ARC Review & Spotlight: After I Fall by Jessica Scott

Title: After I Fall (Falling, #3) Author: Jessica Scott Publisher/Publication Date: Jessica Scott; March 21, 2017 Format/Source: eARC, Publisher Genre: Contemporary Romance Readers who want an extended sample can download here: Kindle     epub Purchase links: iBooks     Nook     Kobo     Amazon     Play Book Summary Her entire life has been a lie. Being with Eli is the most honest thing she’s ever done.  Parker Hauser lives the perfect life and knows exactly where she's been and where she's going. Parker has to be perfect. Perfect grades, perfect body, perfect life.  Until she meets Eli Winter.  Eli throws her entire life into chaos when he denies her the one thing she wants from him.  One chance encounter stokes her desire for the man who refused to touch her and left her questioning everything.  When Parker tries to help his new business, the spotlight turns on Eli's military record. And the war he's tried to forget may  destroy them both. Teaser Parker "What do you want?" A murmured question that feels like a demand. The single word I need is lodged in my throat. It’s thick and heavy, filled with potential and promise. "You," I finally say. "Why?" Such a complicated question. I search his face, looking for an answer, a lie, something simple to fill the space left by his question. I lift my hand, afraid he'll see it tremble. It takes every ounce of willpower I've got to slide my fingers over his forearm. I'm surprised by the raw power beneath my touch. I expected the tattoos to be physical manifestations of the violence on his flesh. His skin is hot and smooth. My hand looks pale and small against it. "You seem…" I lift my eyes to his, never removing my hand. "You seem like a straightforward kind of guy." A man with rough hands and dark ink carved into his skin. A man so unlike the men I'm used to, it's not even funny. I lift my hand to his cheek, just above the edge of his beard. I've never touched a man with facial hair before. He is still beneath my touch. A moment before I'm about to press my palm to his cheek, he grips my wrist. Not hard enough to hurt, but he definitely gets my attention. "Not here." I swallow. My mouth is suddenly dry. "Where?" He jerks his chin toward the dark hallway behind us. I follow him silently, wishing he was already touching me, making me feel, letting me pretend I matter, even if it’s only for a few minutes. He leads me through the maze of small tables and patrons at various stages of intoxication. Away from the noise and the smell of fries and smoke and cologne and all the good things that bars have.We step out of the noise and into shadows and silence. He doesn't pounce, doesn't push me against the wall and run those rough hands over my skin. Instead, he leans against it—a casual, arrogant male. Waiting. I know for what. For me to make the first move. For me to step into the space between us. For me to touch him first. I want to. But I am paralyzed. Rooted to the damp concrete beneath my feet. The cool night air might as well be chains, holding me, restraining any thought or movement. He doesn't move. His arms are folded over his broad, heavy chest, his T-shirt straining against his body. The silence hangs on, stretching and thick and tight. "Scared?" he finally whispers. A dare. A terrible, wicked promise in that single word. "Should I be?" My throat is tight and dry. His answer is nothing I expect. And everything I want.  My Thoughts At first it was difficult to get into After I Fall by Jessica Scott—I just couldn't see where the plot was going. As it progressed and more information was revealed about Eli’s and Parker's histories, the story quickly began to turn around. While this book was super steamy, it was the characters that made the story. I like the fact that Scott chooses characters outside of the norm to be the heroine and hero. And I love how the secondary characters are incorporated into the story. The multilayered relationships added a touch of realism.  Scott put Parker in a situation in which she was a prisoner of her circumstances. Her history involved being in both controlling and abusive relationships. I appreciate the fact that the author brought other forms of abuse to light—especially when dealing with people in a position of power. I can't say much more about the story, because I don't want to include spoilers. However, I do recommend picking up a copy, because it's worth the read! Rating 4/5 I received a copy of After I Fall from the Publisher for this review. About The Author Jessica Scott is an Iraq war veteran, an active duty army officer and the USA Today bestselling author of novels set in the heart of America’s Army. She is the mother of two daughters, three cats and three dogs, and wife to a retired NCO. She is the bestselling author of the Homefront series and the Falling series, both about soldiers and veterans adjusting to life after returning from the wars in Iraq & Afghanistan. Her bestselling Falling series features soldiers integrating into life on college campuses. She's also written for the New York Times At War Blog, PBS Point of View Regarding War, and IAVA. She deployed to Iraq in 2009 as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF)/New Dawn and has had the honor of serving as a company commander at Fort Hood, Texas twice. She's holds phd in morality in Sociology with Duke University and she's been featured as one of Esquire Magazine's Americans of the Year for 2012. Jessica is also an active member of the Military Writers Guild. Her debut novel Because of You launched the return of Random House's Loveswept digital imprint and launched the start of the ever popular contemporary military romance genre.  Check Out More Books from the Series!!! Before I Fall Break My Fall After I Fall