Tag Archives: Military

The Rancher and the City Girl by Joya Ryan -a Review

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The Rancher and the City Girl by Joya Ryan -a Review

 

The Rancher and the City GirlAmazon / B&N / Kobo / BAM / Book Depository

Description:
Rancher and single father Tripp Montgomery is a master at French braiding and princess tea parties. He’s also the most eligible bachelor in Cheyenne, Wyoming. So when he stumbles upon a flashy, sexy city girl, he knows two things: 1) she’s a walking disaster, and 2) he needs to stay far, far away.

But she needs him more than he wants to admit…

Charlotte Gram knows what it’s like not to be wanted. She’s in Cheyenne for the summer to help her grandmother heal after surgery, but the farmhouse “chores” are proving much harder than she thought. If her day couldn’t get any worse, the sexiest man she’s ever seen strolls up to save the day…

…and he definitely doesn’t seem happy about it.

 

Review:

The origin of the Dedication Page was already swoon-worthy. Sounds like Joya Ryan wrangled up her very own cowboy, and that kind of firsthand experience is money for a fan. Tripp and Charlotte are strangers who indulge in a hot moment they desperately needed. When their paths collide anew, despite their mutual agreement to keep it to a singular spectacular event, does a second time automatically lead to Happily Ever After? Ms. Joya writes a bumpy love story in The Rancher and the City Girl that warms your heart and heats your senses.

Wyoming is a far cry from California, but Charlotte is in town to look after farm duties while her grandmother recovers from ankle surgery. Tripp is an overprotective, single dad who’s so focused on limiting his daughter’s outside influences, he negates his own happiness, thereby ignoring fulfillment of his own.

I understand Tripp’s reluctance to allow Charlotte into his life. Charlotte is in town for only a short while and he’s concerned that his daughter is already too attached; that she’ll be crushed when she goes. He’ll be damned if a temporary fling will cause upheaval in his stable home. But the truth is, Charlotte knows all about loss, and her influence is far from detrimental. Far be it from Charlotte, however, who has learned to fend for herself, her independence wrought fiercely, to share her demons. Could Charlotte give up Los Angeles, knowing it’s good for her career, just because Trip makes her feel whole again? Who will win this battle of wills? To lose would be a tremendous loss.

Joya Ryan writes about letting go and letting people in. There was so much heart behind what amounts to fear, you can’t help but forgive. This was a quick, fun read with genuine emotion. While steam will emanate from your device, the bedroom scene, in particular, was next level depth. *tingles*

Reviewed by Carmen

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Protecting Kiera (Seal of Protection 10/ Brotherhood Protectors) by Susan Stoker-Review Blitz

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PROTECTING KIERA : Brotherhood Protectors (Seal of Protection #10) by Susan Stoker-Review Blitz

Protecting Kiera

Amazon.com 

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date June 6, 2017

Cooper Nelson’s SEAL career was cut drastically short when an explosion left him almost completely deaf. With so much of his pride and self-worth tied to the profession he loved above all else, Coop struggles in his nearly silent new world, his future seemingly bleak…until Commander Hurt badgers him into volunteering at the Riverton School for the Deaf. There, he meets teacher Kiera Hamilton, who opens his eyes—and his heart—to a love more fulfilling than any job could be.

Ten years his senior, Kiera can’t believe Coop would ever be interested in anything long term, but he patiently proves her wrong. And she’s not the only one enamored with the sexy former-SEAL—her impressionable first-grade students are enthralled with the man, especially Frankie. The troubled young boy flourishes with each of Cooper’s visits, which only makes Kiera fall harder.

As he learns ASL, connects with the students, and gets closer to Kiera, Coop’s happier than he’s ever been…until an attempted abduction at the school threatens to take away everything that makes his new life worth living.

•••••••••••••

REVIEW: PROTECTING KIERA is the tenth installment (and novella) in Susan Stoker’s contemporary, adult SEAL OF PROTECTION romantic, military, suspense series focusing on a tight knit group of Navy SEALS and the women they love. This is twenty seven year old former Navy SEAL Cooper Nelson, and teacher Kiera Hamilton’s story line. PROTECTING KIERA can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

NOTE: PROTECTING KIERA is also the latest installment in Ella James’s multi-author Kindle Worlds of the Brotherhood Protectors.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Kiera and Cooper) PROTECTING KIERA focuses on the building relationship between former Navy SEAL Cooper Nelson, and teacher for the deaf Kiera Hamilton. Cooper’s last deployment overseas and his Navy career ended when an explosion resulted in permanent hearing loss for our story line hero. Meeting Kiera Hamilton at the School for the Deaf stirred something inside Cooper Nelson he long thought dead. Having a difficult time adjusting to civilian life, Cooper’s attraction and need for Kiera Hamilton pushed Cooper to volunteering at the school where Kiera taught the deaf and hearing impaired. What ensues is the building relationship between Kiera and Cooper, and Kiera’s struggle to accept their ten year age difference in the face of their growing love.

There is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including many of Cooper’s former SEAL buddies: Patrick and his wife Julie, Commander ‘Tex’ Hurt (Protecting Melody), Matthew ‘Wolf’ (Protecting the Future), Slade Cutsinger  (Protecting Dakota) and newcomer Axel Svenson ‘Swede’ who works for the security company known as the Brotherhood Protectors; as well as a number of students at the Riverton School for the Deaf.

PROTECTING KIERA is a quick read; a novella length story line that sees wounded Navy SEAL Cooper Nelson come to terms with his injury, his place in civilian life, and falling in love with the woman that calls to his heart. The premise is engaging and entertaining; the romance is quick to build-their attraction to one another has already been established; the characters are colorful and energetic. PROTECTING KIERA revisits many of the author’s previous story line characters and couples, giving the reader a glimpse into what was and what will be.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

About The Author

Susan StokerNew York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author, Susan Stoker has a heart as big as the state of Texas where she lives, but this all-American girl has also spent the last fourteen years living in Missouri, California, Colorado, and Indiana. She’s married to a retired Army man who now gets to follow her around the country.

She debuted her first series in 2014 and quickly followed that up with the SEAL of Protection Series, which solidified her love of writing and creating stories readers can get lost in.

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A Dog Like Daisy by Kristin O’Donnell Tubb – a Review

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A Dog Like Daisy by Kristin O’Donnell Tubb – a Review

 

A Dog Like DaisyAmazon / B&N / Kobo / BAM / Book Depository

Description:
Max meets A Dog Called Homeless in this sweet and poignant middle grade novel told from the humorous, thoughtful perspective of a rescued pit bull as she trains to be a service dog for an injured veteran and his family.

Daisy has only ten weeks to prove her usefulness or else be sent back to the pound. Yet if she goes back, who will protect Colonel Victor from his PTSD attacks? Or save the littler human, Micah, from those infernal ear muzzles he calls earphones? What if no one ever adopts her again?

Determined to become the elite protector the colonel needs, Daisy vows to ace the service dog test. She’ll accept the ridiculous leash and learn to sit, heel, shake, even do your business, Daisy when told to. But Daisy must first learn how to face her own fears from the past or risk losing the family she’s so desperate to guard—again.

 

 

Review:

A Dog Like Daisy by Kristine O’Donnell Tubb is a story told in the perspective of a rescue dog.  This book is marked for middle grade, but do not let this stop you from reading this book, as I totally loved it.  I did not know what to expect when I decided to read this, and I am so glad I did.  I loved Daisy, a rescued two year old pit bull, who is being trained to be a service dog.  The entire book is in the POV of Daisy, and it was so well written by Kristin O’Donnell Tubb.

We meet Daisy immediately when she is in the pound.  When three humans, walk in looking at all the dogs, one of them looks at her and says she is the one; but the other two are not too keen on the choice. Victor, a veteran who had PTSD, is the one who sees a bond with Daisy, who also recognizes that this man is the one she needs to protect.  Micah is Victor’s son, and he wanted a puppy; the other man, Alex is a trainer for service dogs. Alex tries to convince Victor that they only have 10 weeks to train Daisy and she might not be a good fit, but Victor is adamant about our sweet Miss Daisy.

When they arrive home, Daisy meets Annie the wife, and their baby, as well as seeing more of Micah, who really doesn’t want him.  What follows is a beautiful heartwarming, and intense at times story of Daisy determined to learn everything to be a good service dog, as well as to protect Victor from his horrible bouts with PTSD.  The story shows the family’s struggles with Victor’s nightmares, which is dangerous, scary and out of control at times.  All this is through the eyes of Daisy, who begins to see the signs quickly when Victor is ready to go off. 

Another nice part of the story is Micah trying to understand his father, and at times jealous that Daisy seems to be getting closer to his father.  But it is sweet and emotional when Micah realizes later on how special Daisy was.

A Dog Like Daisy was to my surprise a wonderful touching and delightful story, as we follow Daisy throughout and listen to her thoughts.  Thank you, Kristin O’Donnell Tubb for this amazing story.  I loved every moment of it. So very well done.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

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Physical Forces by D.D. Ayres – a Review

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Physical Forces by D.D. Ayres – a Review

 

Physical ForcesAmazon / B&N / Kobo / BAM / Book Depository

Description:
LOVE TO THE RESCUE

Macayla Burkett is no ordinary private eye. She’s a pet detective, dedicated to tracking down missing dogs and cats. When two famous racing greyhounds disappear and turn up dead, Macayla finds herself in the midst of a much more serious case. And when the thieves target her and threaten her life, she realizes she’s in grave danger—until a ridiculously handsome stranger enters the picture …

Oliver Kelly may look like a male stripper, but his muscles aren’t just for show. The gorgeous Australian is co-owner of a K-9 Search and Rescue service dedicated to saving those in danger. When he and his K-9 partner, an Australian shepherd named Jackeroo, rescue the fiery detective from trouble, the sparks begin to fly. And when they join forces to stop a widespread case of animal theft, it unleashes a torrent of passion that’s impossible to tame…

 

 

Review:

Physical Forces by D.D. Ayres is the 6th book in her K-9 Rescue series. Macayla (Mac), our heroine, is a pet detective.  She works for a PI firm, and usually handles missing or kidnapped pets.  Oliver Kelly, our hero, is an Australian hunk, who happens to be in town for a seminar.  While walking with his K-9 dog, Jackeroo, he spots a girl in the dumpster.  When he offers help, Mac eyes him carefully, thinking that due to his physique, he has to be a stripper from the local bar.  In a short time, Oliver finds out that Mac is trying to catch a missing dog, and helps her.  After a bit, Mac will learn that Oliver owns BARKS, a famous K-9 Search and Rescue service.  Needless to say, even if their original perceptions were off, their immediate attraction to each other was not.  What follows is a slow build romance with a couple that had sizzling chemistry, which does take a back seat, as a mystery moves forefront. 

After two show dogs are found dead, Mac finds herself in trouble, since someone is trying to frame her.  She depends on her boss, Jefferina and Oliver to help her find the real culprits and absolve her.   Oliver will also learn that Mac was not always a pet detective, but instead a hero.  A year before working for child services, she saved the life of a young child; but after getting shot and losing her dog in the process, Mac left it all behind.  

The last half of the book escalated the mystery behind who was framing Mac, and who was behind the dog napping, which also picked up on the excitement, as well as danger element of the story.  I liked both Mac and Oliver, they were fun together. I also liked Oliver’s K-9 dog, Jackeroo, but until the end, he did not play a big part in this story.  The ending was suspenseful and exciting, as Mac finds herself in mortal danger.  Will she survive?  Will Oliver convince Mac to become part of his life and be what she was meant to do?

I am a fan of this series by D.D. Ayres, and Physical Forces was an excellent addition to the series.  If you enjoy romance, dogs, suspense, then you should read this series.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

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Deceive Me by Ella Sheridan – a Review

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Deceive Me by Ella Sheridan – a Review

 

Deceive MeAmazon / B&N / Kobo

Description:
Elliot Smith has trained hard to live alone and work alone, even when it comes to her job as a security specialist for JCL Security. No relationships, no ties, except the one to the man who kidnapped and murdered her mother. She’ll do anything to kill Martin Diako, the untouchable South African pirate king. When Deacon Walsh walks into her office, she finally sees a chance to do just that.

Deacon went from soldier to mercenary warrior to stay-at-home dad, and now his past is back to haunt him. Martin Diako, the father of the terrorist Deacon killed two years ago, is coming for revenge, and he has his sight set on Deacon’s daughter. An heir for an heir. Deacon will do anything to protect her, even if it means asking for help. But the security team he’s hired comes with an added complication: the only woman to interest him since his wife died.

Deacon always leads his team, and Elliot protects hers. They might have one chance at their enemy—if they can work together. Will their hunger for each other pull them together, or push them apart?

Review:

Deceive Me by Ella Sheridan is the 4th book in her Southern Nights series.  I’ve read a few of these books from the series already, and they don’t need to be read in order, but a little background on the secondary characters is always a plus.

Elliot Smith is part of an elite team of soldiers, she had to work hard to get where she is and she loves it, her team are her family, but she hides a dark and shameful secret, and only Dain (her leader) knows the full extent.

Deacon leads a different team, and we start his story two years previous; it’s a routine mission at first, but then descends into chaos, as his mission goes from retrieval to kill. He loses one member of his own team, an innocent, and for a little while he goes home to care for his wife and daughter and to mourn one of his close friends and team mate.

Jumping to the present we find out that Deacon has lost his wife to cancer and is being stalked by the dead man’s father. The pirate king wants revenge and only the death of Deacons daughter will satisfy him.
So Deacon calls for back up in the form of a security firm that Dain and his team work for. (This security firm was featured in previous books).  As soon as Deacon and Elliot meet …… the sparks fly, and she puts him on his butt literally.

Deacon thinks Elliot is a weakness, that the team baby and protect her. She soon puts him in his place, to the amusement of her team and Deacon’s best friend. But she earns his begrudging respect, is assigned a place on the team; her job will be to look after his daughter (Elliot is horrified at the idea, she doesn’t relate to young kids)

The sparks between them are almost instant, but Elliot doesn’t know how to act on them, the last time she slept with someone, they “disappeared” from the camp she was trained in. She’s a social misfit, she doesn’t know how to interact with outsiders, her family is the team of soldiers.

All the characters are well written, and the story is full of action and suspense, and throw in a few betrayals and you have a well written and exciting read.

Reviewed by Julie B

Copy supplied for review

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The Last Resort by R.S. Kovach – a Review

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The Last Resort by R.S. Kovach – a Review

 

The Last ResortAmazon / B&N / Kobo / BAM

Description:
Alejandra Barros doesn’t know the meaning of failure until fate pulls the rug right out from under her Louboutin stilettos.

Board of Directors’ meetings, corporate takeovers, and jet setting around the globe don’t allow for much of a personal life—and even Ali’s limited free time is dedicated to her beloved horses, show jumping at a championship level. When a freak riding accident shatters her wrist and messes with her confidence at work, her boss mandates a month-long hiatus. If she wants to save her career, she has no choice but to go.

Pebble Creek Lodge is not far from Denver, but the high-end retreat might as well be a world away from the frenzied pace of Manhattan. From the moment she arrives, Ali feels so out of place she’s practically ready to skip the whole “required recovery” nonsense and hop on the next plane back to New York. The only thing stopping her is the ranch hand Hank Mathis and his perfectly chiseled abs, which are intriguing and delicious enough to make her linger.

By the time Ali admits she’s in a bit of a funk, not even the moral and physical support of a gorgeous cowboy is enough to bring her back to her old self—especially when the object of her desires is secretly battling his own demons. To get her life back on track, Ali will have to decide what it is she’s really fighting to regain and what it will take to find it—or she’ll risk losing the one thing that could truly make her happy.

 

Review:

The Last Resort by R.S. Kovach is a nice sweet romance.  We meet Ali Barros, a high powered executive, who is a workaholic and very successful at her job.  She is also a horsewoman that wins jumping events.  She feels forced to travel home to her parent’s house for a party while there, Ali decides to go horseback riding and has a mishap, breaking her wrist.  Since Ali has always been sure of herself in anything she does, the fall from the horse has an effect on her confidence, as well as her work.  Her boss sends her on a month long retreat to an exclusive ranch resort in Colorado, which is also a place for various treatments for visitors.  Ali isn’t happy to go, especially when a physiological therapist tries to talk to her; and all she wants is to go back home to New York.

She does meet various people, who are at Pebble Creek Lodge for different reasons.  Ali slowly relaxes, knowing she has no choice but to finish the month, and befriends some the people.  The ranch hand, Hank Mathis, our hero, gets her attention immediately; but then again he has all the women lusting after him.

What follows is a slow built romance between two unlikely people that will grow as they begin to spend more time together.  I did like both Hank and Ali, and there was some fun with the bantering between them, as well as with the other residents.  Though I wanted them together, I did not really feel the hot chemistry between them.  I did like Ali, but thought she was a bit too sarcastic to Hank many times, and acted indifferent at times. 

The Last Resort was a good story, and a nice romance.  However, I was sadly disappointed at the end, which did lead to a happy ever after.  I felt it needed an epilogue to answer some open questions, and not leaving us to decide what happens.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

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Flash of Fury by Lea Griffith – Review, Excerpt, Spotlight Tour & Giveaway

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Flash of Fury by Lea Griffith – Review, Excerpt, Spotlight Tour & Giveaway

 

FoF Starred Review

 

 Flash of Fury
Endgame Ops series – Book #1
by Lea Griffith
Release Date: March 7, 2017

9781492646303-PRAmazon / | Books-A-Million | Barnes & Noble | Chapters | iBooks | Indiebound

Description:
Their spark is immediate

Kingston McNally lost men when someone betrayed his team, and now he’s out for retribution. His quest for the enemy’s courier leads him to Cameroon and Allie Redding, a petite Peace Corps volunteer as stubborn as she is brave. Their attraction is immediate, but Allie has secrets of her own…and she’s not giving them up easily.

But their secrets could burn them both

Allie’s life has been spent hiding in plain sight, but she’s had enough of her cloak-and-dagger existence. On her way home, her plane is hijacked-and King saves her life. But that doesn’t mean she owes him anything…even if he is the most damnably sexy man she’s ever laid eyes on. He’s got black ops and secrets written all over him, and trust is a two-way street.

 

Review:

Flash of Fury by Lea Griffith is the 1st book in her new Endgame Ops series.  This is the first book I have read by Griffith and after reading Flash of Fury, it will not be my last.  We meet our hero King McNally early on when he and his Endgame Ops team was ambushed on a mission that was an obvious leak.  Three members of his team were lost.   This leaves him determined to find out who was the betrayer, and to find and kill the terrorists, who were part of the original assignment.  King trusts no one, especially the CIA, whom he feels is part of the betrayal.  When he receives word that a courier for the terrorist will be on a plane, he makes sure he is on it.

Allie Redding, our heroine, is a Peace Corps volunteer, and also the daughter of the CIA Director.  Allie, who tries to stay out of the limelight that her father is in, aboards the plane to take her home. The plane is hijacked by those who want to kidnap Allie, but King manages to save her life and both are now running for their lives.  Even though he saves her, King does not trust Allie, thinking she is a courier for the terrorists. 

What follows is an ultra exciting, tense, action filled story that will have both Allie and King constantly being in danger by the various attacks.  King realizes that Allie has been innocently set up to be used against her father.  His goal besides killing the evil villain, is to get Allie home safely.  Along the way, they both will learn to trust each other, and at the same time fall in love.  Each of them have their own issues; King with a father who abused him; and Allie losing her mother at an early age, and trying to stay clear of her father’s CIA responsibilities.  Though in time, Allie knows she wants to stay with King after this is over;  but he stubbornly  tells her there is no future, as it is too dangerous for her to be with him. 

I loved Allie and King together; they made a great couple, and their sexual chemistry was off the wall scorching hot.  King’s Endgame ops team were great, and I cannot wait to see their story in future books. The edge of your seat action was very tense, keeping us emotionally invested as we worried if our heroes would survive.  Once you start this book, you will not be able to put it down.

Flash of Fury was a sensational start to this new series.  This story was fast paced, action filled, suspenseful, and filled with intrigue, betrayal, and romance with a fabulous sexy couple.  There are so many plots and twists along the way, and the ending was not only exciting, but also exhilarating.  There is so much more to come in the Endgame Ops series that I cannot wait to see what Lea Griffith has in store for us.  This is a must read for those of you who love romance suspense.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

LETTER TO THE READERS

Hello, Readers! My name is Lea Griffith and I’m here to tell you a little bit about myself and my upcoming release, Flash of Fury, the first full-length story in my Endgame Ops series. Where should I start? How we start with some personal stuff? Everybody likes personal stuff, yeah?

Okay, here we go—you get five personal facts though to be honest I’m long-winded so I’ll say five but it will probably end up being lots more. Sharing is caring, lol.

  1. I’m married with three teenage daughters ages 16, 17, and just turned 19. I think I’m still sane. (Would I know if I wasn’t? J)
  2. I spend my days mimicking a Practice Administrator for two very busy internal medicine offices in Athens, Georgia. I’ve been in the medical field for a long, long time and again, I’m still sane. Same disclaimer from #1 applies.
  3. I graduated from Brenau University a long, long time ago in a land far, far away. I have a Bachelors of Science degree. I majored in Biology and minored in Chemistry. See disclaimer from #2.
  4. I LOVE reading. The only thing I love doing more is writing. I like to hunt, hate to fish, and I really, really enjoy spending time with my mom and kids. Hubs too when I can pull him away from Real Housewives episodes. The man has a serious heart-on for reality TV. *sigh* Again, I’m going to reference the disclaimer from #3.
  5. Favorite authors you ask? Julie Garwood, Kathleen Woodiwiss, Linda Howard. Favorite books of all time? The Wolf and the Dove by Kathleen Woodiwiss, Kiss Me While I Sleep by Linda Howard, The Prize by Julie Garwood, and one more—Wildcard by Lora Leigh. That’s my authors and books. You now know more about me than some of my family members, lol!

And now that I’ve given you deets on me, let me bend your ear (or would that be your eyes?) about my Endgame Ops series. If you like your heroes incredibly alpha and you like your heroines strong enough to take them on and give it right back, I think I’ve got a few stories cooking for you.

Suspense, heat, and overwhelming connections abound as you enter a world of shadows and intrigue. Each story of my Endgame Ops series brings you closer to a truth you may not be able handle. So watch your step because danger is around every corner and Endgame’s story is just beginning with my upcoming release, Flash of Fury. Let me introduce you to King and Allie. Prepare yourself.

Kingston McNally lost men when someone betrayed his team, and now he’s out for retribution. His quest for the enemy’s courier leads him to Cameroon and Allie Redding, a petite Peace Corps volunteer as stubborn as she is brave. Their attraction is immediate, but Allie has secrets of her own…and she’s not giving them up easily.

Allie’s life has been spent hiding in plain sight, but she’s had enough of her cloak-and-dagger existence. On her way home, her plane is hijacked-and King saves her life. But that doesn’t mean she owes him anything…even if he is the most damnably sexy man she’s ever laid eyes on. He’s got black ops and secrets written all over him, and trust is a two-way street.

Flash of Fury is a fast-paced, action-packed story of survival and how in the midst of the most harrowing circumstances, love can find a way to sneak in and knock you on your behind. With both of them hiding secrets, they’ll have to find a way to survive terrorists and each other.

I hope, with everything in me, that you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Now what are you waiting for? Go read ALL THE WORDS!

<3 you hard,

Lea

PS It’s your turn to tell me a little about you—fave authors? Fave reads? Are you still sane? Remember, sharing is caring.

 

Excerpt

 

It all went down so quickly that it took the remaining terrorists a moment to figure out what had happened. By that time, King was there, grabbing Abdul’s gun and firing in rapid succession, quickly eliminating all targets. He located the phone the terrorist had discarded, scooped it up, and turned to her.
“Get to the galley. There could be more,” he said in a low voice.
“Who the hell are you?” she asked softly as she stood rooted to the spot for an endless moment.
“Get to the galley at the back and open the door. Do it quickly. Do it now.”
Children screamed, while grown people shouted as they all clamored to get out of the front of the plane. Panic was in the air, but no more gunshots rang out. If the terrorists had help, they didn’t yet know what was going on.
King reached over, pushed Abdul from her grip, and his gaze narrowed again on her cheek. He brushed over the growing mark with his thumb. “He hurt you.”
Confusion clouded Allie’s face and she cocked her head, staring at him as if she’d never seen anyone quite like him before.
He shook his head, the sight of her big, blue eyes almost undoing him. He motioned her to the back and said simply, “Go.”
He reached for the small guy he’d almost clocked as the man tried to pass and said, “Tell them what happened but stay vague about us. Do you understand? Tell them all”—King motioned over the plane’s fleeing occupants—“to remain vague about us.”
It was unlikely that the two-hundred-odd passengers would keep silent about the blond who’d head-butted the lead terrorist. Or the giant American who dragged her away. Chances were that his and this woman’s faces would be all over the local news. But if even a few of the passengers negated the story, that mixed intel might buy them a bit of time.
The guy nodded and King took off. He rounded the corner of the attendants’ galley and noticed Allie had the door open. Rain sluiced in, wetting everything in its path. She stuck her head out and peered down, then pulled her head back in, spearing him with her gaze.
“It’s a long way down,” she said mournfully.
“Drop and roll, darlin’,” King responded. “Drop and roll.” Then he was out the door, dropping like a stone and rolling once he hit the ground. He pushed to his feet and glanced around. Security was pouring out onto the tarmac, and sirens could be heard in the distance. A luggage transport machine was rounding a corner, and they didn’t have much time.
He looked up at her, held out his arms, and yelled, “Jump!”
She didn’t hesitate. Good thing she was tiny because she fell right into his arms.
“Thanks,” she murmured.
He didn’t respond, just put her on her feet, grabbed her hand, and hailed down the luggage cart. He told the man they needed a ride to the terminal. The airport employee didn’t even blink—like random Americans came up to him every day asking for a ride in the middle of the pouring rain. He dropped them as far as another plane and told them they had to walk.
Instead of walking, they ran. King moved to an abandoned airport security truck, and they hopped in. He hot-wired the vehicle and had them on the move in under a minute.
“Get down,” he ordered.
She did as he directed. There was hope for her yet.
A gunshot punched out the back glass, and King ducked. He could see no one behind them, but obviously someone was back there shooting. He hung a right and took off around the terminal, passing planes and looking for the airport parking lot.
He’d have to ditch this truck and get them out into the city of Douala quickly.
“Who are you?” she asked and then grunted as she was thrown against the door.
King had just broken through a fence barrier to the airport parking lot and managed to shed the fence that tenaciously clung to the bumper. He picked a row of cars and barreled down it.
“King,” he replied succinctly.
She snorted. “Okay, now really, who…oomph…holy… Could you stop… Son of a…”
He slammed on the brakes. He winced when her head bumped against the glove box. “Sure.”
King hurried out of the truck and picked the first car he came to. He didn’t need flashy; he needed operational. Flashy had alarms. Operational could go undetected.
Fortunately, the first one he came to fit both bills. A Yugo. It just kept getting better and better. The car was unlocked and he slid in.
“A Yugo?” she asked, standing beside him now. “Seriously?”
“In the car and don’t talk,” he demanded.
Her brows lowered and her mouth tightened, but she decided to throw in her lot with him. She rounded the car and got in. King lowered the sun visor, and the keys fell into his lap. The Yugo’s only saving grace was that he wouldn’t have to expend the energy to hot-wire it.
The piece-of-shit car cranked, and King squealed out of the spot, though he slowed down as he approached the exit gate. “Act normal,” he said. “And don’t look anyone in the face.”
Allie didn’t say anything, but she didn’t have to—the anger pinching her features spoke volumes. He almost, almost, laughed. They were both soaking wet, but for some reason she looked even more beautiful.
“You laugh at me, and I’ll get you back,” she said from the corner of her mouth.
Spunk. He hated spunk. Oh, and bravery. He hated that too. “You already have,” he responded and enjoyed the way her eyes widened.
Blue, soul-sucking eyes. Her presence was enough of a payback.
“I didn’t. But first chance I get—”
King held up a hand. “Yeah, yeah, yeah…whatever. Now be quiet and lower your face.”
The woman actually growled at him. And it was sexy as hell. The smile that tugged his lips caught him by surprise.

 

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Hard Play by Sheryl Nantus – a Review

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Hard Play by Sheryl Nantus – a Review

 

Hard PlayAmazon / B&N / Kobo / BAM

Description:
Ex-special forces ranger Dylan McCourt is a stone cold killer who cares only about his military brothers and doing what’s right. He’s used to giving orders and has zero patience for bullshit. Most people tremble when they look him in the eye, but not his infuriatingly sexy new rescue mission, Jessie Lyon. She just juts her chin and says she’s not leaving without clearing her father’s name, to hell with his rules. And was that a one finger salute he sees in her eyes or his imagination? Either way, he knows this is one job his training might not have prepared him for.

 

 

Review:

Hard Play by Sheryl Nantus is the first book in the Delta Force Brotherhood series.  Dylan McCourt owns and operates a nightclub in Las Vegas called The Devil’s Playground.  While it is quite successful it is also a cover for the Delta Force Brotherhood; an organization of ex Delta Force brothers who are always available to help someone in need. 

When Lisa Boudreau comes into the club – Dylan can tell by the look of her that she isn’t there for a drinks and a party.  She needs the help of the Brotherhood.  Lisa’s best friend Jessie Lyon is in some kind of trouble.  An ex cop, turned private investigator, hasn’t gotten in touch with Lisa in about a week.  If Jessie needs to go undercover – they have an agreement that she texts at least once a day – that is Lisa’s way of knowing that Jessie is alright.  But she hasn’t heard anything from her and she knows something is wrong.  Lisa has exhausted all of her leads, the cops think she is crazy and that Jessie just took off to clear her head and find a new life.  But Lisa knows that is not the case. 

With no indication of what case Jessie had been working on, or where she may be – Dylan agrees to take the case.  And after looking at a picture of Jessie he knows he must do whatever he can to save her, he has no idea why. But at first sight of the photo he knows – he must do whatever it takes to make her safe.  After doing some investigating Dylan and the Brotherhood soon find out that Jessie had been working at Fluxxx Casino as a blackjack dealer for the last three months.  What he can’t figure out is why? Why would an ex-cop turned PI need to work at a casino?  Unless she was undercover for some reason.  After looking into the casino more – Dylan finds out that the place is owned by Edward Molodavi, an old school mobster.  Edward Molodavi is bad news in the worst kind of way.  Not exactly  the kind of person that you want to get involved with.  And for some reason Jessie has upset him. 

The Brotherhood works fast to find out that Molodavi has Jessie held captive.  He found out that Jessie was working undercover to try and bring Molodavi down.  You see for Jessie it is personal.  One of Molodavi’s men shot Jessie’s dad while he was a  cop with Metro.  Her father was paralyzed and died not long after.  And Jessie swore to her father before he passed away that she would take Molodavi down. 

When Dylan moves in to rescue Jessie he finds is a stubborn, strong willed woman with the beauty and the brawn to be everything he has ever wanted.  After saving her from her captive, he must keep her safe and the more time he spends with her – the more he realizes that he would do anything to keep her with him. But is their attraction just Stockholm syndrome?  Are they only attracted to each other because of the adrenalin rush of the rescue and keeping her safe?  There may be only one way to find out.

Dylan McCourt is a hot, able bodied ex Delta Force on a mission.  From the moment you meet him you know he means business.  He doesn’t play games, he goes to work, gets the job done and does what ever is needed to keep those around him safe. The moment he sees the photo of Jessie you kind of know he is in trouble.  His primal instinct kicks in and he wants nothing more than to save her and find out more about her. He is rugged, and good looking and yet a complete gentleman all at the same time.  And his loyalty to his Brothers knows no bounds. 

Jessie Lyons is one stubborn willed woman on a mission.  She wants nothing more than to expose Molodavi for the criminal he is.  With the police seemingly turning their heads at all the illegal activity surrounding Molodavi, she knows she must be the one to bring him down.  She didn’t bargain for Dylan McCourt.  The attraction is there – quite obviously – but she has a job to complete.  She knows now that she can’t possibly do it all on her own and the help of the Brotherhood may be the only help she has.  She is strong willed, stubborn and can kick some serious ass if need be.  But on the same note she is relatable – and likeable.  You want her to be your friend.  You know she would always have  your back.

This is nowhere near my normal genre, but I enjoyed it quite a bit. Being that I live in Las Vegas I loved how all of the surroundings were on point.  The outlying areas of Summerlin mentioned and Mt. Charleston was on point.  I have travelled the road from Mt. Charleston holding onto the dash for dear life myself. The story was spot on about the surroundings.  And I believe that makes the story much more enjoyable and relatable.  I love when the author gets it all right.  This story had intrigue and danger;  you want and need to know what is going to happen.  I loved all the sub-characters from the Brotherhood and I cannot wait to read the next soldiers story.  I loved that Lisa and Jessie’s friendship was real and you could feel the bonds of friendship in their words.

Completely out of my reading comfort zone – but absolutely enjoyed this book.  Would recommend to anyone that enjoys a good love story with some kick ass fight scenes.

Reviewed by Erin

Copy provided by Publisher

 

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