PURPOSE

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ARC review: RUSH (Phoenix Rising #3) by Joan Swan


Jessica Fury, Washington lobbyist, has money, connections, and her own firm. But five years ago she had something better: happiness. Her firefighter husband, Quaid, was handsome, courageous, and crazy about her. Then one day he walked into a chemical inferno—and never walked out. Jessica has been through hell to get back on her feet. And then a rumor surfaces that could bring a miracle or shatter her world – again.

Q has been a prisoner forever. He’s honed his mind and body into weapons. He’s developed abilities no one else understands. But he’s still at the mercy of a cabal of ruthless men, who blank his memory, test him like a lab rat, and tell him lies. Although his past has been erased and his future looks grim, instinct tells him he has a woman to live for. What his mind can’t remember, his body can’t forget…

The heat is on.

4.0 - 4.5 Stars
 
I'm a huge fan of Joan Swan's Phoenix Rising series! I've been anticipating this book since the very beginning. As I was reading Rush, I realized quickly that this installment was going to be a little different than the previous two. While both Fever and Blaze were highly fast-paced and thrilling, Joan Swan slows things down a bit to tell the story of Jessica and Quaid resulting in one heck of an emotional roller-coaster. My gut twisted! My heart wrenched! But don't get me wrong, there's still plenty of suspense and danger that kept me bouncing in my seat.

This is a one in a zillion opportunity, Quaid. How often do people get a second chance to find love with their once-in-a-lifetime?” --Jessica (pg. 265 paperback ARC of Rush)

She thought she lost him forever. After five long years Jessica Fury receives some promising news that she refuses to believe. For Q, everything that was Quaid had been torn away from him...his life as a firefighter, his happiness, his loving wife, and all his memories. For five years Q was held captive and used in experiments. After finally being rescued and reunited with Jessica, the painful process of healing begins. Jessica and Quaid's journey to be together again is extremely emotional and tragic. Ms. Swan does a wonderful job at showing what had happened to Q in those five years, which made me angry that this happy, fun-loving couple had their lives ripped apart in the first place. I loved that there were glimpses of Jessica and Quaid during more blissful times, too. Even with all the angst, Rush will leave you with the feeling of hope.

All the favorite characters in the series are present and working together as a team. All their abilities are used. There is also a huge set up for the next book, Shatter. Joan Swan has been teasing us with Mitch throughout the series. He is one cocky and mysterious dude. He's more than meets the eye, and I can't wait to find out about all his secrets!

Reading order for the Phoenix Rising series:
Fever
Blaze
Rush
Shatter – coming soon!

* A complimentary copy was provided in exchange for an honest review *


Blaze (Phoenix Rising #2) by Joan Swan

 
The hotter they come, the harder they fall…
With a man like him, every mission becomes personal…
Ever since FBI agent Keira O’Shay started tracking a young boy named Mateo, she’s felt a connection even her empathic abilities can’t explain. She needs to save Mateo from the cult leader holding him hostage. Nothing can interfere with that—not even the reappearance of Luke Ransom, the hot-as-hell fire captain she’s regretted walking out on for three long years.

Losing Keira left Luke vulnerable—in every way. When they were together, the powers each possesses were mysteriously enhanced. But it’s the sexy, surprising woman beneath the tough exterior that Luke’s really missed. Even if she betrayed him utterly. And even if agreeing to help her uncover a government conspiracy means watching his life and his heart go up in flames again...

 Five Stars

Five Fast-paced, Fantastic Stars!!!

Make room for this romance-suspense junkie, because I'm doing cartwheels all over this book! Yes, the sequel to FEVER pushed all the right buttons for me. Can you tell that I found it fantastic? Well, I did!

Blaze mainly focuses on Keira O'Shay and Luke Ransom. Both were part of the firefighting team whose lives were forever changed in that warehouse fire that was first mentioned in Fever. Going into Blaze, I liked that these two already had an established relationship, even if they hadn't seen each other in 3 years. Keira and Luke's lives intersect again when Keira, who is now an FBI agent/sniper, has a mission to rescue a little boy. I must say that the opening sequence of events is not only explosive, but we also get to see how well Keira and Luke work together on many levels.

Luke stood on the opposite side, looking tattered and sexy as hell sporting his rifle and that goddamned semiautomatic strapped to his thick, muscular thigh. Why, why, why did she find that so...hot!” --Keira

I have no idea how she found the strength to walk away from this man 3 years ago...well, I do, but you've got to read and find out yourself. After reading Blaze, I now understand why Luke was the way he was in Fever. The love of his life walked away from him and his dreams, and he had been hurting all this time. Now, circumstance has thrown their lives back together, but can he trust her to not hurt his heart again? Whatever the outcome, what I loved about this couple is that they are awesome at taking on the bad guys.

If it's your fight, it's my fight.” --Luke
We stick together, right? I've got your back.” --Luke

Ladies, Luke doesn't mind that she leads the way in the fight either. Mmmm...gotta love a man that lets the woman take the reigns! Keira is one of my most favorite kick-ass heroines that I've come across. Even with all her issues I completely understand and love her!

Joan Swan gives her fans another thrill ride in BLAZE, complete with lots of action, fast-paced scenes, and sizzling romantic tension. Alyssa, Teague, and Mitch all have prominent secondary roles. Mitch...oh man, he is really something! I really, really hope he gets his own book. More of the conspiracy behind that infamous warehouse fire is revealed, and there's so much more left to uncover in the next books! I am so there for book 3. Bring it on!!!


Update:
RUSH (Phoenix Rising #3) releases August 27, 2013. I'll be posting my review soon!
YES!!! Mitch's book is book #4, SHATTER.
Expected release date is December 31, 2013



 

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Cover Reveal: I Stand Before You by S.R. Grey



Title: I Stand Before You (Judge Me Not #1)
Author: S.R. Grey
Expected release date: September 12-19, 2013
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Age Group: New Adult

When it comes to tattooed bad boys, Chase Gartner is the real deal. Partying, engaging in meaningless sex, getting into fights—Chase indulges in it all during his late teen years, thus firmly solidifying his status as a heartbreakingly gorgeous but way-too-dangerous-to-trust guy in his hometown of Harmony Creek, Ohio. Then, following one fateful night of reckless decisions, Chase’s actions finally catch up to him and land him in prison.

Now, four years have passed and Chase finds himself a free man. He returns to Harmony Creek, ready to pick up the pieces and start rebuilding his shattered life.

Things are off to a promising start when he meets Kay Stanton, a young woman with a tragic past of her own. Despite a powerful attraction, Chase and Kay are naturally hesitant to become involved. That’s why friendship feels like the safest option. But when passions ignite and love blossoms, a relationship that is destined and meant to be can only be resisted for so long. When Chase and Kay finally succumb to their feelings they realize being together feels more right and true than anything they have ever experienced. But their love is soon tested. Chase’s wild past still haunts and tempts him, and Kay is keeping a secret that could tear them apart.

I Stand Before You is a journey of hope and forgiveness, coming to terms with the past and moving forward. But mostly it’s a story of two damaged people who take a chance, open their hearts, and find true love.

New Adult/Contemporary Romance genres. First in a series.

***Warning: contains graphic sexual situations, drug use, some violence, and profanity***

Goodreads: I Stand Before You

About the Author
S.R. Grey is the author of Harbour Falls and Willow Point, first and second novels in A Harbour Falls Mystery series. She is also the author of I Stand Before You, first novel in the Judge Me Not series (New Adult/Contemporary Romance), to be released September 2013.
Ms. Grey resides in western Pennsylvania. She has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Robert Morris College, as well as an MBA from Duquesne University.
She is currently working on Wickingham Way, the third installment in A Harbour Falls Mystery series, to be released in January 2014.  Other interests include reading, traveling, running, and cheering for her hometown sports teams.

Links
Website  /  Facebook  /  Twitter  /  Goodreads

Cover designed by: Damonza
Cover reveal organized by: AToMR Tours

Cover Reveal for Mine (Real #2) by Katy Evans

Release Date: November 5, 2013

In the international bestseller REAL, the unstoppable bad boy of the Underground fighting circuit finally met his match. Hired to keep him in prime condition, Brooke Dumas unleashed a primal desire in Remington live without her. “Riptide” Tate as vital as the air he breathes . . . and now he can’t. 

Brooke never imagined she would end up with the man who is every woman’s dream, but not all dreams end happily ever after, and just when Remington needs her the most, Brooke makes a discovery that forces her away from the ringside. Now with distance and darkness between them, the only thing left is to fight for the love of the man she calls MINE.

About the Author

Mine (Real #2) Pre-order Links
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Real (Real #1) Purchase Links
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Remy (Real #3) Pre-order Links
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Check out Thessa's Review of Real (Real #1)