Release Day Review: Off the Record by K.A. Linde

Posted in 4.5 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

Off the Record by K.A. Linde
Series: Record #1 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: March 11th 2014
Links: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the publisher (Montlake Romance) in exchange for an honest review

Liz Dougherty has no idea a single question is about to change her life.

Her first big reporting assignment for her North Carolina college newspaper has her covering a state senator’s impromptu press conference. Brady Maxwell may have everything it takes to be a politician—a winning pedigree, devastating good looks, a body made to wear suits—but his politics rub Liz the wrong way. When Liz’s hard-hitting question catches the upstart senator off-guard, it impresses Hayden Lane, Liz’s editor who feels she’s headed for a promising career as a reporter.

But Liz is also headed into a secret romance with Brady that could destroy both their ambitions. Though he’s a bachelor, potential voters might frown on Brady cozying up to a reporter. And Liz isn’t sure sneaking around is enough for her—especially when things between her and Hayden might be less platonic than she thought.

Sleek, sexy, and smart, Off the Record ventures into a high-stakes campaign and an even higher-stakes affair to answer the question: When politics and love collide, can there ever be a winner?

Oh my gosh. OH MY GOSH. OH MY GOSH!!!! This book was so. freaking. goooood. I honestly had no idea I would end up enjoying this, loving this, as much as I did! It’s been a few days since I finished Off the Record–I still can’t get over it! My mind is a mess trying to come up with things to say about it in this review. Let me just start off with saying: Read this book!

Liz Dougherty is a very interesting heroine. She’s a newspaper reporter, an occupation I don’t often stumble upon while reading, so it was refreshing to read about something different than usual. Liz is likable enough, though she wasn’t too relatable. What I loved about her, though, was her drive, her ambition, to be the best possible reporter she could be. She tries hard in school, and we get to see her struggling through her classes and job, and I was very, very impressed with her. I loved that K.A. Linde gave us a very thorough, in-depth look at a reporter’s life through Liz–it’s always so fascinating to read about things you know nothing about.

At Liz’s first coverage of a press conference, she meets Senator Brady Maxwell. Hot, sexy, smart, confident, ambitious Brady Maxwell. And, well, he propositions her. They are incredibly attracted to one another, but is getting involved with each other worth the risk? Worth their jobs? Because if they have a sexual relationship and it becomes exposed, their careers will be ruined. But… Liz and Brady can’t help it. They want each other, badly, and so they agree to have a strictly sexual relationship.

Brady was someone I never expected to actually LOVE. First off, he’s a politician! So Brady couldn’t be that impressive, right? WRONG. I totally LOVED Brady! He had this whole other side to him, a side that doesn’t make him hide his emotions, that just lights him up. When he doesn’t have to be a politician, when he can just be Brady, he blows you away.

“Seems like you’re stuck here with me now. You’re going to have to answer me,” he said, taking another step toward her. His smile was playful. He was flirting with her… teasing her. Brady Maxwell was teasing her.
“I’d be happy to,” she said boldly. “It’s not like anyone is going to be writing an article about me.”
“That’s good. You don’t need to be in the papers. Then everyone would know about you, and I think I prefer you here all to myself.”

Brady could be a total sweetheart, but I have to admit I loved the dirty side of him. When he wants something–and he wants Liz–he is smokin’. He is seductive and charming, and you just can’t not fall for this man. And holy hell, this book was on fire because of Brady. I was fanning myself so much while reading–K.A. Linde can write some seriously hot scenes.

But… But but but. There’s always the but. Sigh. But no matter how much Liz and Brady love spending time together, they are still doing everything in secret. And Brady–freaking Brady, this is the only part I don’t like about him–says over and over that he’ll choose his job over Liz. The elections are everything to Brady. His ambition is an attractive trait of his, but sometimes it can go too far. And yet… and yet, these two do fall for each other. Their chemistry is explosive, but they have such tender feelings for each other. I loved seeing Brady and Liz slowly fall for each other, even as my heart was breaking for them.

“Oh, Brady,” Liz whispered, “I love you.”
She knew it was true. That against all odds, she had fallen for this man. The one man she couldn’t have.
“Baby,” he groaned, his voice strained, “I know you do.”

My heart was literally aching for these two. Because you know, you just know, there can’t possibly be a good ending for these two, at least not right away. All the secrets, all the lies are building up. They go through tons of heartache and heartbreak, and my heart was breaking alongside theirs. Off the Record had the perfect amount of angst–I loved it!

This book was almost perfect–I just wanted MORE! And now I’m so so so soooo excited for the second book! August is too far away!!

Quotes are taken from the arc and are subject to change in the final version.

Reading Order: Record series

#1 ~ Off the Record: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ On the Record: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#3 ~ For the Record: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads

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15Feb2014

Blog Tour + ARC Review, Excerpt & Giveaway: Transcendence by Shay Savage

Posted in 4.5 hearts, Blog Tours, Giveaways, Reviews by Lacey

Welcome to today’s stop on the Transcendence blog tour! I have my review of Transcendence and a fantastic excerpt and giveaway to share with you all!

Title: Transcendence
Author: Shay Savage
Genre: Pre-historical Romance
Release Date: February 2nd 2014

It’s said that women and men are from two different planets when it comes to communication, but how can they overcome the obstacles of prehistoric times when one of them simply doesn’t have the ability to comprehend language?

Ehd’s a caveman living on his own in a harsh wilderness. He’s strong and intelligent, but completely alone. When he finds a beautiful young woman in his pit trap, it’s obvious to him that she is meant to be his mate. He doesn’t know where she came from; she’s wearing some pretty odd clothing, and she makes a lot of noises with her mouth that give him a headache. Still, he’s determined to fulfill his purpose in life – provide for her, protect her, and put a baby in her.

Elizabeth doesn’t know where she is or exactly how she got there. She’s confused and distressed by her predicament, and there’s a caveman hauling her back to his cavehome. She’s not at all interested in Ehd’s primitive advances, and she just can’t seem to get him to listen. No matter what she tries, getting her point across to this primitive, but beautiful, man is a constant – and often hilarious – struggle.

With only each other for company, they must rely on one another to fight the dangers of the wild and prepare for the winter months. As they struggle to coexist, theirs becomes a love story that transcends language and time.

Purchase:
Ebook • Paperback

Oh my gosh!! WOW! Just–wow. I was completely blown away by Transcendence. I loved this book! It was like nothing I’ve ever read before, and I’m still in awe of this story. This is my first time reading Shay Savage, and it definitely won’t be my last. I loved her writing–I’m so impressed with how the author managed to bring a freaking caveman to life in this book, all without much dialogue!

The second I read that blurb, I wanted to read Transcendence so badly. It was so interesting and intriguing, because I’ve never read about cavemen before. I’ve read books where men have caveman tendencies, being all alpha-male, possessive, protective, and mine mine mine, but they were never actually real cavemen. And I have to say that even real live (er–well not live, but you get the idea) cavemen can make good book boyfriends, because I totally fell in love with Ehd! His and Elizabeth’s story was so wonderful to read.

Transcendence is told through a caveman’s, Ehd’s, POV. He’s fairly intelligent for a caveman–he can’t speak or write, but he can communicate and he’s been surviving on his own ever since his tribe was destroyed. But Ehd is getting lonely–he wants companionship, and lo and behold, he finds a young woman, Elizabeth, out in the wilderness. Ehd is so incredibly happy because he’s found his mate. All he wants to do now is protect, feed, and care for his mate, and give her babies. Elizabeth, though, is far from happy. Somehow, this girl from our modern times manages to travel back in time to the prehistoric ages and find herself a mate in a caveman. Through Ehd’s POV, we can tell that Elizabeth is horrified at her predicament, and it’s so, so entertaining to see how she copes with living in the prehistoric era.

This book had it all–a sweeping, heartfelt, beautiful romance, tons of laughs, and a swoony, adorable caveman. This book put me through so many emotions! I laughed my butt off at how much Ehd hated Elizabeth’s chattering, and at their interactions with one another, because they don’t understand each other at all in the beginning. Elizabeth tries to teach Ehd how to talk with her, but all he manages are monosyllables and grunts. But Elizabeth does teach him her name, though since Elizabeth is too much for Ehd to handle, he calls her Beh.

And my heart melted for Ehd, because even though he’s a caveman, and you would think he’d be overly possessive, he’s really the sweetest man ever.

I will provide for her. I will protect her. I will give her anything she wants.

Ehd is fascinated with his new mate–he has no idea where she came from, but now that he’s found her, he won’t let her go. He’s her protector now, and no matter how many headaches her talking causes, he’ll stay with her. I loved loved looooved being inside Ehd’s head. It’s fascinating to go through his thought processes, and since he doesn’t talk, there’s rarely any dialogue. The way Shay Savage portrays Ehd even without dialogue was so impressive. I seriously loved Ehd. I loved that even though he’s a caveman, he’s not so different that we can’t understand him. He’s a man, and he’s got the same traits as other alpha-males, which I found endearing. He’s hilarious sometimes, but at the heart of it all, Ehd is a man who will do anything to protect and care for his mate. And as they spend days, and weeks, and months together, we get to see Ehd falling for his mate. And even though this feeling is foreign to him, he knows he wants Elizabeth to feel the same way about him as he does her.

I want her; I know I do. It is far beyond not wanting to be alone anymore. I want her – only her.
I will do anything to make Beh mine.

I freaking adored Elizabeth! I honestly feel that if I were to somehow end up in prehistoric times, I’d react like Elizabeth does, and that’s why I found her so relatable. She’s absolutely terrified of what this caveman will do to her, but she’ll do anything to survive. And so Elizabeth and Ehd clash all the time. Mostly it’s hilarious to read about, but sometimes it’s heartbreaking to see Elizabeth rejecting Ehd over and over when all he wants is to protect and provide for her. But they really do fall in love. I thought it was beautiful way the way they fall in love, because they can’t really communicate with words, and so their actions define them. They fall in love with each other for who they are, and nothing else.

“Beh…” I pull her close and run the end of my nose over hers. Beh takes a long, deep breath before she settles her head right next to where her hand is splayed across my chest and closes her eyes.
I know the heart beating below Beh’s palm belongs to her.

Transcendence tells a tale of a kind of love that surpasses, transcends, time. It didn’t matter where or when Ehd and Elizabeth came from, because they fell for each other despite all the setbacks that could have made them hate each other. Luckily, we do get answers about Elizabeth’s time traveling, but at the heart of this book is a beautiful love story. I completely fell in love with Transcendence–I highly recommend it! It’s so unique and refreshing, and the beautiful love story will sweep you away.

Quotes are taken from the arc and are subject to change in the final version.

Looking down at my mate, my fingers reach out and brush strands of her beautiful long hair away from her forehead. The softness distracts me from her sorrow, and I pinch a few of the strands between my fingers to hold them out and look more closely. The firelight brings out the slight tinges of red in a few of the strands, but it is the texture that intrigues me the most.

As I look back at her face, I can see she is still frightened. Releasing her hair, I reach up and let the tips of my fingers touch the tear stains on her cheeks. I feel like crying for her—lost and alone out on the steppes. I touch slowly her cheek and jaw before my hand finds her shoulder and the incredibly smooth tunic covering her. Like her hair, I find it fascinating. I have never felt anything as smooth and soft. It’s lightweight, too—as if it were made from strands of a spider’s web.

I stroke her hair again to feel the difference between its softness and the texture of the clothing and find myself again fascinated by how soft and beautiful it is. I know I am very lucky to have found such an attractive mate though I am really just thrilled to have another person with me. As I take a deep breath, I inhale the scent of her hair, and the combination of sweet fruit and possibly some kind of flower confuses me—it is still too early in the season for buds to be blooming. Pulling her close to me, I run my nose from her hairline to her temple.

Definitely fruit.

She tenses again, and I’m reminded that she is sad and frightened about the loss of her people. I look into her eyes and tilt my head to the side, wanting her to know I understand. I touch my nose to her temple again—gently bumping her skin in a show of companionship.

Her tongue darts over her lips, and she makes her rhythmic sounds again. She is not as loud this time, but the noise is strange and unfamiliar to me. I continue to watch her closely until she stops making the sounds and lets out a long breath. She sniffs and turns away from me again but seems to have settled down somewhat.

I lay my head next to hers and strengthen my grip around her body. I keep my eyes open and watch the entrance to the cave until I hear her breathing slowly and regularly with sleep. Only when I’m sure she is no longer awake do I allow myself to do the same.

Shay Savage lives in Cincinnati, Ohio with her husband, two children, and a variety of household pets. She is an accomplished public speaker, and holds the rank of Distinguished Toastmaster from Toastmasters International. When not writing, she enjoys science fiction movies, and loves soccer in any and all forms. During the fall, she coaches her daughter’s soccer team. Though she currently works in the technology field, her school background is in psychology, and she brings a lot of that knowledge into the characters within her stories.

Website • Facebook • Goodreads • Twitter

Prize: 2 Paperback Copies of Transcendence, 5 Ebook Copies of Transcendence, and 2 Ebook Sets of Shay Savage’s Books (Surviving Raine, Otherwise Alone, Otherwise Occupied, Uncockblockable, Otherwise Unharmed, Transcendence.)

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2Feb2014

Early Review: Be with Me by J. Lynn

Posted in 4.5 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

Be with Me by J. Lynn
Series: Wait for You #2 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: February 4th 2014
Purchase: Ebook • Paperback
Source: Source: I received an ARC from the publisher (William Morrow Paperbacks) in exchange for an honest review

Teresa Hamilton is having a rough year—she’s in love with her big brother’s best friend, but he hasn’t spoken to her since they shared a truly amazing, mind-blowing, change-your-life kiss. She got out of a terrible relationship. And now an injury is threatening to end her dance career for good. It’s time for Plan B – college. And maybe a chance to convince Jase that what they have together is real.

Jase Winstead has a huge secret that he’s not telling anyone. Especially not his best friend’s incredibly beautiful sister. Even though he and Teresa shared the hottest kiss of his life, he knows that his responsibilities must take priority. He certainly doesn’t have time for a relationship. But it doesn’t help that all he can think about kissing the one girl who could ruin everything for him.

As they’re thrown together more and more, Jase and Tess can’t keep denying their feelings for each other. But a familiar danger looms and tragedy strikes. As the campus recovers, the star-crossed couple must decide what they’re willing to risk to be together, and what they’re willing to lose if they’re not…

OH MY–JASE!!! I totally fell for this sweet, sexy boy. Sigh, my list of book boyfriends just seems to get longer and longer… But who cares, right? 😉

JLA delivers another captivating book in her Wait for You series that engrossed me and made me fall head over heels in love with the characters and story. If you’re a fan of JLA, you won’t be disappointed! It’s got her usual fantastic writing, a snarky, lovable heroine, a and swoony hero with gorgeous gray eyes and is just all around a good guy. Because sometimes you just want to read about the good guy rather than the bad boy.

Jase Winstead is the best friend of Cam (from Wait for You). To be honest, I wasn’t really too into Jase while reading Wait for You. It was Ollie (Cam’s other friend) who I REALLY wanted to read about, but did I even care about Ollie anymore while reading Be with Me? NO. NOPE. NOPE. It was JASE that had my whole attention from start to finish in Be with Me.

“You have no idea what you make me want,” he said, his lips brushing my cheek, sending shivers down my spine. “You have no fucking clue, Tess.”

Teresa Hamilton is Cam’s little sister, and in Wait for You, we know about her abusive ex-boyfriend, and how Cam beat the ever-loving crap out of him. Now, Teresa is in college with an injured, healing knee that prevents her from dancing, which is her life. Teresa has been dealt a crappy hand in life, but she’s still standing strong, and I loved that about her. She doesn’t take crap from anyone, least of all Jase, who wants to pretend that they don’t have something going on between them. Teresa is a fierce, stubborn, snarky, hilarious girl, and I was totally rooting for her throughout the whole book.

Okay, let me just say that Be with Me is the PERFECT book for me. It’s JLA for crying out loud (if you haven’t read any of her books, you should!), and it’s got one of my favorite romance tropes ever! It’s the best friend’s little sister/older brother’s best friend trope, and I was given exactly what I wanted. There was a tad of the forbidden, because Cam will totally flip his shit if he ever finds out about Teresa and Jase, and there was the angst and frustration that comes with this trope. Jase tries to push Teresa, or Tess, as only he calls her, away. Cam is one of the reasons why, but there’s a HUGE plot twist (that I did see coming, but still) that is the main reason for Jase not wanting to get into a relationship with Teresa.

But… Jase can’t seem to stay away from Tess. He can’t get their kiss out his his mind, and here begins the back and forth thing for Jase. It got exciting at some points (like holy hotness, I was totally fanning myself!), but later on it did get slightly tedious. I just really wanted Jase to make up his mind! And poor Teresa–she gets hurt over and over, but she finally finds the strength to say when enough is enough.

There’s the typical I want you but I can’t have you from Jase, but I still loved him. He has his sweet moments and his sucky moments, but overall, he and Teresa make a great couple. And there was a perfect amount of angst! Some scenes between them made my heart flutter or my stomach drop. I couldn’t put this book down–I finished at 2 in the morning! I loved seeing Cam and Avery and their friends again! There are some new characters introduced, like Teresa’s roommate Debbie, her friend Calla (who is getting her story next in Stay with Me!), and Jase’s parents and little brother Jack. There is some intense drama that has to do with Debbie and her abusive boyfriend, and JLA does a good job of mixing that with Teresa and Jase’s love story.

“I want this,” he said, sliding his hands down my sides. He gripped my hips. “I want you always.”
I looped my arms around his neck. “I want you.”
Jase made a deep sound in the back of his throat. “I could almost live on hearing those words.”

I had a wonderful time reading Be with Me. It was gripping and emotional and intense, and I can’t wait for more from this series! I highly recommend it!

Quotes are taken from the arc and are subject to change in the final version.

Reading Order: Wait for You series

#1 ~ Wait for You: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#1.5 ~ Trust in Me: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#2 ~ Be with Me: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#3 ~ Stay with Me: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#4 ~ Fall with Me: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#4.5 ~ Dream of You: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads (June 23, 2015)
#5 ~ Forever with You: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads (Sept. 29, 2015)
#6 ~ Fire in You: Goodreads (2016)

8Jan2014

ARC Review: Taste of Darkness by Maria V. Snyder

Posted in 4.5 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

Taste of Darkness by Maria V. Snyder
Series: Healer #3 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: December 31st 2013
Purchase: Ebook • Paperback
Source: I received an ARC from the publisher (Harlequin MIRA) in exchange for an honest review

She’s fought death and won. But how can she fight her fears?

Avry knows hardship and trouble. She fought the plague and survived. She took on King Tohon and defeated him. But now her heart-mate, Kerrick, is missing, and Avry fears he’s gone forever.

But there’s a more immediate threat. The Skeleton King plots to claim the Fifteen Realms for his own. With armies in disarray and the dead not staying down, Avry’s healing powers are needed now more than ever. Torn between love and loyalty, Avry must choose her path carefully. For the future of her world depends on her decision.

OH MY. Oh my, oh my, oh my goodness, this book was incredible! Taste of Darkness was everything I expected for the final book in this brilliant series and more. There were still some iffy parts that I’m still not too sure about (those Death and Peace Lilys are still the most bizarre things I’ve ever read), but other than that, I LOVED this book. There’s so much going on, between Avry and the gang trying to find Kerrick, and the upcoming war to save the whole kingdom, but at the heart of it all, Avry truly shines in this book. She displays an impressive amount of courage and leadership, she takes charge and fights for those she loves, and she never loses faith in Kerrick

So if you’ve read Scent of Magic (which you should have before starting Taste of Darkness–this series should be read in order!), then you know there was one hell of a cliffhanger at the end. But not to worry folks, Maria V. Snyder gives us an excellent follow-up to that awful cliffhanger. This final book is actually my favorite of the series, despite not loving Kerrick as much.

Avry has her usual stubbornness and her goodness for wanting to heal, but she has matured so much throughout this series. I had admired her already from reading the other books, but my admiration only grew stronger after reading Taste of Darkness. And Kerrick, well, he’ll do just about anything for Avry. He loves her, no doubt about that, but I was a little disappointed in him in this book. He’s weak (magic powers-wise), but I was hoping for more of that spark that he had in the previous two books that made me fall in love with him, but he fell just a little bit short of that. Nonetheless, when these two are together, they make the impossible possible. They love together and fight together, and these two characters have ingrained themselves into my heart. Reading Avry and Kerrick’s adventures, they’ve become so dear to me that it was a little hard to say goodbye to them.

And I can’t forget about the incredible cast Maria V. Snyder has created! The most wonderful part of this fantasy series are the characters. Avry, Kerrick, and the gang are back in action. They’ve been through so much together, and in this final round, they stick by each other no matter what. I love the beautiful camaraderie between these friends. The jokes and banter between everyone made me smile and laugh and love them even more.

And the brilliant story-telling! The book was a bit slow in the beginning, but it was a slow I enjoyed. And when the plot started picking up, there was non-stop action, as usual. But as this is the final book of the series, it’s even more heart-pounding and thrilling to the end. There are strategies to plan, battles to fight, people dying and coming back to life, a freaking kingdom to save. Everything was just WOW. This intricate world hooks you in and never lets you go until the very last page.

Taste of Darkness is an entirely satisfying ending to this series. I’m so sad it’s over, but I’m just so happy with the way everything ends. Maria V. Snyder is just SO GOOD at writing fantasy! (Maybe I should get back to finishing the Study series…)

Reading Order: Healer series

#1 ~ Touch of Power: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#2 ~ Scent of Magic: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#3 ~ Taste of Darkness: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads

29Dec2013

Blog Tour + Early Review & Giveaway: Return to Poughkeepsie by Debra Anastasia

Posted in 4.5 hearts, Blog Tours, Giveaways, Reviews by Lacey

I’m SO happy to be a part of the Return to Poughkeepsie blog tour! I adored Poughkeepsie, and I’m so glad that Beckett is finally getting his own story. Today I’m reviewing Return to Poughkeepsie, and don’t forget to enter the giveaways below!

Return to Poughkeepsie by Debra Anastasia
Series: Poughkeepsie #2 (full reading order below)
Release Date: December 30th 2013

Beckett Taylor is a murderer. His calling, his craft are destruction and intimidation—whether he wants it that way now or not. He left Poughkeepsie to keep his brothers safe, to keep Eve safe. Set up with happy lives to live, they’re better off without him, right?

But all his willpower crumbles when he hears his brother Blake’s frantic voice on the phone. An unknown enemy has moved in on his old territory, and Livia’s been taken. In an instant, Beckett knows it will take an attack only he and Eve can execute to bring her back. All his self-imposed embargoes are torn to shreds, perhaps along with the new man he’s struggled to become.

“Brother, call Eve. I’ll be there soon.”

In this emotional and action-packed sequel to Poughkeepsie, Debra Anastasia conjures a tale of love at its most raw and ragged. With Beckett and Eve, how could we expect anything less? But even when it’s messy, not magical, true love perseveres. Real love finds a way—for better or for worse until death does part.

Purchase:
Amazon • B&N

Beckett!!! I love this man to death. Seriously. He is rude, abrasive, crude, crass, naughty, and a bad, bad man. BUT he has a heart of freaking gold that holds so much love for the people most important to him: his brothers, their wives and children, and most especially Eve. Eve, the love of Beckett’s life, who is a total babe and badass, who he had to leave so she could find a better life with a better man. Oh, Beckett just makes me swoon–and laugh!

We never got to know what happened to Beckett–where he went, what he did–at the end of Poughkeepsie. But now… we finally get his story! He’s left Eve and his brothers to protect them, because he’s a wanted man. Well, he’s always been a wanted man, but this time, he has to leave for good.

From book 1:

“Know this: I love you so fucking much,” Beckett said. “No other person has been to me what you are. No one else ever will be.” He leaned down and gave her the sweetest, gentlest kiss.

And has Beckett’s love for Eve changed? Not for a single second. This man may have blood on his hands, but he loves with his whole heart. And he knows he has to become a better man in order to come back into the lives of the ones he loves. So for the next 5 years, he becomes a normal man. No more killing, no more illegal dealings. Just him and his new dog, Gandhi (who is just adorable!) and his liquor store.

“Yeah, but, you see, I pictured, like, I don’t know, doing something huge. Saving the world.” Beckett shrugged.
Blake shook his head. “Sometimes you can save someone’s whole world just by smiling at them. Kindness is one of those things that has immense value to the person experiencing it.”

Beckett’s not comfortable being a good man, but he’ll do it for those he loves, because he’s just that kind of man. He’ll do literally anything to keep Eve, Blake, Cole, Livia, and Kyle safe. And if you thought there was some crazy intense action in Poughkeepsie? Wait till you get to Return to Poughkeepsie. Beckett might try to be a good man, but his past life finds a way to catch up with him. Between him and Eve, there wasn’t a dull moment in Return to Poughkeepsie, and I loved it!

Beckett and Eve are hot hot hot together, and I just adore them, but I also loved how we get more of Blake and Livia, and Cole and Kyle! The couples are married, and Blake and Livia even have two adorable children. Getting a glimpse–actually, it’s more than a glimpse, so yay!–into their married lives was so satisfying to read. But it’s not all a happily ever after. Kyle and Cole are having problems with conceiving. No matter how hard they try, Kyle just can’t get pregnant, and it’s heartbreaking to read. But this part of life is real, and I was impressed with how Debra Anastasia conveyed this in the book.

We get introduced to more characters, both good and bad. Like Ryan!! I totally adored him, and the antics of his vindictive ex-girlfriend. There’s a new baddie in town who’s trying to take over Poughkeepsie, but Eve so isn’t going to allow someone to take over her town. I love Eve. I think she’s the bomb. She’s an incredibly skilled killer, but she uses those skills for good to protect those she loves… just like Beckett. And even though 5 years have passed since she’s seen Beckett, she still loves him. The two of them are absolutely perfect for each other. They match each other, challenge each other, and love each other so hard. It was wonderful seeing these two together again, because they deserve to have a happily ever after together, even if they aren’t ‘good’ people.

The only problem I had was with the blurb. I kept waiting and waiting for Livia to be kidnapped, but it never even happens until midway through the book! I did love the book, but I was a little miffed. Still, Beckett stole my heart all over again!

“I love you, Eve. You’re the only heart I have.”

Eeep! The Poughkeepsie series is an absolute must-read! You’ll fall in love with all of the brothers, and the story, romance, and action will keep you riveted.

Quotes are taken from the arc and are subject to change in the final version.

Reading Order: Poughkeepsie series

#1 ~ Poughkeepsie: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#2 ~ Return to Poughkeepsie: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#3 ~ Saving Poughkeepsie: Ebook • Goodreads (Nov. 22, 2014)

Debra Anastasia is busy, just like every other mom. There’s dinner, the dogs, the two kids, the two kids, and her ongoing battle with…ahem… digestive issues, which combined with her adolescent boy sense of humor makes for colorful and sometimes cringe-worthy social media updates. Her first love and crowning achievement is her thriving career as the weirdest mom on the block.

Her writing started a decent handful of years ago when–along with the animals and humans in her house–the voices of characters started whispering stories in Debra’s ear. Insomnia was the gateway to plots that wouldn’t give up, wouldn’t let go. Now they stalk her everywhere. Halfway through making lunches, a twist takes hold and–fingers full of peanut butter–she finds somewhere, anywhere to write it down.

She’s eternally grateful to Omnific Publishing, which has now published four of her books: two in the Seraphim Series and two in the Poughkeepsie Brotherhood Series, as well as her novella, Late Night with Andres. That one is special because 100% of the proceeds go to breast cancer research. (So go get it right now, please!) She also very much appreciates her open-minded readers, who embrace everything she has to offer, with a focus on anti-heroes and bathroom humor.

Debra lives in Maryland with her family. You can find her at DebraAnastasia.com and on Twitter @Debra_Anastasia. But be prepared.

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