Showing posts with label Military. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Military. Show all posts

Review // The Vixen and the Vet by Katy Regnery

March 04, 2023

The Vixen and the Vet by Katy Regnery

There was no future for Asher Lee and Savannah Carmichael

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The Vixen and the Vet by Katy Regnery

The Vixen and the Vet by Katy Regnery


Standalone - A Modern Fairytale
Release - June 15, 2014
Genre - Contemporary Romance / retelling / military
POV - Dual 3rd person
Heat - 4 out of 5
Format - ebook
Length - 296 pages

Savannah Carmichael, betrayed by an unreliable source, returns to her hometown of Danvers, Virginia with her once-promising journalism career in ruins. Given the opportunity to get back in the game by writing a patriotic human interest piece, Savannah turns her attention to the town hermit, Asher Lee, a wounded veteran who returned to Danvers eight years ago, and hasn't been seen since.

After an IED explosion in Afghanistan took Asher's hand and disfigured half of his face, he's lived a quiet life on the outskirts of Danvers where the locals respect his privacy...that is, until Savannah Carmichael comes calling in a borrowed sundress with a plate of homemade brownies. When Asher agrees to be interviewed by Savannah, he starts feeling things for the beautiful reporter that he hasn't felt in years.

Misfits in small-town Danvers, Savannah and Asher create a bond right away, touching each other's hearts in ways neither thought possible. When a terrible mistake threatens to drive them apart, they'll have to decide if the love they found in one another's arms is strong enough to fight for their hard-won happily ever after.

My Two Cents

4.5 "So easy to love" stars

Is it possible not to fall in love with the characters Katy Regnery creates? I'm having no such luck because both Asher and Savannah were so easy to love!

Asher: a war vet, he was once the town hero, but after being hit by an IED and sustaining physical damage, he returned to a cool welcome. After being basically shunned, if people weren't running away in horror due to his deformity, he closed himself off on his family's estate.

The problem with hope was that you were required to acknowledge the possibility of not getting what you desperately hoped for.

Savannah: the town's sweetheart, she made good in the big city, but loving the wrong person ruined her career and she's back home. What better way to get back in the game than to interview a war hero?

"Don't ask me again about your face. Don't wonder for a minute if I feel like i'm being shortchanged by choosing to be with you. Just know this: you walked out of my dreams fully formed. I wasn't about to let you walk away."

From the first meet-cute, I knew this was story was going to be lovely. I knew that these characters were going to give me everything and more and that the author was going to do an incredible job of playing with my heart. I wasn't wrong.

There were tons of sweet moments. I smiled, swooned, giggled, and sighed my way through this book. Even though I was easily able to predict the conflict to come between Asher and Savannah, my heart still ached for them.

I can't find not one thing wrong with this story aside from wanting more. I would have loved an epilogue, but honestly, the time spent with these characters was so enjoyable that I can easily imagine their happily ever after together.

The Author

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Katy Regnery started her writing career by enrolling in a short story class in January 2012. One year later, she signed her first contract, and Katy’s first novel was published in September 2013.

Several dozen books and three RITA® nominations later, Katy claims authorship of the multititled Blueberry Lane series, the A Modern Fairytale collection, the Summerhaven series, the Odds Are Good collection, the Arranged duo, and several other stand-alone romances, including the critically acclaimed mainstream fiction novel Unloved, a love story.

Find more information at https://www.katyregnery.com

Review // Right to My Wrong by Lani Lynn Vale

July 07, 2021

Right to My Wrong by Lani Lynn Vale

“You’re mine and I’m yours. We’ll make our lives good together. We’ll have babies. We’ll buy a house. We’ll grow old together until we can’t see the other’s faults. We’ll be together forever. And then, when we’re done on this earth, we’ll leave it together, because I deserve happy, and so do you." - Sterling

Right to My Wrong by Lani Lynn Vale

Add it to Goodreads / Find it on Amazon


Standalone - The Heroes of The Dixie Wardens MC #8
Release - February 3, 2016
Genre - Contemporary Romance
Dual POV - 1st person / Sterling "Kraken" Waters & Ruthann Comalsky
Heat Level - 4 out of 5
Format/Source - Kindle purchase
Length - 294 pages
Publisher - Indie

Nightmares

Sterling and Ruthie have more things in common than they realize, even though from the outside it doesn’t seem like they do.

Blood

Sterling is a decorated war hero.

Ruthie is an ex-con.

Their two worlds should’ve never collided, but fate has a way of turning life in the direction least expected. Now Ruthie has to try to come to terms with the fact that she’s in love with a biker who’s also a decorated Navy SEAL. One who leaves for months at a time with little to no advance warning, taking her heart with him each time he goes.

Pain

Sterling has a lot of things to overcome in order to have Ruthie, the biggest being her mind.

She doesn’t think she’s good enough.

He thinks she’s perfect.

Now it’s up to him to show her just how right he can be.

First off... Lani Lynn Vale needs to stop killing off the characters I want to get to know!!

Sterling - navy SEAL, amateur baseball player, member of The Dixie Wardens, general grump and all-around nice guy (when he wants to be).

Ruthie - spent time as an abused wife, mother to a murdered child, convict for killing her husband. I respected the heck out of this woman!

Both characters knew what it was like to be abandoned and found it hard to trust. But for some reason, they were able to come to rely on each other, adding one more person to their small circle of worthy people. It started with friendship and bloomed into something romantic and beautiful. Nightmares and chilling suspense aside, what they shared was so sweet and sexy. Their shared darkness and search for the light created something truly magical.


My Notes

There was something either brewing or had already brewed between Tomasina and Garrison and I'm wondering if that will be developed.

I did have one wee problem with this story...

There was a scene in which Sterling had a girl all over him. I mean, this girl was hanging on him, stroking him, right in front of Ruthann. He ignored Ruthie, spent the night who knows where because when she had enough of watching him with another woman, she left him with the other woman, and no questions were really asked. This occurred after they had consummated their relationship the night before. He was never held accountable nor did he have to answer as to WTF was going on. Why would the author allow this to happen? Why would you want us to pretend like it didn't happen (or something)? Why include the scene at all when it had nothing to do with pushing the story forward (or you weren't going to deal with it)?

🤬🤬🤬


Sterling & Ruthie's family tree (Sterling's mother is married to Ruthann's father):

    Their children
        Cormac (son)

    Sterling's family
        Cormac Austin (foster-brother) (RIP)
        Garrison (foster-brother)
        Tomasina Daniels (foster-sister)
        Dylan Spiers (half-brother)
        Dalia Spiers (half-sister)

    Ruthann's Family
        Dylan Spiers (half-brother)
        Dalia Spiers (half-sister)

Check out my other reviews from this series:
Lights to My Siren by Lani Lynn Vale Halligan to My Axe by Lani Lynn Vale
Kevlar to My Vest by Lani Lynn Vale Keys to My Cuffs by Lani Lynn Vale
Life to My Flight by Lani Lynn Vale Charge to My Line by Lani Lynn Vale
Counter to My Intelligence by Lani Lynn Vale

Lani Lynn Vale is married to the love of her life that she met in high school. She fell in love with him because he was wearing baseball pants. Ten years later they have three perfectly crazy children and a cat named Demon who likes to wake her up at ungodly times in the night. They live in the greatest state in the world, Texas. She writes contemporary and romantic suspense, and has a love for all things romance. You can find Lani in front of her computer writing away in her fictional characters world...that is until her husband and kids demand sustenance in the form of food and drink.

Visit https://lanilynnvale.com/ for more information!

I Don't Dance by Lani Lynn Vale // Review

June 10, 2021

I Don't Dance by Lani Lynn Vale

I love that when I'm with you, I don't have to pretend I'm nice. - eCard


I Don't Dance by Lani Lynn Vale

I Don't Dance by Lani Lynn Vale


Standalone - Freebirds #5.5
Release - December 3, 2014
Genre - Contemporary Military Romance
Dual POV - 1st person/Elliott & Blaine Masters
Heat Level - 4 out of 5
Format/Source - Kindle purchase
Length - 111 pages
Publisher - Indie

Her

Blaine didn't understand the true meaning of lonely until she spent her first Christmas away from her husband. She was never one to believe in love at first sight. Then she met Elliott while he was on leave from the Army. From that moment on, they loved fiercely, and never wasted a day. She knew that deployment was a very real possibility… one that scared her to death.

Him

When the orders are handed down, he has to go, leaving his new wife at home while he risks his life half a world away. Elliott did his best. He loved Blaine with his whole heart, but he had a responsibility to his team and to his country. Regrettably, that meant being away from Blaine Christmas after Christmas, year after year.

Her

Blaine made the best of her situation, and did what any good military wife should do, even if it tore her to pieces to do it. She stood by her man. Years go by, but one thing holds true. They’re meant to be. Blaine and Elliott have a love like no other, and time and distance will never change that

Find I Don't Dance on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3g4UWsp


Although this read like an extended epilogue for all of the characters of the series, I loved the glimpse inside the relationship of Blaine and Elliott. From their first meeting, which was hilarious, to their every hello and goodbye, to their Christmas traditions, it was all too easy to love this couple. They brought me immense joy and sorrow and I had a huge smile on my face by the end. Another great read from LLV.


My Note(s)

Elliott + Blaine family tree:

    Their children:
        Baby Masters (RIP)
        Justin Douglas Masters
        Tawny Masters
        Paige Masters

Check out my reviews of the other books in this series:



Lani Lynn Vale is married to the love of her life that she met in high school. She fell in love with him because he was wearing baseball pants. Ten years later they have three perfectly crazy children and a cat named Demon who likes to wake her up at ungodly times in the night. They live in the greatest state in the world, Texas. She writes contemporary and romantic suspense, and has a love for all things romance. You can find Lani in front of her computer writing away in her fictional characters world...that is until her husband and kids demand sustenance in the form of food and drink.

Visit https://lanilynnvale.com/ for more information!

Another One Bites the Dust by Lani Lynn Vale // Review

June 08, 2021

Another One Bites the Dust by Lani Lynn Vale

"Baby, I'd never let you fall. Never. The only way that would ever happen would be if I was dead, or both my legs and arms didn't work. If one of them worked, I'd claw my way to you. I'd do everything in my power to watch over you. Only death would separate me from your side." - Max


Another One Bites the Dust by Lani Lynn Vale

Another One Bites the Dust by Lani Lynn Vale


Standalone - Freebirds #3
Release - December 16, 2013
Genre - Contemporary Romance/military/enemies-to-lovers (kinda)
Dual POV - 1st person/Maximillian "Max" Tremaine & Payton Evangeline Alvarez
Heat Level - 4 out of 5
Format/Source - Kindle purchase
Length - 318 pages
Publisher - Indie

Her

I wanted him, but couldn't find the courage to have him. You know that feeling, the one where you’re too scared to go to sleep, too scared to go out, and too scared to do anything? Ever since my assault, I've been functioning, but not living. That was until I met that motorcycle riding man with such a deep gravelly voice that it sent shivers down my spine. He helped me through some of the darkest moments of my life.

Him

She was a cock tease pure and simple. Or so I thought. What I believed to be a game on her part, turned out to be a bone deep fear of everyday life. We helped each other cope, and slowly our friendship turned into something more.

Them

Circumstances broke the two of us apart just as we decided we wanted to be together. A vengeful woman sets out to ruin Max and anything he holds dear in his life. Payton has gone through so much in her life that enduring one more thing just might break her. Only Max taught Payton a few things. Never hold back. Never hesitate. Do something stupid, and always learn from your mistakes. Together, they can overcome anything.

Dang, but this story had so much heartbreak! Not only did Max have his demons, he was determined to fight the ones Payton was having a hard time facing. Once they got past their misunderstandings and assumptions, their relationship became magical.

The suspense part of this book was intense. Imagine being hunted by a lunatic for no reason. A lunatic that had no problem causing harm to kids. Yeah, it wasn't hard to wish that Max would end the villain's life slowly with some torture.

Payton was just as immature and childish as Cheyenne and Ember, which is really getting annoying. Please save me from what's supposed to be funny and is instead very frustrating.

Max was such a sweetheart and an outstanding hero. He saw Payton, he wanted Payton, and he saw NO ONE ELSE once she was on his radar. I enjoyed the glimpses given of Max's military career and I wanted to see how far the master interrogator would go.

Another highlight of this story, for me anyway, was seeing little Harleigh (from F-Bomb), Dax (from Just Kidding) and Bennett (from Kill Shot, which I haven't read yet). I love how this author ties everything and everyone together!!

Lani Lynn Vale is married to the love of her life that she met in high school. She fell in love with him because he was wearing baseball pants. Ten years later they have three perfectly crazy children and a cat named Demon who likes to wake her up at ungodly times in the night. They live in the greatest state in the world, Texas. She writes contemporary and romantic suspense, and has a love for all things romance. You can find Lani in front of her computer writing away in her fictional characters world...that is until her husband and kids demand sustenance in the form of food and drink.

Visit https://lanilynnvale.com/ for more information!

Ask Me If I Care by Lani Lynn Vale

April 04, 2020

Ask Me If I Care by Lani Lynn Vale

Find your copy here:
GoodreadsAmazonNookiBooksKobo

Lethal Game by Christine Feehan

February 12, 2020

Lethal Game by Christine Feehan

The sparks of unexpected passion ignite in this electrifying GhostWalker novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author Christine Feehan.

IT WASN'T ME by Lani Lynn Vale

June 22, 2019

It Wasn't Me by Lani Lynn Vale
Piper Mackenzie first sees him shirtless, standing in front of the military plane she was about to board, with one rather large wrench in his hand. The fact that he has the plane—the one that she’s about to be flying on for hours—in pieces only minutes before she’s set to take off on it doesn’t faze her. At least not until a flippant joke about dying in mid-air leaves his lips.

The second time she sees him, he’s helping her from the wreckage of her car. The wreckage that he helped cause.

The third, he’s laying across from her in the same bed, and there’s no denying what happened the night before.

The fourth, well that time would be the first of many. Being Mrs. Jonah Crew has a nice ring to it, doesn’t it?
*****
Jonah Crew saw her for the first time as she stared at him in awe. It was snowing, the temp was in the negative degrees, and he couldn’t think about anything but her and the look of horror on her face when he tells a badly-timed joke.

The second time he sees her, his heart skips a beat, but not for the reason that one might think. Mainly, it’s due in part to the fact that his truck smashed into her car so hard that his chest hits the steering wheel and his heart decides to stop working right.

The third time, he’s fairly positive that he’s died and gone to heaven. At least, that’s what waking up next to a beautiful woman like her signifies, right?

The fourth? Well, he’s not quite sure how he got there, but he’s already said ‘I do’ so what’s a guy to do?