ARC Review: Break My Fall

I have an exciting book to share with you if you like military romance!

Title: Break My Fall
Series: Falling, #2
Author: Jessica Scott
Self-Published
Release Date: February 16, 2016
Pages: 227
Buy Links: Amazon | iBooks | BN | Kobo

Blurb:

Violence. 

I'm addicted to it. It's how I feel alive. It's the only thing that's real any more.
And now I have to sit around and discuss it like it's physics or calculus. I can't do it. I can't pretend that it's some sterile academic topic. Violence isn't sterile. It isn't calm. It's pulsing. It's alive.
It's my drug.
Until I met Abby, I never wanted anything beyond the next fight. Never considered that I might finally find a way back to the land of the living.
Now? Now I find myself dreaming of a woman with golden eyes.
But I can never be with her. Because I am not whole. And I never will be again.
But I cannot stay away.
And loving her might finally be what breaks me.  

Gritty, dark, and full of heart. Jessica Scott had done it again!

There was something addicting to the tortured soul that was Josh. The fact that he could explode any minute was what drew me to him. At the same time, I also liked that no matter how much violence he was capable of, he wasn't a threat to the people in the college he was attending. 

This story was different from all the other in that Abby was also tortured inside. She was strong on the outside, but she hid painful memories as well. They might not have been the war, but her struggle was just as traumatizing. Watching her bond with Josh was fascinating. It was like a magnetic pull that neither of them could escape. 

If you were in the market for a new adult military story, I would recommend this book. The feelings were real, and so were the hardships. 

Jessica Scott is an Iraq war veteran, an active duty army officer and the USA Today bestselling author of novels set in the heart of America’s Army. She is the mother of two daughters, three cats and three dogs, and wife to a retired NCO. She and her family are currently wherever the army has sent her.

She's also written for the New York Times At War Blog, PBS Point of View Regarding War, and IAVA. She deployed to Iraq in 2009 as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF)/New Dawn and has had the honor of serving as a company commander at Fort Hood, Texas twice.

She's pursuing a graduate degree in Sociology in her spare time and she's been featured as one of Esquire Magazine's Americans of the Year for 2012.

Jessica is also an active member of the Military Writers Guild.

Connect with Jessica at: Website | Facebook | Twitter| GoodReads | Amazon | Instagram

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New Release Promo: Love in the Light

Hi everyone! I have another amazing new release to share! This time, it's Laura Kaye's sequel to Hearts in Darkness! Check it out below!

Title: Love in the Light
Series: Hearts in Darkness, #2
Author: Laura Kaye
Self-Published
Release Date: January 12, 2016
Pages: 197
Buy Links: Amazon | Amazon UK | iBooks | Kobo | Nook

Blurb:

Two hearts in the darkness… 

Makenna James and Caden Grayson have been inseparable since the day they were trapped in a pitch-black elevator and found acceptance and love in the arms of a stranger. Makenna hopes that night put them on the path to forever—which can’t happen until she introduces her tattooed, pierced, and scarred boyfriend to her father and three over-protective brothers. 

Must fight for love in the light… 

Haunted by a childhood tragedy and the loss of his family, Caden never thought he’d find the love he shares with Makenna. But the deeper he falls, the more he fears the devastation sure to come if he ever lost her, too. When meeting her family doesn’t go smoothly, Caden questions whether Makenna deserves someone better, stronger, and just more…normal. Maybe they’re just too different—and he’s far too damaged—after all…

I've read so many of Laura's books, but I haven't read this duet yet. It's honestly so hard to keep up when I have so many favorite authors! Help!

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Review: Sleeping Beau

Title: Sleeping Beau
Series: Fiery Tale, #4
Author: Lila DiPasqua
Self-Published
Release Date: December 18, 2015
Pages: 122
Buy Links: Amazon | BN | iBooks | Kobo

Blurb:

Inspired by the tale of Sleeping Beauty--an erotically charged historical romance novella from the acclaimed Fiery Tales series. One sleeping rake, one scorching kiss, one night of unforgettable passion...

Five years ago, the notorious rake, Adrien d'Aspe, Marquis de Beaulain, was awakened by a sensuous kiss--and experienced a night of raw ecstasy that was branded into his memory.

Years later, he spots his mysterious seductress--and this time, he has no intention of letting her go...

**NOTE: Originally published in the AWAKENED BY A KISS anthology.

There's something very special about historical romance. Each encounter behind closed doors seemed extra special, possibly because the ladies in that era held such importance over propriety. I haven't read a historical romance in a while, to be honest, so I found this book a bit difficult to read at first.

However, when dialogues became more frequent between Adrien and his seductress, I started to feel the need to never stop reading until I'd finished the book.

"Speak to me of desire and I am interested. Speak to me of this ridiculous martyrdom, and I will direct my "interest" elsewhere."

I did appreciate Adrien's need for honesty. He wasn't like the other men of the era. In a way, he seemed a bit more modern because he didn't much care for what people thought of him. I really liked his three uncles as well. I wish there were more scenes with them. (I just realized as I was writing this review that the three uncles were supposed to be the three women in Sleeping Beauty. Doh!)

As for Adrien's seductress, I loved her courage and her strength. I also appreciated the fact that she wasn't shy when it came to asking for what she wanted, even though it was out of her comfort zone. 

Overall, the story had a great flow, although towards the end, I thought it seemed a bit rushed and all the fairy tale elements were thrown in the story at once. 

If you're looking for a short and sweet historical romance, I think this one is worth a read. 

Arianne

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Promo: Runaway

Hi everyone! Today is a new romantic suspense by JB Schroeder. I hope you'll check it out!

Title: Runaway
Series: Retrieval Inc., #1
Author: JB Schroeder
Self-Published
Release Date: June 14, 2015
Pages: 336
Buy Link: Amazon

Blurb:

Sixteen-year-old Laura Macnamara walked out her backdoor and disappeared without a trace. Six years later, while looking for his missing teenage sister, Detective Mitch Saunders uncovers a disturbing link between the two cases. His search leads straight to Laura—all grown up and posing as Charlie Hart.

Despite their instant attraction and the ever-present danger to his sister, Charlie refuses to help him. Still terrified and guarding secrets, she cannot afford to face the past. Yet Mitch will stop at nothing to bring his sister home—and that includes exposing Charlie to a truly sinister evil. If she can’t stay hidden, she must run—again.

The clank and bang of trays, ladles, cups, and utensils soothed Charlie the instant she slid in the back door of the kitchens. Somehow all that noise had come to symbolize a home away from home for her. Maybe, just maybe, that same sense of comfort that she always felt at Glide and St. Anthony’s would have drawn Tiffany back tonight as well.

Charlie greeted everybody on staff as she weaved through the chaos, but didn’t stop to talk. She stepped through the line of guests, already scanning the tables. Then she headed down a middle aisle, checking every table, but her attention was yanked to a man who’d just come in the main door. He wasn’t facing her, engaged as he was in conversation with the aide posted there, but her breath caught anyway—

because he didn’t belong here.

He stood tall and straight and was fit and clean. One glance told her he was both confident and determined. He hadn’t shaved recently, but usually did, she guessed. Good-looking, too, but in a rugged way. In another life, she thought as an aside, you’d have been my type.

Sandy brown hair—too long, for a gust of wind blew through the door and pushed it into his face. He swiped it back with a large hand. In the other, he flashed a photograph. The aide, Aaron, a good guy who helped out when he was able, shook his head.

A cop, then. Looking for someone.

Out of long habit, she tensed, ready to flee—but Aaron was pointing at her already, and the intruder’s eyes locked with her own.

Charlie felt her stomach drop out and her whole world tilt precariously. Cops were to be avoided; they asked too many questions and might look too close. She willed her legs to move, to turn, to run, but she was frozen in place. There were too many people watching. And she wasn’t ready this time. She’d been caught off guard.

Don’t panic. Think, think! She ran a hand over her hair—short, tousled, blond. Had she remembered her contacts? Yes, her eyes were blue. No choice, she’d have to play it cool. She was Charlie Hart. She was Charlie Hart…

“Cleverly written, with a creep factor turned up to eleven, RUNAWAY is unlike anything I’ve ever read. You will fall in love with Mitch and Charlie in this twisted tale of facing down your worst fears. This book is not to be missed!”

—Award-winning author Joanna Shupe

“Gritty plotline, heart-pounding suspense, emotional romance . . . RUNAWAY will make you believe in evil . . . and in love.”

—Award-winning author AJ Scudiere

About the Author
JB SCHROEDER, a graduate of Penn State University's creative writing program and a book designer by trade, now crafts thrilling romantic suspense novels. Blessed with a loving family and a home in NJ, JB has no idea why her stories lean toward gritty, and her characters keep finding evil--but she wouldn't have it any other way.

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Promo: Captive of the Cattle Baron

Today's promo is a sweet contemporary romance with a rancher! I do love me a bit of western romance :) I hope you enjoy!

Title: Captive of the Cattle Baron
Series: Selkirk Family Ranch, #1
Author: Irene Vartanoff
Self-Published
Release Date: June 15, 2015
Pages: 226
Buy Link: Amazon

Blurb:

Abducted by rancher Baron Selkirk—okay, it was an accident, but now he won't let her go!—former TV child star turned horse whisperer Addie Jelleff enjoys a respite from the media circus that ruined her quiet retreat in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, but she's due back to town to defend her actor pal at his trial very soon. Baron's vast, isolated ranch is only one of his many attractions, but he's awfully domineering and she can't possibly give in to their growing attraction while she's virtually his prisoner, can she? Baron sees the situation differently. Forced to drop his geology career and take over the family ranch, he's frustrated by too many people saying no to him. Isn't he in charge? Why is Addie so mysterious about her past and her commitments to another man? Why won't she give in to Baron, when every time they touch, they catch fire? It's a battle of wills—with neither one backing down. Addie can tame the wildest stallion, but taming her own growing attraction to the high-handed rancher and keeping him from breaking through her defenses requires all her strength—and some help from unexpected sources. 

“Why do I get the feeling that you do not want to cooperate and arrange to get me back north?” she cried.

“Because it’s true.”

Her mouth dropped open.

“You were in sad shape earlier today,” he said. “Would it hurt you to stay here for a while and recover fully?”

“If it was my free choice, that would be different,” she said, crossing her arms and glaring at him.

“At this moment, I don’t believe you’re in any shape to make a rational free choice about yourself, so I’m choosing for you. For now, you stay on my ranch, where you will be safe and can recover.” His expression was adamant.

She let out an exasperated breath. “We’re getting nowhere.”

“Then go back to bed. Rest.”

He’d defeated her for the moment, but only for the moment, she promised herself. She walked toward the kitchen door. “Good night.”

He moved away from the stove to intercept her. “No need to wear yourself out all over again. I’ll carry you up,” he said.

She stopped dead. Being in his arms, alone with him, in the middle of the night? That would be asking for trouble. “No, thanks. I’m good.”

“Are you?” Baron gave her whole body a comprehensive look, but lingered on her face. His eyes held an expression she understood all too well. What he wanted from her in the middle of the night was clear.

Her breath was giving her trouble again. Her limbs tingled and her breasts ached. She whirled and sped out of the kitchen, not daring to look back. It took all her energy to climb the stairs, shaky as she was now from the awareness that had suddenly spring up between them. She locked her bedroom door, trying to keep herself in as much as keep Baron Selkirk out. This never happened to her. She could not recall ever being so sexually carried away over so little. Over a mere glance. A few seconds more, and they could have been having sex on the kitchen counter.

Baron held his breath until she turned on the landing and was out of sight. Finally, he exhaled. What the hell just happened? They’d gone from arguing to sizing each other up as potential lovers. He knew the signs. What about his offer to carry her up to bed? Sheer madness. She was smart to turn him down, because he would have been in that bed with her, making love to her despite her fragile condition. From the look she’d given him, she’d considered it.

He policed the kitchen, stowing the plate and the pitcher of tea, and turning off the lights. His pulse was still jumping. Feisty Addie did that to him, turned him into a tyrant who wouldn’t hear of letting her leave. Were all men pigs? Offering to carry her to bed. Right. Genius. He was lucky she hadn’t laughed in his face. She’d gone pink instead. He’d seen the flush that rose in her cheeks. Her hands had trembled a bit, too. She’d known what he wanted. Maybe she’d wanted it, too.

The nightgown under her robe had hidden her major assets modestly, but had ended above her knees, showing off nicely shaped legs and pretty toes with pink polish. He shoved his feet into his boots, and flung on a coat. He needed to walk this off. Women knew how to make the most of their power over men. Here he was salivating over Addie, a near stranger, because he’d seen her toes. Too bad his housekeeper hadn’t found Addie a granny gown that reached the floor and hid those toes. Whatever a granny gown was.

About the Author
Award-winning author Irene Vartanoff started reading romances and comic books as a teenager. Emilie Loring and Superman were her gateway drugs, which led to the serious stuff, Gothic novels and Lois Lane comics—and romance comics.

Writing romance comic books and working on staff at Marvel Comics and DC Comics absorbed her early career years, aspects of which are gently spoofed in her superhero adventure novel, Temporary Superheroine.

Editing for major publishers of romance Harlequin, Bantam, and Berkley inspired her next career shift to writing novels. Captive of the Cattle Baron is her first sweet contemporary romance. Visit her at www.irenevartanoff.com

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Promo: Rematch (Chinese Zodiac Romance)

Hi everyone! Today, we have a hot fantasy romance! I hope you will check it out!

Title: Rematch
Series: Chinese Zodiac Romance, #1.5
Author: Rachael Slate
Self-Published
Pages: 102
Buy Link: Amazon

Blurb:

Thirteen Zodiac animals entered the Great Race. Only twelve became Chosen...
After failing the test to join the Lotus League, Wen Pierce will do anything to prove herself worthy. Even if it means being demoted to a maid in the house of one of the Eight Immortals--Li Tieguai. But this seductive yet surly immortal wants only one thing--her surrender to his rigid control. On his remote, magical island she'll fade into the background of his tortured existence. Unless she can convince him she can steal anything...including the one thing he believes he's lost forever.

A spirit outcast and denied...
Tricked by the Monkey King, Li Tieguai lives in shame and surrounds himself with other outcasts, like the spirit animal Cat. But when the vibrant and sultry Wen is assigned to his household and offers to thieve for him, she just might steal more than he planned.

On the edge of redemption, lies temptation...
Li isn't the only one who can't resist Wen. The spirit Cat offers Li the solution he's longed for, but to atone for his past, he'll have to risk a future...without Wen.


About the Author
Rachael has explored forgotten temples in Cambodia, kissed the Blarney Stone in Ireland, and stood inside the Roman Coliseum. She loves studying people and cultures, current and ancient. Her appetite for romance began with Lucy Maud Montgomery's Anne of Green Gables, which she later nurtured with a healthy dose of Jane Austen.

As a writer of scorching hot fantasy romance, Rachael blends the lines between mythology, reality, and fantasy. In her worlds, you'll encounter strong, sexy alpha males and the capable women who challenge them. If her heroines can't meet their heroes toe-to-toe, then they'll bring them to their knees.

No matter what torture she puts her characters through, true love will always prevail. Love is, after all, the most powerful force on Earth, and beyond.

Rachael holds an Honours BA in anthropology, as well as a CELTA. Her secret indulgence is her passion for baking, which she offsets with her addiction to running (she's completed four marathons). She resides on the West Coast of British Columbia, Canada, with her husband, two children, and cat.

Rachael would love to hear from you! You can find Rachael on social media here:

Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Pinterest | Website | Email

For updates on new and upcoming releases, sign up here for Rachael's newsletter. Want more Lucy and Sheng? There will also be an EXCLUSIVE & FREE bonus chapter available *only* to newsletter subscribers!

Join Rachael's Street Team, Rachael's Rush Hour, for exclusive content, awesome giveaways, free ARCs, and more!

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Promo/Giveaway: Shades of Desire Box Set

Today, we have a lovely boxed set of sweet and spicy romance! This would be perfect for summer!

Title: Shades of Desire
Authors: J.A. Coffey, Wendy Ely, Dorothy Callahan, Diane Escalera, Lena Hart, Chanta Rand, Emma Leigh Reed, Cindy Stark, Valerie Twombly & Kristina Knight
Self-Published
Release Date: June 8, 2015
Buy Links: Amazon | iBooks | Kobo | ARe | BN | Google





Blurb:

Ten titillating tales from USA Today, bestselling and award-winning authors. Step into the world of some of the freshest voices in romance. From spicy secrets to sweet second chances. Come find your perfect shade of desire.

J.A. Coffey - Bestselling Author

LIAR, LIAR

Divorced certified fraud examiner Jessica Barlow catches liars for a living. Sparks fly when she’s assigned to investigate a dating website owned by a man determined to guarantee she finds love, even if he has to pretend to be a client!

Wendy Ely - USA Today Bestselling Author

DANGEROUS FLAMES

Sometimes good men are taught to do evil things and it takes the strength of a sheltered woman to make things right. When Gabi learns of her father, she is asked to leave for her own safety. Fine. She’ll go... but she is taking her secret love with her, even if it’s at gun-point.

Dorothy Callahan - Bestselling Author

A DECADE FOR DARIUS

Jess never forgot her first kiss, especially since it came from the guy who taught her everything she knows about antiques, her livelihood. But if she wins the priceless inheritance, Jess will risk losing Darius Covington all over again.

Diane Escalera - Bestselling Author

STILL HOT FOR YOU

Shay LaCosta screwed up a damn good marriage. Now she's on a mission to get a little submission, and get her hunky husband back in her bed.

Lena Hart - Bestselling Author

HIS BEDPOST QUEEN

Athena Lewis has a sharp mind and an even sharper attitude. Except when it comes to “Davie,” the only man who’s ever truly made her feel safe. Yet to protect the only family she has left, she must embark on a mission that goes against everything she believes in, and that includes using the last trick she has left. Her body.

Chanta Rand - Bestselling Author and Debut Author of the Year

RESISTING DESTINY

Thrown together for ninety days by a spiteful judge, womanizing attorney, Cayson Sullivan and street-smart hustler, Destiny Jackson find the only thing they can agree on is their red-hot attraction for each other.

Emma Leigh Reed

TRUSTING LOVE

Pregnant and running from her abusive boyfriend, Chloe Wilder takes refuge in the sleepy coastal town of Arden. Police chief, Jayden Peterson, thinks the worst crime that could happen in Arden is jaywalking. Could the real danger be the two of them falling for each other?

Cindy Stark - Bestselling Author

WOUNDED

Battle-worn soldier, Jerry returns home intending to avoid his ex-fiancée. The shrapnel that wounded him pales in comparison to the gash she left in his heart. Kimber lost everything when she broke off her engagement, and she’ll fight to win him back.

Valerie Twombly - Bestselling Author

SPANISH NIGHTS

Armand has lost everything. His magic and his freedom are taken when an evil curse is placed on the Jinn, but a newcomer to town may be his savior. When evil emerges from the shadows, Makayla learns she must choose between her mortality and Armand’s freedom.

Kristina Knight - Bestselling Author

MR. RIGHT NOW

Dumped by her celebrity boyfriend, unlucky-in-love author Casey Cash needs a break. But, between the male escort trying to get into her bed and the tabloid reporter intent on getting her story, Casey might have been smarter to stay in New York...

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