Dakota's Delight: A SEALs of Honor Novel
Author: Dale Mayer Valley Publishing Limited September, 2017 Military, Suspense, Romance
When a young woman darts into traffic and into Dakota’s path, life takes a dark turn for both of them.
Bailey, recovering from the loss of her husband, retreated from life. Going to work and coming home was the extent of her days and weeks. Until she walks into work early one morning, witnesses a murder and flees into traffic, nearly getting killed. The near death experience awakens the spark of life inside of her. So does the man in the car. A different kind of a spark. For her safety, Dakota persuades her to move into the compound with him and the rest of the Legendary family while they track down the killers. Bailey is forced to accept Dakota’s help. But can she stay safe long enough for the police to track down the killer? Or is the man who almost ran her over going to steal her heart?
I have done several promos for this series before, but I haven't had a chance to review one of the books until now, so this book number nine is my first book in the series, and with this author. Even though the previous couples are a secondary part of the story, and most of them present at the compound, in my opinion, this book was easily read as a stand-alone novel.
I found the premises, the compound, intriguing. As well as the brotherhood of the company, and the familiar feeling of all the inhabitants. The deep connection was there, the team work effortless, and the mutual appreciation and respect evident. Dakota, the former SEAL, has the biggest heart inside the tough exterior. He looks after the people around him, he is kind and caring, and a considerate man. And he surprisingly easily opens up to a total stranger, taking her to his care and assuming the responsibility of her. Bailey is a widowed chef, just barely healing from the sorrow of losing her husband, more of existing than living her life. When she witnesses a crime on the street and tries to escape the crime scene she gets bumped by Dakota's car. From the very first they open up to each other and share intimate details of their lives. The bond they form is obvious, Bailey's blind trust towards Dakota was startling to me, but even more so Dakota's willingness to open up the compound for a stranger and taking on the obligation to care for her. The story is very detail oriented with most of the details indicating the life at the compound and Bailey's adjustment to the environment while she is healing. The intensity of the threat surrounding Bailey and the suspense from the attacks seem to drown into the details of the mundane routine of the life at the compound. Though the friendship was tight and fast to form between Dakota and Bailey, the romantic feelings and the development of the relationship gets a bare mention towards the end. I would have liked to see more communication, deeper bonding, and intimacy (I don't mean sex) between them to make the romantic aspect solid and sound. The epilogue at the end of the book is a teaser for the next title to come in the series. Life after military service can be challenging and to get back to civilian life taxing. Here the heroes for hire have created a commune where they have a place to live, share life together, have a meaningful new career using their talents from the military life while protecting and serving people in need. With this new life, they have the support of each other, they have the chance to fall in love and form life long bonds with their close ones. The danger and peril still lurk around them, yet the conflicts and fighting are controlled and precise. A fascinating premise for the series, with charming characters facing life together and falling in love while fighting the criminals and keeping everyone around them safe ~ Three Spoons with a teaspoon on the side
Dale Mayer is a USA Today bestselling author best known for her Psychic Visions and Family Blood Ties series. Her contemporary romances are raw and full of passion and emotion (Second Chances, SKIN), her thrillers will keep you guessing (By Death series), and her romantic comedies will keep you giggling (It's a Dog's Life and Charmin Marvin Romantic Comedy series).
She honors the stories that come to her - and some of them are crazy and break all the rules and cross multiple genres! To go with her fiction, she also writes nonfiction in many different fields with books available on resume writing, companion gardening and the US mortgage system. She has recently published her Career Essentials Series. All her books are available in print and ebook format. To find out more about Dale and her books, visit her WEBSITE. Or connect with her online with TWITTER and on FACEBOOK. If you like Dale Mayer's books and are interested in joining her STREET TEAM it is linked here.
Monday, September 4
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Sparks fly when a journalist and a Navy SEAL cross paths in Thailand in this third entry in the thrilling and sexy Alpha Crew series from New York Times bestselling author Laura Griffin.
Journalist Karly Bonham is on her first overseas mission, covering the new United States ambassador to Thailand, when she is taken hostage by terrorists, with only her wits and courage to keep her alive—until help arrives in the form of Navy SEAL Ethan Dunn. As part of an elite SEAL team called Alpha Crew, Ethan has been on countless harrowing missions, but he knows this one is different the instant he meets Karly—the sexy young reporter who somehow managed to escape the terrorists’ clutches. Ethan is impressed by her, especially when he learns she has intel that could be the key to a successful rescue op. Ethan knows working with a civilian raises the stakes on an already dangerous mission. But with the clock ticking down, he enlists Karly’s help to thwart a vicious plot and bring a terrorist mastermind to justice.
Intense action novella filled with thrilling suspense and budding romance.
This is my first book in the series, and even though it is different in style from the Tracer novels I have truly enjoyed from the author, it still has that smooth flow of the tale, the kind of scary action that had me curling my toes, and the kind of connection between hero and heroine that you are rooting for them to be able to make it, and build the kind of relationship that would bind them for life. Journalist Karly Bonham is a people person. Her ability to find the common ground with the interviewee and listen to them makes them open up to her, giving her a leg up on her career. She is smart and holds herself together during the crisis. Her career is what she wants to focus on, after being burned too many times with failing relationships. Navy SEAL Ethan Dunn is a man of action, a typical alpha male with a commanding presence and caring heart. For the first time in his life, he is falling, and falling hard, for Karly. I loved how open Ethan was with his feelings and his intentions with Karly, it was refreshing. They were such a great match, from the burning physical attraction to their interests, to how they calmed each other and the mental storms raging in their minds in the middle of the mayhem and its aftermath. They have a lot of obstacles on their way, not only the distance and challenge of the military relationships but Karly's doubts and insecurities as well. The action comes in waves, and when the waves come they have a tsunami kind of effect. It is intense, fierce, and alarming with horrifying realities. This story definitely could have carried a full-length book, but even as a novella, it delivered a satisfying and entertaining tale. I couldn't help but wonder if Karly didn't have her fears about failed relationships maybe they would have had a chance to develop a deeper connection, but that often is the case with a well written, engaging novella with enticing characters, you are left wanting more even though happy with the events provided. I liked the balance of suspense and romance in the tale, I thought the timing was spot on. The lull between the action, the weeks going by, gave a foundation for the emotions deepen and the feelings to grow. Chilling, brutal, and savage action mixed with passionate, amorous romance between charismatic characters ~ Four Spoons This Buckhorn man will have to prove his worth to the woman of his dreams—don't miss this fan-favorite novella from New York Times bestselling author Lori Foster, available as a standalone ebook for the first time… Originally published as Buckhorn Ever After in 2013 Ranger Shohn Hudson can't help but notice a few things about Nadine Moest. She's gorgeous, she's smart, she's driven, and… she's apparently not into him. At all. Shohn's used to being chased, so having the one woman who matters resist his charms is not what he signed up for. The last thing Nadine wants is to be the latest notch on gorgeous Shohn's bedpost. But Shohn is determined to win her trust—nd her heart. Once Nadine learns more about the man underneath his cocky exterior, will she start to crack? Let the battle of wills begin… The story of Shohn Hudson and Nadine Moest was a fun read. It is a novella that was first published 2013 as part of an anthology. While reading it I knew it was a reprint, yet I thought it dated even further back since the demeanor and attitude of the characters reminded me of the first Harlequin books I read a few decades ago. Nadine is a curvy girl, and I loved that. She was a strong, capable, and caring person. She runs her own successful business and is liked by all. She has had a crush on Shohn since they were kids, yet she has no desire to be one of his conquests, another notch in his bedpost. Shohn is a notorious ladies man. He can charm them all and he knows it and enjoys it. Except for Nadine who does not seem to care about his flirting. Shohn seems to take this as a challenge and sets a plan to seduce Nadine. The banter between them is entertaining, the back and forth goes on through the tale. Novella length does not give you much room for character development and a meaningful conflict, but I doubted Shohn's feelings, I was not sure if Nadine was a challenge to him or was there deeper meaning with his relentless pursuit. I also was surprised that the strong and capable woman that Nadine was introduced as swooned when Shohn paid attention to her, was complete putty in his hands. But maybe some books should just be enjoyed for the amusing repartee and sizzling physical chemistry - Shohn had plenty of both of them. A nice rainy evening read ~ Three Spoons with a teaspoon on the side
Seeds of Intention
Hesse Creek Series Book 2
by Andrea Thome
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Is it more important to have roots, or wings?
Garrett Oliver has just settled into his job as heir apparent to one of the most renowned master gardeners in the country. After a difficult few years, he’s found a home and a renewed purpose at a famed resort in the secluded Smoky Mountains. The stars seem to be aligning for Garrett as he plans a future with his college sweetheart and envisions a simple life with her in the mountains of East Tennessee.
Willow Armstrong, fresh off a painful breakup, is coming home to Knoxville to care for her ailing father. She finds herself in the right place at the right time, landing a dream job alongside Garrett—as his boss. As they are thrown together by their work, an undeniable magnetism grows between them, despite the fact that Garrett is ready to start a future with someone else.
Circumstances persist in drawing them closer, and an unexpected opportunity in Colorado prompts Willow and Garrett to wonder if a life together out west might be beyond anything either of them had dared to imagine.
I'm a former broadcast journalist, having covered both sports and news during my career. (That's how I met my husband; I interviewed him on MLB opening day in 1995, and the rest is history.) I temporarily retired when we had our children, so I could be home with them full-time while they're young. We have a fourteen-year-old daughter, a nine-year-old son, and two cats that we spoil rotten.
This seemed like the perfect time in my life to jump back into doing something I love; writing and telling stories. No one was more surprised than me when I ended up with 65,000 words in my lap last spring! I called it Walland, and it was published in August of 2016. My second book, Seeds of Intention will be published on September 5, 2017, and as we speak, I've started to write a new book, the third in the Hesse Creek Series.
In my spare time, I love photography and travel, preferably at the same time. My novels are inspired by favorite places I've traveled, each of which have left vivid footprints on my imagination. I believe a book can be steamy and sexy, while still keeping it classy. I also love to infuse my characters with great senses of humor.
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A killer with nothing left to lose…
Afraid or not, Detective Bobbie Gentry has a monster to confront. The pain of losing her family and nearly her life to a criminal's vile hunger is still fresh, but now the landscape is different. Now she's not alone. Now she has Nick Shade to trust. Nick treats the terror of his past with vengeance. He's dedicated his life to hunting serial killers, and he'd give up his last breath to save Bobbie. When a string of killings bloodies Savannah's elite society and causes cold cases to resurface, Bobbie is captured in a city more haunted than Nick's inescapable nightmares. And as the murderer strikes close, Nick and Bobbie will need to become even closer if they're going to survive.
A riveting, intense, and gritty thriller that takes you to the deepest, darkest corners of the human mind, and shows you the consequences of no remorse, no guilt, no respect towards anything.
The Coldest Fear is the latest installment of the serial thriller that has blown my mind and scared me witless. The story continues directly from where the last book, No Darker Place, ended and has had me hooked even though I normally don't go for the serial stories. I would recommend reading this amazing series in the order of the books published. Detective Bobbie Gentry has gone rogue with the hunt for the serial killer. Despite the orders of her superiors, she is following the latest leads, and nothing, not even the threat of losing her job will stop her. Bobbie has faced more than most can even imagine, yet she pushes on. She is smart, capable, and brave. She can see the bigger picture as the law enforcement desperately are searching for clues. She likes to take charge, she knows what she is doing, and she will defend and protect her loved ones to the last breath. I admire her guts, her instinct, her caring heart, and smarts. She is a true heroine, awe inspiring at times, yet she has the vulnerability and humbleness that makes her just one of us. Her relationship with Nick Shade, her need to keep him safe from the monstrous father, tilts her fragile balance. Nick is trying to keep his distance from her to keep her safe, yet the pull to be close is too strong, unavoidable, and passionate. This is by no means a 'romance story' even though Nick and Bobbie and the connection between them is in the focus of the tale. The Coldest Fear is an enthralling thriller filled with suspense with a secondary element of romance in it. The cases investigated are increasing, the amount of deceased are escalating, there's obvious connection to the crimes, but the solid evidence is missing. Who can they trust, who has tempered the evidence in the past and in the present, what is the missing link, and where is the last child still missing after all these years, will any of them survive the constant attacks, will the families affected by the tragedies have healing or will their disintegrate? This story kept me on my toes and glued to the tale, it was impossible to put down since the constant twists in the plot peeked the intensity anew. The author's voice, the effortlessly flowing tale, the fervor of the characters as they are seeking for answers, the tension seeping from each scene, from every page, made this story potent and notable. A highly recommended series for all suspense and thriller readers! ~ Four Spoons with a teaspoon on the side
Mated In Treason
Kan Asma Vampires Book 1
by Christa Paige
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Welcome to the world of the Kan Asma Vampires. The Kan Asma are genetically modified humans who've become vampires. For centuries, the Kan Asma lived symbiotically with their human neighbors until the government recognized something had increased their life spans. Scientists and militia stormed their quiet Abkhazian village and betrayal followed. Many vampires experienced brutality and torture. Others died from experimentation. After a perilous journey, the surviving Kan Asma fled their homeland and settled in West Hollywood, California. The refugees cling to their sacred traditions, holding their mating rites above all others because without them, their numbers would diminish. There is no love or emotion in their Council-determined matings. Now, their quiet lives have suddenly been turned upside down. Lines have been drawn between the wealthy aristocrats and an uprising determined to halt the unfair ritual keeping wealth and power out of reach. Those who are lucky to find love in these matches are very few, and they will have to fight with everything they have in order to claim their mates or suffer a broken heart for eternity.
When the kraliyet bodyguard ended up in her hospital bed after an explosion left him in critical condition, Nadia tried to warn herself not to fall in love with him. After all, she's no vampire Cinderella, and happily-ever-afters didn't happen to low-born females of the Kan Asma. But her heart wouldn't listen, and soon she wanted to claim Gunnar as her forever mate, even if it meant taking him the only way possible, as a husband in a disgraceful human ceremony.
Gunnar fell in love with his nurse the moment he saw her smile. He yearned to claim her as his, but the Council would never allow him to mingle his powerful blood with a female from a poor family. The penalty for an unsanctioned mating is a death sentence. He doesn’t care about the threats and possible consequences of making her his. Though, due to the high probability of genetic incompatibility, he can't complete their blood-bond without knowing if it might take her life. Losing her would be worse than torture.
Their only hope lies with the treasonous Faction hell-bent on destroying the very people Gunnar calls family. Determined to find a way to be mated, Gunnar seeks out the leader of this hidden uprising. Together, Nadia and Gunnar must break every law and rite of their vampire culture to become bonded for life. Gunnar will play a deadly game of subversion or pay a blood price that would sever him from their people and put a bounty on his head. They must survive a dangerous infiltration of the Faction, because they’ll do anything to be together, even if it means being mated in treason.
The door swung open and he stood in the threshold. Strong and intense, her essence called to him on an elemental level. “Nadia.” His voice gruff, he said her name on a mere growl around long fangs that pricked his lower lip.
Surprise lined her forehead, her eyes narrowed, and breath wrenched from her chest. She stood from her chair and swiped the back of her hand across her cheek. Red tinged her eyes. Moisture tracked from the corners and spilled down her cheeks. Misery hit him square in the chest like a dull, rusty blade. Needing privacy, he shut the door and locked the deadbolt. “Why are you crying?” She shook her head. The long length of her ponytail fell over her shoulder as she glanced away from him. Her eyes lost focus and she stared at the dingy wooden cabinets hanging from the far wall. “Tell me, kjaere.” Gunnar pressed his lips together. Great, now he was using terms of endearment in his mother’s native tongue. He really had lost his frickin’ mind. Crossing her arms about her, she shivered as if cold but the temperature in the room was tepid and controlled. “Nadia, let me help.” With a loud exhalation, she threw her arms up in apparent frustration. Then, she propped her hands on her hips and paced the short length of the room. “You can’t.” She swiped away another tear. “No one can.” “Did Izak do this?” he spat, needing to understand. God please don’t let it be about that sentinel playboy. “Or Andros?” Either way he had to be prepared for her reply. “He told me I could have something impossible. Something I want so much.” Gunnar steeled his composure, flexing his muscles and gritting his jaw. “Who,” he prompted. Inside he quaked with possessiveness and aggression. Get a grip on yourself, idiot. A short nervous exhalation followed as she turned and faced him. “Andros.” One step brought him closer, just to the edge of the oblong table sitting in the middle of the room. He leaned into his palm, the cool wood of the table helped to keep him from losing his temper right there. “What did he say, Nadia? Tell me. Maybe I can make it happen.” She shook her head again and the tip of her tongue slid out, moistening her lips in a long sweep. The tips of her blunt, white teeth chewed on the corner of her mouth. She turned those soulful eyes on him. “I want—” Her breath faltered and her chest rose with a tense inhalation. Twisting the hem of her shirt in her fingers, she focused on the wall behind him, breaking off their connection. Time stilled as her lips parted and closed again. She sucked her bottom lip between her teeth. “You.” She pushed into his mind, and he could feel her apprehension, fear, and overwhelming need. He closed the distance between them, grabbed her face with both his hands, ignoring the metal on his arm. Sliding his fingers along her jaw, he cupped the nape of her neck and pulled her forward. He bent his head, stopped fighting against everything he knew he wasn’t supposed to do, and gave into everything he wanted.
Strict professor by day. Romance author by night. Lover of all things alpha-male twenty-four hours a day. Christa Paige is a multi-published author in several genres. Her passion for love stories spans many tropes. She writes sensual, romantic tales and sweet love stories. In her free time, Christa, likes knitting and has a yarn stash that keeps growing. (Especially if it is bamboo.) She has a love/hate relationship with running but can’t turn down a themed 5k race. Her beagle babies are her running partners. She never tires of watching a Star Wars marathon or rereading Lord of the Rings. There’s a special place in her heart for the Regency Romance. Mr. Darcy is her favorite Regency hero, especially when he is wearing Hessians and a cravat.
Christa's series The Blood-Vine published by Liquid Silver Publishing, Kissin' Cops published by Liquid Silver Publishing, Women Who Serve (Book 1 Coming soon), Kan Asma Vampires published by Hartwood Publishing.
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Disorderly Conduct by Tessa Bailey The Academy Adult; Contemporary Romance Avon Romance August 29, 2017 You don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone… Police academy cadet Charlie Burns can’t believe his luck when the gorgeous blonde he meets in a bar murmurs those magic words: “Nothing serious, ’kay?” Mind-blowing, no-strings sex with Ever Carmichael—it’s the holy grail of hookups for a guy who’s too busy following in his law enforcement family’s footsteps to think about getting serious. Charlie’s all about casual…that is, until Ever calls it quits and his world tilts on its axis. Ever knows that when you control the relationship game, you can’t get played. But for the first time, she wants more than short-term satisfaction. Step one: end her fling with commitment-phobic Charlie. Step two: sacrifice herself to the ruthless NYC dating scene. Yet everywhere she turns, there’s Charlie, being his ridiculously charming self. No online match or blind date compares to the criminally hot cop-in-training, but they’re over. Aren’t they? If love is a four-letter-word, why does the idea of Ever seeing someone else tie Charlie up in knots? Now he’s desperate to win her back…and a little date sabotage never hurt anyone, right? “NYPD. Open up...” Ever opens the door, but I can only see a sliver of her goddess figure because the chain is still on. “Oh. Is something wrong, Officer?” “As a matter of fact, there is.” I tug my ever-present notebook and pen out of my back pocket, pretending to consult the first page, which sucks, since it means taking my eyes off her for a second. “We’ve gotten several complaints about the smell of chocolate coming from this apartment. You know anything about that?” Ever bites her lip and throws a guilty glance over her shoulder. “Maybe. What’s it going to take to make this go away?” I lean forward, close enough to hear her breath go shallow through the crack. “What’s it going to take?” I drop my eyes to her exposed stomach where a rhinestone sparkles from its place of honor in her belly button. “We can start with a thorough inspection of the premises.” Tessa Bailey is originally from Carlsbad, California. The day after high school graduation, she packed her yearbook, ripped jeans, and laptop, and drove cross-country to New York City in under four days. Her most valuable life experiences were learned thereafter while waitressing at K-Dees, a Manhattan pub owned by her uncle. Inside those four walls, she met her husband, best friend, and discovered the magic of classic rock, managing to put herself through Kingsborough Community College and the English program at Pace University at the same time. Several stunted attempts to enter the work force as a journalist followed, but romance writing continued to demand her attention. She now lives in Long Island, New York with her husband and daughter. Although she is severely sleep-deprived, she is incredibly happy to be living her dream of writing about people falling in love. Avon | Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads
A military police officer on the verge of a new beginning. A beautiful woman devoted to her career and her dream of putting down roots. The hardest thing they’ll ever do is to take a chance on love . . .
Navy Chief Master at Arms Jackson “Jax” Faraday is at a crossroads. He has to decide whether to reenlist or get out while he’s young enough to make a difference in the civilian world. Either choice could mean leaving behind his girl: his K-9 partner, Bella. But when she’s injured during a training session, Jax’s only concern is making sure she’s okay. As the Navy base veterinarian, town local Risa Reynolds is right where she belongs: close to her parents in a farmhouse full of animals—with room to grow. She’s seen enough to put military men are on her “not happening” list, because they always leave. But when a tall, hazel-eyed sailor arrives in her clinic with his dog in his arms, Risa finds herself falling hard. And all kinds of rules will get broken when Jax, a man who sticks to the straight and narrow, learns that there’s no predicting the twists and turns of the heart . . .
Jackson Faraday was worried about his girl.
He should have been worried about his future. Time was running out for him to make a decision—stay in the Navy or get out—and the detailer was breathing down his neck. But the decision to throw away the past twelve years wasn’t easy. He wanted more. If NCIS—Naval Criminal Investigative Service—would make a decision on his application, that would be great. But what if they turned him down? Did he stay in for twenty years and retire? Then what? Start over at the bottom? Go home to a one-stoplight town with a police force that spent all its time dealing with bored teens wreaking havoc or frustrated couples fighting? Work security for one of the nearby casinos? All viable options, just not what he wanted. He wanted to make a difference. He shoved away the nagging questions. He had more pressing concerns. Like what was wrong with Bella, which was why he was at the base training center, even though his shift was officially over. “Come on, Bella. Give me your best for an hour, and then I’ve got a treat for you.” He wagged the Frisbee to get her attention. Instead, Bella whined and flicked her ear. “Hey, Jax. Heard we had a win in the courtroom today.” Chief Casey Thomas drove his Jeep up next to the chain-link fence. “Stone? Yeah, he’s going away for a good couple of years for that little video stunt of his. Not that it makes up for what he put Lieutenant Riley through, but it’s a start.” “Me and a couple of the guys are going to grab some grub and head out to the beach. Enjoy what’s left of summer. Come join us.” Casey drummed his fingers on the outside of the driver’s door, giving away he had more on his mind than a night’s celebration. “What’s up with you, man? You seem agitated.” He and Casey went back a ways; spent some time in the sandbox together. Normally the guy was as easygoing as cool beer slipping down your throat on a summer day. “Got my orders in today.” Casey slid out of the vehicle and walked through the gate. “I’m heading to Pensacola.” “Isn’t your ex-wife there?” “Near enough.” Casey squatted down and scratched Bella’s ears. “Did you hear back on your application yet?” “You know what they say: No news is good news.” At least he hoped that’s what it meant. “You know what you need? To find a nice lady who can take some of your stress away and make you forget your worries.” “The only lady I need in my life is Belladonna.” “She’s a little hairy and full of attitude.” “Aw, but you forget. She loves me unconditionally and always has my six.” “Not lately.” Casey stood and looked out at the obstacle course. “The new handler had her out this morning, running her through basic commands, and she ignored them all. I know you two have a tight bond, especially after two tours, but you’re leaving soon. She’s got to get used to new people.” Bella had been more than his partner while deployed; she’d been his anchor, his pillar of strength, his confidant, and his hope when all seemed lost. She wasn’t just his K-9 partner. She was his family, and the idea of leaving her was ripping him apart inside. Chances were she could sense his mood and the turmoil going on inside. “Which is why I’m passing on your offer.” Jax released the German shepherd’s leash. “Thought I’d do some special one-on-one training with her and see how it goes. Find out if it’s the new guy or her.” “She wouldn’t be the first dog to burn out.” Casey looked down at the dog, who hadn’t moved. “Of course, if she’s declared unfit for duty, you could adopt her. But then, what would you do with her while you’re in Glynco for NCIS training?” Jax dropped the leash and Frisbee on top of his backpack and looked into the brilliant blue sky. He’d been playing the “what if” game for two months now with no answers in sight. “Let’s deal with one problem at a time.” “If you change your mind about tonight, you know where to find us.” Casey waved as he hopped back into his Jeep and drove off. Jax squatted down and ran his hand down Bella’s back. “Okay girl, let’s get the work over so we can play.” Truthfully, everything they did was work. The game of Frisbee honed the dog’s speed, agility, and tracking ability just as much as anything else they did. She simply liked it better than the obstacle course. Not that Jax blamed her. Jax stood up and gave the hand signal for sit. The dog looked at him, then closed her eyes with a deep sigh. “Bella, sit,” he commanded. She rolled over onto her side and laid her paw across her nose. Casey really nailed it with his description. The dog was full of attitude—bad attitude—and a military working dog that didn’t follow orders was of no use to the service. Jax went through the commands again and again, getting no response. The two of them had worked together for almost six years, since Bella’s first assignment, and she’d transferred with him from the Middle East to the Sub base. In all that time, she’d never ignored an order from him. He bent back down and gave her a cursory inspection, but he didn’t find any obvious reason for the dog to balk. Concerned, Jax sat down on the ground next to his partner. “Bella girl, talk to me. What’s going on in that brain of yours? Is it the heat? Don’t you like the new guy? Tired of the same old routine? Trust me, I’d understand if that was the problem. Maybe we should call it a night, and tomorrow go see Doc and make sure you’re okay.” Bella scooted closer and laid her head on Jax’s lap, her tail thumping in the grass. “You gotta be okay, girl.” Absently, he scratched behind her ears as he thought of the past six years. “I don’t think I could handle it if we’d come this far and something happened to you.” Jax leaned forward and picked up the Frisbee. As he talked about nothing to the dog, he tossed the toy up and caught it, making no demands on Bella. Pretty soon she was sitting, her gaze following the disc. “Ah ha. Okay, I get it. There are times when I don’t feel like working either. I’ll make a deal with you. Five minutes of play and then a lap around the course. Deal?” Bella barked in response. Jax laughed and jumped to his feet, relieved to see her respond like her old self. He threw the Frisbee, and Bella took off at the speed of light. She caught the disc and returned it. They repeated it again and again. “Okay, last one and then we work.” Jax threw it with all his strength. The disc flew up. Bella chased, but instead of running straight across the lawn, she ran up the stairs of the dog walk. When she got to the top, she jumped and caught the disc in her mouth. But as she came down, she twisted. The scene before him unfolded in slow motion. He ran, reaching for Bella. Almost there. He dove to catch her but it was too late. Bella crashed to the ground a couple of feet in front of him, letting out a yelp that made Jax’s stomach cramp. He crawled to her side. Thank God she was breathing. He ran his hands over her body. Nothing protruded and there was no blood, but she was crying. Carefully, Jax scooped her up and ran for his truck. “Hang on, baby. Everything’s going to be okay.” And he prayed like he hadn’t done since his last night in the desert. Just like now, Bella had been at his side and they’d been pinned down by enemy fire. He’d prayed that night that they’d make it home alive and in one piece. He prayed now that his dog would live, because even though she technically belonged to the U.S. Navy, she was the love of his life.
A hot military man, a K-9 dog to be adored, a vet with a petting zoo at home, an alluring romance, and a bit of suspense thrown into the mix and I was hooked with the blurb. I read the book one in the series, Love Runs Deep, and was impressed with its originality, so I was excited to see how this story would shape up to be. No worries, this is a completely stand alone tale and does not require you to read the book one in the series.
Navy Chief Master at Arms Jackson “Jax” Faraday was an amazing hero, I simply loved him. He is a tough alpha man, yet he is kind, considerate, caring man deep inside. He loves all animals, his best friend, Bella the K-9 partner, has been by his side through the thick and thin. He was my favorite part of the story, I loved the banter at the base, how he interacted with his neighbor, with people in general, he was just a good, solid man to have around, and easy on the eyes as well. The Navy base veterinarian, Risa Reynolds, was a bit of a challenge to me. I liked her and enjoyed the little bit of Britt she had in her. Her temperament and caring for the zoo around her was endearing and entertaining. She had issues with her parents emotionally neglecting her, making her feel outside in her own family. She had sworn off military men, because 'they always leave'. I really enjoyed the interaction and romance between Risa and Jax even though Risa was demonstrating the 'you're hot and then cold' a little too well there for awhile. But then 'the conflict' came, and she completely spaced out, refused to communicate, and blocked everyone out, and that's when the story flopped for me, unfortunately. The suspense was predictable, as soon as the first vandalism happened, I knew the culprit. But the threats and attacks were part of the plot providing new twists to the story. I liked how down to earth the military life was portrayed at the base, it sounded very realistic. The struggle to find purpose in life after years of a military service was eye opening. The choices of future careers are there, yet it takes an effort and hard work to land one of those few coveted spots available for the veterans. Sometimes the one thing we are running away from turns out to be the one thing to hold the key to our future, as Risa finds out in A Hero to Love. A sweet, fun, passionate tale about falling in love when your life is at the crossroads and the being vulnerable and open to unexpected possibilities scares the boots off your feet. ~ Four Spoons
Gail Chianese's love of reading began at the tender age of three, when she'd make her grandpa read Fourteen Country Rabbits over and over and over again (and correct him when he skipped parts). While she's branched out over the years by reading mystery, women’s fiction, and urban fantasy, she always circles back to romance in the end. That's probably because she's married to her real life hero. Her wonderful hubby has served in the US Navy for the past twenty two years and he’s done things he can’t tell her about. But it doesn’t stop her from being extremely proud of him and the sacrifices he makes for her, his family, and his country. He’s also uber-supportive of her dreams and of their three children. Living in Mystic, CT and a member of Connecticut Romance Writers of America, Gail loves to hear from readers.
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"I'd like to have an affair with you."
Dedicated kindergarten teacher Erin MacDonald isn't the type to make the first move on a man—especially gorgeous David McCay, her secret crush. But when a crisis involving one of her pupils offers a chance to help the pro baseballer turned local brewery owner, Erin goes way out of her comfort zone. So way out she makes a shocking suggestion! David moved to the Colorado mountain town to look after his sister and her son. Now he's a stand-in parent to his nephew, trying to fight his attraction to Erin…who just propositioned him. David is nobody's hero. So why can't he convince the sweet, kindhearted beauty that she deserves better than him? Is it because they're the perfect imperfect match?
A story about learning to trust, finding your courage to open up to love, and discovering there are second chances even for the troubled, dysfunctional families, and flawed people.
Erin MacDonald is like many of us, she loves to cuddle with a good book in her favorite PJs after a hectic day. She is a stellar kindergarten teacher, her dedication to the children and their success is admirable. She is an introvert who has challenged herself to be more, to go out there and be open and vulnerable, and let life happen to her, instead of watching it happen to others. David McCay, a former baseball player, an uncle, and a brewery owner is Erin's crush. He is a kind man, his heart is in the right place. He is willing to take care of his nephew when life hits his family in the face. He has his wounds from the past, he is not perfect, and he knows it. I expected the secret, the mistake he made that had marked his life and made him think he was not worthy, to be more profound but the author explained well why it had hurt David so deeply. His pull and push with Erin went a bit too far for my taste, yet again the author managed to pull it all into an acceptable twist in the plot. I liked that Erin and David were such real and raw characters, their life-like issues, their troubles, and fears were things anyone could relate to, and find a common ground with them. They both are very much likable characters, well thought out, and developed. The insecurities that run deep on both of them were heartening in a way of feeling sympathy towards them. The secondary characters had depth and were refined. They played an important role in the story and contributed to the plot, but especially little Rhett stole my heart. His interactions with his uncle, with everyone really, were so sweet and adorable. A charming tale about learning to trust and falling in love, opening your heart to the possibilities life can offer for you. There's always a new chance if you are willing to work for it and be vulnerable. ~ Three Spoon with a teaspoon on the side |