REVIEW: Flirting With Texas by Katie Lane

Flirting with Texas

(Deep in the Heart of Texas #5)

by Katie Lane

4 HEARTS

From Goodreads

YOU'RE A LONG WAY FROM HOME, COWGIRL

On her own in the Big Apple, Jenna Jay Scroggs can handle herself when trouble arises. But when she tries to rescue a horse, the passionate do-gooder ends up on a runaway Central Park carriage ride with a hunky stranger. With his sexy drawl and well-worn Levis, Beauregard Cates is doing his darnedest to make Jenna homesick for the small western town she's spent years trying to forget. And it's working: She's dangerously close to falling head over boot heels for the rugged rodeo star with hair the color of moonshine.

Beau came to the big city to escape his past and live life to the fullest. Yet the leggy blonde with eyes as blue as a western sky causes a real hitch in his giddy-up. So when the well-meaning folks of Bramble plot to bring Jenna home, Beau will need to convince her that she won't ever get Texas out of her blood - or one good-time, ever-lovin' cowboy out of her heart.

Flirting with Texas is the 5th book in the Deep in the Heart of Texas series by Katie Lane. And although it's not my favorite of the series it was very enjoyable.

Jenna Jay Scroggs may have run away to the Big City, but she is still the tough Texas girl that can take care of herself. Turning herself into a real life super hero Jenna Jay constantly finds trouble and gives it her all to right it, which is exactly what has gotten her in her current predicament. Trying to resuce the runaway horse and carriage brings her face to face with a silver haired cowboy that she can't get out of her mind. Jenna Jay has no way of knowing how much her life is about to get out of control. Not only, does this sexy cowboy threaten to steal her heart, but the folks of Bramble, Texas are happy to join in and contribute to the chaos.

Beauregard Cates has a death wish. He would argue this, however. After his cancer diagnosis, Beau did all the right things and that may not have been enough. His latest scans show that the cancer may be back and he's done with chemo and living the life of the dying. He's decided to take life by the balls and experience it to the fullest. If this means taking huge risks, so be it. He refuses to have regrets when it's all said and done. When he's asked to check on one Jenna Jay Scroggs while in New York City he reluctantly agrees, thinking his time is better spent doing anything else other than playing babysitter. Little does he know how much the beautiful blonde spitfire is about to turn his life upside down. She makes him feel more alive than he's felt in years.

This was such a tale of both characters battling demons and accepting what life has thrown at them. Beau broke my heart. For the first time in his life he's in love and he's stuck with the terrible decision of professing his love and saddling Jenna Jay with a possibly dying husband or keeping his mouth shut and enjoying what time he has left with her. I loved Jenna! She tried so hard to help the underdog every chance she got and had no idea that she sometimes made it worse. She never felt quite like she belonged with her crazy family, yet they loved her and she loved them.

"Life isn't hell; it's a journey. A wonderful, breathtaking journey. Yes, there will be bumps along the way. And more than a few times, you'll find yourself down in a ditch that looks so deep you think you'll never get out. Some folks like to stay in the ditch. They like to moan and groan about how hard life is and blame all their troubles on other people. Little do they know that in the time they spent complainin' they could have been out of the ditch and standing on top of the mountain."

I so missed the crazy townspeople of Bramble, Texas and the Hens. Their antics never cease to make me laugh out loud.

This book was provided to me from NetGalley.com in exchange for my honest review.

Heat Rating

3 out of 5

REVIEW: Forbidden Love by Harmony Bryce

Forbidden Love

(The Anthony Brothers #3)

by Harmony Bryce

3 HEARTS

From Goodreads

From the moment Jai Anthony walks out of the doors at the Mumbai Airport, he knows that his life is about to change. New colors paint the streets, exotic spices pepper the air, and the city buzzes with life. Then, as if from a mirage, appears the stunningly beautiful Ami.

With falling, shiny dark hair, deep brown eyes, and a body built for the screens of Bollywood, Amir is the most beautiful woman that Jai has ever seen. It’s as if all his years of being a recluse, of not having girlfriends or even dating, suddenly make sense; he was meant for her. But there’s a problem.

He’s her boss.

As the months draw on, it becomes more and more impossible for Jai to hide his true feelings for Ami. He can’t think, he can’t concentrate, and he can’t breathe when she’s in the same room. Yet just when he finally summons up the courage to tell Amir the way he feels, Jai makes a discovery so shocking it threatens to destroy his one chance at true love.

Forbidden Love is the 3rd book in the Anthony Brothers series. As far as novellas go this series is pretty much what you would expect - short, sweet and to the point. The characters are likable and the writing flows well.

The series itself is about the Anthony Brothers. I love this family and how they came to be. It seems that Mr and Mrs Anthony wanted a family and for reasons unknown they couldn't or didn't have children of their own, instead making a family of their heart rather than their blood. Over several years and with no discernable plan they adopted 5 boys. Each boy is of a different race or background, but all loved and raised as their very own. This is such a great and lovely thing to do and who wouldn't love this family?

Jai was adopted by the Anthony's at a young age and has had a wonderful life never feeling anything, but loved. He has a successful career and a life that anyone would be proud to live, but he's never really given much thought to love and forever after. His job takes him to Mumbai and he thinks he's prepared for the cultural shock and the changes that he is going to have to adjust to over the next two years due to his job, but he had no idea this trip was going to change his whole life.

Amir is promised to another man. At 13 her family was going through some financial hardships and her parents arranged a marriage between her and a colleague's son in return for her dowry. Although, she's only met her soon to be husband twice there is no question whether or not she'll go through with it. She would never shame her family, but trying to back out of it. Then she meets Jin and it breaks her heart that she can't be with the man she loves because of duty.

This book offered an interesting insight into the differences in our cultures. I had always assumed the parent that agrees to this kind of arrangement is detached and uncaring, but Amir's family was quite the opposite. Her father wanted her happiness and cared deeply for her well being. I found it interesting to read this story.

This book was provided to me in exchange for my honest review.

Heat Rating

1 out of 5 

Click HERE for my review of Accidental Love (The Anthony Brothers #1)

Click HERE for my review of Lost Love (The Anthony Brothers #2)

REVIEW: Lost Love by Harmony Bryce

Lost Love

(The Anthony Brothers #2)

by Harmony Bryce

3 HEARTS

From Goodreads

You will become addicted to The Anthonys

It ALL started with spilled champagne...

When Markus Anthony accidentally bumps into the stunning Savannah at his brother's wedding, he gets more than just a soaking wet tuxedo.

In that instance, a love he believed to be forever lost is sparked anew.

She's more beautiful than ever, and her kiss sends him into a passionate delirium.

But there's trouble ahead...

Will his foolish ways cause him to lose Savannah once and for all?

And who is the strange man Savannah's been talking to in the middle of the night?

Lost Love is the 2nd book in the Anthony Brothers series by Harmony Bryce. I had hoped to get a bit of a deeper read out of this installment, but not so much. The book, however, is great for a nice, simple read that will leave you smiling.

The series itself is about the Anthony Brothers. I love this family and how they came to be. It seems that Mr and Mrs Anthony wanted a family and for reasons unknown they couldn't or didn't have children of their own, instead making a family of their heart rather than their blood. Over several years and with no discernable plan they adopted 5 boys. Each boy is of a different race or background, but all loved and raised as their very own. This is such a great and lovely thing to do and who wouldn't love this family?

Markus Anthony is fed up with women. That is until he bumps into "the one that got away" at his brother's wedding. He is determined to do things differently this time and learn from his past mistakes.

Savannah has never really been able to get Markus out of her mind or her heart. After graduation she knew they had no where to go in their relationship. He had so many ambitions and wanted to climb the ladder of success. She refused to be lost in the shuffle, but now she's found herself right back in the same situation and she's pretty sure her heart won't let her walk away so easily this time.

Markus and Savannah's story is my favorite, so far. I loved that Markus was able to see that he was repeating his old mistakes and adjust his actions to fix it. I loved Savannah's dedication and her strength to not give up, yet show Markus the error of his ways.

This book was provided to me by the author in exchange for my honest review.

Heat Rating

1 out of 5 

Click HERE for my review of Accidental Love (The Anthony Brothers #1)

REVIEW: Reburn by Anne Marsh

Reburn

(The Hotshots #1)

by Anne Marsh

3.5 HEARTS

From Goodreads

Not every man knows how to put out a fire. Fewer know when to keep it burning. . .

He Battles The Flames. . .

Nobody messes with Sam Clayton--or his territory. The big bruising ranger is the last line of defense in forest infernos and he'll go up against anyone who gets in the way of putting them out. Even the FBI tracking a terrorist through the heart of a blaze. But when Sam discovers the agent is ex-lover Olivia Albert, saving himself will be more dangerous than any fire he's faced before. . .

She Lives For The Heat. . .

Olivia needs Sam's help to survive the heat, but when it comes to keeping her quarry from detonating a major strike, this Bureau agent is calling the shots. Except when Sam's hard body and expert hands are reigniting a second chance that could be hot enough to burn forever. .

Reburn is the first book in The Hotshots series by Anne Marsh. This book had a great premise and showed lots of promise it just never quite got there for me. I'm hoping it just suffered a bit from "first book in the series" syndrome and the next books will be more.

Olivia Albert will stop at nothing to get her man. She has earned her stellar reputation as an FBI agent. She always apprehends the guy she's after. That's how she has found herself deep in the forest searching for a terrorist right in the middle of a forest fire. She would never want to put her men in danger, but she just keeps pushing knowing the "bad guy" is just around the corner. Falling down an embankment she's in deep trouble and not sure that she's pushed too far and put herself in danger.

Sam Clayton fights fire and he's damned good at what he does. That's why when he gets the word that he has an FBI agent right in the middle of the drama he can't help, but get mad. Not only is he putting himself in danger, but now Sam, too. Imagine his surprise when he not only finds out the FBI agent isn't a man as he originally thought, but it's none other than Olivia Albert; the girl he had a summer romance with and has never been able to forget. Now, he not only has to get her out of the fire safely, but deal with a terrorist hell bent on destroying them, all the while fighting the attraction that has never cooled.

She'd been his first, and now she'd be his last and best.

I really liked both characters and the story was a solid one. I just never got to the point where the couple seemed "made for each other". The words were there about the attraction, but I never felt it. That being said the book is a good read and I wouldn't be opposed to reading the next in the series.

Thank you to NetGalley.com for the loan of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Heat Rating
3 out of 5 

REVIEW: Accidental Love by Harmony Bryce

Accidental Love

(The Anthony Brothers #1)

by Harmony Bryce

3 HEARTS

From Goodreads

You will be drawn into the Anthony family & fall in love with each member.

Adopted at an early age, Jin Anthony seems to have everything. His job in the medical profession affords him a lifestyle of luxury, he's well liked by everyone, and he always seems to be in control. To those on the outside, it looks as though Jin's living the American dream.

Hailing from a more humble background, Mei-Ling is a beautiful holistic healer who can't speak a word of English.

Jin and Mei-Ling's worlds, and cultures, collide when their paths cross at a medical convention. And while this chance encounter seems insignificant at first, it quickly blossoms into a once in a lifetime love.

But finding true love is never without obstacles...

Can Mei-Ling finally fill the void that's been missing in Jin's life for an eternity?

Or will her father put an end to their passions before things go to far?

As the story progresses, we can't help but become sucked into the intricate and beautiful world of Jin and Mei-Ling. You will feel a firestorm of emotions, including a newfound belief that perseverance is oftentimes the heart's greatest triumph.

Accidental Love is my first Harmony Bryce book and the start to the Anthony Brothers series. This book is typical of many novellas. It doesn't offer a ton of depth, but offers more of a glimpse at a small part of the characters life. It is simply written and straight to the point. I could see where the simplicity in which this book was written could be very appealing to some people and it's not completely putting off to me. It's just not what I typically go for in a story. I want the details, the background, the whys and whats, etc.

The series itself is about the Anthony Brothers. I love this family and how they came to be. It seems that Mr and Mrs Anthony wanted a family and for reasons unknown they couldn't or didn't have children of their own, instead making a family of their heart rather than their blood. Over several years and with no discernable plan they adopted 5 boys. Each boy is of a different race or background, but all loved and raised as their very own. This is such a great and lovely thing to do and who wouldn't love this family?

Jin was adopted by the Anthony's at a young age and has had a wonderful life never feeling anything, but loved. He has a successful medical career and a life that anyone would be proud to live, but he's never really given much thought to his Chinese roots. It's not that his family discouraged it, quite the opposite actually, he just never really felt the need. He never felt the need that is until he meets Mei-Ling at a medical convention. Not only does she open his eyes to the differences in their cultures, but she makes him open his eyes to love.

Mei-Ling has a good career and lives her life as a modern woman for the most part, but she would never act without her father's permission. Meeting Jin and falling in love with him is the best thing that has ever happened to her, but she knows that she can never marry him if she doesn't have her father's approval.

This book offered an interesting insight into the difference in our culture versus that of the Chinese. I honestly had no idea there were still women that could lead responsible, professional lives yet not feel the freedom to make their own life decisions. The fear that Jin felt when he realized that it wasn't the woman he loves that he would have to convince, but her father it broke my heart.

This book was provided to me in exchange for my honest review.

Heat Rating

1 out of 5 

REVIEW: Always On My Mind by Bella Andre

Always On My Mind

(The Sullivans #8)

by Bella Andre

4.5 HEARTS

From Goodreads

Lori “Naughty” Sullivan finally falls in love in ALWAYS ON MY MIND, the new book in Bella Andre’s New York Times and USA Today bestselling series about the Sullivan family.

After a tragic loss three years ago, Grayson Tyler left his life in New York City behind and started over in the rolling hills of the California coast. He's convinced himself that all he'll ever need again is the blue sky, a thousand acres of pasture, and the crashing waves of the ocean. Until one day, Lori Sullivan barges into his life and promptly blows his emotionless and solitary world to shreds, driving him crazy as only a woman nicknamed “Naughty” can. But will Lori be able to convince him that it's safe to love her...and that forever isn't actually out of reach?

Who would've thought Lori's story would've been my favorite? Not me! Always on My Mind is the 8th book in the always awesome The Sullivans series by Bella Andre and my favorite, so far. This is saying something considering this series is filled with absolutely great reads.

Lori Sullivan has always been labeled the naughty one in the nicknames naughty and nice given to her and her twin sister. She doesn't mean to get into trouble; she's just bold, impetuous, energetic and full of life. She doesn't feel so bold and full of life right now, however. Catching her boyfriend in bed with her lead dancer was bad enough, but she let him steal her love of dance. Running away isn't usually her style, but she couldn't take it anymore. Renting a car and just driving seemed like such a good idea at the time. Finding the flyer requesting help as a ranch hand seemed like an even better idea. No, she didn't have any experience on a ranch, but she can do anything she puts her mind to and a month on a ranch will be exactly what she needs to put her life in perspective. Picturing a kind, old farmer Lori can't wait to apply for the position. Finding the sexy, young rancher glaring at her when she swerves to miss his chickens and slams into the fence he just got up, is nothing she imagined. Never one to back down from a challenge she convinces him to hire her on. She's ready for the adventure of ranching, working hard and getting back to basics. She's not ready for the feelings of protectiveness and want that she feels for her new boss.

Grayson Tyler left his big city life behind after the death of his wife. He blames himself for her car accident and pretty much wants to be left alone. That's why when Lori Sullivan came crashing into his life and fence he wants nothing more than to send her on her way. How she convinced him to give her a chance he'll never know, but he does know that she drives him crazy. She's loud and always asking questions. She's social and pushy. She's great with the animals, hard working and kind. She's beautiful and sexy. And he's in big trouble. He knows her life isn't on a ranch. She was made for dance and the city life. He knows he's headed for heartbreak and all he can do is hang on and enjoy the ride.

I listen to this book in audio format. Eva Kaminsky does a great job narrating the wild, crazy and loving Sullivan family.

Grayson and Lori were so much fun to read about. He tried so hard to be surly and grumpy and Lori did a fabulous job at knocking down his walls. Their attraction and heat was palpable. I loved every page! Best Sullivan story, yet!

Heat Rating
3 out of 5

RELATED REVIEWS
The Look of Love (The Sullivans #1) - My Review || Alyssa's Review

From This Moment On (The Sullivans #2) - My Review || Alyssa's Review

Can't Help Falling in Love (The Sullivans #3) - My Review || Alyssa's Review

 I Only Have Eyes For You (The Sullivans #4) - My Review || Alyssa's Review || Jodie's Review

If You Were Mine (The Sullivans #5) - Alyssa's & My Joint Review || Jodie's Review

Let Me Be The One (The Sullivans #6) - My Review || Alyssa's Review

Come A Little Bit Closer (The Sullivans #7) - My Review || Alyssa's Review
Always On My Mind (Tne Sullivans #8) - Alyssa's Review

COVER REVEAL: Wild Child by M. Leighton

**COMING OCTOBER 22, 2013**

BLURB

Jenna Theopolis has always known what she wanted. Getting out of her small hometown of Greenfield was number one on her list of priorities. Until she met Rusty Catron.

Rusty’s fun-loving personality was the perfect match for Jenna’s inner wild child. But what started off as a summer fling quickly turns into something more. At least it does for Jenna.

Rusty has lived with the ghost of his father’s abandonment since he was a child, but now he’s beginning to feel the crippling effects of his scars. He wants to trust in Jenna, but deep down he doesn’t believe someone so wild and free can ever be tamed.

But tragedy strikes, pushing Jenna out of Greenfield and leaving Rusty with a choice to make—face his inner demons or lose the love of his life. Forever.

**********

About the Author....

M. Leighton is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of The Wild Ones and The Bad Boys romance trilogies. She is a native of Ohio, relocated to the warmer climates of the South, where she lets her mind wander to romantic settings with sexy Southern guys much like the one she married and the ones you'll find in her latest books. When her thoughts aren't roaming in that direction, she'll be riding horses, swimming in ponds and experiencing life on a ranch, all without leaving the cozy comfort of her office.

Connect with M. Leighton:

Blog / Twitter / Facebook / Author Goodreads
Wild Child Goodreads / Amazon Author Page




OMG! If the cover to Wild Child is this hot just imagine how steamy the story between Rusty and Jenna is going to be! Many thanks go out to my dear friend M. Leighton for including Riverina Romantics in this special Cover Reveal for Wild Child and to Kelly of InkSlinger PR for her help.

ARC REVIEW: Christmas on 4th Street by Susan Mallery

Christmas on 4th Street

(Fool's Gold #12.5)

by: Susan Mallery

3.5 HEARTS

From Goodreads

There's nowhere better to spend the holidays than with New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery in the town of Fool's Gold, where love is always waiting to be unwrapped... Noelle Perkins just got a second chance at life, and she intends to make the most of every minute. That's why she ditched a frustrating legal career to open her own store in Fool's Gold, California. The Christmas Attic celebrates everything that's magical about her favorite season. Business is booming, and as a bonus, gorgeous army doctor Gabriel Boylan has offered to help out during the holiday rush.

Gabriel's memories of Christmas past contain more sour grapes than sugar plums, thanks to a drill sergeant father who ran his home like a boot camp. Spending the holidays with his family while he recuperates from injury sounds as appetizing as last year's eggnog. Still, there are some enjoyable distractions in town, including sunny, sexy Noelle...and the red-hot mistletoe kisses they can't stop sharing.

Gabriel didn't think he was made for happily-ever-afters. But when fate hands you a love as sweet and surprising as this, only a fool could refuse....

Overall this was a good story, but it just lacked the usual connection I get from Mallery's books. I liked Noelle and Gabriel. They had a beautiful story, a good relationship, I was disconnected.

Noelle is the type of person I could get along beautifully with. She was carefree and happy, and it was contagious. Nothing got her down for long. She kept her head high and took life as if it could disappear at any moment. She lived for the day and never let an opportunity pass her by. Her personality and outlook on life was the perfect complement to Gabriel. He gave her a reason to take a chance again, even if it may not have been the type of chance she hoped for. She was missing something in her life, and she found it in the most unexpected person.

Gabriel is a very exhausted and beaten down man. His life is not one he wishes to share with anyone. It's disturbing, horrifying, and very very dark. He never realized how broken he was because of it until he came to Fool's Gold and met the most remarkable woman in Noelle. Everything bad in his life was forgotten in the midst of her happiness and joy. She made him forget his life and relax. She allowed him to see the brighter side of life that he had been denying himself for so long. She healed him in a way he never expected, or believed, and she made him realize that he really could have happiness and love.

This is a very cute holiday story. I wish I would have connected to the characters more, but it was still a story worth reading. Although some of it was rather sad at times, overall it was a story of two forgotten souls finding each other and falling in love.

**ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Hotness Rating
 3 out of 5

  

REVIEW: Hot Pursuit by Lynn Raye Harris

Hot Pursuit

(Hostile Operations Team #1)

by Lynn Raye Harris

4.5 HEARTS

From Goodreads

The last man she ever wanted to see…

Might be the only one who can save her…

Things are about to get HOT in the bayou!

Evie Baker’s luck just ran out. Thanks to an ex-partner with organized crime ties, she’s lost her restaurant, her money, and nearly all her self-respect. Forced to return to her hometown and work as a shampoo girl in her mother’s salon, she doesn’t think her luck can get any worse.

But then someone starts shooting at her, her sullen baby sister is suddenly missing, and the high school heartthrob who stole her heart—and her virginity—is the only man big enough and bad enough to help.

Captain Matt “Richie Rich” Girard can’t afford to get involved. He’s already on the verge of a court-martial after a Top Secret op gone wrong, and he’s been ordered to stay out of trouble while he’s home for his sister’s wedding.

But when Evie’s ex-partner turns up dead, staying out of trouble is the last thing on Matt’s mind. He failed Evie once before; he can’t fail her again. If he’s going to protect her from a killer, and find her sister before time runs out, he’ll have to risk his entire future—and both their lives—to do it.

Holy, hot hostile operations! This book is every bit as sexy as the cover. Hot Pursuit is the first book in the Hostile Operations Team series by Lynn Raye Harris and in case you can't tell I loved it! I definitely wouldn't categorize it as erotica or even graphically sexy, but the story, the plot, the characters sucked you in and wouldn't let you go. This book has it all...action, intrigue, heat, banter and tons of depth.

Evie Baker is back in town to lick her wounds and get back her life back. Right after culinary school she moved away and started her own business. Trusting in the wrong guy turned out to be her undoing. The accountant she had hired was helping her to make money and everything seemed on the up and up, so she gave him more and more freedom. That was until he took off with all her money and she lost her business. There were even rumors of mob ties, but that was never proven. So, here she is back in the hometown she escaped washing hair in her mom's hair salon. The townspeople have always been nice to her, if you can forget the last 2 years of high school when she was labeled as easy and teased mercilessly. But, people grow up and move on and that's exactly what she wants to do; get back on her feet and move on. Enter Matt Girard, her childhood best friend, her high school crush and the first guy she ever slept with. Now, he's back to witness her humiliation and he wants, of all things, to be her friend, again.

"You've made mistakes, and you have every right to regret them. But don't let them own you, Evie. Don't let them be more important than they are."

Matt "Richie Rich" Girard is back in town for a short time. All he needs to do is keep his head down and stay out of trouble. As the head of an elite special ops team he is in charge of completing his missions and keeping his men safe. The last mission didn't follow those lines. Yes, he followed orders, but he should've followed his gut instincts and pulled out. Now, he's awaiting trial to see what his fate holds. He could be kicked off his team or worse be court martialled. He doesn't know what he would do without his team and his job. Yet, seeing Evie again is giving him ideas. He has missed her so much over the years and has always felt guilty about the night he took her virginity and then told his friends. He had no idea the hurt she suffered after he left with all the teasing and propositioning. Evie was always his best friend and never wanted to see her hurt, especially knowing he caused it. He would love nothing more than to make amends and show her a really good time while he's home. His heart doesn't seem to have gotten the message that a fling is all he's capable of and now he has to keep her alive long enough to convince her they would be perfect together.

Evie and Matt were great together. You could feel the comfort they had with each other after years of being friends. But, that comfort did nothing to soften the attraction they fought as adults. On top of everything else, Evie's accountant is back demanding something he left behind and the mob is involved. Talk about action packed. I highly recommend it! I can not wait for the next book in this series.

Thank you to NetGalley.com for the loan of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Heat Rating
4 out of 5

ARC REVIEW: Butterfly Cove by Christina Skye

Butterfly Cove

by: Christina Skye

4 HEARTS

From Goodreads

Girl's gone bad...for the town's new golden...

Maybe opposites don't always attract. If they did, architect Olivia Sullivan would have run away with bad boy Rafe Russo when they were teenagers. Instead, Olivia has spent ten years dreaming up designs for a life that hasn't gone the way she planned. Still reeling from her career's implosion and her father's death, Olivia thanks her lucky stars for the support of her three lifelong friends. But this good girl is through sitting on the sidelines. When Rafe returns to the beautiful Oregon coast where they grew up, her former flame ignites a new desire. Now Olivia must take a walk on the wild side to show the new deputy that in matters of love...being bad can feel very good.

Freshly back from Afghanistan, rugged ex-Marine and new deputy Rafe is done breaking laws and hearts. He's always regretted leaving Olivia behind, but now she's after adventure and he'd better proceed with caution. Because wanting her again might be easy, but fighting for a future together will be his biggest risk yet. 

 This was my first book by Christina Skye, and I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was interesting, the characters really grabbed me, and I was hooked on their story. The only qualm I have with this book was how the ending happened. It just seemed a little too easy and much too quick of a random turn-around. Otherwise, I enjoyed every moment of this book.

Rafe was just so delicious. I don't understand how Olivia stayed away from him as long as she did. Everything about him was like an aphrodisiac. He was an incredibly dedicated man. He took his job seriously, and when it came to Olivia--he refused to let even the most miniscule thing threaten her. I liked that he wanted her, knew it, and was determined to make something out of their reunion. It was a different approach, and one that definitely fit. It was interesting to see how he went from knowing they would have a forever, to doubting himself, to once again believing they were meant to be. It showed how a nasty past can really mess someone up and make them think that they're all wrong for someone, when in reality they are so right. I absolutely love Rafe. He really was a knight in shining armor, even if he didn't see it.

I liked Olivia's near-innocent personality. It made her views and decisions on things mean so much more. At the same time, she wasn't naïve or stupid. She knew what life is about, how hard it was, and the reality of everything. She was determined to live her life to the fullest and in the way she wanted. Nothing more. Nothing less. Despite being thrown into a rather rough patch, she never realized just how much her life was going to change. She loved her friends dearly, but never truly depended on them. She was her own woman, and more than showed that through her relationship with Rafe. She tried to resist in the beginning, but it was just hopeless. Her love for him was too strong, and once she admitted that, there was nothing that could stop her from keeping him. She was strong and independent and her purity help to defeat the corruption in Rafe's soul.

A book this good I had hoped would have a little bit more down and dirty going on. It was mostly implied, but there were a descriptive scene or two. Nothing to sit too high on my hotness meter. However, the romantic interaction they had was enough to make me happy. I just really wished it could have been a little dirtier. Everyone likes little romp now enough.

Overall, very good book! I'm happy to say I found a new author that I quite enjoy.

Hotness Rating
 3.5 out of 5