ARC REVIEW Forged in Fire by Jessica Scott

The third book in the Homefront series, Forged in Fire is another classic Jessica Scott. There aren’t any more good things I can say; I have exhausted my vocabulary on how much I love Jessica Scott books. Jessica Scott writes what she knows; I love the insight of life on base and all the bull crap political stuff the characters (and inevitably real life soldiers) have to put up with.

Like in her other books, Sal and Holly fight to make things work. They have suffered so much that finding peace with each other just makes sense. One problem is that there are rules that could get them in trouble for being together. Another problem is favoritism is going on and people who should be discharged are being kept on because other people trust them in combat, even if the combat is breaking them emotionally. One other thing that this book touches base with is abuse; Holly believes one of Sal’s soldiers is physically abusing one of her female soldiers. One tangled web of deceit and lies has Sal and Holly working together after a rocky start. Holly is brought in to help get things straighten out in their unit, after a bad experience she never wanted to get involved with another soldier again but in walks Sal all sexy and alpha. Sal and Holly bump heads on how they should lead and train their soldiers, not every solider is so easily trained by yelling at them and insulting them. The attraction is there and they are both willing to risk their careers to be together. Sal sees Holly for who she really is and admires her strength and commitment to her troops. Holly gets over thinking Sal is caveman-ish and sees that he really does care about his troops and he needs to learn how to do that even if it means knowing when to let go.



Overall, this is an emotional story with the right amount of humor to lighten the mood of the books so it’s not all gloom and doom. Romance as usual fits right in and is cohesive with the story line. I must apologize to Jessica Scott, because I am lucky enough to be able to get an ARC from her and I am so late in getting this review out. It was released the end of June and here it is two months later. I am usually more prompt then this and I’m sorry.

ARC REVIEW After the War by Jessica Scott

After The War is book two in Jessica Scott's Homefront series and is probably the most emotional book I've read and still loved with all my heart. I hate crying it gives me a migraine but with Jessica Scott books, which always make me cry, I don't mind. With every book of hers I review I always say how wonderful of a writer she is and this book is just another one to love. In Jessica Scott's facebook post and in the author's note at the end she explains how hard this book was for her to write because of how close to home it hits and you can tell.

I find the blurb on Goodreads is one of the best summaries for a book I have read.

A terrible loss…

Captain Sarah Anders lost her husband to the Iraq war and has nearly lost the career she loves. Sent to Fort Hood, she only wants to do her job and take care of the daughter she’s raising on her own. She never counted on running straight into a memory she’d tried to forget. 

A love he never forgot...

Captain Sean Nichols never got over Sarah. He simply tried to forget her amidst the war and the chaos of combat. But when she’s assigned to investigate his unit, he comes face to face with the woman no war or any amount of time could make him forget. 

A dark secret…

As Sarah gets closer to the truth, Sean must accept that actions he took during the war may end the tentative love building between them. And even if Sarah can forgive him, Sean may never be able to forgive himself.

Jessica Scott does not glamorize the military, and it's hard to read sometimes because you know how much truth she puts into her stories. I look up to moms like Jessica Scott and the character Sarah because they do what they do best and even if it means making hard sacrifices. I love Sarah Anders because the type of person she is the mom she is and choices she has had to make. The relationship between Sarah and Sean is hopeful; and you continue to hope for their continued HEA.     

ARC REVIEW Homefront and It's Always Been You by Jessica Scott

These are late in posting they were suppose to post early but as John Lennon says "life is what happens when you're busy making plans". So here are Jessica Scott's releases, brand new Homefront the first book in a new series and It's Always Been You now out in paperback.

As always I get excited about Jessica Scott books, and I always try and find the right time to read them bracing myself for the emotional turmoil she puts me through. I love a good romance about second chances and this is a good one. Another brilliant and hopeful novel from Jessica Scott.

Two people meant to be with each other they just got the timing wrong. High school sweethearts Gale and Melanie get married when Mel ends up pregnant and Gale makes the decision the best way to support his new family is to join the Army. Mel struggles with Gale gone all the time and dealing with a baby all on her own so she leaves him. Now years later Gale asked for an assignment at Ft. Hood to be closer to his teenage daughter, Jaime, and Mel; but everything is confusing for them. Gale has never stopped loving Mel and being close to her again stirs up all the old feelings. Mel is struggling with trying to be a good mom but Jaime is a troubled teen, already with one accidental suicide, yes accidental she was a cutter and she accidentally cut too deep. Now Mel is scared of it happening again and is a little overprotective of her which naturally leads to conflict between them.

The start of the book opens up with Gale finding out Jaime is in the hospital and because Mel didn't explicitly write that she needed him there he was not allowed to leave Gale then blacks out when he wakes up he finds that he had beaten his CO so badly he put the man in the hospital. Trying to make amends for time lost Gale but at the same time he was scared of inserting himself in their lives and one more deployment he is hesitant; but Jaime needs him. When he finds the son of an old friend in his daughters room he personally escorts the boy to his father. Trouble begins the next time he sees the boy with a black eye and the lame excuse of walking into a car door isn't cutting it, Gale reports the man that pulled his butt off of his CO to keep from killing him. 

War changes people and in another great book by a woman who know her stuff it shows how sometimes that change is for the better or for the worst.

     

NOW OUT IN PAPERBACK!

It's Always Been You is yet another fantastically heart wrenching novel by the fabulous Jessica Scott. A wonderful piece about the side of the military you forget about, what the ravages of war can do to a person and how it affects their family. I love all the characters, as always. Captain Ben Teague is a strong and loyal soldier with a wicked sense of humor. Ben is so loyal he dreads his new promotion to command his own team for fear he would become a cold hearted and distant like so many CO's before him; including his own mother a colonel who became distant after the death of Ben's father. Major Olivia Hale a lawyer with a painful past who doesn't let anything get by. She is best friends with Emily the psychologist from the last book, All For You, she is also strikingly beautiful and feels apart from the crowd she doesn't want to wear her combat badge because she didn't actually see combat and she feels not worthy of wearing the Stetson like the rest of the men.

When Ben's old mentor and the person who saved his live, Escoberra is charged with child abuse Ben is adamant that his old friend couldn't possible have abused his adopted daughter. Olivia wants to believe Ben when he tells her their has to be another explanation, but past experiences tell her to protect the daughter no matter what. Ben is in charge of cleaning up his company from the users and that puts him right up front dealing with Olivia for most of it. One in particular he bends the rules for and sits on his packet so when he is discharged he can be eligible for the G.I. Bill. He bends the rules and works with his men so he can keep their loyalty and not lose his loyalty to the men. His men appreciate everything he does. Ben is a great leader even if he doesn't see it. 

Escoberra and his family aren't talking to anybody, and Child Services have no choice but to drop the charges. Ben is happy but Olivia feels like she has failed. It isn't until after when she gets more information that she takes the initiative and sends Escoberra's medical records to specialist. Ben almost quits when it get tough and the budding romance between Ben and Olivia gets put to the test with lack of communication and lack of trust but Ben knows Olivia is the best thing to happen to him in forever. This is a great story with plenty of sexual tension and smart ass jokes to keep me satisfied, I really enjoyed this book and I really love this series

ARC REVIEW Before I Fall by Jessica Scott

Before I Fall is Jessica Scott's first jump in the New Adult genre and like her other books she does it well. New Adult isn't my favorite genre but I love Jessica Scott and she carried her talent over to this new series. A friend I review with on Ramblings from this Chick reviewed this also and I think she said it best, "...Scott does not sugar coat life in or out of the military". I think that is what I like so much about her, the raw emotions and no sugar coating; she is one of the few authors who makes me cry and I love it.

Beth Lamont has struggled with the hardships of life ever since her father came home wounded from war and her mother left at the age of sixteen. Struggling with her father's drug and alcohol problem because of back pain the VA classified as not their problem but the hospital charities classify as a VA problem. Beth has worked hard and using her her father's GI Bill to pay for her college education at a high dollar school and working two jobs as her stats professor's TA and as a waitress. I wouldn't say Beth hates everything Military she just hates what it does to the people in it and their families. When her stats professor offers her a job tutoring a former soldier she only gives in for the sheer fact she needs the money.

Noah Warren joined the military early to avoid a bad family situation, now out and officially a college student he is lost in a world he doesn't know. It has been years since he was a civilian and everything has changed. Noah made a promise to his LT and he intends to keep it and if that means stepping out of his comfort zone then so be it. To ensure his success he was even hired a tutor. He never expected a woman like Beth. Struggling to understand Beth has a way of explaining it to where he understands. Noah also has a very dirty mind when it comes to her he is obsessed with her body but also her strength, her intellect. When he is with her he can almost forget his own problems and he has his own fair share of problems. Noah understands Beth hesitancy when it comes to the relationship but they give it a go and Noah stand by her when her father's situation worsens. But when faced with the truth about Noah, Beth freaks a little, ok she over reacts.

I find myself at a loss of words when I have to describe Jessica Scott's books, they are angsty but not too angsty; she'll more than likely make you cry and she's an intelligent person and it transfers over to her books. She can tell a story from both sides because she understands the psychology behind why people would do certain things in certain situation. Which is great for this book because it is told in first person from both Noah and Beth's POV. Overall this was a great transition book for Jessica Scott.      

REVIEW All For You by Jessica Scott

Now in Paperback

Book four in the Coming Home Series is a shattering look at the men and women in the Armed Forces. The emotional rollercoaster of Reza and Emily's relationship isn't just about coming together and righting wrongs and defeating the bad guy isn't as clear cut as a man in black wearing a menacingly cape. No, Reza has been battling his alcoholism and Emily is trying to spread awareness of mental health importance to all the soldiers. Jessica Scott has written a wonderful story about fighting your own demons. 

Reza Iaconelli has always used drinking as his escape. Escaping from the memories of his abusive father, and escaping the memory of all his friends and fellow soldiers who have lost their lives. His alcoholism never got in the way of his command he has always had it under control until he caused an incident in Colorado during a training mission and his best friend, Claire, and his Sergeant Major intercede and make him go into rehab. Months later he hasn't had a drink and it is a daily battle not to drink. But something is going on under his command one soldier keeps using mental distress to avoid going on duty and another soldier self medicates and is getting jerked around with the medical board about his discharge. Reza has always tried to help the weak and protect those who need it, but will his self destructing drinking blind him to the needs of his men?  

Emily Lindberg has lead a charmed life, she has never wanted for anything following in her father's footsteps and became a psychiatrist. She has never disappointed her family until one visit to the VA hospital and realized the men and women who served our country needed help that they were not getting. It wasn't anything she expected Commanding Officers demanding and bullying her do what they want despite what the soldier in question needs. After meeting the tall, dark, and brooding First Sergeant Reza Iaconelli she realizes he was right when he said she has no idea what happens when out on deploy and she won't understand until she experiences herself.  Reza can't help but be attracted to Captain Lindberg. He views her as sweet and innocent and doesn't want to corrupt her to the violence and death of war, but when she asks to join him in a training exercise so she can understand what goes on he is compelled to comply with her request. Their first kiss is full of promise and underlying passion it was only a matter of time before they slept together. Their relationship gets sidetracked when one of Reza's men commits suicide in front of Emily and himself. Reza starts to drink again and even more him CO is implemented in a hazing incident against another one of his soldiers. So upset that he didn't see it happening buries himself deeper into a bottle.  Emily loves Reza but his self destructing actions are destroying the relationship even before they have a chance. But only Reza can stop face the truth and work to make it better and Emily is just the motivation he needs to realize this. 

I really enjoyed reading this book it gives you an insight to the darker side of the military. Most military romances don't go into much of the emotional hardships the guys go through and this was a good reality check. Also props to Ms. Scott for the use of Steel Reserve as the beer of choice for Reza. (Steel Reserve is a beer with a higher alcohol content than most others).

Blog Tour Blitz: All I Want For Christmas Is You by Jessica Scott

Book Information

Title: All I Want For Christmas Is You

Author: Jessica Scott

Release Date: October 24, 2014

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Format: Novella (108 pages)

a Rafflecopter giveaway 

Summary

All Major Patrick MacLean wanted was Christmas with the woman and child who were his family in everything but name. But Captain Samantha Egan has come back from the war a different woman than the one who left - and she doesn't know if she can love him anymore.

But neither of them counted on the determination of a little girl they both call daughter and if Natalie has her wish, her parents may have no idea what's coming for them. It's going to take Christmas miracle to bring these two wounded warriors back from the edge of a broken heart. 

I loved this novella. I love Jessica Scott. When I read I like to read to escape the realities of life, that normally includes books that take me to far off places, unlikely situations, and men and woman who defy the norm and succeed against the harshest of situations what ever that may be. I will even go as far to say I like the unrealistic events and excruciatingly happy HEAs. But what i love about Jessica Scott stories, The Coming Home series, is that they are the exact opposite; their is a realism about her stories that boarder-lines scary. When I read them I am aware that situations like these happen all the time, the men and woman and situations in her books could have happened to real people. In The Coming Home series They have faced their fears, their addictions and the harsh realities of PTSD and still come out on top with their HEAs, and that's what we want for all the men and woman who have served their country an HEA. 

These characters come home from war and have to face the shift in realities, from having a constant fear to everyday normal and the deal with it in very differently. In this novella Sam comes home different, her emotions she feels like they have frozen inside of her and she is scared she will never feel again. So she leaves to her home town thinking that the memories will jogs something loose, leaving Patrick in Ft. Hood. Patrick has always know he has loved Sam he loves her with all his might and her daughter he helps raise as his own. Sam has always had a fear of abandonment and never let Patrick get close enough. Sam leaving just about rips Patrick's heart out. But a call from his daughter and he drops everything to rush up to Maine to be with her and win back the woman he loves. Sam with help comes to realize she isn't alone in how she feels, or lack their of. This is an emotional and cry-worthy Christmas tale, Jessica Scott tops herself again. 

It was not a gentle kiss. It was not tame or timid or questioning.
It burned her down to the root of Sam's soul. It touched something deep and dark and hidden.
Something she'd thought was long since dead and buried and gone.
Patrick’s tongue slid against hers, stroking to life the very sensations she thought she'd never feel again.
It was electric, the feel of his mouth against hers. The scrape of stubble against her chin, the taste of him. The smell of his skin.
He nipped her. Pinched her bottom lip between his teeth and sucked it. And she sighed at the pleasure, at the raw ache his taste and touch aroused in her, pushing aside the darkness that haunted her.
Sam felt him. Felt everything. The heat of his skin. The warmth that drew her closer. That made her want to crawl into his lap and unzip his pants and push up that damned flannel shirt until they were skin to skin and there was nothing between them but sweat and heat.
One hand slid down her side. Tugged at her fleece and...
"Dear lord how many layers of clothing do you have on under this thing," he muttered against her lips.
She smiled. "You weren't wondering why I wasn't cold?"
"Well you'd be a champ at strip poker right about now," he murmured.
Then his fingers found her skin and she was no longer thinking.

Goodreads Link

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23359177-all-i-want-for-christmas-is-you 

Buy Links 

Amazon - http://bit.ly/aiwamazon

Barnes and Noble - http://bit.ly/aiwbn

iBooks - http://bit.ly/aiwibooks

Kobo - http://bit.ly/aiwkobo

Google Play - http://bit.ly/aiwgplay

Biography

Jessica Scott is a career army officer, mother of two daughters, three cats and three dogs, wife to a career NCO and wrangler of all things stuffed and fluffy. She is a terrible cook and even worse housekeeper, but she's a pretty good shot with her assigned weapon and someone liked some of the stuff she wrote. Somehow, her children are pretty well adjusted and her husband still loves her, despite burned water and a messy house.

She's 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 OIF/New Dawn and has served as a company commander at Fort Hood, Texas.

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

Social Networking Links

Website - http://www.jessicascott.net 

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/JessicaScottAuthor 

Twitter - https://twitter.com/JessicaScott09 

Goodreads -  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5131118.Jessica_Scott 

***

The novella ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS YOU is also included in November 11th release HOME FOR CHRISTMAS with Joann Ross.

Buy Links

Amazon.com:  amzn.to/1D7xcZO

iBooks: http://bit.ly/hcfibooks

Kobo: http://bit.ly/hfckobo

Google Play: http://bit.ly/hfcplay