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
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
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:
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He held me up when I needed him the most.
There were many things that scared me on this earth, but I well and truly believed that, with James, I could accomplish anything. Be anyone.
There were many things that scared me on this earth, but I well and truly believed that, with James, I could accomplish anything. Be anyone.
Texas Tornado by Lani Lynn Vale
Standalone - Freebirds #5
Release - July 29, 2014
Genre - Contemporary Romance/military/instant connection
Dual POV - 1st person/James Johnathan Allen & Shiloh June Mackenzie
Heat Level - 4 out of 5
Format/Source - Kindle purchase
Length - 420 pages
Publisher - Indie
Him
James had plans for his life. Those plans were derailed by the surprise arrival of his daughter. His life revolved around her. Then she arrived with her beautiful brown hair that was made to wrap around his wrist, and a butt that was to die for in a tight pair of jeans. Nevertheless, he didn't need any more drama in his life. His ex-girlfriend was stirring enough of that up for ten women. Yet, there was something about her that soothed his soul.
Her
Shiloh’s made it her life’s mission to protect the innocent children she can from the big, bad, scary things that lurk in the darkness. She has an inane curiosity for life and craves knowledge. Which is why when she starts poking around in her father’s business, she inadvertently starts something in to motion that threatens her very existence. Her father, the one man that was always supposed to be there for her, drops her off with a brother she never knew she had and leaves. Making her question the father she obviously never really knew at all. Then she meets him, and she doesn't think her life’s so bad after all. The sexy biker turned SWAT officer sets her nerve cells to igniting, and she relishes in every single second of it.
Him
He knew life could change in an instant. One soul crushing instant.
When he’s presented with the aspect of losing Shiloh before he’s ever even had her, he decides it’s time to grab life by the handlebars and ride it like he stole it. Then that threat not only touches his woman, but his daughter. And there’s no power on God’s green earth that can protect them from a father’s wrath.
Find Texas Tornado on Amazon: https://amzn.to/2Tki8du
Shiloh was Sam's sister (Boomtown) and from the moment she entered the scene, her life wasn't easy. Not that she had it great to begin with. Her father dumped her on Sam because she poked her nose where it didn't belong. So she's without her dad, the brother she grew up with is unreachable, and the brother she's just met wants nothing to do with her. Good times.
James steps in and like the hero he is, he gives Shiloh her person. He became the one person she could always count on. The one person who would always give her just what she needed. Aside from his daughter, Janie, he put her first.
He had a ton of baby mama drama (it was pretty extreme), she had some evil chasing her, and a ton of her father's secrets were finally revealed. I'm thrilled about it and I'm looking forward to how it affects the stories to come.
If you know anything about this author's books, you know that they can be devastating, heartwarming, hilarious, sexy and necessary. If you don't know... now you know.
My Note(s)
* I suffered some confusion at different parts of this story, but it in no way took away from my enjoyment of it. So although it wasn't as fluid as I'd like, I'm sure it will make more sense with the more stories that I read. I can't wait to get my hands on Sebastian's book, Lights to My Siren.
James + Shiloh family tree:
Their children
Caroline "Janie" Jeanine Allen (James') - Kinda Don't Care
Scout Allen
Emmaline "Rebel" Allen
James' Family
Cheyenne Allen (sister) - Boomtown
Shiloh's Family
Silas Mackenzie (father) - Counter to My Intelligence
Samuel Cash Mackenzie (half-brother) - Boomtown
Sebastian Sue Mackenzie (brother) - Lights to My Siren
Amelia Rose Mackenzie (half-sister) - Any Day Now
Check out my reviews of the other books in this series:
Whom it was shouted by, I didn’t know, but I didn’t stop. In fact, I turned on the turbo blast, and took off like a shot. My adrenaline was pumping, and only pushed me faster. I so did not want to talk to anyone right now, and least of all my prick of a brother.
It’d been in my first hour on the floor of the bathroom that I decided just to say, ‘fuck it’ and ignore him from now on. I was tired of putting forth all the effort with my family and getting nothing in return. My dad. My brother. Brothers. Mother. No more, I was done. Finished.
“Fuck,” a man grunted from a good distance behind me.
I let the first smile break over my face in weeks. Did I mention that I was a sprinter, as well as a long distance runner? Yeah, I kicked ass in high school. I broke state records in the 100-meter dash and the 400 meters.
Although my distance running was lacking compared to my sprinting, I still did good when I put my mind to it. Cross-country kept me in shape during the off-season, and I made myself stick with cross-country even though I hated it with every fiber of my being. Sprinters weren’t made to go the distance.
Another curse sounded from behind me, and I let out a laugh this time. Spying my shortcut, which I rarely used lately due to the mud, I took it despite my reservations. I lost my sandals in the first mud puddle, and had to stop to go back for them, although, I didn’t put them back on. I was in the forest now, and it was very unlikely there would be anything but twigs on the ground.
Yelling sounded somewhere behind me, but I kept going. My lungs had that good burn going, and I felt exhilarated.
Running was my therapy. Although I sucked balls at the distance, I kept doing it even though I hated it.
“I’m gonna beat your ass when I catch you, you little shit.” Sam yelled.
I cackled. My ass he was going to catch me. I knew these woods like the back of my hand. I’d met with the owner, a lovely woman in her late seventies, and asked her if it would be all right. She’d readily agreed, saying I was a sweet ‘child’ and so I spent my days off exploring.
That, and hidden stashes of things in the woods, planned an escape route, and made maps of the woods for just in case.
“Mother fucking son of a bitch. Goddammit.” Sam growled.
Brother bear has a potty mouth.
It’d been in my first hour on the floor of the bathroom that I decided just to say, ‘fuck it’ and ignore him from now on. I was tired of putting forth all the effort with my family and getting nothing in return. My dad. My brother. Brothers. Mother. No more, I was done. Finished.
“Fuck,” a man grunted from a good distance behind me.
I let the first smile break over my face in weeks. Did I mention that I was a sprinter, as well as a long distance runner? Yeah, I kicked ass in high school. I broke state records in the 100-meter dash and the 400 meters.
Although my distance running was lacking compared to my sprinting, I still did good when I put my mind to it. Cross-country kept me in shape during the off-season, and I made myself stick with cross-country even though I hated it with every fiber of my being. Sprinters weren’t made to go the distance.
Another curse sounded from behind me, and I let out a laugh this time. Spying my shortcut, which I rarely used lately due to the mud, I took it despite my reservations. I lost my sandals in the first mud puddle, and had to stop to go back for them, although, I didn’t put them back on. I was in the forest now, and it was very unlikely there would be anything but twigs on the ground.
Yelling sounded somewhere behind me, but I kept going. My lungs had that good burn going, and I felt exhilarated.
Running was my therapy. Although I sucked balls at the distance, I kept doing it even though I hated it.
“I’m gonna beat your ass when I catch you, you little shit.” Sam yelled.
I cackled. My ass he was going to catch me. I knew these woods like the back of my hand. I’d met with the owner, a lovely woman in her late seventies, and asked her if it would be all right. She’d readily agreed, saying I was a sweet ‘child’ and so I spent my days off exploring.
That, and hidden stashes of things in the woods, planned an escape route, and made maps of the woods for just in case.
“Mother fucking son of a bitch. Goddammit.” Sam growled.
Brother bear has a potty mouth.
Visit https://lanilynnvale.com/ for more information!
I saw you have tattoos and a real job, excuse me while I take off my clothes. - E-card
Last Day of My Life by Lani Lynn Vale
Standalone - Freebirds #4
Release - June 26, 2014
Genre - Contemporary Romance/military/second chance/amnesia
Dual POV - 1st person/Jack & Winter Stoker
Heat Level - 4 out of 5
Format/Source - Kindle purchase
Length - 344 pages
Publisher - Indie
Her
She’s the definition of lost. Doesn’t know her name? Check. Cruelly beaten within an inch of her life? Check. No memory of anything that's happened since she woke up from that beating? Check. Losing a child she doesn’t remember conceiving? Check. She hasn't felt anything but lost in a very long time. Then an old biker tells her danger is on the horizon. He sends her to a man that she instantly feels a connection with. A bone deep connection.
Him
He’s the definition of despair. After the death of his young wife while on a tour of duty in Afghanistan, he hasn't seen the appeal of participating in the world around him. He’s lost the only thing he ever loved. He’s been a shell of the man he once was. His only escape from reality is feeling the wind in his hair, going as fast as he can get his old Harley to take him. That’s the only time he can push his demons back far enough to feel peace. That is until she screams his name.
Find Last Day of My Life on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3py0SgO
☆ Winter and Jack met, fell in love, got married real quick, and he was sent off to war. He left her in good hands with his family and best friend.
☆ Fast forward 7 years and we realize that Jack lost his wife to a violent assault. At least that's what he believed until a woman, who looks a lot like his wife, shows up and starts screaming his name.
☆ Winter has no memory of who she is, who Jack is, but when she was in danger, it was Jack that she ran to.
☆ I love a good amnesia story and I loved that the author didn't conclude it quickly but also didn't draw it out.
☆ Adam's funeral... heart... broken. It actually brought tears to my eyes and I feel that the author captured the scenes quite beautifully.
☆ During the 7 years of their separation, these two were with No. One. Else!
It seemed that Jack and Winter couldn't catch a break. The suspenseful scenes were amazing! However, between a death, an assault, silly shenanigans, friends going through some ish (I'm looking at both Taima and James) and attempted murder, their love for one another persevered. I loved this couple!
My Note(s)
⭐ My only real issue with this story was that while Winter was coming to terms with everything that happened seven years ago, it seemed like she forgot that Jack was doing the same. She kept secrets from him, didn't communicate properly... I didn't like it and it didn't mesh with the strength of this couple. He had obviously suffered in ways she couldn't understand because her amnesia saved her from a lot of it, so making it appear as if she wasn't functioning as part of the team didn't seem authentic. I'm just glad that this didn't take up too much space in the story and resolved quickly.
⭐ This is the origin story for Adam Stoker (named after his father's best friend) from Any Day Now and Taima Stoker from Shock Advised.
Check out my other reviews from this series:
“Whew boy, he is fine!” A large woman said from the step to my right.
I agreed silently, but continued with my turn. My lungs were burning and my legs ached from running in between sets.
The woman was absolutely hilarious. We’d been complaining for nearly an hour now about how hard the trainer was being on us today.
“Bom-chicka-wa-wow.” She said shaking her butt.
I turned in the direction her eyes were focused on and smiled. Jack had moved to the stair climber. Now you could see the tattoo. You could also see the muscles in his back and legs bunch and contract with each revolution.
No matter how mad at him I was, I never stopped wanting to jump on his cock and ride him like a cowgirl taming a bronco. Even though he hadn’t let me have a moment’s peace, I knew he was doing it for me. He didn’t want anything to happen to me, and for that to happen, he went everywhere that I went. Or someone did when he couldn’t. It’s just that it’d been over a month and a half now, and I was just plain over it.
“That,” I said panting for breath. “is my husband.
“Damn.” She said in a dejected tone.
That’s right people; he’s all mine.
“Alright everyone,” The trainer yelled. “Have a great weekend. See y’all Monday!”
As I went to grab my phone and water, I saw some chick that looked immaculately perfect walk in the direction of Jack. Her hair didn’t have one single strand out of place. Her boobs were perky and beautifully arranged in her halter workout tank. Her tight black capri pants displayed her beautiful lower half as well.
“What the hell is she even doing here? She’s done. Get the fuck out so the rest of us don’t have to look at your perfect body.” I mumbled.
“Amen.” The lady I’d been goofing off with during the workout agreed.
“What’s your name?” I asked her.
“Cookie.” She smiled.
“See you next week, Cookie!” I said and took off towards Jack.
Rounding the gate that separated the basketball court from the gym, I saw that the woman’s hand was resting on Jack’s bicep. She smiled, flicked her hair over her shoulder and started blabbing about not seeing him in forever.
“Laura.” He nodded curtly.
Understanding dawned, and I moved to Jack’s side. “Good workout?” I asked Laura.
Her frown told me she wasn’t very happy with this newest development. Apparently I was standing too close to her prey. “And who are you?”
Jack pulled me tight against his glistening body and I grimaced. Sweat wasn’t so bad when it wasn’t pouring from you in rivulets. When two people were both doing it at the same time, it was really quite gross. I didn’t move, however.
“This is my wife, Winter. Winter,” He said gesturing with his head. “This is Laura. She works with Cheyenne and Payton.”
“Nice to meet you.” Not.
Her mouth gaped open in surprise.
Cookie laughed as she passed and saw Laura’s expression. “It’s okay, honey. I think everyone’s heart is smashed into pieces.” She said, gesturing to all the woman who were loitering and none too obviously staring.
“We went on a date a few weeks ago.” She finally said.
Jack sighed. “That wasn’t a date. That was a ‘you happened to be there when I was’ situation. And it’s been nearly two months now.”
Fury overtook her features. “But you said you’d see me some time! If I’d known you had an ugly, fat wife I would have left you alone!”
Jack took a threatening step forward, but I stopped him. “Have you ever heard the term ‘more cushion for the pushin’?”
I agreed silently, but continued with my turn. My lungs were burning and my legs ached from running in between sets.
The woman was absolutely hilarious. We’d been complaining for nearly an hour now about how hard the trainer was being on us today.
“Bom-chicka-wa-wow.” She said shaking her butt.
I turned in the direction her eyes were focused on and smiled. Jack had moved to the stair climber. Now you could see the tattoo. You could also see the muscles in his back and legs bunch and contract with each revolution.
No matter how mad at him I was, I never stopped wanting to jump on his cock and ride him like a cowgirl taming a bronco. Even though he hadn’t let me have a moment’s peace, I knew he was doing it for me. He didn’t want anything to happen to me, and for that to happen, he went everywhere that I went. Or someone did when he couldn’t. It’s just that it’d been over a month and a half now, and I was just plain over it.
“That,” I said panting for breath. “is my husband.
“Damn.” She said in a dejected tone.
That’s right people; he’s all mine.
“Alright everyone,” The trainer yelled. “Have a great weekend. See y’all Monday!”
As I went to grab my phone and water, I saw some chick that looked immaculately perfect walk in the direction of Jack. Her hair didn’t have one single strand out of place. Her boobs were perky and beautifully arranged in her halter workout tank. Her tight black capri pants displayed her beautiful lower half as well.
“What the hell is she even doing here? She’s done. Get the fuck out so the rest of us don’t have to look at your perfect body.” I mumbled.
“Amen.” The lady I’d been goofing off with during the workout agreed.
“What’s your name?” I asked her.
“Cookie.” She smiled.
“See you next week, Cookie!” I said and took off towards Jack.
Rounding the gate that separated the basketball court from the gym, I saw that the woman’s hand was resting on Jack’s bicep. She smiled, flicked her hair over her shoulder and started blabbing about not seeing him in forever.
“Laura.” He nodded curtly.
Understanding dawned, and I moved to Jack’s side. “Good workout?” I asked Laura.
Her frown told me she wasn’t very happy with this newest development. Apparently I was standing too close to her prey. “And who are you?”
Jack pulled me tight against his glistening body and I grimaced. Sweat wasn’t so bad when it wasn’t pouring from you in rivulets. When two people were both doing it at the same time, it was really quite gross. I didn’t move, however.
“This is my wife, Winter. Winter,” He said gesturing with his head. “This is Laura. She works with Cheyenne and Payton.”
“Nice to meet you.” Not.
Her mouth gaped open in surprise.
Cookie laughed as she passed and saw Laura’s expression. “It’s okay, honey. I think everyone’s heart is smashed into pieces.” She said, gesturing to all the woman who were loitering and none too obviously staring.
“We went on a date a few weeks ago.” She finally said.
Jack sighed. “That wasn’t a date. That was a ‘you happened to be there when I was’ situation. And it’s been nearly two months now.”
Fury overtook her features. “But you said you’d see me some time! If I’d known you had an ugly, fat wife I would have left you alone!”
Jack took a threatening step forward, but I stopped him. “Have you ever heard the term ‘more cushion for the pushin’?”
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"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
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.
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!!
Visit https://lanilynnvale.com/ for more information!
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