Fuel For Fire, by Julie Ann Walker

Advance copy provided by publisher for honest review.

Title: Fuel for Fire
Author: Julie Ann Walker
Publication Date: July 2017
Category: Romance
Format: Mass Market Paperback
ISBN: 978-1-4926-0878-3


Fuel For Fire is a must read!  The story starts off with a bang and is covet to cover of nonstop action with a surprise around each corner.

Dagan and Chelsea's story is not an easy romance.  Their love is hard fought while trying to stay ahead of the danger around them.  I loved this story.  It is filled with the snark and sass that we have come to expect in the Black Knights series.  The action is gripping as the BK team fights to complete their mission and keep Chelsea safe.  I was by turns laughing, then wondering how they were going to stay ahead of the dark forces working against them.

In the middle of it all, a haunting secret from the past is revealed that could destroy any chance of Dagan and Chelsea getting their happy ever after.

This book will keep you on the edge of your seat.  I loved it and look forward to future titles in the series.

Review: Princess and the Beast, by Chance Carter

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Princess and the Beast is the newest title from Chance Carter's Bad Boys series. This book is about Deacon, a man who grew up on the rough side of Boston. He had a horrific childhood, including being raised in an abusive home. Life was never easy for Deacon (aka Beast) and he learned quickly that he would have to fight to survive. Deacon is fighter and good at it. In this story, he works as a bouncer at a club in Miami.

Savannah was raised in Boston, but unlike Deacon, she was raised in a wealth home. All isn't as it seemed though. While she had never known hunger or having to do without the necessities of life, she was raised in a home lacking love. The behavior of her father made her wary of wealth. She had watched, firsthand, how her own mother slipped away and die after being in a hopeless, loveless marriage.

On the surface, Deacon and Savannah are light years apart. He is a large man sporting tattoos and an appearance that would make the most sensible of men cause to use extreme caution. Savannah is a gentle, shy woman who is still trying to make her own life away from the influence of her father. Yet, when you look closer at them, they are both struggling with their pasts. They each have gone through a form of abuse as a child that has helped to shape them into the person they each have become.

Deacon works at a night club as a bouncer. When he sees Savannah arrive with her friend/room mate, Olivia, Deacon ushers the girls in. He is taken with Savannah, though sees her as a bit of a shy mouse. Savannah surprises both Deacon and herself when she finds the boldness to flirt with Deacon. Their relationship is super-nova hot and they have a wild 24 hours together before all hell breaks loose. Trouble comes when a man at the club, who has sadistic tastes when it comes to how he treats women, takes notice of Savannah and wants to take her as his own. Now, Deacon must fight to save Savannah and her friend, Olivia, from being the next victims of this man's cruelty.

I loved the story as well as the pace that it was told. I never felt that it was taking too long in one area or another. The story was very well written and held my attention from the first page. I hated having to set it down and couldn't wait to pick it back up again when my work was finished.

Intermittently through the story, we also are treated with a side story involving Grady. Grady is a member of the Brotherhood, whom we were introduced to in Chance Carter's earlier titles of this series. The Brotherhood are a group of men who have formed a “family” that is intensely loyal to each other and will use whatever means are necessary to right the wrongs that come at their family. Each of the Brothers are total bad ass. Yet, for how scary they may be to others, they are extremely protective and loving to their women.

Grady get involved with a woman at a bar who is trouble on legs. He makes a mistake getting involved with her, but later, he tries to do all he can to help her overcome her demons. His story is very touching and I cried as I read how his story ends. I hope that there will be another book in the future with Grady getting his “happy ever after.”

Review: Devil and the Deep, by Julie Ann Walker

Devil and the Deep is the newest installment in Julie Ann Walker's Deep Six series.  It is currently on pre-order status for it's July 5, 2016, release date.

On Ms. Walker's website, she offers the following description for Devil and the Deep.

A COVERT MISSION…

Maddy Powers’s life revolves around cocktail parties, political fundraisers, and charity events – but she can’t forget the daring former SEAL who appropriated her father’s yacht a few months ago … or the scorching kiss they shared before he disappeared into the deep blue sea.

SPARKS A FLAMING DESIRE…

Bran Pallidino carries a dark secret behind his lady-killer eyes – one that keeps him from pursuing a serious relationship with Maddy. But when she’s taken hostage during a trip to the Dry Tortugas, the men of Deep Six Salvage drop their treasure hunt for a sunken galleon and embark on a dangerous mission to save Maddy.

WITH EARTH-SHATTERING REPERCUSSIONS.

As they fight her merciless kidnappers, they discover this isn’t a simple hostage situation, but something far more sinister. Passion boils between Bran and Maddy, but what good is putting their hearts on the line if they don’t survive the dawn?

This book delivers.  It is action packed and keeps you on the edge of your seat.  The story is engaging and it was hard to put it down, once I started reading.  I loved the way the story gripped me from page one.  Unlike many books out there, Ms. Walker wrote the heroine to be a strong, independent woman who knows how to take charge when necessary.  Even in the face of danger, she is no shrinking violet dependent on her man to come rescue her.  She faces her fears head on and with the fortitude that could rival that of the SEAL team.  I loved this strength.  It is a very welcome departure from the dainty, weak, women that often are portrayed in books of this genre.  Though Maddy has been dealt a raw deal in her life, she doesn't fall apart and become helpless.  

Bran is a warrior through and through.  He is as rock steady as they come when in the heat of battle.  He has crack in his armour though - Maddy Powers.  While he wants her, the secrets of his past press on him.   His character is another fine example of why I love books by Julie Ann Walker.  Her heroes are very strong and able to fight the battles they face without blinking an eye.  Yet, she gives up glimpses of the man behind the warrior.  We see their inner struggles presented in a way that doesn't take away from their strength.  In fact, their very weakness is a huge part of why they are so strong.

If you are looking to add to your summer reading list, this book is a must-have.  Though a part of a series, Ms. Walker writes her books in a way that they can be stand-alone.  You never feel lost if you read the books out of order.

Chance Carter's Bad Boys series - Review

It is funny where you learn about new-to-you authors. Recently, I had a sponsored ad on Facebook show up on my timeline for an author named, Chance Carter. My first thought was, “A man writing romance?” Okay, I was curious. I love reading romance novels with a HEA style ending. Going to Chance's page, I read that he writes Bad Boy stories that are stand alone and always have the HEA ending. I looked at the covers and saw pictures of ripped guys with tattoos. Definitely, they looked like the bad boys the story description promised.

The next thought that intrigued me was the idea of reading a romance story that was written from a man's perspective. Let's face it, men have a completely different way of seeing relationships. I knew that reading these books would be a fresh point of view. I wasn't disappointed. I absolutely loved the books.

I will say here though, if you are not one who can handle a more rough and raw dialog, then be warned. The bad boys in these stories are more liberal with dropping the F-bomb that any military operation. Likewise, there is a deeper rawness to the sex scenes. They play out like a man's fantasy. It isn't the most graphic that I have read, compared to some erotica stories that I have read in the past, but it is much more graphic than a sweet romance book.

The story lines in the books are solid. Don't let the self-published status of the books fool you. Chance Carter writes like a seasoned published author and his books deliver. The four books he has available are each a stand alone. They are also a part of a series. I love the way one book seamlessly flows into the series, yet you could read them out of order without feeling lost.

Once I started reading the books, I ended up reading all four books in just two days. They are quite literally books that were hard to put down.

The reading order of the Bad Boys series:

Faith is a woman on the run.  With her live in danger, she turns to the only man who is capable of helping her.  Jackson has the skills that Faith needs to ensure her safety, but it comes at a price.  Jackson will protect Faith - if she has his baby.

Grant has always had a thing for Lacey.  The chemistry between them in undeniable.  But deny it, they try.  Faith is on the hunt for a husband, a man willing to be strong enough to claim her heart and soul.  Will Grant stand by and watch as Lacey plans a wedding with another man?  Or will he finally make a claim that he has wanted for nearly 2 decades?

Forrester is a emotionally wounded man trying to overcome his past.  A broken soul, he finds himself reaching out to Elle, a cute waitress at the small town diner.  Elle and Forrester feel the sparks between them fly as they tentatively get to know each other.  Elle has some painful secrets of her own to content with. When demons from their pasts come back to haunt them, will they have the strength and courage to stand and fight? 

Hunter is a man with a price on his head.  He is the ultimate bad boy and doesn't give a crap what others think.  Secure in his strength and fighting skills, he only knows how to do one thing,,,,,win.  Kelly is a young woman with a heavy responsibility.  Being guardian of her little brother since the death of their parents, she struggles to cope with the daily challenges.  When some wanna-be players decide to make Kelly the focus of their torment, Hunter steps in to rescue her.  The chemistry flies between these two.  Hunter knows that being with him could spell danger for Kelly and her brother.  Can they take a chance for happiness?  Or will the reappearance of Hunter's dangerous past destroy everything that Hunter holds dear?

Melting Point, by Kate Meader

Melting Point, by Kate Meader

Melting Point is a short e-novella in the Hot in Chicago series by Kate Meader. This story is one that I was surprised to find myself looking forward to. I don't generally read a lot of books dealing with same sex relationships, but this one got my attention.

Gage Simpson is one of the Dempsey foster kids. These kids grew up together in the home of Sean & Mary Dempsey and found a family. The foster Dad was a firefighter and all of the children followed in his footsteps. Together, the kids work at the same firehouse.

We first met Gage in the first book of the series, Flirting with Fire. He is the most happy-go-lucky guy I have ever met in a book. He was also a bit of a man-whore. With a great physique and an over abundance of charm, he has no trouble finding another guy to hook up with. That is, until he meets Brady Smith.

Brady Smith is a chef and owner of the Smith & Jones restaurant. He is a brooding, former Marine, with a complete dislike of being touched. When Gage is taken back to the kitchen to meet Brady, the sparks flew instantly.

Brady is a wounded soul. Having been captured and tortured while serving in the Middle East as a Marine, he has scars both inside and out. He avoids people as a much as he can. What he didn't count on was the persistence that Gage has as he pursues Brady.

Their relationship isn't easy. Each has past issues that they are dealing with. The biggest obstacle however is the effects that Brady's time as a captive has on his perceptions of self worth. Gage is patient and understanding of what Brady is dealing with up until an event challenges that steadfast support.

There is a lot of sex involved in the story. For the amount of it though, it didn't seem too over the top. I found that overall their story was one that felt so natural. Unlike some stories that make same sex relationships look like two people in constant heat, this story really had a strong emphasis on the relationship over the physical side of things.

I thoroughly enjoyed the story. It was good to see these two have a happy ending.

Advance review copy provided by Simon & Schuster publishing for review.

Book Review: Until You, by Jeannie Moon

Until You, by Jeannie Moon

Book Summary:

When newly divorced Kate Adams is approached on the sunny deck of a California hotel by hockey star David Burke, and he invites her to dinner, she almost says no. He’s obviously younger than her. And charming. And drop dead gorgeous. But there’s also something sweet about David, so Kate—who hasn’t done anything spontaneous in a very long time—accepts his invitation.

It is, after all, her fortieth birthday.

However, a real romance with thirty-year-old David, whose picture is in the gossip pages as often as it’s in the sports pages, is out of the question. No matter how much she wants him, it’s just too risky.

But meeting Kate has been David’s lightning strike. She’s the one for him, and he has no intention of giving up on her.

So while Kate guards her fragile heart, David sets out to win her over with the same determination that drives him on the ice.

And he’ll break every rule in the book if he has to.

My Thoughts:

This story was pure entertainment to read.  I felt for Kate as she struggled with a divorce after 20 years of marriage.  It wasn't an easy divorce and she definitely has some baggage to work through. She meets David while on a conference trip and the chemistry between them is quick to ignite.  

Without giving too much of the story away, I wanted to mention a few things that stood out.  First, the story has several things going on at the same time.  Kate's ex is an abusive jerk that thrives on tormenting her.  Kate's teenage daughter, Laura, plays heavily in that situation.  Second, Laura has her own personal issues to work through when she has her first significant crush.  Third, we have David, who has a reputation of being a player with women, having to face the consequences of his past behavior, and lastly, Kate has to face her insecurities caused by her past marriage & divorce as well as the age difference between her and David.

I absolutely got a snarky pleasure from some of the interactions between Kate and her ex.  My heart broke for her at first, but as she gained her inner strength, I cheered her on.  I loved the protective side of David and his devotion towards Kate when a tragedy happened.  His supportive and true caring towards Laura was also heart-melting. 

This was a great read and I literally could not put it down.  The story gripped my attention and I loved every moment of it.  I am hoping that there will be future stories about some of the other characters in the book.  Especially one somewhere down the road with Laura and her first love.   The way they are written, it would be easy for that story to be revisited later on.  

Book Review: Flirting With Fire, by Kate Meader

Flirting With Fire, by Kate Meader

Book Summary:

The first installment in Hot in Chicago, a brand-new, sizzling series from Kate Meader that follows a group of firefighting foster siblings and their blazing hot love interests!

Savvy PR guru Kinsey Taylor has always defined herself by her career, not her gender. That is, until she moved from San Francisco to Chicago to be with her fiancé who thought she wasn’t taking her “job” of supporting him in his high-powered career seriously enough—and promptly dumped her for a more supportive and “feminine” nurse. Now, as the new assistant press secretary to Chicago’s dynamic mayor, she’s determined to keep her eye on the prize: no time to feel inferior because she’s a strong, kick-ass woman, and certainly no time for men.

But that all changes when she meets Luke Almeida, a firefighter as searingly sexy as he is quick-tempered. He’s also the second oldest of the Firefightin’ Dempseys, a family of foster siblings who have committed their lives to the service—if Luke’s antics don’t get him fired first. When Luke goes one step too far and gets into a bar brawl with the Chicago Police Department, Kinsey marches into Luke’s firehouse and lays down the law on orders from the mayor. But at Engine Co. 6, Luke Almeida is the law. And he’s not about to let Kinsey make the rules.

My Review:

This book was hard to put down.  I love stories where the couple don't get along at first and have to work their way into a relationship.  For me, it just seems more believable if the story isn't all puppies and posies from the beginning.  

Luke Almeida is a walking, talking, in your face alpha-male.  Short tempered, he uses his fists more often than diplomacy in tough situations.  A bar room fight gets Luke in major trouble with the city mayor.  His job threatened, as well as the possibility that his foster siblings will be split up into other engine companies, Luke has to get with the program and follow the suggestions of Kinsey Taylor, a PR worker from the city offices.  Not an easy task since Kinsey has a way with pushing Luke's limits.

Kinsey Taylor at first comes off as an "I am woman, hear me roar" personality but we soon learn that she has her reasons.  Her take-charge attitude goes against the grain with Luke and sparks fly immediately.  The verbal sparring between these two keeps you entertained.  Typically, I will connect with one character over the other in the sparring situations.  In this book however, I found myself changing sides quite often.

From the beginning, Luke and Kinsey feel an attraction for each other but fight it. Because of past relationships, each of them has trust issues and must work through them.  Eventually, they do and then the real sparks start flying.

There is a secondary story started in this book.  Gage, who is one of Luke's foster siblings, begins to lay the foundations of a relationship with a chef.  I am looking forward to reading that story later in the series.

This is the second title by Kate Meader that I have read and before finishing, I had already purchased two more of her titles for my Kindle.  That doesn't happen often for me.  It is a rare thing for me to enjoy a book so much that I start loading up my Kindle with more of that author's work.  Ms. Meader's writing does it for me.  The character development is spot on and she doesn't fill in gaps in a storyline with sex just to get her daily word count.  The intimacy between Luke and Kinsey is something that seems to come in a natural timing for the story and isn't awkward. 

I am looking forward to reading the next book in this series, Playing With Fire, due out in late September, 2015.

*Complimentary copy received for honest review.

Falling for Jillian, by Kristen Proby - A Book Review

Falling for Jillian, by Kristen Proby

This title is book #3 in the Love Under the Big Sky series.  I haven't read the first two titles, so was thrilled that this book is a stand alone.  

The story is about Jillian Sullivan has returned to Cunningham Falls, Montana, after a bad divorce.  She is dealing with a personal humiliation stemming from her ex-husband's cheating during the marriage, along with other issues from the marriage.

Jillian faces another heartbreak in Cunningham Falls.  Her best friend is related to a man whom Jillian had a one night stand with, Zack King.  Zack, an Army veteran, is a divorced, single Dad with a preteen age son, Seth.  Zack and Seth are working through some issues of their own past when we meet them in the story.  Seeing Zack again has brought to the surface feelings which she has tried to keep hidden ever since their night together.  

The chemistry between Jillian and Zack leaps off the pages from the word go.  The interplay and verbal sparring in the beginning has you alternately cheering for them and wanting to knock their heads together.  I loved watching the progression as they face their own history and deal with the miscommunications that lead to their parting after their one night stand.

Once they are able to sort through their feelings and deal with their past, you see them helping each other to face their own private demons.  I loved how they also brought Seth into the picture by making him such an integral part of their relationship.  They made sure that Seth was okay about their relationship before letting it go too far.

I loved the "real" factor of this book.  I was able to connect to the characters and looked forward to reading more.  It was a hard book to put down, in spite of daily tasks that I needed to be doing.  After reading this, I sought out the previous two titles in the series.  As always, it is a complete joy to find a new series to read.  Especially when the series hits you right in the "feels" and makes a connection with you.

Viper Game by Christine Feehan, A Review

Viper Game, by Christine Feehan

Viper Game is book #11 in Ms Feehan's Ghostwalker series.  It takes place in the Louisiana bayou and introduces us to a new team lead by Wyatt Fontenot.  We first learned of Wyatt when he was a supporting character in book #3, Night Game, which is the story of Wyatt's brother, Raoul "Gator" Fontenot.

In this story, Wyatt has come back home to the bayou at the request of his beloved Grandmere, Nonny.  There are strange happenings taking place in their bayou and Wyatt has come to help.  Upon his return, Wyatt learns that a new manufacturing business, with shady dealings, has set up next to Nonny's medicinal herb field.  When she was gathering herbs, the guards assault her.  Wyatt is enraged that anyone would torment his 80 year old Grandmere.  So, along with a few members of his team, he goes out to investigate and teach some manners to the guards.......Cajun style.

Early in the book, we learn of a new ghostwalker character,  Pepper is a young woman who was taken and adopted by Dr Whitney when she was a toddler.  She was taken to France and along with others there, she was used for experimentation.  The ending results is that she is as lethal as any ghostwalker but lacks the desire to be a soldier.  She is sent to the bayou, along with a set of triplet baby girls who share her animalistic enhancements.  When she refuses the demands of her handler, the order is placed that the babies will be terminated.

This story is one of discoveries and was a pleasure to read.  My heart broke for Pepper's plight as she had to deal with the painful aspects of the enhancements that Whitney forced upon her physiology.  The emotional torment she also went through over her inability to rescue all three babies was a palatable one that you could feel through the telling of the story.  Most heartbreaking was the complete lack of knowledge that she had in how to live in the world outside of the lab.  As Wyatt helps her through these challenges, he faces many of his own.  The enhancements that he went through from Whitney have brought upon him an emotional state that is raw in that he has to tame the animal side of his nature.  Already a hot-headed Cajun, Wyatt now faces the territorial and possessive nature of his cat physiology.  

One of the major climaxes of the story is the attempt to rescue the babies still in the lab facility.  They are out numbered but these ghostwalkers have a deep conviction that the babies will not remain in the lab to be treated as lab rats in the schemes of a man who has lost all sense of humanity.

By the end of the story, we have learned new things about the elusive Dr Whitney.  There are other revelations as well that were a surprise that I enjoyed learning about.  In the end, we are introduced to another female who is now on her own.  She is a ghostwalker as well and will certainly have her own story in an upcoming book.  I cannot wait to read more about her.

As always, Ms Feehan has scored high on my list of favorite authors.  I am always amazed at how she can have long running series that never lose their attraction.  With Viper Game, she has come through again in a big way.  

Darker Than Desire, by Shiloh Walker - Book Review

Darker Than Desire, by Shiloh Walker

This book was a very difficult read for me.  I got the book without any description or summary to give me a clue what it was about.  That was my first mistake.  Never, ever, EVER, again will I read for review a book without a description.  Had I been given any indication what the book was about, I would never have read it for review.

This story is dark from page one.  It begins with a funeral and a wounded soul.  The main character, David, is a man who has been hiding within the Amish community for 20 years,  Known as Caine to the Amish, he is able to avoid the outside world's horrors.  Caine/David was severely traumatized as a young man and is dealing with the emotional aftermath.  With the death of his mentor in the first pages of the book, Caine's world is turned upside down.

He returns to the world outside the Amish community to face the demons of his past.  It is a horrid place that he must travel through to eventually find peace.  A major portion of the book is about the grizzly murders that are taking place in the small town.  Someone who knows of Caine's past is systematically killing everyone involved in his trauma.  No one is safe from this retribution.

As I read this book, there were parts that just made me want to puke.  The graphic nature of one murder scene in particular was far too graphic and detailed for me.  While others might not be bothered by it, I seriously had to put the book down for a few days before I could stomach reading further.

The sex scenes in the story between Caine/David and his lady were no more than a booty call.  There was nothing loving or tender about it.  This is one area that bothered me as well.  Caine/David and this lady had a long history of these booty calls.  She had feelings for him, but he denied his feelings for her up until the very end of the book.  There was no developing of a true relationship between them.  Their relationship screamed of the "friends with benefits" status and never went further, even though at the end the author tried to make it all sweet and nice.

I have not been familiar enough with Ms Walker's books, so have no idea if this book is typical of her writing style.  Unfortunately for me, this book hasn't left me feeling inspired to seek out more of her books.  Others who are not bothered by the graphic violence may enjoy the book.  It just wasn't something that I enjoyed nor could recommend.

Below the Belt by Sidney Halston, a Review

Below the Belt, by Sidney Halston

Below the Belt is the 3rd book in Sidney Halston's Worth the Fight series.  It is the story of Antonio "Scarface" Marino and Francesca Silva.  On Amazon, there is the following book description.

Once one of the most sought-after names on the mixed martial arts circuit, Antonio “Scarface” Marino watched his career go down for the count as he chased skirts and made tabloid headlines. Now he’s finally making a comeback, and it’s all thanks to Francesca Silva, a Brazilian bombshell as tough as any of her fighters. But who’s the real Francesca: the trash-talking trainer who rides him hard, or the vulnerable woman who blushes at his touch?
 
Francesca went to the mat to sign Tony because she believes he still has the potential to bring big success to her gym—if she can keep his head in the cage and out of her personal life. After a short-lived marriage soured her on love, a one-night stand is all she can handle. Now Tony’s kisses are stirring up complicated feelings—especially when he agrees to face her ex in the ring. Francesca’s used to freezing guys out. But Tony’s tempting her to give in to the heat.

I read this story after having first read the book, Full Contact.  It was a new series to me and I wanted to give it a try.  Now, just a word of caution.  If you are easily embarrassed by stories that are very carnal in nature, you need to know that your comfort zone may be stretched in this series.  Unlike Full Contact, which was highly sexual in nature, this story focuses even more on the relationship outside of the intimacies.

I loved getting to know the characters better.  We learn about them in Full Contact and are able to see the beginnings of the dynamics between  Antonio and Francesca.  In this book, their story is one of overcoming the obstacles that we often place upon ourselves.  Each had struggles within their own hearts to overcome.  Francesca had to face the past and her failed first marriage.  We learn just how deeply that experience had affected her outlook on life.  Antonio, on the other hand, had to face the demons of his own heart.  He had to come to terms with his choices in his MMA career and face the fact that he had some decisions to make about his future with MMA.

Together, these two characters are an entertaining mix.  The sarcasm and snarky wordplay between them was fun.  Each being determined in their own mindset.  One wanting to have a relationship and the other running from it.  After reading so many stories where the man is the reluctant party, it was refreshing to read a story where the man has to really chase after the woman.  

This couple has you guessing all the way through to the end.