Homefront by Jessica Scott...available now!!

Jessica Scott

Homefront

4/7/2015

Blurb:

He's always loved her...

First Sergeant Gale Sorren waited a war and half a lifetime for a chance to get stationed near the ex-wife who left him years ago. When he finally musters the courage to see her, the life he imagined she was living was nothing close to the reality.

She's never stopped loving him...

Melanie never stopped worrying about Gale each time he headed off to war. But he's never been there when she needed him and she's had fifteen years to steel her heart against him.

But when Gale moves to Fort Hood, he finally has a chance to make things right with Melanie and the daughter she raised without him.

Can Mel trust her heart to a man who has always let her down?

Buy:

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Excerpt: 

“What if he comes here?”

“He won’t.”

“You don’t know that.”

“You’re right,” he admitted finally. He sighed heavily. “I’ve known him a long time and this doesn’t gel with what I know of him. He's not going to hurt you.”

“You sound so certain.” Her fingers danced over his ribs, as though she wasn’t sure where to place her hands. “Why?”

“Because you’re mine,” he said, giving voice to the powerful feelings he could finally identify for what they were. “And if he puts his hands on you or our daughter, I’ll kill him.”

And then he kissed her.

It was a powerful kiss, filled with a riot of emotions that had started building in him years ago when she’d first left him. It was a kiss filled with fear. With uncertainty.

With desire.

He gave in to the maelstrom inside him, holding back only enough to be certain that he wasn't crossing the line.

Mel opened to his kiss, wanting badly to push away the sadness and the fear and the worry that had been squeezing the air from her lungs since she’d found Gale outside her office.

There was fear in her response, a tacit admission that this was something fleeting and yet, it was the only tangible thing between them.

He shifted then until their bodies pressed together, until she breathed with him and felt part of her soul take flight from the bonds of worry and sadness and daily life.

Her fingers flexed against his ribs. Gale felt the moment she gave in to the kiss, savored the moment of her surrender. Her body relaxed against his, fitting perfectly against his chest.

This was something good. Something pure. Untainted by the darkness that had caused him to seek her out today, needing her when he needed to lean. This. This was what he craved. His wife’s touch. His wife’s taste.

She was not his wife. That ugly piece of reality crashed into him and he stiffened.

Mel felt it instantly, her body tensing. “What?”

The words lodged in his throat. There was no way he could admit the feelings that churned inside him. That he still thought of her as his wife after all these years.

He nipped at her bottom lip, hoping to distract her. “We should do this more often.”

He felt her smile beneath his lips. “You think so?” There was something light and breathless in her words.

“Very much so.” He kissed the corner of her mouth. The edge of her jaw.

He traced the outside edge of her ear with the tip of his tongue. Felt the pleasure of her gasp against his cheek. His teeth scraped over her earlobe. “That’s nice,” she breathed.

“You like that?”

“Yeah.”

He closed his eyes, pulling her tight, needing the comfort of her touch, the pleasure to drive away the darkness. He breathed in her scent, holding her close. Her pulse scattered against his cheek and for a moment, he simply held her.

“You make me crazy, Melanie,” he whispered.

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About Jessica Scott:

USA Today Bestselling author Jessica Scott is a career army officer, mother of two daughters, three cats and three dogs, wife to a career NCO and wrangler of all things stuffed and fluffy. She is a terrible cook and even worse housekeeper, but she's a pretty good shot with her assigned weapon and someone liked some of the stuff she wrote. Somehow, her children are pretty well adjusted and her husband still loves her, despite burned water and a messy house.

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 OIF/New Dawn and has had the honor of serving as a company commander at Fort Hood, Texas twice.

She's pursuing a graduate degree in Sociology in her spare time and most recently, she's been featured as one of Esquire Magazine's Americans of the Year for 2012.

Find Jessica Online: 

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | TSU

The Wedding Audition by Catherine Mann and Joanne Rock

Book Blurb:

The tabloids call her the Hit and Run Bride after reality show star Annamae Jessup walked out on Atlanta’s favorite baseball player on cable television. Eager to escape her notoriety, Annamae takes a road trip to find the grandmother she’s never met and winds up discovering a whole lot more than a band of back woods relatives. There’s no escape from reality TV, even in Beulah, Alabama, population 3000.

The last thing Wynn Rafferty needs in his new life is a spoiled television princess who can’t even know his real name. He’s in temporary witness protection as an apple farmer after his undercover work put his life in danger. He needs to lay low until the heat dies down from his last case— even if he sucks at growing apples as badly as he sucks at relationships. But Annamae turns his new town into a media circus, unwittingly threatening the lives of him, her and most of Beulah. Wynn is an expert at keeping the world at arm’s length, but when it comes to Annamae, the only way he can keep her safe is to keep her very, very close. 

My Review:

I loved following up with Annamae's story after being introduced to her at the end of How To Lose A Groom in 10 Days.   I really enjoyed The Wedding Audition because I didn't expect what would happen, how this would unfold, and I loved how Catherine and Joanne managed to do this!  I always find it fascinating too how authors can write a book together, and it is so smooth and well written that it's like one person wrote it.

I liked Annamae from the start.  She's a pleaser, and ends up almost doing something she will regret forever...but finally starts thinking for herself and about her own happiness.  Standing up for herself and what she wants would have been difficult after going along with everyone else for so long, but Annamae is stronger than she first appears.  I saw a lot of growth in her character over the span of this novella, and I liked what I saw!

Wynn is 'hiding' for his own reasons, and Annamae brings something out in him he didn't expect.  He is determined not to put her at risk because of him, and in the process of helping her stay safe he starts to lose his heart to her.  Neither of them are looking for a forever, because they are both still dealing with their past.  But a 'right now' might lead to more if they can put the past where it belongs and be who they want to be.  Can they do that though?  It's easier said than done.

I liked the attraction between Wynn and Annamae.  They are both cautious, but can't fight the inevitable.  I liked how they got to know each other, and how they ended up connecting even if it was unanticipated for both of them!  The suspense in The Wedding Audition was great, it really thickened the plot and added some interesting dimension.  There was just enough of it to keep things interesting, but it didn't overwhelm the relationship between Annamae and Wynn.

Joanne and Catherine write very descriptively about the people and the land in The Wedding Audition.  I loved feeling like I was right there on the apple farm with them.

There are some interesting and fun secondary characters in The Wedding Audition that I hope to see more of in future books!

I'd recommend The Wedding Audition to any romance reader!

4/5 stars

Purchase from Amazon.com

How To Lose a Groom in 10 Days by Catherine Mann and Joanne Rock

Book Blurb:

He thought their love was a grand slam, until his bride called foul…

After an impulsive courthouse wedding with one of baseball’s rising stars, landscaper Melanie Webb wonders if she’s fallen victim to lust at first sight. She hardly knows Grady Hollis, the Atlanta outfielder who swooped into her Florida hometown and charmed the socks—and more!—right off her. She couldn’t resist when he proposed under the stars right on the outfield she’d worked so hard to maintain. But when the aftermath means moving to Atlanta and following him around the country for his eight-month a year travel schedule, she gets cold feet.

But Grady has never been a man to give up on a dream and Melanie is everything he ever hoped for in a woman. He knows if only he can convince her to come along for the ride, he’ll convince her that their forever can be something special… and sizzling too. The road trip brings them both deeper understanding, surprise revelations and a love every bit as fiery as the passion.

My Review:

How To Lose a Groom in 10 Days is a fast paced, easy to read novella.  A complete story, it also provides a nice glimpse of what might come in the next book (The Wedding Audition).

After a whirlwind courtship, Melanie is sure Grady will back out of their courthouse wedding.  She is sure she's not cut out for him or his life.  Grady sees things differently though...and he really is in love with Melanie.  Melanie is so confused, it's hard to know how things will end up in How To Lose a Groom in 10 Days.  It was an interesting ride with Melanie and Grady...as she tries to convince him they are too different and he tries to convince her they are meant to be.  I really liked Grady.  His feelings are obvious, he's honest, and determined!  Melanie grew on me as I got to know her.  At first I found her maddening but her character really grew and evolved in this short novella.

A well paced, fast read with a marriage that might or might not be, I'd recommend How To Lose A Groom in 10 Days to romance readers looking for fun, steam, and hope!

4/5 stars

Purchase from Amazon.com

Once and Always by Julia Harper

Book Blurb:

IS THERE A PROBLEM, OFFICER?
Small town cop Sam West certainly doesn't mind a routine traffic stop: speeding ticket, stern warning, and sayonara. With a whopper of a blizzard closing in, that's all he has time for. But the lawbreaker he pulls over is anything but typical. From her mile-long legs to her razor-sharp wit, Maisa Bradley is like nothing Coot Lake, Minnesota, has ever seen . . . and she's about to take Sam on the ride of his life. 

BEING BAD HAS ITS BENEFITS

Whoever said blood is thicker than water probably wasn't related to a former Russian mobster. But an innocent mix-up and rumors of stolen diamonds soon have the Russian mob taking an unusual interest in the sleepy little town-and Maisa facing heated scrutiny from a certain tall, dark, and handsome deputy. Sam's dazzling blue eyes beg her to reveal all her secrets, but how much should she tell? Getting snowed in with the sexiest lawman in the frozen north may not be the worst way to decide . . .

My Review:

Once and Always is full of secrets, mystery and intrigue.  Fast paced with an interesting plot and characters, Julia swept me into Coot Lake like the winter snow storm.

May leads a pretty isolated life and she keeps people at an arms length away from her.  Except for the one night she spent with Sam.  Neither have been able to forget that night or each other.  Sam still wants more, but May is determined he can't have more...even if somewhere deep inside that's what she wants too.  May doesn't think she's right for him, she has a background she hides and is always a little bit scared eventually her family's past will catch up with her.  But May is not the only one with a past she'd rather keep hidden.

Sam has his own hauntings, but with May, Sam doesn't give up easily.  But this time when May comes back to Coot Lake to visit her uncle all sorts of other trouble begins to brew.  Coincidence or not, suddenly the Russian mafia is in Coot Lake, and danger is a frightening thing.

As Sam tries to break down May's walls, he's also trying to piece together what exactly is happening in Coot Lake.  When the puzzle pieces start to come together, can he keep everyone safe and win May over?

May is a bit of a hard heroine to like initially.  Out of a sense of self preservation, she is not very nice at all to Sam and I couldn't figure out what he saw in her.  I did like Sam from the start, especially once Julia started to peel away his layers.  Sam doesn't let May push him away easily though, and his persistence is admirable!  He sees something in her.  The push and pull, the conflict, and the chemistry all added a lot of spice to Once and Always.  

Julia is slow to reveal a lot of details significant to the plot, and at times because of this there was some confusion for me.  There are quite a few sub plots and secondary characters in Once and Always, and though they added backbone to the main plot, at times it was distracting.

I did like the small town feel I got from Once and Always, how in times of trouble people pull together.  

Once and Always is well paced, full of life, action and entertainment that did hold my attention.  

I'd recommend Once and Always to romance readers who like steam and suspense in a small town setting.

3/5 stars

Obsessed (A Starstruck Novella #1) by Beth Ciotta

Book Blurb:

A Fallen Star…
A hot-mess of controversy and scandal, Dakota Breeze—tarnished pop star of fading fame and fortune—accepts a friend’s offer, taking refuge in a small Midwestern town in order to rehearse her comeback concert in secret. Starstruck is the perfect venue however rehearsals are marred by Dakota’s reluctance to resurrect her former bad-girl persona and complicated by an anonymous death threat.

A Haunted Bodyguard…
Enlisted by a mutual friend, Wyatt MacDermott—a seasoned protection specialist—agrees to act as Dakota’s temporary bodyguard. Forced to set aside a personal grudge in order to fulfill his duties, Mac’s stunned by his fierce and instant attraction to the reckless celebrity he’s long associated with his greatest regret.

Obsessed with conflicting needs and united passion, Dakota and Wyatt spin out of control, indulging in a whirlwind affair and tempting an avenger’s wrath. 

My Review:

I really enjoyed this novella!   Beth writes a heroine who is not at all what I expected, and I really liked Dakota.  There is much more to her than meets the eye, and it was really neat to find out more and more about her as the story progressed.  There is also a lot more to Wyatt than you first think, and I liked the slow reveal of his character and secrets. 

Wyatt doesn't want to like Dakota, but he does.  Although he guards his emotions and only reveals what he wants to reveal.  As Wyatt aims to keep Dakota safe, suddenly neither of them are sure their hearts will be safe.  I enjoyed the connection between them, and that it was something neither of them anticipated, nor were they sure if it would lead to anything.

Beth writes Obsessed from both Dakota and Wyatt's POV smoothly and I really like it when authors do this.  I love seeing parts of them the other doesn't know about yet, and it makes me feel like I know them even better.  I liked who both of these characters were and the concept of finding love when you least expect it.

Beth also managed to surprise me with the suspenseful part of Obsessed...the who and the why, and the conclusion was not only heart warming, it also showed the true strength of the main characters, in particular Dakota.  

Well paced with smooth writing and an interesting plot, I'd recommend Obsessed to any romance reader looking to get lost between the pages for a few hours!

Releasing April 13 from Amazon.com

Anticipation by Sarah Mayberry

Book Blurb:

Blue Sullivan knows a player when she sees one. And Eddie Oliveira—charm and sex personified—was born to play. She never wanted him to say goodbye, so for the last ten years she’s ignored the sizzling attraction between them and focused on being the best sidekick a guy could have. Smart girl, right?

Then Blue has a serious accident, and overnight Eddie changes. Suddenly he’s more intense and singularly devoted…to her. With all this sexy attention, it’s hard to stay within the boundaries she’s scrupulously drawn. The temptation, the anticipation builds and, finally, she has to have what he’s offering. Of course Eddie proves to be brilliant. Now, she worries he’s ruined her forever…and she might regret leaping from friends to lovers.

My Review:

Anticipation is a fast paced, emotional friends to lovers journey.  Eddie and Blue have been friends for 10 years.  Eddie is not a settling down, relationship type guy, and Blue is a good friend.  Despite having been attracted to Eddie from the start, Blue has managed to bury those feelings deep.  Everything comes boiling to the surface after an accident though...

Blue has been through a lot in her life and I really felt for her.  I liked how she recognized the value of her friendship with Eddie and pulled back to re-evaluate.  She doesn't push Eddie or try for something she knows won't work.   No matter how she feels, she doesn't want to ruin their friendship.  It was interesting to see Blue work through this and where this actually took their relationship.  Especially when Eddie realizes what they might be able to have together.  The tables are suddenly turned and Eddie is the pursuer.  Blue tries so hard to resist him and her feelings...but Eddie is not giving up easily.  

I liked how Sarah pulls us into Eddie and Blue's life, slowly letting us get to know them better.  The feelings between Blue and Eddie are explored very well.  The angst of the relationship and the conflicting feelings can strongly be felt.  These feelings were appropriate for the plot line and character growth.  The chemistry between Eddie and Blue is definitely there and I liked how neither of them is quick to give in to it, because they value their friendship so much.

Anticipation is the second book in the Brothers Ink series by Sarah Mayberry, but can easily be read as a stand alone.  The secondary characters blend in well with the plot of Anticipation, without leaving you wondering what happened before.

I'd recommend Anticipation to romance readers who like a friends to lovers story.

4/5 stars

Purchase from Amazon.com

The Cinderella Princess by Melissa McClone

Book Blurb:

Thanks to a philandering father, ad exec Emily Rodgers knows happily ever after doesn’t exist. Relying on a man only leads to heartache. She takes care of herself, and work defines her life. But Emily soon finds herself in the hands of a real-life prince who defines the words charming and sexy. Not to mention reckless. If Prince Lucas doesn’t find a royal bride, Emily’s dream of being named a partner at the advertising firm will die.

Luc’s fun-loving ways have made him a magnet for scandal. His father gives Luc an ultimatum—find a wife on a reality TV show or be disowned. Rules require him to marry nobility, but after he meets the uptight American sent to find him find a princess bride, his search for Cinderella might be over. Too bad Emily wants nothing to do with him. Perhaps he can show her that fairytale endings can happen in real life… 

My Review:

I really enjoyed this novella by Melissa McClone! All about looking beneath the surface, not making assumptions, and not believing everything you hear was what I took away from The Cinderella Princess.

Emily doesn't believe in love or happily ever afters, but she is working for a reality show about a Prince finding his bride! It's all about the job though and the thoughts of promotion that push Emily to do the best she can. Prince Lucas is a royal playboy with the reputation to back that up. But there is more to Luc than meets the eye, and the more Emily gets to know Luc as they work together, the more she is drawn to him. Even if she's not the one for him. Even though she finds herself with feelings about him and situations she's not used to having. Prince Luc has never met anyone like Emily. He's never been drawn to anyone so strongly even if she's a commoner who his family would not approve of him being with. Luc has decisions to make, and a woman to win over if he's going to get his Happily Ever After. Will Emily be his Cinderella?

I loved both of these characters. To be honest Emily annoyed me at times with her mannerisms and lack of apparent emotion. As I got to know her and watched her character grow, I understood her better, felt for her, and wanted her to find someone she couldn't say no to! I liked her. Prince Luc has a depth to him, a sense of responsibility and honor-ability that is admirable and makes him very desirable. Despite his reputation he is actually very private. I liked how Melissa makes his family dynamics a strong part of the story without overwhelming the romance. I also like the bit of fairy tale theme to this plot, it works really well!

His Cinderella Princess has an easy flow and Melissa's writing style is so smooth. The length of this novella is perfect for the story being told and a great read to lift your heart up! I'd recommend The Cinderella Princess to any romance reader!

4/5 stars

Purchase from Amazon.com