FIRE ME UP (Deacons of Bourbon Street #2)

FIRE ME UP                                             RACHAEL JOHNS

Fire Me Up (The Deacons of Bourbon Street, #2)Can a scorching affair with a bohemian beauty tame a motorcycle man with a dark side? Rachael Johns takes the wheel in the sexy series co-written with Megan Crane, Jackie Ashenden, and Maisey Yates.

Travis “Cash” Sinclair values only two things from his days with the Deacons of Bourbon Street: his prized Harley Davidson and the man who gave it to him. But now Priest Lombard is gone, and Cash has inherited the Deacons’ clubhouse—not to mentions its unexpected tenant. She’s exactly the type of woman he tries to avoid: all incense and art, with a sharp tongue that promises trouble. So why does Cash want to push aside those flowing skirts and lose himself between her legs?

Billie Taylor fled a bad marriage to start a new life among the grit and glamour of the French Quarter. She refuses to let another man distract her from her dreams, especially an outlaw biker with nothing to offer except hot sex and an eviction notice. Cash is dangerous, with an untamed streak he tries desperately to conceal. He drives Billie wild, sending her too close to the edge for her own good. And she won’t fall under his spell—or into his bed—without a fight.

HUBBY'S REVIEW:
Cash, comes back to New Orleans after being away for years and starting his own business. He finds that the building that Priest Lombard put his name on as one of the owners of his inheritance is now an art studio at one time it was their club house for the Deacons of Bourbon street. Cash is trying to find his way and trying to sort out his life, but the women who is now renting the building and using it as an art gallery, Billie Taylor is not putting up with his mouth or any of his attitude. She gives back as much as he gives her. This is really the good part of the story. Their fighting turns them towards each other and with no one else to talk too but each other a relationship starts to build but Cash is afraid for every person he has loved has turned on him. His mother was the first in a big way and he must get past that if he wants to have anything with Billie. A good story, and I really liked all of the characters. A good book. I got this book from net galley.  I give this 4 stars.

BULLETPROOF WEEKS (WHEN YOUR GONE #2)

BULLETPROOF WEEKS                       TARYN ELLIOTT

Bulletproof Weeks (When You're Gone, #2)Being a famous rock star for almost two decades means putting his life on display. But for the last two years Logan King has dealt with the uglier side of fame. When his stalker escalates to issuing veiled threats against the first woman he's allowed in his life, Logan locks down and shuts Izzy out. His stalker isn't just anyone—she's as famous as he is with a financial reach that makes her infinitely more treacherous. 

Falling for Logan King wasn't part of Isabella Grace's plans and their spectacular public breakup didn't make it easy to move on. Whispers and pitying looks from people in her small town send her fleeing from the first place that finally feels like home. Her solace becomes her travel for work, but the niggling sense that someone is watching her follows her from city to city. When she begins to unravel the secrets that surround the man she still loves, she discovers her personal security detail and demands answers. And they all point to Logan. 

Letting him back into her life comes with many more challenges–and rewards–than she could've ever dreamed. But loving a man like Logan comes at a dangerous cost. One that has a lasting effect that could echo into all their tomorrows.

HUBBY'S REVIEW:
In this story the second book of Logan and Isabella, she finds out that he, Logan has hired a security detail for her the problem with that is she figured it out and caught the person who was supposed to be following her. She then goes into this is where I am going mode until she can get to the office of the detail to find out what is going on. She has an idea who the person is that hired her to be followed so she tracks down Logan who is having trouble with writing his music and is locked up in his apartment throughout the day only to come out at night. Once she finds him and they talk and they end up back together she cannot figure out why he is living his life in fear of his ex when clearly she is not stable but he will still not do anything important or necessary to put an end to her stalking them. As the story goes along and they are back together but also had to work things out from the previous book just as the love story starts up again and things are going good another tragedy strikes this time with a more serious tone and something needs to be done. But you don’t know what if anything or if and who is really seriously hurt or killed because the story ends for the next book. I have forgotten to leave a review so I am giving this book 4 stars which I would have ant way. I am slowly working through my own issues with continuation books, since I read so many books I tend to forget now. This book was good.  I give this 4 stars.

AMONG HEROES

AMONG HEROES                                   BRANDON WEBB, JOHN DAVID MANN

Among Heroes: A U.S. Navy SEAL's True Story of Friendship, Heroism, and the Ultimate SacrificeNow from Brandon Webb, Navy SEAL sniper and New York Times bestselling author, comes his personal account of the eight friends and fellow SEALs who made the ultimate sacrifice.

“Knowing these great men—who they were, how they lived, and what they stood for—has changed my life. We can’t let them be forgotten. So read about these amazing men, share their stories, and learn from them as I have. We’ve mourned their deaths. Let’s celebrate their lives.”—Brandon Webb

As a Navy SEAL, Brandon Webb rose to the top of the world’s most elite sniper corps, experiencing years of punishing training and combat missions from the Persian Gulf to Afghanistan. Among the best of the best, he led the SEALs’ clandestine sniper training program as course manager, instructing a new generation of the world’s top snipers. Along the way, Webb served beside, trained, and supported men he came to know not just as fellow warriors, but as friends and, eventually, as heroes. Among Heroes gives his personal account of these eight extraordinary SEALs, who gave all for their comrades—and their country.

Here are the true stories behind the remarkable valor and abiding humanity of those “sheepdogs” (as they call themselves) who protect us from the wolves of the world. Of Matt “Axe” Axelson, who perished on the Lone Survivor mission in Afghanistan. Of Chris Campbell, Heath Robinson, and JT Tumilson, who were among the thirty-eight casualties of Extortion 17, the Chinook helicopter shot down in August 2011. Of Glen Doherty, Webb’s best friend for more than a decade, killed while helping secure the successful rescue and extraction of American CIA and State Department diplomats in Benghazi, Libya, on September 11, 2012; and other close friends, classmates, and fellow warriors.

In Among Heroes, Webb offers eight intensely personal profiles of uncommon courage—who these men were, what they stood for, and how they came to make the ultimate sacrifice. These are men who left behind powerfully instructive examples of what it means to be alive—and what it truly means to be a hero.

INCLUDES PHOTOS
 

HUBBY'S REVIEW:
This was a nice book about the lives of men that both Mr. Webb served with or knew and all were Navy Seals. Some passed away from training accidents, some from deployments and some were already out of the service but still doing work for the government, example Glenn Doherty who went into Benghazi to help former Seal Ty Woods and others. Each chapter is a memoir of their life and joy had while they were doing what they loved, and also about the family they each left behind. He really did not go into detail about the way each one passed especially if there was or is a controversy surrounding the incident like Benghazi, and Extortion 17, where he knew three of the men that died that fateful day. Went with all of that this book was still good as a testament to the men and their legacy and hopefully for some even their family. I am not going to get into each and every little thing because each one of these men sacrificed themselves for our country and being a son of a WWII vet that is what is important. A fine book of stories of a friend honoring his friends.  I give this 4 stars.

The Tragedy of Sand Creek: MOCHI'S WAR

MOCHI'S WAR                                  CHRIS ENSS, HOWARD KANZANJIAN

Mochi's War: The Tragedy of Sand CreekColorado Territory in 1864 wasn't merely the wild west, it was a land in limbo while the Civil War raged in the east and politics swirled around its potential admission to the union. The territorial governor, John Evans, had ambitions on the national stage should statehood occur--and he was joined in those ambitions by a local pastor and erstwhile Colonel in the Colorado militia, John Chivington. The decision was made to take a hard line stance against any Native Americans who refused to settle on reservations--and in the fall of 1864, Chivington set his sights on a small band of Cheyenne under the chief Black Eagle, camped and preparing for the winter at Sand Creek. When the order to fire on the camp came on November 28, one officer refused, other soldiers in Chivington's force, however, immediately attacked the village, disregarding the American flag, and a white flag of surrender that was run up shortly after the soldiers commenced firing. In the ensuing "battle" fifteen members of the assembled militias were killed and more than 50 wounded Between 150 and 200 of Black Kettle s Cheyenne were estimated killed, nearly all elderly men, women and children. As with many incidents in American history, the victors wrote the first version of history--turning the massacre into a heroic feat by the troops. Soon thereafter, however, Congress began an investigation into Chivington's actions and he was roundly condemned. His name still rings with infamy in Colorado and American history. Mochi s War explores this story and its repercussions into the last part of the nineteenth Century from the perspective of a Cheyenne woman whose determination swept her into some of the most dramatic and heartbreaking moments in the conflicts that grew through the West in the aftermath of Sand Creek."

HUBBY'S REVIEW:
This is a story about a female warrior named Mochi, she is Cheyenne but in the way it was described in the book they were broken down by clans. But for this story it is mainly dealing with the tragedy of Sand Creek in the year of 1864. This was during the time when both the U.S. and the Indians were trying to make one of their many peace agreements. After Chief Black Kettle and some of the other Chief’s came back from a territorial agreement and had given up rifles and other weapons the Calvary it was agreed upon that these Indians from different Tribes would be protected. These were Chiefs that did not want to fight and saw that the only thing that would come out of fighting is the loss of life on their part which meant no people to carry forth their message to the future. Young warriors did not see it that way and left and continued to raided white settlers, wagon trains, etc. After one of these attacks a man by the name of John Chivington, was given a commission to the US Army but was not sent to fight in the Civil War but the Indian war. Once arriving at Colorado he was of higher rank of the officers that had been their already for a while but not listen to them. He decided to attack this village, to make a showing for the killing that they have done. He Chivington who was from Ohio and a Preacher was a person who really had a hatred for Indians. Every time an attack was made against any whites everything about the attack would be in the papers and sometimes make headlines across the Country. Did the Indians kill and rape yes, but what was not reported was that whites were doing the same thing, and were killing there food and land for sport. Example after gold was found in California the Government made a treaty with the Northern and Southern Cheyenne to allow people to cross the plains undisturbed and no white man was to settle on this land. “For this right THE GOVERNMENT AGREED TO PAY $50,000 ANNUALLY”. The Cheyenne faithfully honored this treaty even Black Kettle one day warned a mail coach of a Kiowa war path. The U.S. did not honor this treaty either even after giving Black Kettle an American Flag and of course their word once again. So Chivington leads this early morning attack result in over 150 deaths mostly women and children, elderly. The young warriors out on a hunting trip for food were too far away to hear anything. Black Kettle, white Antelope and something 44 Chiefs after Black Kettle raised the American flag and a were gunned down standing in a line protecting their tribe as women and children were running anywhere to escape. I won’t go into the senseless killings, but Mochi’s husband, mother father and rest of her family were killed. When she and some of the others made it to the men she took up with Medicine Water and raised his daughter as her own. This battle would lead her and Medicine Water to join the Bowstring Society, which in the Cheyenne were a little fiercer than the Dog Soldier of the Cheyenne. Either way I would not want to face any of them afterwards especially Mochi she took on a legendary status among the Tribe for her fighting skills. There would be an attack on them years later by Custer, which continued that hatred. But it was their attack on a family in Kansas that made the Government go after them personally when it was found out four girls were kidnapped after the attack. Ten years after Sand Creek Mochi, Medicine Water and others finally surrender they were not tried in a court or sentenced by a judge or jury. The US Military ordered they be transported to Florida, where they stayed in a prison for six years being released to a reservation in 1880 and Mochi passed in 1881, still speaking her native tongue remembering stories and believing all she did was for what happened that day in 1864 at Sandy Creek. In the back of the book are stories of families that have been passed down over the years though sad they were nice to hear and see what a way of life once was. In 2001 Sandy Creek was a National historic site, and it did take a while before they were able to find the location. This was a fantastic story. I GOT THIS BOOK FROM NET GALLEY.  I give this 5 stars.

HIS MOMENT TO STEAL

HIS MOMENT TO STEAL                       CATHRYN FOX

His Moment to Steal (In the Line of Duty, #4)Once a thief, always a thief…and he’s just walked away with her heart.

In the Line of Duty, Book 4

Ex-military security specialist Luke Phillips would like nothing more than to walk away from his latest job, especially when he realizes the upscale market owner is the daughter of the man responsible for his year spent in juvie.

Except he promised the kids at the community center new and updated equipment. He has no choice but to keep to himself and try not to get mixed up with Emery Vincent. No matter how sweet and sexy she is.

One look at Luke starts Emery’s heart fluttering—along with other specific body parts.But she knows better than to act on those urges with a bad boy who looks at her like he’s been living off rations and she’s the market’s hot lunch special.

But when he rescues her and bandages up her scuffed knee, the heat between them explodes. While a future between them is impossible, hot, sweaty sex is guaranteed—at least until the job is done. Unless Luke can let go of the past and risk it all for love.

Warning: This book contains a smoking-hot ex-convict from the wrong side of the tracks, and a silver-spoon lady who gets oh, so much more than she bargained for when she hires him for a job.
 

HUBBY'S REVIEW:
Emery Vincent is now running the families grocery store and she cannot figure out why they are losing money. She decides to hire a security firm and it is run by Luke Phillips who is attracted to her the moment he sees hear. The only problem is later when her father finds out that he is the person she hired he does not like it because he had Luke sent away to juvie for shoplifting when he was a teen. That experience had a life changing effect on Luke and his family in more ways than one. He later joins the army and becomes a Ranger and when he gets out sets up a security business and works at the local boys and girl’s community center that is also run by one of his friends. You find out that he has set up a scholarship for his sister who he has not spoken to since he went away to juvie since his father said to stay away. Now as he is getting closer to Emery he finds her taken care of her brother who is handicap and though him they actually start having a relationship other than work. As they are getting closer her father still does not like him and though a serious of events due to an allergic reaction to peanuts she ends up with him in the hospital. The story goes along and she is still losing money and product when he decides to add two more cameras and that very night catches the person who is stealing. The next day when they find the money gone he comes in gives her the money and leaves, the father telling her he told her so. But later when she looks at the video she sees that it has been her father stealing all this time and was willing to let Luke take the blame and then asks him what he stole when he sent him away and said it was a jar of peanut butter. She knew even back then he did not steal it but took the fall for a friend due to his allergic reaction. She then had to find him and make it right after dealing with her father. This was a good story and overall a good book. I got this book from net galley.  I give this 4 stars.

EENY MEENY

EENY MEENY                                         M.J. ARLIDGE

Eeny Meeny (Helen Grace, #1)Two people are abducted, imprisoned, and left with a gun. As hunger and thirst set in, only one walks away alive.

It’s a game more twisted than any Detective Helen Grace has ever seen. If she hadn’t spoken with the shattered survivors herself, she almost wouldn’t believe them.

Helen is familiar with the dark sides of human nature, including her own, but this case—with its seemingly random victims—has her baffled. But as more people go missing, nothing will be more terrifying than when it all starts making sense....
 


HUBBY'S REVIEW:
This is a very dark story but also a good story. The main character is Detective Helen Grace and the men and women who work for her in her unit. There really is nothing happy about this book it seemed every time I was beginning to like a character something would happen to that person and they would be gone. No one is save in this story police even the ones you begin to get into you start to wonder are they going to be next. Who is the person? That really is the telling part of the story and when you find out at the end you are surprised but not really when you get to that point. This is difficult book to review because if I say any more I feel like I am going to give something away. A very well written story that makes you want to turn the page even though part of you doesn’t want to. i got this book from net galley.  I give this 5 stars.

FOLLOWING HER

FOLLOWING HER                                 MELODY ANNE

The newest sexy e-novella in the Unexpected Heroes series by New York Times bestselling author Melody Anne!
Ella was a woman Axel wouldn’t mind shadowing day and night—especially night.
Ella Brooks is strong-willed, independent, and stubborn, and when she hears something she’s not supposed to about her shady boyfriend, her safety is at risk. Much to her dismay, her cousin sends FBI Agent Axel Carlson to keep an eye on her. Ella’s determined to resist the infuriatingly sexy bodyguard—she can take care of herself!—but she soon discovers that beneath the six-pack abs and amazing biceps lies an equally amazing heart. But will a mysterious threat keep them from finding their happily ever after?
MY REVIEW:
     Ella Brooks and Axel Carlson have nothing in common other than they serve the law.  She being a lawyer and him an FBI agent.  Oh and one other thing, Axel happens to be her cousin, Bryson’s partner and best friend.  They are such good friends Axel was only a couple of hours into a much needed two week break when he got the call that Bryson needed his help.
     You see Ella was working at a law firm where the senior partner took an interest in her.  They dated for a while but it just wasn’t working out, so she broke it off and quit the firm.  Well, Felix was not a happy man because she saw, heard and knew too much.  Things that could cause him and a few judges he had in his pocket a lot of trouble and to go down.  So, he had been sending Wade to scare her.  It did and she talked to Bryson, but she wouldn’t go to his house or take the FBI protection.  Off duty he called Axel because Bryson was on a case and couldn’t be there himself.
     Bryson knew Ella wasn’t taking the threats from Felix and his side kick Wade serious enough so he called in the favor that Axel owed him.  Bryson had every reason to worry.  Although a grand overpriced home there was no security whatsoever.  Ella was a sitting duck.  Axel had to say Ella had a pair on her for a woman.  Bryson said she was tough and would try to run him off.  To stick with her no matter what this Felix character was bad news.
     Their first meeting was not a good one considering he let himself in with the key Bryson had given to him only after ringing and knocking three different times.  Ella was nice enough to have programed the coffee to go off while she was in the shower.  So, by the time she came down he was on his second cup.  She had no clue he was there by the way she was dressed and that she started pouring herself a cup when he spoke.  Yeah, not a good beginning.
     Not taking her eyes off him after have words and introductions she reaches for the phone and dialed Bryson.  After more choice words with him she agrees to allow him to put a security system in place, only!  Yet she knew and Axel knew that was never going to happen.  By the looks of Axel he was not going to be good for her girl parts or her heart.  I love the bantering that goes on between the two main characters.  The author shows their strengths as well as their weaknesses.  Yet, neither goes for the others jugular.  Even with Ella saying she doesn’t like him. When she sees his insecurities she moves away from the subject they were on to another all together to deflect.  This was everything you would want a world wind romance to be.  With bantering, laughing, and romance.  All lifelong gifts for a fun future.  I give this 5 stars.  Provided by Netgalley.com.

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PURSUED BY THE ROGUE

PURSUED BY THE ROGUE                      KELLY HUNTER

A no-strings affair between two dedicated professionals? It should have been the perfect solution.

Ugly duckling Dawn Turner doesn’t do relationships. She has her reasons and they’re good ones. But she can’t resist the magic in Finbar Sullivan’s touch, so she negotiates the next best thing with him. Scorchingly perfect, utterly casual sex.

World class musician Finnbar Sullivan always pushes the limits to get what he wants, and he wants Dawn. All of her. Love, commitment and a future together. So he reneges on the deal and composes a new one.

So what’s stopping her? And will Finn's latest offer be enough to change Dawn's mind?

MY REVIEW:
     This book is about four friends that are sent off to school for various reasons.  This story in the series revolves around Dawn Turner who for a better term was The Ugly Duckling of the four.  And Faith her ex roommate’s brother, Finnbar (Finn) Sullivan.
     At one of Faith’s brothers 21st birthday they (the girls) all celebrated at Faith’s family’s bar in New York.  The youngest of Faith’s four older brothers fell hard for Dawn as did Dawn for him.  So much they lost their virginity to each other.  Yet, that would be the one and only time together.  You see one night in the dorm changed all the girls forever.
     The girl’s as a group were a force to be reckoned with the nuns were always putting one of them on dorm arrest but mainly Zel.  Anyway they got their hands on altar wine before it had been blessed and got a little drunk and all too much caught.  Yeah, Caught!  It was now ten years later and a reunion has called for at the scene of the crime for Dawn in her way of thinking.  She was only glad Finn a famous concert violinist was more than likely out on tour.  Her luck always had a way of backfiring.
     Walking into the bar the first person she sees is Finn and his eyes are looking at her the way she must be looking at him with lust.  They can’t seem to take their eyes off each other.  When finally Faith breaks the trance.

     A few days later he ask Faith questions about her and Faith becomes defensive.  She thinks he’s going to mess with her.  But he says the most loving thing to her where he compares her to music.  So, Faith gives in and gives him Dawn’s number.  Now it’s on him she says because Dawn’s self-esteem is lower than before.  Can he get her to see herself the way he does.  Can he win her heart?  Can he unravel the mystery of Dawn?  I totally enjoyed this short.  Two strong personalities used to getting what they want but protecting their hearts is number one.  Yet, their first love crush was stronger.  I give this 5 stars.  Provided by Netgalley.com.  Follow us at: www.1rad-readerreviews.com

Game For Love: Game On

GAME FOR LOVE: GAME ON               CAT JOHNSON

In the game for love, only the winners walk away with their hearts intact… 

Trent O’Shea is a superstar athlete on the football field, but for one week each year he escapes into anonymity at an exclusive resort in the Florida Keys that caters to the rich and famous. Armed with a fake identity, he’s happy to sit by the pool and do nothing except enjoy some breathtaking scenery—and maybe ask her if she needs help putting sunscreen on her back.

Laurel Burnett never met a bad boy she couldn’t catch. Cheating spouses. Deadbeat dads. Scammers. Once the determined PI sets her sights on them they all fall, and the next alleged perpetrator in her crosshairs is none other than the San Francisco Outlaws’ Trent O’Shea. The super-sexy linebacker who Laurel’s client hired her to track will be her biggest trophy yet. She’ll do anything to bring him down, even follow him to a resort paradise and use herself as bait.

But things aren’t always as they appear and Trent and Laurel both learn that sometimes even perfectly planned plays can go wrong when love and lust are involved. Then it’s game on!

A contemporary “mistaken identity” romance trope featuring a rich, alpha hero athlete who also happens to be a Texas cowboy, and the private investigator heroine determined to catch him.
 
My Review:
     Laurel Barnett is a private investigator.  She normally does the typical cheating husband cases.  This case though would be a little harder due to the timing.  You see the person she will be hunting and getting info from is Trent O’Shea.
     A woman Becky came in saying that Trent got her pregnant and then left after that one night stand.  She said the man told her she was Trent O’Shea the football linebacker in San Francisco.  That he was injured and had put on a little weight.  That’s why his pictures on the net look different.  Plus they were a little old the team hadn’t updated in a while.
     He took her to dinner where she saw the credit card he had.  It said Trent O’Shea so she had no reason not to believe him.  That night she did notice a skull and crossbones on his chest and he had brown eyes when Laurel asked how tall he was she said she’s 5’6” and he was 3-4 inches taller.
     So Laurel started her hunt she went on the internet.  To figure out where he was putting alerts for any news of him.  She got one for the airport.  Miami she checked flight schedules leaving at that time Miami was one of them.  Her gut told her he was going back to the scene of the crime.  But really a guy with his money going to a $98.00 a night motel.  So, she checked there first nothing.  Started calling hotels.
     The next day she gets an alert from Facebook he was spotted buying baby clothes for his teammate, Cole’s new baby girl.  She called the store that the girl that posted worked at.  Asked all types of fangirl questions found out he was staying at Little Palms at $1000.00 an night.  So she sneaks in playing she’s a guest sunbathing…
     At this point it takes off.  Laurel finds the man but is he the right man for her…investigation?
     Very cute story but felt stunted in places. Could have used more funny experiences to bring it along better.  Overall good.  I give this 4 stars.  Provided by Netgalley.com.

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Elle Casey Interview On Friday at 7pm PST. Coming Attractions

Welcome
On Friday,
Sept. 18, 2015
7pm PST.

Author of:
Shine Not Burn




Andie Marks, known as “Party Girl” in her college days, is now a whip-smart lawyer on the fast track to success. Determined to move on from a bad break-up, she joins her girlfriends for a wild bachelorette weekend in Las Vegas, promising to let her hair down just this once. Vegas is a blur of cocktails and blackjack, and in the middle of it all she meets Mack, a real-life cowboy with a winning hand and an irresistible body. They get lucky in the casino and luckier back at the hotel, a hot night of passion that was definitely not part of Andie’s life plan. By dawn Mack is gone and all she has to remember their one-night romance is a hangover and a pile of casino chips. Or so she thinks…
 This was a very interesting story.  I could relate to in a lot of ways.  I could totally relate to Andie Marks Character of a woman who came from an out of control background.  Andie being an only child had to come up with a plan to bring order to her life to make it bearable and to have goals set to have things to look forward to, hence her “lifeplan.”
     You see Andie’s dad took off when she was young and her mom looked for love in all the wrong places.  With men who would use and abuse her in every which way.  To the point where she started allowing the men to abuse Andie.  The saddest part being in those instances Andie could see in her mom’s eyes that she was relieved that she was not the one who had gotten beaten that time but that it was Andie.  Until one day Andie had to get her mom to the emergency room because she had been beaten so badly.
     She was able to talk her mom into staying away from that man at least until she went on to college but her mom went right on back to the same woman beating man.  That is when Andie broke all ties with her mother.  She needed something more so she had gone back to the list she had made at 15 to help her have that focus she needed to make it in the world and she finished college and then went on to law school.  She is 25 and a lawyer.  She has her eyes set on junior partner.  After that comes the husband, the 2.5 kids, and then the good life.
     Now at 25 years old she is a lawyer and she is committed to being the best of friends to her college friends to her roommates from college, Kelly and Candice.  But they just need to understand nothing can come in the way of the “lifeplan.”  So when Ruby, her closest thing to a mother, neighbor, and secretary brings in an invitation to Kelly’s bachelorette party that they want to spend in Las Vegas she is like “Oh Hell No!”  But Ruby is “Well yes you are.”  They banter back and forth but Andie knows it is a lost fight already Ruby was right Kelly and Candice were her dearest friends and she had to do this.  Ruby called to accept.
     The whole way there she dreaded the whole thing of having to be gone the weekend.  Not to mention that Luke her fiancé, (one Ruby, Candice and Kelly disliked), in fact they called him Luke the puke.  Andie knew he would be put out that she was gone with them but she had to go.  Sure enough she was right he was because while they were waiting to board the plane she gets a text.  He is pissed that she is going with the girls and breaks up with her over the text.  So the girls grab the phone from Andie and respond by duping him right back all before it could register to Andie.  She was upset at the situation but the girls made her promise to have a good time and not to worry about it until she got back.  Until then she was to have unleashed fun.
     That night Candice cuts and styles her hair.  They put make-up, dress her up and take her down to show her off.  But you see they had started hitting the hard stuff early.  So by the time they had gotten down stairs Kelly the bride to be was a little on the queue size.  So Candice told Andie to stay down at the casino and that she would go take care of Kelly and be back.  Well when Andie started looking around she saw the most gorgeous Cowboy she had ever seen.  He was over at the blackjack table and so she decided to saunter on over and check him out.  There was only one small problem she was wearing one of the girl’s high heels that were in nosebleed country so with the drink in her hand and her losing her footing she trips and spills the drinks over this god looking Cowboy.
     The handsome Cowboy turns out to be Gavin Mackenzie.  He just looks into her eyes smiling.  Andie on the other hand grabs some napkins and starts whipping his crotch vigorously causing a woody.  He grabs her wrist with a wolfish smile and says something to the effect before we embarrass each other I better go get cleaned up.  When she looks down and sees the effect of what she had down she turns beet red.  He ask her to save his seat. 
     While he’s gone she uses some of his chips to play or they would have made her leave the table.  She has never played so an elderly gentleman next to her helps her.  (This to me is one of the cutest scenes ever because it would so be me.)  By the time “Handsome” gets back she is up $600.00.  He introduces himself as Mack they continue to play.  They decide to leave to go get a bite to eat and get to know one another but she wants to go change.  So they go to her room.  One thing leads to another and their worlds start to spin, collide, and then crash together.  They are so drunk or at least she is that when she wakes up she is in bed next to one of her roommates and no sign of Cowboy.  Leaving her with the feeling of not being sure of what was real and what was not.

     This was a funny, sweet, and heartwarming story. Of a girl determined to not end up like her mom.  And a man who lives by the motto “Luceo non uro – Shine, not burn.” It is a sign of how we all try so hard to protect ourselves so well but if love wants to find us and hold on it will.  I give this 5 stars.




When a mysterious text message summons May Wexler to a biker bar in downtown New Orleans, she knows something is very wrong. Her sister has sent out an SOS, but when May gets there, she’s nowhere to be found and May is the one in trouble—she’s wearing pink espadrilles, she’s got a Chihuahua in her purse, and she’s in the middle of a shootout. After tall, muscular Ozzie comes to her rescue, May has no choice but to follow him to safety. At the headquarters of his private security firm, the Bourbon Street Boys, she finds a refuge for the night—and the offer of a job. But it’s not long before a gun-toting stalker isn’t the only complication in May’s life: the more time she spends with Ozzie, the less she can deny that they’ve got some serious chemistry. A wrong number got her into this mess…Will it also get her the right guy?


Sometimes engagement rings can get lost and then found. Sometimes people can too. All it takes is a heavy-duty dose of karma and the magic of Manhattan to make it all come together. Leah is a financially destitute new age hippy. James is a wealthy surgeon with a trust fund. She's awkward, he's poised. She's completely crazy, he's way too sane. People might say they have nothing in common, but they'd be wrong. They both live in Manhattan, they both have no idea how to change a baby diaper, and they're both lost … until they find one another.

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