That’s how Savannah Ryan would describe her new boss, Declan Whitmore, the deliciously tatted and pierced fighter who holds the top spot in Boston’s newest underground fighting organization. She’d also describe him as bossy, arrogant, and–depending on what he does to piss her off that particular day–an asshole.
It’s that aloof attitude, along with Savannah’s witty comebacks and tight little body that land her on his radar. Unfortunately for her, Declan is relentless when he sets his sights on someone, both in and out of the ring. Unfortunately for him, this recently reformed bad girl is trying to go straight after heading down a dangerous path. She’s not going to make this easy for him. In fact, she’s going to make it–and him–very, very hard.
Declan’s not worried, though. He’ll have Savannah come hell or high water, because if there’s one word he’d use to describe her, it’s “MINE.”
How freaking excited am I to have stumbled across this pulse pounding number while out shopping!!!
The sex scenes weren’t over the top (translation: not über kinky). However, it was the emotional ride that captured my attention and had me turning the pages until I reached the very end.
Declan was sweet, sexy, and touchy-feely (physically and mentally). However don’t let me put a mansy pansy image into your head. He was all MAN. He literally tossed her over his shoulder.
Mmmm, caveman…….
Oh yeah, that assertiveness definitely has its place.
Check this book out, folks.
Hell, check out all her books. I know I will be…….
Alexandra Bond was content. Life was good – until it wasn’t. Her life derailed seven months ago when her husband, Walt, died of a heart attack at just forty-nine years old. Alex, forty-one, has dealt with the devastation, anger, and loneliness long enough. She’s ready to be bold and put it all out there. She’s eager to get her life back on track and the right man wouldn’t hurt. When a young hunk asks her out, she is optimistic. She soon discovers he’s quite accomplished and a well-known commodity, especially among the locals. He sweeps her off her feet and proceeds to introduce her to his sexual fantasies and games. He brings romance and laughter back into her life and turns out to be much more than she bargained for. With a quirky cast of characters including friends and family the hijinks that ensue will have you laughing and crying.
(review request submitted by the author’s PA for an honest critique)
I have a few issues with Cohen’s portrayal of Alex. First, who gives a time line to date/fuck after their spouse (of two decades) passes away. I’m sorry but I find that wrong. She “talked herself into a dating ban for of minimum of six months, partly out of respect for her husband and to the shock of his passing”, but after seven months, she begins to act like a bitch in heat. Let me address her and Jesse……
She spots Jesse leaving her mom’s party and begs her mom to arrange for him to come back ASAP. Then after a promise of a phone call/date, she becomes frantic when she doesn’t hear from him after a couple days.
I get horniness but come on. Is she a real woman or an adolescent child?
Now heres comes the date……
Horniness again takes hold of her and she strips her underwear off in a restaurant bathroom, allows him to come home with him where he promptly secures her (ball gag included) and it’s her suggestion to forego a condom because she is on the pill.
Last time I checked birth control pills don’t hinder a person from catching an STD. Hell, she’s having unprotected sex with a stranger and doesn’t care because…… again, she’s in heat after not having sex since her husband passed.
Wow, just effin’ WOW!!!!!
Don’t even get me started on her talking about marriage after three weeks together. Seriously, what the bloody hell!
One last less-than-stellar comment in regards to he line thought by Alex — “Alex, you will soon marry the man of your dreams.”
If Jesse is the man of her dreams then what the hell was Walter (her recently deceased husband)?
Yeah, I will let you ponder that for a bit.
Positive mentions….. Jesse is a creative man. He sure knows how to spice it up. The Officer bit was kinky with a healthy dose of hilarity thrown in. French maid prank was cute.
Athletic trainer Marianne Cook is ready to do whatever it takes to turn the men of the Marine Corps boxing team into fighting machines. After all, her ultimate goal is to land a job training professional athletes. But when she notices a certain hard-bodied marine trying to hide an injury, Marianne realizes that she’ll have to use covert tactics to get him talking.
.
First Lieutenant Brad Costa has waited years for the chance to fight for a spot on the Marine Corps boxing team, knowing he has to push twice as hard to get half as far as his younger counterparts. Brad tries to downplay his injuries to the attractive trainer who has his dreams in her hands, but Marianne isn’t buying it. Maybe it’s time to deploy some targeted flattery.
.
As Brad and Marianne’s attraction turns red-hot, there’s more than one person having a hard time keeping their eyes on the prize…
Is it wrong/bad that I found more enjoyment from the bromances/camaraderie formed during the Marine boxing try-outs than I did the relationship between Cook and Costa?
The soldiers were sarcastic, hilarious, dedicated……
It was a glimpse into the world of our military men and I thoroughly enjoyed it – especially the pamphlet wonderland the men created.
Cute, sweet, funny, and romantic.
With that being said, I did lower the score because I didn’t feel as connected to Brad and Marianne as much as I did the fellas (soldiers).
I’m sure JM wanted to show the teamwork of the men, but more importantly, her goal was for her readers to feel/see the chemistry between the two main stars. Since I didn’t, it lost a couple hearts. Sorry, JM.
MacKenzie Knightley is the best criminal trial attorney in Damson County, but he has no defense against petite, peppery Sidonie Lindstrom, a foster mom who’s moved into the farmhouse where Mack and his brothers grew up.
Sid is grieving the loss of her brother, worried she’s about to lose her foster son, and in no mood for romantic nonsense when Mack drives up the lane. And yet, he’s good with her horses, good with her foster son, and just the sort of solid, trustworthy, guy she might fall for—until she learns that he’s not at all what he appears to be.
REVIEW
I didn’t read the first two books in the series but I don’t think that’s relevant to my thoughts on this story. It came across as a standalone book.
Now for my thoughts on this creation….
I didn’t particular love or hate this book. For me, it was just eh.
I didn’t feel a connection between Mac and Sid. There was no sparks whatsoever in my mind. All the characters lacked a human quality which a writer must convey if she or he wishes to entice the reader to keep reading and keep purchasing his/her story.
I did read the whole book but, unfortunately, I won’t be going back for seconds.
The only reason why I am not giving it a 1 ❤ was due to the fact Grace shed some light on the foster care world. It saddens me to see children “forgotten” in the system or foster parents who are doing a great job not get the recognition they rightfully deserve. Trust me, I know not all social workers drop the ball but when they do, it hurts not only the child but those who care for the child – foster families, friends, and their real family (in this case).
With You series HarperCollins (Avon) March 31, 2015
Eleven months ago, bartender and weird-shirt-wearing extraordinaire Roxy and Officer Reece Anders had a one night stand. Well, kind of. She’s been in love with him since she was fifteen, and he wishes that night they shared never happened. She’s sworn him off forever, but the past and future collide, forcing her to rely on the one man who broke her heart not once, but twice.
Her best friend since birth has been in a long-term care facility since he became a victim of a hate crime years ago, and the person who put him in there is out of prison and wanting to make amends with him and Roxy. She’s not sure she has room for forgiveness in her and when she begins to receive frightening messages and is on the receiving end of escalating violence, she thinks she knows who is to blame. The man who already destroyed one life already.
But Reece isn’t convinced. The threats are too personal, and even if Roxy doesn’t believe him, he’s not willing to let anyone hurt her. Including himself. He’s already messed up more than once when it comes to Roxy and he’s not going to let history repeat itself.
Review
Let me set the stage for you and see if you can figure out how this story will end based on the information I provide you.
1.) Henry (an ex-con) wants to talk to Roxy and make amends for the terrible act he committed against her friend, Charlie. A thoughtless act of violence which made him basically a lifeless person.
2.) Roxy has acquired herself a stalker.
3. The stalker makes his move and cue the rescuer.
Come on…. I know you can figure it out. I concluded how this book was going to end from almost the beginning.
Since I like more mystery in a mystery novel, even though if it’s a romance/mystery novel, I’m knocking down the score.
This book was just okay. Not bad but definitely not worth a second read.
However, I did like two major characters in this novel – Nick and Katie.
