5 Star Review + Giveaway : Full Contact by Sarah Castille – The Redemption Series – Book 3

Posted on 04/10/2015 by shellbellereads

Full Contact

Redemption Series- Book 3

By Sarah Castille

Synopsis

“Fifty Shades of Grey meets Fight Club.”-RT Book Reviews on Against the Ropes

Ray wraps his arms around me and holds me tight as if something terrible has happened and he doesn’t want to let me go.

Full Contact. This is how Ray speaks when his emotions overwhelm him. I melt into his stillness. His body is hot and hard, his breath warm on my neck. He smells of leather and sweat, sex and sin. Nothing can tear me away.

When you can’t resist the one person who could destroy you…
Sia O’Donnell can’t help but push the limits. She secretly attends every underground MMA fight featuring The Predator, the undisputed champion. When he stalks his prey in the ring, Sia is mesmerized. He is dominant and dangerous and every instinct tells her to run.

Every beautiful thing Ray “The Predator” touches he knows he’ll eventually destroy. Soft, sweet and innocent, Sia is the light to Ray’s darkness-and completely irresistible. From the moment he lays eyes on her, he knows he’s going to have to put his dark past behind him to win her body and soul.

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Excerpt

Ray grabs my wrists and pins them to the mat over my head, his body angled over me. My breath catches in my throat, and I steel myself for the memories, the black rush, the heart-pounding fear, but it doesn’t come. Instead, a red haze settles over my vision, and I press my lips together and buck my hips, throwing him slightly forward.

Bad plan. Now his groin is only inches away from my face. He’s still wearing his jeans, which means that bulge isn’t a cup.

“Ray…” His face softens. “I hurt you.” “Yes, you hurt me. Keeping secrets hurts me. It makes me feel like you don’t respect me. And it makes me feel like I can’t trust you. So maybe you could return to your proper seat now. Tray table up.”

He shifts down, settling his weight over my hips, but he doesn’t release my hands. “I hurt you. Means you care.”

I swallow hard and meet his gaze. “You hurting me means I was being stupid. Things were going where I didn’t want them to go. Now I’ve had a wake-up call. You have secrets you can’t share. You need to protect your secrets. I need to be with someone I can trust, and I need to stand on my own two feet. It’s just not going to work between us.”

His gaze darkens, searing me to the core. “You want to be done? Or are you scared and trying to push me away?”

The air shifts between us, electrifying, tightening my nipples and heating my blood. I am hyperaware of his thighs tucked against my hips, carrying most of his weight as he sits astride me in a dominant MMA position. My wrists, hot under his palms, press against the cool mat, restrained in a way I could never have imagined allowing them to be restrained. My chest rises and falls twice for every one of Ray’s breaths, and my core tightens. The innuendo isn’t lost on me. God, yes. I want to be done in the carnal sense of the word. But only by Ray. And I don’t really want to let him go.

“I don’t want to lose you.”

Ray’s hands tighten on my wrists, and he leans down and brushes a kiss over my lips. “I don’t want to lose you either, but I live in a dangerous world. I’ve got stuff in my life that would make your head spin. I need to protect you from that, and I’ll do what it takes to keep you safe, even if it means you hate me for it, because for the first time in my life, I want something more than doing my duty. I want a life and I want you in it. I’ve got one bad guy to catch and then I’m free. And after I’m done and after what went down this evening, you’ll never have to worry about being safe again.”

Finally, he releases my hands but I don’t move. Heat sweeps through my belly. I feel both vulnerable and curiously safe lying beneath him. My gaze shifts from his intense gaze to his sensual lips, and my breasts swell, remembering the touch of his hands, the gentle press of his lips. He wants me. Not just today, but tomorrow and the tomorrow after that.

“You make it sound like I don’t have a choice about being with you.”

“You don’t.” He leans down and kisses me with a savage fierceness that takes my breath away.

___________________________

Michel’s Review

Looking for a very hot and sexy book? Looking for a hot Alpha MMA fighter that will knock your panties off? Looking for a book that is about healing, loving, and redemption? Look no further, Full Contact by Sarah Castille is the book that delivers all of these things and more.

Full Contact is the third book in the Redemption Series by Sarah Castille. Each book can be read as a stand alone romance or can be read in series order. Either way this book is going to capture your attention and keep you glued to the pages.

Sia O’Donnell is a broken soul. She had a horrific experience five years earlier that left her broken, fearful, and an observer of life rather than a participator. Her only solace is her work as a tattoo artist. Another one of her secret passions is watching MMA fights and one fighter in particular. She knows he is out of her league and beyond what she can handle, but her fascination with him is the fuel for her fantasies. When she finally meets Ray “The Predator” Black face to face, the rules of engagement may change.

Ray has his own demons that haunt him. Fighting is a way to keep his demons at bay. Outside the cage he keeps people at arms length and never gets close to anyone. That is until he meets Sia O’Donnell. He wants to dominate this woman in the most decadent and fulfilling way.

Can Sia overcome her fears and allow Ray to dominate her. Can she let him go where no other man has been by choice? Can Ray let go of his guilt and redirect his feelings into something that will heal his soul?

Together these two will find something worth letting go for, worth fighting for, and worth surrender. They will find true love and passion.

I really enjoyed this book. It had the right amount of humor, the right amount of angst, and the right amount of red hot passion. The main characters and secondary characters were full of life and jumped off the pages.

I highly recommend Full Contact by Sarah Castille.

The Redemption Series

Against The Ropes – Book 1

He scared me. He thrilled me. And after one touch, all I could think about was getting more…

Makayla never thought she’d set foot in an elite mixed martial arts club. But if anyone needs a medic on hand, it’s these guys. Then again, at her first sight of the club’s owner, she’s the one feeling breathless.

The man they call Torment is all sleek muscle and restrained power. Whether it’s in the ring or in the bedroom, he knows exactly when a soft touch is required and when to launch a full-on assault. He always knows just how far he can push. And he’s about to tempt Makayla in ways she never imagined…

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In Your Corner- Book 2

A Publishers Weekly Best Summer Book and one of Amazon’s Best Books of the Year (Romance)

“You have to go. I won’t be able to control myself. I’ve wanted you so bad for so long and after I’ve been in the cage…I can’t think straight.” He gives a guttural groan and his fist clenches on my hip.

Primitive. Primal. His need speaks to me. I tighten my grip on his neck and rock up to kiss him. He takes over. His kiss is hard and demanding.

“Mine.” His voice is raw, savage and for a moment I truly believe he may lose control.

He rules in the ring

Two years ago, Jake and Amanda were going hot and heavy. But when Jake wanted more, Amanda walked away. Jake immersed himself in mixed martial arts, living life on the edge. But that didn’t dull the pain of Amanda’s rejection-until a chance encounter throws them together.

A high-powered lawyer, Amanda was a no-strings-attached kind of girl. But two years after her breakup with Jake, she still hasn’t found anyone who gets her heart pumping the way he did. And then he shows up in her boardroom, hot as sin and needing help…

But can he rule her heart?

Jake is darker, sexier, and impossible to resist. As their chemistry builds, Amanda’s not sure if she can stay in control, or if she’s finally willing to let him claim her body and soul.

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes / Kobo

___________________________________
Author Bio:

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, Sarah Castille, writes contemporary erotic romance and romantic suspense featuring blazingly hot alpha males and the women who tame them. A recovering lawyer and caffeine addict, she worked and travelled abroad before trading in her briefcase and stilettos for a handful of magic beans and a home in shadow of the Rocky Mountains.

Sarah loves to connect with readers. Sign up for her newsletter to hear about new releases:

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

Giveaway

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Push by Claire Wallis….6 Star Reviews- Smut Book Junkie Reviews Favorite + Giveaway

Posted on 04/08/2015 by shellbellereads

Push

Book 1

By Claire Wallis

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

Synopsis

I feel like I am wrapped in a cyclone. Everything is whirling around me, drawing the air out of my lungs and filling me with the best kind of turmoil. Every time his tongue slides against mine, a prickle in my gut tells me how right we are together. How much I need David. How much I need us.

I hope the cyclone never stops.

Emma Searfoss has spent a lifetime trying to escape her abusive stepfather. It’s why she moved far away from home. It’s why she’s kept no ties with her remaining family. And it’s why she’s got a major rage problem. When her neighbor shows up to fix the kitchen in her new apartment, his enigmatic charm calms the fire in her. David is cool and collected, and he makes Emma feel safe for the first time ever. But David has his own chilling past—his six previous girlfriends have all disappeared without a trace. Emma’s walking a dangerous line, but David’s pull is intoxicating. And impossible to resist…

Michel’s Review

*** I wrote this review in May 2014 when Push was first released. Almost one year later and several books reviewed, I have not been able to forget this book. I am still blown away by the intensity and the emotional impact this book had on me. I have recommended this book to several of my seasoned reader friends and they have had the same kind of reactions. Claire Wallis delivered a unique story with a very untraditional writing style. There were two prologues and two epilogues are written from each character’s POV. The content of the book is mostly written in third person but has chapters throughout the book written in first person POV from supporting characters. It is choreographed in a very deliberate manner that stuns the readers. The writing is absolutely brilliant! ***

Push by Claire Wallis is getting a lot of attention in the reader world. There are discussion groups dedicated to this book. All the major review sites and bloggers are blowing up over this book. It has every reader reacting! How could I not read this book? I had to know what was causing this kind of hysteria.

Now that I have finished this book, I completely understand all the reactions and sensation this book is generating.

Everything about Push is completely original. The plot is intricately woven. The reader gets a look at both the characters pasts as well as their present. The book is mostly written from Emma’s point of view. We get to know David through their conversations, Emma’s point of view, past girlfriends’ point of views, the prologue and epilogue. The author brilliantly takes the reader into the complicated worlds these characters evolved from. She develops a story that will keep the reader consumed to the very last word. When all is said and done, all the reader can think is WTF! I had to peel my jaw off the ground. I felt like I needed a shot of whiskey to calm me down. I felt like I needed a whole bottle of antacid to get my stomach out of knots. I needed the next book….. like YESTERDAY!

Push is exhilarating, chilling, horrific, distressing, anguishing, tormenting and heartbreaking. At the same time, the reader experiences an unusual but beautiful relationship. A relationship that goes beyond the kind of love most relationships are based on. Everything about this couple worked. They were exactly what each other needed. But sometimes having that perfection is not enough. This is the case with David and Emma.

When I started this book I was immediately drawn in. There are two prologues, one from Emma’s point of view and the other from David’s point of view. The prologues made it very clear what was going to happen at the end of the book. I was flabbergasted! I had to know more. I had to find out how they came to this point. I was hoping that the ending would turn out differently.

Emma was a very impressive heroine. She had a horrible childhood. She was mentally and verbally abused by her stepfather. Her stepfather ruined her family. But despite her ugly past, she didn’t let it drag her down. She is feisty, independent, self sufficient, aggressive, tough, and hard. She doesn’t believe in love. She doesn’t trust easily. She never gives anyone a piece of her heart. She’s okay with who she is. When she meets David, pieces of herself that she locked away begin to surface. He accepts her for who she is. He wants to protect her and take care of her. He is tender, caring, and supportive. He is everything she never knew she needed. He is perfect for her even though he has a slew of hidden secrets. She is okay with that. She accepts him for who he is because like her he has been to hell and back.

David is one of the most complicated characters I have ever experienced. On one hand I absolutely loved him. He is compassionate, giving, tender, and loving in his own unique way. He has a mesmerizing personality that is hard not to love. On the other hand, deep down he is a monster. He is your worst nightmare. Your heart breaks when you find out how he evolved into this horrific person. You are hoping that his relationship with Emma will somehow change him. Some people are not fixable.

Somehow these two messed up souls are beautiful together. They give each other what they need. They bring out the very best and the very worst in each other. They embrace it all. They are chaotic perfection together.

When you reach the end, there are two epilogues. One epilogue is from Emma’s point of view and the other is from David’s point of view. The ending will leave you with your heart in your feet, stomach in knots, and ugly tears running down your face. It ends on a major CLIFFHANGER!

Push by Claire Wallis blew my mind! I cannot wait for the sequel. I hope the publisher does not leave us readers hanging for long. I don’t think I can get this book out of my head.

Push by Claire Wallis is clearly the book that is going to soar to the top of 2014 Book of the Year list.

Note: This review is based on my reactions and emotions. The writing was flawless. The plot was brilliant. The overall story to this point is heart wrenching.

Robin’s Review

It has been three weeks since I finished reading Push by Claire Wallis, and I still think about this novel. Or should I say obsess? This is the exception. Generally, my head shifts focus with each novel that I begin reading. Reviewing novels is hard. Sometimes it takes all of the fun out of reading when you have to focus on what you want to say when you write the review. When I read Push, I knew our blog had already covered this story. So, I read it for sheer enjoyment. And I can’t forget it. I can’t escape this story. Have you read the synopsis? Push is dark romance at its finest. Go read this thriller now because the sequel Pull is being published soon! 6 stars to Claire Wallis for her debut novel!

Author Bio:

Enamored with the process of creating messy characters filled with imperfections and wicked inclinations, Claire believes that you don’t actually have to like a character to fall in love with them – a good story, after all, is best served with a hearty side of evil (just ask Disney). Claire’s first New Adult novel, Push, was released by MIRA Books on May 1st 2014. The story speaks to her appreciation of enigmatic male characters, perfectly capable of charming themselves straight into your unwilling heart. She enjoys writing about characters that are, at any given moment, both loathed and loved. You know, the ones that refuse to be forgotten.

Claire Wallis has penned hundreds of magazine and newspaper articles over the last ten years, with science playing the lead role in almost all of them. Though non-fiction writing will forever be her first love, fiction has unexpectedly swooped in, hooked her by the soul, and become her true love. As a result of this coup d’état, Claire’s writing career has made a complete U-turn, and instead of rocks, plants, insects, and microbes, she is now putting human characters in the lead.

Claire’s previous jobs include working at a limestone quarry, hawking vegetables at a farmer’s market, clerking at the dollar store, and convincing new mothers that they need to renew their subscription to that parenting magazine in order for their child to survive. She lives in Pennsylvania with her amazingly awesome husband and son.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

Giveaway

Tour-wide giveaway (INTL)
$25 Amazon Gift Card
One digital copy of PUSH via Amazon
One audiobook of PUSH via Audible Studios

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Release Day Blitz + 6 Star Review + 2015 Favorite + Giveaway: Traveling Woman by Jane Harvey-Berrick- The Traveling Series – Book 2

Posted on 04/07/2015 by shellbellereads

The Traveling Woman

The Traveling Series – Book 2

By Jane Harvey-Berrick

Release Date: April 7, 2015

Synopsis

THE CONCLUDING STORY of Aimee and Kestrel, begun in THE TRAVELING MAN
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

How many times do you gamble on love? When love has knocked you down, should you give it another chance? When does optimism become stupidity?

And what happens when the man you’re in love with is never still, always moving, always traveling? Do you say goodbye, or do you leave behind everything that you’ve worked for, everything that you’ve ever known? Can a traveling carnival be my home?

Oh. You thought I had the answers. No, sorry. No answers, just a lot of questions—and a heart that wants to rule my head.

Can one person be my home?

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Excerpt

I saw the Ferris wheel first, lit up in the twilight, the simple white lights making the huge steel structure seem almost ethereal. Without conscious thought, I touched the necklace that I never took off, my fingers stroking the tiny Ferris wheel set with a diamond at the center.

As I sat up straighter in my seat, I saw Kes’s lips curve upwards, although whether that was because he could sense my excitement, or because he was in a place that felt like home, I couldn’t say.

The fair wasn’t open yet; instead it lay dormant, the wide avenue of the midway with its silent stalls and unplayed games, its tricks and delights, waiting to unleash its pleasure on the paying public. It was a world within a world, a community of others, where being different was celebrated, expected, valued. It was also painted with a new face, hiding a darker history behind arcade games, glitz and glamor.

I rolled down the window and imagined that I could smell the faint scent of the fair: hotdogs, onions, cotton candy. I was transported back over a decade, to the first time I’d visited the carnival, the first year I’d met Kes. It was magical to me then, and even though Kes had been the one to show me the puppet’s strings behind the illusion, the magic had not lost its power. I was home.

Kes steered the car around to the staff area, and I realized for the first time how vast this fairground was.

“Kes,” I breathed. “This place is huge!”

“Yeah, one of the bigger ones,” he said nonchalantly.

We were still driving around the perimeter.

“How big are we talking?”

He shrugged. “Uh, 550 acres, give or take. Almost a square mile.”

“Wow! And the arena where you’re performing?”

He looked at me sideways. “Ten thousand people.”

My jaw dropped open, and it took me several tries before I could get the words out.

“Ten thousand?”

He scratched his thumb over his eyebrow. “It’s not sold out. So, maybe eight or nine thousand.”

“Oh my God! Ten thousand people are coming to see you? That’s crazy!”

He gave me a wry smile as I babbled.

“I mean, not crazy! Of course not! That’s great! In fact, it’s freakin’ awesome. Ten thousand people.” I couldn’t get my head around it.

“Yeah, it usually gets sold out on the last day.”

I gulped. “How … how many days are you doing the show?”

Kes grinned at me. “Three days.”

I stopped speaking. I literally stopped speaking.

“I never thought I’d live to see this day,” he laughed. “Aimee Andersen is speechless.”

Michel’s Review

The Traveling Duet series by Jane Harvey-Berrick is one of the most powerful and beautiful love stories I have ever read. Aimee and Kes captured my heart. These two extroardinary people found a love that only happens once in a lifetime. They overcame so many obstacles throughout their relationship and came out stronger. They grew as individuals. They became a stronger devoted couple. Their devotion to one another is the glue that held them together.

Traveling Man blew me away. I was anxious for the sequel to the story, Traveling Woman to release. I wanted Aimee and Kes to find a way to make their own happily ever after. I was afraid that the author was going to take the easy way out, find an easy solution, and make the magic in their lives look easy. I was afraid that the story was going to end on a predictable happily ever after note ( which still would of been an excellent ending for this couple ), but I wanted to see more of who they were and how they were going to make this impossible relationship work. I wanted more for them than the ordinary ending. I wanted SPECTACULAR! Readers I can honestly say that Traveling Woman was….

SPECTACULAR

BRILLIANT

PERFECT

WONDROUS

MAGICAL

BREATHTAKING

PHENOMENAL

ABSOLUTELY RIGHT FOR AIMEE AND KES

I am not going to give too many details for this book. It is a love story that every reader should experience.

I will say this, Aimee and Kes proved there was magic as long as they loved each other.

Kes truly amazed me. Not only was he a phenomenal showman, he was a phenomenal individual. He went after what he wanted. He held onto it tightly. He learned from his mistakes. He always strived to be better. He always loved Aimee with a true heart. He shared his world with Aimee, she held onto it with all of her being.

Aimee was incredible. She recognized what truly made Kes tick. She embraced his world and stood by his side at all times. She took the good with the bad. She made the bad good. She fought for their love. She nurtured it and made it unbreakable.

Together Aimee and Kes will take a journey that isn’t always easy. They will pave their path the best way they know how. They will always hold onto each other while venturing forward. At the end of the road they will realize they have always made the magic by loving one another.

Jane Harvey-Berrick has given readers an unforgettable love story. She gave us magic! She gave us Kes and Aimee. She gave us the Traveling Duet.

READ THESE BOOKS!

____________________________________

The Traveling Series

Traveling Man

The Traveling Duet Series – Book 1

By Jane Harvey-Berrick

Synopsis

I was ordinary. Nice.

He was extraordinary. And he wasn’t always nice.

Moody and difficult, brilliant and beautiful, Kes scared me and he protected me. He could be incredibly hurtful and incredibly thoughtful. He wasn’t perfect, but he was perfect for me. He challenged me, he took me out of my safe little box and showed me the world could be magnificent. He was everything I wasn’t.”

* * * *

Aimee Anderson is ten when the traveling carnival first comes to her nice little town. She doesn’t expect her world to change so completely. But meeting Kestrel Donohue puts her life on a different path.

Even though she only sees him for the two weeks of the year when he passes through her home town, his friendship is the most important of her life. As a child’s friendship grows to adult love, the choices become harder, and both Kes and Aimee realize that two weeks a year will never be enough…

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6 Star Review: http://smutbookjunkie.com/2015/01/28/traveling-man-by-jane-harvey-berrick-2015-favorite-6-star-review-giveaway/

About Jane Harvey- Berrick

I lived in London for over 10 years and have a love affair with New York. It’s only since I have moved to the countryside, that the words have really begun to flow.

I live in a small village by the ocean and walk my little dog, Pip, every day. It’s on those beachside walks that I have all my best ideas.

Writing has become a way of life – and one that I love to share.

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Giveaway

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Happy Release: Say My Name by J. Kenner- Stark International Trilogy – Book 1

Posted on 04/07/2015 by shellbellereads

Say My Name

Stark International Trilogy- Book 1

By J. Kenner

Synopsis

New York Times bestselling author J. Kenner kicks off a smoking hot, emotionally compelling new trilogy that returns to the world of her beloved Stark novels: Release Me, Claim Me, and Complete Me. Say My Name features Jackson Steele, a strong-willed man who goes after what he wants, and Sylvia Brooks, a disciplined woman who’s hard to get—and exactly who Jackson needs.

I never let anyone get too close—but he’s the only man who’s ever made me feel alive.

Meeting Jackson Steele was a shock to my senses. Confident and commanding, he could take charge of any room . . . or any woman. And Jackson wanted me. The mere sight of him took my breath away, and his touch made me break all my rules.

Our bond was immediate, our passion untamed. I wanted to surrender completely to his kiss, but I couldn’t risk his knowing the truth about my past. Yet Jackson carried secrets too, and in our desire we found our escape, pushing our boundaries as far as they could go.

Learning to trust is never easy. In my mind, I knew I should run. But in my heart, I never felt a fire this strong—and it could either save me or scorch me forever.

Say My Name is intended for mature audiences.

Buy: Amazon / B & N / ITunes / Kobo / Google Play

Michel’s Review

Say My Name by J. Kenner is a spinoff of the Stark Trilogy featuring Damien Stark’s PA, Sylvia Brooks.

Sylvia has always been interested in real estate. When an opportunity to purchase an island off the California coast becomes available, she presents it to her boss, Damien Stark. Stark tells her to run with it and makes her head of the project. The project would include purchasing the island and developing it into an exclusive family resort. Sylvia has worked her tail off and wants this project more than anything. That includes finding the right investors, the right architect, the right kind of promotions, and all the t’s crossed & i’s dotted. Everything seems to be falling into place until the architect pulls out of the project because of a zen moment. If she does not find the perfect architect for this project it will all go down the drain. She has one architect in mind but it is almost impossible to obtain him on this project. Jackson Steele hates the Stark Industry. He hates Damien Stark. He refuses to work with them. There is a bigger reason why he won’t take the project. Sylvia.

Sylvia and Jackson have a past that ended on a bad note five years ago. She asked him to walk away from her and never look back. Jackson Steele is a man of his word and did what Sylvia asked of him. He walked away with a million regrets and a heart full of hurt. Five years later, the only thing he wants from Sylvia is to see her suffer the way he did after he walked away.

Sylvia will do everything in her power to get Jackson Steele on board with the project. She will swallow her pride. She will surrender her body. The one thing she will not do is lose herself to Jackson Steele. She will not let him know the secrets from her past that made her the woman she is today. Can she keep Jackson distant enough not to destroy her heart?

Jackson and Sylvia both have secrets. They both are harboring some bad memories of the past. Their secrets could destroy each other as well as the new project. The one thing they are learning is that five years didn’t make one difference as far as their hearts are concerned. Maybe it’s time to reveal the secrets and move forward.

Jackson and Sylvia are coming to solutions that will work for both of them. Solutions that will also make the project a success. Someone knows their secrets. Someone is out to destroy the Stark Resort project. Who is it and how far will they go? Cliffhanger!

The second book in the Stark International Trilogy, On My Knees, will release June 23, 2015. I am looking forward to this sensual intrically woven suspense trilogy.

Read Say My Name by J. Kenner. It will not disappoint!

Author Bio:

J. Kenner spent more than ten years as a litigator in Southern California and Central Texas, using her rare free time to indulge her passion for writing. California born, she now lives—and writes—in Texas, with her husband and daughters.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

Release Blitz + 5 Star Review + Giveaway: Silver Bastard by Joanna Wylde- Silver Valley Series – Book 1

Posted on 04/07/2015 by shellbellereads

Silver Bastard

The Silver Valley Series – Book 1

By Joanna Wylde

Release Date: April 7, 2015

Buy : Amazon / B & N / ITunes / Kobo

Synopsis

First in the new Silver Valley series from the New York Times bestselling author of the Reapers Motorcycle Club Novels

Fourteen months. For fourteen months, Puck Redhouse sat in a cell and kept his mouth shut, protecting the Silver Bastards MC from their enemies. Then he was free and it was time for his reward—full membership in the club, along with a party to celebrate. That’s when he saw Becca Jones for the first time and set everything in motion. Before the night ended he’d violated his parole and stolen her away from everything she knew.

Five years. It was five years ago that Puck destroyed Becca and saved her all in one night. She’s been terrified of him ever since, but she’s even more terrified of the monsters he still protects her from… But Becca refuses to let fear control her. She’s living her life and moving forward, until she gets a phone call from the past she can’t ignore. She has to go back, and there’s only one man she can trust to go with her—the ex-con biker who rescued her once before.

Puck will help her again, but this time it’ll be on his terms. No more lies, no more tears, and no more holding back what he really wants…

Buy : Amazon / B & N / ITunes / Kobo

Excerpt

“What the fuck happened out here?” Danielle asked, her arm suddenly around my shoulders. I immediately felt better. Danielle and I balanced each other out perfectly—she was batshit crazy and insanely optimistic. Make that dangerously, recklessly optimistic. As for me, I spent nearly all my time focused on staying sane and getting ahead. That didn’t leave much time for things like actually living my life.

We’d met each other our senior year of high school, when she’d offered to drive me back and forth to town in her shiny new Jeep Wrangler. This spared me from the horror of sharing a battered school bus with every hormonal teen living in the greater Callup metropolitan area. After a particularly harrowing ride home in her car one night (long story short, it took us six hours to travel thirty miles and by the time we pulled into town, we had matching tattoos of chipmunks wearing scarves) I decided it was my job to keep her from accidentally killing herself.

In return, she pushed me to do fun things, reminding me at least once a week that I was only twenty-one and perhaps the fate of the universe didn’t literally rest on whether or not I balanced my checkbook to the penny. Along the way, she taught me how to do smoky eye makeup, how not to freak out when a guy asked me to dance, and how to “borrow” music off the Internet. (When I pointed out that “borrowing” music was stealing, she agreed and started using iTunes for her downloads. To finance this, she “borrowed” her dad’s credit card.)

“Well, apparently me and Blake no longer work here,” I said, leaning my head against her. “I don’t know if you’re fired or not.”

“Fuck that,” Danielle declared. “Eva can kiss my ass. If you’re out, I’m out.”

“You weren’t even part of it,” I protested.

“I don’t care. You’re a much better waitress than I am. If she fired you, no way I’d last there anyway. Let’s go get drunk!”

Michel’s Review

The Reapers aren’t the only MC that is ruling in Idaho. The Silver Bastards are ruling the Silver Valley area and they protect what is theirs. We have met a few of the members of the Silver Bastards in various Reaper books. The Silver Bastards are friends and allies with the Reapers. They have each others backs.

Puck Redhouse was a recruit in the last Reaper book, Reaper’s Stand. He is a hard young man that was raised in the club life. He knows the ins and outs, do’s and don’ts, and the code to live by. He has served time to protect his brothers and the club. He has made long term friendships and lifetime enemies. He wouldn’t change a thing except the night he almost ruined not only his own life but the life of Becca Jones.

That one night formed a bond between Becca and Puck that could not be broken. In fact, five years later, even though they have avoided one another, the bond is stronger than both care to admit.

Becca was also raised in the MC world. Her experiences were quite different than Puck’s. The club she grew up in was not like the Silver Bastards or the Reapers. She has witnessed the worst of the worst. She escaped that life and no longer wants any part of that world. But that is the world in Silver Valley.

As Becca builds a new life she grows as an individual. She has dreams, goals, and determination. She is going to school and working full time. She has made her small cheap apartment a home. She has made friends that will stand by her no matter what. She has a good life. She tries very hard not to look back. She will never allow herself to live like she was raised. The only thing she can’t put behind her is Puck. She is still deeply attracted to him. At the same time she is fearful of him. He lives the life that she ran from.

It will take the past coming back to haunt her to make her open her eyes to the reality of what her life really is. It will open her eyes and make her see the man Puck has always been. It will take a man like Puck to show her that her demons will never touch her life again. But demons are not easily slayed. The devil himself is on her tail. Her life is crumbling and Puck can’t change that.

At the same time, Silver Valley has it’s own problems brewing. It will be up to the Silver Bastards and the Reapers to protect their beloved town and area. The Irish mob is moving in. The Silver Bastards are not welcoming them. Trouble is brewing.

Through it all, Becca and Puck will find each other again. They will learn that there are two sides to every coin. They will learn to give and take. They will learn the true meaning of love.

Joanna Wylde has another sensational series that will take readers by storm.

I can’t wait for the next book.

I highly recommend Silver Bastard. It can be read without reading the Reapers MC series. There is also a bonus novella that will give the readers insight to the Silver Bastard’s president, Boonie. I absolutely loved it!

About Joanna Wylde

Joanna is a freelance writer living in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. She started writing fiction in 2002, then took a long hiatus to explore other writing opportunities. She returned to fiction in January 2013 with ‘Reaper’s Property’, the first book in the Reapers Motorcycle Club series, and has recently released ‘Reapers Legacy’, the second of the series.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

GIVEAWAY
Signed Paperback of Silver Bastard (3 copies)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Release Blitz + 5 Star Review: When I’m Gone by Abbi Glines- Rosemary Beach Series – Book 11

Posted on 04/07/2015 by shellbellereads

When I’m Gone

Rosemary Beach Series – Book 11

By Abbi Glines

Synopsis

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Abbi Glines comes the next new adult novel in the Rosemary Beach series, in which we meet Mase, a Texas heartthrob first introduced in Take a Chance who comes to Rosemary Beach to stir things up.

I had an urge to fix all her problems. Which was stupid. She was doing fine without me. But something about those big eyes…

Mase Colt-Manning has always preferred his humble life as a Texas rancher to his birthright as the son of a legendary rock star. In fact, he rarely visits his father’s rarefied world in Rosemary Beach, especially if it means bunking at his vile half-sister Nan’s house—until one visit leads to a chance encounter with a young, gorgeous house maid who awakens him with her off-key but spirited imitation of a country music star…

Reese Ellis finally has her freedom. After escaping a lifetime of abuse from her parents and classmates for an undiagnosed learning disorder, she seizes the opportunity to be a house maid to some of the richest families in Rosemary Beach. But her job is in jeopardy when she causes an accident at the home of her most important client, Nan Dillon. When a hot, half-naked stranger with a cowboy’s swagger comes to her rescue, she’s intrigued—then afraid once he shows his own interest. Reese has never met a trustworthy man in her life. Will Mase be any different?

Buy: Amazon / B & N / ITunes / Kobo

Michel’s Review

It’s hard to believe that this is the eleventh book in the Rosemary Beach series by Abbi Glines. This series has captured the readers hearts. The dynamic characters from this series not only find their happily ever after, they have formed a deep bond of friendship and family. They look out for one another, protect the ones they love, and always have each others backs.

Mase Colt Manning may not be from Rosemary Beach, but he has a very important part in the lives of those that are. He is the illegitimate son of Kiro Manning, the lead singer of Slacker Demon. He is very close with his half sister Harlow. He has grown up with Rush Finlay and become very good friends. He has been around Grant and Nan all his life. He is a Texan that can fit in with country club gang at Rosemary Beach as easily as he fits in at his ranch.

While visiting his sister Harlow in Rosemary Beach, he meets Reese Ellis. She is his other half sister, Nan’s, maid. When an accident occurs in Nan’s home, it brings Reese to Mase’s attention. He’s determined to get to know her.

Reese is unlike any girl that Mase has met. She’s kind, witty, shy, and beautiful. She seems to be harboring a lot of insecurities and secrets. When Mase finds out one of her secrets, he’s determined to help her overcome it. He wants her to realize that she is just as good as any of the other people from Rosemary Beach.

They form a close friendship that is evolving into a relationship. Life has a way of throwing obstacles that can destroy their new found love. One of those obstacles is his sister Nan. She has a way of poisoning everything that comes into her path.

Reese will have to overcome her fears, her insecurities, and her past. If she can do this she will be able to experience the love of a lifetime with Mase.

As always, Abbi Glines wrote another fantastic book that made not only Rosemary Beach crew come to life, but also those quirky relatives in Texas. I absolutely loved Mase. He is the kind of man every woman can fall in love with.

When I’m Gone by Abbi Glines was a fantastic addition to the Rosemary Beach series. I am looking forward to seeing who is up next on the Rosemary Beach roster. And yes…I am still a Nan hater!

______________________

Author Bio:

Since publishing her first novel Breathe in May of 2011, Abbi has also released The New York Times bestselling Seabreeze Series which includes Breathe, Because of Low, While It Lasts, Just For Now and Sometimes It Last, The Existence Trilogy that includes the USA Today Bestseller Ceaseless. New York Times and USA TODAY bestsellers The Vincent Boys and The Vincent Brothers. Last but not least her most popular series to date, Rosemary Beach which includes The New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestsellers Fallen Too Far, Never Too Far, Forever Too Far, Twisted Perfection and Simple Perfection. Her newest book scheduled to be released on December 17th, 2013 is Misbehaving (Seabreeze).

When Abbi isn’t locked away in her office typing away she is hauling her kids to and from their many social activities. You could say her second job is the Glines Kids personal chauffeur. It’s a rather illustrious job.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

Release Blitz + Review: Clash: A Legal Affairs Story by Sawyer Bennett – Book # 1 of Cal and Macy’s Story

Posted on 04/07/2015 by shellbellereads

Clash: A Legal Affairs Story

Book # 1 of Cal and Macy’s Story

By Sawyer Bennett

Synopsis

Clash (verb): to conflict, disagree.

It might be fair to say that I despise Macy Carrington. She slings insults with precision, not caring about the destruction she leaves in her wake. We clash in a battle of wills every time we’re around each other, and yet… I still fantasize about being lodged deep within her body.

Clash (verb): to come together or collide.

I have never encountered someone that grates me the way Cal Carson does. His pompous, arrogant demeanor. A holier-than-thou attitude. Any interaction with “Saint Cal” ends in a verbal clash of epic proportions, and yet… there’s no one I’d rather have in my bed than him.

Clash (noun): a battle, fight or skirmish.

Her breathy moans mingle with the sound of our flesh coming together, clashing with the silence that surrounds us, dispelling any notions I once had about Macy Carrington.

Maybe I can break down her walls if we can call a truce to this battle.

He whispers filthy words in my ear, provoking feelings I never knew were possible. The burning desire in his touch clashes with everything I once believed about Cal Carson.

Maybe he can be the balm I need to soothe my broken soul, if only temporarily.

**Clash is the first book in this Legal Affairs trilogy and is releasing on 4/7/15. Grind will be released on 4/21/15 and Yield will be released on 5/5/15.

Buy: Amazon / B & N / ITunes / Google Play

Michel’s Review

Clash: A Legal Affairs Story by Sawyer Bennett is a spin off of the best selling Legal Affairs Serial. The characters were secondary characters in the Legal Affairs Serial. Macy Carrington and Cal Carson are starring in their own story. It is going to be a wild ride in and out of the bedroom.

Cal Carson is Mac’s law partner. They formed a close friendship as well as a successful law practice. Although Mac really likes Cal, the jury is out as far Matt Conniver is concerned. He still has trust issues over their former friendship. Macy Carrington has reached her verdict, she cannot stand the self righteous, strait laced, stick up his butt Cal Carson. She thinks he is the biggest jerk she has ever met. But she tries to stay civil for her best friend Mac’s sake.

Although Cal Carson values his friendship with Mac, he has deep reservations about her best friend Macy Carrington. Macy is a spoiled rotten rich princess. He assumes that she is self entitled and can’t understand how Mac can tolerate her. She is known for her loose morals and vicarious sexual appetite. She has no qualms about her sexual activity. It’s hard for Cal to understand because most of his experiences with women revolve around them wanting a committed relationship. He has reached the point in his life where he wants to be settled and start a family. So he is looking at Macy through rose colored glasses.

Needless to say, these two clash. It is like trying to mix oil & vinegar. But one encounter in the pantry of a kitchen will result in some down and dirty angry sex. Both will walk away with battlescars. Both will be surprised by their opponent. Both will be desiring more of the “angry” sex. Can they still be adversaries and still screw like bunnies? Or was the kitchen incident a one time thing? Stay tuned in for the next installment….Grind.

Sawyer Bennett has done it again. The latest in the Legal Affairs world is a red hot and sensual. Cal and Macy’s story is completely different from Mac and Matt’s story. Their erotic journey is going to be full of some wild monkey sex and more. I have a feeling that Cal Carson has some delicious surprises under his Armani suit. Macy Carrington has met her match!

Author Bio:
USA Today Best-Selling Author, Sawyer Bennett is a snarky southern woman and reformed trial lawyer who decided to finally start putting on paper all of the stories that were floating in her head. Her husband works for a Fortune 100 company which lets him fly all over the world while she stays at home with their daughter and three big, furry dogs who hog the bed. Sawyer would like to report she doesn’t have many weaknesses but can be bribed with a nominal amount of milk chocolate.

Sawyer is the author of several contemporary romances including the popular Off Series, the Legal Affairs Series and the Last Call Series.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

Happy Release + Review + Giveaway: Ricochet Friendly Fire by Heather C. Leigh- Ricochet Series- Book 2

Posted on 04/06/2015 by shellbellereads

Richochet: Friendly Fire

Richochet Series- Book 2

By Heather C. Leigh

Synopsis

Rick “Ricochet” Brennan served eight years as an elite Marine special ops Force Recon soldier. After an injury, and the terrible memories from that night, he retires and goes to work for his former Command Officer, Howard “Mack” McEvoy, at his training center in Atlanta.

Sanctum MMA appears on the surface to be a normal gym, training elite fighters to be the best. Except each trainer, hand-picked by Mack, possesses a special background that allows Mack to run one of the best-kept secrets in the country.

When twenty-three year old Quinn Wallace finally escapes her abusive husband, she turns to her father’s old Marine Corps buddy, Mack, for help. Broken and skittish, Quinn finds herself surrounded by large, intimidating men— men who could easily overpower her. She avoids them the best she can, but when Rick turns out to be more than just a rough fighter with bruised knuckles, she finds herself wondering if she can allow herself to trust again.

Ricochet is a full-length novel to be released as three parts. Friendly Fire is part 2.

Buy: Amazon

Excerpt

“Law breaker? Hardly,” she scoffed. “I just don’t want to go through the trouble to get a license and then have to change my…” The conversation came to an abrupt halt. Quinn looked up at Rick slack-mouthed, with discernible fear in her wide eyes.

“Change? Change what?”

She waved a shaky hand in the air dismissively. “Nothing. I don’t know what I was saying.”

Rick knew she was lying. He didn’t even need the extensive interrogation training he received in the Marines to see the blatant lie.

What in the hell is she hiding from me?

He was getting damn sick of the evasiveness and the games that Quinn played. Unfortunately, this wasn’t the time or the place to get into an argument with her and he promised that he wouldn’t push her to discuss things. Rick silently seethed, clenching his hands under the table.

The rest of the meal was finished quickly. Neither of them touched on subjects other than safe, impersonal ones, sports, traffic, and the weather.

Fuck! I’m sitting here discussing the mother fucking weather while the girl I love slips through my fingers.

Love? A bolt of fear shot through Rick’s heart, jump starting it until it was pumping erratically against his chest.

I love her?

Rick mulled it over as they drove back to Quinn’s apartment, turning it over in his mind a hundred different ways with no clear answer. He walked her up the stairs, waiting for her to unlock the door. As he stood there watching her, the sun glinting off of the golden highlights in her dark hair, it finally hit him, sucking the air from his lungs.

Without a doubt, I fucking love her.

Quinn opened the door, turning to say good-bye. This time, Rick wasn’t going to let her push him away. There would be no more keeping him at arm’s length. He loved her, and he wasn’t going to give up. Pride be damned, he’d fucking grovel on his knees if that’s what it took.

Rick inhaled a deep breath and moved into the apartment, forcing Quinn to step back so he could fit through the doorway.

“Rick, what—”

Done with the bullshit dance they’d been doing, he silenced Quinn by crushing his mouth over hers, spinning them until her back hit the partially open door, slamming it closed. Rick pressed his weight against her, pinning her soft body against the thick slab of wood as he dominated her, thrusting his denim-covered cock against her abdomen. He could sense the exact moment Quinn stopped fighting, giving herself over to the pleasure. Her tense muscles relaxed and her mouth joined in, yet she allowed Rick to control the kiss.

Lips and teeth mashed together brutally, Rick’s tongue plunging into the depths of her mouth. This wasn’t a gentle kiss meant to be romantic. No, it was a rough display of possessiveness, of pent up desire. It was all of Rick’s love and anguish coming out in one overwhelming display of need and power.

He slid his arms around Quinn’s waist, gripping her round backside and pressing his fingers deep into the soft flesh. He tugged her hips forward, grinding their groins together almost painfully. Quinn moaned into Rick’s mouth, her desperate sounds acting like gasoline on the fire roaring through his body.

“Fuck, doll.”

Michel’s Review

Richochet: Friendly Fire is the second book in the Ricochet series by Heather C. Leigh. This book cannot be read as a stand alone, the first book in the series must be read.

This second installment was exactly as I predicted. It was an intense delivery of Rick and Quinn’s relationship. It also built up to the suspenseful event that happens at the end. It gives the reader an idea of who Rick and Quinn are. They both have secrets. They both are harboring scars from the past. They have finally given into their attraction, but can they let go of their secrets? Can they move forward? Neither one is ready to admit their true feelings and it could cost not only their love, but possibly their lives.

This installment in the Ricochet series kept me enthralled. I loved the pacing, the chemistry between the characters, and the build up of suspense. It ended on the perfect cliffhanger that will leave readers begging for more.

The third book will be out on April 12, 2015. I am ready!

Ricochet: Locked & Loaded

Ricochet Series – Book 1

By Heather C. Leigh

Synopsis

When twenty-four year old Quinn Wallace finally escapes her abusive husband, she turns to her father’s old Marine Corps buddy, Mack, for help. Broken and skittish, Quinn finds herself surrounded by large, intimidating men— men who could easily overpower her. She avoids them the best she can, but when Rick turns out to be more than just a rough fighter with bruised knuckles, she finds herself wondering if she can allow herself to trust again.

Ricochet is a full-length novel to be released as three parts.

***This book contains hot sweaty men, sexy scenes for those over 18, and uncomfortable, sometimes violent scenes.***

Buy: Amazon

Ricochet : Friendly Fire

Ricochet Series – Book 2

Release Date: April 5, 2015

By Heather C. Leigh

Synopsis

Ricochet is a full-length novel to be released as three parts. Friendly Fire is part 2.

Buy: Amazon

Ricochet : Extraction Point

Ricochet Series : Book 3

Release Date: April 12, 2015

By Heather C. Leigh

Synopsis

Ricochet is a full-length novel to be released as three parts. Extraction Point is part 3.

Buy: Amazon

___________________

About Heather C. Leigh

I’m the author of the Amazon best selling Famous series. I like to write about the ‘dark’ side of fame. The part that the public doesn’t get to see, how difficult it is to live in a fishbowl and how that affects relationships.

I was born and raised in New England and currently live outside Atlanta, GA.

I love the Red Sox, the Patriots, and anything made of chocolate (but not white chocolate, that doesn’t count).

My favorite authors are Dan Wells, Tina Reber, Ken Follett, and Stephen King. Happy reading!

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

GIVEAWAY
$25 Gift Card

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Happy Release + 6 Star Review + 2015 Favorite: Choose Me by Heidi McLaughlin- The Archer Brothers Series- Book 2

Posted on 04/02/2015 by shellbellereads

We are so excited to share with you the cover for CHOOSE ME, book 2 in The Archer Brothers Series by Heidi McLaughlin releasing on April 1st. This is a MUST READ series – make sure to add it to your TBR! Isn’t the cover gorgeous?!?!?!

Choose Me

The Archer Brothers Series- Book 2

Release Date: April 1, 2015

By Heidi McLaughlin

Buy: Amazon / B & N / Kobo

Two brothers.

One woman.

One son.

One choice.

Lives ripped apart, shattered and rebuilt.

Evan and Nate Archer: Brothers, best friends, warriors and now enemies. Both in love with the same woman. Both determined to fight for what they want.

Nate Archer promised to protect Ryley Clarke in the event Evan didn’t make it back. It’s a promise between brothers since the early days of basic training. Nate never considered that his feelings, long buried since high school, would resurface and grow stronger.

Evan Archer wants answers. He wants someone to pay. After being gone for an unprecedented amount of time, nothing is making sense now that he’s home. Most of all, he can’t understand how his brother ended up engaged to his fiancée. Evan is determined to uncover the mystery, and win back his family.

The Archers are about to fight dirty.

Cover Designed by Sarah at Okay Creations

Michel’s Review

The moment I woke up on April 1, 2015 the first thing I had to do was check my kindle. I was anxiously awaiting for Choose Me by Heidi McLaughlin. It is the sequel to Here With Me, the first book in the Archer Brothers series. Low and behold it was there on my kindle just waiting for me to read. After I rushed my kids off to school and shoo’d husband out the door, I sat down to read. I could not put this book down until it was finished. Hours later as I read the last word, I realized I had not gotten out of my pj’s, had not showered, and had not ate a thing. I was captivated by The Archer Brothers story and how it ended.

As I expected, it was another 6 + Star book that would go on my 2015 Favorites list.

Choose Me cannot be read as a stand alone novel. It is the sequel to Here With Me.

Here With Me ended on a major cliffhanger. Nate Archer had returned home from training exercises to find his dead twin brother, Evan Archer, alive and well. Not only was he alive and well, he was also with his fiance and son. He was a threat to his family, his life, and his happiness. It was hard to overjoyed to see his brother alive and well. Where had he been for the last six years? Was it really him or an imposter? What would this mean to his life as he knew it? Would he have to give up the woman he loved and the son he raised because his brother was the biological father? What had the Navy done to their lives?

As this emotional story unfolds, it will pull at all of your heartstrings. Nate Archer is not a bad guy, in fact he is a very honorable good man. He stepped up to plate when his brother lost his life. He was there when his brother’s son came into the world. He has raised the boy as his own. He didn’t purposely set out to fall in love with Ryley, he just wanted to take care of her like he promised his brother he would. He has made sacrifices so that his brother’s memory would be honored. He has everything to lose and nothing to gain except a shattered heart.

Evan Archer has lost everything he loved including his twin brother. He has had to fight for every moment with his family since his ascension from the grave. His own son, flesh and blood, is calling his brother daddy. His woman is wearing his brother’s ring. His brother may be responsible for his demise. He wants his life back. He has nothing to lose and everything to gain.

Ryley is in a situation that no woman would ever want to be in. She is in love with two brothers. One was her first love. He was her once in a lifetime kind of love. He captured her heart and gave her a son. He was her first for every emotional experience she would encounter, including grief. The other brother was there to pick up the shattered pieces. He shared her grief and experienced the same loss. He supported her, he nurtured her, he gave her friendship, and finally gave her a new love to look forward to. He has been a father to her son. How can she chose between two extraordinary men? Both have important places in her heart. How will this affect her son? He is the one innocent victim that is going to suffer from the decisions the adults make in his life.

Not only are there decisions about life to be made. There are still questions about the mission that destroyed all their lives. This mission did not only affect the Archer family, it affected and destroyed the lives of the three other men on this six year mission. Why would the Navy do this and cover it up?

As they start to question all the facts, the danger begins to escalate. Their lives are being threatened. The more they uncover, the more dangerous it becomes. When they finally get the truth of what happened it will be devastating for all that are involved.

In the end they will have the answers they needed but their lives will be forever changed. There were no victors in this story. Each person walked away scarred in some way. They will all find the peace they need to move forward in life. They will find that love comes in many ways. It’s not always what we thought it was.

Heidi McLaughlin has written a story that readers will never forget. It digs deep and touches your soul. The reader will experience every single emotion a person can experience throughout this book. Each of the characters is equally important. There are no heroes or heroines. They are real people trying to survive their lives.

Everyone may not get the happy ending they were hoping for. That is the way life is. When one door opens another one closes. Sometimes what we want is not what really need. In the end the most important thing is to love to the best of our ability. Give the best of ourselves. Give respect to the other people in our lives. Always put family first.

This is one the most emotional series I have read. Heidi McLaughlin has risen above her high standards and went beyond excellence with her Archer Brothers Series.

See the review for Here With Me, the book that started it all below……

Don’t Miss Out on book one in The Archer Brothers Series

Here With Me

A Smut Book Junkie Reviews 2014 Favorite & 6 Star Review

Michel’s Review

October 24, 2014

Here With Me by Heidi McLaughlin is the first book in her new series. This series is called The Archer Brothers. Being a huge Heidi McLaughlin fan, I had to one click this book the moment it went live. I devoured the book and am experiencing the ultimate reading hangover.

Wow! Here With Me by Heidi McLaughlin is her best book yet. The writing was superb! Heidi reached deep within the realm of emotions and executed them flawlessly throughout the book. The reader instantly becomes invested in the characters and feels every emotion they are experiencing. The characters are larger than life and jump off the pages. The secondary characters are an all-star supporting cast that completely makes this story surreal. The plot has been intricately woven into a book that reaches far beyond a second chance romance. Heidi adds suspense, drama, and an impossible love triangle. She adds the important elements that make these characters lives become even more real. Their families, their friends, and their support networks validate their lives. What holds all these characters together and makes them work harder to accept the unacceptable is a young boy. The five year old son that loves unconditionally. The book is written from duel POV ‘s. It flashes from past to present. The reader gets a strong sense of what brought this young couple together. They share their young love, their passion for one another, and their growth as a couple. We see them grow from teenagers to mature adults. We see their strengths and weaknesses. The one thing the reader can count on is their love for another. It is unquestionable. Their love is not the problem, it is their lives in the present, and their futures. There are difficult choices to make. Not only will these choices determine the future, they will destroy the fragile lives they have built. There is no winner. Each person will walk away hurt in some way.

Evan Archer was a Navy Seal. His last assignment should have been easy. An in and out. That mission stretched into six long years. When his team is finally able to come home they are in for a complete surprise. There are no welcoming committees, no military personal, and no transports home. Why? Because they are dead! They have been dead and buried for over five years. The lives they once had are gone. Their loved ones have moved on in life. Imagine the shock.

The only thing Evan wants is to return home to the love of his life and meet his son face to face. Riley Clarke has held his heart since he was a teenager. Imagine his shock when he finally meets up with Riley and she is not happy to see him. Imagine finding out that she is now engaged to another man. Imagine finding out that man is your twin brother. Imagine your son calling that man daddy.

Riley Clarke lost the love of her life when Evan was killed in action. She has spent the last six years moving on from that devastating loss. She had to give birth to her son alone. She has watched him grow alone. The only thing that held her together was the support of her family and Evan’s twin brother Nate. The two of them have mourned together, supported each other, and built a strong friendship that led to a loving relationship. When the man that owned her heart rises up from the grave she is once again devastated. She is angry with the world. She feels powerless and out of control. How can she choose between the man that owned her heart and the man that brought her heart back to life. Any choice she makes will destroy one of these men. Any choice she makes is going to forever break their brotherly bonds. It is going to destroy them all.

On top of all the emotional turmoil are the underlying facts about the mission. Clearly something went wrong. As the story unfolds it will raise many more questions.

I loved all the characters in this book. I am definitely rooting for Evan. I loved how he not only loved Riley as a teenager and grown woman, but how he respected her feelings and emotions at all times. He is truly a very good man. The readers did not get know much about Nate in the present times. We got to know him through memories and passages of the present. I think we will get to know his character in the next book. I think he is going to be more complex than we are anticipating.

This book ended on an emotional cliffhanger. It left the readers with so many questions. It also left the readers wanting to know Nate’s POV. I cannot wait for the next book, Choose Me by Heidi McLaughlin. I need it now!

Ryley Clarke has grown up with the military in her blood, with both parents serving their country. Ryley knows the risks of being married to the military. But when the unthinkable happens, and her future husband is killed in action, Ryley can barely survive… until Evan’s twin brother, Nate, helps her pick up the pieces.

After serving on a special mission with the military for six years, Evan Archer returns home to find the unthinkable – the love of his life, Ryley Clarke – engaged to his brother, Nate. With Nate on deployment, Evan needs to figure out what happened in his absence, and more importantly, how to win Ryley back from the man he once considered his best friend, but now thinks of as his rival.

Buy: Amazon / B & N / Kobo

Heidi is a New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author.

Originally from the Pacific Northwest, she now lives in picturesque Vermont, with her husband and two daughters. Also renting space in their home is an over-hyper Beagle/Jack Russell, Buttercup, two Parakeets, Gonzo & Hedwig, and their newest addition of a Highland West/Mini Schnauzer, Jill.

During the day Heidi is behind a desk talking about Land Use. At night, she’s writing one of the many stories planned for release or sitting court-side during either daughter’s basketball games.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest

♥ Books by Heidi McLaughlin ♥

Forever My Girl – The Beaumont Series #1

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Kobo

My Unexpected Forever – The Beaumont Series #2

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Kobo

Finding My Forever – The Beaumont Series #3

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Kobo

Finding My Way – The Beaumont Series #4

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Kobo

My Everything – A Beaumont Series Novella

Amazon

12 Days of Forever – A Beaumont Series Novella

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

Lost in You

Amazon

Lost in Us – A Lost in You Novella

Amazon

The Archer Brothers

Here with Me

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

Choose Me

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Kobo

Happy Release + Review: Ricochet: Locked & Loaded by Heather C. Leigh- Ricochet Series- Book 1

Posted on 04/02/2015 by shellbellereads

Ricochet: Locked & Loaded

Ricochet Series – Book 1

By Heather C. Leigh

Synopsis

Ricochet is a full-length novel to be released as three parts.

***This book contains hot sweaty men, sexy scenes for those over 18, and uncomfortable, sometimes violent scenes.***

Buy: Amazon

Michel’s Review

The Ricochet series by Heather C. Leigh has a very special unique combination of the kind of romance heroes that readers love. The series is based around an MMA Training Center that is the cover for a secret private special ops organization. The men that run this gym are not only professionally trained fighters, they are also lethal warriors. How could I not read this new series?

Ricochet: Locked & Loaded is the first book in this three part series. As in most series, the first book introduces the reader to the characters, sets the stage for the overall plot, starts to build the undeniable attraction and heated chemistry between the characters, and starts to weave the story. In Ricochet: Locked & Loaded the reader gets a good idea of who Rick and Quinn are. The reader also gets a taste of the heated attraction between the two. The reader also gets an idea of both of their demons that chase them.

I really enjoyed this first installment to this series. I am really looking forward to the next book, Ricochet: Friendly Fire. I think the reader is going to get the meat to this story in this installment. I have a feeling the suspense and romance are going to heat up beyond boiling point.

The great thing about the Ricochet series is that readers don’t have to wait weeks or months for the next book. Each book is being released one week apart.

Don’t miss out on the Ricochet series by Heather C. Leigh

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Coming Soon

Ricochet : Friendly Fire

Ricochet Series – Book 2

Release Date: April 5, 2015

By Heather C. Leigh

Synopsis

Ricochet is a full-length novel to be released as three parts. Friendly Fire is part 2.

Buy: Amazon

Ricochet : Extraction Point

Ricochet Series : Book 3

Release Date: April 12, 2015

By Heather C. Leigh

Synopsis

Ricochet is a full-length novel to be released as three parts. Extraction Point is part 3.

Buy: Amazon

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About Heather C. Leigh

I was born and raised in New England and currently live outside Atlanta, GA.

I love the Red Sox, the Patriots, and anything made of chocolate (but not white chocolate, that doesn’t count).

My favorite authors are Dan Wells, Tina Reber, Ken Follett, and Stephen King. Happy reading!

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

Saucy Southern Readers

professional, honest, and timely book reviews

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