Tag Archives: suspense

5 stars, Book Review

Bad Situation by Brynne Asher Review!

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arcblurbbadsituationA group of women walk into a bar…

Sounds like the start of a crude joke, right? Yeah, well, the joke’s on me because I’m investigating the gorgeous one in the heels with the great ass. Jensen Montgomery.

Now I’m treading that area between right and wrong, good and bad, where sin and honor meld to become gray. Not that I haven’t been here before. Hell, I’ve made my career in the gray. I never hesitate going to battle when my gut tells me I’m right. And right now, my gut—among other things—is speaking loud and clear about Jen Montgomery.

She’s in a bad situation. Not just bad—deep and black and ugly.

And I’m about to make it worse. She just doesn’t know it yet.

Warning: This author is also a mom who runs a PG-13 home. This book is not PG-13. If you are under the age of 18, do NOT pick up this book. This author doesn’t enjoy mama-drama of any sorts. Do her a favor and walk away.

— Goodreads — Amazon — Bookbub —

aboutheauthorbrynneasherBrynne Asher lives in the Midwest with her husband, three children, and her perfect dog. When she isn’t creating pretend people and relationships in her head, she is running her kids around and doing laundry. She enjoys cooking, decorating, shopping at outlet malls as well as online and is always seeking the best deal. A perfect day in “Brynne World” ends in front of an outdoor fire with family, friends, s’mores, and a delicious cocktail.

— Facebook — Readers Group — Goodreads — Amazon —

reviewbadsituation1

YAS GURL WHAT. ALL THE FINGER SNAPS. ALL. OF. THEM.

Bad Situation was AH-MAZING. 100 PERCENT. Eli Petit, the half alpha-ahole obsessed with Jensen Montgomery’s butt, was the perfect mix between over protective and workaholic that blended seamlessly with Jen’s workaholic life. He didn’t know he needed a fiesty CFO in his life until a dance that shouldn’t have happened and an arrest that should have been laughed at.

As for Jen, she definitely didn’t think she needed a booty obsessed FBI agent that toes the line, just barely, in her life. Between mergers and acquisitions, philanthropy work, running a company, keeping her crazy family in line, and dealing with an a-hole brother-in-law, she is way too busy. She definitely doesn’t need to add a certain FBI agent, that she shouldn’t be involved with since she’s under investigation, onto her to-do list.

Too bad Eli doesn’t care about rules. He bull dozes his way into Jen’s life and into her heart, and dragged me right along with them. Jen doesn’t lie down and take it though (even though I SO would have okkkkkkk), she’s too smart for that. Though her instincts tell her to give in and call him, her head wins out.

Eli doesn’t listen to what his supervisors say, or what Jen says. He helps her despite the fact he shouldn’t. He falls in love with her even though they shouldn’t have even gotten involved with each other. He doesn’t mind being her dirty secret since it means he can touch her butt (he really is an ass man).

One of the reasons he and Jen work so well together is because they both realize how important their work is. Eli is secure enough that he doesn’t care how much money Jen has, and Jen doesn’t care that Eli is an FBI agent. Their work means they spend a lot of time in the office, but it doesn’t affect their relationship.

Which is all the amazingness.

Before I gush all over myself and just give away the plot, I’m gonna stop myself.

I know this was a crossover-ish book between Paths and Athica Lane, but I honestly didnt’ remember Eli from Paths. Everyone remembers the Montgomerys (cause they’re hella awesome) but I didn’t have time to re-read Paths before Bad Situation.

If you’re waiting for it to be announced, you’ll have to wait until they end of the book. However, if you’re like me, you’ll go OH I REMEMBER NOW when it’s too danged late. If you haven’t read either of those books (SHAME) you won’t have to in order to read Situation (THOUGH YOU SHOULD).

So here I am, reading along like a good little ARC reader, trying to figure out what’s going on when Brynne SHOCKS THE BEJESUS OUT OF ME and then goes and ENDS THE FREAKING BOOK while I’m here shaking like a crack addict going through withdrawl waiting for the next book…

Think Eli will arrest me 😉

ANYWAYS. I’m going to go cry a little bit while I wait for Brynne to feed my totally (un)healthy addiction.

badsituation25star

4 stars, Book Review

Keeping 6, Freya Barker Review

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newarcbannerblurbd4416-252312bkeeping2b62bcopyBookstore owner Kerry Emerson finally seems to be back in control of her life. Her failure of a marriage firmly in her rearview mirror and her recent business expansion a success, she is in charge of her own future. One that is looking better than ever.
The sight of the tall man, with the familiar salt and pepper goatee pushing open the door of her store, sets her hair on end. He doesn’t exactly bring good memories.

FBI Special Agent in Charge, Damian Gomez, is just looking for a decent cup of coffee when he walks into the small store offering books and brew. The pretty, feisty woman behind the counter is an unexpected surprise. Not at all unpleasant, especially since her finger that used to hold a wedding ring is now bare.
Her wild hair, boho style and silvery grey eyes suddenly hold a lot of promise. But when his office is pulled into an international investigation into the trafficking of rare books and manuscripts, the straight-laced SAC realizes he has to keep his distance from the woman who might well be involved.

Easier said than done, since fate seems determined to throw them together.

Goodreads — Amazon(Coming Soon)

authorf4a14-publicity2bshotFreya Barker loves writing about ordinary people with extraordinary stories.
Driven to make her books about ‘real’ people; with characters who are perhaps less than perfect, but just as deserving of romance, thrills and chills, and some hot, sizzling sex in their lives.

A recipient of the RomCon “Reader’s Choice” Award for best first book, “Slim To None”, and Finalist for the Kindle Book Award with “From Dust”, Freya has not slowed down.

She continues to add to her rapidly growing collection of published novels as she spins story after story with an endless supply of bruised and dented characters, vying for attention!

Goodreads — Amazon — Website — Facebook — Twitter — Instagram — BookBub

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Keeping 6 was my first Freya Barker novel, and it was a doozy. This book was jam packed with action, alpha men, and strong independent women, and a huge dose of crazy. There were twists and turns everywhere. When I was almost at the end I found myself watching the page count going “HOW IS THIS GOING TO BE RESOLVED?!” (RELAX, there’s no cliff hangers here!) I was hooked.

Keeping 6 the story of FBI Agent Damien Gomez and book store owner Kerry Emerson. Damien and Kerry met each other a few years before, when Damien was involved in rescuing Kerry from a crazy kidnapping, but she was married at the time. When Damien stumbles into her new book store in Durango, sparks fly once again, except this time she’s no longer married (thank God, because in that prologue and from what Kerry talked about he sounded like a complete butt head.)

Damien, who is resigned to bachelorhood because of his career, tries to ignore the feelings Kerry evokes in him, which isn’t to hard because Kerry seems to dislike him and is completely rude to him when they see each other again. Kerry just got divorced from an overbearing dirtbag, so has no interest in dating or getting married again. She tries to ignore Damien and the feelings he seems to draw out of her.

These two were like cats and dogs at first. Over time, Damien came to terms with his feelings and became super alpha (hot) and Kerry tried to come to terms with Damien’s alpha macho-ness, but has some super hang ups. At the end, I was in love with these two. I thought Damien’s family was awesome, and he tried so hard to keep Kerry with him all the time, but when it came to his mom he threw her under the bus (typical male). Kerry was hard for me to like. I didn’t read the book where we meet Kerry and find out how she was kidnapped or anything, but reading her in the beginning, I wanted to shake her. She took awhile for me to warm up to. It seemed she was always snapping at people and then apologizing. Heck, she snapped at Damien and then he apologized. I felt sometimes she was in the wrong, and would admit she was, but would let Damien take the blame. I felt she still had to grow up. Her snipping at everyone in the beginning and refusing to allow an inch for ANYTHING, even with the people she loved like her friend Kim, was what really brought this book to 4 stars in my head. It was still a really amazing book, Kerry was just so hard on everyone and everything in the beginning, and even towards the end too.

This was also different for me because I tend to read romances featuring couples in their 20s, or with girls in their 20s. Damien and Kerry, from what I gathered because I don’t remember reading Kerry’s age, were in their 40s. Normally I avoid that, not on purpose, but because I feel like I connect more with characters closer to my age. But I really did love Damien and Kerry, and the story unfolding.
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4star

Cover Reveal

~Cover Reveal~ Keeping 6 by Freya Barker

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How did I miss this?!?!
Title: Keeping 6
Series: La Plata County FBI Rock Point Series #1
Author: Freya Barker
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Release Date: May 2, 2018
Cover Design: Rebel, Edit & Design

 

Bookstore owner Kerry Emerson finally seems to be back in control of her life. Her failure of a marriage firmly in her rearview mirror and her recent business expansion a success, she is in charge of her own future. One that is looking better than ever. 

 

The sight of the tall man, with the familiar salt and pepper goatee pushing open the door of her store, sets her hair on end. He doesn’t exactly bring good memories.
FBI Special Agent in Charge, Damian Gomez, is just looking for a decent cup of coffee when he walks into the small store offering books and brew. The pretty, feisty woman behind the counter is an unexpected surprise. Not at all unpleasant, especially since her finger that used to hold a wedding ring is now bare.
Her wild hair, boho style and silvery grey eyes suddenly hold a lot of promise. But when his office is pulled into an international investigation into the trafficking of rare books and manuscripts, the straight-laced SAC realizes he has to keep his distance from the woman who might well be involved.
Easier said than done, since fate seems determined to throw them together.
Damian

“You?”

My head whips around at the sound of a woman’s voice.

It’s been a long-ass morning already with meetings I would’ve loved to have avoided. Since being put in charge of the Durango field office, it seems I spend more time in meetings than working in the field. I swear each week there are new task forces put together, and I can barely keep up. I stepped out of the office for a much-needed break to find that the coffee shop around the corner had a sign plastered on the door stating they were closed due to a family emergency. Desperate for my caffeine fix, I kept walking and bumped into Kerry’s Korner: Books & Brew. Something about the name is familiar. I push the door, which opens with the ring of a bell, when I hear her voice. 

She’s pretty. The woman behind the counter looks like a seventies flower child, with wild, dirty blonde hair, some kind of flowy top leaving her collarbones and a goodly amount of cleavage exposed, and a pixie face. Something about her is familiar, and it appears she knows me, too. Fuck if I can’t place her. 

“Got me at a disadvantage, sweets,” I tell her with a shrug.

“You’re FBI,” she says, propping her hands on her nicely rounded hips. “I remember you.”

I look at her a little closer. Not a hardship, there’s a lot to check out. Those pale gray eyes trigger a memory. “You’re Kimeo’s girl,” I say, remembering the case a few years ago when I first saw her for the briefest of moments. A case long since put to rest, but not before this woman was snatched and roughed up before we got to her. We’d been called in by Gus Flemming, a friend of mine who owns an investigation and security company in Cedar Tree. Kimeo, the wife of one of Gus’s guys, found herself in the middle of shady land deals and this woman, her best friend, had been kidnapped to ensure her silence. I may not have remembered her name until I saw her standing behind the counter of Kerry’s Korner, but I sure as hell remember her. I also remember the wedding ring on her finger, which is why I didn’t bother looking twice at the time. 

The hands resting on her hips no longer sport that wedding ring, just a large knuckle ring on the middle finger of her left hand as a sort of fuck you to the world. I bet she flips that bird easily, judging by the attitude she throws off. I like it.

“Kerry,” she says, almost as a challenge. 

“Right. You look better now,” I tell her, making her snort loudly.

“No shit. I’d just been used as a punching bag when you found me and shoved me into the back of a van without a word.” Yup, most definitely a challenge. She doesn’t like me much, I deduct from the slightly distasteful look on her face.

“Was a little preoccupied with my investigation. Sorry if I didn’t take the time to make nice.” Fuck me, I sound like a dick. Something about her attitude grates on me, especially when she rolls her eyes dramatically before placing her hands on the counter in front of her and leaning over. 

“Damian. Right?” She doesn’t wait for my confirmation before she continues, “Well, Damian, what brings you to my bookstore?”

“Coffee. Straight up,” I tell her without blinking. She turns her back without a word and starts fiddling with the expensive-looking machine on the sideboard, and I take the opportunity to check out her backside. “Double shot?” she asks over her shoulder, catching me ogling. 

“Good guess.” I smile at her, which only earns me another eye roll. Attitude in spades, this one. As much as it irritates me, it somehow turns me on, too. 

She’s late thirties, maybe forty, if I had to venture a guess from the lines around her eyes. She obviously laughs a lot—something I wouldn’t mind hearing. I have a feeling with that slightly raspy voice of hers, her laugh will sound even sexier. She’s not wearing a stitch of makeup from what I can tell and seems totally at ease in her skin. Not usually the kind of woman I find myself drawn to, but this one has an appeal all her own. Most women I end up with are well put together: stacked, sweet, and sultry. Just the way I like them. This one, though? This one is like the fucking girl next door. Fresh-faced, with a hippy vibe, barely enough tit to fill my hands, but an ass that should be framed, it’s that lush. Always considered myself a boob man, until I just got an eyeful of her backside. 

While she doctors the elaborate coffee machine, I take the time to check out her shop. An older building, it has an old-fashioned facade with shallow bay windows, displaying an assortment of books, framing the door. Old wood floors that have been left bare to the wear and tear of foot traffic, resulting in a well-worn look more suited to an old saloon. Rows of rugged bookcases, jutting out from the back wall, with chalkboard display signs indicating the different genres. The counter is on one side in front of the window and on the opposite side, in front of the second bay window, is a small seating arrangement with an old, brown leather couch and two club chairs around a small, round coffee table. On the counter is a large, round, glass cake stand with pastries. 

“Here you go. Anything else with that? A pastry to sweeten you up a bit or perhaps a book on appropriate social behavior? I have both.” I can’t stop the smirk tugging at my mouth. This one’s a handful, for sure. Too much of one. I pull out my wallet and slap a couple of dollar bills on the counter. 
“Nah,” I drawl. “Not the kind of sweet I’m looking for, and as for the book, I’ll just wait until you get done with it. You’re probably due for a reread.” I snag my coffee off the counter, and with a wink, I saunter out the door, leaving her standing with her mouth hanging open and fire shooting from those pretty gray eyes.

Freya Barker loves writing about ordinary people with extraordinary stories.

Driven to make her books about ‘real’ people; with characters who are perhaps less than perfect, but just as deserving of romance, thrills and chills, and some hot, sizzling sex in their lives.

A recipient of the RomCon “Reader’s Choice” Award for best first book, “Slim To None”, and Finalist for the Kindle Book Award with “From Dust”, Freya has not slowed down.


She continues to add to her rapidly growing collection of published novels as she spins story after story with an endless supply of bruised and dented characters, vying for attention!

HOSTED BY:

 

5 stars, Best of 2018, Book Review

Jeremy by SM Shade Review

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arc review 1blurbjeremyThis is the fifth and final book in the In Safe Hands Series. Book one is titled Landon, and is free.
Melissa
I escaped.
For the first time in almost four years, I’m free.
My freedom came at a steep cost, leaving me on my own with no family or friends. I have a lot of healing to do, and this beautiful lake house seems like a perfect setting to find myself again.
I can do this.
The only thing I have left is hope.
Jeremy
I ran.
For the first time in my life, I’m alone.
I failed to appreciate what I had until it was too late, and now I can’t bear the grief of my friends while suffering my own. That’s not the only reason I’ve relocated.
Twenty-two people were murdered, including the woman I love.
The only thing I have left is revenge.

— Goodreads — Amazon —

author26910413_1997184187215986_936334541699866775_oI’m a full time author who is hopelessly addicted to Dr. Pepper, love stories, sunshine, and men with full sexy lips, though not necessarily in that order. A voracious reader since I sounded out my first word, I started writing as a teenager and rediscovered my love of writing as an adult. Originally from Indianapolis, I now live in a small Kentucky town with my college age son.

I love to hear from readers so please feel free to contact me or connect with me on Facebook or Twitter.

— Website — Facebook — Twitter — Email —

reviewjeremy1

Holy. Shit. That’s it. That’s my review.

Ok, not really. Jeremy is the EPIC conclusion to the In Safe Hands series by S.M. Shade. And by epic, I mean GLORIOUS. If you haven’t read the series yet, go start now, because Jeremy releases May 22nd. When this beautiful baby showed up on my kindle, I dropped everything else to start reading this. I was not disappointed. I was expecting epicness, because it is S.M., and she always delivers, but this -THIS- put me in a book hangover.

Do you know when you’re reading a book, and you check to see how many pages are left because IT’S GOING DOWN, and you think Wait, there’s not enough pages left! How can the book be almost over? How?! Yeah. It’s that kind of book.

If you’ve read the series, I think we all expected Jeremy’s book to be about him getting his head out of his ass and finally being with Frannie for real. When she died, I think I cried, (I’m a crier- I cry for everything). Jeremy mourns the only way he can- by getting piss drunk for an entire month. In that month, he meets Melissa, but doesn’t really remember being a huge jerk to her in their interactions.

Melissa isn’t looking for her soulmate. She escaped a cult, and is trying to find herself again. She meets Jeremy, but being the epic mess he is while he’s drunk, she doesn’t really like what she sees. She’s a mess too, she just goes about coming to terms with her life in different ways, more mature ways. She buys a house, starts painting again, and tries to cope with the things that happened when she was in the cult; the cult her sister is still in.

Jeremy and Melissa feel a pull to each other, but due to circumstances out of their control, they try not to get involved with each other. I’m not going to give it away, but let’s just say Jeremy continues to be a jerk while also trying to help out Melissa. And when he wants to be, he is the biggest sweetheart ever.

I love him. Probably more than Mel does. Maybe.

Even though Jeremy moved away to deal with the loss of Frannie, the guys don’t give up on him. We get to see the whole crew together, doing what they do best: Take down the bad guys. They’re like the secret Justice League. I loved them all coming together to help Jeremy and Melissa, like the family they are and the family Mel needs.

Even with the dark themes in this book, S.M. Shade had me laughing. Her balance of dark and light was perfect. She brings enough suspense to keep you on your toes, with enough humor to break up the tension. Her characters come to life in a way that makes you feel like you’re watching a movie instead of reading a book. As far as conclusions go, this was a SLAM FREAKING DUNK.

By the way: this review was so hard to write. I want to talk about this book so bad but I also don’t want to give it away because duh, it’s better when you read it yourself. So if anyone wants to talk to me while they read it so I can freak out about it all over again while they’re reading, I am SO down for it.

jeremy2.jpg5star

5 stars, Book Review

I love the Chase

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Did I just make a reference to Garbage? Yes, yes I did.

I received a copy of Run, Hide, Break & Chase, in exchange for honest reviews. Here’s my fouth one… Damage releases April 24th!

blurb
chase.jpgAndi had it all figured out.

She had a sweet job for the summer working at a luxury hotel and her brother was happy. That’s all she really needed and that’s all she wanted to focus on.

Her horrible past was way behind her and she was making a better life for them both. Even if it was built on a lie, it was better than the one they had. She gave up chasing her dreams long ago.

She would keep their secret. To protect her brother. To protect herself.

Then he showed up.

He’s out to catch a criminal and asking for her help.

Brock, the genius — He wasn’t modest about it.
Brock, the incredibly inquisitive — He wasn’t going to give up.
Brock, the guy with the GQ looks and bad boy reputation — He wasn’t denying it.

He was asking for the truth about her past that she couldn’t give. If she told him it could risk everything.

But Brock is in this to win and it’s hard to deny those stormy green eyes and kinky whispers in her ear. Chasing her seems to be his new priority and he’s playing dirty. If he caught her what would he do?

He may be digging into Andi’s life but this controlling and complex alpha male has some secrets of his own.

Lies and secrets. Everyone told them and had them. How far would they go to keep them?

**Full-length standalone romance. 80,000+ words. No cheating or cliffhangers with a Happily Ever After!

Goodreads — Amazon

author

Jennifer Vester is a romance author whose ambition is to entertain readers with off-beat female characters and the over-the-top alpha men that love them.

Her books revolve around romantic suspense with a little something for every reader. Always an HEA….(but look out for those twists!) It’s romance suspense after all.

The Lakefield series deals with some very serious subjects at times.

Come follow me!
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Or, join my reader’s group on Facebook:
Vester’s Vixens

Newsletter  —   Website

review

chase2

YES! The references to committing their other half is back! Let’s be honest, if you haven’t considered seriously murdering and or committing someone to a mental hospital, do you really love them?

Ever since Andi slapped Brock in Break, I have been looking forward to their story. Brock’s obsession with keeping tabs on everyone and everything made for a good mental patient- I mean love interest. It’s bad enough to have an alpha that is obsessed with your safety and has psychopathic tendencies, but add in a tech genius and what do you get? Madness. And I loved every second of it.

Brock and Andi have chemistry off the charts, and they’re not afraid to give the other one hell. Andi has a rough past, one that she is hiding from if only to protect her brother, and Brock is hell bent and determined to find out what that past is. For someone who knows everything, can crack every puzzle, he has a hard time cracking Andi. So he goes about it the old fashioned way- seduction. Andi fights hard to trust Brock, but the nature of his job means he’s kept secrets. Secrets that affect their relationship.

This book didn’t have as many plot twists as the previous one, thank God because I don’t know if my heart could handle it, to be honest. There were still a few, and they were good ones, but makes you question whether Brock really is insane or if he’s got the right idea. I love that Andi puts Brock through hell, but Brock puts her through just as much. He is known as a player and flirt, but from the moment he met Andi, he stopped.

Are we going to see more of Brock’s dungeon though? Because I really like the dungeon…

The Lakefield crew is as crazy as ever, but they stick together. I cannot WAIT for Damage to be released in three weeks. Each of these books has gotten better and better, and Jennifer’s wit continues to keep me laughing the whole time.

chase3

5star

 

5 stars, Book Review

Bend me, Break me.

1 Comment

Did I just make a reference to Garbage? Yes, yes I did.

I received a copy of Run, Hide, Break & Chase, in exchange for honest reviews. Here’s my third one…

blurb
break.jpgEveryone has their breaking point.

Kaitlyn has had a crush on Dr. Logan Matthews for months. His dark hair, blue eyes and fit body are just some of the reasons why he’s the perfect guy.

The problem is he seems to want nothing to do with Kaitlyn. When they have bumped into each other, he’s gruff, overbearing and he seems to cause the worst luck for her.

Until one day when everything seems to go unnaturally wrong in her life.

Now he’s sending naughty pictures, playing with her, and acting more interested than ever. Although her friends find the encounters they’ve had funny and her best friend tells her to just have fun, there’s something confusing about his attention.

He says they’re just being friendly but they’re moving into the “more than friendly” zone. Everything should be great. Right?

Things aren’t always what people see on the surface. The greatest obstacles they face may be the ones that neither of them see coming.

**Full-length standalone romance. 67,000+ words. No cheating, or cliffhangers with a Happily Ever After!

Goodreads — Amazon

author

Jennifer Vester is a romance author whose ambition is to entertain readers with off-beat female characters and the over-the-top alpha men that love them.

Her books revolve around romantic suspense with a little something for every reader. Always an HEA….(but look out for those twists!) It’s romance suspense after all.

The Lakefield series deals with some very serious subjects at times.

Come follow me!
Facebook

Or, join my reader’s group on Facebook:
Vester’s Vixens

Newsletter  —   Website

review
break2.jpg

Holy Plot Twist Batman! So far, this book has been my favorite in the series (though I still need to read Chase!) I absolutely adored Kaitlyn (obviously since she’s named after me even though it’s spelled differently *hair flip*). She was sweet and loving, but also had strength I envy. She is one of the most caring women in the books, and tries not to purposely drive everyone around her insane, but she stands her ground when she’s mistreated.

Kate and Logan’s story actually starts in Hide. We can see their chemistry, see the snippets that there’s something wrong with Logan, but we don’t know what’s going on. Kate thinks Logan hates her, but he’s actually ridiculously obsessed with her, in all the best ways. However, he’s got his own issues to deal with, which includes dealing with his body after the incident in Run. With dealing with his pain comes an addiction… and addiction that numbs him to most everything except Kate.

One of my favorite things about this book is the interactions between these two via text… which also comes with more Brock! And Logan risks those texts being seen by Brock, so you know it’s serious. The humor is as present as it is in the previous two books, without as many references to murdering and hiding the body of mental patients. Which, in my opinion, is a shame.

I love how innocent Kate is, but still willing to forgive someone when they deserve it. i love how she’s so innocent she doesn’t understand why Logan doesn’t like her in short dresses. I love how Logan does his own groveling. I love basically everything about this book, from beginning to end.

Except there’s one plot twist I didn’t like. You’ll know when you get there. I’ve complained to the author already, but I’m trying not to go all Mercy/Stephen King on her to change it.

break3.jpg

5star

4 stars, Book Review

…But you can’t Hide

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I received a copy of Run, Hide, Break & Chase, in exchange for honest reviews. Here’s my second one…

blurbhideIt was inevitable that Julia would run into Holden Saunders again. The one person she dreaded seeing and wanted to see the most.

He was still as gorgeous as the first time they had met. Muscular, tall, with his golden brown eyes that said more than what he spoke. They’re opposites in so many ways. He was closed off, and so utterly irritating the last time she was around him. He was rude and bossy but the one man she had been dreaming about for the last year.

Now that she’s back in Lakefield, Julia is getting to know the real Holden. He’s resorting to blackmail, physical dominance and isn’t listening to her protests. He’s the one that tempts her with his vulgar mouth and makes her body sing like no other man.

She can’t decide whether to punch him or kiss him. Maybe both.

They’re up against stalkers, the media, and a lot of bizarre circumstances as she makes a decision about her music career.

But he’s making his intent crystal clear: he’ll protect her, possess her, and make her beg.

Everyone hides something. Julia should know. She’s been trying to hide from her past for the last year. But this troublesome, mischievous man, may not let her hide any longer.

**Full-length standalone romance. 70,000+ words. No cheating, or cliffhangers with a Happily Ever After! Suggested 18+.

Goodreads — Amazon

author

Jennifer Vester is a romance author whose ambition is to entertain readers with off-beat female characters and the over-the-top alpha men that love them.

Her books revolve around romantic suspense with a little something for every reader. Always an HEA….(but look out for those twists!) It’s romance suspense after all.

The Lakefield series deals with some very serious subjects at times.

Come follow me!
Facebook

Or, join my reader’s group on Facebook:
Vester’s Vixens

Newsletter  —   Website

review
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Julia and Holden were freaking hilarious. I’ve only read one other book from Jennifer Vester, but I honestly had no idea what to expect going into Hide. After finishing Run, I was excited to see how Julia and Holden got together, I just wasn’t expecting it to be a year after Run took place. But Julia needed that time to pretend to heal after everything that went down the year before. I say pretend, because I think she was just ignoring what had happened, not really dealing with it.

When Julia and Holden first met it was instant attraction, mixed with some fire and ice. Julia was all over the place hot, and Holden was literally known as Mr. Ice. Julia continues to believe they just wouldn’t work together, which is part of the reason it takes her a year to come back to Lakefield. What she wasn’t expecting, was to see the human side of Holden. The side that freaks out over her safety. The side that laughs and jokes with her. The side that is totally caveman. The side that is soft and gentle, with only her.

Julia didn’t stand a freaking chance.

One of the things I love about this book and the previous, is the humor infused within every page. Even in the times that are scary, the characters keep it from becoming too heavy. I love Julia’s constant references to having Holden admitted, and Holden flustering the heck out of Julia. These two were explosive in the best way.

Usually, I sympathize heavily with the heroine that has to deal with the alpha male-cause feminism. But in this case, I feel soooo bad for Holden. Julia would drive me to the insane asylum. But it was so funny! And Holden’s parents? I love them. (I’m hoping I see more of them in the next two books…)

My advice? Hop, skip and jump your way over to amazon to pick up this book! Join the Lakefield craziness!

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4star

Freebie, Reading List, romance

Friday Freebies!

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What better way to end the week with some awesome free books? Check these out:

Reasonable Doubt (Reasonable Doubt #1) by Whitney G
20761374.jpgMy cock has an appetite.
A huge and very particular appetite: Blonde, curvy, and preferably not a fucking liar… (Although, that’s a story for another day.)
As a high profile lawyer, I don’t have time to waste on relationships, so I fulfill my needs by anonymously chatting and sleeping with women I meet online.
My rules are simple: One dinner. One night. No repeats.
This is only casual sex. Nothing more. Nothing less.
At least it was , until “Alyssa”…
She was supposed to be a 27 year old lawyer, a book hoarder, and completely unattractive. She was supposed to be someone I shared law advice with late at night, someone I could trust with details of my weekly escapades.
But then she came into my firm for an interview—a college-intern interview, and everything fucking changed…
Goodreads: 4.12
Amazon: 4.6

Everly (Striking Back #1) by S.M. Shade
25258166.jpgThe first time I met Mason Reed, we were standing naked in a bank, surrounded by guns.
That should have been a warning.
An MMA champion, trainer, and philanthropist, but not a man who gives up easily, Mason is trouble dipped in ink and covered in muscle.
Growing up in foster care, I’m well aware that relationships are temporary, and I do my best to avoid them. After a sheet clenching one night stand, I’m happy to move on, but Mason pursues me relentlessly. Sweet, caring, protective, and at times, a bossy control freak, this persistent man has climbed inside my heart, and I can’t seem to shake him.
After saving me from a life threatening situation, he’s also won something much harder to obtain. My trust. But does he deserve it? Is his true face the one he shows the world? Or is his charitable, loving manner only a thin veneer?
This book contains sexual situations and is intended for ages 18 and older.
This book has a ton of triggers so read cautiously. It is an amazing book and series but deals with dark themes and topics.
Goodreads: 3.93
Amazon: 4.2

Your Irresistible Love (The Bennett Family Book 1) by Layla Hagen
27847347.jpgSebastian Bennett is a determined man. It’s the secret behind the business empire he built from scratch. Under his rule, Bennett Enterprises dominates the jewelry industry. Despite being ruthless in his work, family comes first for him, and he’d do anything for his parents and eight siblings—even if they drive him crazy sometimes. . . like when they keep nagging him to get married already.
Sebastian doesn’t believe in love, until he brings in external marketing consultant Ava to oversee the next collection launch. She’s beautiful, funny, and just as stubborn as he is. Not only is he obsessed with her delicious curves, but he also finds himself willing to do anything to make her smile.
He’s determined to have Ava, even if she’s completely off limits.
Ava Lindt has one job to do at Bennett Enterprises: make the next collection launch unforgettable. Daydreaming about the hot CEO is definitely not on her to-do list. Neither is doing said CEO. The consultancy she works for has a strict policy—no fraternizing with clients. She won’t risk her job. Besides, Ava knows better than to trust men with her heart.
But their sizzling chemistry spirals into a deep connection that takes both of them by surprise. Sebastian blows through her defenses one sweet kiss and sinful touch at a time. When Ava’s time as a consultant in his company comes to an end, will Sebastian fight for the woman he loves or will he end up losing her?
Goodreads: 4.41
Amazon: 4.6

Telling Lies (A Sam Mason Mystery Book 1) by L.A. Dobbs
34636075.jpgThe small police force of White Rock, New Hampshire, is still reeling from the death of Officer Tyler Richardson when they are called to the scene of the accidental drowning of an out-of-town camper.
But Chief Sam Mason and Sergeant Jody Harris soon discover the drowning was no accident. Someone murdered Lynn Palmer and staged the scene to make it look that way.
With a pool of suspects who aren’t telling the truth and a corrupt mayor who wants the case solved yesterday, Sam and Jo follow a puzzling trail of clues with a surprise ending. And when a stray dog points them in the right direction, Sam discovers the killer is closer than he thought.
Just when Sam and Jo think they can rest after having solved Lynn’s murder, a shocking discovery proves that sometimes even those you trust can be telling lies.
Goodreads: 3.92
Amazon: 4.2

The MacKinnion’s Bride (The Highland Brides Book 1) by Tanya Anne Crosby
17425617.jpgDescended of the legendary sons of MacAlpin, Iain MacKinnon refuses to bow to the English. When his young son is captured by a minion of the English king, the fierce Scottish chieftain vows to stop at nothing to secure the lad’s return. Retaliating in kind, he captures the daughter of his enemy, planning to bargain with the devil.
FitzSimon’s daughter has lived her entire life in the shadow of the man she called father–yet never would she have imagined he would forsake his only daughter. Even as Page blames her captor for welching on a contract with her father, she suspects the truth. But the shadows hold secrets … now only the love of her reluctant champion can save the MacKinnon’s Bride.
Goodreads: 3.85
Amazon: 4.3

The Debt Collector (A Jack Winchester Thriller #1) by Jon Mills
28489486.jpgJack Winchester was a notorious hitman for a ruthless New Jersey crime family until a job went wrong, and he wound up serving time. Four years later, Jack is free and he wants out of the game, but his boss won’t let him go. Forced to take on one last job to make amends for what landed him in prison, he travels to the small town of Rockland Cove, Maine. There, he not only discovers that the target and money have disappeared; he finds himself falling for a damaged woman, and befriending an unruly son left behind. Under mounting pressure from his boss and local police–as well as the ghosts of his past–he must unravel the mystery and decide where his loyalties lie…before it’s too late.

Goodreads: 4.08
Amazon: 4.3

Scenes from the Hallway (Knitting in the City #6.5) by Penny Reid
38524539.jpgHAPPY VALENTINES DAY!
From the USA TODAY Bestselling romantic comedy series, ‘Scenes from the Hallway,’ Knitting in the City #6.5.
You know who I am.
I swear too much, I crack too many jokes, and I got a thing for Kat Tanner; a messy thing, a distracting thing, a getting-in-the-way-of-everything thing; a thing that makes being in the same room with the woman torture. Sometimes it’s the good kind. Mostly, it’s not.
What you don’t know is how it all started. You don’t know how we met, you might not know what happened in Vegas (or the morning after), and you definitely don’t know what happened after that.
You want to know the story before the story? Well… here you go.
But be careful what you ask for. As I’ve discovered the hard way, you might not like it.
‘Scenes from the Hallway’ is a companion short prequel/short story (11k words) for ‘Marriage of Inconvenience,’ and includes the first 3 chapters of the soon to be released novel! (‘Marriage of Inconvenience’ releases March 6, 2018.)
WARNING: This short story contains a lot of cussing. Do not download or read if you dislike curse words in novels.
Goodreads: 4.49
Amazon: 4.7

Craving (Steel Brothers Saga #1) by Helen Hardt
34515463After being left at the altar, Jade Roberts seeks solace at her best friend’s ranch on the Colorado western slope. Her humiliation still ripe, she doesn’t expect to be attracted to her friend’s reticent brother, but when the gorgeous cowboy kisses her, all bets are off.
Talon Steel is broken. Having never fully healed from a horrific childhood trauma, he simply exists, taking from women what is offered and giving nothing in return…until Jade Roberts catapults into his life. She is beautiful, sweet, and giving, and his desire for her becomes a craving he fears he’ll never be able to satisfy.
Passion sizzles between the two lovers…but long-buried secrets haunt them both and may eventually tear them apart.
Goodreads: 4.05
Amazon: 4.2

Misadventures of a Virgin (Misadventures #1) by Meredith Wild
36320338.jpg***MISADVENTURES ARE STANDALONE ROMANCES THAT CAN BE READ IN ANY ORDER***
It’s been years since June Bell shared a stolen moment with her girlhood crush, Kase McCasker. It’s been just as long since Kase’s father nixed the sale of the McCasker farm to expand the grounds of the Bell’s grand hotel. Now that Kase is back home for good, June might be the only person who can persuade him to reconsider the abandoned plan. But how can she face him again after he left her without a word?
Four years ago, unexpected news shook the foundation of Kase McCasker’s world. Escaping Falls Edge for college was the perfect excuse to chase his demons and bury his pain. Now, with a degree in hand and a void he can’t fill, he’s back in the little mountain town he thought he’d never call home again. Searching for purpose, he’s determined to put down roots and take over the struggling farm that’s been in his family for generations.
Time and distance haven’t taken the edge off his preoccupation with June, the spitfire daughter of his father’s rival. He hasn’t forgotten their time together and all the things they did and didn’t do. One look at her has him reconsidering the future and making a dangerous deal to win her over. Is a chance at her heart worth risking everything else?
Goodreads: 4.12
Amazon: 4.5

Born, Darkly (Darkly, Madly Duet #1) by Trisha Wolfe
32758410He challenged her sanity.
She shattered his reality.
They dared each other…to the brink of madness.
A dark and twisted maze awaits criminal psychologist London Noble when she falls for her patient, convicted serial killer, Grayson Pierce Sullivan. As she unravels the traps, her sanity tested with each game, she’s forced to acknowledge the true evil in the world around her.
Goodreads: 4.34
Amazon: 4.8

 

 

Have you ready any of these books? Let me know what you thought of them!
Happy Fri-yay!!