporary, erotic,romance
Release Date: May 15, 2017

It's Me Again, Baby

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date May 16, 2017

She lost him once…

Years ago Samantha made a mistake and lost a chance at something real with Maguire O’Connor. Now that she’s living in Holly again, she knows seeing him is inevitable. But the last thing she ever expected was to take him on as a client.

Now they have a second chance…

Maguire never got over Sam. Thanks to a meddling family member, he mistakenly hires Sam as his real estate agent. With her in his sights again, he’s not letting her go. But someone from her past followed her back to Holly with a sinister intent. Now Maguire will do whatever it takes to protect the woman he intends to claim as his forever.

•••••

REVIEW: IT’S ME AGAIN, BABY is the third installment in Katie Reus’ contemporary, adult O’CONNOR FAMILY erotic, romance, novella series focusing on the O’Connor family of Holly, North Carolina. This is twenty nine year old mechanic/classic car restorer Maguire O’Connor, and twenty four year old realtor Samantha Murphy’s story line. IT’S ME AGAIN, BABY 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 (Maguire and Samantha) IT’S ME AGAIN, BABY is the second chance romance between Maguire O’Connor and Samantha Murphy. Three years earlier, following a wild week of romance and sex, Samantha walked out of Maguire’s life without any explanation or reasons why. Fast forward to present day, Samantha has returned to Holly, North Carolina following the sudden death of her beloved father. A realtor by trade, Samantha will be shocked when her latest client is the man who destroyed her heart years before. Enter Maguire O’Connor, the man she would never forget, and the man with whom she was still in love. What ensues is the rekindling relationship between Maguire and Samantha, and Maguire’s need to protect the woman he loves from someone from her past.

Three years earlier, a case of mistaken belief, sent Samantha Murphy out of town to seek a new life without the reminders of Maguire O’Connor, and everything he meant. After serving in the US Marine Corp in Afghanistan, Maguire returned home to start up his own business, a business that was expanding and more successful as time went by. Meeting Samantha Murphy found our hero remembering the past, and the confusion as to why she walked away without looking back. The $ex scenes are intimate and intense. It doesn’t take long before Samantha and Maguire forgive one another for mistakes of the past.

The world building focuses on the second chance romance; a rekindling of a relationship between two people, forged by their meddling family and friends, in an attempt towards another happily ever after in Holly, North Carolina. The relationship and conflicts are quick to resolve but such is the nature of the novella format-my only complaint is a lack of character development throughout the story.

IT’S ME AGAIN, BABY is a sweet story of family and friendship; misunderstanding and forgiveness; danger and threats from the past; passion and love. The premise is entertaining and sexy; the characters are heartwarming and energetic; the romance is provocative and seductive. Katie Reus’ O’CONNOR FAMILY series is an enjoyable look at family and love.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Merry Christmas, Baby
Tease Me, Baby
It’s Me Again, Baby

Merry Christmas, Baby (book 1) is ONLY 99¢ at most ebook retailers:

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

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

excerpt

It’s Me Again, Baby
O’Connor Family Series
Copyright © Katie Reus 2017

He took a few steps forward, trying not to notice her long, toned legs and how incredible she looked in the formfitting blue and white dress. “I was supposed to meet my Realtor here. Sam?”
She cleared her throat, nodded once. “That’s me. My mom asked me to meet a friend of… Oh, your mom’s. She must have meant you, not a friend. I, ah…” Her cheeks flushed pink and it shouldn’t be sexy, but everything about her was. Damn it. “I didn’t realize it was you.”
Yeah, he had no doubt of that. She’d have probably canceled had she known. He rubbed a hand over the back of his neck. “So, you’re living back in Holly now?” As far as he knew she’d been in Oregon the last three years. He hadn’t seen her since she was twenty-one and he’d been twenty-six. Even then he’d felt too old for her, had worried she wasn’t ready for him—for a relationship. He’d been right.
“I moved back a month ago. Since my dad died. My mom’s been handling everything well but I wanted to be here for her.” Traces of pain etched her expression before a neutral mask fell into place.
Oh, right. “I’m really sorry about your dad.” He’d been out of town and hadn’t made it to the funeral. Hell, he hadn’t realized she was back in Holly again. Obviously. No way was he going to be a dick to her now. Not that he would have been anyway. He was going to be so damn nice so she had no idea how badly she’d hurt him. He wouldn’t give her the satisfaction.
“Thanks. Listen, if you want to find another Realtor, it’s totally fine. In fact, I have some great recommendations.”
He should say yes. It would be the sane thing to do. He didn’t want to work with her when he wanted her—still. “Nah, it’s okay. The past is water under the bridge. I never held anything against you.” Liar, liar. He’d been pissed—and hurt—for a long time over the way she’d cut contact with him. As if what they’d shared hadn’t mattered. It might have only been a week that they’d spent together, but they’d had a connection. Or he’d thought they had. Turned out she was just a pretty little liar.
She frowned, her eyebrows pulling together. And just as quickly her dark eyes popped with a fiery anger. “You never held anything against me?”

About The Author

Follow: Goodreads / Twitter / Website / Facebook

Katie ReusKatie Reus is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Red Stone Security series, the Darkness series and the Deadly Ops series. She fell in love with romance at a young age thanks to books she pilfered from her mom’s stash. Years later she loves reading romance almost as much as she loves writing it.

However, she didn’t always know she wanted to be a writer. After changing majors many times, she finally graduated summa cum laude with a degree in psychology. Not long after that she discovered a new love. Writing. She now spends her days writing dark paranormal romance and sexy romantic suspense.

For more information on Katie please visit her website: www.katiereus.com. Also find her on twitter @katiereus or visit her on facebook at: www.facebook.com/katiereusauthor.

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Tease Me, Baby (The O’Connor Family #2) by Katie Reus-a review

TEASE ME, BABY (O’Connor Family #2) by Katie Reus-a review

Tease Me, Baby

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date March 14, 2017

She never wanted perfection, but that’s what she finds.

Pastry chef, Fallon O’Connor is torn between her dreams and her obligations. Right before she reluctantly sets off for a degree she doesn’t want, she’s reeling from a mind-blowing encounter with Mr. Perfect. But one sexy, toe-curling kiss isn’t nearly enough when a Boy Scout like Sheriff Fulton lights her fire.

After one delectable taste, he’s never letting her go.

Brad Fulton would do anything for more time with Fallon. After all, he’s wanted a chance with her ever since she moved back to town. And just when things start to heat up, Fallon starts packing her bags—for a future without him. Now, it’s up to Brad to show Fallon that everything she’s ever wanted is right in Holly, North Carolina. But can Fallon trust her heart enough to stay?

•••••

REVIEW: TEASE ME, BABY is the second installment (and novella) in Katie Reus’s contemporary, adult O’CONNOR FAMILY erotic, small-town romance series focusing on the O’Connor Family of Holly, North Carolina. This is sheriff Brad Fulton, and pastry chef Fallon O’Connor’s story line. TEASE ME, BABY can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Fallon and Brad) TEASE ME, BABY focuses on the building romance between Holly, North Carolina’s sheriff Brad Fulton, and pastry chef Fallon O’Connor. A drunken New Year’s Eve kiss from Fallon O’Connor had Brad Fulton thinking about a future with the woman that has starred in his fantasies for close to one year. One year earlier Fallon O’Connor returned to her hometown of Holly, North Carolina, set up business but has struggled with her place in the family and back in town. Her attraction to sheriff Brad Fulton found our heroine lusting after a man she believes is too perfect for the likes of her but a commitment to attend culinary school out West finds Fallon preparing to leave Holly just as things start heating up between her and the sexy sheriff next door. What ensues is the quick building relationship from lust to love for two people who have danced around one another for close to a year.

TEASE ME, BABY is a quick read; a fast paced story of insta-love between a successful pastry chef and the town’s resident boy scout-Sheriff Fulton. There is no major story line conflict but the heroine’s decision whether to head out West or stay in Holly and pursue a relationship with the man that she loves. The premise is entertaining and lighthearted; the romance is spicy and sexy; the characters are passionate.

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of book one-MERRY CHRISTMAS, BABY

Merry Christmas, Baby (book 1) is ONLY 99¢ at most ebook retailers:

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

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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