Review: Warrior By Nicole Blanchard

I thought it was just one night with my brother’s best friend. The boy I had dreamt about since he gave me my first kiss, under the lights of the Ferris wheel.

I knew he was about to leave for a year – no chance for a future.

But our one night together would create memories for a lifetime.

Our paths crossed again, but I had lied, and he was no longer the man he once was. He was warring against demons. Against the silence that was threatening to swallow him. And I had kept a secret from him, one he would never forgive me for.

But my secret was about to be ripped open. Displayed for the world on national news. And I had only one way to repair the damage. 

I had to trust the man I lied to. 

The man I never got the chance to make a life with. 

The only man who could save what we had created together.

By now you all know that I have a special love for military romances, especially ones with wounded warriors or those who live with PTSD.  When I signed up for Warrior I didn’t know from the synopsis alone that this was the type of book it would be but it sounded good so I said “sure, why not”.  Nicole Blanchard is a new to me author so I wasn’t sure what to expect when I began to read.

Ben and Olivia share one night after years of tip toeing around the attraction they felt towards each other.  Olivia is Ben’s best friends little sister and he doesn’t want to hurt her but he can no longer hold back.  Their one night is filled with passion and they say goodbye before Ben deploys.  With promises to stay in contact as best as possible they part.  Later on Olivia finds out that their one night has created more than just memories, she is pregnant and this will not be an easy road for her.  Ben suffers as well, after being injured in battle he will never be the same as he was before.

I loved the banter between Ben and Olivia when they would start to bicker, you could feel the underlying friendship that was the base of their relationship.  I loved Ben’s character, even when he was pushing Olivia away I understood by.  Unless you experience PTSD yourself or someone who you love lives with it, you can never understand why at times they struggle to not only feel normal once more, but to not push their loved ones away.  Olivia, for me, really annoyed me at times when she didn’t stop to consider that Ben was suffering from more than the injury she knew about.  Yes, she had her own stresses but I think her lack of even telling his family certain things made me like her less.  Sadly Olivia kind of ruined it for me I think. 

Warrior has friends to lovers, a military man, secrets, drama, angst and some lessons that everyone needs to learn in life.  I liked this book, even with the issues I had with Olivia.  I am anxious to see who the next book is about.  I have an idea but I am not 100% positive that I am right so I don’t want to say.   This was a good start to the series and I look forward to reading more. 

Review: A Father's Fight By JB Salsbury

Life changes in the span of a heartbeat—one tiny heartbeat.

Blake and Layla have lived through disappointment and regret, only finally finding relief through the powerful love they have for each other. A love they intend to fight to keep.

They’ve had to forgive each other, but can they truly move forward without facing the pain of the past?

Layla’s been avoiding the phone calls. Nine months pregnant and exhausted, she doesn’t want the complication. But she can’t run from the truth. Whoever’s calling was there eighteen years ago. Unlike her, he remembers the night that changed the course of her life, and he’s ready to confess.

Blake’s preoccupied with an email, a few simple sentences sent through cyberspace that have the capability to rob him of his sanity, his freedom, and the people he loves most in the world. When he’s called home for a mysterious reason, leaving Layla isn’t ideal, but hope for reconciliation with his father combined with his brother’s secrecy ignites a curiosity he refuses to ignore.

Putting the pain behind them is no longer an option.

To get the answers they need, they must face the past and open up old wounds that threaten to bleed them dry.

If you haven’t read the previous books in the series yet there may possibly be some spoilers of the previous books in this review.  You have been warned so take the appropriate actions now.

I didn’t think that I could love Blake more than I did when I read Fighting To Forgive, but A Father’s Fight has made him my all time favorite character of the Fighting series so far.  Sorry Rex, you know I have love for you but Blake showed what a real man and father is.  One that protects his family and hold on tight and never lets go. 

We know from their previous book that Layla had been date gang raped in high school which led to her pregnancy of Axelle Rose (I still freaking love that name).  Layla and Axelle are still working through that knowledge and Blake is there helping by taking care of his girls.  But now there is someone who could possibly try to take that happiness away from him, someone who is asking questions about who the biological father Axelle really is.  Both Layla and Blake try to do the right thing but sometimes instead of keeping truths in the name of protecting the ones you love you need to be a team and be there for one another.  And no I am not going to tell you who it is.  Read the damn book people.

I really liked seeing how Blake not only was looking forward to becoming a father, but how he was dealing with an issue from his past as well.  Again read the book.  Even though in Fighting To Forgive you can tell how important both Layla and Axelle are to Blake, in A Father’s Fight it becomes almost real.  When we first met Blake I can honestly say I never thought he would turn out how he has and I am glad that he continues to fight for his girls.  Oh and the baby’s name is perfect for this family.

A Father’s Fight reminded my again why I love this series as much as I do.  It is because the tough alpha MMA fighters fall hard for their women and will do anything to protect them and their families.  In other words they are what real men should be.

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Review: Rattle Me By Ryan Michele

After a devastating loss, hope breathes again.

Test after test, the lives of G.T. and Casey are about to take a huge turn. 

Emotions and pain cut deep, and fear burns inside daily. 

Can Casey relax enough to avoid undo stress? 

Can GT handle having zero control?

“This is definitely going to be one hell of a wild ride.”

~G.T.

I am going to be pretty blunt with the next few sentences.  When I first read Casey and GT’s story in Seduce Me I hated Casey with a passion.  She was annoying, weak and overall a character that personally I wouldn’t have shed a tear if she happened to be run over by a motorcycle.  Don’t get me started on the whole Mia thing either, that will begin a totally new rant all together.  So when I started to read Rattle Me to say I didn’t have high hopes would be an understatement.  But slowly, ever so slowly I got more and more interested in what I was reading.  I began to let go of some of those things I hated about Casey and started to enjoy the storyline.  I was getting excited to see what Casey and Gt were going to have and what they were going to name the baby.

 If you haven’t read Seduce Me yet then this next bit will be a spoiler and I apologize but you have been warned.  First let me say this.  I have never miscarried a baby, I thought I was with my daughter but I got lucky so I do not know the pain that a mother feels when that happens.  It doesn’t mean that it doesn’t break my heart for any mother who has suffered that type of loss, but the way Casey couldn’t move past it I just couldn’t understand.  And that is not me being heartless in any way I am just being honest.  But I was so proud of her the way she slowly got more and more excited about the pregnancy, and in a way I think it began to heal her.  I am very happy that the author decided to give Casey and GT the happiness that they didn’t have in their book.  I can safely say that my hatred of Casey has been moved to like. 

I really am looking forward to find out what Ms. Michele  has planned for the rest of her readers, and I am even looking forward to see what other happiness Casey and GT may have in their future.

Blog Tour: Deep By Kylie Scott

Positive. With two little lines on a pregnancy test, everything in Lizzy Rollins' ordinary life is about to change forever. And all because of one big mistake in Vegas with Ben Nicholson, the irresistibly sexy bass player for Stage Dive. So what if Ben's the only man she's ever met who can make her feel completely safe, cherished, and out of control with desire at the same time? Lizzy knows the gorgeous rock star isn't looking for anything more permanent than a good time, no matter how much she wishes differently.

Ben knows Lizzy is off limits. Completely and utterly. She's his best friend's little sister now, and no matter how hot the chemistry is between them, no matter how sweet and sexy she is, he's not going to go there. But when Ben is forced to keep the one girl he's always had a weakness for out of trouble in Sin City, he quickly learns that what happens in Vegas, doesn't always stay there. Now he and Lizzie are connected in the deepest way possible...but will it lead to a connection of the heart?

Stage Dive fans have been waiting to read Ben’s story since book one.  He is the brother to the woman we all wanted to bitch slap in Lick, or at least I did.  He is the one that seems quieter, well compared to David, Mal and Jimmy that is.  I knew that his book was going to be more than the final in the Stage Dive series, but what I didn’t expect was that I would be so enthralled from the very first page until the last that when it ended I actually cried a little.  I have read each book since the series started numerous times since it came out and I will be adding Deep to that list as well.

Ben and Lizzy’s story was funny, sad and at times it made you want to reach into your kindle and absolutely beat the living hell out of Ben.  Read the book trust me you will understand why I wanted to beat not just him but that bitch sister of his as well. Lizzy wasn’t perfect either but since she’s pregnant I won’t do imaginary violence on her lol.  I even wanted to smack Mal a couple of times.  Let’s just say this book brought out my emotions and I loved every second of it.

I am going to miss this series.  I still remember the first time I read Lick, and now I will remember the first time I read Deep, and if you haven’t figured out that I will be rereading this series a lot well then I don’t know how much more clearer I could be.  I am excited to see what Kylie Scott has in store for her readers next because I just know that it will be another great series that will have her readers begging for more.

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1In7cek

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1N8QEb1

Barnes & Noble:  http://bit.ly/1CT657M

 Kobo: http://bit.ly/1InexuC

iBooks: http://apple.co/1EDEQcc

Excerpt 

“C’mon. How have you been, really? What’s been going on with you?” he pushed. I frowned at him and he frowned right back. “Liz, please.”

I groaned in defeat. “All right, I suck.”

“Why do you suck?”

“So very many reasons.” I pushed my hair back from my face—no more hiding. “Pregnancy sucks. It’s natural, my ass. I finally stop throwing up, but I’m tired all the time. Giving up coffee was horrendous. None of my clothes fit right because of these stupid breasts, and they ache constantly. I have to pee like every thirty seconds, and then to top it off, I cry every time the Healthy Hound ad comes on. It’s ridiculous”

Little wrinkles appeared either side of his nose. “You cry at a dog food ad?”

“Yes. The puppies jump all over each other to get to their mother and it’s just so beautiful, with their cute little tails wagging and everything.”

He just stared at me.

“I know its psycho, Ben. Believe me, I’m well aware of this.”

“Hey, it’s fine.” He covered a smile with his hand. Too late, the bastard.

“You try dealing with all these hormones going apeshit. Crap. Apeshoot.”

“Apeshoot?”

“I’m trying not to swear,” I explained. “You want the first word our child comes out with to be something bad?”

“No. Gotcha.” The man was incredibly bad at hiding a grin. “No swearing.”

Stage Dive Series Reading Order

Lick (Book One)

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1InglUf

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1OtJpxU

Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1LQBlbE

Kobo: http://bit.ly/1Hwdc78

iBooks: http://apple.co/1C6eRf6

Play (Book Two)

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1InhStu

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1DRefNN

Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1EDFuqc

Kobo: http://bit.ly/19Mnylr

iBooks: http://apple.co/1CT8FKX

Lead (Book Three)

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1G9pd0x

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1OtLJVr

Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1N35Jgb

Kobo: http://bit.ly/1BoiDwN

iBooks: http://apple.co/1GNre0u

Deep (Book Four)

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1In7cek

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1N8QEb1

Barnes & Noble:  http://bit.ly/1CT657M

 Kobo: http://bit.ly/1InexuC

iBooks: http://apple.co/1EDEQcc

Kylie is a long time fan of erotic love stories and B-grade horror films. She demands a happy ending and if blood and carnage occur along the way then all the better. Based in Queensland, Australia with her two children and one delightful husband, she reads, writes and never dithers around on the internet.

Kylie is represented by Amy Tannenbaum at the Jane Rotrosen Agency, New York.

Stalk Kylie Scott: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

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Blog Tour and Giveaway: Regret Me Not by Danielle Sibarium

For Mackenzie Green life is full of regrets; regrets from choices she made in the past, regrets for the things she’ll never see in her future. She regrets letting her grades slip while her sister was in rehab, ensuring she’ll never break away from the rumor-run, small town she lives in. She regrets breaking up with her future All American football playing boyfriend, Brayden Turner out of fear of getting hurt. Most of all she regrets every decision she made leading up to the night that changed her life forever. 

It’s only after Brayden cuts her off completely that Mackenzie realizes how much she wants him in her life. She’s learns that losing what you love breaks you, but sometimes it’s the only way to tap into your inner strength. 

Can Mackenzie find the courage to learn from her mistakes and move forward or will she spend her days consumed with regrets? Is it too late to convince Brayden she wants him in her life and that she’s in it for the long haul? Most of all, can she accept that sometimes bad things happen no matter how hard you try to protect yourself from them? Can she put it all behind her or will she live an unfulfilled life full of regrets?

I am sitting here three days after reading Regret Me Not and I am still torn about how I feel about this book.  There things that I really liked about the book, and then there are things that almost made me put the book down and walk away. 

Let’s start with what I liked.  I liked how Brayden took the time to get to know Kenzie and worked his way so that he was in her life and that she could go to him when she needed him.  He was there during a very stressful time in her life and didn’t turn his back when so many others would have left without a second thought.  Brayden was more than just the typical football quarterback, he is a good guy with true love for Kenzie, and even when again he should have turned his back on her for what she pulled. 

Kenzie, lord I have a like hate relationship with her.  I will admit 90% of the book I couldn’t stand her, and her reasoning behind a lot of her actions in my mind were utter bullshit, but she had a dose of reality when she saw that sometimes what you think is best is in fact the worst thing you could do.  Once she saw that Brayden loved her and would forgive her for one massive mistake on her part I think she finally believed that he did love her like he said.

There is something that tore my heart out and absolutely had tears in my eyes, so have tissues ready because even with me not overly loving this book, I cried and unless you don’t have a heart you will too.

Now let me move to what I hated about the book.  Okay hate is a harsh word, let’s go with strongly disliked.  Kenzie’s selfishness that only her feelings counted and that she knew what Brayden would do when they were apart.  She was so stubborn and then when she finally got her wish, she was upset because he moved on.  Now who he moved on with pissed me off so I was pissed at Brayden for a while too.  Her attitude at times just grated on my nerves.  She never took into consideration what Brayden wanted, which was her, she judged her sister who needed her love and support more than her cold shoulder.

Overall, this book is one that shows that sometimes the grass is not greener on the other side, that you never really know what you have until it’s gone.  It is also a book that shows the healing of a relationship, loss, and true tests of a relationship when the unthinkable happens.  And while I am on the fence about this book (I personally think it’s just me), it really is a good, emotional, angsty read that will piss you off, make you cry and finally make you smile.  

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Danielle Sibarium, YA and NA author, grew up in Brooklyn, New York. Throughout her childhood she transported herself into a fantasy world full of magic and wonder. Books were the gateway between her play world and reality. On any given summer afternoon she became Snow White sweeping and cooking for the dwarfs or Cinderella waiting for the prince.

In 2004, Danielle won Honorable Mention in the Southern Heat contest. In 2007, she collaborated with Charlotte Doreen Small to write songs for her CD More. Danielle wrote the lyrics for Take My Hand and Goodbye, while Charlotte contributed the melody.

Danielle graduated from Farleigh Dickinson University with honors and currently resides in New Jersey with her husband and three children.

In October 2011, Danielle’s debut novel For Always was released. She has since released The Heart Waves Trilogy, Heart Waves, Breaking Waves, and Waves of Love, as well as To My Hero: A Blog of Our Journey Together, Into You, and Regret Me Not.

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Review: Uncaged by Harper Sloan

You have to have read the rest of the Corps Security series before reading this one, it is NOT a standalone but a continuation of Cage’s story.  Please take the time to read the first 3 books in the series before reading Uncaged.

Greg Cage’s life is more fulfilling than he ever could have imagined. He’s married to the love of his life, has an amazing son, and in a few short months, his family will grow again with the birth of his twin girls.

The past year has been a tough one for the Cage family, but they are now on the road to healing by learning to let go of the past and looking forward to their future.

When situations beyond his control threaten to take away so much of what Greg holds close to his heart, he has to learn that he doesn't always have the control he tries to maintain in their lives. Will he be able to handle the stress of knowing his wife and newborn daughters are beyond his protection?

Join the Cage family as they embark on yet another one of life’s journeys with a rambunctious four-year-old, pregnancy complications, and the fear of the unknown.

Will the love that Greg and Melissa share hold true as they fight to overcome the obstacles that face them?

The continuation of Cage and Melissa’s story is one that I felt so much emotion with that a box of tissues was a constant by my side.  We see how their relationship has progressed, with the birth of their twins on the horizon.  We see how Cohen is still his adorable heart stealing self.  You can see the strength of the bond that Cage and Melissa share in not only their marriage but the way they are raising Cohen.

You feel the excitement that the couple is feeling with the upcoming birth of the twins.  Even Cohen is super excited about the upcoming arrival of his sisters, it is so sweet.  They need this bit of happiness after the past painful year for the crew. 

Just when you think everything will be a happy ending like they deserve, something so upsetting happens that you will ball your eyes out.  Now I cried big ugly tears when I had read Beck, I cried ugly tears when I read Uncaged as well.   When I wrote my review for Beck I cried remembering the reason and once again I am crying now writing this review of Uncaged.  I will not spoil it and tell you what happens because to feel the true emotion of this book, you have to read it.  Unless you are a cold hearted person who has no emotions this book will bring forth strong feelings.  I can promise you that you will need tissues.  I can promise you that you will not take for granted the ones you love always being by your side, that you will cherish each moment you have with them.

Harper Sloan has truly won me over with this series.  From the beginning with Axel’s story, to the continuation of Cage’s and the future books in this series she has me hooked wanting to read more of the men Corp’s Security and see all of their stories unfold.  Please if you are a fan of this series, make sure that you read this one because Cage, Melissa and especially Cohen will pull at your heart and leave their mark.

Amazon:  http://www.amazon.com/Uncaged-Corps-Security-Book-3-5-ebook/dp/B00IWSNSJ2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1396140491&sr=8-1&keywords=uncaged+corps+security+3.5

Review: The Unwanted Wife by Natasha Anders

Theresa de Luca loved her husband Alessandro when they got married, she thought that he loved her as well. She knows that he wants a son, he tells her repeatedly but when she can’t get pregnant she knows that him loving her will never happen.   What she didn’t know was that he only married her for one reason and he believes she married him for a different reason as well.  She has had enough of the cold hearted husband she married and is ready to leave.  When she tells Alessandro she wants a divorce he does not take the news very well.  He finds that maybe he doesn’t want to let her go after all, too bad that Theresa has her mind set but can it be changed?

Alessandro has not put any effort into his marriage at all expect to attempt to get Theresa pregnant.  He needs a son.  He treats Theresa horribly, he refuses to divorce her or let her go.  When Theresa finally does become pregnant, he should be praying for the son he has wanted but things have changed.  He doesn’t want to let Theresa go but fears that too much time has past and his actions towards her have sealed his fate and he will lose her once the baby is born. Can he win her heart and heal the damage he has done or will Theresa walk away?  Well I am not going to give you the answer you have to read it duh.

This book will make you cry, break your heart and put it back together all at the same time.  You feel Theresa’s pain from the start and wonder how she has stayed for as long as she has with some of the shit that Alessandro has pulled in the short time they have been married.  You also start to open up to Alessandro as well and while you find out the reason why he was like that to her it pisses you off but at the same time you feel for him as well.  You begin to want Alessandro to win Theresa back.

The Unwanted Wife is one emotional roller coaster, especially if you have ever had problems in your marriage or relationship and have felt unwanted by the one you love.  We all have our go to authors when we are feeling down and I have one I go to when I need to laugh and just be picked up, but when I am having problems in my marriage I pick up the Unwanted Wife and read it.  I will admit I think I have read this book at least 6 times, for some reason I can connect with Theresa when me and my husband are arguing.   The Unwanted Wife is a book of heart break, pain, second chances and forgiveness. I have cried each time I have read this and I will cry again the next time I read it as well.  This is one that will always be on my reread list and I highly recommend you putting is on your to be read lists as well.

Amazon:  http://www.amazon.com/Unwanted-Wife-Natasha-Anders-ebook/dp/B009I3UOKQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1393897768&sr=8-1&keywords=the+unwanted+wife

Cover Reveal: The Love of a Rockstar by Nicole Simone

Marlene Parker thought she met her soul mate at eighteen, but when he left her pregnant and alone to pursue a life of rock ‘n roll, she vowed to never love again. Now four years later, she is being offered the dream of a lifetime. Moving to France with her daughter to start anew. There is only one problem. Marlene’s formative ex is back in town and his pull is strong as ever.

Luke Anderson has everything a man could want. Fame, fortune and enough beautiful women to last him a lifetime. That is until a young runaway shows him what is truly important. Family. A word in which plagues Luke with regret. As a scared twenty two year old he ran away from the love of his life and their unborn child. Now ready to reverse his biggest regret with only three days to do it, Luke’s fate hangs in the balance. The question is, will he be able to convince Marlene their love story deserves a second chance?

Publication Date: February 12, 2014

About the Author

Nicole Simone works in digital media by day and at night, pen’s character driven romance novels that will make your mama blush. She lives in Los Angeles, C.A with her fat bulldog named Humphrey. Love of a Rock Star is Nicole’s first novel but certainly not her last.

Connect with the Author: Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads