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Book Review: A Kiss From Mr Fitzgerald by Natasha Lester

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AKissfromMRF

Genre: Fiction, Historical Fiction, Women’s Lit.

It’s the roaring twenties in the Manhattan of gin, jazz and prosperity. Women wear makeup and hitched hemlines and enjoy a new freedom to vote and work. Not so for Evelyn Lockhart, who is forbidden from pursuing her passion to become one of the first female doctors. Chasing her dream will mean turning her back on her family: her competitive sister, Viola; her conservative parents; and the childhood best friend she is expected to marry, Charlie.

In a desperate attempt to support herself through Columbia University’s medical school, Evie auditions for the infamous late-night Ziegfeld Follies on Broadway. But if she gets the part, what will it mean for her fledgling relationship with Upper East Side banker Thomas Whitman – a man Evie thinks she could fall in love with, if only she lived a life less scandalous…

Captivating, romantic and tragic, A Kiss from Mr Fitzgerald follows a young woman ahead of her time amid the fragile hearts and glamour of Jazz Age New York.

 

 

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This book was simply the bee’s knees! Stepping back in time to the 1920’s was a copacetic experience. Whilst it did take me a little while to get a wiggle on, once I got over the hurdle, there was no turning back..only turning pages! The author has undoubtedly done her research, as there is so much culture spread on to the pages.

giphyThe main character, Evelyn (Evie) Lockhart is definitely not a wallflower. She is smart, clever, and strong. Although some of her choices are questionable, and I’ll admit they left me feeling a little uneasy reading through. Despite that, I was so glad to read all the way in one sitting, and found the ending truly satisfying.

964605036161d5630a6d5d25510043d8This book had me up until 2am in the morning! I could not put it down. The whole book was littered with language from the 1920’s which makes me want to bring it back! With settings like the speakeasy, to sayings like “spifflicated” (something I’ve certainly done on the weekends past), this book is a delightful insight into a woman who is faced with adversity in a time when men ruled, and women kept quiet…until Evelyn Lockhart came along. Much more than a love story.

 

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(This book is also available in paperback from leading book retailers)

Thank you to Hachette Australia and Natasha Lester for the opportunity to read and review this book. 

Book Review: Fire Me Up by Rachael Johns

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(Deacons of Bourbon Street 2) 

Genre: MC Romance. Contemporary Fiction

Travis “Cash” Sinclair values only two things from his days with the Deacons of Bourbon Street: his prized Harley Davidson and the man who gave it to him. But now Priest Lombard is gone, and Cash has inherited the Deacons’ clubhouse—not to mentions its unexpected tenant. She’s exactly the type of woman he tries to avoid: all incense and art, with a sharp tongue that promises trouble. So why does Cash want to push aside those flowing skirts and lose himself between her legs?

Billie Taylor fled a bad marriage to start a new life among the grit and glamour of the French Quarter. She refuses to let another man distract her from her dreams, especially an outlaw biker with nothing to offer except hot sex and an eviction notice. Cash is dangerous, with an untamed streak he tries desperately to conceal. He drives Billie wild, sending her too close to the edge for her own good. And she won’t fall under his spell—or into his bed—without a fight.

 

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The next instalment in the Deacons of Bourbon Street fills in some more detail surrounding the mysterious death of former President, Priest. Travis “Cash” Sinclair has been let down so many times in life, that he truly believes that he is meant to travel the world alone, never to love.

“If he learned one lesson early in life, it was that the only person you could count on was yourself. He was a lone player now, and that the way he intended to stay.”

That is, until he meets a feisty Australian artist who occupies the art gallery, former home to the clubhouse. Cash comes barreling into Billie’s world and turns it upside down, without ever meaning to. Billie and Cash have a swirling, messy romance, like charcoal on paper. They epitomise the opposites attract analogy; the yin and yang of love.

The author seamlessly recreates the world established by the first author in the series. This is something to be commended when writing in the same world, with some of the same characters from the previous book. The city of New Orleans features once again, as the artistic and historical side starts to come into play. The introduction of the ‘bad bikers’ from the rival motorcycle club ramps up the tension and creates interest and intrigue into the continuing storyline of finding out why Priest died, and why the four brothers left town in the first place. Another great read.

Can’t wait to read the next instalment.

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Book Review: Make You Burn by Megan Crane

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Genre: Contemporary Romance. MC Romance.

Meet the Deacons of Bourbon Street, bad boy bikers who are hell on wheels and heaven between the sheets. Fans of Madeline Sheehan, Katie Ashley, Joanna Wylde and Kristen Ashley, buckle up – you’re in for a wild ride. First stop: Make You Burn by Megan Crane.

Sean ‘Ajax’ Harding’s oaths are inked into his skin. Once second-in-command of the Deacons of Bourbon Street motorcycle club, he left New Orleans to protect his brotherhood. But the death of his beloved mentor, Priest Lombard, has lured him back. Heading straight to the club’s hangout, he’s welcomed by the delectable new owner. A wild ride with her is just what he needs – until he finds out she’s Priest’s daughter, all grown up and off limits.

Sophie Lombard loved her father, but she’s done with bikers. Then Ajax roars into town and changes everything. Sophie knows better than to get close to an outlaw but Ajax is impossible to resist. Their chemistry is steamier than the Louisiana bayou – and with heat like this, it might just be worth getting burned.

 

 

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Stepping into the world of the Deacons of Bourbon Street is as thrilling as a fast paced ride on the back of a motorcycle. The first book, Make You Burn, is a scorching read covering loss, love, and tragedy. Sophie tries to navigate life without her father, the president of the local disbanded MC club, after he dies mysteriously in a riding accident. Enter, Ajax, returned home after ten years of exile by Sophie’s dad, slipping into the role of President. 

It was great to read a female lead who gave as good as she got. Sophie did not back down from a guy like Ajax, and was able to me meet him head on, creating chemistry off the charts. There’s a lot of mystery surrounding why Ajax and the three ‘brothers’ were exiled, and whilst you don’t find out in this book, the story line offers enough mystery and clues to start piecing the puzzle together.

“Why had Priest sent four of his most loyal and trusted brothers away ten years ago? Sure, shit had gone down wrong and blood called for blood, but why four exiled lives for one death? That math had never worked”.

I loved the setting of New Orleans-reading her as another character that created depth to the story. The book is full of flawed characters who live in a dark and dirty world. Together, can they create the light that can dim the darkness of the back alleys of NOLA?

A great read for anyone who loves a good, well-written, MC genre story.

~Book 1 in the Deacons of Bourbon Street. Look out for my future reviews of the rest of the series! 

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About the Author:

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Megan Crane is a New Jersey native who had great plans to star on Broadway, preferably in Evita, just like Patti LuPone. Sadly, her inability to wow audiences with her singing voice required a backup plan. Accordingly, she graduated from Vassar College and got her MA and PhD in literature from the University of York in England. She wrote her doctoral dissertation on AIDS literature, mostly so she could wallow in her obsession with the remarkable multimedia artist David Wojnarowicz and her idol, the bitter and hilarious David Feinberg. After many years in the rain and subject to the whim of seasons, she followed the sun to Los Angeles, where she lives with too many pets and an artist named Jeff. She is still plotting her Broadway debut.

Visit Megan’s website www.megancrane.com, find her on 63df2-icon-facebook-128 and on twitter-button

 

Book Review: The Master by Tara Sue Me

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THE MASTER by Tara Sue Me

Genre: Contemporary Romance – BSDM – Erotica  

She’s ready to try again. . . .

Sasha Blake is scarred from a BDSM session gone wrong, but she can’t deny how much a strong Master turns her on. Determined to overcome her fears and rejoin the Partners in Play community, she asks Abby and Nathaniel West to set her up with a Dom who can help her feel safe again as a sub. They know the very experienced Cole is exactly the kind of man who can push all of Sasha’s buttons—and she soon wants to go much faster than she had planned. . . .

Cole knows that Sasha is not the kind of submissive he needs. He wants someone who will serve him 24-7, not a part-time partner. Still, the further they go into their play, the more Cole begins to wish he could make Sasha his all the time. . . .

When forbidden desires turn into scorching action, Sasha and Cole come face-to-face with their demons—and realize their scorching relationship might be too dangerous to last. . . .

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In her latest novel, Tara Sue Me has masterfully written a world of sophistication and eroticism as we step into the pages and days of master and slave. The relationship between Master Cole and his submissive, Sasha, takes the reader on a journey of discovery and healing. Sasha has experienced a tragic experience in the world of BDSM, and it’s up to Master Cole to train her to trust again. Can he do it while remaining professional and not becoming emotionally involved?!  giphy

One of my favourite things about Tara Sue Me and her writing is the ability she has to build a world without to need to micro describe every detail. The reader is encouraged to use their imagination and form the characters and situations from the page to their mind.     

The Master is another delightfully dirty addition to the world of BDSM that Tara Sue Me started in The Submissive. Having the characters from her ‘series’ appear in this book makes it feel like you’re reading about a special group of people, that don’t usually let outsiders in. A true voyeuristic peek into the world of BDSM, both in and out of scenes.

The Master is a must read for anyone who loves eroticism sprinkled with deeper relationships. A stand alone that can be read as a part of the series, or on its own.

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I received a copy of this book on NETGALLEY

Book Review: Date with a Rockstar by Sarah Gagnon

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Genre: Young Adult

Only one girl will win the cash prize…and a chance at love with Jeremy Bane. Monet isn’t just another lust-struck teenager trying to win the heart of Rock God Jeremy Bane–she needs the prize money from his new reality show to cure her illness.  Monet has Fluxem, a contagious disease that’s spread through saliva. It’s completely curable if you have enough money, which she and her single mother don’t. Now that she’s on the show, Monet has to work harder to keep her Fluxem hidden. She only has to keep the secret long enough to woo Jeremy Bane so he picks her as the winner. She doesn’t even care about the love part; the prize alone will change her life. But the real Jeremy Bane is nothing like she imagined. Monet finds herself fighting against feelings that make her want to give in to her attraction and Jeremy’s attempts for a kiss. The further she goes in the competition, the more impossible it becomes to resist him–and when the producers turn the tables and start digging up dirt on the contestants, Monet fears her secret will be revealed before she’s ready and ruin everything. The only way to win Jeremy’s heart is to tell him the truth, but confessing her disease could cost her the competition, the prize money, and him.

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Fantastic YA debut novel from Sarah Gagnon. She has truly nailed the YA market with this one. This book was a delightful read and I can’t wait to share it with the world. Not only is this a great “Rock star” read that deviates from the typical Rock star type books, but it is set in the future! The story revolves around a teenage girl (she’s 17) who suffers from a curable disease. Unfortunately she can’t afford the cure. In order to get the money, she decides to try her luck on a reality series with a teen heartthrob, Jeremy Bane. Think Justin Bieberesque type guy (but probably nicer!!?!!). There is so much in this book that will keep the reader hooked to the story. It’s like the Bachelor for teens, in the future, with a Rock star! I loved the flawed character of Monet, and how the relationship she develops with the main character isn’t cliché. Their chemistry is subtle and is really comfortable. There is truly so much happening, and with lots of little twists and turns this book is sure to keep the YA reader intrigued and turning the pages into the early morning.

Buy the book★ Goodreads  ★​ Amazon  ★  Barnes & Noble ★ ​IndieBound 

★ Book Depository

About the Author:

Sarah Gagnon grew up in the frigid woods of Maine amidst snow and animal skins. As a small child she wrote ship-wrecked romances all while being stared down by a taxidermied duck. She has a BFA in photography and a minor in writing from the University of Southern Maine. She’s the mother of two tiny, feral children and two ill-behaved dogs. For fun she’s taken up construction and interior design. Her first project: moving into a dilapidated farmhouse with her computer-genius husband.
​ Date With a Rock Star is her debut YA novel.

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Book Review: Outside the Ropes by Ashley Claudy

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OTRcover60956-smallGenre: New Adult. Romance. Suspense. Action.

Regan Sommers spent her life fighting. Fighting foster parents, kids in the group home, and classmates. But the night she has to fight for her life changes everything.
Now, she’s fighting for money in the ring, and from the first punch she’s addicted. Every addiction has a price though, and this one is the gym’s star boxer, Gage Lawson. He may come in an enticing tattooed package, but his demands are more than she can handle. OTR
The responding officer from that night, Anthony Fields, comes with no demands. He want’s whatever she’s willing to give, and Regan can handle that. She can definitely handle him.
But no help comes string free, and Regan’s not the only one with a hard past and scars to cover. The life she was trying to escape is nothing compared to the danger she’s in the middle of now, and she can’t fight her way out.
***Reader please be aware: Story contains mature content such as: Drugs, sex, abuse, and explicit language that may be upsetting for some.****

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The author does a great job weaving multiple story lines through out this book, suspense and action included. There were a few angles that I wished had been resolved by the end, or had a little more depth put into them, but for the majority of the book I wasn’t worrying about that.

Regan’s character was likable, a strong female, who also has enough vulnerability that the reader can relate to her. In some of the ways she acted she showed she wasn’t the complete tough girl, which added depth to her character. The way shIMG_20150217_142044e craves attention didn’t make her less likable, in fact it shows that being damaged allows her to get through life the way she has.

At first I was confused by Gage, but at the same time intrigued and sucked into his demeanour and appeal. Throughout the story he remains a mystery, but at the same time you also feel like whatever his motivation is, it’s for the best. Who doesn’t love a hot boxer who knows goes all protective, but not in an aggressive and possessive way!?OTR4

I was hoping some of the loose ends would be tied together, but I compliment the author in giving the reader an experience that will have them hanging for the next installment. In the end, I really couldn’t put the book down and now I really can’t wait for the next book! *warning, there is a bit of a cliff hanger…..

BUY LINKS: AMAZON

About the Author:

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Mother. Wife. Teacher. Proud UMD Terp. Perpetual learner. Wild imagination fueled by coffee. Occasional runner. Late night book junkie. Daytime dreamer.
 
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*I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
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Book Review: It’s Not Me, It’s You by Mhairi McFarlane

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itsnotmeGenre: Women’s Fiction. Adult Literature.

Delia Moss isn’t quite sure where she went wrong.

When she proposed and discovered her boyfriend was sleeping with someone else – she thought it was her fault.

When she realised life would never be the same again – she thought it was her fault.

And when he wanted her back life nothing had changed – Delia started to wonder if perhaps she was not to blame…

From Newcastle to London and back again, with dodgy jobs, eccentric bosses and annoyingly handsome journalists thrown in, Delia must find out where her old self went – and if she can ever get her back.

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This story had me aching with the intensity reserved for stories that really touch my emotions. The beginning had me gasping and being all of the sad, but it set me on a path that throughout the book I was rooting for Delia to get through life and make good choices. There were many times were I didn’t know where the author was going to go in regards to relationships in the book, and it made me even more excited and anxious to keep reading. This book was a great read, and will leave the reader on an emotional roller coaster, but fear not, you’ll get to the end and be ready to ride again! I vote this book as very enjoyable, clever, smart, funny, and emotional. Get on it! This is McFarlane’s third novel and I’m now on a mission to read her first two, especially if they’re as clever and easy to read as this one was.

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About The Author:

McFarlane11443Mhairi was born in Scotland in 1976 and her unnecessarily confusing name is pronounced Vah-Ree.

After some efforts at journalism, she started writing novels. It’s Not Me, It’s You is her third book. She lives in Nottingham, with a man and a cat.

Author Page on Harper Collins   Twitter   Goodreads

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*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review*

Book Review: Trade Me by Courtney Milan

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Genre: New Adult

Tina Chen just wants a degree and a job, so her parents never have to worry about making rent againtumblr_nicw120eAr1qmb3rso1_1280. She has no time for Blake Reynolds, the sexy billionaire who stands to inherit Cyclone Systems. But when he makes an offhand comment about what it means to be poor, she loses her cool and tells him he couldn’t last a month living her life.

To her shock, Blake offers her a trade: She’ll get his income, his house, his car. In exchange, he’ll work her hours and send money home to her family. No expectations; no future obligations.

But before long, they’re trading not just lives, but secrets, kisses, and heated nights together. No expectations might break Tina’s heart…but Blake’s secrets could ruin her life.

tumblr_nicvz5ybnI1qmb3rso1_1280I’m not going to lie, I grabbed this book because of the cover! Don’t judge me (or do, it’s okay!)!!!!!!!! I certainly haven’t read many books, if any, that had an Asian immigrant as a main character and it was something that had piqued my interest in the book. Not to mention a hottie billionaire that was off-limits. The interesting thing about this book is Blake, who struggles with being in the spotlight and having the pressure of a family company on his shoulders. The author does a good job of revealing this throughout the book, and the chemistry between Blake and Tina is thrown together with a few surprises that I wasn’t expecting. I liked the subtlety of the character traits that made it a bit more than a boy meets girl and girl swoons and falls all over the guy type of book. Tina’s mum had me laughing out loud with inappropriate mum-isms and her honesty and bluntness (no daughter wants her mum talking about wrapping it and condoms at the dinner table, right!?!!!!). The ending turned a little bizarre for me as I felt Tina’s character digressed into a strange alternate world, but in the end it was wrapped up in a sense that an ongoing series is. Read this New Adult romance if you are after a clever written story of love between opposites. Also, this author has written multiple historical romances, so if that’s your thing, be sure to check them out at her website.

Click the image to read the first chapter

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About the Author:

Courtney_037webCourtney Milan lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, a marginally-trained dog, and an attack cat.

Before she started writing books, Courtney experimented with numerous occupations. She has trained dogs, written legal briefs, sold newspaper subscriptions, and written computer programs. Having given up on actually being able to do any actual things, she’s taken to heart the axiom that “those who can’t, teach.” When she isn’t reading, writing, or sleeping, she can be found in the vicinity of a classroom.

Courtney loves hearing from readers. You can visit her on the web and find out more about her and her newest releases at http://www.courtneymilan.com.

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books1b*I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an
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Book Review: Operation: Valentine by Loretta Hill

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OpValetnine582Genre: Romance

From the author of the bestselling The Girl in Steel-Capped Boots and One Little White Lie, comes a laugh-out-loud romantic comedy about dating in the modern world…

“Once upon a time, there was a young girl called Sarah Dubert who needed to fall in love in six weeks . . .”

Thanks to food poisoning, broken dates, airport malfunctions and even death, Sarah Dubert has never had a boyfriend on Valentine’s Day. However this year she’s determined to break the curse and snare herself a man before Big V. Signing herself up to the online dating site soulmates.com, she begins eliminating possible candidates through dates at her favourite bar, The Blue Saloon . . .

Owen Black, the handsome new owner of The Blue Saloon, likes his women fast, experienced and temporary. A woman on a mission to find love – particularly one with a six-week deadline – would normally have him running for the hills. So why is he so uncharacteristically interested in Sarah’s search? And, more importantly, the success of her dates…?

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It’s the month of luuuuurve so I thought I’d review luuuurve stories this month!

Whilst the cover wasn’t the most favourite one I’ve seen, the book itself was well written and fun to read. Being a Valentines theme story I definitely wasn’t expecting anything serious or crazy. What I got was a cute, definitely predictable story that I really did like reading. The predictability didn’t diminish the lovely way it was written at all. I was entertained with a few laughs along the way Sarah always seemed to be having a tough time catching a break, while Owen sat back watching, waiting! This was a nice clean romance perfect for a sit down with a cup of coffee. Enjoy! You’ll have it read in no time!  I look forward to checking out some of her other books as well!

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BUY LINKS:

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  About the Author:Hill, Loretta

Loretta always wanted to be a writer. As a kid she filled pages of exercise books with stories to amuse her friends. Her father, who never wasted his time on fiction, didn’t see much worth in this pass time and pushed her to pursue a ‘sensible’ career. Fortunately, she had inherited some of his talent for numbers and decided to give it a go. She graduated from the University of Western Australia as structural engineer and took her first job with a major West Australian engineering company.

A few years later she met a lawyer at a Black Friday party hosted by a friend. She was dressed as the devil and he just came as himself. They are now happily married and living in Perth with their two young sons and infant daughter.

Despite her career in engineering, her interest in law and her journey into motherhood, Loretta continued to write. Not because she had a lot of time but because it was and always had been an addiction she couldn’t ignore.

books1bI received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Pre-Release Review: Call Sign Karma by Jamie Rae

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cskbbokGenre: Romance. New Adult Romance. Contemporary Romance.

cks5Love in the no-fly zone…

Distraught over the loss of her brother in a fighter jet accident, Tinklee Pinkerton decides to follow in his footsteps and prove the tragedy wasn’t his fault. But when she’s chosen as the first woman to fly the Air Force’s F-35, her plan for a life that revolves around work is thrown off course by a handsome, mysterious stranger…

Thanks to Locke’s seductive British accent, sweet nature, and one too many beers, Tink is soon inspired to throw caution to the wind and herself into his arms. She thinks maybe love can heal after all—until she discovers Locke is her superior officer. Tink has no problem risking her life in the air, but with everything on the line, is she brave enough to risk her heart on the ground?

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I absolutely loved this book. It kept me awake all night reading it. I laughed, I gulped, I sobbed, I sighed. An emotional roller coaster of a read. I was a bit sad and slightly annoyed that the main character was so bent on beating herself up, but in the end I really liked how the author managed to play it all out. Tinklee, a female fighter pilot has to be one tough chick, in the middle of a boys world, I found the characters emotions of strengths and weaknesses came through csk1well on the page. The two main male characters, Locke and Ash, were worthy of a starring role, and were believable hotties to drool over.  It also helps that one of my all-time favourite movies is Top Gun, and it was just on tele the other night! Something about a uniform, a fighter pilot, and managing to handle all that expensive equipment…. *proceeds to fan self* Recommend this book as a great summer (or winter, autumn, spring) read. This book had it all – tension, laughs, and love. Out on January 5th be sure to grab this pre-order now! It’s worth it!

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Buy Links:

Amazon : Barnes & Noble : Book Depository : Kobo : iBooks : Google

About The Author:

JAMIE RAE is a New Adult and Young Adult author. She writes with one goal in mind–to create stories with a positive message that will stay with the reader long after they’ve finished reading.

jamieraeJamie is an avid reader and loves discovering stories with a great hook, though she will not eat, sleep, or speak until she reaches the end. The Harry Potter years weren’t pretty!! Convinced that her Hogwarts letter was lost in the mail, she keeps a watchful eye for owls hoping her children will have better luck!

In her other life, Jamie Rae enjoys creating smiles that will last a lifetime as an orthodontist and keeps her heart overflowing with love as a mother of three. She has perfected the art of nomadic living as a military spouse and Air Force veteran. Jamie has a passion for critters of all shapes and sizes and you can often find her sneaking them into her own home or volunteering for rescues.

Dream~Write~Inspire

Author Web Site : Good Reads : Facebook : Twitter  

books1b*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review*