ARC Review: Break My Fall by Jessica Scott

Title: Break My Fall Author: Jessica Scott Series: Falling #2 Genre: New Adult Release Date: February 15, 2016 Format/Source: E-ARC, Author Get More information at: Goodreads  | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | iTunes Book Summary Violence.  I’m addicted to it. It’s how I feel alive. It’s the only thing that’s real any more. And now I have to sit around and discuss it like it’s physics or calculus. I can’t do it. I can’t pretend that it’s some sterile academic topic.  Violence isn’t sterile. It isn’t calm. It’s pulsing. It’s alive. It’s my drug. Until I met Abby, I never wanted anything beyond the next fight. Never considered that I might finally find a way back to the land of the living. Now? Now I find myself dreaming of a woman with golden eyes. But I can never be with her. Because I am not whole. And I never will be again. But I cannot stay away. And loving her might finally be what breaks me.  My Thoughts Break My Fall by Jessica Scott is an emotionally charged story with excellent character development. Josh and Abby’s story is written in first person with alternating point of views.  Although presenting a story in first person doesn’t always work for contemporary romance novels, Scott excelled at bringing real life issues into the story and Josh to life as he struggled with anger, rage, and dealing with life outside the military. Abby also had struggles of her own. She was presented as a character who thought she could fix everyone else’s problems and was captivated by the mystery behind Josh’s apparent inner turmoil. As a result of their life experiences, there was realistic tension between them. Their pasts had really shaped them and showed who they were as characters. Despite the fact that they both had their issues, they complemented each other well. And I simply loved how these characters transformed over time. Overall, Break My Fall is an excellent read. I’d definitely recommend it to readers who are looking for a contemporary romance novel that’ll take you on an unforgettable emotional ride. Rating 5/5 I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Blog Tour, Excerpt,Giveaway & Review: Dog Collar Knockoff by Adrienne Giordano

Title:                        Dog Collar Knockoff Series:                     Lucie Rizzo Mysteries Authors:                  Adrienne Giordano Release Date:         February 9, 2016 Publisher:               SilverHart Publishing Genre:                     Mystery Format/Source:      E-ARC; Publisher Buy Links:              Amazon / iBooks / Barnes & Noble / Kobo Book Summary Catering to the pampered paws set took Lucie Rizzo from unemployed to entrepreneur. With her dog walking/chic pet accessory business on the verge of success, Lucie’s ready to make a name for herself. One not tarnished by her dad’s mobster rep. When an art deal she brokered between clients turns suspicious, it’s up to Lucie to sniff out the truth. She might not know the difference between Monet and Manet, but Rizzos are no strangers to jail time—and Lucie refuses to be someone’s prison bitch. Unless that someone is a tall, blond and Irish cop. Detective Tim O’Brien certainly knows how to get Lucie hot under the rhinestone collar. And with her on-again-off-again relationship with Frankie Falcone currently off, O’Brien isn’t shy about making her feel wanted, mafia ties and all. Even joining her crack—or crackpot—team on the trail of two paintings with equally shady origins. Excerpt Chapter One – DOG COLLAR KNOCKOFF Lucie paused in front of the Lutzs' garage while the door made its ascent. The heat from the tiny cobblestone driveway scorched right through the bottom of her sneakers, and she rocked back on her heels. For what this brownstone cost, the driveway should have come with air-conditioning. After all, Chicago in August? The humidity alone could suffocate her. Once the door silently halted, Lucie pointed toward the interior door. "Stay alert, Lauren. This is where it gets tricky." The newest part-time member of Lucie's dog walking team studied the door and waited for instructions. Lauren seemed like a nice kid. Well, at twenty, she wasn't really a kid. Lucie was only six years older. Still, Lauren was new to Coco Barknell and needed to understand the intricacies of working with the dogs. Particularly this dog. "The door," Lucie said, "is your friend. Otis is the deadly combination of a jumper and a runner." Lauren scrunched her face. "What?" "When you open the door, you have to do a body block so he doesn't squeeze through. He's an eighty-five pound Olde English bulldog. If you're not careful, you will either A) wind up flat on your butt with Otis on top of you or B) be chasing him around the neighborhood. I've done both and it's not fun. Plus, it'll destroy your schedule." And with the number of clients Coco Barknell serviced in a day, the schedule was the Bible. As happy as Lucie was about the growth of her dog walking and upscale-dog accessory business, she hated turning the dogs over to others. Of course, she'd done a thorough background check on Lauren, but these animals were almost her babies and she couldn't trust just anyone with them. Lucie stepped to the door and planted her feet, weight on her heels. "Are you ready?" "Ready." Lauren smiled and maybe that smile had a bit of lady-you're-a-fruitcake in it, but the first time Otis did one of his Underdog leaps, she would learn. Lucie opened the door and the howling began. "Hi, boy," she said, her voice firm and level, no excitement that would cause a doggie mindmelt. "I'm coming in." Slowly, she inched the door open and slid through with Lauren bringing up the rear. Otis did his normal jumping and Lucie steadied herself for the onslaught. "Off!" Finally, he sat, but he tracked Lauren with his eyes. Then—here we go—unable to withstand the pressure of a new person in his space, he leaped, his long tongue flying in search of a cheek to lick. "Off!" But Lucie would never be Cesar Milan when it came to making Otis understand who the alpha was. That was Joey's specialty. It helped that he was six-foot-four and weighed somewhere in the vicinity of two-thirty. "Sit, Otis," Lauren said, her voice calm, yet assertive in a truly enviable way. Otis sat. Dressed in micro shorts, a tank top, and sneakers, Lauren epitomized the wholesome, yet sexy college co-ed. Her heart-shaped face and long blond hair only added to the morphing of girl-next-door and sexy vixen. If Lucie wasn't careful, the girl might drive Coco Barknell's male clients insane. But the risk was worth it. So far she'd been a responsible employee who showed up on time, ready to work. Lucie led her through the kitchen to the utility closet, strategically placed in a nook between the kitchen and the adjoining dining room. Otis’s leash and various other dog supplies—poop bags, treats, shampoo—were all stored there and it made Lucie's life a whole lot simpler. Too bad all her clients weren't this organized. "Whoa. Is this an Arturo Gomez?" Lucie turned and spotted Lauren a few feet away studying the new painting near the dining room entrance. Lucie had seen the painting for the first time last week and marveled at the rich tones. She'd been drawn to the woman's long, auburn hair cascading over her shoulders as she concentrated on the lute in her hands. The deep red of her dress brought out the smoky archway behind her, and Lucie imagined music echoing off the stone on the surrounding walls. They shouldn’t be snooping, but the painting was right there. Plus, Lauren was an art history major and probably couldn't control herself. Lucie decided to let it go. Except the schedule was quickly falling apart. "I don't know who the artist is, but the leash is in this closet." Ignoring her boss, Lauren inched closer to the painting. "I did a paper on Gomez once. Pure genius at Renaissance." "Uh-huh," Lucie said. "It might not even be a Gomez, but it looks like one. I don't think this would be an original though." Lucie rolled her eyes. The only fake thing in Mr. Lutz's world were his wife's boobs. And those had probably cost a fortune. The man never did anything on the cheap. "If this is a copy," Lauren said, "it's amazing." "Lauren, we need to go." The girl straightened up. "Right. Sorry. I've just never seen one in a private collection. I remember something weird about Gomez's paintings and how they were sold. I could be wrong though. I'd love to know where he got this one." Lucie knew exactly where Mr. L. had gotten it. She'd introduced him to Bart Owens, an art gallery owner who was also a Coco Barknell client. Mr. Lutz had mentioned he wanted to invest in art. Lucie connected him with Bart, and next thing she knew, Bart offered her a finder's fee for the sale of the painting. And all she'd done was make an introduction. If the amount of the finder's fee were any indication, that painting was most definitely an original. After that hefty commission, Lucie—a business owner with escalating expansion expenses to deal with—found herself dropping Bart's card off with every client she serviced. Lucie reached into the closet for Otis's leash. “I think it's an original. Here's the leash. Always grab a few of his treats. If he gets loose, it's the only way to lure him back. He's a sucker for peanut butter. Trust me, you don't want him to get loose. He's an animal." At the sight of his leash, Otis leaped, knocking Lucie back a step, but she held her hand out. "Yes, baby. I know. It's Lucie time." When Lucie shoved the leash at her new dog walker, Lauren tore her gaze from the painting. "Sorry. I promise I'm not this flighty. It's like meeting my favorite celebrity. Total fan-girl here. Would you be able to find out the name of this painting for me? Would that be okay?" She looked back at the painting with a wistful longing and something in her expression reminded Lucie of herself at twenty. She'd been at Notre Dame back then and dreaming of a future in banking. She'd worked hard, graduated with honors, and landed a job as Mr. Lutz's assistant at one of the city's top investment banks. During that time, she’d lived her dream of being more than mob boss Joe Rizzo's kid. In the world of investment banking, she'd moved beyond the title of mob princess. For a little while. Being downsized had certainly humbled her. Reminded her, as if she needed reminding, how easily life could change. It had also busted her back to living in her parents' home. That aside, she was now living a different dream. Building her own company. Who would have imagined her little side business of making high-end dog accessories would take off? But take off it did. In a big way. Now Lucie, along with her mother and best friend, Roseanne, had a major department store pressuring them for more dog coats and collars. The faster they made them, the faster they sold and Lucie's panic meter had shot to the red. All in all, a nice problem to have considering she could still be unemployed, but as with any growing business, time had become scarce. Speaking of... Lucie checked the time on her phone. Eight minutes behind. If they didn't make up some of that eight minutes, by the end of the day, it would be an hour. "Let's hit it, Lauren. Plenty more dogs to see today. I'll ask Mr. Lutz for the title of the painting." Review Dog Collar Knockoff is another amazing book by Adrienne Giordano. I haven't read the first book in the series, but I don’t think it’s necessary to enjoy what's in store in this installment. Lucie and Ro were intent on taking a bite out of crime. There adventures will have you howling with laughter as these amateur sleuths set out to solve the mystery of whether Lucie Rizzo was involved in an illegal art deal. I loved the character development. Ro was an especially fun character. She was flashy and outgoing. She also loved to use her personal assets as a means of distraction. She was simply unpredictable. Lucie was rather reserved. Yet, Lucie was a strong female character. Although she had her flaws, she didn't sit around boohooing while having relationship issues with Frankie. Instead, she worked on achieving her dreams and wouldn't let anyone interfere with what she wanted. Lucie struggled with being known as the daughter of a mob boss and tried to develop her own identity. I Loved the contrast between the two friends. Together, they were an entertaining pair. I liked how Lucie and Ro were both transitioning to a new phase in their life. Lucie and Ro both had relationship issues with their long term significant others. Lucie was kind of unreasonable when it came to her on again off again ex-boyfriend. Especially since she had been responsible for the majority of their breakups. I was happy when she came clean with what was really on her mind. For Lucie, Tim came along. Initially, I didn't really feel their connection, but there was a realistic progression of their relationship. As for Ro she was on a fast track to solving her relationship issues. Nothing seemed to stop her from having a good time. If you love a great mystery with elements of romance and a touch of humor, you'll definitely want to check out this entertaining read. Rating 4.5/5 I received an e-arc from the publisher for this review. * * * About the Author USA Today bestselling author Adrienne Giordano writes romantic suspense and mystery.  She is a Jersey girl at heart, but now lives in the Midwest with her workaholic husband, sports obsessed son and Buddy the Wheaten Terrorist (Terrier). She is a co-founder of Romance University blog and Lady Jane's Salon-Naperville, a reading series dedicated to romantic fiction.  Connect with Adrienne:  Website / Newsletter / Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads / Street Team * * * Giveaway Details There are three giveaways on this tour – two $25.00 gift cards and a swag pack. a Rafflecopter giveaway * * * Blog Tour Stops February 8, 2016 Adventures in Writing Read Your Writes Book Reviews Recommended Romance Long and Short Reviews February 9, 2016 Lush Book Reviews Joyfully Reviewed Cricket's Chirps Thoughts of a Blonde February 10, 2016 Reading on the Rocks Amy's Blog February 11, 2016 Harlie's Books Em & M Books So Many Reads Becky on Books February 12, 2016 Romance Junkies Nicole's Book Musings Nerdy Dirty & Flirty February 13, 2016 Brooke Blogs Renee Entress's Blog Romancing the Book StoreyBook Reviews

ARC Review: Put Up Your Duke by Megan Frampton

Title: Put Up Your Duke (Dukes Behaving Badly, #2) Author: Megan Frampton Publisher/Publication Date: Avon Books; June 30, 2015 Format/Source: E-ARC, Publisher/Edelweiss Genre: Historical Fiction ISBN: 9780062352224 Amazon    Goodreads About the Book He was once happily bedding and boxing, but in the newest Duke's Behaving Badly novel, Nicholas Smithfield has inherited a title and a bride . . . To keep his estate afloat, the new Duke of Gage must honor an agreement to marry Lady Isabella Sawford. Stunningly beautiful, utterly tempting, she's also a bag of wedding night nerves, so Nicholas decides to wait to do his duty—even if it means heading to the boxing saloon every day to punch away his frustration. Groomed her whole life to become the perfect duchess, Isabella longs for independence, a dream that is gone forever. As her husband, Nicholas can do whatever he likes—but, to Isabella's surprise, the notorious rake instead begins a gentle seduction that is melting every inch of her reserve, night by night . . . To his utter shock, Nicholas discovers that no previous exploits were half as pleasurable as wooing his own wife. But has the realm's most disreputable duke found the one woman who can bring him to his knees— and leave him there? My Thoughts Put Up Your Duke by Megan Frampton is an absolutely intriguing historical romance novel.  Frampton does an excellent job of capturing some of the mannerisms and beliefs of the people from the 1800s. Even though Isabella was less than thrilled about her parents’ arrangement for her to marry the Duke of Gabe, she still tried to adhere to societal norms as she maintained her perfect composure and acted as a duchess should. I was glad that there was a slightly different spin on this historical romance novel. Instead of Isabella having to rebel to get what she wanted, Nicholas was the one encouraging her to be herself and speak what was on her mind. I loved how she became a more daring individual, because her behavior led to some unexpected and entertaining moments. Overall, Nicholas was depicted as being respectful and protective, and I love the way that he dealt with her overbearing parents who accepted nothing less than perfection. Needless to say, he was a swoonworthy character. Nicholas and Isabella did have some communication issues, which resulted in tension between them, but the path they traveled seemed realistic. I also enjoyed the portrayal of some of the secondary characters—especially her sister Margaret who was full of surprises. You simply won’t want to miss what Frampton has in store for readers in this second installment of Dukes Behaving Badly. Rating 5/5 I received an e-arc of Put up Your Duke from the publisher/Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.                             Author Info Megan Frampton writes historical romance under her own name and romantic women's fiction as Megan Caldwell. She likes the color black, gin, dark-haired British men, and huge earrings, not in that order. She lives in Brooklyn, New York, with her husband and son.

ARC Review: Revenge Best Served Hot by Jackie Braun (Men of the Zodiac, #6)

Title:  Revenge Best Served Hot (Men of the Zodiac, #6) Author:  Jackie Braun Publisher/Publication Date: Entangled Indulgence; June 9, 2015 Genre: Contemporary Romance Format/Source: E-ARC, Publisher/NetGalley Amazon     Barnes & Noble     iTunes     Goodreads      Entangled Publishing Book Summary Sign: Virgo He’s all business…until he’s all hers Brody Flynn waited years to get revenge on Douglass Shipping for his parents’ accidental deaths. Now the company is fumbling, profits are down, and it’s the perfect time for a hostile takeover. Vengeance. But the former CEO’s daughter Kate Douglass has other plans… Kate’s been waiting for her chance to take on a real role at Douglass and prove to her family that she’s not the fragile piece of glass they all think she is. There’s no way she’ll give up without a fight. All she has to do is convince the gorgeous new CEO to hire her…and not fall for him. But Brody was never supposed to feel attracted to the daughter of his enemy. He was never supposed to want her as hard as he does. And the only thing stronger than his hunger for revenge is his hunger for her… My Thoughts “Revenge is a hollow victory” (p. 224). It took some time for Revenge Best Served Hot by Jackie Braun to become engaging; however, the slow start worked beautifully given the conflict that was introduced early on. The story started as Brody took over Douglass Shipping. Kate Douglass was the daughter of the previous CEO and she was set on continued employment with the company. Initially, it seemed that Kate’s actions were unrealistic as she agreed to work for the very person who had screwed her family over, but they were understandable as Braun revealed more about Kate’s motivation. Brody was all business and was set on revenge for what happened to his parents. I loved the transformation of his character as he had to do some serious introspection after meeting Kate. As Kate and Brody cozied up to one another, Braun did a good job of keeping the business take over at the forefront and adding elements that raised constant questions regarding whether they would ever be able to trust each other enough to be anything other than two people vying for control. Revenge Best Served Hot is the first book I’ve read by Braun. I loved the execution of the story and the characters’ growth. As such, I would recommend this book as that next summer read for contemporary romance fanatics who also love a dose of competitive tension added in the mix. Rating 4/5 I received an E-ARC of this book from the publisher/NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

ARC Review: When Love Happens by Darcy Burke

Title: When Love Happens (Ribbon Ridge, #3) Author: Darcy Burke Publisher/Expected Publication Date: Avon Impulse; May 26, 2015 Format/Source: E-ARC, Publisher/Edelweiss Genre: Contemporary Romance Amazon    Barnes & Noble     Goodreads     HarperCollins  About When Love Happens In a town as small as Ribbon Ridge and with a family as large as the Archers, even the best kept secrets don’t stay buried for long...  Tori Archer is married…well, on paper anyway. She hasn’t actually seen her husband since the disastrous morning after their impulsive Vegas wedding. The memories of their intense passion may still make her weak in the knees, but Tori knows their marriage was a mistake.  After six months filming abroad, television producer Sean Hennessy wants nothing more than to track down his sexy, captivating wife and get her into bed… fast. So when his boss sends him to Oregon to persuade the famous Archer sextuplets-the former stars of a reality TV show-to do a reunion special, Sean sees the perfect chance to win Tori back. Only, Tori wants nothing to do with him and is determined to push him away. But their attraction is as hot as ever and Sean will do anything to prove their relationship was more than just a fling…because he knows that when real love happens, it changes everything. My Thoughts When Love Happens by Darcy Burke simply takes readers on an emotional whirlwind. I appreciated that this wasn't just another contemporary romance novel in which there was love at first sight without any struggles. I haven't read the previous books in the series; however, I have read the summaries. When Love Happens picked up several months after Sean and Tori were married. The Archer family continued to deal with the death of Alex, one of the Archer sextuplets. Tori especially had a hard time dealing with it all—the guilt, the grief, the marriage. There was definitely a good chemistry between Sean and Tori, and there were moments when they emanated enough heat to melt the snow. Yet, they remained on a roller coaster ride throughout this novel. The pacing in the beginning was slow. And initially there weren't enough details to make me feel like I was in the moment. However, as the story progressed the descriptions, especially those that dealt with the characters' emotions, were more vividly portrayed.  The supporting characters were depicted  realistically. I liked how they helped Sean and Tori work through their issues. Yet, there were elements of  family and reality show drama that complicated matters and raised additional questions as to whether Sean and Tori would stay together or call it quits.  Although I was cautiously optimistic about this book in the beginning, it turned out to be an enjoyable read. I am definitely looking forward to reading the other books In the series to find out how it began. Rating-4/5 I received an E-ARC of When Love Happens from the Publisher in exchange for an honest review. About the Author Darcy Burke is the USA Today Bestselling Author of hot, action-packed historical and sexy, emotional contemporary romance. Darcy wrote her first book at age 11, a happily ever after about a swan addicted to magic and the female swan who loved him, with exceedingly poor illustrations. A native Oregonian, Darcy lives on the edge of wine country with her devoted husband, their two great kids, and two Bengal cats. In her “spare” time Darcy is a serial volunteer enrolled in a 12-step program where one learns to say “no,” but she keeps having to start over. She’s also a fair-weather runner, and her happy places are Disneyland and Labor Day weekend at the Gorge. For more information visit Darcy Burke's Website!

Blog Tour, Excerpt, Review & Giveaway: When It's Right (Montana Men, #2) by Jennifer Ryan

Title: When It's Right (Montana Men, #2)

Author: Jennifer Ryan

Publisher/Publication Date: Avon Books; March 31, 2015

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Format/Source: E-ARC/E-Book, Publisher/Edelweiss & Purchased

Amazon     Barnes & Noble     Google    

When It’s Right (Montana Men #2) synopsis

Gillian ‘s turbulent life has never been easy, but nothing prepared her for the moment of violence that sends her and her little brother running from San Francisco to her grandfather’s ranch in Montana. A man she’s never met. She learned long ago not to trust anyone, but she’ll do anything to keep her brother safe and give him the happy childhood she never had. When she meets Blake Bowden, a strong, silent, gorgeous cowboy who teaches her about the ranch and rescued horses-animals who have been through hell and back, just as she has-Gillian begins to feel at ease for the first time in memory. In fact, she even starts to feel happy. But in her world happiness has always been fleeting, and she’s not sure she can believe in it or the man who has quickly found his way into her heart. 

Blake has everything he’s ever wanted: a partnership on a ranch that allows him to spend his day in the saddle training racehorses. His life is good, steady, uncomplicated…until the most beautiful, haunted looking woman arrives at Three Peaks Ranch. If he wants to keep his ideal life, his partner’s granddaughter is entirely off limits, but Gillian awakens a protective instinct in Blake that he can’t ignore…and ignites a passion he shouldn’t feel. But as Gillian heals and finds her way back into the world, Blake knows that he’s found the one thing that he never knew he was missing. And when danger comes close, he will do anything he must to keep Gillian safe…even if it means risking his life’s dream.

WHEN IT’S RIGHT, Ch1 Excerpt 

Chapter One

San Francisco, California

“Help me!”

Home late from her shift washing dishes at the Jade Palace, Gillian pounded up the two flights of stairs as fast as her legs allowed. She hit the landing and turned right, racing down the hallway past her apartment’s open door to Mrs. Wicks's unit at the end of the hall. She’d heard the screams from outside. Not the first time she’d answered that call, but so help her God, if her father touched one hair on Justin’s head, she’d kill him.

“I’m calling the police,” the babysitter, Mrs. Wicks, threatened loud enough for her voice to carry down the hall.

“Damnit, woman, he’s my blood,” her father bellowed.

Gillian rushed into the apartment, spotted Justin holding his arm, tears shimmering in his eyes, but otherwise appearing unharmed. She looked her father up and down assessing the situation in a glance and the odds on talking him down from whatever ludicrous idea had taken root in his shadowed mind. Dressed in the same clothes he’d left in four days ago, his hair an oily mass hanging lank to his shoulders, he reeked of whiskey, cigarette and pot smoke, and acrid body odor. The wild look in his bloodshot eyes told her he hadn’t slept in a good long while. Riding a meth high, he’d probably binged for days. Soon, he’d lose all sense of reality and need more of the drug that wouldn’t give him the high he needed, since he’d overloaded his system. He’d crash, his body shutting down and putting him into a deep sleep for a day, or two, or three before he woke up miserable, needing more of what put him in this psychotic state in the first place.

Frustrated and angry, but resigned to this same worn-out routine, she shored up her resolve to get through this night, like she’d done too many times in the past, trapped raising a child with little money and even fewer choices. None of them good.

Her father paced, his movements jerky. He scratched at his arm, his legs, the back of his neck with his grime filled nails. He slapped at his thigh, then bit at the tips of his fingers. A hint to how far he’d fallen down the rabbit hole. Not good.

“Dad, come on. Let’s go home. I’ll make you something to eat,” she coaxed, keeping her voice calm.

A powder keg of roiling rage, you never knew what would set him off.

Justin cowered in the corner of the couch, his eyes wide and watchful. He didn’t move, afraid of drawing her father’s attention. Even at six, he knew the rules of this twisted game.

Mrs. Wicks moved into the kitchen, leaving Jessie to handle getting her father out of there and back to their place. She’d done it before. Usually, he’d come looking for her. She’d been held up at work, and he’d found little Justin alone. She never left Justin with him if she could help it, especially over the last year when her father spent more time strung-out and paranoid on meth than comfortably numb with booze and pot, like he’d been every day of her life.

The last two weeks had been hell. Her patience had worn thin days ago. If she could hold on, get him out of Mrs. Wicks’s apartment and into theirs, she could take Justin and crash somewhere else for a few days until her father came down and leveled off.

Then, joy, they could start this whole thing over again.

I wish Justin and I were anywhere else.

Inside, the pressure built. How good it would feel to open her mouth and unleash a string of curses, insults, and blame for what her father put her and Justin through day in and day out. She hated him for spending his life drowning in a bottle and doing drugs, his life going up in smoke. Her life went up with it. Justin’s too. She wanted it to end. One way or another, just end.

Her father swatted at some imaginary bird, or butterfly, or dragon for all she knew. Only he saw the tormenting hallucinations. If he was this far gone, he was even more volatile and dangerous than usual.

“Dad, come on. I’ll make you a burger and get you a beer.”

“We have to go.” His words came out rushed. He swatted at the air again, this time spinning around to the right before he stopped and turned the other way again, tracking his imaginary flying devils, waving his arms over his head to swat them away.

She shook her head, frustrated and tired of dealing with him. This. Everything. She wanted to run away, but where would she go? It was all she could do now to keep a roof over Justin’s head and food in his belly with the diminishing help her father supplied. Out on the streets, or in a shelter, they’d be vulnerable to even more horrors. What kind of life would that be for Justin? Better than this one? Maybe. Maybe not. Still, she needed to find a way to give Justin better than she’d had growing up with a volatile drunk, who could barely keep a bartending job and supplemented his income selling drugs to support his own habits.

“We have to go. We have to go. We have to go,” her father chanted, getting agitated, hitting the side of his head with one hand and scratching at the imaginary bugs crawling under his skin on his leg with the other.

Fed up, she stepped toward him to grab his arm and lead him back to their place. He jumped out of her reach and laughed. The sound held no humor, but a touch of hysteria in the odd shriek. Her father pointed at her, shaking his head side to side. “No. No. No. No. No.” Again, his ominous giggle sent a chill up her spine.

Her father grabbed Justin’s arm and yanked him off the couch. She stood her ground in front of him. No way he left here with Justin.

“Let him go. He needs to finish his homework.” She made up the excuse, hoping he’d release Justin, and she could get him out of there.

“He’s mine. He’ll keep them away. He’s got the light that turns them away.”

Paranoid, delusional asshole.

She sighed, knowing just where this was going and not liking it one bit. Soon, her father would spiral into a psychotic delusion no one could talk him out of.

Please, just pass out already.

Not that lucky, she tensed and waited to see what came next. Her father pulled Justin in front of him, held him by both arms and turned him this way and that, a shield against an enemy only he could see.

“Ow!” Justin cried out when her father’s fingers dug into his thin arms.

“Keep them back.” Her father tugged on Justin again. Hurt and scared, Justin planted his feet and pulled away, trying to get free. Her father held tighter, spun him around to face him, and when her father hurt Justin and he fell to the floor, tears spilling from his eyes, Jessie's couldn't take the ache in her heart and her anger exploded.

“Keep them back.” Her father shook Justin again.

Jessie lost it. “I warned you, if you ever touched him...” She lunged for her father, striking him in the arm, breaking his hold on Justin. She shoved her father two steps back and Justin ran for Mrs. Wicks in the kitchen, who rattled off the building address to the police on the phone. Not the first time someone called the cops on her father, and it probably wouldn’t be the last. No way they got here in time to stop him. Whatever happened next, she’d sure as hell make sure he never got anywhere near Justin again.

Her father came after her in a drug-hazed rage that gave him strength and sent him into a mindless attack. All other thoughts disappeared behind the fury filling his mind. Her father only knew how to hurt. She’d been through this too many times to count and braced for the impact when his fist came at her straight into her eye. Pain exploded in her head. She shoved him in the chest, but he came back with a slap to her jaw that stung something fierce. She kicked him in the shin and shoved him again. He fell back two steps, his hand coming up from behind his back. Momentarily stunned, she didn’t move, but stared down the gun's black barrel in disbelief that he’d actually pulled a weapon on her. She didn’t know where he’d gotten it, only that this added a whole other level to what had seemed like just another rotten night in her life.

Her father held the gun steady, even when he swatted the imaginary devils pestering him. His eyes narrowed on her and in that moment she joined him in the madness she saw swirling in his gaze.

You or me?

One of them wasn't leaving that room alive.

Justin needs me.

You.

She rushed him, grabbed the gun, spun her back into his chest, the gun in both their hands pointed to the window. He tried to wrench it free, punching her in the ribs with his free hand. She jerked on the gun again and again and scratched his hand to get him to release it until he finally let go and the gun thumped onto the floor and skittered across the scarred hardwood. He shoved her from behind. She stumbled forward, scooped the gun off the floor, and turned to face him.

Never turn your back on a psycho.

He leaned forward and charged her like a wounded beast, murder in his eyes and a guttural yell that made the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end.

She swung the gun up and fired. Once. Twice.

Mrs. Wicks screamed.

Blood bloomed on his chest. Still he kept coming. His hands fisted in her T-shirt. He lifted her off her feet and shoved her backward into the window. Her back and head hit the glass with a crack a split second before it shattered. Glass tore and bit into her skin, but she didn’t feel the pain past the one thought in her head. It’s done.

Justin screamed, “Gillian, no!”

I'm sorry.

She flew through the window.

Her father’s dark form stood in the opening, highlighted by the lights behind him. He literally dropped to the floor out of her sight.

Be safe, Justin. Be happy.

Her body slammed into the roof of a car with a sickening thud. Everything went black.

Review

Jennifer Ryan is back again with another story that is sure to draw you in with the intense dramatic scenes in the beginning. When It’s Right addresses familial issues associated with substance abuse and Gillian’s struggles as she learned to trust those around her. Ryan presented both characters that were likeable and those that you love to hate. I loved the fact that Gillian was resilient and continued to press on while having Justin’s best interest as her top priority. And as was true with At Wolf Ranch, I liked the fact that the romantic elements were nicely woven into the story.

Rating 3/5 The book was enjoyable and I would consider 

recommending it to others.

I received an e-arc of this book from the publisher/Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. I also purchased a copy.

Teaser

“I’m not going to kiss you.”

Bud would kill him. Yes, think about that. A slow and painful death, not her full, soft lips. Damnit.

“Oh, you are going to kiss me.” She walked right up to him and stood on tiptoe with her body pressed to his. His hands remained at his sides, wrapped around the edge of the desk. She ran her hands up his arms to his shoulders. “Kiss me, Blake. I want you to.”

The devil inside him leaped. He cupped her face in his hands and stared down into her beautiful hazel eyes. Be gentle. Give her that much. “I’ve wanted to do this since the moment I saw you.” His lips touched hers, soft, tender. Just that one light meeting of lips and mingling of breath and she wanted more. More than she’d ever wanted for herself. For the first time in her life, she wanted to love this man and be loved by him. She had a thousand dreams run through her mind, and all of them were filled with Blake.

About the Author

Jennifer Ryan is the New York Times & USA Today bestselling author of The Hunted Series and The McBrides Series. She writes romantic suspense and contemporary small-town romances featuring strong men and equally resilient women. Her stories are filled with love, family, friendship, and the happily-ever-after we all hope to find.

Jennifer lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband and three children. When she isn’t writing a book, she’s reading one. Her obsession with both is often revealed in the state of her home and in how late dinner is to the table. When she finally leaves those fictional worlds, you’ll find her in the garden, playing in the dirt and daydreaming about people who live only in her head, until she puts them on paper.    

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