JANE'S GIFT (Lone Pine Lake #1)

JANE'S GIFT                                                      KAREN ERICKSON

Lone Pine Lake’s resident playboy, fire captain Christian Nelson, is happy with his single-guy lifestyle. But when quiet, mysterious Jane Clark comes for a tour of the firehouse with her three small children, Chris is immediately drawn to the beautiful woman—even though he’s been burned by commitment in the past.

Jane’s been battling scars both physical and mental—having lived through a devastating house fire years ago—so she’s hesitant when her brother’s best friend, Christian, offers to help quell her family’s residual fears of fire. Jane’s mind is the epitome of once burned, twice shy, but her heart has other plans.

Despite her brother’s warnings about his friend’s playboy status and dangerous occupation, Jane can’t help but fall for the gorgeous fire captain. Can two scarred people find the strength to let go of their pasts to live in the present, when a lifetime together might be the sweetest gift of all?

Hubby's Review:

This is a wonderful story about a mom who survives a house fire, but loses her husband. Her three children made out of the house and she finds out about her children surviving, and losing her husband before they have to put her into a coma because of her burns and the treatment for them. You pick up the story two years later and she is working on putting her life back together slowly. She moves back to her home town surrounded by family, and friends. Her brother has told her about an offer from the fire captain about a tour. She reluctantly takes him up on it and though she is attracted to him she is scared to even think about starting to date. Christian Nichols the fire captain thinks Jane is beautiful, but is scared of her children and of her. He knows she heard he dates a lot and he has his own fears to overcome, but he still wants to give it a try with her. When she finally does agree to go on a date with him it turns out very nice and for a time everything is going good. That is until the night he stays over and then leaves without saying anything. There is more to this part. This pisses her off not just as a women, but also because her children were finally accepting him. This is really where the story takes off because it goes into more of their fears, for the both of them and the writer does not make it an easy fix. A very good story. I got this book from netgalley. I gave it 5 stars. Follow us at www.1rad-readerreviews.com

HIT MAN (Deadliest Lies #3)

HIT MAN                                                             MICHELE MANNON

He always gets what he wants.

The seasoned seducer, who probably charms the panties off of every woman he meets. Diego is handsome. Arrogant. Dangerous. Far more dangerous than anyone I've ever met. And with one look from across a crowded room he has me; hook line and sinker, I'm his for the night.

Diego is not a man to mess with, I know that. I just can't seem to resist his kiss, his touch. But can I trust him with my heart, with my body?

I'm being hunted for something I may or may not have seen, and Diego is my only way out of a world of death and destruction. If only I can believe his dark promises.

HUBBY'S REVIEW:

I read the two books before this one but for some reason this book did not grab my attention from the beginning. I am thinking that is where it started for me. You met Aubrey teaching in Mexico City and after an event an explosion and she saves a young boy, as they drive away the boy is holding her passport. Then later she is still in Mexico working at building affordable housing. Along the way she meets Diego and they are attracted to one another, and you can pick up the story from there. Diego of course is a hit man and he must decide what to do in either following through with the contract or protecting her and then protecting them. That part of the story is interesting. Overall I think this is good once you get past the beginning, but maybe it is just me. I overthink things too much sometimes. I got this book from netgalley. I gave it 3 stars. Follow us atwww.1rad-readerreviews.com

KILL 'EM AND LEAVE: Searching for James Brown and the American Soul

KILL 'EM AND LEAVE                                          JAMES McBRIDE

Kill ’Em and Leave is more than a book about James Brown. Brown’s rough-and-tumble life, through McBride’s lens, is an unsettling metaphor for American life: the tension between North and South, black and white, rich and poor. McBride’s travels take him to forgotten corners of Brown’s never-before-revealed history: the country town where Brown’s family and thousands of others were displaced by America’s largest nuclear power bomb-making facility; a South Carolina field where a long-forgotten cousin recounts, in the dead of night, a fuller history of Brown’s sharecropping childhood, which until now has been a mystery. McBride seeks out the American expatriate in England who co-created the James Brown sound, visits the trusted right-hand manager who worked with Brown for forty-one years, and interviews Brown’s most influential nonmusical creation, his “adopted son,” the Reverend Al Sharpton. He describes the stirring visit of Michael Jackson to the Augusta, Georgia, funeral home where the King of Pop sat up all night with the body of his musical godfather, spends hours talking with Brown’s first wife, and lays bare the Dickensian legal contest over James Brown’s estate, a fight that has consumed careers; prevented any money from reaching the poor schoolchildren in Georgia and South Carolina, as instructed in his will; cost Brown’s estate millions in legal fees; and left James Brown’s body to lie for more than eight years in a gilded coffin in his daughter’s yard in South Carolina.

James McBride is one of the most distinctive and electric literary voices in America today, and part of the pleasure of his narrative is being in his presence, coming to understand Brown through McBride’s own insights as a black musician with Southern roots. Kill ’Em and Leave is a song unearthing and celebrating James Brown’s great legacy: the cultural landscape of America today.

HUBBY'S REVIEW:
This was a very interesting book. Thinking at first that this was going to be like a normal bio I was wrong. The author takes you on a journey through the South and its racism, and good ol boy system. To find out the history of James Brown, but also why the trust he set up over 100 million dollars for poor children of South Carolina to go to college has not been spent. What has been spent is millions upon millions of fees by lawyers. Who have filed and refiled against the estate by family members mostly. The same family members who could not decide where to have his funeral so they had three. His tomb is in the front yard of one of his daughters. The same family that sued the men who actually saved his career and got him out of his tax problem, and then helped him make money. Because of their lawsuit against that man he is now in financial ruin, his was killed in an accident, his wife tried to kill herself, and the list goes on for him. That is just one person. The shady deals and politics of South Carolina even made the State of Georgia bow out of their claim to money that was left by his estate. The way the author takes you on this journey and brings you into a small town dinner to sit down and talk to a man, that is what makes this book. It his journey through the South and the people that he meets and you meet along with through this journey. James Brown music lives on and will always. I did enjoy his looking back at the musicians that played in his band, all of them were excellent ones and most went on to have or continued to have long jazz careers. That was a nice tidbit. Overall a good book well written. I got this book from netgalley. I gave it 5 stars. Follow us at www.1rad-readerreviews.com 

THE ONE

THE ONE                                                            KRISTIN VAYDEN

When your best friend is also your boss, ‘great ideas’ aren’t always optional.
After all, when you run the largest fashion, gossip and trend blog in the country, you got to take risks to keep it edgy.
Believe me. This is edgy.
The idea? For one week, date every male fantasy.
The list?
The Jock
The Rock star
The Billionaire
The Stepbrother


See how they are all crossed off except one? That’s because he’s Satan.
And Scottish.
And my best friend’s stepbrother.
And there may or may not have been an incident in Jr. high that he hasn’t forgiven me for…but that’s history.
Or so I hope, because I’m at his mercy for the next week…

THE REVIEW:
     What an absolutely fun story to read.  The right blend of everything you want in a romance but most of all love, respect, and humor.  These characters are well rounded with a fullness for life.
     You have two best friends Roxi and Meredith.  They have known each other since kindergarten.  They have always been partners in crime.  With Roxi the master mind and Meredith the one holding the bag.  Sometimes it was fun others not so much, but always a great story to laugh about later.  So, worth it to Meredith in the end since she always tended to take the safe bets.
     Roxi and Meredith started a business together Roxi.com having to do with women, book reviews, dating advice, fashion, and so much more.  Roxi came up with this idea to check with her audience by doing a poll on which type of guy has the most sex appeal.  The top ones were the Jock, the Billionaire, the Rockstar, the Alpha Male, and the Stepbrother.
     The interesting thing was she wanted to set up dates with guy just like this and write about them.  Meredith thought that sounded wonderful since 85% of the women had responded to the idea.  The catch she wanted Meredith to be the one to date them.  Then, to write the article.  At first, she said no.
     Then, Roxi said, “You, kind of have to, I’m your boss.” since Meredith is a CPA and does the books.  So, she agrees.  Meredith says great I just sent you a number of you first date who will be calling you.  She wasn’t happy.  The first three dates were flops and scary she was going to quit until…
     Roxi said the billionaire and step brother fell through.  So, the only ones she could find was at the very location she always wanted to travel to, Scotland.  Let’s just say she didn’t quit.  The billionaire turned into a millionaire and she was told to pack that the stepbrother would be picking her up.  No name given.  When he arrives, all was going good on sight for both of them.   There was an instant attraction by their smiles.  Until, he asked her name.  Then, he was pissed.
     She had no clue what was going on until she stopped him and made him talk to her.  Asking his name and if they knew each other?  He laughed not a fun one either.  Saying, “Merry your friend Roxi signed you over to the devil.”  “Kirby?”  She says.  Pissing him off more.  Because no one in Scotland calls him that they call him Church.

     From here things become only funny beyond words.  The bantering and teasing are so funny and endearing.  Yet, the quiet vulnerable moments they both have are so worth it.  I give this 5 ++++ stars.  Provided by the author for an honest review.  Follow us at:  www.1rad-readerreviews.com.

HEALING A HERO (Camerons of Tide's Way #4)

HEALING A HERO                                                   SKYE TAYLOR

Philip Cameron is a Marine sniper, a leader of men in the field for most of his career. Although decorated for saving the lives of five fellow Marines when their vehicle hit an IED, he doesn't feel like a hero. His right hand was crushed and bones in his shoulder and arm were broken. He was shot and nearly bled to death, but after several months and surgeries at Walter Reed Medical Center, he turned down a medical discharge and has been reassigned to a desk job in intelligence at Camp Lejeune, where he faces months of physical and occupational therapy to regain full use of his hand and arm so that he can get back to doing what he does best, leading quick response teams in the field.

After the dissolution of her marriage, Elena Castillo is eager to move on with her life and cement her growing reputation as a top-notch therapist for recovering soldiers. She returns to the east coast with her teenage daughter to step into a very desirable position in the physical therapy department at Camp Lejeune, where her very first patient is Gunnery Sergeant Philip Cameron.

But Elena and Philip have a past that could compromise both of their goals.

Fourteen years earlier, home on compassionate leave, Philip fell in love with Elena, but she was young and he was afraid to declare himself until she had time to discover what she wanted in life. Elena fell hard for her older brother's best friend, but was never sure Philip felt the same about her, so when his leave was up, they parted.

Then 9/11 happened. And Elena discovered she was pregnant.

War tore them apart.

Can its aftermath bring them back together?

"Turmoil, tenderness, and painful secrets from the past!"--Heather Ashby, author of the Love in the Fleet series

Skye Taylor is a former Peace Corps Volunteer. She writes The Camerons of Tide's Way series, published by Bell Bridge Books. Visit her at skye-writer.com.

MY REVIEW:
     What do you do when you’re on a ship due for leave that you just can’t wait to hit port?  Where you can finally call, and talk to your girlfriend Elena Castillo.  Who you should have told before you left that you loved her.  Being that you are ten years older than her and knowing she felt the same way you and you didn’t want to tie her down, knowing she needed to go back to the west coast for college at USC.  You suffer.
     She told you she’d be there waiting for you at Christmas you couldn’t wait.  But, right before your turn to call 911 happens on the East Coast, USA.  You were all ordered back to ship. And order to make no calls, no emails, no nothing.  So, Christmas comes and goes and you have no way of speaking to her not even your family.  No one would contact her from the Marines and she wouldn't even contact them and no way to find out.
     When you do come home a year and a half later and you find out she had gone back to school after Christmas the guy that was her roommate and she married him.  Philip Cameron was crushed.  Now he had been let down by two women.  You see he had been married before and given not only the boot but lied to about the baby he helped deliver.  It wasn’t his.
     Yet, the whole reason he didn’t tell Elena he loved her is because she was 10 years younger.  And he wanted her to experience life and love.  She did and he was mad.  He never asked her brother his best friend why?  Or for her number.
     But after her divorce from Eli who had cheated on her numerous times she moved back to the East Coast.  She was a physical therapist who was well known for her work.  Camp Lejeune was so glad to have her.  Never knew her first day at work the first name on her list would be Philip B. Cameron.  Life just got interesting.  Could she do this.  Should she do this the anger was coming off them both.  As they would each think back they were left behind as far as they were concerned. 

     See how it got to this point.  A very good story.  Characters had a lot of depth to them you could feel the truthfulness of the pain a vet would go through.  Especially, one who has lost everything.  The love this man has for wanting to be a parent is so painful and real.  I give this book 5++++ stars.  Provided by netgalley.com.  Follow us at: www.1rad-readerreviews.com.

BEST MAN WITH BENEFITS (Wedding Dare #4)

BEST MAN WITH BENEFITS                                SAMANTHE BECK

How far can one favor go…

Logan McCade arrives at his best friend’s wedding overworked and in desperate need of a vacation, only to discover his best man duties have been…expanded. He must coax Colton’s sister out of her shell, or risk her hiding in her room all week. Logan figures he can handle one introverted bridesmaid, but he’s not expecting how much he enjoys “handling” Sophie…or how much she enjoys being handled. 

Socializing has never been web designer Sophie Brooks’s strong suit, but she’s determined to shed her wallflower image and embrace the “New Sophie”—a feat made easier with the supremely sexy Logan McCade tempting her to explore all her forbidden fantasies. If she’s not careful, she just might fall for the best man.

Sophie’s sweet, sexy, and delectably awkward demeanor brings much-needed calm to Logan’s hectic life. With the nuptials only days away, Logan is forced to face the possibility that his favor to a friend might have become something else entirely…and that he’s not willing to let Sophie go. Ever.

MY REVIEW:
     Sophie Brooks had been born feeling insecure.  You see she was the baby created to be “The save the marriage baby” and it did it work you wonder?  Well, no.  Her parents divorced before she was even born.  Her mom became bitter from feeling rejected made it open season to criticize everyone around her but mostly her.
     There was eight years between her and her only brother Colt so basically, she was raised as an only child.  She was the outcast at school because she was shy, a nerd, and she was big breasted.  So, when they took him to his first day, freshman year at college, and they met his roommate Logan McCade she fell head over heels in love.  Now, all thirteen years later Logan is serving as his best man.  She heard he now owns his own company and even saw a magazine article on his sexy self.
     Although, she had always fantasized about him she knew he would never look at her twice.  She had been teased all her life about her big round ass, to go with her large melon breast even by teachers, and not to mention she was very short compared to him.  Which rang true last night for her at the first night of the whole week the bridal party would be hanging together for this extravaganza. 
     At the end of the two separate parties the merged together in the bar.  Like always to be invisible Sophie found a dark corner to sit in and observed her surroundings.  Basically, no interaction what so ever.  He never once noticed her.  What she didn’t know was that his business was in the middle of a large merger and he was running on little to no sleep and all he saw was the bar with a drink.  With only three hours sleep in two days that drink was important to is relaxation.  So, he was lucky he knew his own name.
     On day two the wedding party was to be having cocktails and dinner at Spagos and the hotel misplaced her dresses that she sent down to have iron for the week that she would be there.  Sophie was at the front desk getting ready to hyperventilate.  When, Logan came strolling by.  Not knowing it’s Sophie who he was mentally undressing with his eyes for her nice round derriere.  He knew in his head that he knew he needed to be good and keep walking because he had promised Colt he would keep Sophie company so she didn’t do the wallflower thing. 
     But, the chick in the jeans at the front desk was calling to her and her derriere.  He just kept telling himself he needed to get laid.  And kept walking but then he saw her profile and hears her say, I guess I won’t have to be in the wedding after all.  And he made a U-turn.  He saddles up to the front desk saying, “Sophie?”
     Yes, the sweet derriere he wanted to kiss, caress, and just plain touch was no little anything anymore.  She was a full-grown woman who look like she saw a ghost. 
     This was one sexually charged, fun, and hot to the hilt book.  This is a book of a woman with huge insecurities who is able to finally trust enough to be loved.  It is also about a man who has to figure out those things that are important in his life.  How two polar opposites merge as one to make it work.  Such a fast funny read.  I give this: 5 ++++ stars.  Provided by netgalley.com.

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