LETHAL AGENT (Mitch Rapp #18) is the fifth book by Kyle
Mills in the world of Mitch Rapp started by author Vince Flynn. Mr. Mills has
never disappointed me in his continued portrayal of Mitch and all the secondary
characters that continue to surround him. While I am always intrigued and drawn
into the chosen threat in each book, the thought of a bioterrorism attack has
always terrified me more than any other.
Mullah Sayid Halabi survived Mitch Rapp’s last attempt to
rid the world of the ISIS terrorist leader, while almost losing his own life in
the process.
Halabi is back and has learned a few things since his near
demise. Instead of and army of zealots, he now has a few well trained and
trusted men around him and on-line around the world. He has kidnapped two
doctors and a nurse from Doctors Without Borders who were fighting a virus
similar to SARS in a Yemen village. One of the doctors is a brilliant French
biochemist. Halabi releases a video to prove he is alive, has possession of the
doctors and to tell the world he now has the means to produce anthrax and
destroy the enemies of Allah.
As Mitch races against the clock to stop the terror plot, he
finds that everything they believe is a red herring. Halabi’s true plot could
end up destroying the America we know forever. And if that is not enough, at
home Halabi’s threat stokes a Republican Senator’s campaign of fear and
division to advance her campaign for President.
I read this book completely in one sitting! Mitch is a
darker, harder character working alone once again, but it is necessary for this
plot. As in all the books in this series the fight scenes are detailed and
realistic. Mr. Mills had me feeling the dread of the possibility of a
bioterrorism attack, anger at the political machinations in D.C. and
contemplating the ethical issues that arise in the dark world that Mitch and
all of his team dwell in.
This is another Mitch Rapp thriller that will leave you hyped,
scared, exhausted and very satisfied in the end!
Thanks very much to Atria and Simon and Schuster for allowing
me to be a Mitch Rapp Ambassador for another year and sending me an ARC of this
book before publication.
I am very excited to share this Feature Post and Book Review for SAVE YOURBREATH (Morgan Dane Book 6) by Melinda Leigh. I have loved this romantic suspense/PI mystery series since Say Your Sorry, book 1 in the series.
Below you will find an interview with the author, an excerpt from the title, my book review, a book summary, the author’s bio and social media links and a Rafflecopter giveaway.
This book, like every book in the series is a page turner! Enjoy and as always good luck on the Rafflecopter giveaway.
***
Author Interview: Melinda Leigh
1) Your newest release features two of your most
popular characters, attorney Morgan Dane and P.I. Lance Kruger. While this
couple has a habit of getting involved in difficult (and dangerous) criminal
cases, the mystery in this book is much more personal for them.
In Save Your Breath, Morgan and Lance aren’t
working for a client. They’re looking for Sharp’s girlfriend, Olivia Cruz, who
vanished from her home in the middle of the night. After Olivia goes missing,
Sharp realizes his feelings for her run much deeper than he’d thought. As the
investigation continues, with no trace of Olivia, the usually calm and centered
PI begins to unravel. Morgan and Lance had always depended on Sharp for his
insight and stability. Save Your Breath reverses these
established roles.
2) How does the personal nature of the crime affect the
other characters?
Morgan and Lance are also thrust into unaccustomed roles.
In the previous five books, Sharp has been the source of stability. He is their
rock. Now Morgan and Lance have to step up and help him hold it together. The
book deliberately challenges the cohesiveness of the team.
3) The story starts with a terrifying scene where Olivia is
kidnapped. It is raw and visceral and plays on everyone’s worst fear—being
unsafe in our own home. How do you get into the mindset for crafting this kind
of scene?
I close my eyes and envision the scene in my mind from
beginning to end. Everyone has been woken by a strange noise in the middle of
the night. We’ve all stared at the ceiling, listening for the sounds of a
stranger moving through the house. Being attacked in our sleep is a basic,
primal fear. That’s the vulnerable feeling I wanted to generate in the reader,
so I imagined it happening to me. Basically, I’m channeling the overactive
imagination that got me into so much trouble as a child.
4) Morgan and Lance are planning a wedding and solidifying
Lance’s place as a step-dad to the Dane girls, all the while dealing with
terrible crimes around them. How do they disconnect from the violence around
them in order to create a space just for themselves and their family?
The family demands their full attention, and in their world
of chaos and crime, their home is what keeps them sane. Both Morgan and Lance
operate best when they have the support and love of their family to return to
at the end of the day.
5) Can you give readers any hints of what’s next for Morgan
Dane and her crew?
I wrote Save Your Breath as the final book
in the Morgan Dane series, but my next project is a spin-off. The Bree Taggert
Series will take place in Grey’s Hollow. Morgan and the crew will likely make
appearances.
***
Excerpt: Save Your Breath by Melinda Leigh
Her weekly dinner
with her family had distracted her earlier in the evening. Her mother had
served frijoles negros, Olivia’s favorite traditional Cuban dish. Olivia had
overindulged, and the minute she’d left her parents’ house in Albany to make
the hour drive back to Scarlet Falls, her true crime research had flashed right
back into her mind and unsettled her stomach.
Chewing an antacid, she mulled over her
stunning discovery. The implications of what she’d learned further stirred the
black beans and rice in her belly. As a journalist, her job was to seek the
truth, not play judge or jury. But should she choose to pursue and publish this truth, other people could pay the price for her
revelation—possibly with their lives.
Her new book proposal was overdue, but Olivia’s
predicament felt like a no-win situation. Ignoring the truth went against all
her principles. Then again, so did putting other people in danger.
But how much risk was involved? Could she live
with being responsible for even a single innocent person’s death?
Obsessing about her book research had
translated into three consecutive nights of insomnia. Enough was enough. Olivia
didn’t need to make this decision alone. What she needed was outside
perspective. She brought the antacids with her into the bedroom, picked up her
phone from the nightstand, and checked the time. Eleven o’clock. She sent a CALL ME IF UR UP text message to Lincoln
Sharp, her . . .
The word boyfriend seemed silly at their ages. She was forty-eight. Lincoln was
fifty-three. They’d been dating for several months, and they spent the night
together once or twice a week. She assumed their relationship was exclusive,
although they hadn’t specifically discussed it.
Labels weren’t important to either of them, but
when she saw him or he called unexpectedly, the stirrings of excitement and joy
in her blood made her feel like a teenager. Beyond her attraction to him, she
respected him both personally and professionally.
So why had she been stewing over her decision
instead of asking for his opinion?
Lincoln owned and operated a private
investigation firm. As a retired police detective, his practical experience
with the legal system—and his knowledge of criminal behavior—exceeded hers. She
valued his insight and trusted him to keep her research confidential. If she
decided to pursue the story, she would hire his firm to help with the
investigative legwork anyway. She may as well bring him on board now.
She burped. Her indigestion began to burn its
way up her esophagus. She chewed a second antacid, the chalky taste coating her
mouth. She reached for the glass of water on her nightstand and sipped.
A few seconds later, her phone rang, and she
pressed “Answer.”
“Is everything OK?” Lincoln asked in a worried
tone. Her late-night text was unusual.
“Yes,” Olivia assured him.
“I’m sorry I missed dinner with your parents
again,” he said. “I wrapped up my case tonight. I should be able to make dinner
next week.”
He didn’t talk much about work, which was fine.
She understood his professionalism and appreciated his need to maintain client
confidentiality. But he had mentioned the case had involved a great deal of
evening surveillance.
“They understand,” she said. “I called because
I’m stuck in my research, and I’d like your opinion. Are you free sometime
tomorrow afternoon? I can come to your office.”
“Sure.” Interest brightened his voice. “How
much time do you want me to block out?”
“An hour should do.” She considered his
associates. Lincoln’s business partner, PI Lance Kruger, and Lance’s fiancée,
defense attorney Morgan Dane, could also provide useful insight on Olivia’s
dilemma. Morgan’s legal advice might be particularly helpful. “I’d like Morgan’s
and Lance’s thoughts as well. Could you see if they’re available?”
“Hold on. Let me check their digital
calendars.” The line went quiet for a few breaths. “Lance should be here in the
afternoon. Morgan has a client meeting at nine a.m. Her calendar is clear the
rest of the day. How about I put you in the one p.m. spot?”
“Perfect.” Olivia lowered the phone and made a
note in the calendar app. “I’ll see you tomorrow then.”
“You know, when you texted”—Sharp’s voice
deepened—“I had hoped this was a booty call.”
A little thrill rushed through her, followed by
another burp. Olivia rubbed the fire behind her breastbone. “Tonight isn’t a
good night. I ate way too much of my mother’s food.”
He snorted. “That happens. She’s an incredible
cook. Get some rest and feel better.”
“Good night.” Olivia lowered the phone.
Satisfied he would help her make her decision,
she slid into bed and picked up a book. At midnight, she still wasn’t sleepy.
She set down the book and redirected her mind. Lincoln was teaching her to
meditate. Closing her eyes, she concentrated on her breaths. She conjured a mental
image of the beach in her mind and synced her breathing to the ebb and flow of
the imaginary waves. At first she had trouble concentrating, but eventually her
body felt heavy.
Olivia jolted, her heartbeat quickening, sweat
dampening her T-shirt.
What was that?
A glance at the clock on her nightstand told
her hours had passed. It felt as if she’d just closed her eyes, but she must
have fallen asleep. She scanned the darkness of her bedroom. Her gaze passed
over her dresser and chair. Had she heard something real, or had it been a
dream?
She concentrated, listening hard to the sounds
of her house, but she heard nothing unusual. A thunk and hum signaled the
heater switching on. Hot air blew out of the floor vent and moved the sheers
that hung over her windows.
The alarm hadn’t sounded. She reached for her
cell phone. It was far too early to rise for the day. She double-checked the
security system app on her phone. The house was secure. She needed to go back
to sleep.
She shifted her legs under the covers, closed
her eyes, and tried to get comfortable.
Something whooshed. Her eyes snapped open. A
large shape rushed toward her. A heavy body landed on top of her, pinning her
to the mattress. The weight and size of her attacker felt male. She flailed and
tried to push him off, but her arms and legs were trapped as he straddled her.
She was cocooned in her comforter like a swaddled baby. Her throat constricted.
She couldn’t scream.
Panic sprinted through her bloodstream as she
stared up at the dark assailant looming over her. His face seemed distorted,
his features brighter and flatter than normal. He was wearing a mask.
With a bolt of gut-twisting horror, she recognized the character as Michael Myers from the movie Halloween.
A flash of terror shot up her spine. She inhaled, preparing to
force a scream out of her tight throat.
He slapped her across the face. Pain, bright
and sharp, sang through her cheekbone but faded in seconds as her adrenaline
surged. The scream died in her chest.
***
My Book Review:
RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars
I love this book! I love this series! I am so terribly sad
that this is the final book in the series!
SAVE YOUR BREATH (Morgan Dane Book 6) by Melinda
Leigh is a romantic suspense/PI mystery and this time the focus is on Lincoln
Sharp and Olivia Cruz, but the danger still has a way of finding Lance and Morgan.
True-crime writer Olivia Cruz has disappeared. Lincoln and
Olivia have been dating for a few months now and he knows the type of criminals
she interviews and fears the worst. She attempts to leave a few clues, but she
is taped, tied and then drugged. Sharp gets Lance and Morgan to assist in going
through her files of her current book looking for clues.
They find Olivia was writing about two cold case murders.
The mother of one of the convicted men committed suicide right outside Morgan’s
office after Morgan turned her down as a client the same day they find Olivia
missing.
The suspects increase as the suspense builds and it is a
race against the clock. Will Sharp find Olivia and will she be alive? And has
Morgan and Lance’s involvement in the case made them targets of the killer?
I love all the characters in this book and series. I always
look forward to each book knowing I can pick it up, reconnect with Morgan,
Lance and all the secondary characters and immediately be immersed in a mystery
that pulls me into the story and their lives once again. Ms. Leigh knows how to
keep you on the edge-of-your-seat and turning the pages. I am very sorry this
series is ending, but I know I will be going back to reread them again.
I highly recommend this book and the entire series! All the
books have memorable characters and well plotted mysteries. I do recommend they
be read in order to follow all the personal connections and changes.
***
About the Book
Title: Save Your Breath
Author: Melinda Leigh
Release Date: September 17, 2019
Publisher: Montlake
Summary
When true-crime writer Olivia Cruz disappears with no signs of foul play, her new boyfriend, Lincoln Sharp, suspects the worst. He knows she didn’t leave willingly and turns to attorney Morgan Dane and PI Lance Kruger to find her before it’s too late.
As they dig through Olivia’s life, they are shocked to discover a connection between her current book research on two cold murder cases and the suicide of one of Morgan’s prospective clients.
As Morgan and Lance investigate, the number of suspects grows, but time is running out to find Olivia alive. When danger comes knocking at their door, Morgan and Lance realize that they may be the killer’s next targets.
***
Author Biography
#1 Amazon Charts and Wall Street Journal bestselling
author Melinda Leigh is a fully recovered banker. A lifelong lover of books,
she started writing as a way to preserve her sanity when her youngest child
entered first grade. During the next few years, she joined Romance Writers of
America, learned a few things about writing a novel, and decided the process
was way more fun than analyzing financial statements. Melinda’s debut
novel, She Can Run, was nominated for Best First Novel by the
International Thriller Writers. She’s also garnered Golden Leaf and Silver
Falchion Awards, along with two nominations for a RITA and three Daphne du
Maurier Awards. She holds a second-degree black belt in Kenpo karate; teaches
women’s self-defense; and lives in a messy house with her husband, two
teenagers, a couple of dogs, and two rescue cats.
SECRETS NEVER DIE (Morgan Dane Book 5) by Melinda
Leigh is a romantic suspense/PI mystery. I cannot get enough of Morgan, Lance
and the whole cadre of secondary characters. The only reason I put this book
down was because I had to go to work.
Tina Knox comes home from work to find her husband, a retired
sheriff shot dead in the den and her teenage son, Evan missing. Tina calls PI
Lance Kruger for help because her son is on Lance’s hockey team for at risk
teens. As the evidence begins to come together, Evan goes from being considered
a missing person to the prime suspect.
Lance and Morgan work together to locate Evan and find evidence to prove him innocent. Just when the trail goes cold, another deputy goes missing. Is his disappearance connected?
Also, Lance and Morgan do not believe that Tina is telling them the whole truth. What is she hiding and is it connected?
Lance and Morgan fear Evan is the killer’s target. Will they
be able to find Evan alive and unravel family secrets that put everyone in
jeopardy?
Once again, Morgan and Lance go all out to prove the innocence
of their client. It is difficult to not give away secrets because I want
everyone to see how clever Ms. Leigh is with her plotting. She gives you a fast-paced,
page-turning, intense read with plot twists that always surprise me. Morgan and
Lance’s relationship continues to develop and they are a powerhouse couple at
home and on the job. I always look forward to catching up with all the
secondary characters, also.
This is my favorite series by Ms. Leigh and I am going to be
very sorry to see it end. Until then, I highly recommend this book and the
whole series for great reads!
Today I am excited to share this Feature Post/Blog Blitz and Book Review for a great new release from Pamela Murray – BLOODLINE: an edge of your seat crime thriller which is the second book featuring DI Joe Burton and DS Sally Fielding. This book can easily be read as a standalone, but I loved it so much I will be going back to read the first title, MURDERLAND.
Below you will find a book blurb, my book review and the author’s bio. I highly recommend this British police procedural/mystery!
***
Book Blurb:
When a young boy discovers a man’s body
lying in a doorway, DI Burton and DS Fielding are called to the scene.
Believing the man was homeless, the police
are shocked to discover the true identity of the victim; a Detective Constable
from London who was working undercover.
But when the DNA from the victim is linked
to a cold case Burton and Fielding find themselves looking into another
unsolved murder.
And as the case unfolds, the detectives are faced with unpicking through a web of lies and deceit. But can they solve the murders before any more blood is spilt?
***
My Book Review:
RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars
BLOODLINE: an edge of your seat crime thriller by
Pamela Murray is a new and exciting British police procedural featuring Detective
Inspector Joe Burton and Detective Sergeant Sally Fielding. This is the second
book in the series and can be easily read as a standalone. I will definitely be
going back to read the first book, MURDERLAND.
A homeless man is found stabbed to death lying in a doorway.
But something is not right. The police are shocked when they find out the
homeless man was one of their own from London working undercover.
The fingerprints identify the slain office, but his DNA
comes back linking him genetically to a cold case homicide. Now DI Burton has
two homicides to investigate as DS Fielding goes undercover to follow the case
that leads to the policeman’s death.
These cases are tied together with lies and deceit which the
detectives must unravel before more people end up dead.
This book is an exciting page turner that hooked me right away. There are so many unanswered questions, deceptions, twists and turns. The main characters are likable and realistic. The two plots are intertwined and flow seamlessly from start to resolution.
I am very happy to have found this author and series now,
when I only have one book to go back to read. I can highly recommend this British
procedural/mystery!
***
Author Bio:
Pamela
Murray is from the North East of England, and has spent most of her life living
in Boldon. She began writing at an early age when she and her school friend
used to write stories for one another. The writing continued on and off over
the years, but was only recently reignited when the same school friend
introduced her to the local writers group she was in.
Pamela had intended to enter Journalism after leaving
school but found herself going to work in a Public Library instead, and has
always had more than a passing interest in books and literature.
When
not writing, Pamela is passionate about Cinema and her three grandchildren. She
has also appeared as a Supporting Artiste in two episodes of the hit TV crime
series “Vera”.
I am so excited to be sharing THE WONDER OF YOU (Sanctuary Sound Book 3) by Jamie Beck. I have been anxiously awaiting Peyton’s story in this trilogy and Ms. Beck did not disappoint!
Below you will find a guest post from Jamie Beck, an excerpt, my book review, a book summary, the author’s bio and social media links and a Rafflecopter giveaway. As always good luck on the Rafflecopter giveaway and you have to read this book!
***
Guest
Post: Author Jamie Beck Urges Readers to Focus on the Wonder of Now
Throughout my career, I’ve
loved the challenge of redeeming a character that might be hard to like, much
less love. In Peyton, the heroine from The Wonder of Now, I took on
a particular challenge, because most of my readers are women, and most women
don’t forgive a friend who betrays them for a man. This setup made redeeming
Peyton a singular challenge and begs two questions: who is Peyton, and why
should you care about what happens to her?
Peyton Prescott is part of a
legendary literary family owing to her great-grandfather’s prolific career as a
celebrated novelist. The casual observer would say she’s grown up in a mansion
by the sea and enjoyed every privilege (wealth, beauty, wit). But life in
Arcadia House wasn’t as picture-perfect as her family would have the public
believe, and emotionally distant parents didn’t exactly model warmth or instill
a sense of deep love and acceptance. She spent her twenties living out of
suitcases and blogging about her travels, then had the misfortune of falling
for her childhood friend’s boyfriend, who dumped that friend for Peyton…until
she got diagnosed with breast cancer, at which point he dumped her, too.
Facing her mortality alone
forced her to take a hard look at her life and her choices, spurring a sincere
desire to become a better person, and to make amends with the friend she
betrayed. Although she gets diagnosed in the first book in this series, and
begins to make amends in the second, this final book is when all the threads
come together. She and her famed-photographer brother recorded her journey from
diagnosis through her final surgeries, collaborating on a memoir that is about
to release (the proceeds of which will be donated to cancer research). Of
course, at this point in time she’s more interested in moving on with her life
than with reliving the experience with cancer and sharing those intimacies in
public forums. Her attitude puts her in direct opposition to the publicist,
Mitch, who is counting on her becoming his fledgling company’s big hit.
Despite Peyton’s flaws, of
which she is well-aware, she also has strengths that draw people to her. She’s
self-deprecating, witty, brave, beautiful, and empathetic. She now also has a
heightened appreciation for living in the moment and not taking any day for
granted—something the goal-oriented Mitch must learn to do. Although he has
very good reasons for being disciplined and focused on his ambitions, he is
instantly drawn to her energetic spirit and zest for life.
I confess that I struggled
while writing this book, but it ended up becoming my favorite to date. Not just
because I loved rising to the challenge I’d set up, but also because Peyton’s
musings, fears, and hopes go to the heart of what connects us all, and because
I think I gave her the perfect man to help her complete her much-needed
personal growth arc. But you can be the judge!
***
Excerpt:
The writer from the Barcelona
Review swaggered in and sat down. Medium height, trim, with coal-black
hair worn a bit shaggy. The guy’s eyes lit up when he got his first good look
at Peyton’s smile, making Mitch’s gut tighten.
“Hello, Miss Prescott. I’m
Javier Molina, but friends call me Javi.” He reached across the table to shake
her hand.
“Nice to meet you, Javi.
Please call me Peyton.”
The little knot in Mitch’s
stomach screwed tighter when he thought she was flirting. She’s only
smiling, stupid.
Javi set up his phone
recorder and then slouched back, feet planted wide apart on the ground, pen in
hand. That cocky bastard was trying to intimidate Peyton with his domineering
position. “First, let me say I enjoyed the book, although I suspect some of the
caustic humor was meant to keep us at a distance.”
“Not exactly,” she muttered.
Javi hesitated but would be
disappointed if he expected his silence would force her to elaborate. Mitch had
watched her operate with interviewers in Rome. She’d make an excellent trial
witness, answering only those questions asked—nothing more or less. Even this
spare utterance seemed to have slipped through her fortress wall.
Javi prodded again. “In
certain cases, the photographs are more raw than the narrative, although they
blend seamlessly together. All but the cover photo, which has no explanation or
accompanying exposition. It’s a spectacular, harsh image . . . Can you tell our
readers what was going through your mind when it was taken?”
“You mean aside from ‘I’m
going to kill you, Logan’?” She chuckled, buying herself a precious moment to
compose her thoughts, Mitch guessed.
Meanwhile, Javi raised his
index finger with a sly nod, as if she’d proved the point he’d made a moment
ago about her defense mechanism. Rather than venture another attempt to flirt
his way past Peyton’s defenses, Javi simply stared at her this time, waiting
for a real answer.
Her gaze drifted, eyes
cloudy. If she’d wanted to discuss whatever happened at the time of that photo,
she would’ve put it in the memoir.
Mitch loosened his fist and
wiggled his fingers. She needed to do this for herself, and it might be easier on
her if he left the room. It would certainly be easier on him not to listen to
the story behind the photo that had captivated yet haunted him for weeks.
He wrestled with his
internal debate until she sighed.
Without looking at Javi, she
picked up the pen and began doodling on the pad in front of her while she
spoke. “Forty-five minutes before Logan shot that photo, I’d used the magic
mouthwash to help with my mouth ulcers. After the waiting period, I went to the
kitchen to get some water. It was predawn, so I’d assumed Logan was sleeping. I
took a few sips and then wandered to the living room window. Outside, the
street was already coming to life, all shadows and movement and secrets.
Garbage men emptying bins, night-shift workers heading home, a stray woman
dashing toward the subway on an obvious walk of shame . . . ordinary people
living their lives. Probably worrying about the electric bill, or looking
forward to a sporting event, or maybe daydreaming about a new love. Things that
had once occupied my thoughts but, in that moment, meant less than nothing to
me.”
When she paused, Mitch stole
a look at her notepad. Daisies?
Her expression shifted to
something self-deprecating. “And yet I envied them and those small worries . .
. envied their health. Their nonchalance about another new day. I was so
separated from it all—and not only by the glass. I swallowed a scream because I
knew they, like me before my diagnosis, were taking everything for granted. I
watched them, resentment festering because I might not exist long enough to
even see those people months later. Worse, they’d never know. Life everywhere
would go on without me, and very, very few people would care. Just like
that”—she snapped her fingers—“it hit me that my whole life never mattered
much. No spouse. No children. No impressive legacy from my Globejotter days.
What, of value, had I done with my time?”
The room remained silent
while she resumed her doodling. “I don’t know what woke Logan. All I remember
is that I turned when I heard the camera click, and then he kept snapping.” She
finally looked at Javi and tapped the book jacket with the back end of her pen.
“That was his favorite of the bunch.”
Javi straightened his
posture while finishing his notes. Peyton shot Mitch a quick glance punctuated
by a half shrug. What a strange, intriguing woman. Drawing flowers while
relaying her existential crisis to a total stranger.
Mitch offered a sharp nod of
approval when what he wanted was to gather her in his arms like a bouquet of
delicate flowers and tell her that he would care very much if she didn’t exist
tomorrow or the next day or the one after.
***
My Book Review:
RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars
I have been anxiously waiting for Peyton’s story and Ms.
Beck did not disappoint!
THE WONDER OF NOW (Sanctuary Sound Book 3) by Jamie
Beck is the third contemporary romance in this trilogy about three friends who
dubbed themselves the Lilac Lane League growing up and their lives until they
each find their HEAs. This can be read as a standalone, but there is character
and back-story crossover.
Peyton Prescott is not the same carefree, world travel
blogger she was before her breast cancer. She has survived a double mastectomy,
reconstruction surgery and a year of baring her sole through words to go along
with the pictures taken by her brother, Logan, a professional photographer, of
her personal journey to be published as a book with half the proceeds going to fight
cancer. Up until the cancer she led a privileged and spoiled life, but now she must
find a way to face her new self in the mirror not just physically, but mentally
also.
The first leg of publicity for the book is a tour through
Europe. Logan is at home planning his wedding, so the publisher hires a
publicist to accompany her.
Mitch Mathis has been responsible and disciplined ever since
he lost his father to cancer while in high school. His new company’s success is
riding on Peyton’s tour being a success. There are definitely sparks between
the two, but Mitch has been burned before in an office romance and refuses to ever
let personal feelings interfere with business again.
As the tour progresses, Mitch and Peyton’s attraction grows,
but so do expectations, stress and miscommunications. Both need to decide if they
are willing to be what the other needs.
All three of these books were about such emotionally strong
women, but I especially loved this book. I have known many women who have gone
through Peyton’s journey and others who have passed on and this book realistically
covers so many of their fears and joys as I witnessed their terrifying and amazing
journeys. Mitch and Peyton are a wonderful couple with a complex, flawed and
slow burn romance that had my emotions engaged throughout. These characters and
this book will stay with me for a long time to come.
I highly recommend this contemporary romance trilogy and for
me, they only get stronger as they progress.
***
About The Book:
Title: The Wonder of
Now
Author: Jamie Beck
Release Date: September 10,
2019
Publisher: Montlake
Summary:
Peyton Prescott would give anything for the carefree life she knew
before breast cancer changed everything. But instead of using her second chance
to move forward, she’s stuck promoting the memoir her brother convinced her to
write, thus reliving the very battle she wants to forget. If she hopes her
European book tour will allow her to enjoy revisiting her favorite
travel-writing destinations, she’s wrong: her PR whiz is too consumed with his
own goals to consider her needs.
Mitch Mathis has relied on discipline to achieve his goals, and
with his new firm’s success riding on Peyton’s book launch, he must keep her on
task. They’re here for business, not pleasure. And Mitch won’t let unbridled
desire harm his professional reputation—not again.
When frustrated expectations and attraction throw the tour into chaos, it challenges everything Mitch and Peyton believe about themselves, life, and love, forcing these opposites to consider whether they can embrace the change they need to grow.
***
Author Biography:
National
bestselling author Jamie Beck’s realistic and heartwarming stories have sold
more than two million copies. She’s a Booksellers’ Best Award and National
Readers’ Choice Award finalist, and critics at Kirkus, Publishers
Weekly, and Booklist have respectively called her work
“smart,” “uplifting,” and “entertaining.” In addition to writing, the author of
the Cabot novels, the Sterling Canyon novels, and the St. James series enjoys
dancing around the kitchen while cooking and hitting the slopes in Vermont and
Utah. Above all, she is a grateful wife and mother to a very patient,
supportive family.
Fans can learn more about her on her website, www.jamiebeck.com, which
includes a fun “Extras” page with photos, videos, and playlists. She also loves
interacting with everyone on Facebook at www.facebook.com/JamieBeckBooks.
Today I am excited to share this Feature Post and Book Review for Susan Stoker’s new release CLAIMING SARAH (Ace Security Book 5). This is the final book in this romantic suspense series, but it is easily read as a standalone and it will make you want to go back and read the previous couples’ stories.
Below you will find a guest post from the author, an excerpt, my book review, a book summary, the author’s bio and social media links and a Rafflecopter giveaway. Enjoy this romantic suspense with heart and as always good luck on the Rafflecopter giveaway!
***
Opposites
Attract: When Cole Claims Sarah
In Claiming Sarah, Cole
Johnson is co-owner of one of his town’s most popular gyms. He’s extremely busy
since his partner, Felicity, is out of town. He makes an appointment to meet
with Sarah Butler, to arrange for some self defense training for her, but he
almost loses his chance when she overhears him telling his secretary he’s too
busy and to give her an excuse as to why he can’t meet her. The couple
(obviously) works out that awkward first meeting and Sarah begins learning how
to defend herself from a creepy man who keeps giving her inappropriate
presents. Of course the more time Cole spends with Sarah, the more he likes her
and they end up dating. When she disappears it’s up to Cole, and Ace Security,
to put together the clues to find her before it’s too late.
Cole Johnson is a man who’s used to
plowing through his day and when he needs or wants something, he simply gets
it. Sarah Butler is more reserved. As a kid who didn’t feel wanted until she
was finally adopted she was used to being in the background. Cole and Sarah
compliment each other perfectly. Cole is able to ferret out what Sarah wants
and needs and he delivers. And in return Sarah keeps Cole grounded. She smooths
out his jagged edges.
I think that’s how good relationships
work, at least in my books. The Hero is there to protect and shield his woman
from anyone or anything that might want to hurt her, and she’s there to keep
him grounded and to support him. It seems to just work.
***
Excerpt:
“Do you ask out every woman you train
at your gym? It just seems . . . fast.”
Cole stared at her for a long moment,
and when he frowned, Sarah felt as if she’d somehow disappointed him.
“No, I don’t ask out every woman I
train. Not even close. It’s been a long time since I’ve asked anyone out.
And believe me, Sarah, I’m looking at you—and I like what I see. A lot. You’ve
got an air of innocence about you that I find fascinating. You’ve had a tough
life, but haven’t let it harden you. I respect you, and I . . . I’d like to get
to know you better.”
She bit her lip and took a deep
breath, but didn’t immediately protest, so he went on. “I have a feeling simply
being around you will make me a better person.”
Sarah shook her head. “Don’t do that.
Don’t put me on a pedestal. I’m not some paragon walking around sprinkling
glitter throughout the world.”
Cole laughed. Threw his head back and
laughed as if she’d said the funniest thing he’d ever heard.
Sarah tugged on her hand again,
somewhat offended, but he still refused to let go.
When he got himself under control, he
said, “I know you’re not perfect. You’re too trusting. You see the good in
everyone, even when there isn’t any there. You probably neglect your own health
in order to do something good for someone else.”
“You make me sound like an idiot,”
Sarah grumbled, despite being secretly kind of flattered.
“You’re not an idiot. You’re
refreshing. And I’m not. I’ve got more than my share of flaws that I’m sure
you’ll discover sooner rather than later. But as I said, if you let me get to
know you, go out on a few dates with me, I’m hoping you’ll find that you like
me back . . . just a little.”
Sarah frowned. “I already like you,
Cole, but I don’t understand you. You don’t know anything about me. I could
totally be lying to you right now, and you just bought my lies hook, line, and
sinker.”
He smiled again. “You’re not lying.”
“How do you know?”
“Because I’m an expert at reading body
language. I’ve been around some bad people in my life, angel. You are who you
say you are. What you see is what you get.”
Sarah licked her lips nervously, and his
gaze immediately followed the movement.
Cole persisted. “Say you’ll go out
with me, Sarah.”
“I thought I was here to figure out
how to defend myself.”
“You are. And we’ll get to that.
Agreeing to go out with me in no way affects whether or not I’ll teach you some
basic moves that will allow you to get away from someone and get to safety.”
“But if I say no, things could get
weird.”
“Then say yes,” Cole cajoled. “I swear
you’ve got nothing to fear from me. I’ll even get references if that will make
you feel safer.”
“It’s not that. I think I feel safer
with you than anyone I’ve ever been around . . .” She
hesitated.
“But?”
“I’m afraid once you get to know me,
you’ll decide I’m annoying. Too much work or something. I work odd hours, weird
shifts. And I looked you up online. I know about your friend and what happened
to her. And about the Andersons. The last thing I want is my stalker getting
upset when he sees us together—because he will—and taking out any anger on you
and your friends.”
“Breathe, angel. Take a breath.
Nothing is going to happen to them.”
“You can’t control people, Cole,”
Sarah pressed. “They’re unpredictable.”
“Fine. Then we’ll meet with Logan,
Blake, Nathan, and Ryder, and make sure they know everything about this Owen
guy. We’ll let them investigate and figure out what will make him back off. In
the meantime, we’ll hang out at my place. Or here. Or your house. We won’t
shove our relationship down Owen’s throat. We’ll be discreet. How’s that
sound?”
Sarah could only gape at him. “How’d
we go from me wanting some tips on protecting myself to having Ace Security
investigating Owen and you and me hanging out at each other’s houses?”
He smiled at her again, but didn’t
answer her question.
She took a deep breath and gave him
the only answer she could. “Okay.”
He beamed. “Okay,” he said quietly.
Then he finally let go of her hand and stood, before immediately reaching the
same hand down to her again. “Time for your first lesson.”
Automatically, she reached up and let
him help her off the floor. She wasn’t sure what she was expecting. A kiss to
seal the deal. A hug. A discussion about when and where their first date would
be. But so far, Cole hadn’t done anything the way she expected him to.
“First lesson for today will be how to
get a guy to let go of your hand if he’s been holding on too long and you’re
uncomfortable.”
Sarah knew he was referring to her
feeble attempts to pull her hand out of his, and blushed. But he was right,
this was something she should know. It would come in handy at the hospital too,
just in case one of the patients or family members got a little too familiar,
as they’d done in the past.
Concentrating on his instruction, she
did her best to put her nerves about dating Cole behind her.
***
My Book Review:
RATING: 4 out of 5 Stars
CLAIMING SARAH (Ace Security Book 5) by Susan Stoker
is the last romantic suspense book in the Ace Security series. This story does
have crossover characters from the other books, but it is easily read as a
standalone and makes me want to go back and read the others.
Sarah Butler is a nursing assistant who loves her job, but
she is now having difficulty with the son of an ex-patient who keeps sending
her intimate notes and gifts. There have been no threats, just a weird feeling
on Sarah’s part, so the police and Ace Security do not believe there is a
problem and just tell her to take self-defense classes at Rock Hard Gym and let
them know if she receives an overt threat. When she shows up at the gym, she
overhears the co-owner trying to get the receptionist to brush her off and she
walks out.
When Cole Johnson realizes he just sent the “Sarah” that Ace
Security sent his way, he runs out to apologize and try to get her to come back.
Cole has an instant and intense attraction to Sarah; her gentleness and innocence
make her his “angel”. Sarah also cannot explain why Cole makes her feel safe,
but her fears disappear when he is around. Cole believes Sarah’s instincts and
gets Ace Security working on her case as they become closer. Sarah has a premonition
she will disappear and no one will come looking for her or be able to find her.
Sarah’s premonition becomes reality and Cole will stop at
nothing to find his “angel”.
I loved everything about Sarah. She is sweet, loving and
forgiving. I agree with Cole that she is a special person who needs to be
protected and I wish there were more people like her in this world. Cole is a
great hero for Sarah with his alpha attitude, rough edges, tattoos but a core
of love and protectiveness for her. The sex scenes are explicit and steamin’ hot.
I was very satisfied with the compassionate way Ms. Stoker handled the
resolution of the climax of this story, also.
This is a suspenseful romantic suspense with a lot of heart
and memorable characters.
***
About the Book:
Title: Claiming Sarah
Author: Susan Stoker
Release Date: September 10, 2019
Publisher: Montlake
Summary:
Sarah Butler isn’t flattered. She’s
angry and unnerved. She’s been getting intimate gifts from a man she barely
knows. Nothing threatening yet, but there’s just a weird vibe she can’t ignore.
Her recourse is Ace Security. Their solution: self-defense lessons at Rock Hard
Gym with a personal, hands-on instructor. One look at the bearded, tattooed,
green-eyed alpha is enough to take Sarah’s breath away.
Cole Johnson is definitely the man for the job. He’s eager to train her. Eager
to get closer. And when it comes to Sarah’s instincts, Cole knows she’s not
imagining things. He’s also not imagining the intense attraction between
them—and his desire to protect her is growing. But so are Sarah’s fears, the
worst of which come true when she disappears.
Enlisting the help of Ace Security, Cole will stop at nothing to find the love of his life . . . before she vanishes forever.
***
Author Biography:
Susan Stoker is the New York
Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling
author of Claiming Felicity, Claiming Bailey, Claiming Grace, and Claiming
Alexis in the Ace Security series. A lover of alpha heroes, Susan is
also the author of the Badge of Honor: Texas Heroes, SEAL of Protection, and
Delta Force Heroes series. Married to a retired Army noncommissioned officer,
Stoker has lived all over the country—from Missouri and California to Colorado
and Texas—and currently lives under the big skies of Tennessee. She is a true
believer in happily ever after and enjoys writing novels in which romance turns
to love. To learn more about the author and her work, visit her at www.stokeraces.com.
