Thursday, August 31, 2017

ARC REVIEW Hush Money by T. E. Woods

Hush Money is a new series by T. E. Woods. While it does have some of the dark thriller touches that I love in her books this was definitely more of a cozy mystery and a very predictable one I might add.  It was a good read I liked Sydney's character she is loyal to a fault, even when it seems like she is screwing up. Sydney has always known she was adopted and she loves her parents she never really gave her birth parent much of a thought until after one birthday she receives a letter says that she was loved but because of a scandal they had to give her up and with that letter a but load of money, with that money Sydney has started a restaurant called Hush Money and a Cop Bar called 10 10. Sydney also goes to a local Jazz Bar where the owner, Clay, and her have just recently started seeing each other, I don't trust him by the way.

On the night of her grand openning for both places one of her servers doesn't show up and the mayor is found murdered in his home. Sydney has a soft spot for Wanda, "Windy" because despite being completely alone she managed to keep and raise her daughter all by herself. So when Windy is arrested for the murder of the mayor Sydney hires her a lawyer and hires someone to take care of her daughter, Gabby. Sydney's gut feeling is that Windy didn't do it and even though everyone else is telling her she must be wrong Sydney keeps digging deeper and deeper until she paints a target on her own back.

Overall, I think it has great potential as a cozy mystery with the dark thriller touches. But it wasn't what I expected and was a little disappointed with it, I do like Sydney and I am curious enough about her to read any future books.

ARC REVIEW So I Married a Sorcerer by Kerrelyn Sparks

So I Married a Sorcerer is book two in Kerrelyn Sparks' Embraced series. While the first book played out more like an epic fairy tale this one seemed more like a mash-up of Pirate and Medieval Pulp romance, and it was GREAT! It starts off with the pirates and then smoothly transitions into a Medieval type tournament complete with dragons. I think this book can be read as a standalone as all the pertinent information is given. So much happened in the book, I mean it is almost 500 pages, but it keeps you entertained, enthralled, and just completely sucks you into the story. If you've read Kerrelyn Sparks before you know her writing style, and if you enjoy fantasy she has done a wonderful job creating this world, the active setting is wonderfully descriptive it is a seductive and enchanting story.

Brigitta knew something was going to happen and she knew it was going to happen soon, the telling stones told her so. Her adoptive sister the new Queen of Ebton was about to give birth and sent for her sisters but the journey there was interupted by Tourinian Naval ships and then by pirates, at almost the time. Brigitta just learned she is a princess and only one of two children remaining alive after the death of King Garold the other being her bastard, in the figurative and literal sense, brother Gunther. King Gunther sent his best naval officer and a fleet of his naval ships to bring Brigitta back home. The plan is thwarted by the Dread Pirate Roberts, oops I mean The Infamous Pirate Rupert the Wind Sorcerer.

Rupert is the sole heir to the rightful King of Tourin after the massacre that killed all the members of his family he hid and he became old enough he took to the sea and became a pirate. Rubert is one of the Embraced and has the power to control the wind, which give his a huge advantage out on the sea. Rupert isn't just any pirate he only targets Tourinian vessels which contain gold. His plan to to steal as much gold as possible and force an uprising against Gunther. But his plans change when Brigitta comes into his life.

Brigitta and Rupert have been betrothed since Rupert was seven and Brigitta was still an infant but Brigitta has no idea. Rupert has hidden his true identity to protect himself, but Brigitta is smart enough to figure it out for herself. Together they must try and find a way to dethrone Gunther without leading their people into a civil war all the while playing along with Gunther's crazy tournament to win the hand of the Princess scheme and once again trying to find out who the shapeshifter is pretending to be.

Overall, this was a very exciting and romantic adventure.
       

Tuesday, August 29, 2017

ARC REVIEW My Fair Lover by Nicole Jordan

My Fair Lover is book five in Nicole Jordan's Legendary Lovers series. It's fine to read as a stand alone, I haven't read any of the others and I was able to follow just fine. It was quite amusing to find out the matchmaker in the other book is the main character in this book. Normally I love Pygmalion/ My Fair Lady type tropes but this one fell flat a little for me.  Brandon kept annoying me throughout the whole book, I kept wanting to scream at him that he does love her, what he's feeling is love; the big dolt. Kate was nice but there wasn't anything really to make her stand out other than being the matchmaker. the ending did have a bit of excitement that I did enjoy but the romance was just okay.

Brandon Deverill just inherited a title, a family friend suggested he talk to Lady Katherine Wilde and get some refinement and have her find him an appropriate wife. Brandon has already decided to marry Kate, if he can get her to forgive him for spurning her six years ago. Brandon doesn't believe in love but Kate won't marry without it. Brandon makes a deal with Kate that she helps him find a wife and he'll help her find the sunken boat off the coast of France that killed parents. But while she's trying to find him a match he's working to figure out a way to get her to agree to marry him.

Overall, aside from Brandon being kind of annoying to me the rest of the characters were entertaining. I just wish the romance and the chemistry between Brandon and Kate was more.  

ARC REVIEW Hard Justice by April Hunt

Mmmmmm finally Charlie and Vince's story! Book three in the Alpha Security series, Hard Justice, gives us an exciting and banter filled story. In this one we find out all about Charlie and her secretive past and how she became of of the first Alpha operatives. You can tell from the first time Vince and Charlie butted heads and pissed each other off that they were meant for each other; the sexual chemistry is combustible. Neither of them want to admit to the other that the attraction is there in fact they don't even want to admit it to themselves.

Charlie Sparks was born Charlotte Hughes, but she ran from that life as fast as she could and started over. Now her past has come back and forced Charlie's secrets out. The DHS has an inside man in the Franconi crime family they have lost contact with and several young women have disappeared from Franconi's nightclubs. They want Charlie to go in and find the evidence to pin it on Franconi and find out if their operative has been compromised. Charlie's the logical choice because she's family. Charlie has her reasons for never wanting to set foot in Miami again but the missing woman hits to close to home and as much as she hates it she agrees.

Vince Franklin is the only member of Alpha Security available to assist Charlie in this case, and it has him worried just who is Charlie and what happened all those years ago and is it safe for her to come back? To Vince his only job is to act the part of Charlie's fiancee and to watch her back but he oversteps the boundaries when he digs into her past before she's ready to tell him. The sexual chemistry finally breaks when they play the part of an engaged couple and the more Vince finds out about Charlie the more he comes to care for her and Vince finally earns Charlie's trust. Only together can they get to the bottom of the troubles brewing in Miami.    

Overall, April Hunt weaves a great story that had me second guessing myself throughout the whole book.    

ARC REVIEW DC Universe Rebirth Wonder Woman Vol. 3: The Truth

Wonder Woman

DC Universe Rebirth

Vol. 3: The Truth



Issues: #13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23 and 25
By Greg Rucka
Art by Liam Sharp





Story: Diana Prince has been driven mad by her memories and not being able to tell what the truth from a lie. Thinking she finally made it home to Themyscira, but she hasn’t. Steve manages to find her just in time to thwart the evil forces that are trying to get to Themyscira, those same forces have gone after all of Diana’s friends Etta and Barbara Ann are in hiding. Steve has no other choice but to lock Diana away in a hospital until he can get her allies back together again. Meanwhile Diana is having crazy visions sorting out all the falsehoods from her memories. Steve has brought together Diana’s most loyal friends and with Diana who is slightly saner the when she went in takeoff to stop them from opening the door to Themyscira. That leads to an epic battle of good versus evil on Themyscira.


Art: Liam Sharp did an excellent job, I am most impressed. Laura Wright and Hi-Fi did a great job with the coloring. I really do Love the artwork in this and of course the variant art is pretty too.






Review:   I really did enjoy this one. I was a little confused at first, but then I realised I was sleep deprived and the next day I started over and I remembered what happened at the end of The Lies. The story was well paced and very exciting the artwork just added to it, Diana's hallucinations were great. Ares, not surprised there and I like what they did. I can't wait to see what happened in the even numbered issues.

Monday, August 28, 2017

ARC REVIEW Destined to Crave by Setta Jay



Destined to Crave is the spin-off/continuation of Setta's Guardian's of the Realm series; it is going to feature the kids of the characters from that series. Have no fear if you have not read through that series it is perfectly okay to start reading this one, there is a nice summary of the events at the beginning of the book. 

Lucy and Ryker are destined mates, they have known this since puberty but Lucy is five years older than Ryker and she doesn't want him to jump into the mating as soon as he is old enough she wants him to wait five years so that he's had some freedom before being tied to her for the rest of their lives. As much as it hurts them both to be apart Ryker reluctantly agrees, but right after something happens and he's not going to claim Lucy until it's dealt with, he doesn't want her tainted with the pain he's been going through. Time passes and the five years have come and gone and Ryker still hasn't come to claim Lucy yet. She's worried and concerned  something is wrong and Ryker is hiding something from her. It's not until that danger threatens Lucy that Ryker finally comes clean with Lucy and the rest of the Guardians about what happened. Ryker still thinks keeping Lucy away from him is the solution but Lucy knows they will be stronger together.

As always Setta compacts a great story, great chemistry, and sex scenes hot enough to burn your burn your fingertips all into a novella length book. I am really looking forward the the rest of the series. there is going to be one over all connecting story arc and it might be best if read in order, we will see. 




Buy Links: 





Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/2xbkgEE


  




Guardians of the Realms Series: Ecstasy Claimed - Book 2 - FREE 


The free promo is August 28th - September 1st. 



Buy Links: 







Author Bio:
Setta Jay is the author of the popular Guardians of the Realms Series. She's garnered attention and rave reviews in the paranormal romance world for writing smart, slightly innocent heroines and intense alpha males. She loves creating stories that incorporate a strong plot with a heavy dose of heat.

An avid reader her entire life, her love of romance started at a far too early age with the bodice rippers she stole from her older sister. Along with reading, she loves animals, brunch dates, coffee that is really more French vanilla creamer, questionable reality television, English murder mysteries, and has dreams of traveling the world.

Born a California girl, she currently resides in Idaho with her incredibly supportive husband.

She loves to hear from readers so feel free to ask her questions on social media or send her an email and she will happily reply.

Subscribe to her newsletter for giveaways, exclusive excerpts and release information:http://www.settajay.com/



Author Links:


BLOG TOUR Oh Henry by Mimi Jean Pamfiloff



Oh Henry

Ohellno Series 

by Mimi Jean Pamfiloff 

Publication 
Date: August 25, 2017 
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romantic Comedy





SHE'S GOT ME BY THE FOOTBALLS...
My name is Henry Walton, and though I've been called many things throughout my life--tree trunk, moose, walrus--I am now six foot five, solid muscle, and the hottest defensive end in the NFL college draft. This is the moment I've been waiting for: fame, women, and glory.

Just one problem: I'm suddenly in a bad slump. And it started the moment I got dumped by Elle, the nerdy goddess with thick glasses, a smokin' hot body, and a genius IQ.

So what gives? We only dated for a few weeks, and it's not like I've missed her. (Much.) Regardless, all the facts point to one conclusion. Elle is my lucky nerd-charm.


Call me superstitious, but I have to get her back before I lose everything. Even if she's the last girl I should want and she now hates my guts.






I did not know what to expect with this book. In Smart Tass, Henry could have been preserved as the dumb jock type, he didn't talk much and  his actions seemed very neanderthal-ish. In a way it's almost better to read this as a stand alone, in this one you see there's so much more to Henry. He is that one one sweet jock who is so cocky and full of himself but he's adorable at it you can't help but like him. What Henry doesn't let on is how unsupportive his parents are and how everything he's doing is just to prove his father wrong. Elle, I don't know what I think about Elle, she's brilliant and she's not humble about it. She never wanted to go to college she's been reading college type text books and basically everything she can get her hands on since she was little. The only reason she's at the college is that it is her mother's dying that Elle goes. Elle is a sweetie but she can be a bitch when her defenses are up. Elle is devastated her mother is going to die and the only way she can deal with it is to completely separate her home and school life. 

Henry and Elle are an odd couple who just seem to work. Of course they don't see that until it's too late. Elle thinks she wants one thing and ends the non-relationship they are in and suddenly Henry starts to play badly, and he can't afford that he in h is senior year he needs to play well so he can get drafted. Henry doesn't believe in superstition like some football players but it isn't until he realizes he played his best games when Elle was around. Thoroughly convinced that Elle is his good luck charm he is determined to get her back with three sisters he thinks he knows exactly how to do it, he really does pull out all the stops trying to win her back, but he goes too far when he shows up at her family's house and breaks down that carefully placed wall erected. The more Henry tries to win her back the more he realizes it was more than just sex with Elle. Elle can't fathom why Henry,  she eventually figures it out that he may not be what she expected or wanted but he definitely is what she needs. But then the unthinkable happens and Henry life turns upside down. Can Elle woman up and face it with Henry or will she use it as an excuse to bail?

Overall, it's typical Mimi, well it's not quite typical Mimi the MC hero isn't an asshole. The narration is first person POV that switches between Elle and Henry. It has that trademark snarky and humorous storytelling that made me fall in love with her books. IT'S NOT A CLIFFHANGER, not technically. Henry and Elle's story does have a conclusion but the ending is a teaser for the next book Digging A Hole.         



Smart Tass

Ohellno Series 
by Mimi Jean Pamfiloff 
Publication Date: April 11, 2017 
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romantic Comedy






From New York Times Bestseller Mimi Jean Pamfiloff comes SMART TASS, a new Romantic Comedy.

He’s the hot quarterback all the girls want.
She’s the smart girl he loves to pick on.
And now that they’re all grown up, things are about to get geekin’ ugly…

My name is Tass. I’m smart, I’m driven, and I am determined not to let prankster Hunter Johnson continue raining on my parade. When we were little, he’d pull my hair and call me names. When we were teenagers, he’d throw food and tease me for being a flat-chested virgin.

But now that we’ve ended up at the same college, he’s out of his hot head if he thinks he can keep messing with my life. It’s like he’s fixated on me or something. Well, guess what, Mr. Amazefootball? I’m not that geeky little girl anymore and you do not screw with a smart woman.

So what’s my plan?

It’s definitely wild, and he’s about to find out…







            a Rafflecopter giveaway

About Mimi Jean Pamfiloff

Mimi Jean Pamfiloff is a New York Times & USA Today bestselling author of Paranormal and Contemporary Romance. Both traditionally and independently published, Mimi has sold over 800,000 books since publishing her 1st title in 2012, and she plans to spontaneously combust once she hits the one-million mark. Although she obtained her international MBA and worked for over 15 years in the corporate world, she believes that it’s never too late to come out of the romance-closet and follow your dreams. When not screaming at her works in progress, Mimi spends time with her two pirates in training, her loco-for-the-chili-pepper hubby, and rat terriers, Mini & DJ Princess Snowflake, in Arizona. She continues to hope that her books will inspire a leather pants comeback (for men) and that she might make you laugh when you need it most.

Friday, August 25, 2017

RELEASE BLITZ Oh Henry by Mimi Jean Pamfiloff








Oh Henry



Ohellno Series


by Mimi Jean Pamfiloff 

Publication Date: August 25, 2017 

Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romantic Comedy




SHE'S GOT ME BY THE FOOTBALLS...
My name is Henry Walton, and though I've been called many things throughout my life--tree trunk, moose, walrus--I am now six foot five, solid muscle, and the hottest defensive end in the NFL college draft. This is the moment I've been waiting for: fame, women, and glory.

Just one problem: I'm suddenly in a bad slump. And it started the moment I got dumped by Elle, the nerdy goddess with thick glasses, a smokin' hot body, and a genius IQ.

So what gives? We only dated for a few weeks, and it's not like I've missed her. (Much.) Regardless, all the facts point to one conclusion. Elle is my lucky nerd-charm.

Call me superstitious, but I have to get her back before I lose everything. Even if she's the last girl I should want and she now hates my guts.



Smart Tass

Ohellno Series by Mimi Jean Pamfiloff Publication Date: April 11, 2017 Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romantic Comedy



From New York Times Bestseller Mimi Jean Pamfiloff comes SMART TASS, a new Romantic Comedy. He’s the hot quarterback all the girls want. She’s the smart girl he loves to pick on. And now that they’re all grown up, things are about to get geekin’ ugly… My name is Tass. I’m smart, I’m driven, and I am determined not to let prankster Hunter Johnson continue raining on my parade. When we were little, he’d pull my hair and call me names. When we were teenagers, he’d throw food and tease me for being a flat-chested virgin. But now that we’ve ended up at the same college, he’s out of his hot head if he thinks he can keep messing with my life. It’s like he’s fixated on me or something. Well, guess what, Mr. Amazefootball? I’m not that geeky little girl anymore and you do not screw with a smart woman. So what’s my plan? It’s definitely wild, and he’s about to find out…


a Rafflecopter giveaway





About Mimi Jean Pamfiloff

Mimi Jean Pamfiloff is a New York Times & USA Today bestselling author of Paranormal and Contemporary Romance. Both traditionally and independently published, Mimi has sold over 800,000 books since publishing her 1st title in 2012, and she plans to spontaneously combust once she hits the one-million mark. Although she obtained her international MBA and worked for over 15 years in the corporate world, she believes that it’s never too late to come out of the romance-closet and follow your dreams. When not screaming at her works in progress, Mimi spends time with her two pirates in training, her loco-for-the-chili-pepper hubby, and rat terriers, Mini & DJ Princess Snowflake, in Arizona. She continues to hope that her books will inspire a leather pants comeback (for men) and that she might make you laugh when you need it most.

Thursday, August 24, 2017

EXCERPT PREVIEW Haunted Blade by J.C. Daniels



Haunted, Hunted…Harassed.

Never let it be said that Kit Colbana had ever been given the easy road. Or even the semi-paved road. Only weeks after dealing with the mysterious—and murderous—being called Puck, she’s got another killer on her hands. Perhaps even two.

Some of the bodies turning up bring up haunting memories of a past she longs to forget, but as always, that past is chasing her at her heels, like a hated shadow.

As the body count racks up, there’s an imbalance of power, particularly among the vampire population, and Kit must yet again deal with ugly memories as one of the monsters who tried to break her is set free to deal with the imbalance of power. Yet while a power struggle rages in East Orlando, there’s another, more subtle battle taking place and Kit feels like the center of it all.

Arrogant? Maybe. But the dead bodies don’t bear the mark of her grandmother’s pet killer by sheer coincidence…and she doubts her nemesis being released is either.





“You’re trying to distract me.” I tugged my shirt down only to realize at some point, he’d already gotten my bra unfastened. Swearing, I adjusted that and moved so that the table now separated us. “Not funny, Damon.” 
“I wasn’t trying to be funny.” He tugged at his jeans and went to stretch out on the couch, watching me with heavy lidded eyes. 
So he was hiding something—and it was a wasted effort because I knew what it was.
“I already know you met with Malcolm. And apparently, you’re distracted—that makes me think you’re worried about something,” I said, pacing closer to him. “Or you’d figure out how I know.” 
His nostrils flared and his body tensed. 
He didn’t move from that lazy, slumped position, but his lids lifted and the dark pupils of his eyes flared, darkening his deep gray eyes to near black. “You’ve talked to him…and Marie. Both in one day. I didn’t know you even knew them. Ambitious, kitten. You investigating me again?” 
I curled my lip at him. “Funny.” 
“I’m not laughing.” He reached up and caught the front of my jeans, tugging hard enough that he pulled me off balance and I ended up falling onto his lap. 
He wrapped both arms around me, holding me tight even when I tried to wiggle into a less-awkward position. 
“Damn it, you’re a caveman, sometimes,” I said, jabbing him into the gut and twisting around until I was somewhat comfortable. He relented and loosened his grip, letting me sit straddling his lap. “For the record, I am not laughing either.” 
Jabbing him in the chest, I added, “No, I’m not investigating you, you dumb ass. He’s telling me that he wants me to do a job—says there’s a blade he wants me to find.” 
Damon blinked, the action so slow it was almost comical. He did it a second time, this just simply closed his eyes and shook his head. 
“You’re not taking the job,” he said after almost a full minute of silence.
I gave him a withering look. “You’d do better to reword that, pal, because if I even thought you were trying to dictate how I could work and who I could work for, the two of us would be having the fight to end all fights, right before I kicked your ass out of my apartment, for like…forever.” 
But if I expected those words to bring about any apology, clearly, I was mistaken.
Slowly, in a move that somehow conveyed all the power in his big body, Damon rose to his feet. His hands hung loose at his sides as he studied me, head cocked. “If Marie was here talking to you, and if you’ve been talking to Malcolm, I’m assuming you’ve already figured out a crucial detail.” 
“Just what detail is that, big guy?” I asked, chin going up. 
“The prick is dangerous.” 
“Newsflash—I knew that quite some time ago. I didn’t need to talk to Marie, orhim, to figure that out. I steer clear of him anyway.” 
Stalking close, Damon reached out and hooked his hand around my neck, drawing me to my toes as he hipped his head. “Then why are we having a problem here?” 
I bit his lower lip, using that as a distraction. It almost worked. 
The knee I tried to drive up between his knees worked better. 
Still, between the two, I was able to twist away from him and evade his grasp as I moved farther away. As he turned toward me, blood welling on his lip, I held up a staying hand. “We’re about to have even bigger problems if you don’t calm the hell down,” I warned him. 
He held his position, watching me with glittering eyes as he swiped the back of his hand over his mouth. The small smear of blood that remained, he cleared with a flick of his tongue. “We’re going to have a reckoning about this soon enough, you got that?” 
“I’m scared.” I curled my lip at him, mostly to piss him off—I was plenty pissed myself. 
“Do you honestly think I’m stupid enough to work for him? He’s either fae or an ancient—or both—and you think I’m that crazy, even after what went down with Puck?” 
Damon’s brows shot up, then slowly, his face relaxed. “You know what he is.” 
“Please.” Smoothing my shirt down, I tried to settle myself, but the anger buzzing off him was taking on an erotic edge and that was affecting me in very, very unsettling ways. “Give me some credit. I realize I haven’t been around the block as many times as you have, old man, but I’m not exactly an idiot.” 
He rocked back on his heels, still eying me narrowly. “Since you know what he is and you’ve already said you don’t plan to work for him…what’s the problem?” 
“You!” Huffing out a breath, I crossed my arms over my chest. “You big ass, you don’t get to tell me what I can and can’t do! You’re not my alpha! You’re not my sugar daddy, my boss or my master. I love you, Damon, but you don’t get to control me—I don’t obey your orders but you think you can growl and snarl at me and I’ll meekly obey, after all this time?”

REVIEW TOUR Ready To Run by Lauren Layne





Ready to Run
I Do, I Don't #1
By: Lauren Layne
Releasing August 22, 2017
Loveswept

Blurb
The Bachelor meets The Runaway Bride in this addictive romance novel about a reality TV producer falling for her would-be star: a Montana heartthrob who wants nothing to do with the show.

Jordan Carpenter thinks she’s finally found the perfect candidate for Jilted, a new dating show about runaway grooms: Luke Elliott, a playboy firefighter who’s left not one but three brides at the altar. The only problem? Luke refuses to answer Jordan’s emails or return her calls. Which is how she ends up on a flight to Montana to recruit him in person. It’s not Manhattan but at least the locals in Lucky Hollow seem friendly . . . except for Luke, who’s more intense—and way hotter—than the slick womanizer Jordan expected.

Eager to put the past behind him, Luke has zero intention of following this gorgeous, fast-talking city girl back to New York. But before he can send her packing, Jordan’s everywhere: at his favorite bar, the county fair, even his exes’ book club. Annoyingly, everyone in Lucky Hollow seems to like her—and deep down, she’s starting to grow on him too. But the more he fights her constant pestering, the more Luke finds himself wishing that Jordan would kick off her high heels and make herself comfortable in his arms.


Yet another wonderful Rom-Com by Lauren Layne. Jordan Carpenter is an up and coming T.V. producer and the one thing she needs to make or break her career is finding the new Bachelor. Well not "The Bachelor" but along the same lines except that the potential groom for the show need to be runaway grooms. Men who have left their fiancees at the altar and Jordan has found the perfect one. So far Luke Elliot has left three women at the altar, yet he still seems to be the town's darling boy, a well liked and still very sought after Fireman. To Jordan and her boss he is the perfect choice only one problem he doesn't want to do it. Jordan goes to his small town in Montana and says she won't leave until he agrees. Only now that she's there she realizes that he's not just perfect for the show but for her too, because Luke isn't what he seems he's better.   

This was such a fun read, I'm not big on reality tv shows and I was worried how this one was going to play out but it's quite a read. Lauren Layne does so well with the small town romance it surprised me because I'm so use to her big city love. Jordan and Luke have this great chemistry that confuses them at first so they start out not friendly but the more Jordan digs into Luke's past the more she likes him and the more that Luke sees of Jordan and since everyone in town is pushing them together it's not hard for them to finally give in. The story is funny and enchanting and I can't wait for more. 




Luke started to load up the gear and, realizing he was doing it alone, glanced over his shoulder to see where the hell his partner was. 
Unsurprisingly, his friend was chatting up City Girl. Neither Charlie nor Ryan seemed to mind in the least that these two fancy pants had swooped into their town to capitalize on Luke’s past. 
What was more surprising was that Jordan Carpenter was chatting right back, her smile seemingly genuine, her laugh real. 
Luke ground his teeth. 
He couldn’t say he’d put much thought into the woman behind the name as he’d been unceremoniously deleting her emails and voice messages, but if forced to assume, he’d have guessed aggressive shrew. 
He suspected he was wrong there. Because while there was no mistaking the ambition in the woman, it wasn’t the cutthroat, ball-busting kind. 
Her lean body might be all angles and long lines, but there was a softness to her as well. The way her hair did its own thing. The easiness of her smile, the quick laugh. The small but pert breasts. 
Damn. He was staring. 
He slammed the door shut. “Bander,” he shouted at Charlie across the lawn. “Let’s clear out.” 
Charlie leaned into Jordan, whispering something in her ear that made her laugh, before walking away with a last wink. 
Luke rolled his eyes. Really? This was happening? 
“Hey, Elliott,” Ryan called. “You want to come over for a barbecue tonight?” 
Luke crossed his arms and studied his friend suspiciously, waiting for the catch. “Who’s on the guest list?” 
He saw Jordan and her purple-shirt friend exchange a look. Well, that answered that question. 
Damn. Ryan never had been able to resist the urge to stir up trouble. 
“It’s no problem if you don’t want to join us,” Jordan called out, lifting her hand to shield the afternoon sun from her eyes. “I’m sure your friends here can fill me in on everything there is to know about Luke Elliott.” 
All about Luke Elliott’s romantic history was more like it. City Girl wasn’t even pretending to be coy about the reason she was here. 
All former positive thoughts about her evaporated. Only the worst sort of human would use another’s failed relationships to advance her own career—for entertainment.
Luke turned away without another word, hauling himself into the driver’s seat of the truck as he waited impatiently for Charlie to get done shouting goodbye to every single person within earshot.
 
He drummed his thumbs against the steering wheel, refusing to even think about going to the BBQ tonight. If his friends wanted to stir up trouble, they could do so without his cooperation. 
As for the two New Yorkers, they’d flame out all on their own. Weren’t East Coasters known for being impatient and fast moving? 
Surely they’d be off to find some other glory-seeking asshole if he ignored them. One of the other guys could play the role for all he cared. 
As Charlie hauled his ass up, Luke started the truck, his eye catching on Jordan Carpenter, who was watching him with a stubborn, determined look on her pretty face.
Damn it. She’d stir up all sorts of trouble unless he ran interference.
 
Luke pulled out his phone to text Ryan. 
I’ll be there. Have beer. 
Charlie leaned over, unabashedly reading Luke’s iPhone screen. “Ha. Knew it.”
“What?” Luke glared at his friend.
 
Charlie grinned wider, gesturing over his shoulder. “You’ve got a boner for the hot blonde.” 
“Are you kidding me with this? She wants me to be the next bachelor.”
How were Ryan and Charlie not getting the absurdity of this?
 
Charlie shrugged. “So? Maybe it’d be good for you.” 
Luke stared at his friend for a moment longer before putting the truck in drive. “The only thing that would be good for me is to push you out of this truck.” 
Charlie was waving goodbye to Jordan and Simon. “See you tonight!” 
Luke ground his teeth harder. He was already dreading the BBQ, but not going would only make matters worse. Clearly he needed to have a very blunt conversation with Jordan Carpenter.
 








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Author Info
Lauren Layne is the New York Times bestselling author of romantic comedies. She lives in New York City with her husband.
A former e-commerce and web marketing manager from Seattle, Lauren relocated to New York City in 2011 to pursue a full-time writing career. She signed with her agent in 2012, and her first book was published in summer of 2013. Since then, she's written over two dozen books, hitting the USA TODAYNew York Times, iBooks, and Amazon bestseller lists.

Author Links:   WEBSITE   |   FACEBOOK  |   TWITTER  |   GOODREADS

Series Pre-Order Links
RUNAWAY GROOM (Book 2)

JUST RUN WITH IT (Book 3)





Wednesday, August 23, 2017

ARC REVIEW Dark Horse Comics Aliens: Defiance

Aliens: Defiance

Dark Horse Comics




By: Brian Wood
Art by: Tristan Jones (Illustrations), Massimo Carnevale (Illustrations), Riccardo Burchielli (Illustrations), Dan Jackson (Colorist), Tony Brescini (Illustrator), Nate Piekos (Letterer)




Story: Colonial Marine Zula Hendricks was sent on a mission with a bunch of Wayland-Yultani synthetics. She was just supposed to type in a key to the computer giving over the rights from the abandoned ship over to WY as salvage. What happens next Zula doesn’t remember she was knocked unconscious and when she woke up she was still on board with a handful of the synths remaining. One of the synths in particular is helping her with the designation Davis 01.
Davis tells her what happened something was brought on board and it killed the whole crew and when they boarded the strange aliens started to kill the synths. Davis managed to shoot them all out the airlock along with most of the other synths. Davis further tells her that WY has plans to bring back a specimen so they can weaponize it. Zula understanding what she is hearing also picks up on the fact that Davis has gone against his programming. Davis admits it and again surprised her by saying he has evolved into something better he has taught himself new things and to let WY get its hands on something as dangerous as these creatures would be horrible. After barely surviving the first time Zula agrees with Davis and together they begin to thwart WY at every turn. 

The Aliens are not the only thing Zula is battling right now she has massive spinal damage due to a previous and only mission. Zula is dealing emotionally, psychologically, and physically with the damage and pain she’s going through. Davis and Zula become friends they even pick up a sole survivor at a filling station and continue to do what they think is right but Davis has secrets of his own.






















Art: The art was my favorite thing about this but it’s not surprising when you have fantastic artist like Tristan Jones and Massimo Carnevale. The illustrations were just so beautifully detailed and dark, it’s dark and gloomy in that typical Alien style but not so dark you lose the fine details. Massimo’s work on the covers and the chapter breaks is stunning, there is one that I would love to have a print of to hang on my wall.




Overall: I love the Alien franchise, I have loved it since my sister first showed me Alien as a kid in the late 80’s. (Yeah, my mom wouldn’t let me watch horror movies like Halloween or Friday the 13th but she was ok with Alien) I haven’t read as many Alien comics as I would like, aside from Sandman they were one of the first ones I did read when I first got into comics. I think Zula is a perfect fit with the typical type heroine we normally see in these roles. I think I like her even more because she is so broken. I loved the tie in with Alien: Isolation and Amanda Ripley. The story is great it’s so much more than just fighting aliens, there’s great character development and the relationship between Davis and Zula, I like where it’s going. This was a great one I really look forward to the rest of the series.