Monday, May 20, 2013

Ice Blue


ICE blue (DeLuca Family, #2) 
 3 of 5 stars false1/2
 When lives are on the line, sometimes the wrong thing is the right thing to do.
Born into a Chicago cop family, while her brothers get their rush from catching bad guys, paramedic Angela DeLuca gets hers from saving lives. A tough beauty with a heart perhaps too big, she champions the underdog because, as the youngest of six siblings, she often felt like one.
ICE Special Agent Troy Deavers became a cop to prove he wasn’t like his father—a southern politician who brought his family down with greed and corruption. He doesn’t suffer victims well. At first intrigued by Angela’s passion, he soon fears that the fire in Angela’s heart will be her undoing.
What happens when Troy falls in love with the lovely but infuriating Angela, the Chicago paramedic who insists on protecting a young witness and her unborn baby—a witness who could break his case wide open?
You met the DeLuca family in heartbeats, now come to know them even better in ICE blue.
--Even if you haven't read heartbeats, you can still enjoy ICE blue. Each book has it's own gritty suspense tale and is complete within itself.

Review

****This book was part of a blog tour I received a copy for my honest review****
Angela is a tough paramedic with a marshmallow center, Troy is an ICE agent who doesn't do nice and cuddly. The two of them have great chemistry and when a baby is left abandoned on Angelas doorstep Troy has to find out how this baby fits into the human trafficking. I liked this book, it was a good entertaining read without any surprises. The two main characters Angela and Troy were well written written and had depth and there emotions were shown. I think the author did a great job of that throughout this entire book, she didn't tell you how things were or how they should be she showed you. There is some suspense and mystery, human trafficking is not an easy subject to write about but I think the author did a good job, some things were a bit over the top but it's fiction. I would have liked to had more information on Troy and his family, I think his background was glossed over some. The DeLuca family seemed warm, inviting and always in each other business, they were an interesting bunch and great secondary characters. Ice Blue was a good mystery romance with likable characters, I have already picked up the first book in this series and I am interested in seeing what Susan has next for the DeLuca family.
    
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A Rose in the Storm 18+

The following review is for 18+ readers.

A Rose in the Storm
4 of 5 stars false 1/2 stars
When Rivalry Becomes Passion With warfare blazing through Scotland, the fate of the Comyn-MacDougall legacy depends on one woman. Recently orphaned, young Margaret Comyn must secure her clan's safety through an arranged marriage. But when an enemy invasion puts her at the mercy of the notorious Wolf of Lochaber, her every loyalty—and secret want—will be challenged.
And A Kingdom Is At Stake
Legendary warrior Alexander "The Wolf" MacDonald rides with Robert Bruce to seize the throne of Scotland. But when he takes the fiery Lady Margaret prisoner, she quickly becomes far more than a valuable hostage. For the passion between them threatens to betray their families, their country . . . and their hearts.

Review

I received this book from Netgalley for my honest review.
I admit it has been a good number of years since I have read a Brenda Joyce book and right now I am kicking myself wondering why?
This author has true talent with words. She set the scene for this book, engaged my emotions, retained my interest and truly I was sitting on the edge of my seat right up to the end.
A Rose in the Storm is set at a time in Scottish history when everything is in turmoil. Men rule, they are either warriors or politicians or common soldiers but they play the game.... and women are a disposable commodity.
In this story we have Margaret who is going to home to her mothers Castle and her dowry home. It has been arranged for her to marry Sir Guy, and English Knight. When she arrives at her home, it is besieged by Alexander " The Wolf" MacDonald.
Alexander has to admire Margaret for her bravery in not backing down and admitting defeat, she stands and tries to fight to keep what is hers. Unfortunately they are outnumbered and she is soon his prisoner and from there they have fight on their hands.
From her, the battle of not falling for her lifelong enemy and trying not to be a pawn in the battles of men
.She said, very slowly, and choosing her words with great care, " I cannot wish you well, Alexander." He did not make a sound, but she thought she saw disappointment flaring in his eyes.
She added," But I do not wish you ill."

You could tell it was a hard thing for her to swallow, as her loyalties were with her family. I admired her standing her ground.
Alexander's fight was with his emotions and trying to get a girl to understand that what he offered her was real and that he wanted her and not her castle.
Alexander? Last night changes nothing. You go to war-- as does my family-- and we fight for different kings."
"Last Night," he said quietly, "changes everything."
 I adored Alexander, he was an admirable man with the patience of a saint with Margaret. He was the perfect combination of lethal warrior and honourable man.
This was a fantastic historical romance. Brenda Joyce had done her research, because although I am sure these characters where of her own making. Names, places and battles all had a ring of familiarity to them. Names that I have heard in textbooks and history classes. It made the book and the characters all the more real in my mind, I felt totally swept back in time. A Rose in the Storm was a pure pleasure to read, if you are a historical romance fan I guarantee you will love this book.

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Against the Wall 18 +

The follow review is for 18+ readers.
Against the Wall (Maverick Montana, #1)
4 of 5 stars false
Never challenge a cowboy in the courtroom…
Surveying the proposed site for a high-end golf course should have been a breeze for spunky Landscape Architect Sophie Smith. But when this born-and-bred city girl is suddenly—and quite literally—swept off her feet by a sexy cowboy on horseback, she realizes that the country life has some serious (and seriously steamy!) possibilities. That is, until she finds out exactly who her smokin’-hot wrangler really is.
Cowboy and Tribal lawyer Jack Lodge is desperately trying to block the development. And if that means playing hardball—and being every inch the shark lawyer—so be it. But Sophie is a distraction he didn’t expect. A distraction that makes his blood burn.
Two different worlds. Two opposing sides. And when they finally give into the exquisite temptation, the consequences will shake the foundations of both of their lives…

Review


****Arc from Netgalley on behalf of Entangled publishing.****
 Sophie is literally swept off her feet by sexy cowboy/lawyer Jack Lodge when he almost runs over her with his horse. He immediately feels an attraction to this woman, who would much rather walk away from this dangerously, attractive man.
Sophie is in town on business and doesn't have anytime to be distracted. Unfortunately she doesn't know what she is up against as Jack and his family see to it that she stay.
"I caught her. I get to keep her".
I really enjoyed this fast paced, sexy romance. It is almost a guarantee that when I pick up a Brazen book that it is going to be full of all the things I have come to love in my romance books. Sexy, domineering, alpha men , feisty woman, great secondary characters and really great settings. All these things keep me coming back for more and Rebecca Zanetti has delivered them all in Against the Wall. I am really looking forward to seeing more of the Maverick Montana series, maybe Quinns book? Love a sexy sheriff :)
Great read.

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Tragic


TRAGIC: Rook and Ronin, #1
By J. A. Huss
New Adult Contemporary Romance
Published May 15, 2013
Science Future Press

Rook Walsh is TRAGIC

Because life so far – just sucks. Some girls get parents. Rook got the foster care system. Some girls get Prince Charming. Rook got an abusive frog. Some girls get lucky…

Rook got a second chance.

And she took it. Because when fate throws you a bone – you grab it with both hands and run.

Antoine Chaput knows the minute he spies Rook in his photography studio that she’s got The Look. The dark and desperate look he must have to land the exclusive TRAGIC media contract.

Rook is paired up with top model, Ronin, and he’s everything her abusive ex-boyfriend wasn’t. Patient, gentle, happy, attentive, and sexy! He knows exactly what to do to make Rook blush for Antoine’s camera.

Rook’s luck changes in an instant and suddenly she’s the darling of the modeling world. It’s a dream job to go with a dream guy and all she has to do is look pretty and follow directions. But there’s always a price to pay – and Rook is about to get the bill.

New Adult Contemporary Romance *Mature Content* Recommended for ages 17+ due to sexual situations and language usage







**Does contain strong language


I gather up all my clothes and stick them in the stackable washer in the closet just off the bedroom. The breeze caresses my naked limbs and gives me the chills, but I enjoy it. The goose bumps travel up my arms and spread out to my whole body. I shiver for a second and then head to the kitchen.

And stop dead in the living room.

Ronin fucking Flynn is sleeping on the couch.

What is he doing here? My eyes track to the front door and I suppose it's my fault, I left it open. There's nothing but a screen door between this apartment and the terrace. My gaze wanders back to the sleeping man. He's lying on his stomach, his one arm tucked underneath him, the other falling over the edge of the cushion, and he's shirtless.

And then I realize I'm naked.

"Shit!"

He stirs and I make a break for the bedroom. It's one thing to let him see me naked half hidden in darkness and quite another to be fully illuminated by the bright morning sunshine. I wrangle the sheet around my body and then head back to the living room, wistfully looking at the washer that contains every single article of clothing I own.

"Ronin!" I say loudly.

Nothing except a half-muffled snore from him. Lord, this man has the most perfectly chiseled and muscular back I've ever seen. Both hands pull up and go under his face, like he's blocking out the sunlight, and this gives me the perfect opportunity to study his flexing biceps. The muscles are thick and hard-looking near his shoulders. They curve down, dip into a little valley, and then climb once again.

I lean down and smell him.

"Why are you sniffing me?" he asks groggily.

"Uh—" Because you smell delicious, the inner Rook says. But luckily the outer Rook says, "I'm checking to see if you're drunk. Why are you sleeping on my couch?"

He peeks up, opening one eye in my direction, squints, and then croaks out some words. "I love your outfit." He grins, winks, and then drops his head back down into his arms.

"Are you leaving?" I ask, frustrated and confused at the same time. "I mean, why are you here?"

"I told you I'd come back with dinner. But when I got here, the lights were on and you were in bed. I only sat down for a second to think up a rational excuse to wake you up, but I guess I fell asleep." He raises his head again, grins sheepishly, and then rolls over on his back, tucks his hands behind his neck, and flashes his perfect body at me as he closes his eyes, probably confident that I'll be checking him out.

I do check him out. It's quite hard not to notice that he's got the perfect six-pack abs and that absolutely adorable fuzzy happy trail you see on a shirtless designer jeans model. Hmmmm… maybe he is that model? "You have no shirt on."

Yes, after all that gawking, I finally manage the obvious.

He opens the one eye to look at me again. "Neither do you."









Purchase your copyAvailable on AmazonBarnes & Noble, and Kobo.




J. A. Huss likes to write new adult books that make you think and keep you guessing. Her favorite genre to read is space opera, but since practically no one reads those books, she writes new adult science fiction, paranormal romance, contemporary romance, urban fantasy, and books about Junco (who refuses to be saddled with a label).

She has an undergraduate degree in horses, (yes, really–Thank you, Colorado State University) and a master’s degree in forensic toxicology from the University of Florida. She used to have a job driving around Colorado doing pretty much nothing but shooting the breeze with farmers, but now she just writes, runs the New Adult Addiction and Clean Teen Reads Book Blogs, and runs an online science classroom for homeschoolers.








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