Beck (Corps Security #3) by Harper Sloan

 

I can't write a long review on this book - because there's just so much to say.  There are so many things happening in this book - so many emotions being felt.  It's way more than the love story of Dee and Beck, which is amazing in itself - but, it's also a story about facing the past, tearing down walls, taking chances, never giving up, friendship, brotherhood and realizing that life needs to be lived to the fullest.

 



If you haven't read the other books in this series - you have to, because they were great - but this book took the series to another level and is a definite must read.  You don't want to miss out on this group of friends and their lives - you'll be glad you took the time to read these for sure.  I'm just glad there are more books to come!

Exquisite Betrayal by A.M. Hargrove

 

A male Romance Author… a convention in Vegas… a female book blogger… a goal to lose her virginity… what next? Find out when you mix all the above!

Fallon McKinley is headed to Vegas for the Wicked Wenches Romance Con and losing her virginity is only one of her goals. The other is to meet her favorite author of romance novels, R.T. Sinclair. What she doesn’t realize is that the sexy green-eyed god she rams into at the airport is the real R.T. When they keep running into each other, she’s shocked, but excited, because the attraction is irresistible.

Ryland Thomas Sinclair doesn’t want anyone to know his true identity. He’s the author that all women love, but everyone thinks he’s a female. He hides his persona behind the public face of his twin sister, keeping his own a secret. But after meeting the lovely Fallon, his intentions to avoid a relationship come to a screeching halt. She’s put an unwanted kink into his perfectly laid out plans. His unusual reaction surprises him because after a heart-shredding breakup a few years ago, he’s managed to avoid women at all costs.

Resisting Fallon becomes more difficult than he imagines. Soon things are spiraling out of control, until a major miscommunication has Fallon walking out of his home and his life. Will Ryland Thomas succeed in losing the woman he loves? Or can he win her back?

I don't even know where to start with this review -

 

So I'll start with saying that the way that Fallon first met/ran into Ryland Thomas was classic - it made me laugh, and think - man, something like that would so happen to me!  And, of course she would run into him again - this time with a little more sparks flying.  One thing leads to another and they end up in his hotel room - and then....

  

Let me just say - I don't think there has been another book where I wanted to reach in to the book and grab a guy - this being Ryland Thomas - and back slap him a couple of times.  Yeah, I know he was hurt from a previous relationship, but OMG - he just totally freaked on Fallon more than once - and my heart just broke for her.

 

 - understatement from R.T.

 

But in all of this - Fallon was amazing.  This girl had a rotten mother to say the least - and she struggled in life, just making it day to day - but she had spunk and never gave up.  She kept moving forward, even with all the smack downs she got - and the thing that made me most proud is that she didn't go after Ryland Thomas.  She stood her ground and let him come to her. 

  

But their story continues as she learns the truth about who he is, and who his twin sister really is - she keeps their secret and their relationship grows and develops.  But, when the truth comes out to the public about Ryland Thomas - there are misunderstandings, hurt feelings, and betrayals. 

 

 

 This book had me crazy at times, wishing Fallon and Ryland Thomas would work things out - and then other times, thinking she can do so much better!  I have to say there were definitely redeeming moments for Ryland Thomas, as he finally grew up in regards to his relationship with Fallon.  This book will definitely have your emotions all over the place - I'd like to know what you think of Ryland Thomas!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Conflicted Love (Needle's Kiss #2) by Lola Stark

 

 

 

 Trip’s life motto is simple: get in, get off, get out. His lifestyle works for him, that is until he finds himself in an unexpected situation with the one girl he can't seem to get out of his mind.

Teeny has been strong for too long. One amazing crazy night, with her best friend's cocky colleague, leaves her with more than just unwanted feelings and cravings she just can’t seem to quench.

She's knocked up.
He's freaked out.

Life is about to get crazy for two people who can't stand to be close, yet can't seem to pull apart. Tension and confusion turn into mood swings and midnight snacks. How can things ever go back to simple times when every direction leads to chaos?

 

 

Teeny is freaking out - she got pregnant after a drunken night with Trip, and she is not sure whether to keep the baby or not.  Teeny's mom battled depression and overdosed when she was only 8, and then her father left her just a year later.  She's never had a family - and now she's living in a small apartment in the bad section of town, barely getting by.

 

Trip lives up to his name - because he is "a trip" for sure!  He's been a player, but he's always had a thing for Teeny, and he might have been shocked at first to find out she's pregnant, but he's willing to do all he can.  He wants more with Teeny and to prove it he starts by unexpectedly showing up at her ultrasound appointment - surprising the heck out of her.  His reaction to what he sees, makes her decision about the baby an easy one.

 

 

 

"We made that.  That's our baby, Princess"  A single tear fell down my cheek as I looked from the screen to Teeny's stomach and back to her face" 

 

Trip decides to show Teeny he's in this for the long haul.  He wants to prove to her that he not only cares and loves the baby - but her too.  Teeny has her doubts, and fights him along the way.  She's trying to protect her own heart, but she knows deep down she loves Trip.  Trip is confident and sure of himself.  He knows Teeny is putting up walls, but he keeps proving himself over and over again - and his sweetness of how he takes care of her during her pregnancy will have you wishing he was your baby's daddy!

 

 

I loved how devoted Trip was, how he never gave up on Teeny.  How he knew what she needed - and persisted and gave her the family she deserved.  There were so many parts in this book that made me laugh out loud too!  To anyone who has ever given birth, Trip in the delivery room will totally have you cracking up with his comments - and then swooning, when he holds his baby for the first time.  I absolutely loved this book - and cannot wait to see what happens when Trip and Mace get a hold of Jude - now that they know he's involved with their sister Haven!

 

 

 

 

Somebody's Angel (Rescue Me #5) by Kallypso Masters

 

 

I love this series so much - and I have to say that I think that this book is definitely my favorite in this series.  Marc and Angelina were so amazing together, and my heart broke so many times as their relationship faced so many bumps and blows, that I wasn't sure they could ever overcome.  Trust issues between both of them, along with memories of Marc's childhood seemed to bombard them from all sides.  Marc really proved himself by what he did to fight his demons - and they both proved to each other, that they were always both there for each other all along.

But this story wasn't all about them - we got to enjoy Karla and Adams relationship and pregnancy some more, along with Damian, Savi and Marisol, Grant also had her appearance - and lets not forget Luke and Cassie.  I loved being able to delve into their lives again during this book.  Let me just say - that I cannot wait until the next book and we finally find out more about Cassie and Luke - please hurry and get that one out soon Ms. Masters!!

 

 

 

Twelfth Night by Kallista Dane

Times have been tough for Kayla and Matt - not only financially but also things have changed in their marriage over the years. Christmas has come and deciding this year not to spend much on each other - just the kids, Kayla tries to think of a gift for Matt.  With a little thought and help from a stranger Kayla comes up with an idea -

 

“What I need to do is make an effort to give to him all year long, not just on Christmas Eve. Twelfth night…hmmm…twelve special evenings? Maybe it’s time to get past my inhibitions and give my husband some of the things he’s always wanted. Bob may be right. I don’t need money to make him happy.”

So Kayla gets some paper and envelopes and starts making Matt's present.

Meanwhile, Matt happens to meet the same stranger and gets his own ideas for a Christmas present for Kayla.

"Women want a real man, someone they can depend on. Someone they can respect. The stronger your woman is, the more she secretly craves a man who will take control. Don’t ever allow your wife to treat you poorly. There were times when I had to put Emily over my lap for a serious paddling – times when she lost her temper and raised her voice to me."

“You’d be surprised how a good apology – or occasionally a good spanking – can make for a great night later! By the way, my name is Bob.”

Together they share their presents that end up lasting throughout the year and change the entire dynamics of their marriage along with the love and respect they have for each other.

I had no idea what this book was about when I went to read it - and I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed this story and was so glad I took the time to read it.  It gives all of us in a relationship a good idea for gift to give from the heart for the one we love - whether we give gifts like Kayla and Matt or come up with our own ideas that will strengthen the bond with our significant other. 

"Don’t ever lose the romance, the passion.  It’s what will see you through the bad times.  The world outside your door may be cold and harsh, but when you’re in each other’s arms, you can make that whole world go away, even if it’s just for a little while.  Sometimes that’s enough to give you both the strength to go on when times are tough.”

A Home for Christmas by Ann Vaughn

 

Single mom, Jenna Blackwell wasn't having a very good start to the Christmas season; her purse got stolen on Black Friday. She's cursing her luck and herself for even being out in the Black Friday madness when the store manager brings in Riley Stanton, a former Navy SEAL who chased down the thieves and recovered her purse. Jenna is blown away by Riley: his looks, his smile, the fact that he ran down the purse snatchers, everything.

Riley Stanton had no idea when he chased down the kids who stole a few purses that he would walk into a room and have his life changed forever. He looked into Jenna's eyes and saw a strength in her that he found intriguing.

Riley soon learns that Jenna is everything he ever wanted in a woman. He falls for her and for her son harder than he expected to. Jenna is cautious but welcoming and hopes that she and her son can give Riley the one thing he hasn't had in years, A Home for Christmas.

Jenna never expected that getting her purse stolen would turn into the best thing that could ever happen to her.  When she met the person man who stopped the thieves - she got more than her purse back - she got a date for breakfast! 

Riley knew the minute he met Jenna that there was something there.  She's a single mom, raising her 10 year old son - and he's and ex-Navy Seal trying to forget the past and the pain of war.  From the first day they met, they were practically inseparable.  Getting to know each other was so easy - especially after realizing that they both knew each others families.  But, Jenna still had to be careful because her son, Cam, was still the most important person to her - and she worried how he would take to her and Riley and any relationship they may start to have.

Riley was such a caring and tender guy - he really had Jenna and Cam's best interests at heart right from the beginning.  He knew things were moving fast with them - but he knew what he wanted, and was going to do what needed to be done to protect that.

This was a great Christmas read - including all the things that Christmas should be about - love, family, forgiveness, hope and home.