Review: The Sweet Spot by Laura Drake

A Love as Big as Texas . . . Charla Rae Denny was the perfect wife with a perfect life, content to keep the home fires burning while her husband, JB, competed as a champion bull rider. Then their son died in a tragic accident-and everything fell apart. Divorced and saddled with a hill of bills and a failing ranch, Charla must now cowboy up to put her life back together. James "JB" Denny doesn't stay where he isn't welcome. So when Charla shut him out of her grieving heart-and their home-a year ago, he took comfort where he could find it. Now after seeing beautiful Charla again, he wants it all back. She can't work the ranch alone, and deep in his heart he knows he can be the man she needs. But after so much history and heartbreak, can JB convince Charla to take a risk and give their love a second chance.

JB and Char were married for years before tragedy struck and their young son died. Their marriage fell apart after that, both of them not dealing with their grief well and as a result, their relationship suffered. Char turned to medication to dull her feelings and JB left Char after his repeated attempts to get through to her failed. He started dating a much younger woman and caused a stir in their small town. They’re currently divorced but as part of their settlement, the judge ruled that their ranch and business must be split up in such a way that they each have a portion of the business to help make it remain profitable. But the bills are piling up and Char doesn’t want JB coming to the ranch anymore to work. They have one final fight and it leaves Char in charge of it all. Now she’s dealing with the ranch, the animals, and her ailing father and she doesn’t have a clue how she’s going to make it all work, especially when she’s still turning to pills to get through the day.

Even knowing the basics of the set up before I started this book, I had such a hard time liking JB for the reason that he slept with a younger woman between his divorce with Char and them eventually finding their way back together. I hated that even though technically he didn’t cheat on his (then) ex-wife, it still felt like it. I really didn’t know how or when I would come to want this couple to be together and it took quite a bit of page time for that to happen. Plus, it took realizing that each person was dealing with the pain of losing their son differently and just because JB found some comfort in the arms of another woman, Char was getting the same thing, only from a bottle of pills.

The story is very heavy and deals with each person’s pain and grief that they let fester for years until finally they’re both in a place where they get it all out and allow themselves to finally start healing. It’s not a light hearted romance of two people finding their way back together. It’s an emotional look at how trying to rebuild their lives happens and how slow the process for them both was.

I felt like Char did the most changing and growing. She went from a housewife to a woman who had to get outside and get the ranch work done. She had to learn about the business, make important decisions and keep things going since moneykept getting tighter and tighter. I liked seeing her grow and find a reason to live in the present and not drown everything out with a pill. For JB, I just felt sorry for the guy. At first, like I mentioned earlier, I couldn’t stand him for dating a much young woman and it ended up making him look a bit pathetic. Here’s this middle aged man, hanging with twenty-somethings in a bar, he doesn’t have a home as he’s crashing at his friend’s house and all his belongings can be held in a few random boxes. I did start to feel for him, and like Char, he makes some changes within himself and wants more out of his life. He wants his family and home back and this was the time I came around and wanted him to get those things back too. Even though Char doesn’t want him around initially, he still finds ways to help out and make himself present and help to ease the load for Char.

Both JB and Char miss each other and desperately want their old lives back. For Char, she’s hurt badly, not only by losing her son, but by constantly thinking about JB with a younger woman. It didn’t help matters that he initially lied to her about seeing someone else so when that truth came out it stung a little extra. A turning point, especially for me in wanting to see this couple find their way back to each other, was when Char thought about the good life they had before their son. How solid their relationship had been and how she let herself forget that they were happy before their son was born and that as hard as it was to lose him, they could still have a chance at happiness if they could work past their issues, open up and remember what it was that brought them together in the first place. From that moment in the story, I was behind this couple and wanted them to get that happiness back. Because damn, for much of the story they’re both just so sad!

As far as the romance between JB and Char, it’s very light. The main journey for them is dealing with their past, finding forgiveness for the other person and moving forward. Not until the very end are they together and the romantic scenes are really just glimpses. I’d have liked a little more to be on page, but that’s just me, liking to read all the sweet stuff.

This certainly isn’t a feel good, light read, the beginning is tough. There’s a lot of angst, a lot of fighting and tears and grief that the hero and heroine need to work through. It’s an emotional journey for them and for me and left me feeling good for this couple who found a way to get a second chance.

Rating: B-

Release Date: May 28, 2013
Publisher: Forever
Laura Drake: Webpage | Facebook | Twitter
Buy Here: Amazon.com | B&N
*ARC provided by publisher for review* 
 

Review: Full Blooded (Jessica McClain #1) by Amanda Carlson

Born the only female in an all male race, Jessica McClain isn’t just different—she’s feared. After living under the radar for the last twenty-six years, Jessica is thrust unexpectedly into her first change, a full ten years late. She wakes up and finds she’s in the middle of a storm. Now that she’s become the only female full-blooded werewolf in town, the supernatural world is already clamoring to take a bite out of her and her new Pack must rise up and protect her. But not everyone is on board. The werewolf Rights of Laws is missing text and the superstitious werewolves think that Jessica means an end to their race. It doesn’t help when Jessica begins to realize she’s more. She can change partway and hold her form, and speak directly to her wolf. But the biggest complication by far is that her alpha father can't control her like he can the rest of his wolves. When a mercenary who’s been hired by the vampires shows up to extract information about the newly turned werewolf only days after her change, they find themselves smack in the middle of a war and there's no choice but to run together. When it’s up to Jessica to negotiate her release against her father’s direct orders, she chooses to take an offer for help instead. In exchange, Jessica must now swear an oath she may end up repaying with her life.

Jessica is the first ever female wolf shifter and the men don’t like it. Mainly because they believe an old myth that a female werewolf will be all powerful and rule all. Wolves don’t really like change and unrest so Jessica’s father, the Alpha of their pact, helped her create a new identity years ago when they believed she may never shift. She’s a partner in an investigative company and living life away from the pack until the night she shifts for the first time and all hell breaks loose. Jessica now not only has to deal with her wolf, who has a very strong personality and learning how to control that side of her, but now she’s being hunted by a world that includes wolves, various other shifters, vampires and demons that all want her dead.

This story is all about Jessica, getting to know her, going with her on her journey to figure out her new self and her place in her father’s pack. Along the way, she meets a few new people, the most important one being her mate Rourke, a mercenary who’s known for being scary and a very old shifter you don’t want to mess with. Jessica also discovers that she’s not your normal shifter. She has power and control that even her father can’t believe. That power comes in handy more than once when she’s fighting for her life.

I really enjoyed Jessica. Her personality is easy to read on page, she’s a strong heroine and I never felt like she made bad decisions. She’s surrounded by wolves and people she trusts and she listens to their advice and tries to make the best of bad situations. One aspect of her personality that I really enjoyed and haven’t read a lot of in other urban fantasy stories was the relationship she has with her wolf. All of the conversations between them go on in her head, but they are very much two separate minds, Jessica almost always being in control but the wolf making herself present, pretty much all the time; especially when the very sexy Rourke comes into Jessica’s life, her wolf perks up and takes instant notice.

Not much is known about Rourke other than nobody in Jessica’s pack trusts him, so when a meet is set up between Rourke and Jessica shortly after Jessica’s shifting ability has become common knowledge, she wants to know if Rourke was the one who leaked the info or who else might be targeting her. Jessica is ambushed at their meeting and while her pack holds off the wolves wanting to get at her, Rourke gets her away and to safety. It’s during this time that Jessica’s wolf is in her head doing happy dances and acting all frenzied when it comes out that they’re mates. To put it plainly, Rourke is sexy. I really have nothing to add to that. He’s sexy, he’s determined that his mate won’t be harmed and I really, really wanted there to be more between them than just kisses. Jessica doesn’t go through the story without getting some hot sex however…it just happens prior to meeting her mate. I wanted that scene between the mates but shortly after they realize just what they are to each other, more danger hits and Rourke is taken. We’re left with a big to be continued, which would have made me incredibly frustrated if I had read this book as soon as it was released.

All the supporting characters are fantastic and add so much depth to the story. Stand-outs are Jessica’s father Cullum, who’s a powerful leader and will do anything to protect his daughter, even if it means covering things with his pack and Jessica’s brother Tyler and his best friend Danny who both have memorable lines and scenes. There are numerous other characters that are introduced (Cullum’s second, James…mmmmm) and as the series goes along it’ll be interesting to see the roles they end up playing in Jessica’s life and how the pack dynamic might shift with her new abilities.

The ending is a huge cliffhanger, which I really dislike. There’s obviously world building that happens in this story so the pace was a little slow to start, but the ending really picked up and was very action packed and then, BAM, the end – with a big cliffhanger/to be continued. I guess the good news for me is that I waited to read this book until I had book 2 ready to go. The bad news, if each books ends in an abrupt cliffhanger, it’s going to leave this reader feeling very unsatisfied. Time will tell on that one.

Full Blooded is great start to the Jessica McClain urban fantasy series. I was hooked from the start and I loved the heroine. She’s got fire and strength and her inner dialogue with her wolf had me laughing throughout. I can’t wait to see how her relationships with those around her change and develop as the series progresses, especially where Rourke is concerned.

Rating: B

Release Date: September 11, 2012
Publisher: Orbit
Amanda Carlson: Webpage | Facebook | Twitter
Buy Here: Amazon.com | B&N
*eARC provided by publisher for review* 
 

Blush by Lauren Jameson - Winners!

The three winners of a copy of Blush by Lauren Jameson are: 

Fiery Na 

Michele D. 

Northwoman 

Congrats! Thanks to everyone who stopped by and entered.
 

Review: Blush by Lauren Jameson

From the author of Surrender to Temptation comes a provocative story of overwhelming passion set free with one exquisite touch.… Madeline Stone is determined to heal from her tragic past, one difficult step at a time and she doesn’t need any distractions. Then she meets a mysterious and captivating stranger—and over a glass of outrageously expensive wine, her world turns upside down. Try as she might to banish the wealthy business mogul from her thoughts, Madeline can’t fight Alex’s staggering appeal or his enticing offer of intimate discovery. Alex doesn’t date—at least, not in the traditional sense. Still, he wants Madeline …and his sexual intensity provides her with a much-needed escape. They embark on a tumultuous erotic affair, one that takes them to the pinnacle of obsession and desire. But underneath each explosive encounter lie dangerous secrets waiting to consume them both.

Madeline has been going through the motions ever since she and her sister were in a car accident. Madeline was driving and walked away from the crash, her sister did not. She’s living with guilt and horrible anxiety now, she moved away from her home and sister’s fiancé, her job, basically everything she once knew and is now living in Paradise, Nevada. She’s working as a waitress and at the suggestion of her therapist as part of her recovery, she’s making a list of things that she wants to do that she’s too anxious/nervous/petrified of doing now. Her life reminded me of a bubble, she has a hard time handling new situations and places that she hasn’t fully prepared herself for, so this list is a way for her to slowly break out of her shell. Currently at the top of the list is to go into a casino and play a hand of blackjack. Never could she have expected to meet Alex when she unknowingly walks into his casino. Alex is instantly intrigued by Madeline and wants to get to know her much better.

Alex is a Dom and senses that Madeline might be the submissive he needs and wants in his life. Madeline is pretty inexperienced all the way around and Alex’s lifestyle isn’t something that she’s ever considered much less thought about. But for her, the appeal lies in the safety she feels when she gives control to Alex. For some reason, having him in control and her not having to make all the decisions brings her a level of comfort she hasn’t had since the accident. Their relationship doesn’t start right out in the bedroom, thankfully. Alex keeps showing up, talking to her, getting her to be comfortable around him. It’s hard for her at first, but she eventually takes a chance on Alex and takes a chance on moving forward with her life.

This book was a hard one for me for the simple reason that when I finished it, I can’t say that I loved the story, but I also can’t say that I disliked it. There are parts that I liked, I liked when both Alex and Madeline finally opened up about their pasts and trusted each other enough to be vulnerable in that way. And this was something that was very hard for Madeline and it in fact causes the main relationship angst between the two. While there is a BDSM theme running through the story, for as important as the lifestyle is for Alex, it never felt overly so. I almost expected there to be more with that storyline. He does take her to his club that he co-founded with two other men as a place where they could be themselves and act in a safe, accepting environment, something Alex didn’t always have. There are a few scenes at the club, and he is dominant in the bedroom, but other than that and a few scenes where he wants her to wear specific clothes, or call him sir, it never felt as big of a deal as maybe it should have. But that’s ultimately the problem I had with the story – all the storylines just feel like they skimmed the surface and never went as deep as they could have or as I wanted them to. There’s a side story with Madeline and her sister’s fiancé that just gets touched on but I’d have loved to know more about this man. A co-worker of Madeline’s shows interest in her and it was brought up but never explored more. It was little threads like that that were introduced, but I felt like more could have been expanded on them in some way to add a little more depth to the story.

Ultimately, I liked the story – I can’t say that I was completely caught up in the romance but I did like seeing these two people find comfort with each other. It’s a good story, I just felt like it needed something more.

Rating: C+

Release Date: May 7, 2013
Publisher: NAL
Lauren Jameson: Webpage | Facebook | Twitter
Buy Here: Amazon.com | B&N
*eARC provided by publisher for review* 
 

Jill Shalvis: It Had To Be You Excerpt & Giveaway!

 
The Lucky Harbor series by Jill Shalvis is one of my current favorites on the shelf and I’m so excited for her next release It Had To Be You, out the end of this month. Today, I have a special excerpt to share with you and thanks to Grand Central Publishing, I have one copy of It Had To Be You to giveaway! Details on the giveaway are below, but first, here’s a look at Ali and Luke:

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Ali appeared. She’d showered and changed faster than any woman Luke had ever known. She was in sweats and makeup-free, wet hair piled up on top of her head, with wavy tendrils framing her face. She headed straight to the kitchen and headed back with a carton of ice cream from Lance’s shop. Luke felt a small smile play around his mouth as she ate right out of the container with a wooden spoon. Ali Winters might be down, but she wasn’t out for the count. She scooped another big bite, and her expression finally relaxed. Until she saw the mess of the house. That wiped the smile right off her face. “Oh no. Oh Luke, I’m so sorry.” “Don’t worry about it,” he said. “It’s seen worse.” “This is true.” Jack rose off the couch. “Way worse. We were what you might call wayward teenagers.” Jack had the same height as Luke, but more bulk to his muscle tone. Of the two of them, Jack also possessed the charm, which had gotten him out of more trouble than Luke had ever managed to get into. Jack flashed all one thousand watts of that charm at Ali now. “Jack Harper. I’ve seen you around, but we’ve never been introduced,” he said, holding out his hand to Ali, smiling his “reassuring” smile. It was number three in his arsenal, behind his “you can’t resist me” and “I want you” smiles. “I’m the best friend, by the way. The better-looking, far more fascinating one, I should add.” “Ali Winters,” she said, looking a little dazzled, which made Luke roll his eyes. “Nice to meet you.” She glanced at the mess again, but Luke stepped in her way. “I’ve heard a lot about you,” Jack said. “I’m sorry,” she said, glancing at Luke. “I can’t say the same.” “Not surprised,” Jack said. “Luke’s not exactly a big talker.” “No,” Ali said faintly, a slight blush coming to her cheeks. “He’s not.” There was nothing in Ali’s tone to suggest that they’d spent some time in Luke’s truck kissing like their lives had depended on it, but Jack knew him better than anyone else on the planet. Proving it, his gaze shifted from Ali to Luke. “Also, he can never find his keys and he snores,” Jack said. “Thanks, man,” Luke said. Jack smiled at Ali. “Hope you’re hungry; I brought Chinese. Ben, my cousin and the third musketeer, would’ve brought a loaded pizza. He’s on government assignment right now, and I’m just superstitious enough that I won’t eat a pizza until he’s home. You need anything else?” Clearly surprised to be asked, Ali blinked. “No, thank you.” Her voice sounded funny and gave Luke a very bad feeling. Jack didn’t miss it either. Jack didn’t miss much. “All right, I’ll get plates,” he said very gently, waiting until he was behind her and out of her peripheral vision to send Luke a steely look. One thing the two of them had always shared was a hatred of seeing anyone mistreated or taken advantage of. Jack loved Luke, but the message was clear—don’t hurt her more than she’s already been hurt. When Jack vanished into the kitchen, Ali moved to the couch, head averted. There might even have been a muffled sniffle. Oh, Christ. Luke had faced down countless gangbangers, armed felons, and drugged-up perps. He’d faced the worst humanity had to offer, but he’d never gotten the hang of dealing with a woman’s tears. Sucking it up, he sat next to her. She stiffened. Ignoring that, he reached for her ice cream, thinking to set it down for her, but she surprised him with an elbow to the gut. “What the hell?” She hugged the ice cream to her chest. “I told you not to be nice to me right now!” “I’m not nice. I’m never nice. And Jesus, remind me to never try to separate you from your ice cream again.” Jack reappeared, paper plates and napkins in hand as he took in the scene. “Bad time?” “Yes,” Luke said. “No,” Ali said, and glared at Luke. Jack nodded in approval. “Keeping him in line. That’s good. He needs that.” Luke shot Jack a look, which Jack ignored as he plopped down on the couch right between them. The big oaf actually bounced Ali nearly to the floor and half sat on Luke as he settled in. He took the ice cream from Ali—and didn’t get elbowed, Luke couldn’t help but notice—and then handed out plates. They divided up the food, with Jack taking the last eggroll. “Hey,” Luke said. “It’d go straight to your ass,” Jack said, and popped the eggroll into his mouth. “No one wants to see that.”

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I have 1 copy of It Had To Be You to giveaway, just enter through the Rafflecopter below. Contest is open to US only and will run through 5/20. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway  

Sinful Sirens Blog Hop: Giveaway!

It's that time again - time for free books! So, recently I started getting caught up with the Spindle Cove series by Tessa Dare. I love. I love so hard. I have one book left to read (book #1, I do things backward around here) and I can't get enough of these slightly unusual heroines finding love with their heroes. The banter, the emotion and yes the sexiness all works for me in this historical series and I want YOU to try these books too (or add the upcoming brand spanking new release to your library). 

One winner will get their choice of any book in the Spindle Cove series, in either paperback, Kindle or Nook format. Winner's choice! International peeps - I will be using Book Depository if the winner is international, please make sure you are listed on their delivery list first, found here. (thanks!) 

First up, a little detail on each book and then enter via the Rafflecopter below. Good luck!

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Book #1

Spindle Cove is the destination of choice for certain types of well-bred young ladies: the painfully shy, young wives disenchanted with matrimony, and young girls too enchanted with the wrong men. It is a haven for those who live there.

Victor Bramwell, the new Earl of Rycliff, knows he doesn’t belong here. So far as he can tell, there’s nothing in this place but spinsters…and sheep. But he has no choice, he has orders to gather a militia. It’s a simple mission, made complicated by the spirited, exquisite Susanna Finch—a woman who is determined to save her personal utopia from the invasion of Bram’s makeshift army.

Susanna has no use for aggravating men; Bram has sworn off interfering women. The scene is set for an epic battle…but who can be named the winner when both have so much to lose?

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Book #2

Minerva Highwood, one of Spindle Cove’s confirmed spinsters, needs to be in Scotland. Colin Sandhurst, Lord Payne, a rake of the first order, needs to be… anywhere but Spindle Cove.

These unlikely partners have one week to fake an elopement to convince family and friends they’re in “love” to outrun armed robbers to survive their worst nightmares to travel four hundred miles without killing each other All while sharing a very small carriage by day and an even smaller bed by night.

What they don’t have time for is their growing attraction. Much less wild passion. And heaven forbid they spend precious hours baring their hearts and souls.

Suddenly one week seems like exactly enough time to find a world of trouble. And maybe…just maybe…love.

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Book #3

After years of fending for herself, Kate Taylor found friendship and acceptance in Spindle Cove–but she never stopped yearning for love. The very last place she’d look for it is in the arms of Corporal Thorne. The militia commander is as stone cold as he is brutally handsome. But when mysterious strangers come searching for Kate, Thorne steps forward as her fiance. He claims to have only Kate’s safety in mind. So why is there smoldering passion in his kiss?

Long ago, Samuel Thorne devoted his life to guarding Kate’s happiness. He wants what’s best for her, and he knows it’s not marriage to a man like him. To outlast their temporary engagement, he must keep his hands off her tempting body and lock her warm smiles out of his withered heart. It’s the toughest battle of this hardened warrior’s life…and the first he seems destined to lose.

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Book #4 (out 5/28/13)

Griffin York, the Duke of Halford, has no desire to wed this season—or any season—but his diabolical mother abducts him to “Spinster Cove” and insists he select a bride from the ladies in residence. Griff decides to teach her a lesson that will end the marriage debate forever. He chooses the serving girl.

Overworked and struggling, Pauline Simms doesn’t dream about dukes. All she wants is to hang up her barmaid apron and open a bookshop. That dream becomes a possibility when an arrogant, sinfully attractive duke offers her a small fortune for a week’s employment. Her duties are simple: submit to his mother’s “duchess training”… and fail miserably.

But in London, Pauline isn’t a miserable failure. She’s a brave, quick-witted, beguiling failure—a woman who ignites Griff’s desire and soothes the darkness in his soul. Keeping Pauline by his side won’t be easy. Even if Society could accept a serving girl duchess—can a roguish duke convince a serving girl to trust him with her heart?

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One winner gets their choice of any book listed above. (if the winner chooses Any Duchess Will Do, this will be preordered for them.) Enter through the Rafflecopter below, giveaway runs through May 20th. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Make sure to keep hopping!

Review: Sworn to Protect (Sugarland Blue #1) by Jo Davis

Sugarland loves their men in blue, especially Detective Shane Ford. But Shane’s mission to protect and to serve has just gotten personal… Detective Shane Ford, Sugarland’s favorite cop, has been blindsided by the sudden death of his best friend, NFL star Brad Cooper, and becoming the legal guardian of Brad’s son, Drew—a bitter, angry sixteen-year-old with a dangerous secret. Shane is determined to pry the truth from Drew, but only manages to alienate him—and winds up going head to head with Juvenile Detective Daisy Callahan, whose job is to protect the teen’s best interests. Shane has always been drawn to Daisy’s beauty and strength, but he’s determined not to allow their intense attraction to interfere with his duty ever again. It’s a vow that will prove difficult to keep, as the realities of Shane and Daisy’s blossoming love and their growing bond with the grieving teen propel Shane headlong into danger for the new family he’s sworn to protect.

The story opens with our hero, Shane, finding out that his best friend Brad died of a suspected overdose leaving behind his teenage son. Shane was given custody of Drew and the two struggle to deal with their pain over losing someone they both loved and finding a way to make their new life work. Add in Daisy, a woman that Shane messed up big time with in the past, having brushed her off after they had sex and regretting the brush off ever since. Daisy is still dealing with the pain of what Shane did, she foolishly thought that their short time together was the start of something big, and was crushed after Shane called things off before they ever really got started. Now they’re back together working on Brad’s case and helping Drew adjust to life without his dad. But when Drew finds himself in the middle of a bad situation, connected to the drugs his dad was taking, it takes both Shane and Daisy to help find and save him.

Right off, I had issues with this story. For as much pain and angst that was set up for Shane and Daisy and how much I thought we were led to believe that Daisy hated Shane for how he treated her, they sure fell back into bed and a relationship way too easy. Daisy, at one point, even acknowledges this and makes a comment about probably regretting the decision to sleep with Shane again, but she’s so drawn to him, she just can’t say no. Their relationship felt like it had zero depth to it. I wanted Shane to have to work for it, to make some effort to get Daisy back and it just wasn’t there. Why bother with setting up this angsty past for them to only brush it off so easily? It set a bad tone for their relationship for me and I never really got into their story.

A pet peeve of mine is characters making stupid “don’t go out into the woods late at night alone when a bad guy is out there” decisions and both Daisy and Drew have moments that made me groan. Daisy makes many dumb decisions one night going out dancing with a friend that leave her getting into a fight and being rushed to the hospital. Without going into spoiler detail, the entire scene was one “oh geez” moment after another with the decisions she makes and just not being smart. The end result was having Shane rush to her side and come to the decision that she’s his and he’s never letting her go again, well fine. But I wish that they’d have gotten there using a different route instead of Daisy doing some dumb things. Same goes for Drew, he wants to help Shane and the case by spying on the dangerous bad guys to get information and it just came across as Drew being dumb, which is too bad because he was an interesting character going through a really tough time, but it was frustrating as a reader seeing him and Daisy do things on page that just made me shake my head.

I just didn’t feel like there was any meat to this story. The romance had no depth, the drug case surrounding Brad and the dealers they’re tracking felt rushed and it was a completely underwhelming read.

Rating: D

Release Date: May 7, 2013
Publisher: Signet
Jo Davis: Webpage | Facebook | Twitter
Buy Here: Amazon.com | B&N
*eARC provided by publisher for review*