Review: Against The Cage by Sidney Halston

Against The Cage

Against The Cage

Sidney Halston

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Synopsis:

In her Loveswept debut, Sidney Halston turns up the heat as a sexy cage fighter shows a former bookworm how delicious a few rounds between the sheets can be.

For Chrissy Martin, returning to her Florida hometown always seems to bring bad luck. The day starts with a breakup text, followed by a jailhouse phone call from her troublemaker brother. Now a routine traffic stop has ended with her accidentally punching an officer . . . in a delicate place. Then Chrissy realizes that the hot cop on the receiving end of her right hook is none other than the man from her teenage fantasies.

Jack Daniels knows how to take a hit. After all, when he’s not chasing reckless drivers, he’s kicking ass in a mixed martial arts ring. So what takes his breath away isn’t the low blow, but the woman who dealt it: a gorgeous knockout with legs Jack wouldn’t mind being pinned under—who just so happens to be his best friend’s nerdy little sister, all grown up. Soon their instant chemistry leads to a sizzling affair, but Jack and Chrissy are fighting an uphill battle if they want to make love last beyond the final bell.

Praise for Against the Cage

“Against the Cage is funny, steamy, scorching, and holy hot MMA fighter, I wanted more! Five stars all the way!”—New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Toni Aleo

“A steamy and fun romance that will leave readers begging for more! Sidney Halston is an author to watch!”—New York Times bestselling author Cherry Adair

“Halston’s new series opener creates an organic and sensual dynamic between Jack and Chrissy that makes an easy buy-in for readers. And if the story isn’t endearing enough, Jack’s feisty Chihuahua/pit bull mix will have readers instantly hooked and eagerly awaiting the second series installment.”—Library Journal

“A charming and funny Loveswept debut [that] entertained me thoroughly, made me laugh and wormed its way into my heart.”—Swept Away by Romance

“If you’re looking for a good contemporary romance, I cannot recommend Against the Cage enough!”—For Love and Books

“[Against the Cage] has a little of everything . . . from funny to sweet to simply hot! . . . This one was a joy to read, and I definitely recommend it.”—The Book Reading Gals

“Fast-paced, steamy . . . a great summer read! Enjoy!”—Talk Books to Me

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble

 

 

6 Star Read

 

Rising Star

Michel’s Review

Against The Cage is the debut novel by Sidney Halston. It is a winner. The story is well written, the plot is well developed, the dialogue is fun and witty. The characters are charming, snarky, and loveable…including the Chihuahua named Drogo. This little guy ( claimed to be ¼ pit bull )made the book . He was hilarious. Best of all Against The Cage is a MMA Fighter book.

Against The Cage is based on childhood friends that become lovers twenty years later. Slade and Jack have been best friends since they were young boys. Slade’s younger, akward younger sister Chrissy was always the shy, smart, goofy girl trying to fit in with the boys. After a tragic event takes place Chrissy leaves town and returns eleven years later to bail her brother Slade out of jail.

When Chrissy arrives in town it turns out to be her worst day ever. She is pulled over for speeding after leaving the courthouse. The cop ends up being none other than Jack, her brother’s best friend. From there their relationship begins to develop. What starts as a rocky relationship harboring old resentments and issues evolves into a strong friendship that evolves into a romantic heartfelt love affair. The road isn’t easy but was fun getting there.

The chemistry and banter between Chrissy and Jack is sizzling.

Against The Cage held my full attention. It played on many emotions. One moment I was laughing my butt off, then I was yelling at the characters, then I was crying right along with them, and then I was swooning and falling head over heels in love. This book had everything a reader could want in a book.

I highly recommend Against The Cage by Sidney Halston. It’s a great debut and I look forward to reading more from this author.

Author Bio:

 

sidney halstonSidney Halston lives her life with one simple rule: “The secret of getting ahead is getting started.”-Mark Twain. Or even simpler, “Just Do It”–Nike. And that’s exactly what she did.

After working hard as an attorney, Sidney picked up a pen for the first time at thirty years old to begin her dream of writing. Having never written anything other than very exciting legal briefs, she found an outlet for her imaginative, romantic side and wrote Seeing Red. That first pen stroke sealed the deal, and she fell in love with writing. Sidney lives in South Florida with her husband and children. She loves her family above all else, and reading follows a close second. When she’s not writing, you can find her reading and reading and reading. She’s a reader first and a writer second. When she’s not writing or reading, her life is complete and utter chaos, trying to balance family life with work and writing (and reading). But she wouldn’t have it any other way.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

Against The Cage

 

Review: The Year We Hid Away by Sarina Bowen ~ The Ivy Years Book 2

The Year We Hid Away

Synopsis

She’s hiding something big. He’s hiding someone small.

Scarlet Crowley’s life was torn apart the day father was arrested for unspeakable crimes. Now the shock has worn off, but not the horror.

It’s a safe bet that Scarlet is the only first year at Harkness College who had to sneak past TV news trucks parked on her front lawn just to leave town. But college will be Scarlet’s fresh start. Clutching a shiny new student ID — with a newly minted name on it — she leaves it all behind. Even if it means lying to the boy she’s falling for.

Bridger McCaulley is a varsity hockey star known for being a player both on and off the ice. But a sobering family crisis takes that all away. Protecting his sister means a precarious living arrangement and constant deception. The only bright spot in his week is the few stolen hours he spends with Scarlet.

The two form a tentative relationship based on the understanding that some things must always be held back. But when grim developments threaten them both, going it alone just won’t work anymore. And if they can’t learn to trust one another now, the families who let them down will take everything they’ve struggled to keep.

New Adult romance, including sexual situations. Suitable for ages 17+

Buy Links:

Amazon / Barnes and Noble

6 Star Read

Top Pick

Michel’s Review

Wow! Sarina Bowen blew me away with her first book in The Ivy Years Series, The Year We Fell Down. I was amazed by her writing abilities. Her voice was fresh, entertaining, and held me captivated to the very last word. I gave that book a 6 Star Rating and added it to my 2014 Favorites List. The characters that were introduced in the book became members of my beloved book family. I wanted to know all of their stories. I was biting at the bits for the next book in the series, The Year We Hid Away.

The day The Year We Hid Away released I quickly one clicked this book and devoured it. Unfortunately due to my busy schedule I was unable to write my review until now. This book never left my mind and I thought about the characters and their story. I wanted this review to do justice for this amazing book. Again Sarina Bowen has amazed me with her gifted writing. Her characters, their lives, and their stories are fresh, unique, heartwarming, and so much more than your run of the mill new adult romance.

The Year We Hid Away is another 6 Star book!

The Year We Hid Away is Bridger McCaulley’s story. Let me tell you ladies, this man is going to steal your heart. He is one the most fascinating characters I have read.

Bridger McCaulley is a gifted hockey player, a brilliant student, a well rounded person, and quite the ladies man. On the surface it seems he has life by the horns. As we all know, appearances can be quite deceiving. Bridger’s personal life is a mess. His family life is in shambles. He is fighting to hold onto his academic career and keep his family together. His younger sister needs his protection. He will do anything to give her what she needs. Some things will have to go. His social life, his place on the hockey team, and his friends will have to be put on the back burner. No sacrifice is too small or too large. That is okay until he meets Scarlet Crowley.

Scarlet Crowley is no stranger to family problems. She is hiding from her own family after her father was arrested for unspeakable crimes. She just wants to attend college and start a new life without her past haunting every move she makes. When she meets Bridger McCaulley she finds a kindred soul. A person that she can call a friend.

As their relationship develops into more than just friends their pasts, their family issues, and their lives will hang a dark cloud over them. They will have to join together to hang onto the very things that are good in their lives. Hopefully it will be enough. Hopefully they can hang onto one another.

The Year We Hid Away is a highly emotional book. One minute you will be laughing and the next you will be fretting. These two young people have so much on their plate. It amazes me how strong they are.

Sarina Bowen wrote an amazing story. She tackled some very heavy issues. She had the guts to write about something that most people can’t deal with. She showed how these things affect all the people they touch. She did not sugar coat anything and found very realistic resolutions for all involved. Add a beautiful romance, great friends, and an adorable little girl and you have the perfect book. The Year We Hid Away is that book!

Author Bio:

Sarina BowenSarina Bowen writes steamy, angsty Contemporary Romance and New Adult fiction from the wilds of Vermont.

The Year We Fell Down, Book #1 in The Ivy Years series, began breaking hearts in March 2014. Book #2, The Year We Hid Away, is brand new.

For Harlequin-E, Sarina writes the Gravity series. Coming in From the Cold features an angsty downhill ski racer and one of the most unique plot conflicts in contemporary romance today.

Sarina enjoys skiing, coffee products and a nice glass of wine. She lives with her family, eight chickens and more ski gear and hockey equipment than seems necessary.

She would be honored to connect with you at http://www.sarinabowen.com.

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