Danny Begay has tried to drive out the voices of his ancestors for most of his young life, but the life springing from his Navajo roots will not die. Summoned back to visit his dying grandfather, one of the original Navajo Code Talkers. Ashamed he has disappointed his hero grandfather he buries himself one more time in the arms of a stranger before he goes back to his home in Northern California.
Luci Tohe teaches at the reservation school, safeguarding the health of her ailing mother and little sister’s future, at the temporary expense of her own. She doesn’t expect the young Dine warrior she meets to be anything but a distraction from her loneliness. She knows she will dream about their hot encounter for years.
Danny cleans his life up, joins the Navy and becomes a SEAL, where he becomes the man he knew he was destined to become. Between deployments, he goes back visit the girl he cannot get out of his mind. The reservation has become a dangerous place for Luci’s family and soon Danny is embroiled in not only saving Luci, but her whole family as well.
•••••••••••••
REVIEW: SEAL’s CODE is the tenth installment in Sharon Hamilton’s SEAL BROTHERHOOD/ The Bad Boys of SEAL Team 3 adult, contemporary, military romance series. This is new SEAL recruit and Native American Danny Begay, and Aboriginal grade school teacher Luci Tohe’s storyline. SEAL’S CODE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty.
Told from dual third person perspectives (Luci and Danny) SEAL’s CODE follows the building relationship between Luci and Danny, and Danny’s entry into the military. Danny and Luci are members of the Navajo Native American community and with it comes all of the hardships and stereotyping of living on the reservations. Danny left the community to strike out on his own, but the death of his beloved grandfather, a Navajo Code Talker during the second World War, finds our hero longing for a place to belong.
The relationship between Luci and Danny begins as a one night stand the day before Danny enlists. Fast forward several months, where Danny returns a Navy SEAL, and discovers that problems have escalated upon the Reserve: the number of missing girls has escalated and with it comes the possibility of a sex slave ring right under their nose.
SEAL’s CODE is a slow building storyline that focuses on the Navajo and Native American plight of segregation, discrimination, drugs, alcohol, poverty and abuse, but with it also comes the ghosts of the People long gone in the hopes of one day becoming a proud community as they were in the past. There are moments where the voices of those who have passed direct the characters towards the future but the overriding theme of Aboriginal problems pervaded most of the storyline such that the good guys were few are far between. There is a slight paranormal aspect to the storyline as Danny and Luci, as well as a few supporting characters listen to, and talk with those that have departed this world.
I did have a few issues with this storyline as it pertained to Danny’s quick jump from civilian life into a full fledged Navy SEAL, and the SEALs involvement in the take down of the criminal element permeating the Native community; there is also the issue of some stereotyping as it pertained to the Native community and all of its’ problems. With reference to the relationship between Luci and Danny, I had difficulty connecting with the love and overwhelming need between our couple-for most of the storyline Danny and Luci are separated by war, and for months at a time. It is not until Danny returns to the Reservation (one year later), to help with the investigation into the missing girls, does Danny and Luci’s love affair begin to flourish.
SEAL’S CODE is an ensemble storyline with a number of the previous SEAL Team 3 members playing a secondary or supporting role. We are introduced to Danny’s extended family; Luci’ s long suffering mother, and Luci’s younger sister. The requisite evil has many faces.
Five dishonored soldiers. Former Special Forces. One last mission. These are the men of Hard Ink.
Beckett Murda hates to dwell on the past. But his investigation into the ambush that killed half his Special Forces team and ended his Army career gives him little choice. Just when his team learns how powerful their enemies are, hard-ass Beckett encounters the biggest complication yet—seductive, feisty Katherine Rixey.
A tough, stubborn prosecutor, Kat visits her brothers’ Hard Ink Tattoo following a bad break-up—and finds herself staring down the barrel of a stranger’s gun. Beckett is hard-bodied and sexy as hell, but he’s also the most infuriating man ever. Worse, Kat’s brothers are at war with criminals her office is investigating. When Kat joins the fight, she lands straight in Beckett’s sights—and his arms. Not to mention their enemies’ crosshairs.
Now Beckett and Kat must set aside their differences to work together, because the only thing sweeter than justice is finding love and never letting go.
••••••••••••••
REVIEW:HARD TO LET GO is the fourth full length and final installment in Laura Kaye’s adult, contemporary HARD INK military romance series focusing group of ex Special Forces soldiers trying to prove their innocence in an Afghanistan military operation that went horribly wrong. This is Beckett Murda and Kat Rixey’s storyline.
Told from dual third person perspectives HARD TO LET GO is the culmination of weeks of investigations searching for the truth behind the disastrous Afghanistan mission that left six soldiers and their commanding officer dead, and five others caught in a military conspiracy that reached close to the top. Each of the previous installments brought out heroes one step closer to finding the truth.
Beckett Murda stands alone. He is a man who is numb to his surroundings but determined to keep his distance until the time comes to take down the people responsible for the destruction of their lives. Enter Kat Rixey- a government attorney and Nick Rixey’s sister- and the woman who will keep Beckett from further destroying his life. But Kat is hiding a secret that if revealed will aid in the focus off of her brother’s search for the truth. When Kat reveals the information the team needs to finalize their investigation, everything will come full circle.
The relationship between Beckett and Kat is initially strained as Beckett tries to distance himself from forming new friendships or getting involved with the Team leader’s sister. But like all romance storylines, the sexual attraction is strong and there is no denying that Kat and Beckett are destined for their own happily ever after-if only Beckett can let go of his past. The $ex scenes are intimate, sensual, and hot.
HARD TO LET GO is an ensemble storyline. All of the previous couples, as well as the members of the Raven MC play a secondary and supporting role throughout the storyline. We are witness to the building relationships between the Special Forcers soldiers, and the women and men that they love. Each of our series heroes has found his happily ever and with it comes the realization that life will continue but for the lives that were lost.
Laura Kaye’s HARD INK is an exceptional character driven series where the focus is not only on the couple in question but on the group of heroes as a whole. The friendships formed between brothers (both blood and of the heart) are heartwarming, riveting and inspiring; they support and nurture one another the way family should support the people that they love. Laura’s storylines are seductive; she will pull you into the depths of heartbreaking struggles, and intoxicating romance arousing your curiosity about the ‘what ifs’ and the future for five soldiers and the women they love. The intense pain and sorrow of the past will never be forgotten but finding the one person that calls to your heart puts everything into perspective. Congratulations Laura Kaye for the inspiring and provocative world of the men of Hard Ink.
Copy supplied by the publisher through Edelweiss
Reviewed By Sandy
Beckett was a wrung-out mess.
He’d just spent the past hour talking to Emilie, and it was maybe more than
he’d talked at one time in his whole life. He couldn’t exactly say he felt
good, and maybe not even better, but he could say that he was a little proud of
himself for facing his past. Didn’t matter that dealing with that shit was as
comfortable as swallowing crushed glass, because choking it down was the only
way he’d have a chance at a future.
At least, a future that he really, truly wanted.
One where he wasn’t alone. One where he wasn’t angry. One
where he wasn’t wasting the time he might have left on this earth—time his
seven fallen teammates no longer had.
Jogging down the stairs from the third-floor apartment,
Beckett headed to the gym. No matter how trashed he felt, he had one more
conversation that absolutely had to happen tonight.
With
Nick. About Kat.
Beckett
had seen the all-knowing looks on Marz’s and Jeremy’s faces when he and Kat
joined the all-hands’ meeting earlier in the evening. If he didn’t go to Nick
soon, the guy was going to learn about them some other way. And then the hell
was going to be even worse to pay. And Beckett didn’t want that to happen. Not
just because he didn’t want the hassle. But because he owed it to Nick—as his
friend and his brother—to come clean.
Didn’t mean that his gut wasn’t all twisted up about
whether Nick would think him good enough for his baby sister, though.
He reached the gym door, took a deep breath, and punched
in the pass code. Man up, Murda.
Right.
Inside, things were hopping, despite the fact that it was
pushing eleven o’clock. Some Ravens were lifting weights. Others were shooting
the shit around the table. And two guys were tossing a ball back and forth,
driving Eileen crazy by bouncing it over her head. Easy was pounding out a fast
pace on the treadmill. And, in the back corner, Nick, Marz, and Shane were
poring over something on Marz’s desk
Beckett had faced down terrorists who wanted nothing more
than to take his life with their very hands, and he’d probably never been as
nervous as he was right now. For fuck’s sake
He moved into the room. About midway across he spied Cy
peeking out from behind a weight machine. “You and me are gonna have a talk soon,
too,” he said, pointing at the cat. A one-eyed blink was his only answer
And then he was standing on the far side of Marz’s desk
next to Shane, peering down at what the three men were examining.
Marz gave him a smile and tapped his finger against the
pages. “Just going over all these instances when Merritt noted Kaine as having
changed orders regarding counternarcotics missions.
“Marz was right,” Nick said, looking up at him. “Some of
these gave me a bad feeling in my gut at the time, because they seemed out of
character for Merritt. He was never a last minute kinda guy. Every damn time
he’s marked those changes as having been ordered by Kaine.”
Beckett nodded. And then his mouth acted without his
brain’s permission. “I’d like to date your sister.”
Hard As It Gets Hard Ink #1 by Laura Kaye Genre: contemporary, suspense, action, romance, adult Release Date: November 2013
Trouble just walked into Nicholas Rixey’s tattoo parlor. Becca Merritt is warm, sexy, wholesome–pure temptation to a very jaded Nick. He’s left his military life behind to become co-owner of Hard Ink Tattoo, but Becca is his ex-commander’s daughter. Loyalty won’t let him turn her away. Lust has plenty to do with it too.
With her brother presumed kidnapped, Becca needs Nick. She just wasn’t expecting to want him so much. As their investigation turns into all-out war with an organized crime ring, only Nick can protect her. And only Becca can heal the scars no one else sees.
Desire is the easy part. Love is as hard as it gets. Good thing Nick is always up for a challenge..
___________________
Hard As You Can Hard Ink #2 by Laura Kaye Genre: contemporary, suspense, action, romance, adult Release Date: February 25, 2014
ClickHEREto read Sandy’s review of HARD AS YOU CAN
Five dishonored soldiers. Former Special Forces. One last mission. These are the men of Hard Ink.
Ever since hard-bodied, drop-dead-charming Shane McCallan strolled into the dance club where Crystal Dean works, he’s shown a knack for getting beneath her defenses. For her little sister’s sake, Crystal can’t get too close. Until her job and Shane’s mission intersect, and he reveals talents that go deeper than she could have guessed.
Shane would never turn his back on a friend in need, especially a former Special Forces teammate running a dangerous, off-the-books operation. Nor can he walk away from Crystal. The gorgeous waitress is hiding secrets she doesn’t want him to uncover. Too bad. He’s exactly the man she needs to protect her sister, her life, and her heart. All he has to do is convince her that when something feels this good, you hold on as hard as you can—and never let go.
________________________
Hard to Hold On To Hard Ink 2.5 by Laura Kaye Genre: adult, contemporary, erotic, romance, suspense Release Date: August 19, 2014
ClickHEREto read Sandy’s review of HARD TO HOLD ON TO
Edward “Easy” Cantrell knows better than most the pain of not being able to save those he loves–which is why he is not going to let Jenna Dean out of his sight. He may have just met her, but Jenna’s the first person to make him feel alive since that devastating day in the desert more than a year ago.
Jenna has never met anyone like Easy. She can’t describe how he makes her feel–and not just because he saved her life. No, the stirrings inside her reach far beyond gratitude.
As the pair are thrust together while chaos reigns around them, they both know one thing: the things in life most worth having are the hardest to hold on to.
_________________
Hard to Come By Hard Ink 3 by Laura Kaye Genre: adult, contemporary, romantic suspense Release Date: November 25, 2014
Derek DiMarzio would do anything for the members of his disgraced Special Forces team—sacrifice his body, help a former teammate with a covert operation to restore their honor, and even go behind enemy lines. He just never expected to want the beautiful woman he found there.
When a sexy stranger asks questions about her brother, Emilie Garza is torn between loyalty to the brother she once idolized and fear of the war-changed man he’s become. Derek’s easy smile and quiet strength tempt Emilie to open up, igniting the desire between them and leading Derek to crave a woman he shouldn’t trust.
As the team’s investigation reveals how powerful their enemies are, Derek and Emilie must prove where their loyalties lie before hearts are broken and lives are lost. Because love is too hard to come by to let slip away.
______________ Hard To Be Good Hard Ink 3.5 by Laura Kaye Genre: adult, contemporary, M/M, romance
Hard Ink Tattoo owner Jeremy Rixey has taken on his brother’s stateside fight against the forces that nearly killed Nick and his Special Forces team a year before. Now, Jeremy’s whole world has been turned upside down—not the least of which by a brilliant, quiet blond man who tempts Jeremy to settle down for the first time ever.
Recent kidnapping victim Charlie Merritt has always been better with computers than people, so when he’s drawn into the SF team’s investigation of his army colonel father’s corruption, he’s surprised to find acceptance and friendship—especially since his father never accepted who Charlie was. Even more surprising is the heated tension Charlie feels with sexy, tattooed Jeremy, Charlie’s opposite in almost every way.
With tragedy and chaos all around them, temptation flashes hot, and Jeremy and Charlie can’t help but wonder why they’re trying so hard to be good.
Laura is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over twenty books in contemporary and paranormal romance and romantic suspense. Growing up, Laura’s large extended family believed in the supernatural, and family lore involving angels, ghosts, and evil-eye curses cemented in Laura a life-long fascination with storytelling and all things paranormal. She lives in Maryland with her husband, two daughters, and cute-but-bad dog, and appreciates her view of the Chesapeake Bay every day.
After a grueling assignment with the black ops force known as the Alliance, Weston Brown is craving downtime. Instead, he’s pulled into his deadliest operation, in the one place he never wanted to see again. No-nonsense and so damn hot, Lexi Turner lied to get him to her mountain clinic in Pakistan. But the threat is terrifyingly real.
Lexi has been asking too many questions, drawing the wrong kind of attention. As soon as she lays eyes on West, she can tell he’s quiet—yet tough—and has a rescue complex which will come in handy for going up against the world’s most ruthless gunrunners.
Cut off from the rest of the Alliance, Lexi and West navigate the brutal terrain and a primal sexual attraction. Sticking around has never been West’s way, but now he’ll use every resource to keep Lexi by his side, safe from a killer who leaves no loose ends behind.
••••••••••••••
REVIEW:FALLING HARD is the third installment (second full length) in HelenKay Dimon’s adult, contemporary Bad Boys Undercover military, romance series focusing on the men and women who work for the black ops force known as Alliance. This is former Marine Weston (West) Brown and physician’s assistant Lexi Turner’s storyline. FALLING HARD can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from previous storylines is revealed where necessary.
Told from several third person perspectives FALLING HARD follows the rescue and return of Lexi Turner. When West’s Alliance Delta Team receives an encrypted message from Skardu, Pakistan, West’s worst fears comes to fruition when he learns he must return to the country that all but destroyed his life and his soul. Lexi and her father are the medical team working at the base camp for the K2 mountain climbers and Lexi has placed a call for extraction. What ensues is a cross country trek where our leading couple find themselves in danger of discovery by the Pakistan army, and a target for destruction by a former member of their team.
The relationship between Lexi and West is one of immediate attraction but West doesn’t do relationships or love. He is a man hardened by the demons of his past, and his experiences as a Marine. Something about the beautiful but talkative Lexi draws West out of his shell but in doing so, places everyone in danger when West is unable to concentrate on the mission at hand. Lexi is a woman with a past mired in secrets and it is these secrets that have forced Lexi onto a different path and direction in life. The $ex scenes are romantic, provocative and steamy, without the unnecessary erotic elements.
The secondary and supporting characters include several of West’s Alliance team members including former CIA operative Ward Bennett and former MI6 agent Tasha Gregory (Running Hot .5). We are also introduced Josiah King, West’s backup in Pakistan-Josiah’s story will be told next in FACING FIRE (September 2015). All of the Alliance Team members are former members of the military, CIA or MI6 whose purpose is to extricate, negotiate and take down any and all threats to safety and peace.
The world building continues to focus on the secret ops and deep undercover of a team of highly skilled, modern day warriors. All have seen their share of death and destruction; some members are hired for their ability to destroy; and everyone has vowed to protect at all costs. The threat of chemical warfare is an ongoing premise throughout the series. HelenKay Dimon’s style of writing is engaging; the tension continues to build as the storyline progresses.
FALLING HARD is an action packed, suspense filled, romantic storyline where the high cost of terrorism does not go unpunished. HelenKay Dimon’s heroes and heroines are fallible, real, and not without their own morals and ethics. If you are a fan of the military/romance storylines then the BAD BOYS UNDERCOVER series by HelenKay Dimon is a welcome addition to your reading library.
There’s more than one way to win in the debut of the First to Fight series…
Athletic trainer Marianne Cook is ready to do whatever it takes to turn the men of the Marine Corps boxing team into fighting machines. After all, her ultimate goal is to land a job training professional athletes. But when she notices a certain hard-bodied marine trying to hide an injury, Marianne realizes that she’ll have to use covert tactics to get him talking.
First Lieutenant Brad Costa has waited years for the chance to fight for a spot on the Marine Corps boxing team, knowing he has to push twice as hard to get half as far as his younger counterparts. Brad tries to downplay his injuries to the attractive trainer who has his dreams in her hands, but Marianne isn’t buying it. Maybe it’s time to deploy some targeted flattery.
As Brad and Marianne’s attraction turns red-hot, there’s more than one person having a hard time keeping their eyes on the prize…
•••••••••••••••
REVIEW:BELOW THE BELT is the first installment in Jeanette Murray’s new contemporary, adult First to Fight military, romance series focusing on a group of Marine Corps boxers and the women they love. This is First Lieutenant Brad Costa and athletic trainer Marianne Cook’s storyline.
Marianne Cook has been hired as the physical therapist and trainer for the Marine’s new boxing team, and there is an instant chemistry between herself and First Lieutenant Brad Costa. At twenty nine years old Brad is the ‘elder statesman’ amongst the current team of Marines and with it comes some existing injuries that he is a little reluctant to share. As Brad continues to hide the extent of his pain and suffering, Marianne is all too aware that Brad hasn’t been truthful with his coach or his trainer.
The storyline follows two paths: the training, the comaraderie, and building friendships between a group of men thrown together with a common goal-to make the Marine Corps boxing team. Brad has been selected as one of three team leaders, and in this his skills and previous experience bring together the motley crew under his care. Brad and Marianne’s attraction to one another is immediate; Marianne has never before been involved with one of the men; Brad is a dedicated Marine who doesn’t do long term relationships. When our couple hit a rough patch, the Marines get together to push their friends in the right direction. The $ex scenes are intimate, provocative and romantic.
There is a secondary storyline building throughout the novel, one that focuses on a series of harassing threats and destruction of property aimed at the Marine Corps boxers. Reagan Robilard is brought in as the athletic liaison and PR consultant, and it is her job to help with the investigation into the threats and damage. Reagan’s story is next –AGAINST THE ROPES- where the search for the culprit(s) continues.
The colorful and charismatic supporting characters include the coaches, the boxers, family, friends and potential lovers. We are introduced to several Marines whose aim it is to qualify for the team. The developing friendships are amusing, refreshing and supportive. Some will not make the team, while others struggle on a daily basis. Marianne and Brad’s families play a supporting and sometimes humorous role throughout the story-Marianne’s mother is a Marine groupie who loves the attention and flirting with the men. The world building follows the Marine Corps boxing team through their training, determination and after hours play.
BELOW THE BELT is a delightful read with a fascinating and engaging cast of characters. Although BELOW THE BELT focuses on the Marine Corp boxing team we do not see any military action-it is all about the athletes and the competition. Jeanette Murray’s BELOW THE BELT was a delight to read.
Jeanette spends her days surrounded by hunky alpha men…at least in her imagination. In real life, she’s a wife and a mother, keeping tabs on her husband of seven years, her four year old daughter (often called Tot) and the family dog, a lovable (but completely stupid) Goldendoodle named Clyde. Hang around long enough and you’re guaranteed to hear at least one or two stories about these three. She and her family currently live just outside of St. Louis.
What’s with the two names? Great question. Jeanette writes for a few different publishers. And due to the timing of some releases, two names just seemed like the right option. But Jeanette can assure you, no matter which pen name you’re reading, you’re going to get sexy contemporary love.
Jeanette and her publisher are offering a paper copy of BELOW THE BELT to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe
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Piper Oliver knows she can’t trust him. They warned her that the tall, dark, and sexy black-ops soldier Jory Dean would try to win her over with his steel-gray eyes and deadly charm, but she won’t be conned by this man they call a traitor. All she has to do is figure out the science necessary to save his life, and she’s done. Something isn’t adding up, though, and she won’t rest until she uncovers the truth-even if it’s buried in his deep, dangerous kiss.
A passion she can’t resist…
Jory will do anything to reunite with and save his brothers-even kidnap the gorgeous woman who’s working to deactivate the deadly chip in their spines. But the forces determined to destroy his family won’t let them go so easily. Keeping Piper alive is more than he bargained for-and so is his burning desire for her. But with every second bringing him closer to certain death, can he afford to lose himself in her hot and willing embrace?
••••••••••••
REVIEW:TOTAL SURRENDER is the fourth and final installment in Rebecca Zanetti’s contemporary, adult SIN BROTHERS slightly paranormal, military, romantic suspense series focusing on Nate, Mattie, Shane and Jory Dean-four genetically engineered brothers who were created by The Commander to become the perfect super soldier and killing machine. Each of the brothers is a ticking time bomb-a chip implanted at the base of the spine will detonate within a matter of days, and the men are searching for the code to deactivate the bombs. This is youngest brother Jory Dean and computer geek/IT guru Piper Oliver’s storyline.
Throughout the series, the Dean brothers have been searching for their brother Jory-last known whereabouts unknown and presumed dead when a video surfaced revealing a woman shooting Jory in the chest. As the expiration date on their lives draws near, the hunt for Jory and the code takes on a renewed effort.
TOTAL SURRENDER follows Jory as he finds himself the subject of Piper Oliver’s search for the code. Piper is an IT guru who specializes in hacking and the Commander is pushing Piper to break the code but there is a twist to the story-Piper is the Commander’s daughter and is completely unaware of her father’s treachery and role in the brothers’ creation. When Jory finds the opportunity to escape, he abducts Piper in the hopes of her continued efforts to deactivate the coded chips.
Rebecca Zanetti pulls the reader into a roller coaster of a storyline where secrets will be revealed; the truth about Jory’s shooting hits too close to home; and where the brothers discover that the Commander’s experiments continued long after the Dean brothers creation. As Nate, Shane and Mattie discover their youngest brother is alive, their happiness is short lived when the truth about Jory’s spinal chip is something no one had anticipated.
The relationship between Jory and Piper begins combatively and antagonistically. Piper believes Jory has betrayed his country but she knows nothing about the truth behind Jory’s imprisonment and her father’s involvement. As the storyline builds, so too, does the attraction and need between our leading couple; when the truth is finally revealed, Piper discovers that there are many secrets that have yet to be revealed. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and hot. Jory is not just a super soldier but a super lover, as well. 😉
All of the previous storyline couples play a supporting role throughout the novel. We are introduced to the next generation of super soldiers, and with it comes, heartbreak and more betrayal. Jory’s story has been building since the release of book one Forgotten Sins where three brothers try desperately to find the one who now stands alone.
TOTAL SURRENDER is the final chapter in the Dean Brothers’s stories but with it comes more questions and surprises leaving room for the possibility of a spin off series. Rebecca Zanetti’s SIN BROTHERS series is addicting, intense, and suspenseful; her characters are passionate, provocative and alluring. You will not be disappointed.
Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley.
Review by Sandy
A young mother with two toddlers hustled toward the entrance, their heads ducked to avoid the wind. Piper sucked in air.
If she screamed, they were screwed.
Jory pivoted and put her against the wall, covering her mouth with his before she could let out a sound.
Warmth and woman. An electric shock flared his entire nervous system alive. Soft and sweet, she breathed in as he pressed against her. He’d meant to subdue her, to throw her off balance, but shock ricocheted through him.
Need compelled him. He shot both hands into her hair, tilting her head so he could go deeper. So fucking deep he could get lost.
The second he tasted her, all cinnamon and woman, hunger slaked him. Devastating in its intensity, a demand he couldn’t deny. Her smooth, velvety lips softened under his, and for once, he lost himself.
Strands of her silky hair caressed his hands as he held her jaw, nearly lifting her up to meet his mouth. There was nothing but getting . . . more.
She stilled against him, her mouth parting. He swept his tongue against hers, taking in a primitive claim too powerful to deny.
Her gasp mingled with his low groan. She pressed harder against him, her mouth curving under his, and he forgot . . .everything. Who he was, where they were, the fire and danger. Only the woman against him, warm and willing, sweet and sexy, filled his mind.
He clasped her tight, forgetting any gentleness. Any seduction, any mission. Only this woman and this moment mattered. Letting go of himself, he allowed the creature inside, the one so rarely let loose, to take over. To push deep, to demand more. To take.
And give everything.
His mouth overtook hers, memorizing every groove, every small nuance. His free hand gripped her butt, hauling her up against his steel-hard erection. Heat from her core nearly dropped him to his knees. Pain and sparking pleasure flared along his skin, and he deepened the kiss, tightening his hold.
He needed to get inside her. Now.
A siren trilled on the lower street, and he jerked his head free.
Danger.
She blinked, her eyes the green of a rain-filled meadow. Desire burned there, hot and bright. Somehow sweet.
Possessiveness gripped him with a chokehold. One kiss. One kiss and she’d changed him. He had to get her out of the parking lot before guns fired again.
That quickly, realization crossed her face. Then shock, as she tried to take a step back. Her hands rose and shoved against his chest.
Denial gripped him to be quickly quashed with cold, hard training. So he grabbed her wrists and hauled her closer, his face lowering to hers. He wiped away any expression and shoved down all emotion. “Those men don’t care who they shoot. They’re scrambling and might kill you—or innocent bystanders.” He spoke low, commanding.
She blinked, her mouth opening but no sound coming out.
“If you fight me, they’ll find us, and they might shoot. Collateral damage doesn’t mean a thing to them.”
She shook her head and looked around.
He pulled her closer and lowered his voice to pure, no‑bullshit command. “We’re getting in that four-door Jeep, and we’re leaving here quietly. Your only choice is alert or unconscious? Decide now.” He let conviction ring in his tone. If he believed he could knock her out, then she’d believe it, too.
No fucking way could he knock her out. Scaring her held little appeal, but he didn’t have a choice if they were to both live through the night.
She quickly nodded. Gulping air, she relaxed her body as two teenagers giggled while walking by.
He knew full well she agreed to keep bystanders safe and not because the kiss had changed anything for her. She had no reason to trust him, and she’d never really know him. Why that pierced his chest with the cleanness of a sharpened dagger, he’d figure out later. For now, they had to run.
From the moment Josie laid eyes on sexy, mysterious Shane Dean, she was in love. Their desire ignited a passionate affair, and within weeks, Shane had slipped a ring on her finger. It seemed her every fantasy was coming true . . . until her new husband disappeared without a trace. Now, two years and one broken heart later, Josie is shocked by the hospital calls: Shane has been found . . . at a crime scene with no memory of how he got there.
Her Love Can Save Him
Shane can’t remember the blue-eyed angel at his bedside—or who he even is—but he knows something isn’t right. His hearing is razor sharp, his physical strength incredible, and the urge to protect Josie overwhelming. For powerful enemies are hunting him, and Josie is the key to discovering why. As Shane struggles to unravel his past, dangerous new truths come to light. Can he protect the only woman he’s ever loved? And can Josie trust a man she thought she knew—one who carries such a deadly secret?
__________________
SWEET REVENGE (Sin Brothers #2) by Rebecca Zanetti
ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 3, 2013
The One Man She Can’t Have
Matt Dean was born to fight…and kill. A member of a secret black-ops military unit, he and his brothers were genetically engineered by the government to be the perfect soldiers with an expiration date. Now, with time running out, he’s gone rogue in a relentless quest for the one person who can save them. His mission leads him to Charmed, Idaho…and to a beautiful woman with eyes like emeralds and a body made for pleasure.
The One Woman He Can’t Resist
Laney Jacobs knows the mysterious, handsome stranger is trouble from the moment he walks into her bar, looking for a job. She’s spent years running from her own past—the last thing she needs is a romantic entanglement. But Matt’s strong arms offer her protection, and his gentle touch promises passion unlike anything she’s ever known. As lethal forces surround them, revealing explosive secrets about Matt’s past and putting everything—and everyone—he holds dear in danger, can he save them all before time runs out?
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Blind Faith Sin Brothers #3 by Rebecca Zanetti Genre: adult, contemporary, suspense, paranormal Release Date: May 6, 2014
For Nate Dean, love is a four-letter word. As part of a secret black-ops military unit, he and his brothers were genetically engineered by the government to be ruthless soldiers with an expiration date. They were loyal only to one another . . . until Nate laid eyes on the woman who stole his heart and blew his world apart. Now, years later, his family is still paying the price for his mistake. But as time runs out, there’s only one person who can save his family: the very woman Nate swore he’d never trust again.
A love she couldn’t deny . . .
The moment Audrey Madison spies Nate across a crowded ballroom, she can barely breathe. He’s just as undeniably sexy as she remembers, yet there’s an edge to him now that’s as irresistible as it is dangerous. When he asks for her help, Audrey can’t refuse. But she has secrets of her own-secrets that, if Nate ever discovers them, may cost them both their lives .
New York Times bestselling author Rebecca Zanetti has worked as an art curator, Senate aide, lawyer, college professor, and a hearing examiner – only to culminate it all in stories about Alpha males and the women who claim them. She is a member of RWA, has won awards for her works throughout the industry, and has a journalism degree with a poly sci emphasis from Pepperdine University as well as a Juris Doctorate from the University of Idaho.
Growing up amid the glorious backdrops and winter wonderlands of the Pacific Northwest has given Rebecca fantastic scenery and adventures to weave into her stories. She resides in the wild north with her husband, children, and extended family who inspire her every day-or at the very least give her plenty of characters to write about.
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BECAUSE OF YOU (A Coming Home Novel, November 2011) one of Loveswept’s first original e-book publication in over a decade and is a debut novel for Contemporary Military Romance writer Jessica Scott. She introduces Shane Garrison and Jen St. James as they learn to accept and deal with life’s hardships and a choice to take a chance at love again.
A nurse and a breast cancer survivor, Jen St. James, perceive herself as broken, flawed and damaged. Surviving breast cancer should be something to celebrate about, but the scars it left behind only made her emotionally depressed and physically insecure. Thanks to a bastard of an ex-boyfriend who embarrassed her in a bar crowd two years before, she has avoided social outings; until the night her best friend, Laura Davila, succeeded in having her to go out again and simply have fun. It was the night she met Shane Garrison. A night he made her feel beautiful and, for the first time since she recovered from her surgery, like a whole woman again.
Infantry Platoon Sergeant First Class Shane Garrison is very passionate about his job and takes great responsibility for his soldiers. It matters a lot that he keeps his soldiers from harm and safely delivers them back to the loving arms of their family. Only a few months into his latest deployment running combat patrols, however, a bombing incident caused him severe injuries that he was mandated he’d be returned back to the United States for an intensive treatment and to recover. Surprisingly, the woman he met at the bar the night before his last deployment, a night he made a connection with, that night had given him a reason for coming home, Jen St. James, was assigned to be his nurse.
Shane had a difficult time accepting the extent of his war injuries. Being rendered immobile only made him furiously angry for he can’t be in Iraq alongside his men. Angry too, because he could not even help those of his wounded soldiers who were affected physically and emotionally from further harming themselves. Most of all, he resents that he finds himself weak, useless and helpless. Jen fully understood Shane’s depression. She also remembers who stood by her and held her hand at her weakest moments. Now she is determined to do the same for Shane. He maybe a stubborn patient, but Jen is compassionate, tolerant, and persistent enough to get him to understand that in time, he will heal and he could still be able to make a difference to the lives of the people he cares about.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading BECAUSE OF YOU. The gradual build of the romance between Shane and Jen I thought was sweet and tender. I am also glad that Ms. Scott did not leave out the importance of friendship for the support in the process of overcoming a life changing illness. For one, Jen had Laura, a significant character throughout Jen’s recovery with breast cancer. For another, Shane had Captain Trent Davila and Sergeant Vic Carponti, a well-liked guy but a major thorn to Shane’s side. It was quite funny actuallyJ. Vic lost his arm the same day Shane was wounded, but even a lost limb did not change his annoying, sarcastic and cheerful personality. Vic’s an optimistic, he perceives his injury as a second chance in life and that was an important example for Shane…Though he must be willing to accept that fact. Furthermore, the latest deployment is already affecting Trent and Laura’s marriage. Now that Trent is back home for a short time, I wonder what he’ll do to save it.
Loveswept’s debut author, Jessica Scott, is an active duty Army officer. She is a Company Commander in charge of over a hundred soldiers with a loving husband and two well-adjusted daughters. Her second novel in the Coming Home series, UNTIL THERE WAS YOU (Evan & Claire’s story) is scheduled to be released October 2012. And a short novella of Trent and Laura’s story, BACK TO YOU, will be released sometime in the spring of 2013.
I do believe that if the Company Commander is not aiming her deadly weapons at a target, she is definitely firing away on her other creative weapon giving her readers a pleasurable and delightful read.
Hard As It Gets
About the book: Release Date February 25, 2014
Edward “Easy” Cantrell knows better than most the pain of not being able to save those he loves–which is why he is not going to let Jenna Dean out of his sight. He may have just met her, but Jenna’s the first person to make him feel alive since that devastating day in the desert more than a year ago.
Hard to Come By
Hard To Be Good
ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date July 2, 2013
ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date May 6, 2014
