He didn't believe in fairy tales
Romantic fantasies and happy endings don't fit Oakes Bartasavich's reality. Of course, neither does his breathtaking attraction to Daphne Lynch. From his prestigious career to his volatile family, there's too much at stake to risk one kiss—let alone one night—with her. But a snowy Christmas stranded together in Shady Grove, Pennsylvania, shines light on everything he's fighting to deny. Daphne isn't just a beautiful temptation. She's a strong, intelligent, kind woman who deserves a happily-ever-after. One that Oakes isn't sure he can give her…no matter how much he'd like to.
Okay. Well. As I was reading through this story, I hoped for a major twist in the plot, because as it was, it was desperate and heading for a major failure.
Here's the situation - Oakes is the older half brother of Zach, Daphne's older half brother. Daphne and Zach's mother was a nanny for Oakes, when she had an affair with Oakes' dad, and became pregnant with Zach. Right, not the most traditional family ever. When you add to it that Daphne's dad was an alcoholic, who had abused the family, and tried to coerce Daphne to give him money at her high school graduation... Just as dysfunctional as it can be. So, when a psychology student, Daphne, goes after her long time crush, the lawyer Oakes, acting desperate, silly, making schemes to get them together, and outright begging him to pay attention to her, kiss her, sleep with her, whatever it was that she wanted at the time, it was embarrassing. Because even though Oakes didn't deny, that he was physically attracted to Daphne, and liked to be her friend, he was also very clear he didn't want to, or like to be attracted to her, didn't want to have a relationship with her, and only slept with her to get her out of his system. But even that doesn't stop her, she really still, goes after him, showing up at a party where he is with the woman he choose to be, wants to be with, who, according to him, fits into his life and is attractive, interesting, and all around lovely to be with... So, I admit, I had really hard time believing he actually would change his mind, or convince me that it was true love, after all that happen before. I'm sorry, but this couple didn't convince me of anything else, except that she was desperate, not very mature, and stubborn to the fault. There was also another couple in the story, the teenagers from the previous book of the series, Luke and Gracie. The teenage love drama that they lived through seemed more mature at the times, as the grownups, and was a cute addition to the book, even though in no way attached to the main plot. Yes, this story frustrated and embarrassed me more than anything else, but thankfully the teenagers saved part of the story.. Sorry, I really wish I could have understood and liked the story more than I did ~ Two Spoons with a teaspoon on the side
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Food Whore:
A Novel of Dining and Deceit By: Jessica Tom Releasing October 27, 2015 William Morrow
Full of wit and mouth-watering cuisines, Jessica Tom’s debut novel offers a clever insider take on the rarefied world of New York City’s dining scene in the tradition of The Devil Wears Prada meets Kitchen Confidential.
Food whore (n.) A person who will do anything for food. When Tia Monroe moves to New York City, she plans to put herself on the culinary map in no time. But after a coveted internship goes up in smoke, Tia’s suddenly just another young food lover in the big city. But when Michael Saltz, a legendary New York Times restaurant critic, lets Tia in on a career-ending secret—that he’s lost his sense of taste—everything changes. Now he wants Tia to serve as his palate, ghostwriting his reviews. In return he promises her lavish meals, a bottomless cache of designer clothing, and the opportunity of a lifetime. Out of prospects and determined to make it, Tia agrees. Within weeks, Tia’s world transforms into one of luxury: four-star dinners, sexy celebrity chefs, and an unlimited expense account at Bergdorf Goodman. Tia loves every minute of it…until she sees her words in print and Michael Saltz taking all the credit. As her secret identity begins to crumble and the veneer of extravagance wears thin, Tia is forced to confront what it means to truly succeed—and how far she’s willing to go to get there.
The reception was meant to be casual and fun, but instead the air vibrated with tension, like a kettle on the verge of boiling. I saw some people in crisp lab coats (the food science researchers), others in tweed jackets (the cultural anthropologists), and a select group in shorts and hoodies who looked about the same age as us (the Internet start-up founders). The room was a convergence of all kinds of food industry professionals: restaurateurs, packaged food makers, web series producers. Students like me jockeyed for position around these would-be mentors, needy moons circling any planet with a vacancy in its orbit.
“Do you see Helen?” I asked Elliott. He already had a job at the New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx, but he’d come with me to the graduate student reception as a show of support. Even though he had attended three of her speaking engagements with me and knew her face, he checked her picture again before scanning the crowd. “Helen . . . Helen . . . where are you, Helen?” he said with squinted, searching eyes. “Want me to walk around? I’ll text you if I see her.” Before I could say yes, Elliott was off, hunting. He was good like that. Elliott was Elliott—goofy and kind and the type of guy who made me giddy even by standing a little too close. He’s a good one. But one thing Elliott will never be is a person who loves to eat. He isn’t opposed to a good meal or annoyingly picky or anything like that. It’s just that food doesn’t matter to him. If a meal ever tried to speak to Elliott, he’d probably excuse himself from the conversation. But that didn’t mean he’d bail on helping me out. Now that I was officially in NYU’s master’s program in Food Studies, I didn’t want to leave Helen to chance. The committee already had my internship application and I’d find out my placement in five days, but maybe—just maybe—I could seal the deal by charming the socks off Helen at this event. Helen is brilliant. Her work for the Times is legendary for its incisive critiques, but I love her memoirs and cookbooks the most. Unshackled by journalistic constraints, her voice grows warm and visceral and pulls you into the heart of every recipe and story. You sit in her blue childhood kitchen in Massachusetts, ache over her short-lived love affair with a chef in France, grit your teeth at her hectic days as a new mother. Part of my plan included enticing Helen with a batch of my special cashew-almond- walnut- pecan Dacquoise Drops, something to make her take notice of my application essay. Dacquoise Drops were no ordinary cookies. They’re what drove me to Helen, though I can’t say I planned it that way. Reprinted courtesy of William Morrow/HarperCollins Publishers.
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Jessica Tom is a writer and food blogger living in Brooklyn. She has worked on initiatives with restaurants, hospitality startups, food trucks, and citywide culinary programs. Jessica attended Yale University and graduated with a concentration in fiction writing, studying three years under Amy Bloom. She brings a wide variety of food experience to her writing. You can connect with her at jessicatom.com; and @jessicatom
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Soul of a Man The
Dark Souls #1 By: Jamie Begley Re-Releasing on Oct 28th, 2015 Young Ink Press
Cara, a powerful Moirae, finds herself stranded on Earth made human by an enemy of her mother, Fate.
Lost and alone, she is forced to accept the reluctant help of Jericho Hawk. Jericho is determined not to become involved with Cara, even as their sexual attraction for each other cannot keep them apart. When Cara's Cousin Grimm appears and proves Cara's crazy stories are actually true, he must overcome the horrors her mother is responsible for to gain an eternity with the woman he has come to love.
“What are you, an alien or one of the loons who believe they were abducted then returned by aliens?”
“I am not an alien, nor have I ever met one. I can guarantee they do not exist.” “Not that I’m disagreeing with you, and I’m sincerely grateful that you have no relationship with aliens, but how can you guarantee that they don’t exist. Even scientists don’t agree on that one.” “Because I know every creature known and unknown ever created.” “You do? And how is that possible?” Cara didn’t miss that his voice had changed its tone, now sounding as if he were placating a crazy person. Cara didn’t appreciate the condescending attitude. “Because I am a Moraie.” Cara’s own tone had turned smug. She was very proud of her heritage. “Exactly what is a Moraie?” Again with the attitude. It was seriously beginning to grate on her nerves. “Have you ever heard of the three fates?” Looking at him, she guessed he hadn’t. ”One is present at birth guiding souls to the correct child’s body. This is my sister Zerina. Another is present during your life, helping to fight battles along the way, ensuring the correct outcome, for the good or bad. This is my sister Broni.” As she spoke, Cara noticed his hands tightening on the steering wheel. “And you?” “I am the third fate. My name is Cara.” “And what do you do?” “I cut the thread. I free the soul and escort it to their next life.” “So you are a serial killer?” (Copyright Jamie Begley/Young Ink Press Oct 2015)
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"I was born in a small town in Kentucky. My family began poor, but worked their way to owning a restaurant. My mother was one of the best cooks I have ever known, and she instilled in all her children the value of hard work, and education.
Taking after my mother, I've always love to cook, and became pretty good if I do say so myself. I love to experiment and my unfortunate family has suffered through many. They now have learned to steer clear of those dishes. I absolutely love the holidays and my family puts up with my zany decorations. For now, my days are spent writing, writing, and writing. I have two children who both graduated this year from college. My daughter does my book covers, and my son just tries not to blush when someone asks him about my books. Currently I am writing five series of books- The Last Riders, The VIP Room, Predators MC, Biker Bitches, and The Dark Souls. All my books are written for one purpose- the enjoyment others find in them, and the expectations of my fans that inspire me to give it my best.” Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads
In Laurel Ridge, Pennsylvania, a community once united must suspect one of their own
Amish quilter Sarah Bitler's dreams no longer feature a husband and family. Instead, she searches for success in the quilt shop within Blackburn House, a place once tarnished with deadly secrets. She refuses to let the past influence her future…until an ominous fire forces them to collide. Firefighter Aaron King was the first to touch Sarah's heart—and the first to break it. Now a widower and father of two small girls, his return to Sarah's life brings her buried feelings to the surface. As a string of horrific incidents tears apart their community, an arsonist's wrath threatens to destroy them all. With Aaron as the only suspect, Sarah must follow her instincts to find the truth. But to protect an innocent man, she might risk her heart to Aaron again…and risk her life to an unknown killer.
Arson, murder, physical attacks spread fear amongst the small community, as it seems one of their own is out to get them all..
I have seen a lot of Amish stories out lately, and as I saw this title, thought it might be the perfect one for me to try out. I liked the characters, they were all so helpful, kind and supportive each other in all matters. They were easy to like, to understand, and accept. The Amish ways, culture, habits, were interesting. And as I am a quilter myself, I found that part interesting as well. The crimes were multiplied, and seemed somehow personal. The fear was palpable at times, and certainly there were many twists in the plot to move the story on, and keep the interest. At the same time as I admire the peaceful, no hurry ways of the Amish, I admit, this story could have moved a bit faster. The focus on the story was the people, not the action, and things happening in the community. So the tension and fierceness of the constantly happening crimes is dulled after the fact, every time. That doesn't mean the story isn't good, it actually was, and I grew attached to the people in it, felt the connection between them. But I could have enjoyed more intensity and speed into the tale. But, as it was, an interesting, crime filled story, from the small town where the English and the Amish live in a peaceful co-habitants, until the arson cases and other mysteries starts to build fear amongst the folks ~ Three Spoons with a teaspoon on the side
LOVE HURTS
He promised to kill her. One night four years ago, Leah Carson’s husband almost succeeded. Philip stabbed her twenty-three times before fleeing. The police are sure he’s dead. But fear won’t let Leah believe it. AND SOMETIMES It starts with little things. Missing keys. A flat tire. Mysterious flowers. All easily explained away if the pattern wasn’t so terrifyingly familiar. Leah has a new veterinary practice and a new life with no ties to her nightmare. But Tennessee Bureau of Investigation agent Alex Morgan suspects something. And when another woman’s body is found, stabbed twenty-three times, Leah knows her past has found her. IT KILLS As Leah and Alex untangle the horrifying truth, he watches her, ready for the perfect moment. Until death—that was the vow they made. And a killer always keeps his word…
With a bone chilling attack the author starts the story, that describes the evil mind of the culprit, and leaves the victims feel stalked and violated, if they live through it.
The feeling of being hunted and the danger remains through the tale. The evidence the law enforcement is not conclusive, to bring any peace of mind to Leah, to confirm her that she is truly safe. Years after the attack, she still sees, hears, and fears, daily, that a new attack is just moments away. The paranoia makes her feel insane, leaves everyone doubting her mind, until Alex comes to the investigation, and starts to turn rocks never disturbed before, learning new information that might just prove, that Leah was correct all along. The story has rough and raw physical attacks, that were chilling. The psychological tension is even more powerful. The mind games played are so calculated and smart, you would miss the mark if you blinked. Alex has a reputation of being cold and emotionless, but he has just learned to lock it all away, and focus on the job at hand. This is something he has to do, to survive on the job. The first time he has a problem with this, is when he meets Leah, and the attraction hits them both. The story has a dash of romance drizzled on the story, but the plot is strong, flowing beautifully, and the crimes so hideous, the hold and interest of the tale keep. A thriller that might make you want to sleep with your lights on, and check your locks one more time... Sure to capture your mind ~ Four Spoons with a teaspoon on the side
Title: Wilde at Heart
Author: Tonya Burrows Publisher: Entangled Ignite Genre: Romantic Suspense
He has everything under control.Except her .
Reece Wilde put everything in his life on the backburner to protect his brothers and their struggling company, Wilde Security. With a major contract on the line, Reece can't afford any mistakes...like getting caught in a red-hot, X-rated moment with wild child Shelby Bremer, who's more trouble than he can handle. Now he's being blackmailed. Shelby's mile-long impulsive streak gets her in more trouble than she'd like to admit. Between her sister's wedding, her coffee shop set on fire, and getting down and dirty with the groom's brother, things are definitely coming off the rails. With both their careers and their safety on the line, Reece is determined to keep them both safe...even if it means a Vegas-style shotgun wedding. But gambling on a wild card-and a wild soul-is risky...and sometimes, it can get a guy killed.
This story is one wild run, pun intended. There's so much happening here, I don't even know where to start..
The brothers seem to have an odd dysfunctional relationship between them. Reece is operating on guilt, feeling like it is his responsibility to save all his brothers and take care of them. Even though it is understood, those brothers are well capable to take care of themselves. Eva and Shelby don't have much healthier relationship between them. Eva is rude, condescending, arrogant, judgmental... Just a very unlikable character all together. Her short lived redemption towards the end wasn't enough to save her. I liked Shelby. Despite the cards she was dealt with in life, she is a survivor, smart, strong, and genuinely seems to care for others around her. Unlike many other characters in the story. People constantly judge and undermine Shelby, and that started to annoy me early on. The connection between Reece and Shelby is hot, sexual attraction between them is hot and somewhat out of control. They constantly make poor decisions because of the lust they have for each other. The feelings they have for each other grow deeper with time. The whirlwind of their life putting them in danger constantly, the worry for each other turns in caring and love. The secrets, crimes, fires, they all pile up in the story. There are so many suspects, all seems to have a great motive, and even the opportunity, no one is to be trusted. I felt like there was too much going on, and nothing is under control. It was scattered, and so many subplots going on at the same time, the story nearly drowns into them. Especially the things happening with the brothers, didn't seem like they had anything to do with the plot, more like setting the stage for the series, a bit odd in a book three. The story is like a tornado going through the Wilde brothers' lives, leaving nothing as it was before. I guess the future installments of the series will tell if this development was a positive step, or the beginning of a road to destruction ~ Three Spoons
Tonya Burrows wrote her first romance in 8th grade and hasn’t put down her pen since. Originally from a small town in Western New York, she’s currently soaking up the sun as a Florida girl. She suffers from a bad case of wanderlust and usually ends up moving someplace new every few years. Luckily, her two dogs and ginormous cat are excellent travel buddies.
When she’s not writing about hunky military heroes, Tonya can be found at a bookstore or the dog park. She also enjoys painting, watching movies, and her daily barre workouts. A geek at heart, she pledges her TV fandom to Supernatural and Dr. Who. For More Information Visit Tonya’s website. Books & Spoons with Tasty Book Tours: Release Blast WISHES FOR CHRISTMAS by Fern Michaels27/10/2015
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Paperback Copy of WISHES FOR CHRISTMAS
WISHES FOR CHRISTMAS
Fern Michaels
Releasing Oct 27th, 2015
Kensington Books
New York Times bestselling author Fern Michaels brings together the beloved heroines from two celebrated seriesâthe Sisterhood and the Godmothersâfor a holiday to rememberâ¦
This Christmas, instead of finding and punishing bad guys, all Maggie Spritzer wants is to bring a little more joy to the worldâespecially to a beloved teacher from her past. And as the Sisterhood unites to find her, they learn that no holiday treat is as fulfilling as giving to othersâ¦
Meanwhile, with a little help from the other Godmothers, Toots Loudenberry is preparing for Charlestonâs annual holiday showcase of historic homes. But when the Godmothers sense trouble with one of the decorators, they must tackle a mystery and hope for a happy endingâ¦
When Sisters and Godmothers unite, the result is a warm and wonderful holidayâwith a special touch of magicâ¦
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FERN MICHAELS is the USA Today and New York Times bestselling author of the Sisterhood and Godmothers series, and dozens of other novels and novellas. There are over seventy-five million copies of her books in print. Fern Michaels has built and funded several large day-care centers in her hometown, and is a passionate animal lover who has outfitted police dogs across the country with special bulletproof vests. She shares her home in South Carolina with her four dogs and a resident ghost named Mary Margaret. Visit her website at www.fernmichaels.com
This year, for some reason, I want . . . no, I need to make the angels sing. I want to hear them sing. Does that make sense?â Maggie asked fretfully.
âOf course it makes sense. I think itâs a wonderful idea. Count me in,â Annie said. âNow, you know if you include the boys, the fund would grow substantially higher,â she said slyly. The others agreed as they all started to eat. âNot so fast,â Myra said. âDear,â she said, addressing Maggie, âdid you forget we have an organization that Abner is in charge of that donates yearly, very generously and very heavily, during the holidays? Any new charity or person is always welcome. I thought we all had agreed to that. Last year alone, we donatedâanonymously, of courseâover one billion dollars, which we confiscated from that monster, Angus Spyder. So, Iâm not quite sure what it is you want us to contribute to, and while I have no problem with that at all, I guess I just donât understand the end result here.â The women stopped eating long enough to stare at Maggie, waiting to see how she would respond. âI guess I didnât fully explain, because Iâm not clear in my own mind. Sometimes late at night, when I canât sleep, I think about my life, my childhood, my family and wonder, as I think most people wonder, if I could do things over, what would I do differently? Is there some wrong in my past life that I never made right, for whatever reason? Just think about that for a minute. I have an instance, and Iâve never forgotten it. I donât know if money can or will right that situation, but I want to look into it and try. Itâs not the same as what Abner is doing with Spyderâs money and all those other peopleâs money we helped ourselves to. This is personal. Thatâs the best way I can explain it to you all. Does it make more sense now?â âWell, yes, dear, it certainly does,â Myra said. âI think you might be on to something. Letâs run this up the flagpole. Now that I understand where youâre going with this, I think we should include the boys in this.â âI agree,â Isabelle said. The others were quick to agree. âWe canât call them now. Itâs too late,â Yoko said. âTheyâll be miffed that they werenât included in this luncheon.â âThen weâll do a repeat tomorrow at my house,â Nikki said. âThatâs when weâll run it up the flagpole, and theyâll never know this was a rehearsal for tomorrow. How about that for sneaky? Do you all agree?â âWhat are you going to serve?â Kathryn asked, her mind jumping ahead to the menu. âHow about a little of everything that is takeout?â Nikki laughed. âWorks for me.â Alexis giggled. Not surprisingly, it worked for everyone. âSo, letâs get to the dessert, Maggie,â Annie said. The women talked nonstop as they devoured the peach cobbler, the main topic being that memories, for the most part, were a wonderful thing, be they sad or happy. âHow much money are we talking about?â Yoko asked. âThe reason I ask is that Harry and I are going to China next month, and that always puts a big dent in our budget.â âIt doesnât matter how much, Yoko. If itâs fifty dollars, thatâs fine. If itâs two hundred fifty thousand dollars, thatâs fine, too. The point is it has to be our own personal money, whatever we can afford. Gusâs insurance money is just the cherry on top. Iâll be putting my own money in, too. It will all go into one fund, and then, when weâre ready to distribute it to whoever needs it, weâll vote on it. I think thatâs fair. If you all want to keep your amounts secret, thatâs okay, too. We should vote on that tomorrow. In the end, it might not even come down to money. Maybe there is someone out there from our past who needs something other than money. Something we can provide for them that no one else can. That kind of thing.â âI think this is a wonderful idea,â Myra said. âI canât wait for tomorrow. Thank you so much, Maggie, for bringing this up. Sometimes I think we forget that itâs better to give than to receive. Oh, this is going to be such a wonderful Christmas. The true meaning of it. Truly, truly.â Annie swiped at her eyes. âMyraâs right. This is just what we all need. Weâve been getting complacent. I agree with Myra. I canât wait till tomorrow.â Twelve minutes later, right on schedule, Maggieâs kitchen and dining room were back to normal, with just the autumn centerpiece in the middle of the table. A second round of fresh coffee was served as the girls talked nonstop about what was going to transpire the following day. âItâs going to take a lot of research to track down people from our past,â Isabelle said. âAnd who better to do that than our four in- trepid reporters, meaning Ted, Dennis, Maggie, and Espinosa?â Nikki chortled. âWe need a name for this project,â Alexis said. The group threw out names and titles, but it was Yoko who came up with the one they finally agreed to. Bright Star. The Sisters all clapped, making their newest project official.
Lucas “Lucky” Dorsey was at the top of his game in the world of MMA, and his nickname…well, let’s just say the ladies couldn’t get enough of the tattooed bad boy. But then…he met her…
As the first female firefighter in the Hope Falls Fire Department, Deanna Bishop was focused on making a fresh start in her new town. She was ready to put out fires with the rest of the boys, but the beauty with emerald eyes was never ready for the fire he’d started in her heart… She brought him back to life, and he wanted more. He filled her with passion, and she wanted to run. Will Deanna be able to open her heart and let someone fight for her? Will Lucky be able to prove that a Lucky Kiss could lead to more than just that…
Melanie Shawn is one of the handful of authors, whom I have read all the books they have published. I love her writing style, it is full of wit, humor, charismatic characters, forever type friends, friendly small towns, and completely swoon worthy romance, that will melt your heart and mind. I have never been disappointed with the stories they have created, and that is rare!
Lucky Kiss, is all the above, and then some. I love how in love Lucky is with Deanna. And to find out, that he had a crush on her a long time ago, just made it even better. This ladies man MMA fighter has to work to get Deanna's affection. All her attention he has, no doubt, but she has sworn off from athletes, and determined to keep that promise. Their first meeting brought a smile on my face and pretty much the story kept it there throughout. Lucky is willing to do anything to get Deanna. And every step of the way, she is trying to keep him on arm's length, with little success. The romance between them is steamy and passionate. Lucky's charm is unbelievable, the honesty between them is refreshing, and I loved that the conflicts were solved so quickly, without major drama. This story, and author, is one that all contemporary romance readers should know, read, and not to miss! The story is entertaining and I get a huge kick out of the pop culture references. Lucky and Deanna together are perfect for each other. They are not perfect people, but they fit with each other, and that's what matters. Hope Falls gives them a warm welcome, like always. I admit, I cherish reading this book, going over the pages again and again, just to spend little extra time at Hope Falls... My favorite small town America ~ Five Spoons
FRISK ME
New York's Finest #1
Lauren Layne
Released July 28th,2015
Forever Romance
Ava Sims is a woman who gets what she wants. And what she wants is to be CBC's lead anchor-but to get there, she'll need to nail the fluff piece on the playboy cop. Luc Moretti is everything Ava knows to stay away from: a stubborn charmer with a hero-complex. But the more Ava gets to know Luc and his oddball family, the more she realizes that beneath the swagger and the blue uniform is a complex man who makes her heart beat too fast. Soon, Ava's doing the unthinkable, and falling for the best of New York's finest ...
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Lauren Layne is the USA Today Bestselling author of more than a dozen contemporary romance novels. Prior to becoming an author, Lauren worked in e-commerce and web-marketing. A year after moving from Seattle to Manhattan to pursue a writing career, she had a fabulous agent and multiple New York publishing deals. Lauren currently lives in Chicago with her husband and plus-sized Pomeranian. When not writing, you'll likely find her running (rarely), reading (sometimes), or at happy hour (often).
Strong, relentless, and lethal, he plays every angle to trap the worst criminals. But for the one woman he can't resist, he'll break all the rules…
For hotel manager Tabitha Martin, bad boys usually spell disaster. And her new guest promises just that, with his formidable build, tattooed biceps, and quiet take-no-mess attitude. Tabitha is already putting everything on the line to escape her vicious drug-dealing ex's control for good—but a single sizzling moment in “Damien Evans'” arms has her wanting all the trouble he can give… He's been undercover too long and likes living dangerously too much. U.S. Marshal Parker Evans figures maybe that's why he doesn't immediately put Tabitha in custody. Sure, she's his one chance to finally take down a major drug ring. But every minute he protects this mostly innocent blonde leaves his heart all too vulnerable. And the cost of desire could be a deadly endgame…
Exciting and dangerous undercover world where the lines of reality and the role to be played starts to blur, when romance walks into the picture.
I liked this story, the balance between action and romance was pretty even. Tabitha and Parker have an instant physical attraction. It is nearly comical, the effect Tabitha has on him, the veteran undercover bad boy agent. And they are not that shy to act on the attraction either. Before having a complete conversation, they are already all over each other. But as the case gets deeper, so does their feelings. And even though Tabitha and Parker are sizzling hot together, they also have sweetness and adorable moments, proving it is not just a physical case of insta-lust. The undercover case Parker is working on, gets close to home to Tabitha as well. She is more involved in the tangled web of drug dealing, that Parker even thought at first. Things get dangerous, intense, all the way to life and death situations several times, until the case gets to its explosive end. Very entertaining story, engaging and charismatic characters, both Parker and Tabitha with layers of depth, making them appealing. They both had some inner turmoil, Parker with his undercover persona, and not being straightforward with Tabitha. She was not only tormented by the future of her brother, but the blackmail of her ex, and her attraction to what seems to be yet another bad boy on the wrong side of the law. The story held my interest all the way, and looking forward to more in the world of the US Marchalls ~ Four Spoons
The Kelly Group International (KGI): A super-elite, top secret, family-run business.
Qualifications: High intelligence, rock-hard body, military background. Mission: Hostage/kidnap victim recovery. Intelligence gathering. Handling jobs the U.S. government can’t... The enigmatic Hancock has been both opponent and ally to the KGI teams for as long as they've known him. Always working a deep game, Hancock's true allegiance has never been apparent, but one thing is for certain—he never lets anything get in the way of duty. But now, his absolute belief in the primacy of his ultimate goal is challenged by a captive he's been ordered to guard, no matter how much she suffers in her prison. She's the only woman who's ever managed to penetrate the rigid walls surrounding his icy heart, but will he allow his perplexing feelings for the beautiful victim to destroy a mission he's spent years working to complete or will he be forced to sacrifice her for “the greater good.”
A dark and gritty story, that takes you to the edge of the human mind, via danger, betrayal, and torture.
Setting the scene of the plot takes a rather long time, the beginning of the book, about 20% of it, moves on a bit slowly, with long inner thoughts and very little dialog. But it picks up after the scene is set and the characters meet each other. The book as a whole is rather wordy, and there's some repetition that could have been edited out, but overall that didn't take away from the interesting plot. The story-line is mind blowing, the elements of the story are taken into so extreme that at times they dance on the border of being believable. The heroine Honor, is honorable, humble, kind, and touches everyone's soul she meets. The hero, Hancock, is the total opposite, dark, dangerous, not to be trusted, 'a killing machine'. Now, I liked both of the characters, I actually liked all the characters in the story, and for those who has followed the series, the previously introduced KGI members do play a part in the story. I admit there are a couple scenes in this story, where the assaults are so raw, that they had my guts turning. The danger is constant, and action is close combat, bloody, and gory. The main focus is on the mission, and the complications and obstacles it creates. The romance comes later in the story, as the contact between Honor and Hancock is built through respect, admiration, and a fragile trust. That trust is put on a trial, that chances everything in the relationship. I found myself conflicted with the story, as I thought there's a lot of repetition, but at the same time the language is flowing and the scenes set in my mind are so clear. The characters are over the top, yet likable and charismatic. The action is rough, but believable. But the message of redemption, forgiveness, and rare soul mates finding each other comes clear in the story, leaving on an imprint ~ Four Spoons Books & Spoons Excerpt with Tasty Book Tours: THE GREAT CHRISTMAS KNIT-OFF by Alexandra Brown23/10/2015
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THE GREAT CHRISTMAS KNIT-OFF
THE GREAT CHRISTMAS KNIT-OFF
Alexandra Brown
Releasing Oct 13th, 2015
Harper Collins
The perfect seasonal tale of how laughter, friends and wacky Christmas sweaters can mend a broken heart.
Heartbroken after being jilted at the altar, Sybil has been saved from despair by her knitting obsession and now her home is filled to bursting with tea cozies, beanies, and sweaters. But, after discovering that she may have perpetrated the screw-up of the century at work, Sybil decides to make a hasty exit and, just weeks before Christmas, runs away to the picturesque village of Tindledale.
There, Sybil discovers Hettieâs House of Haberdashery, an emporium dedicated to the world of knitting and needle craft. But Hettie, the outspoken octogenarian owner, is struggling and now the shop is due for closure. And when Hettie decides that Sybilâs wonderfully wacky Christmas sweaters are just the thing to add a bit of excitement to her window display, something miraculous starts to happenâ¦
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Alexandra Brown began her writing career as the City Girl columnist for The London Paper - a satirical diary account of her time working in the corporate world of London. Alex wrote the weekly column for two years before giving it up to concentrate on writing novels and is now the author of the Carringtonâs books. Set in a department store in the pretty seaside town of Mulberry-On-Sea, the series follows the life, loves and laughs of sales assistant, Georgie Hart. The Great Christmas Knit Off is Alexâs fourth book and is the first in a new series set in the fictional village of Tindledale, following the lives of all the characters there.
Alex lives in a real village near the south coast of England, with her husband, daughter and a very shiny black Labrador.
PROLOGUE
Hettie Honey picked up a lovely lavender lace weight that a customer had abandoned by the till after pondering for what seemed like an eternity that, actually, it wasnât the right shade of lavender after all. She then walked across the shop floor of her House of Haberdashery to repatriate the ball into its rightful placeâa wooden, floor-to-ceiling cabinet comprising twenty-four cubbyholes inset over three shelves crammed with every color, ply and type of yarn imaginable. Hettie smiled wryly, remembering the program she had listened to on the radio not so long ago. Knitting! It was all the rage nowadays and she hoped it would finally catch on in Tindledale, her beloved picture-postcard village and Hettieâs home for the eighty-three years of her life to date. She ran the timber-framed, double-fronted shop adjacent to the wisteria-clad roundel of the oast house her father had built before she was even born. Hettie lifted the tray on which sat the last remnants of her afternoon tea; a cheese sandwich minus the crusts because her teeth werenât as strong as they used to be plus a pot of tea and a pink iced finger that had only cost ten pence on account of being past its best. Kitty, in the tearoom up on the High Street, had tried to give her the bun for free, but Hettie hated taking charity, especially when she felt there were other people in far more need. Hettie moved to the back of the shop, swept the curtain aside and went through to the little kitchenette area. Years ago this had been her motherâs sewing room, and the wooden Singer machine with its rickety foot pedal still lived there, with a multitude of multicolored bobbins all piled up high on the shelf behind it. After placing the tray on the draining board next to the age-veined Belfast sink and carefully wrapping the crusts in plastic to dunk into her warming homemade soup the following afternoon, Hettie picked up the picture frame on the mantelpiece above the fi re and ran a finger over the faded black-and-white autographed photo. She allowed herself an enormous sigh. She wasnât usually one for self-pity or hand-wringing, but another one of the letters had come this morning, with FINAL DEMAND stamped across the top in ugly red type. Business had been so slow these past couple of years, and now, with her dwindling savings and pittance of a pension, she had come to realize that it was going to take a darn miracle this Christmas for Hettieâs House of Haberdashery to remain afloat come the new year. There had been talk of retirement; of closing down the House of Haberdashery; of putting her feet up and going âinto a home.â Hettieâs nephew, her brother Haroldâs son and last of the Honey family line, was all for it. On one of his rare visits, on the pretext of seeing how she was, heâd told Hettie he was concerned about her living on her own, that she needed the rest and that âitâs not like youâve got that many customers these days, is it?â He said heâd make sure she had her own bedroom or at the very least, a twin sharer. âAnd besides, it might be nice for her to have the company of people her own age.â Heâd put forward a strong case and had already contacted the council to inquire about a suitable place. But Hettie wasnât losing her marbles and she knew that what he was really after was to bulldoze her beloved homeâthe oast house surrounded by a meadow of pretty wild flowers, and the place where she grew up. Thereâs her cozy bedroom suite, set upstairs in the roundel with its magnificent view of the valley, the lovely farmhouse kitchen with the walk-in pantry, the sunroom, the snugâitâs got the lot, and thatâs on top of all her memories wrapped within its circular walls. Not to mention her beloved little shop, right next door, crammed full of all her favorite knitting and needlecraft goodies. Then heâd be able to get his hands on the land for one of his building projects. Heâd told her all about the one with ample parking and plastic windows that his company had created in the town where he lived, over fifty miles away. Seventeen months it had taken, heâd said, to fight all the objections from the local residentsâ association, and he had puffed on about it for the entire hour of that tedious visit. But Hettie isnât ready to be written off; to be carted away to an old peopleâs home like a nag to a glue factory, not when there is plenty of life still left in her sprightly body. Besides, âgoing into a homeâ would mean leaving Tindledale behind, and Hettie knows more than anything that this is where her heart belongs. It always has, even when sheâd had the chance of a different life, far, far away. Books & Spoons Book Blast with Tasty Book Tours: MEN OF MERCY - RECKLESS RIVER by Lindsay Cross23/10/2015
Redemption River, Resurrection River and Reckless River
Men of Mercy books 1 – 3 By: Lindsay Cross Releasing October 21st, 2015 Self-Published
Reckless River: Men of Mercy # 3
They say you can’t go home again. Jared Crowe never wanted to. Home meant facing memories of abuse and neglect. Of dark closets and evil nightmares. Of his own relatives intent on killing him. But now his brother’s kidnapping forces him to face those demons. Only this time, Jared isn’t a scared little boy. He’s a full-grown Special Forces operative bent on revenge. As a little girl, Sparrow Pickney risked her life to free two abused boys. As a grown woman Sparrow needs to earn a place in her adopted family’s business or be forced into a life of degradation. The chance to prove her family loyalty comes when she catches Jared spying on the compound and captures him. When Jared sees his captor, he realizes she’s the girl of his dreams and vows to rescue her from a life of poverty. What Jared doesn’t know is Sparrow may not be the savior he remembers…but the one responsible for abducting and torturing his brother. Jared is determined to find the truth. But that truth may be more than his heart can take. Review:
This series has completely blown me away this week.
The author has taken me on a wild ride, into some really deep emotions, and fierce action, truly literary moments I will not forget anytime soon. In Reckless River the feelings go deeper, deeper and darker than most feel comfortable with. The love and connection between the brothers is beautiful, even though it is the results of something evil and vile that took place in their childhood. The years of survival have honed the relationship into something special, something to be cherished, something that the same vicious people are trying to take away again. Sparrow once saved the brothers' lives, when she was barely old enough to still remember it. Now faced with a life and death situation, the malicious lies are in between them, and tearing them apart, at the moment when they need each other the most, they are standing on the opposite sides of the battle. But the attraction, chemistry between Sparrow and Jared is undeniable, something they can't fight against, despite the circumstances. The violence is crude and raw, it cuts deep, leaving scars that only time will tell if they are ever healed. The love is pure and all consuming, rooted in the early memories, molded in dangerous fire, and is so profound, it endures the tests of the elements and environment they are in. With these amazing stories in the series, every single one so unique and different, you really can't know where the story will go, the only constant being the inmost emotions of the human heart, pushing the boundaries and limits of the norm. These stories have left a profound images in my mind, just blown away, truly ~ Five Spoons Excerpt:
It had been nearly twenty years since he’d seen her, but Jared could never forget those golden eyes. Eyes that had haunted his dreams ever since. Had she joined up with Kay? Or was she simply one of those poor souls struggling to survive?
The thought of Sparrow slowly starving filled him with a sense of guilt. He should have made her leave with them. Even though they’d been children when she’d freed them, Jared had been big enough to drag her out, whether she’d wanted to go or not. She leaned over him, reaching for his hands. Her floppy hat fell down, blinding her, and she ripped it off and tossed it across the room. Long caramel-colored hair, full of sun-kissed highlights, waterfalled down the sides of her face and tickled his nose. Her scent surrounded him now, flooding his senses. Honeysuckle and wildflowers. His cock swelled in an instant. Jared gnashed his teeth together, trying to quell his intense reaction to her nearness. Sparrow leaned down further and her loose tank top gaped open, treating him to a glorious view of surprisingly plump breasts cupped in a plain sports bra. His gaze locked onto her beaded nipples through the cotton. Fuck he wanted to rip that bra down and reveal what was hidden beneath. The loose manly clothes she wore made her look stick thin, but womanly curves were concealed beneath them. Sparrow sighed and sat up straight, leaving rope dangling uselessly on his wrists. Jared gripped the metal headboard with his hands, waiting for her next move. She stood there for a moment and studied him, trying to decide what to do. Well, he wasn't going to help her out one little bit. "Keep your hands right there, got it?" Her voice was stern. "Yes ma'am.” He had no intention of acting up. Yet. She placed a knee on the mattress, and in one swift movement straddled him, settling on his belly. Jared groaned and closed his eyes thankful she hadn’t sat down lower on his body; otherwise, she would have gotten her own surprise. She leaned over him spreading her knees wider up his chest. His eyes popped open, unable to resist another view of her bare skin. "You can stop with the theatrics right now, I know I’m not big enough to crush you." If only that were his problem. Her shirt dipped down even more and he fixated on the pale mounds of her breasts straining against the material of her sports bra. It was a crime to lock those beauties up in serviceable cotton. She should wear nothing but pure silk and lace, perfect for him to rip off her body. Her hair curtained around him again, and her soft lips parted in concentration as she worked. He was aware of every inch of exposed skin—from the graceful hollow of her neck to her supple forearms peeking out from the rolled up sleeves of her checkered work shirt. Even more aware of the intense heat radiating from her core, pressed so intimately to his chest. "There. All done." She sat back, a satisfied smile on her lips. Jared tugged on the rope. He’d completely zoned out on anything other than her straddling him. It didn't give an inch—the knot she’d tied was worthy of a professional. A small ounce of foreboding seeped into him. “Where did you learn to tie knots?" "Trapping. Working snares. Been doing it since I was a kid." Her words were so matter-of-fact, he had no doubt she spoke the truth. Holy shit. He yanked on the ropes, but they didn’t move. “Impressive.” Jared wriggled his fingers and wrists, testing for any weakness. He found none. “Might as well stop struggling. Nobody’s ever been able to get out of one of my knots. And I used my new rope too, so it wouldn’t snap easy.” She made a snapping motion with her fingers, the emphasis driving in just how stupid his plan had been. He should have used that easy opening she’d given him with the gun. His foreboding turned to real worry. He had to get out of here to rescue his brother. Hoyt’s life depended on him. If he couldn’t get free… “Nice, now what?” “Now you tell me who you are and why you’re here.” Sparrow sat back on her heels, the curve of her ass grazing the tip of his cock. He clenched his muscles, fighting to free himself from the pull of lust. Remember, you’re the soldier trained in interrogation techniques. Now he just had to stop thinking with his dick for long enough to find out where Hoyt was being held. "My name is Jake." She tapped her chin, staring down at him. Once again he was enthralled by the intense color of her eyes. They were golden, almost like a cat’s, with a darker brown ring around the edges. “Jake. You don't look like a Jake." He enjoyed hearing the name on her lips. Would enjoy hearing his real name even better. Her soft accent and long vowels stretched it out slow. Sensual. "And what do I look like?" "I don't know. Killer? Tiger?" "That's what people name their cats.” "True. Why are you here?" "Why did you take me hostage?" he countered. “You were spying on my family. Only our enemies do that.” She shifted, brushing against his tip again. Fuck he wanted to rip free of these bonds and throw her down beneath him. Where was his detached logic now? Something about her was making him lose control. “I have no interest in you. I was looking for a family member who went missing, know anything about that?” He studied her reaction intently, watching for any flash of awareness, but she didn’t give away anything. “Haven’t seen anybody new around here in a long time, and I would know. Sorry, but you plopped down on the wrong piece of land.” “He told me he was coming here.” Not really, but Jared knew without the slightest shred of doubt that Hoyt had been taken by the Crowes. Miss Kay wanted to finish what she had started all those years ago, even if Jared didn’t know why. It was bad enough his parents had died when Jared was only nine, Hoyt six, but to have his aunt try to murder them.... Jared yanked on the bonds again, testing the bed frame. It screeched but held firm. Shit. “What does he look like?” Every time Sparrow moved or shifted he felt her. Desire was holding him hostage as much as the damn ropes. Got to get free. Got to find Hoyt. “What do I get if I tell you?” “What do you get? You get to live.” Her brows shot down as if confused. “You won’t kill me.” “Try me.” “How about we make a little trade—you give me something, I give you something.” "Give? What do you want?" She laid her palms on her thighs, kneeling over his body, the position incredibly erotic. Blushing aside, maybe she wasn’t so innocent after all. He had a plan and she was part of it. He knew he could get more information out of Sparrow than her giant ass brother. And he’d find it a hell of a lot more enjoyable too. "Kiss me." She stopped moving all together and her eyes narrowed in on his mouth. "Give me a kiss and I'll sing like a bird."
Lindsay Cross is the award-winning author of the Men of Mercy series. She is the fun loving mom of two beautiful daughters and one precocious Great Dane. Lindsay is happily married to the man of her dreams – a soldier and veteran. During one of her husband’s deployments from home, writing became her escape and motivation.
An avid reader since childhood, reading and writing is in her blood. After years of reading, she discovered her true passion – writing. Her alpha military men are damaged, drop-dead gorgeous and determined to win the heart of the woman of their dreams. Website | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads Books & Spoons Book Blast with Tasty Book Tours: MEN OF MERCY - RESURRECTION RIVER by Lindsay Cross22/10/2015
Redemption River, Resurrection River and Reckless River
Men of Mercy books 1 – 3 By: Lindsay Cross Releasing October 21st, 2015. Self-Published
RESURRECTION RIVER: Men of Mercy # 2
Ranger James accepted his best friend’s death like a good soldier. With guilt. Regret. Vengeance. But a forbidden desire keeps pulling him from his mission… Desire for his best friend’s widow. Killed in Action. That’s why Rachel Carter’s husband wasn’t coming home. A war widow, alone and broke, Rachel struggles to revive her family’s crop dusting service to survive. Now she takes to the skies to find escape. Escape from the pain. From the guilt. From the earth-shattering desire for her husband’s best friend. Rachel and Ranger can’t fight the attraction between them any longer. But one fateful night cleaves their new found love in two...Can they find the will to fight for true love? Or will an evil so shocking destroy their lives for good? Review:
The heartrendingly beautiful story of a man's love, love that endures more than ever imagined.
The paralyzing sorrow, the numbing anguish of Rachel, when she battles to accept her husband's death, left me weeping. The hardship of the unknown future, sadness of life and dreams not to be fulfilled, worry about her baby, it is all so touching, pages filled with sadness. Ranger is there, every step of the way, helping her, supporting her, caring for her. Until she asks him to go away. Something he can't do. Ranger is not ashamed of his feelings for Rachel, he is willing to do anything for her. Nearly begging for her attention, for her love, fighting for a chance to prove to her, they were meant to be together. It is adorable agony, when Ranger fights for his love. Rachel, even after all the months of her husband's death, has the guilty feelings of moving on, something her mother-in-law loves to feed on. But the feelings that sparked life in their teenage years, are now in full flame, and through guilt, and torment, their passion and love wins. Slowly they start to build a relationship again, from the ashes of their past. Until twists in the plot changes everything again, tormenting them both. This story is very different from the previous one, yet still achingly beautiful. The love Ranger and Rachel have for each other is strong and real, but the pressure from outside, the guilt, keeps them apart. The little family unit they form is lovely, the support they give to each other a delight. But even though most of the story has focused on the poignant romance between Rachel and Ranger, there's still action in the tale. Action that is as brutal and raw as it can be. Halting fear and danger that will have you on the edge of the seat. The series has captured my mind, can't wait to read the next tale ~ Five Spoons Excerpt:
Rachel spun around, the yellow airplane a perfect backdrop to her beautiful face. “What are you doing here?”
Ranger let his gaze travel from her scruffy boots, torn jeans and gloriously figure hugging tank, to the top of her dark red head. Her pink cheeks flushed. “Like what you see?” Ranger approached, her green gaze turned wary. Good. She should be worried. She’d doused him in chemicals. His skin still itched. He reached forward, plucked an oil stick from her ponytail and sent her hair spilling to her shoulders. He caught the brief scent of flowers and oil. Rachel grabbed her hair, lips parted. Angry. Stubborn. Sexy. He held up the stick right in front of her face. “Oil stick.” Rachel snatched it from his fingers and tossed it across the room. “I told you to stay away from me.” Ranger shrugged, his brain still caught on the image of her jean-clad ass hanging out of that airplane. Forget Sports Illustrated. He had farm fucking fantastic right here. "Don't you think dropping that all-natural excuse for chemicals on me is a bit dramatic? If you want to get me naked all you had to do is ask." Ranger gestured to himself, sweeping his hand from his head down to his torso, Rachel's eyes followed. That definitely wasn't desperation or anger in her gaze. The desire he’d been trying to hold in check for months reared up inside him. "You think I want to see you naked?” Rachel snorted, lifted her chin. “Besides, I figured anything would be an improvement to your normal smell.” So much for her vulnerability. The wind picked up, blew into the hangar. Ranger shifted, praying the wind wouldn’t open the fly on his boxers, and almost covered himself. Almost. Until he remembered she was the reason for his stench. Instead, he stood tall. “You’ve never had a problem with the way I smelled before.” “My manners were just too good to say anything.” She strode past him, punishing him with the sexy sway of her hips. Dammit, he was so hard up for her, even her walk had his mind blanking. He stood there, nearly naked, and drenched in herbicide, and she walked past him like a stranger on a sidewalk. Running from him. Again. “Rachel Ann.” He didn’t yell, but she stopped mid-stride. Turned. Lips parted. “You did that on purpose,” Ranger said. She’d been hard headed even in high-school, when he tried to break up with her, explaining that he needed a little space to see if life in Mercy was what he really wanted. Jumping on the marriage and kids bandwagon at eighteen years old had scared the shit out of him. But he’d obliterated any chance for reconnecting with Rachel when she’d seen him making out with Tonya at the football game senior year. He hadn’t thought that leaving her to sow the wild oats of his youth would be a self-fulfilling prophecy of regret. Or that his best friend would move in on Rachel so fast and fill the void that Ranger had left in her heart. “You bet your ass I did.” “What the hell for?” He couldn’t get her smell, her taste, her touch out of his head. But she’d dumped shit on him for the last time. Her eyes narrowed and her lips flattened. “I warned you.” Yeah, she’d warned him to stay away from her. He’d stayed with her for weeks, helping her after the funeral. She’d healed physically, but remained an emotional tomb. “I promised Shane, if anything ever happened to him, I’d look out for you.” He wanted to take her in his arms and kiss that angry expression right off her face. He’d wanted her since high-school, but when she’d married Shane, he’d vowed to put those feelings away. Forever. But the attraction hadn’t disappeared. And he knew it never would. “I know the chemistry between us is weird. Scary. But dammit it’s real and it’s here and now. You’re just flying through the clouds because you don’t want to see what’s on the ground right in front of you.” If he hadn’t been studying every minute expression on her face he would have missed the brief flash of vulnerability in her gaze. Then her anger slid back in place. “The only thing I feel is annoyance. Are you so desperate that you have to chase after what you can’t have? You dumped me first, remember?” Him? Desperate? No. He’d never had a problem getting women. Until Rachel. If he hadn’t been so young and stupid he would have been the one she’d married. Not Shane. Now all he could think, all he could see, was the small sprinkle of freckles across her pert nose. He could be on a mission in a third world country or down the road. It didn’t matter. She affected him. He had an all-consuming need for his best friend’s wife. He hadn’t counted on lust eating him alive. But he had honor. He had loyalty. Ranger had vowed over Shane’s grave to take care of Rachel.
Lindsay Cross is the award-winning author of the Men of Mercy series. She is the fun loving mom of two beautiful daughters and one precocious Great Dane. Lindsay is happily married to the man of her dreams – a soldier and veteran. During one of her husband’s deployments from home, writing became her escape and motivation.
An avid reader since childhood, reading and writing is in her blood. After years of reading, she discovered her true passion – writing. Her alpha military men are damaged, drop-dead gorgeous and determined to win the heart of the woman of their dreams. Website | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads Books & Spoons Book Blast with Tasty Book Tours: MEN OF MERCY - REDEMPTION RIVER by Lindsay Cross21/10/2015
Redemption River, Resurrection River and Reckless River
Men of Mercy books 1 – 3 By: Lindsay Cross Releasing October 21st, 2015 Self-Published
REDEMPTION RIVER: Men of Mercy # 1
Hunter James didn’t want or need redemption. Until one mission turns his world upside down. He left Mercy to fight for his country and escape a broken heart. Years later, he is hard. Cold. A man without mercy. Part of an elite Task Force, he tracks a brutal terrorist to his home town. And runs into the woman who betrayed him… Evangeline Videl was destroyed when Hunter left. Determined to move on, she finds another man, but discovers too late the monster hidden beneath his smooth smile. Struggling to find the conviction to live, Evie finds her life spinning out of control. Then Hunter returns… Forced to band together to find the terrorist before its too late, Hunter and Evie must learn to forgive or risk losing the promise of redemption and their lives… Review:
The story is filled with fear and desperation. Every moment is tense and dangerous.
The past is hunting them with mistakes, hurt, and deception between them. The crimes and violence has reached the small town of Mercy, no one is to be trusted, there's no loyalty left, even within a family. From the first moment in the story, the crimes, violence and brutality are present and palpable. From the battlefields to the home town, the action in the story is non-stop. The mayor and sheriff run the town of Mercy with fear and blackmail, with their own gain the only goal, fair means or foul. Hunter and Evie's love each other, there is no doubt about that. The fire between them is apparent, the connection nearly visible. But the hurt, mistrust, and wounds of the past have left deep scars, and the mission Hunter is on, will only deepen the furrow between them, when the truth comes out. The story left me gasping for breath, the intensity of the tale pulled me in, and kept the hold. The action is violent, brutal, and raw, giving me chills. Trust is a rare, lives are in constant danger, if not from the culprits running the town, then mother nature scaring them witless. The romance and attraction between Hunter and Evie is frantic and desirous, despite all the hurt between them, all the pain they cost each other, they are believable together, and obviously were made for each other. Breathtaking romantic suspense, filled with military action and blazing romance ~ Five Spoons Excerpt:
"Hey." His Southern drawl put Matthew McConaughey to shame. Slow. Sexy. And familiar.
Her gaze traveled up the muscled torso to a pair of dark chocolate-brown eyes. Holy crap. "Hunter James." His name breathed past her lips on a whisper. For the second time that night her heart stuttered and her stomach clenched tight. Hunter blocked her path, his towering six-foot-four frame packaged in a tight-fitting black T-shirt and jeans that showcased his muscles. His arms had to be twice the size they were the last time he’d been here. His gaze twice as intense. Her reaction twenty times that. According to the town gossips, he’d been back in Mercy for a couple of weeks, but so far he’d avoided her. And she’d prayed daily he would stay away. Every time he came home on leave, he seemed to make it a point to show up here. At her bar. With another woman on his arm. Making sure she saw he’d moved on. And each time her heart broke a little more. "Need some help?" he asked. Her brain took a full minute to kick into gear, then another minute to reconnect to her mouth. "What?" "You look like you could use some help. Can I do anything?" His serious voice passed through lips that were way too tempting. She couldn't think. The man standing before her had gone AWOL with her heart over five years ago, like the tail end of a twister after a storm. Part of her had been happy he'd left. The other part had been devastated. Their love had been wild and crazy, but ultimately destructive. She noticed the knotted wood cane leaning against the table beside him. "What's with the cane?" Hunter grinned and shifted his weight to the side. "What's with the wet clothes?" He extinguished his cigarette and stepped away from the doorway leading to the upstairs apartment, his limp noticeable. Evie crossed her arms over her chest, the action squeezing more beer out of her bra. Her lips pressed into a tight line and she forced herself to answer, "Wet T-shirt contest. It's a new thing we’re trying." Evie straightened her arms, clenching and unclenching her fists at her sides in time with the ticking in his jaw. A couple day’s stubble graced the hard planes of his face, only a little shorter than the black hair buzzed close to his scalp. He looked as if he’d been chiseled from steel. Hunter leaned in close and Evie's stomach knotted. Lust built inside her, pushing against her dam of resistance. "I bet you won." He wasn't staring at her chest, she had to give him that. No, his target appeared to be her mouth. His head lowered to hers and her mind went blank. If she had been thinking like a full-grown woman, she would have jerked back before his lips made contact. But tonight her brain had pointed and aimed but failed to fire.
Lindsay Cross is the award-winning author of the Men of Mercy series. She is the fun loving mom of two beautiful daughters and one precocious Great Dane. Lindsay is happily married to the man of her dreams – a soldier and veteran. During one of her husband’s deployments from home, writing became her escape and motivation.
An avid reader since childhood, reading and writing is in her blood. After years of reading, she discovered her true passion – writing. Her alpha military men are damaged, drop-dead gorgeous and determined to win the heart of the woman of their dreams. Website | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads |