JUSTIN

JUSTIN                                                     CHRISTI SNOW
Posted: Jan. 17, 2015

Justin by Christi SnowTara Malone is having one of those lives. Born to Oscar award-winning actor, Anthony Malone, and model-famous beauty, Veronica Scott, she should have it made. But her curvy figure and out-of-control frizzy red hair are just the start of her many, many issues. Now to make matters worse, she’s started out her week by running over model, Justin James, with her car. She had a lot of fantasies about the cover model, but never did any of them include vehicular assault.
Justin James doesn’t have time for two broken wrists, but neither does his over-achieving family. He can’t open up his fridge or unzip his fly without excruciating pain and no one else has the time to help him. Tara already shot him down at the accident scene, but maybe he can work this so that the curvy bombshell has a reason to hang around for a bit. He’s not above using guilt if it means he gets to know her better. 

MY REVIEW:
When things are meant to be there is nothing that can stand in her way.  Not even Justin James, male model.  I mean really not him.  You see he was out for a jog, no shirt even (tan lines not good), and he was struck by a car that had jumped the curb.  She couldn’t even use the excuse it was his six pack that distracted her.
     No it was her own private designed app that tells her where she could buy a cup of much needed coffee.  You see she had to run out before her first cup to meet the needs of Veronica Scott who she is the personal assistant too.  The evil witch of exercise videos.  Tara Malone has thought about quitting but Veronica has killed her self-esteem over the years that she questions her looks a lot amongst other things.
     Especially when she is waiting with Justin for the ambulance and he starts flirting and hitting on her to the point of asking her out.  Here the man has two broken arms at least blood everywhere and this fireman is worried about her looking pale.  Enough to ask her on a pity date so she thinks.  Because Veronica has told her over and over again that men do not like women with so much curves like her.  He tries to tell her not a pity date all, just love of her heart shape ass and her womanly curves.  He loves that she loves like 1940’s pin-ups.
     When she visits the second day in the hospital after finding out the first night that his mom is an ER doctor.  And that she is not happy that the woman that ran him over is coming to see him.  But he does ask her to come back to visit.  There is no one to care for him so she offers to care for him since Veronica will be on vacation for a while.  Things start to move then…
     This was a cute short.  Not exactly unexpected as far as the outcome but cute.  I give it 4 stars.  Provided by Net Galley.  Follow us at:  www.1rad-readerreviews.com

SOMEONE LIKE HER

SOMEONE LIKE HER                            SANDRA OWENS
Posted:  Jan. 17, 2015

Someone Like Her by Sandra OwensKnown to the K2 Special Services team as Romeo, ex-Navy SEAL Jake Buchanan may spend his downtime living up to his nickname, but there's one woman who sets his heart racing like no one else can: Maria Kincaid. Unfortunately, his boss - her brother - has made it crystal clear that she's off-limits. Jake doesn't do commitment, while Maria is the type of woman who deserves a promise of forever. Yet Maria finds herself drawn to Jake, the man who stares at her with a desire she wishes he'd act on.
Still haunted by her horrific childhood, Maria goes searching for the father she's never met and stumbles into a nightmarish experience. With her life in grave danger, she reaches out to Jake, her brother's second-in-command. Jake figures he can help Maria without giving in to temptation. But some things are easier said than done.

MY REVIEW:
     How are you supposed to look at life as anything but screwed up?  Especially, when you have an animal instinct for staying alive and well.  You see Logan and Maria Kincaid a brother and sister tag team.  They have always had each other’s back.
     Of course Logan being older he thought he had a say in whatever Maria love life she had.  Well, Maria was about to show and tell him differently.  You see ever since she was born she has had it rough.  Lovey Dovey, what person in their right mind legally changes their name to that?  Well, “her mother” that’s who.  I use that word very loosely, was as Logan put it a “two bit whore.”  She was always trying to defend off, with the help from her big brother Logan, the “Johns” her mother had to the house.
     No matter how much she did for Lovey Dovey it was never enough.  One day she asked her what she did wrong and basically she said, LIVED!  She asked Logan why their mother hated her so much he said because she was more beautiful than their mother.  She felt defeated so, her whole life was for not when it came to her mom.
     On her twenty first birthday it was the most electrical night she can ever remember.  For it was the first night her and Jake Buchanan, her brothers second in command at K2 Special Services.  He was an ex-Navy SEAL.  That night it was like the first time that had both really ever seen each other.  But then, there it was that look between Logan and Jake that said, “Hands Off!”  Once it was issued the eyes were averted except through covert looks.
     Then Maria was off to college at Florida State Univ. as a law student.  Two weeks from graduation when Maria calls Jake after midnight with an SOS!  She made him promise not to tell Logan or she would tell him where she was.  He agreed.  He left right then once he threw out the woman in his bed, out.  They didn’t call him “Romeo” for nothing you know.  He was scared for Maria on so many levels but the one that was really scaring him was the emotional one.  For god sake he was called “Romeo” for a reason, he was not meant to be with only one woman…
     This was one fast pace, erotic romance comedy.  I totally enjoyed it.  The author puts a fun spin on some touchy situations but does it with respect.  I give it 5 stars.  Provided by Net Galley.  Follow us at:  www.1rad-readerreviews.com

WANT IT

WANT IT                                                  JENNIFER CHANCE
Posted:  Jan. 17, 2015

Want It by Jennifer ChanceFor Erin Connelly, being a good girl isn’t such a bad thing. She’s working her dream job at a Boston art gallery and staying out of trouble, which is more than she can say for her deadbeat mom. Unfortunately, her mother’s latest misadventure lands her in the clutches of a Mexican drug lord. Now the only person who can save her is the one man Erin has no business asking for help: the sexy-as-sin army ranger who just so happens to be her former high school sweetheart.

Zander James is no gentleman—and no officer, either, thanks to Erin. Four years ago, she made a call that terminated his highest aspirations . . . and their relationship. He’s never forgiven her, but when he learns that Erin’s embarking on a half-baked rescue mission, he sure as hell can’t let her go alone. Now, with a treacherous enemy lying in wait, the electrifying tension between them may just be Zander’s undoing. Because while he may be able to keep Erin alive, he can’t promise to keep his hands off her.

MY REVIEW:
     When your heart falls it falls.  When your mind then tells it that it can’t due to a betrayal of its own doing, then what?
Old hurts, lies, betrayals, and misunderstandings is what this story is all about.  Bottom line in the long run is love.
     Erin Connelly was a girl from a questionable background.  She ended up with the cape kids by sheer location. She had come there to live with her Gran Ginny.  Her mom was of the slimy variety so lying about where and what her parents were and what they were doing was a protective game, a survival of the teens.  When she got in with the kids of the cape life was great.
     Shy, big doe eyes, and nervous Erin meets and clicks with Zander James.  Not only is smart, popular, and cute he was going somewhere in the future.  Like his father and brothers he was meant for West Point.  There was just this little thing of keeping him alive till then.  You see he was like a turtle on speed.  Slow and sure about his future but the present a thrill seeker.  One that took needless risk to see how far and how close he could get to cheating death.  Until that day he almost could have been killed or the other person, Kevin, but his West Point dream and his life.  They broke up!
     Four years go by she gets a notice.  About Zander’s father’s funeral from a personal email from Zander’s mom.  She drops everything to attend.  Because she wants to pay respect and she has important questions of Zander she goes.
     This is filled with adventure and unspoken and emotions.  Love that was misread as hate or hurt.  Pain of the heart and of the mind.  I really enjoyed this story as well as this entire series by this author.  This one had a lot of humor but it had a lot of sadness and pain.  Well worth the read.  I give this 5 stars.  Provided by Net Galley.
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A SANTINI IN LOVE

A SANTINI IN LOVE                              MELISSA SCHROEDER
Posted:  Jan. 17,2015

A Santini in Love by Melissa SchroederShe was the last woman standing. 
Madison Baker was born and bred to be a Marine. When a roadside bomb ends her first deployment—not to mention her career—she is left to pick up the pieces of what is left of her life. She’s returned to Oceanside to regroup and move on. It doesn’t mean she’s ready for a relationship, even if a particular Santini has different plans. 
Love happens when you least expect it. 
When he first met Madison back at the Academy, Dante Santini is sure the woman was put on the earth to irritate him. She’s prickly and mouthy. She always thinks she’s right. Worse—she almost always is. She hasn’t really changed over the years. One disagreement ends up with them lip locked and very nearly falling into bed, Dante discovers he might need to rethink his first impression. 
When Madison is convinced she witnesses a murder, the only person who believes her is Dante. Together, they sift through the meager evidence, trying to unearth the secrets someone is trying to hide. Neither one of them expecting it would draw them closer—or that a killer is hell bent on making sure those secrets stay buried. 
Get more of the Santini family romances! 
Book One: Leonardo 
Book Two: Marco 
Book Three: Gianni 
Book Four: Vicente 
Book Five: A Santini Christmas 
Book Six: A Santini in Love 
Book Seven: Falling for a Santini (early 2015) 
And, don't miss out on the Johnson Brothers: 
Semper Fi Marines 
Book One: Tease Me 
Book Two: Tempt Me 
Book Three: Touch Me 

MY REVIEW:
     PTSD is a serious issues our service people are coming prey to on a regular basis, due to the wars going on.  Melissa is a kind hearted writer who takes into account just how serious it is especially since she has served herself.  Showing how much work is being done to help those in service with the condition.  Taking into account that no matter how much therapy you can’t discount love and support from family and friends.
     This story adds a twist in the way that Madison Baker, Lt. Marine, is 3 years into recovering enough with condition to understand it more.  You see she and her unit were hit by an IUD that buried her alive.  As if that wasn’t enough she was the only one to survive.  So she is dealing with guilt, claustrophobia, and obsessive compulsive disorder as well as her PTSD.  Yeah for her!  What is good for her is she is off her meds. 
     What comes with that is she has Charlie her service companion dog.  She has also moved into independent living after her hospital stay after being in country.  So, living alone now 6 months she is doing rather well.  Dr. Ed James still tries to push buttons about the date since its 3 years since the accident in a week.  Mostly he wants to see her reaction.  She sets him up to say it first to see his reaction.  Which is good because last year at this time she was a basket case on the anniversary date.  He wants her to get out more.
     So, when her next door neighbor asked her to dinner she accepted.  She enjoys her and her husband, Jack’s company.  She knows too Hannah has Jack also an ex Marine do checks around her house in the evening to make sure she’s okay.  Little did she know they were having another guest too for their dinner party?  Jack’s buddy by family, MJ his sister married to Leo Santini, also Madison’s best friend’s cousin, which is also Jack’s friend’s twin.  His name is Dante Santini his sister’s name is Elena.  They all three met at Annapolis.  Where Madison had a secret crush on her best friend and roommates twin brother, Dante.  Yet, all they did was fight.
     Dante Santini said if you hear him tell it that she was a complete pain in his ass.  Bested him at everything except the physical challenges.  She was close then too.  Drove him nuts, especially since day one he too had fallen head over hills for his sister roommate.
     This story keeps you on your toes even though it deals with very serious subjects you find humor in everyday life.  Dante helps Madison find joy in the simple things in life and love.  How to believe in all things but especially herself the most.  I give this book 5 stars.  Provided by Net Galley.
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A SANTINI CHRISTMAS

A SANTINI CHRISTMAS                         MELISSA SCHROEDER
Posted:  Jan. 17, 2015

A Santini Christmas (The Santinis, #5)Join the Santinis as they gather together not for the joy of the season, but in crisis. One major event throws everything they hold dear into jeopardy, causing Joey to travel back to the memories of when she and Papa first fell in love.

Joey Antonio doesn’t have time for men. Her focus is on saving money for art school. She definitely doesn’t need some jarhead Romeo bothering her. True, every time they run into each other she finds herself more attracted to him—not to mention the kisses he steals are becoming addictive. Still, no matter how sexy the Marine is, she isn’t a woman who is willing to risk her heart.

Stewart Santini, known to everyone as Papa, is convinced Joey is the woman for him. Sexy, smart and tough—exactly how he likes his women. He finds himself falling even before he knows what hit him…but there is one problem: Joey is willing to share her bed, but not her life.

Papa knows Joey is surprised when he agrees to a casual affair, but he has other plans to set him motion. This is one Marine who will battle to win the most precious thing in the world to him: Joey Antonio’s heart.
 

MY REVIEW:
     This story deals with the sensitive subject of date rape, yet only as they would have known of it back in the early 1970’s.  Then there wasn’t even really a name for it or procedures for handling it in most places.
     Yet, Melissa has done a very good job of bringing out the feelings and deep emotions a victim would feel.  Let alone how those around her might feel and respond to her and for her.  Yet, when the characters move toward each other she makes it not so awkward even for now.
     You see Joey Antonio Santini a now grown woman and mother of four grown sons, is in shock.  The love of her life Stewart Santini, a Marine and part of Special Forces at one time.  Had been in a car accident during the holiday season.  All the boys and their families were on their way for a visit when Joey received a call about the accident.
     Once he was out of surgery and all had gone home.  She sat at the side of his bed remembering how they met.   She was so amazed he even chose to peruse her since she was so closed off.  She was hiding a secret she had really only told Thelma who she believed told her husband Sam.  They were both great people who she worked for but they treated her like a daughter and she treated them like parents.
     Joey worked two jobs in order to save money to go to college for art.  She loved it that much to put medal to the pedal.  She had just about the amount she needed to start next semester.  Then she would only work at Sam and Thelma’s bar.  When a “Jarhead Marine” comes in with his buddies.  “Papa” Stewart Santini whose daddy served with Sam and his mom was best friends with Thelma.  Let the match making begin. 
     Yet, she made it clear no dating!  With her back ground it made it tricky to maintain.  The second secret was not so serious but it was fun to keep from Stewart, the Marines who pride themselves on control could not find out her real first name.  Sam knew as did Stewart of the Santini curse that his father and uncles had all fallen under.  This generation just laughed at it until he saw Joey.  Then he knew it was true that, once you meet the woman of your heart at first site you will love her forever.
     See how this couple travels through time and how they come to be.  I enjoyed the couple’s banter and that this has military base and background.  I give it 5 stars.  Got it free on Amazon.  Follow us at:  www.1rad-readerreviews.com

BACK TO YOU #2

BACK TO YOU   #2                                   JESSICA SCOTT
Posted:  Jan. 17,2015

Back to You by Jessica ScottHe's in for the fight of his life . . .
Army captain Trent Davila loved his wife, Laura, and their two beautiful children. But when he almost lost his life in combat, something inside him died. He couldn't explain the emptiness he felt or bridge the growing distance between him and his family—so he deployed again. And again. And again . . . until his marriage reached its breaking point. Now, with everything on the line, Trent has one last chance to prove to his wife that he can be the man she needs . . . if she'll have him
. . . to win back his only love.
Laura is blindsided when Trent returns home. Time and again, he chose his men over his family, and she's just beginning to put the pieces of her shattered heart back together. But when Trent faces a court martial on false charges, only Laura can save him. What begins as an act of kindness to protect his career inflames a desire she thought long buried—and a love that won't be denied. But can she trust that this time he's back to stay?

MY REVIEW:
     What do you do when you love someone so much and they shut you out?  Not just anyone but the man you’ve known since 9th grade when you fell in love with him?  You both promised to… “Love, honor, and cherish through the good times and the bad, sickness and health until do you part.”
     Well, for Laura Davila she had, had enough when the rumors of her husband being unfaithful, being a liar about him volunteering to go back into the hot spots of war, and his pending court-martial.  All of which he not once called to talk to her about.  The thing about it she could almost have lived with the stories of another woman better than the fact that it was so bad at home with her and the kids that he rather put himself in the kill zone.  Especially, after he had already almost died once.
     Trent Davila was rear ended when he had found out with the divorce papers arriving that his marriage was over.  He knew at that moment that everything he tried to save Laura and the children from, the anxiety, the flashbacks, nightmares, and guilty depression were not.  She was/is his center, his life, his love, his home, his best friend and family.
How could she ever doubt that?  He had to fix this.  Yet, he was duty bound to keep a lid on the court martial, he was relieved of duty but sent to California base not Texas where Laura and the kids were.  Making the gap between them that much bigger.
     When he finally gets shipped back home though it makes him all the more ready to be there.  After all that time missing his family all the more.  By having all that time in the California to think of them and not the war.  He meets with his friend and lawyer, Patrick MacLean.  Patrick suggest beyond strongly that he ask Laura to take him back at least until after the Article 32 hearing where he will more than likely get the charges all dropped.  He needs him to look like the happy family man.  He says no he won’t ask such a thing of Laura since he wants to win her back on his own merits.
     Patrick goes behind his back to Laura who has to think about it.  This is where it gets extremely interesting.  The friends they have are a hoot and have faith no matter what and don’t sugar coat.  They are up front and personal.  These characters make the series and the subject matter so much more enjoyable.  Trent and Laura’s two kids especially Ethan were out of control but both just too cute.
     You will find yourself not wanting real life to get in the way so you could read.    I enjoyed this one even more than ALL FOR YOU the first book of hers I read.  Only because that one didn’t tie up enough of the story line enough.  I give this book 5 stars.  Provided by Net Galley.
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ALL FOR YOU #4

ALL FOR YOU   #4                                     JESSICA SCOTT
Posted: Jan.17,2015

All For You by Jessica ScottCan a battle-scarred warrior . . .
Stay sober. Get deployed. Lead his platoon. Those are the only things that matter to Sergeant First Class Reza Iaconelli. What he wants is for everyone to stay out of his way; what he gets is Captain Emily Lindberg telling him how to deal with his men. Fort Hood's newest shrink is smart as a whip and sexy as hell. She's also full of questions—about the army, its soldiers, and the agony etched on Reza's body and soul.
. . . open his heart to love?
Emily has devoted her life to giving soldiers the care they need—and deserve. Little does she know that means facing down the fierce wall of muscle that is Sergeant Iaconelli like it's just another day at the office. When Reza agrees to help her understand what makes a soldier tick, she's thrilled. Too bad it doesn't help her unravel the sexy warrior in front of her who stokes her desire and touches a part of her she thought long dead. He's the man who thinks combat is the only escape from the demons that haunt him. The man who needs her most of all . . .
(87,000 words)
 

My Review:
     Wow, Jessica Scott knows how to take her readers hostage.  When it comes to the intensity of her story lines and the characters.  You will not be disappointed with her realism and sensitivity she gives to PTSD.  The ins and outs of the military life as well as suicides that befall our service people each year. 
     This story line follows two enlisted characters Reza Iaconelli an Italian-Iranian, known to his men and women as “Sarn’t Ike.”  Once you first meet him you might think of him as a cold uncaring S.O.B. especially after he lays into Captain Emily Lindberg a therapist for R&R.  Yet, there is a certain way the military is run so she should understand.  Yet, she is new and doesn’t want to do anything wrong either.
     It wasn’t until they met up at a bar by accident that the show of force the both showed in the argument that they had gave them a sexual awareness.  Reza needs help about another of his men and Emily saw his compassion and worry.  She promised to follow up.
     The more they talked the closer they got.  Sloban’s file was nowhere to be found.  The two of them took it to the next level yet Sloban was losing it.  Reza was afraid he would go back to using to chase the nightmares of war away like Reza had done with alcohol.  Reza asked him to hold on he was working on it.  Reza knew how hard it was with 74+ day’s cold turkey sober.  But Marshall was pushing Sloban on duty and a discharge with no help for PTST because he didn’t believe in it.  Things were close to the breaking point for him.
     Meanwhile, Reza and Emily were talking.  He could see how brave she wanted to be but he knew if she was ever deployed she was not trained.  So, when she asked to go to the shooting exercise mission he thought it would be good.  He’d train her and maybe help her someday keep safe.  Well, by the end of the exercise she ended up with a huge welt on her hip as the guys showed no mercy.  It scared and pissed off Reza.  New and old feelings started to mix.
     So did his feelings for Emily but ever on the surface were the war demons as well as his thirst for alcohol.  Then you add a jerk like Marshall to the mix and Reza’s short fuse.   Well, this story keeps you on your toes that this for sure.
     This is an ongoing saga which this is the first book I have read in the series.  I don’t feel cheated surprising enough.  I didn’t get all my questions answered as to what happened to some of the characters but my hubby assures me in due time.  Haha!  He to enjoy Jessica’s work.
     Thanks for your service to all our military men and women.  As well as you and your husband Jessica.  I give this book 4 stars.  Although I enjoyed the ending was hoping for more.  Provided by Net Galley.
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IN THE CARDS

IN THE CARDS                                      JAMIE BECK
Posted:  Jan. 17, 2015

In the Cards by Jamie BeckLindsey Hilliard flees her charmed life in New York, searching for answers after her fiancé’s betrayal fills her with self-doubt. Unfortunately, her rented Malibu home is next door to Levi Hardy, the sexy but insufferable man who humiliated her years ago.

Hardened by a grim past he keeps concealed, Levi prefers maintaining a comfortable distance from folks, especially a nosy princess like Lindsey. But then a motorcycle collision brings him to his knees, forcing him to accept her assistance with his recovery. Sparks begin to fly when the woman who doesn’t believe in herself teaches the cynic how to have faith in others. Levi realizes his body will recover, but his heart won’t if Lindsey returns to the ex who wants her back.

In the biggest gamble of his life, Levi teaches her to trust her own voice, and hopes she’ll use it to say good-bye to her past and hello to a future with him.
MY REVIEW:
     What an utter surprise this little book turned out to be.  This is truly a hidden jewel.  The cards reference in the title gives you no clue as to the true depth this gem has.
     At first when I started reading I thought wow this is going to be one of those mean guy wins girl books.  Then, when he talks about Vegas my brain wonders.  Let me tell you though when this gets going watch out!  This is a book that goes back and forth between the two characters Levi Hardy, the son of a two bit hustler and card shark.  Also, Lindsey Hilliard, the daughter of a mother who was a former lawyer now a socialite and a businessman father from Connecticut.
     When Levi was 18 he went out on his own to get away from his father’s influence.  He didn’t like cheating people, moving around, or how they were always looked at.  He never got close to anyone, trusted anyone, or believed anyone.  All stemming from his mother abandoning him with his father at 9 years old.
     At the same time Lindsey was on vacation in Florida at a resort during New Year’s week with her parents.  She has a run in with Levi who is working there.  Well, actually two run in.  The second run in he tells her about how she is immature, spoiled, etc… but he is mean and hurtful.  Lindsey never forgets.
     Years later Lindsey’s fiancé gets caught with his pants down, in a way, two weeks before the wedding.  Where she figures out he wouldn’t have said anything about the so called one night stand if he didn’t have too.  Except the girl had an STD… She moves out of their apartment in New York and moves to Malibu, Calif.  Into a rental home on the beach for 6 months.
     Everyone is upset she canceled the wedding and that she is on the other side of the country.  She feels she needs to be away from her pushy parents and of course from Rob!  When she’s all moved in and who does she see next door hanging out?  You got it Levi.
     Levi has no clue who she is and she keeps it that way but when it hits the fan so do emotions and tempers.  Of course you would never get Levi to admit to any emotions…
     The emotions run high and fast in this book.  They’re touching and something that spears the heart.  Totally enjoyed.  I give this book 5 stars.  Provided by Net Galley.

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                                                                      Back to You #1 Hard Crush HARD CRUSH                                  ...