Giveaway Alert! Enter for a Chance to Win an ARC of Up in Smoke (Crossing the Line, #2) by Tessa Bailey

Title:  Up in Smoke (Crossing the Line, #2)
Author:  Tessa Bailey
Publisher/Expected Publication Date: Entangled Select; June 23, 2015
Genre: Contemporary Romance

For more information visit Entangled Publishing

Book Summary from Goodreads

Connor Bannon is supposed to be dead. Dishonorably discharged from the Navy SEALs, he's spent the last two years working as a street enforcer in Brooklyn for his cousin's crime ring. Through a twist of fate, he's now in Chicago, working undercover to bust criminals. But when a cute little arsonist joins the team—all combat boots, tiny jean shorts, and hot-pink hair—Connor’s notorious iron control slips.

Erin "she's getting away" O'Dea knows two things. She hates authority. And… Nope, that's it. When she's forced to operate on the “right” side of the law, her fear of being confined and controlled blazes to the surface. The last thing she expects is a control freak like Connor to soothe her when she needs it most. Worse, something behind the sexy ex-soldier's eyes ignites a dangerous inferno of desire. One that invites Erin to play with fire. And one that could get them both killed…

Giveaway

Click on the link below for a chance to win an ARC of Up in Smoke. And hurry, there are only hours left to enter!!!

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ARC Review: No Rules by Starr Ambrose

Title:  No Rules (An Omega Group Novel, #1)

Author: Starr Ambrose

Publisher/Publication Date: Entangled Edge/Select, August 4, 2014

Genre:  Romantic Suspense

Format/Source:  E-ARC, Publisher

Amazon     Barnes & Noble     Goodreads   iTunes     Kobo

Book Summary

Jess Maulier's estranged father was more than the quiet professor of linguistics he appeared to be – she is shocked to discover he was also an operative for a covert group that rescues hostages.  Before he died he left Jess a vital clue to a rescue.  Unfortunately, it's in the form of a children's story, and she has no idea what it means. Though she resents the close professional and personal relationship the handsome and dangerous Tyler Donovan had with her absentee father, she turns to him for help.

But Tyler doesn't know how to interpret the story, either. An attempt to decipher it takes them to Egypt, where danger ignites sparks between them. Tyler can't get involved, though—Professor Shikovski advised him never to risk emotional attachments—and Jess tempts him more than could ever be safe. No matter how enticing she is, he has to maintain his distance to preserve his focus. But only mutual trust can save them from encroaching danger.

My Thoughts

What’s not to love about No Rules by Starr Ambrose?  Ambrose has created a thrilling romantic suspense novel with well-developed characters and a fast paced plot. 

No Rules is the first book of The Omega Group series. The Omega Group was a secret organization that Wally, Jess' father had been a member of.  The purpose of the group was to rescue hostages. It didn't take long for the problems to be presented or for the thrills to begin.  Wally was dead and the only key to finding the hostages was—unknown by her—left with Jess. As such the Omega Group needed her help deciphering the code. It seemed like their challenge was like finding a needle in a haystack and led to tension within the group as they raced against time. There were some intense dramatic moments between Avery, one of the Omega team members, and Jess. Although Avery broached some difficult topics, it appeared to be an accurate depiction of how sometimes people downplay other people’s pain. Their search for clues spanned across countries from the US to Egypt. I've never been to Egypt so I can’t say for sure that it was an accurate depiction of the people, but I did love how bits of Egyptian history were incorporated into the story. It led to a thrilling yet dangerous quest with no clear end in sight.

Ambrose does a wonderful job of depicting Jess as a character who was the product of her tumultuous and unstable childhood. She is a meek individual with pent-up energy, fear, and abandonment issues. After her father’s death there were revelations about his double life and her world was quickly turned upside down again—even in death he soon brought danger and instability to her front door along with Tyler.

The chemistry between Tyler and Jess was unquestionable, but they were hesitant to act on their emotions. Tyler was everything that was supposed to be bad for Jess. He was dark, sexy, and dangerous. Well, maybe the sexy part wasn't so bad. He was dedicated to the mission and the team. Around Jess, he struggled to keep his eye on the mission and off of her.  And each time he started to lose control while he was with her, he would reel his emotions back in. His self-control was both good and bad. Although his behavior increased the tension between them, it also drove Jess out of her shell as she sought what she wanted. Both characters experienced growth throughout the story as new information came to light and they re-evaluated what they wanted out of life.

No Rules has all the elements of a perfect romantic suspense. There was heat, there was tension, and there was danger at every turn.  Although it was 362 pages, once you pick it up you won’t want to put it down.

Rating 4.5/5

I received an e-arc of No Rules from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Entangled Select's July Blast & Giveaway!!!

Whether you’re looking for a romance that makes you laugh, makes you ‘walk the plank’, keeps you guessing, or stars your favorite paranormal, look no further. Select books have the single-title stories you crave, and the longer length you need to really get ‘lost’ in a great book. To find out more about their titles, chat with authors, participate in special events, and to find out what books are coming next, visit the Entangled website, follow them on Twitter, and like their Facebook page.


Today I'm happy to be featuring Select's July's releases:

A Lesson in Temptation by Audra North

Special $0.99 Introductory Price!

Adam Harkness pulled himself out of poverty to become one of the world’s most respected finance professors, but his personal life is non-existent. When he gets roped into a dance class, of all things, he doesn’t expect it to change his life. Julie Stanton’s hard work has paid off with her career, but finding the same happiness in the rest of her life is a challenge. When her former professor, the one she had a crush on in college, shows up at the same dance class, their tango becomes more than a dance; it becomes a lesson in how to love.

Find Out More!

One Night in Buenos Aires by Amanda K Byrne

Special $0.99 Introductory Price!

When best friends Drea and Joe head to Buenos Aires, a mix-up leaves them in one room…and in one bed. The two friends figure it won’t be a big deal to share a bed for one night—right up until they wake wrapped around each other. They protect their friendship by agreeing that when the vacation’s over, the fling’s over. But Joe discovers Drea might be everything he’s ever wanted. Now all he has to do is convince her that what happens in Buenos Aires doesn’t always have to stay in Buenos Aires.

Find Out More!

Giveaway!!!

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Entangled Select's Release Day Blast & Giveaway

Whether you’re looking for a romance that makes you laugh, makes you ‘walk the plank’, keeps you guessing, or stars your favorite paranormal, look no further. Select books have the single-title stories you crave, and the longer length you need to really get ‘lost’ in a great book. To find out more about their titles, chat with authors, participate in special events, and to find out what books are coming next, visit the Entangled website, follow them on Twitter, and like their Facebook page.


Today I'm happy to be featuring Select's June releases:

Queen of Wands by Katee Robert

Available in Print and Digital!

Never in Mac Flannery’s wildest dreams did he imagine Jenny O'Keirna would be the one sent for him. He sees beyond the mad grin the sexy princess of Hansarda presents to the world, and that combination of vulnerability and wicked humor is a siren call he can’t resist. But Sanctify is after them. On the run—and unable to keep their hands off each other—Jenny and Mac devise an insane plan: kidnap the leader of Sanctify, and stop this war once and for all. Unfortunately, they’ve just played right into his hands…

Find Out More! 

 Giveaway

Crimson Hearts by Heather McCollum

Special $0.99 Introductory Price!

Elena has spent her entire life hiding her family name while walking the thin line between lady and servant in a Protestant household. Highland warrior, Searc Munro, has secrets of his own. In a family of healers, his dark, killing magic must never be known. Teaming up as exiles, Elena and Searc head toward Edinburg to find refuge. Yet, with a series of ritual killings haunting the city and a traitor attempting to assassinate Scotland's regent, suspicion turns to Searc. As word of another British heir reaches the country, the two must learn to trust each other before it's too late.

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By Jove by Marissa Doyle

Special $0.99 Introductory Price!

Going back to graduate school to study ancient languages and mythology is a dream come true for Theodora Fairchild. Falling in love with Grant Proctor is an added bonus. But then Theo discovers that being chosen for the prestigious program has more to do with who she is than what she knows. When evil forces threaten Grant’s life in an effort to tear the two apart, Theo must rely on her wits and wisdom to save her true love and survive the semester.

Find Out More!

Giveaway

Curse of the Phoenix Bundle by Rachel Firasek

Special $0.99 Introductory Price!

Book One: The Last Rising

Saving souls without any hope for her own redemption isn’t how Phoenix Ice imagined spending eternity. Fed up, she decides her next death will be her last. But when she sacrifices her own life for a sexy Texan in a catastrophic plane crash, she has no idea the consequences will be so great. When the mysterious Ice comes into Turner Alcott's life, he knows she’s the one. If he wants to win her heart, Turner must teach Ice how to forgive herself, and prove that love is the ultimate sacrifice.

Book Two: The Last Awakening

Ex-soldier Greyson Meadows desperately wants to be freed from the nightmares and guilt that haunt him. Arabella's been gifted her mortality and long-gone voodoo magic. She must save her next soul within a week without using magic, or she’ll lose her power forever. When Greyson is confronted by a waif of a woman who forces him to face the truth about his past, he runs fast and hard. Now one will have to give up everything so the other can have peace, but will love’s magic withstand the loss?

Book Three: The Last Beginning

Though she’s always hated being a phoenix, Sadie has to admit immortality has its advantages. She’s seen and done more in the last 150 years than she’d ever dreamed of, but she can’t get past the fact that Osiris has done nothing but manipulate her and her fellow phoenixes. Sun god Osiris is ashamed of his role as ruler of the Underworld, but unless he can figure out how to save Sadie, that’s exactly where she’s going to end up. Permanently. He'll help her the only way he can—even if it means she’ll hate him forever.

Find Out More!

Giveaway

Posted 6/23/2014 @ 9:01 PM PDT/ 6/24/2014 12:01 AM EDT 

E-ARC Review SEAL of Honor By Tonya Burrows

SEAL of Honor

By Tonya Burrows

Entangled Publishing - May 28, 2013

 



Title: SEAL of Honor

Author: Tonya Burrows

Series: Hornet #1

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Length: 352 pages

Release Date: May 28, 2013

Imprint: Entangled Select

ISBN: 978-1620612583

 

Purchase from Amazon     Purchase from Barnes &Noble     Add to Goodreads 

 

Synopsis

 

It’s a good thing Gabe Bristow lives and breathes the Navy SEAL credo, “the only easy day was yesterday,” because today, his life is unrecognizable. When his prestigious career comes to a crashing halt, he’s left with a bum leg and few prospects for employment that don’t include a desk.

That is, until he’s offered the chance to command a private hostage rescue team and free a wealthy American businessman from Colombian paramilitary rebels. It seems like a good deal—until he meets his new team: a drunk Cajun linguist, a boy-genius CIA threat analyst, an FBI negotiator with mob ties, a cowboy medic, and an EOD expert as volatile as the bombs he defuses. Oh, and who could forget the sexy, frustratingly impulsive Audrey Van Amee? She’s determined to help rescue her brother—or drive Gabe crazy. Whichever comes first.

As the death toll rises, Gabe’s team of delinquents must figure out how to work together long enough to save the day. Or, at least, not get themselves killed. Because Gabe’s finally found something worth living for, and God help him if he can’t bring her brother back alive.

 
My Thoughts

The good, the bad, and why I did not finish SEAL of Honor….. Well the cover is nice, but that’s not what convinced me to read the romantic suspense novel, SEAL of Honor by Tonya Burrows. In actuality, the title caught my attention, because I love stories about Navy SEALs/ men in uniform. There were some characters that I loved and some characters such as Rafael that seemed a bit extraneous. He was Gabe’s flamboyant brother and direct opposite, but he wasn’t essential to the plot. As indicated in the synopsis, Audrey is “…determined to help rescue her brother.” However, her role in resolving her brother’s hostage situation was surreal. Audrey’s lies and presence appeared to be a bit of a distraction.  Audrey and Gage would even become intimate at inopportune times when they should have been developing a plan of action. Yet their irrational behavior was kind of intriguing because it created harrowing situations that called for action. Although, the action fell flat at times because Gage did not always make the best use of his weapons. When they came under attack and he had fair warning, I couldn’t understand why he wasn’t prepared to fight. As for Audrey, she was too afraid to hurt anyone in the beginning and she had to deal with inner conflicts prior to taking action. The adrenaline-charged action started after Gage was inspired to keep Audrey safe at all cost, but the high powered action was only short lived. Audrey was amusing when she thought that Gage was in trouble. The fire started burning in her, and she became creative with developing an unconventional weapon as she planned to defend her man or “stupid alpha male” (145). At this point, I still thought that the book was okay. However, when I arrived at page 216, I found some of the content distasteful, which influenced my decision to not finish the book.
 

Rating-DNF

The publisher provided me with an e-ARC of SEAL of Honor for an unbiased review, thank you.