** Review ** AND THEN MINE ENEMY Alison Stuart

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

** Review **  AND THEN MINE ENEMY  Alison StuartAnd Then Mine Enemy Series: Feathers in the Wind
Published by Oportet Publishing on December 25, 2016
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four-half-stars

A family ripped apart in a country divided by war . . .

England 1642: Hardened mercenary, Adam Coulter returns to England sickened by violence, seeking only peace, but he finds England on the brink of civil war. He has seen first hand what that will mean for every man, woman and child and wants no part of it.

King or Parliament? Neutrality is not an option and Adam can only be true to his conscience, not the dictates of his family.
Having escaped a violent marriage, Perdita Gray has found much needed sanctuary and the love of a good man, but her fragile world begins to crumble as Adam Coulter bursts into her life. This stranger brings not only the reality of war to her doorstep but reignites an old family feud, threatening everything and everyone she holds dear.

As the war and the family tensions collide around them, Adam and Perdita are torn between old loyalties and a growing attraction that must be resisted.


A historical saga centered around the start of the English Civil War and the turmoil and unrest that become of the country throughout.  You are drawn in to the lives of the characters very quickly, and continue to be enthralled as each new thing happens.  Not a huge amount of romance, but it’s a great read anyway!

Adam Coulter has lived the ravaged life of war before, so when he returns home to England just to discover the King is ready to start a civil war, he isn’t happy.  He can’t just sit back and abstain, so he joins the side of the Parliament, even though it means being on opposite sides of what family he has left.

Perdita Gray has had her own heartache in life and is happy to be free from a loveless marriage and about to embark on a new one with a man who will spend his life catering to her needs and desires.  She doesn’t expect to be drawn to yet another man when she meets Adam Coulter.

As the war progresses and family tension is at an all-time high, will Adam and Perdita keep their distance from each other, or will temptation be too strong?

four-half-stars

** Review ** NIGHT MANEUVERS Tawny Weber

** Review **  NIGHT MANEUVERS  Tawny WeberNight Maneuvers by Tawny Weber
Series: A SEAL Brotherhood Novel
Published by HQN Books on December 1, 2016
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four-stars

In a sizzling prequel novella to her new trilogy, New York Times bestselling author Tawny Weber introduces the sexy, powerful Navy SEALs in the Poseidon team as they take on the ultimate mission: love.

Within the elite brotherhood of Navy SEALs, the Poseidon team are the very best—and the most secretive. Convincing a naive journalist not to write a tell-all PR feature should be a piece of cake for Chief Petty Officer Aaron Ward. Especially once he glimpses Bryanna Radisson's soft, lush curves. His tactic: seduce and destroy…

Bryanna is no pushover. Aaron's hard-muscled body makes her crave much more than a story, and she'll get what she came for. Desire is her weapon of choice, but when this one wild night is over, will Aaron sabotage her plans…or lose his heart in collateral damage?


With this prequel novella, Tawny Weber introduces us to the Poseidon Team of Navy SEALS that will star in her upcoming SEAL Brotherhood trilogy!  If you’re familiar with Tawny’s work at all, you’ll know that she writes a sexy military guy quite well!  This was a short and easy to read story.  We met a lot of characters in a short span, some of which were Poseidon and some who weren’t, so that was a little confusing, but the main two characters had a cute connection and were fun to read about.

Chief Petty Officer Aaron Ward drew the short end of the straw and was tasked with the duty of giving an interview about his SEAL team to a PR rep.  He thinks he’ll go in and woo her with his smile and even let her enjoy a night with him to achieve keeping their group shadowed and unknown.  He doesn’t anticipate her being seasoned with using her feminine wiles to get her story, nor is he informed of her connections in the Navy!

four-stars

** Review ** DR. DO-OR-DIE Lara Lacome

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

** Review **  DR. DO-OR-DIE  Lara LacomeDr. Do-or-Die by Lara Lacombe
Series: Doctors in Danger
Published by Harlequin Romantic Suspense on January 1, 2017
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four-stars

Two doctors are on thin ice as they race to save the world from a deadly disease.

Epidemic researcher Dr. Avery Thatcher has studied countless illnesses…but nothing prepares her for what she finds at a remote Antarctic base: the man she never wanted to see again and a mysterious ailment ravaging inhabitants. Avery will do whatever it takes to discover the illness's cause, and she vows to keep her heartbreaking history with Dr. Grant Jones in the past—even if reignited passion brings them dangerously close.

For Grant, ending this outbreak and regaining Avery's trust are vital. As their hunt to contain a lethal pathogen escalates, he'll put everything on the line to avert disaster. But will another insidious threat stop them both cold?


An exciting ride of terror filled moments as they rush to stop an unknown disease before it catches up with them all!  It keeps you guessing trying to figure out who all is behind the bad doings, and wondering if they are going to find them before more people are lost.  I wanted a little bit more of a connection between the main characters.  I felt their past was show-cased well, but the reunion and current relationship could have had a little more oomph to it.

Dr. Grant Jones isn’t expecting an epidemic to break out on the base that he’s in charge of in Antarctica, and when it does, the last person he thinks will walk through the door as the head CDC investigator is his former college sweetheart the he has never gotten over.  He expected to spend the rest of his life with her, but circumstances and youthful mistakes split them up.

Center for Disease Control investigator, Dr. Avery Thatcher has no clue she’s walking into Grant’s base hospital when she is sent to investigate a suspicious outbreak.  She isn’t happy to see him and have the memories of how badly he let her down all those years ago flashing through her mind again.

The time together lets them have the time they need to discuss each of their feelings over the past, and make peace with each other, but will they be able to put a stop to the release of this disease before they are all taken down by it?

four-stars

** Review ** PROTECTING HER SEAL Kat Cantrell

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

** Review **  PROTECTING HER SEAL  Kat CantrellProtecting Her SEAL by Kat Cantrell
Series: ASSIGNMENT: Caribbean Nights
Published by Alpe D'Huez Press on December 27, 2016
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four-stars

Former Navy SEAL Miles Lynch came home from Iraq with the nickname “Mild.” His dirty little secret? It's easy to stay calm when you don't care about anything. He learned the hard way that happy endings don't exist—fighting for the cause only got him broken and disillusioned.

Explosives expert Lale Şakir knows a thing or two about chemistry, but only on paper. When it comes to men? Total novice. But when she agrees to create an artificial coral reef for Aqueous Adventures as an excursion site near the Caribbean island Miles calls home, will the unexpected heat between them cause too many complications… or melt the polar ice cap around his heart?


Another sexy SEAL takes center stage as the Assignment:  Caribbean Nights series continues with Miles’ story!  He’s a troubled guy, and we learn a bit of his history, but he’s still fairly secretive … which pairs him well when he meets and is instantly attracted to his leading lady who has a boatload of back story she isn’t sharing of her own!

Miles Lynch is the most at peace he’s been since he left the service here on their little piece of heaven island in the Caribbean.  He works and lives surrounded by his former SEAL teammates as they run a vacation excursion business together.  Now he’s looking to enhance one of their services, and gets hooked up with an expert to help him out.

Lale Sakir comes highly recommended by Charlie’s girl Audra, but Miles isn’t so sure about trusting a woman with explosives until he meets her.  He doesn’t know what a tough girl looks like until he first interacts with Lale.  She’s in a bad situation and really needs this job!  She says all the right things and Miles can’t wait to see the artificial coral reef she is going to help them create!

When attraction flairs, will they decide to make this more than a working relationship?

four-stars

** Review ** SLOW DANCE WITH THE BEST MAN Sophie Pembroke

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

** Review **  SLOW DANCE WITH THE BEST MAN  Sophie PembrokeSlow Dance with the Best Man by Sophie Pembroke
Series: Wedding of the Year
Published by Harlequin Romance on January 1, 2017
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three-half-stars

Taming Hollywood's Best Man

Shy Eloise Miller has hidden from attention since her mother's scandalous affairs destroyed her family. So having to act as maid of honor in a glitzy celebrity wedding is her worst nightmare!

Under the glare of the world's media, she's paired with best man Noah Cross. On paper, this commitmentphobic Hollywood heartthrob is everything Eloise avoids. But soon he's unlocking Eloise's secret hopes, and tempting her to believe that her dreams of forever might come true…


A story about overcoming past wounds to heal and thrive when you spread your wings to follow your dreams!  I liked the main characters together, but I felt like the story was slow to develop, and it was fairly chaste.  When a sex scene came about, it was basically like a door was closed and you were left to draw your own conclusions about what happened, because it went from just about to happen, to them laying in bed afterwards.  I expected more connection and follow through considering the line it was published under, however, I did enjoy reading it.

Eloise Miller has spent her life trying to steer clear of attention and limelight.  After a childhood filled with drama, she is happy to live behind the scenes where it’s quiet and non-eventful!  When she is suddenly thrust into the job of filling in as maid of honor to her childhood arch nemesis in a very public celebrity wedding, it’s her worst nightmare come true!

Noah Cross isn’t thrilled about his best man duties to an acting acquaintance, but he’s there to do the job.  When he meets Eloise, he’s enthralled and can’t stop flirting with her.  She knows his reputation as a die-hard commitment-phobe ladies man, so there’s no way she’s going to be interested in him … or will she??

three-half-stars

** Review ** ALL HE FEELS Melanie Shawn

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

** Review **  ALL HE FEELS  Melanie ShawnAll He Feels - Dax & Ginny by Melanie Shawn
Series: Crossroads
Published by Red Hot Reads Publishing on December 27, 2016
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five-stars

One night sealed their fate…

Virginia “Ginny” Valentine didn’t think she could feel so connected to another person after one night of "just talking." The beautiful and famous country singer had everything in her life...everything but that connection. And after experiencing it for the first time, she wanted more, and she wanted it with him…

Dax Archer felt it the second he laid eyes on her. From that moment, the bodyguard and former Marine knew he had to make her his in every way possible. But when she disappeared from his life after leaving only a note to say she’d never forget him, he didn’t know how…

With some time set aside to create new music, Ginny was also ready to create something special with the man that consumed her every waking thought. After being reunited with the woman who owned him mind, body and soul, he was ready to make her feel all that he felt and more…


A super fun story pairing a young, innocent country gal with an experienced, hardened Special Forces hottie!  They’re an exciting couple to watch overcome their roadblocks to head towards their sexy happily-ever-after!

Country music star Virginia Valentine never knew she could fall for a guy after just one night, until she met Dax Archer.  They talked all night before she had to quietly slip away, leaving only a note.

Dax is used to enjoying women.  Casual, simple fun!  He’s not used to being obsessed with a woman he barely met … and one he didn’t even take to bed!  Months after receiving Ginny’s “I’ll never forget you” note, he still can’t stop thinking about her, so imagine his surprise when she shows up on his doorstep!

Watching this couple learn to lean on each other and simply enjoy the pleasures of each other’s company is sexy and sweet!

five-stars

** Review ** THE BEST MAN’S BABY Karen Booth

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

** Review **  THE BEST MAN’S BABY  Karen BoothThe Best Man's Baby by Karen Booth
Published by Harlequin Desire on January 1, 2017
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four-half-stars

It's a second-chance baby!

Julia Keys has everything going for her—beauty, brains and a Hollywood career. So why does she keep ending up in Logan Brandt's bed? The sexy former pro baseball player has wreaked havoc on her heart for years. But when their latest fling ends with a plus sign on the pregnancy test, Logan makes the case for marriage.

Julia knows the only wedding in their future is the one they're both attending, no matter how hot the chemistry between them still burns. Can two high school sweethearts who've made a mess of love finally get it right…even if the baby isn't Logan's?


A swoon-worthy take on a reunion story!  It’s quick and easy to read, filled with a drama filled week leading up to a final meeting of the minds on love conquering all!

Actress Julia Keys appears to have it all … a Hollywood career, her leading men falling at her feet, beauty and brains — but she’s never had the man she truly wants by her side.

Logan Brandt was her high school sweetheart.  They had a powerful relationship before she broke his heart when they left for college.  He went on to play professional baseball and have a full life without her … but she was always the one that got away!

Drawn together again for a mutual friend and family wedding, Logan learns they have unfinished business resulting from their a tryst they had a few months ago … there’s a little one on the way!

four-half-stars

** Blog Tour / Book Review ** BAD BOYS AFTER DARK: DYLAN Melissa Foster

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

** Blog Tour / Book Review **  BAD BOYS AFTER DARK: DYLAN  Melissa FosterBad Boys After Dark: Dylan by Melissa Foster
Series: Bad Billionaires After Dark
Published by World Literary Press on December 21, 2016
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four-half-stars

Everything's naughtier after dark...

Sinfully sexy bar owner Dylan Bad has a thing for needy women. He’s a savior, a knight in shining armor, and his mighty talented sword has no trouble bringing damsels in distress to their knees. Enter Tiffany Winters, a gorgeous cutthroat sports agent who looks like sex on legs, f**ks like she’s passion personified, and wouldn’t let a man help her if she were dangling from a ledge and he was her only hope. One night and too much tequila might change their lives forever. The question is, will either one survive?

Fun, steamy and sweet all rolled in to one great read!

Bar owner Dylan Bad is a cocky, confident guy who loves to be needed, so when he meets a woman that grabs his attention like no other, it’s unbelievable that she’s a hard-nosed, take no prisoners gal!

Tiffany Winters hasn’t spent her life around sports to now all of a sudden become a girly girl who needs a man to feel complete!  She’s a major workaholic who will do anything to succeed in her career as a sports agent.  But why is she suddenly craving something else other than the adrenaline of work?  She’s actually ignoring her phone for this guy.  He might be rocking her world with his wicked hands, but can she really put her heart on the line for a man?

 

 

Bad Billionaires After Dark: Dylan by Melissa Foster

Date of Publication: December 21, 2016

Blurb

Bad Billionaires After Dark are a series of stand-alone hot and sexy romances.

Indulge your inner vixen with these sexy billionaires!
Meet the Bad Boys… Four fiercely loyal, sinfully sexy, uber alpha brothers, about to fall head over heels for their leading ladies.

Everything’s naughtier after dark…
Sinfully sexy bar owner Dylan Bad has a thing for needy women. He’s a savior, a knight in shining armor, and his mighty talented sword has no trouble bringing damsels in distress to their knees. Enter Tiffany Winters, a gorgeous cutthroat sports agent who looks like sex on legs, f**ks like she’s passion personified, and wouldn’t let a man help her if she were dangling from a ledge and he was her only hope. One night and too much tequila might change their lives forever. The question is, will either one survive?

 


BAD BOYS AFTER DARK
Mick
Dylan
Carson (coming soon)
Brett (coming soon)

More After Dark books:
WILD BOYS AFTER DARK (Available Now!)
Logan
Heath
Jackson
Cooper

The BILLIONAIRES AFTER DARK series is part of the LOVE IN BLOOM big family romance collection. Each book may be read as a stand-alone novel, or as part of the series.

 

Available From


About Melissa Foster

Melissa Foster is a New York Times & USA Today bestselling and award-winning author. She writes sexy and heartwarming contemporary romance, new adult romance (M/F, M/M, F/F), romantic suspense, thrillers, and historical fiction with emotionally compelling characters that stay with you long after you turn the last page. Melissa’s emotional journeys are lovingly erotic and always family oriented. Her books have been recommended by USA Today’s book blog, Hagerstown Magazine, The Patriot, and several other print venues. She is the founder of the World Literary Café. When she’s not writing, Melissa helps authors navigate the publishing industry through her author training programs on Fostering Success.

Melissa has painted and donated several murals to The Hospital for Sick Children in Washington, DC. Her interests include her family, reading, writing, painting, friends, helping others see the positive side of life, and visiting Cape Cod.

Melissa is available to chat with book clubs and welcomes comments and emails from her readers. Visit Melissa on Facebook or her personal website.

Never miss a brand new release, special promotions or inside gossip again by simply signing up to receive your newsletter from Melissa.

Find Melissa Foster Online

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four-half-stars

** Blog Tour / Review ** A KICK IN THE PANTS / WILL NEVER FADE by Jenna Sutton

vt-reilyobriennovellas-jsutton_final

A Kick in the Pants & Will Never Fade
Riley O’Brien & Co. Novellas

By: Jenna Sutton
Self-Published

 

a-kick-in-the-pants

BLURB:

A Kick in the Pants: Releasing November 15, 2016

Jake Lilliard has always been a gambling man. So far, all the risks he’s taken — like moving to San Francisco and joining Riley O’Brien & Co. — have paid off. Now he’s ready to take the biggest risk of all: acting on his feelings for Kyla Andrews. As a trainee in his department, she’s off limits. But as soon as Kyla moves on to another job, he is going to make her his. He’s waited long enough…

When tragedy struck Kyla’s family years ago, she started playing it safe. She doesn’t take risks with her job or her heart, and she refuses to be a cliché – the foolish woman who falls for her sexy boss. Yet Jake is everything she has ever wanted, and it’s impossible to resist him and his enticing kisses.

Just when it seems that the gamble they took will pay off, Jake’s past threatens his future with Kyla. He knows lady luck is fickle, but she’s always had a soft spot for him. He’s hoping she won’t turn her back on him when he needs her the most…

Link to Follow Tour:  
http://tastybooktours.com/tours-master/2016/11/3/a-kick-in-the-pants-will-never-fade-reily-obrien-co-by-jenna-sutton

Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32808398-a-kick-in-the-pants
Goodreads Series Link https://www.goodreads.com/series/139126-riley-o-brien-co

 Buy Links:      AMAZON

 

bookreview

4 STARS!

A sexy, fun little novella centering around one of Riley O’Brien & Co.’s management trainees!

Kyla Andrews is almost done with her year long management trainee program and is excited to pick her new job with the company.  She’s hoping she makes it that long without totally embarrassing herself with how much she’s crushing on her boss though!

Jake Lilliard has been suffering right alongside her for almost 6 months now, even though neither of them knows that the other one likes them.  Jake is counting the days until she’s no longer his subordinate and he can ask her out!  He’s never felt this way about a woman before!

Just when their time has arrived, a moment of sharing their past with each other brings about a stumbling block that just might tear them apart for good!

 

EXCERPT:

Metal wall sconces illuminated the corridor, throwing pools of golden light on the dark wood plank floors. A door opened a few feet ahead of her, and Jake emerged from it. He froze when he saw her, his eyes widening before he ambled toward her.

The narrow corridor made her even more aware of his height and muscular physique, and her body reacted the way it always did when got close. Her heart began to pound, and her breathing grew shallow. Suddenly, her throat was dry, and she swallowed thickly.

Stopping right in front of her, he looked down into her face. His eyes caught the light from the sconces, glimmering with a million shades of green and gold. They dropped to her mouth before jumping back to hers.

“You’ve got sugar on your lips,” he notified her, his voice low and gravelly.

Without thinking, she licked her upper lip. He moved closer, the front of his long-sleeved dress shirt brushing against her chest. She nervously stepped back, afraid that she might throw herself at him. He followed until her back was against the wall. She sucked in a shaky breath, trying not to let him see how much his nearness affected her.

“Not there.” He touched his thumb to her lower lip, toward the corner. “Here.”

Dropping his head, he licked the spot where his thumb had been. She gasped, certain that she was having yet another X-rated dream starring Jake. When his tongue flicked along the outer edge of her upper lip, she realized it wasn’t a dream.

“And you’ve got some here,” he murmured, tracing her lower lip with his tongue.

She gripped his upper arms, his biceps rock hard under her fingers. “What are you doing?” she breathed against his mouth.

He drew back to stare into her eyes. “I’m not your boss anymore, Kyla. I’m just a guy who works for the same company you do, and lucky for me, that company doesn’t have any rules against co-workers dating, even if they’re in the same department.”

She barely heard a word he said because her ears were roaring with her pulse. “What?”

He smiled slowly, and she couldn’t tear her eyes from his mouth. She clutched his arms tighter, wanting those lips on every part of her body.

“I’m not your boss anymore,” he repeated. “I have been counting the days until … until I could …”

“Until you could what?” she whispered.

“Until I could be with you,” he answered hoarsely. “That’s all I want … a chance to be with you.”

 

 

will-never-fade

BLURB:

Will Never Fade: Releasing December 13, 2016

For Phoebe Werner, the management trainee program at Riley O’Brien & Co. represents a new beginning. She’s finally healthy, and she is trying to enjoy life while she can. She never expects to run into Garrett Gale at a New Year’s Eve party. The handsome hotelier is the only man she wants… and a reminder of what she can never have.

Years ago, Garrett enjoyed one memorable night with Phoebe after months of fantasizing about her. And then, she disappeared. She ignored his efforts to contact her, and he did his best to forget her. Now fate has brought her back into his life and his bed. But who knows how long she’ll stay there?

With Phoebe’s fears threatening to ruin their chance at happiness, Garrett must convince her that they’re meant to be. He can’t let Phoebe walk away with his heart again.

Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32808400-will-never-fade
Goodreads Series Link https://www.goodreads.com/series/139126-riley-o-brien-co

 Buy Links:      AMAZON

 

bookreview

4 1/2 STARS!

Such an emotionally powerful book!  Choosing to let fear guide you, often leaves you losing out on the best things in life.  Really enjoyed this couple and the story!  It was fun to see Jake and Kyla again too!

Garrett Gale had one magically night with the woman of his dreams … and then she disappeared, never responding to any of his attempts at contacting her.  He moved on with his life and tried to forget about her … but his heart remembered.  Imagine his surprise when he runs into her out of the blue years later!  He can’t believe the changes in her, but he doesn’t desire her one bit less.

Phoebe Werner relocated to San Francisco to start living again.  She’s finally healthy, and enjoying delving into the Management Trainee Program she’s working in at Riley O’Brien & Co.  When she runs into Garrett at a News Year’s Eve party, she can’t believe it’s him.  He’s all she’s ever wanted … but exactly what she can’t have!

 

EXCERPT:

Garrett picked up his fork, but instead of eating off his own plate, he stabbed a piece of chicken off hers. As he brought it to his mouth, she kicked him under the table, not hard, just a tap.

“If you wanted chicken tagine,” she groused, “you should have ordered it.”

Although his mouth was busy chewing, she could tell he wanted to smile. This was their old routine—him eating off her plate, her chastising him, and him offering little tidbits of his meal to repay her.

Switching his fork for a spoon, he scooped some stew from the orange bowl in front of him and held it up to her mouth. She opened with no hesitation, the whole situation as comfortable and familiar as her favorite flannel nightgown.

He spooned the food into her mouth. As she chewed the flavorful combination of tender beef, kalamata olives, raisins, and garbanzo beans, she got hints of cinnamon and cumin and a little kick of lemon.

“Oh, that’s good,” she murmured, licking her lips. “Give me another bite.”

He didn’t give her what she wanted. Instead, his eyes dropped to her mouth and stayed there for several heartbeats. She watched as his pupils expanded and his irises darkened from bright turquoise to deep teal.

She had seen that look in his eyes before, but she hadn’t recognized it for what it was. She did now.

Suddenly the situation was no longer comfortable. And neither was the ache between her thighs. Feeling a syrupy trickle of arousal into her panties, she silently cursed herself and shifted on the banquette seat.

She’d known it would be impossible for them to go back to the way things used to be. They had opened Pandora’s Box that night. Or, to be more accurate, they had opened Phoebe’s box.

They’d released a powerful force into their friendship—desire. And that desire simmered beneath the surface like a dormant volcano just waiting to erupt.

 

 

AUTHOR INFO:

jsuttonauthorphotosmall

Jenna Sutton is a former award-winning journalist who traded fact for fiction when she began writing novels. Surprisingly, the research she conducted for her articles provided a lot of inspiration for her books.

Jenna is the author of the Riley O’Brien & Co. romances. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism from Texas Christian University and a Master’s degree in Integrated Marketing Communications from Northwestern University.

Jenna and her husband live in Texas in a 105-year-old house affectionately known as “The Money Pit”. You can find out more about her and her books by visiting www.jennasutton.com

Author Links:   WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | GOODREADS

 

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** Blog Tour / Book Review / Release Day Blitz ** ABSOLUTE TRUST Piper J. Drake

 

4 STARS!

In the third installment of the True Heroes series, we finally get Brandon Forte’s story.  We know Brandon as the guy that started Hope’s Crossing Kennels from the previous two books, but now we learn the back story of what made him who he is today.  A good continuation with a good bit of intrigue, some adorable animals, and a sexy connection.

Sophie Kim has been in love with Brandon Forte since back in high school, but he left her behind to go conquer the world without even saying goodbye.  When he left the service and opened a dog training business back in their hometown, Sophie naturally stepped back into his life as a great friend.  Lucky for her, she did, because he’s in the right place at the right time when she becomes the target of some dangerous men!

Brandon and his business have been targeted by some bad organizations in the past, and now those connections just might be after Sophie!  He will do anything to keep her safe!

 


ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: ABSOLUTE TRUST
Author: Piper J. Drake
Series: True Heroes, #3

On Sale: December 20, 2016
Publisher: Forever

Mass Market: $6.99 USD
eBook:  $5.99 USD

Add to Goodreads
Hot military heroes, the women who love them, and the dogs who always have their backs. ABSOLUTE TRUST is the third book in a high-adrenaline romantic suspense series from Piper J. Drake.

LOVE IS THE GREATEST RISK OF ALL

After multiple tours of duty, Brandon Forte returns to his hometown on a personal mission: to open a facility for military service dogs like Haydn, a German shepherd who’s seen his share of combat and loss. It also brings him back to Sophie Kim, a beacon of light in his life . . . and the one woman he can’t have. But Forte’s success means he’s made enemies in high places. Enemies who are now after Sophie . . .

When Forte enlisted and left without saying goodbye, Sophie did her best to move on. But with her first love back in town, looking sexier than ever, she’s constantly reminded of what they could have had. Then after he risks himself for her, Sophie realizes she’ll have to put her life in the hands of the man who broke her heart, knowing the danger—and the sparks between them—could consume them both.


BUY THE BOOK HERE

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EXCERPT

Sophie Kim must’ve come directly from work because, under her very sleek, black trench coat, she wore a matching pencil skirt. Three-inch red heels popped in contrast to the severe black of the rest of her outfit. Which did all sorts of things to him. Naughty things. The kind of things that were so good that they were really bad. Especially when a woman was off limits.

“Hey! Is that the new guy?” Sophie slowed her approach, keeping her gaze locked on Forte’s face.

She’d been around tiny dogs all her life, but she’d spent enough time at Hope’s Crossing Kennels over the last couple of years to have learned how to meet the much bigger dogs in Forte’s care. Training working dogs was his thing. Or in Haydn’s case, retraining.

Always a work in progress.

Sophie had been here when Forte had come back from active duty, too battle weary to continue deploying. She’d helped him with the accounting when he’d established Hope’s Crossing Kennels and had generally integrated herself into the private world he’d created for himself, Rojas, and Cruz while they all rebuilt lives for themselves.

Sophie’s bright smile faded as she waited for him to answer. She always sensed when he got too caught up inside his own head.

“Yeah.” Forte came to a halt and murmured the command for Haydn to sit.

Instant obedience. Despite his injury, surgery, and current need for recovery, the dog was as sharp as he’d been on active duty. The mind was eager, ready to work. The body, not so much.

Sophie’s smile renewed, the brilliant expression stopping his heart, the way it had every time he’d seen her since they’d first met way back in high school. She came to a stop in front of them, barely within arm’s reach. “He must be doing well if you’ve got him out here for some field work.”

While they spoke, Haydn watched them both. Then he sniffed the back of Sophie’s hand, which she’d been holding conveniently within reach.

Usually, he preferred if a person asked to be introduced, but this was Sophie. If she’d approached anyone else, she’d have requested permission to say “Hi” to the dog. But between the two of them, everything was an exception.

It showed how well she’d come to know the way he worked in the last few years. He’d changed with every deployment. It happened. And she’d adjusted and accepted those changes in him without a word when he came back. She was the steadfast, forever friend.

He’d never told her why he’d left in the first place or why he’d come back. She was so good at just accepting him that she might never know. And he was a coward for not telling her.

“What’s your plan for him?” Sophie glanced down at the dog, now that he’d sniffed her hand. “Haydn, right?”

“Yeah.” Forte cleared his throat. “He’s got a couple of weeks of physical therapy first. Then we need to coordinate with the Air Force on his adoption.”

“Ah.” Understanding in one syllable. She had the kind of caring heart to fill in the gaps when something went unsaid. “His handler didn’t make it.”

Part of why Sophie was one of the only people Forte felt easy around was because she got it. Only needed to explain once. And she listened the first time. Sometimes no explanation was required at all.

“Where’s your car? We’ll walk you.”

“Right across the street.” Sophie jerked her head in the direction of the small parking lot.

They headed over, Sophie falling into step next to Forte. She didn’t try to take his hand or tuck her own around his arm. They weren’t like that. Besides, she knew he didn’t like to be all wound up with a person when walking out in the open.

As they approached her car, Sophie juggled her shopping bag to pull her keys out of her purse and triggered the trunk.

“Need help?” Forte came up alongside the car, scanning the area around the parking lot out of habit.

“No worries.” Sophie lifted the trunk door and carefully placed her shopping bag inside the deep space, leaning in to move things around to where she wanted. “I need to make sure this is arranged so stuff doesn’t shift. It’s delicate!”

He was not going to admit to anyone, ever, how much he was willing to stretch his neck to catch sight of her backside while she was leaning over.

Haydn sniffed the side of the car. The big dog was very engaged, his relaxed attitude changing to a sharper set of movements. Forte tore his attention from Sophie.

Haydn had detected something out of place. Something wrong. Forte’s stomach tightened into a hard knot. Nothing wrong should be anywhere near his Sophie. It didn’t matter that they were in a sleepy town on the edge of a river in the middle of a peaceful country. It didn’t matter that there shouldn’t be any real danger here.

Haydn deliberately sat and looked up at Forte. It was a clear signal. One Haydn had been specifically trained to give as a military explosives detection dog.

Shit.

“Sophie. Step away from your car.” He’d explain later. Be afraid later. Rage. Worry.

Later.

She popped up from the trunk. “Huh?”

“Do it.”

They had to move now.

She complied, thank god. He gave Haydn a terse command, circled around to grab Sophie and get more distance. He steered her across the parking lot toward a big dumpster. It’d serve as good cover. Then he reached for his smart phone.

They got a couple of yards away, and Sophie craned her neck to look back at her car, even as she kept moving with him. She always did as he asked immediately, but she had a brain, and she insisted on explanations after she complied. “What—?”

Behind them, the trunk hatch came down with a solid thunk.

Forte let out a curse and grabbed her, pulling them down to the ground and rolling for the cover of other cars as an explosion lifted the entire driver’s side of her car.

 

THE SERIES

EXTREME HONOR, #1

ULTIMATE COURAGE, #2

ABSOLUTE TRUST, #3

Series Page on Goodreads

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Piper J. Drake (or “PJ”) spent her childhood pretending to study for the SATs by reading every interesting novel she could find at the library. After being introduced to the wonderful world of romance by her best friend, she dove into the genre.

PJ began her writing career as PJ Schnyder, writing sci-fi & paranormal romance and steampunk, for which she won the FF&P PRISM award as well as the NJRW Golden Leaf award and Parsec award.

PJ’s romantic suspense novels incorporate her interests in mixed martial arts and the military. The True Heroes series is inspired by her experience rescuing, owning and training a variety of retired working dogs, including Kaiser, a former guard dog, and Mozart, who was trained to detect explosives.

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