Monday, August 31, 2015

Reawakened by Colleen Houck

****

From Delacorte (Random House Children's):

The first book in a new multi-book series from New York Times bestselling author, COLLEEN HOUCK, about a teenage girl entangled in an epic Egyptian quest full of romance, adventure, and mythology! 
  


Author Colleen Houck's first series, The Tigers Curse, was a New York Times Bestseller, a USA Today Bestseller, A Publisher's Weekly Bestseller, and A Parents' Choice Award Winner. The Tigers Curse series is also being made into a movie! Adapted by Julie Plec, creator of The Vampire Diaries, and directed by Shekhar Kapur, who directed the Academy-Award winning, Elizabeth.   

When seventeen-year-old Lilliana Young enters the Metropolitan Museum of Art one morning during spring break, the last thing she expects to find is a live Egyptian prince with godlike powers, who has been reawakened after a thousand years of mummification. 
And she really can't imagine being chosen to aid him in an epic quest that will lead them across the globe.
 
But fate has taken hold of Lily, and she, along with her sun prince, Amon, must travel to the Valley of the Kings, raise his brothers, and stop an evil, shape-shifting god named Seth from taking over the world. 
 
From New York Timesbestselling author Colleen Houck comes an epic adventure about two star-crossed teens who must battle mythical forces and ancient curses on a journey with more twists and turns than the Nile itself.
  


I adore books based upon mythology - greek, norse, egyptian - doesn't matter.  I love the myths.  Rick Riordan is the king of mythology (and I'm dying to read his new series based upon Norse myths in the fall!), but I will read just about anything based upon mythology.  Egyptian is a bit more complicated - gods with three parents, chopped up gods, cat gods, sphinxes (is that the plural of sphinx?), but still I love it.  


Houck's take on Egyptian myth is fantastic.  The mythology is great, but also the story and the characters kept me completely enthralled.  The interactions between Lily and Amon are hilarious.  Add in two other roguish demi-gods and I'm in love!  Reawakened is action packed and thoroughly entertaining.  Well done Ms. Houck!

~ Shel


Sunday, August 30, 2015

A Peek In The BiblioBin #164


Welcome to our Stacking the Shelves post! Stacking the Shelves (or as we like to call it, A Peek in the BiblioBin) has been created by the lovely ladies at Tynga's Reviews.

Stacking the Shelves is a way for bloggers to share what books they have won, received for review, bought from the bookstore, borrowed from the library or friend, etc.

For Review:



Falling For Danger (Capital Confessions #3) by Chanel Cleeton

Valor On The Move by Keira Andrews

This Book Will Change Your Life by Amanda Weaver


Borrowed:



Lois Lane: Fallout (Lois Lane #1) by Gwenda Bond

From the Publisher:


The Body Institute by Carol Riggs

Purchased (Awesome Kindle Deals!):


The Martian by Andy Weir 

The Girl On The Train by Paula Hawkins 



Friday, August 28, 2015

Second Chance Summer by Jill Shalvis

***


Cedar Ridge, Colorado, is famous for crisp mountain air, clear blue skies, and pine-scented breezes. And it's the last place Lily Danville wants to be. But she needs a job, and there's an opening at the hottest resort in her hometown. What has her concerned is the other hot property in Cedar Ridge: Aidan Kincaid-firefighter, rescue worker, and heartbreaker. She never could resist that devastating smile . . .

The Kincaid brothers are as rough and rugged as the Rocky Mountains they call home. Aidan has always done things his own way, by his own rules. And never has he regretted anything more than letting Lily walk out of his life ten years ago. If anyone has ever been in need of rescuing, she has. What she needs more than anything are long hikes, slow dances, and sizzling kisses. But that can only happen if he can get her to give Cedar Ridge-and this bad boy-a second chance . . .



Crippling loss, regret and a second chance at love...  Shalvis has created another small town filled with beautiful alpha men and the women who drive them crazy.  With Second Chance Summer we are introduced to the Kincaid family, where we find trust-issues galore, fear of intimacy and commitment and an entertaining family dynamic, and Lily, whose family has been destroyed by loss.  Aidan and Lily were friends before Lily left town.  With Lily's return, if they can get over old pain and learn to move forward, they can get their own happily ever after.


Second Chance Summer has plenty of sizzle and laugh-out-loud antics, but mostly it has heart.  A trademark Jill Shalvis book.  I can't wait to see what's next for the Kincaid family and other residents of Cedar Ridge!

~Shel

Unscripted: Act 1 by Rosie Aikman

Unscripted (Unscripted Act 1)**

Sometimes love needs a rewrite

Life as a waiter, struggling paycheck-to-paycheck, doesn't leave much room for excitement. Finn Phelps finds his in Hot Blood, a prime time cop drama, and the actor who stars in it: Ethan Teller, beautiful, skilled, and shrouded in mystery.

Then an act of kindness results in Ethan falling right into his lap, and it seems like a dream come true that Finn gets to meet the man of his dreams. But as he comes to know the real Ethan, it starts to feel like maybe he should have been more careful what he wished for…






Review:

When Finn is walking home from work one night, he is literally bowled over by none other than Ethan Teller, his not so secret Hollywood crush.  Not so secret because his apartment is covered, floor-to-ceiling in Ethan Teller and Hot Blood memorabilia.  Ethan Teller is just trying to escape a throng of fans after having an inopportune anxiety attack.  He is grateful to be saved by the young guy he knocked over.  That is until he walks into his apartment and sees his face peeking back at him from every corner.  But one thing leads to another and next thing Ethan knows, Finn is working on the set of Hot Blood and they are becoming great friends.    

I really liked both of the MC’s in this story.  Finn was often too innocent but I had to admire his ability to keep his chin up and smile in the face of adversity.  It’s impossible for someone that positive and kind to not succeed in life.  But sometimes that attitude came across as too childlike.  I also struggled with the way Ethan often referred to him as “boy.”  It ended up cementing my vision of Finn as more of a child rather than an adult which was a bit of a turn off.  Ethan was another great character.  He’s a celebrity that suffers from social anxiety.  Highly problematic when he’s expected do appearances on talk shows and at cons.  But he’s super sweet and just wants quiet and privacy.  And even though he’s uncomfortable becoming so close to such a unabashedly huge fan that is extremely social, he does realize that Finn provides him with a level of positivity that he doesn’t get anywhere else.

This story was great proof that not every book needs a sex scene.   I really felt that this story could have benefited from the removal of “on screen” sex.  The bedroom scenes in this book were so uncomfortable and awkward.  And not in a “sex is naturally awkward” kind of way.  Besides not being a fan of the language used, it felt off to be invited into the bedroom of a person that is super shy and reserved and another that is perpetually innocent.

The one thing that really worked for me in this story is when Ethan realizes that he is falling for Finn.  All my other issues aside, this moment in the story was great.  It pulled me in emotionally and was completely believable within the confines of the story.  My negative opinions aside, if you ARE a fan of the celebrity fantasy and sweet innocent characters and don’t mind some awkward moments this just might be the book for you.


Nat

Thursday, August 27, 2015

Rip by Rachel Van Dyken Cover Reveal


On OCTOBER 20 Rachel Van Dyken brings you Rip a complete stand alone novel that fans of the Eagle Elite series will devour! With twists and turns you won't see coming, this dark romantic suspense will keep you on your toes and leave you screaming for more.





Pretty things aren't meant to be broken.
But I broke her, and now we both have to pay the price.
I'm her nightmare.
I'm her savior.
And now that I have her signature on an ironclad contract, I own her body and soul.
She doesn't remember me.
She will.
It's inevitable.
Because as much as I know I need to stay away, for fear of unlocking the memories I helped her father bury--I can't.
She was the apple in the Garden, dangled in front of me, her core so tempting and sweet. A voice whispered. Just. One. Bite.
I bit.
I tasted.
I fell.


Welcome to the world of the Russian mafia, where death, is your only future.








Rachel Van Dyken is the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestselling author of regency and contemporary romances. When she's not writing you can find her drinking coffee at Starbucks and plotting her next book while watching The Bachelor.
She keeps her home in Idaho with her Husband, adorable son, and two snoring boxers! She loves to hear from readers!
Want to be kept up to date on new releases? Text MAFIA to 66866!
You can connect with her on Facebook www.facebook.com/rachelvandyken  or join her fan group Rachel's New Rockin Readers. Her website is www.rachelvandykenauthor.com 


That's What HE Said Thursday #42

Image courtesy of Kei at The Lovely Pages Review

That's What HE Said is a weekly meme hosted by the wonderful ladies at Chapter Break. It's a chance for us to spotlight and gush over a quote from our current book crush to the object of his desire. We like to pretend it's us ;)


What better way to celebrate our book boyfriends?



* * * * * * * * * * * *


We think it's safe enough now to grab a quote from Every Last Breath by Jennifer L. Armentrout. This book had Bibliojunkie Shel and many other readers ... ahem ... holding their collective breaths to find out who won Layla's heart. So if you want to avoid spoilery, go no further. The rest of you, go ahead and sigh!



“I covet you like any good demon would.” 

His other hand tightened at the back of my neck. 

“And my desire for you increases every waking second in a way that should frighten me, but really just excites me. But most of all, I love you,” he said, and my entire body jolted at the words. He didn’t seem to notice.

“I, Astoroth, Crown Prince of Hell, am in love with you, Layla Shaw.  Yesterday.  Today.  Tomorrow.  A hundred decades from now, I will be in love with you, and it will be as fierce today as it will be a decade later.”

~ Roth to Layla
Every Last Breath (The Dark Elements #3) by
Jennifer L. Armentrout

   
      Every Last Breath (The Dark Elements, #3)
   

Everything Everything by Nicola Yoon

* * * * *

This innovative, heartfelt debut novel tells the story of a girl who’s literally allergic to the outside world. When a new family moves in next door, she begins a complicated romance that challenges everything she’s ever known. The narrative unfolds via vignettes, diary entries, texts, charts, lists, illustrations, and more.

My disease is as rare as it is famous. Basically, I’m allergic to the world. I don’t leave my house, have not left my house in seventeen years. The only people I ever see are my mom and my nurse, Carla.

But then one day, a moving truck arrives next door. I look out my window, and I see him. He’s tall, lean and wearing all black—black T-shirt, black jeans, black sneakers, and a black knit cap that covers his hair completely. He catches me looking and stares at me. I stare right back. His name is Olly.

Maybe we can’t predict the future, but we can predict some things. For example, I am certainly going to fall in love with Olly. It’s almost certainly going to be a disaster.


Everything Everything is just one of those gems that I urge everyone to read. Madeline narrates her story with such integrity that it’s hard not to be affected by her words.

Madeline has been isolated from the world for as long as she can remember. The way she explains it is that she’s on “SCID row”. She suffers from Severe Combined Immunodefiency aka “bubble baby disease”. Any contact from outside that bubble could trigger a severe allergic reaction. Her sole interactions with other people are her physician-mother and her nurse, Carla. For someone who is so shut off from the world, Madeline is remarkably accepting of her situation. Sure, she’d like to be able to experience first-hand all the things any one of us takes for granted but I didn’t get the sense that she felt sorry for herself. That isn’t until Olly and his family move in next door.

At first, Madeline just observes her new neighbours, keeping track of their comings and goings. But it’s Olly and his odd habits that intrigue her. Olly eventually extends an invitation of friendship by waiting for her at his bedroom window which is across from hers. Through emails they begin a fun correspondence that soon becomes the highlight of both their days. It’s here that the story sucked me in so completely. Olly is so magnetic and funny. Even though Madeline hasn’t been around kids her own age, she’s able to banter effortlessly with him. But it’s also here that I thought to myself, “this book is going to crush me” because inevitably there is a roadblock and then a crisis that interferes with this burgeoning friendship. Despite those things I still hoped for a happy ending.

There’s so much charm and wit in this story. It’s so beautiful to see Madeline come alive as she feels and senses things she’s never experienced before. And she’s not the only one affected. Olly too, who has his own family drama, finds security and comfort in their companionship. This new connection has opened up a whole new universe for them and in a way brought them some freedom.

I read this book in 4 hours so that tells you how much I adore it! This is an extraordinary story with a lot of heart and told with such tenderness. The many illustrations (courtesy of Yoon's husband) add to the book's appeal. I meant what I said at the beginning that it’s hard not to be affected by Madeleine’s journey or Olly’s calming presence. Everything Everything gives you all the feels and then some.

~ Bel


Update: On August 26th, Nicola Yoon shared some pretty exciting news on Twitter - MGM optioned the film rights to Everything, Everything!  Congrats, Nicola!!

Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Last Year's Mistake by Gina Ciocca

Last Year's Mistake*** ½

Before:
Kelsey and David became best friends the summer before freshman year and were inseparable ever after. Until the night a misunderstanding turned Kelsey into the school joke, and everything around her crumbled—including her friendship with David. So when Kelsey's parents decided to move away, she couldn't wait to start over and leave the past behind. Except, David wasn't ready to let her go...

After:
Now it's senior year and Kelsey has a new group of friends, genuine popularity, and a hot boyfriend. Her life is perfect. That is, until David's family moves to town and he shakes up everything. Soon old feelings bubble to the surface and threaten to destroy Kelsey's second chance at happiness. The more time she spends with David, the more she realizes she never truly let him go. And maybe she never wants to.

Told in alternating sections, LAST YEAR'S MISTAKE is a charming and romantic debut about loving, leaving, and letting go.




Review:

When Kelsey and David meet the summer before freshman year they make an instant connection.  Sadly, David was feeling that connection a little more differently than Kelsey.  Kelsey is still in that
“love and romance is gross” stage.  Ah…young unrequited love.  As the next couple school years progress we, the readers, watch the train wreck that is their relationship.  Ok, maybe train wreck is unfair.  But it was frustrating to see Kelsey close herself off from all other possible friendships.  David, being a much more sociable creature, maintains his relationship with Kelsey (always hoping she’ll fall for him too) while forming friendships with other people at school. Even the people that Kelsey absolutely hates. And, of course, Kelsey realizes her feelings when it’s too late.  Or at least she thinks it’s too late.

Kelsey and her family move away the summer before her junior year.  Along with starting a new school, Kelsey decides to start a whole new life.  A life that includes leaving David behind.  In every possible way.  She ignores his texts and messages and cuts off contact completely.  Fast forward the beginning of her senior year and Kelsey has a great best friend, a popular boyfriend and hangs out with the “cool” crowd.  But her world is tilted when David walks into her new school and her new life the first day of their senior year. 

What follows is an uncomfortable school year as both Kelsey and David figure out what they can salvage of their former relationship.  They each make so many mistakes.  I mean, I know Kelsey is judgmental and not always likable, but the kids that she avoided in high school were total jerks.  And they were fairly obvious about it too.  I didn’t like how purposefully blind David was to that.   And then later, how it’s obvious to everyone but Kelsey that her boyfriend is an ass, is beyond me.  But all that being said, I WAS rooting for Kelsey and David.  They had a connection that is made even stronger by their friendship.  But that same connection and friendship makes the hurt they cause each other pretty devastating.  

I definitely enjoyed Last Year’s Mistake.  It hit a couple of my most favorite romance buttons.  Angst, check. Friends to lovers, check.  It even had me teary eyed a few times.  If you are fan of teen contemporary romance, this a great one to add to your collection.


Nat

Waiting on Wednesday (163)


Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that highlights future releases that we are excitedly anticipating.


The Scam (Fox and O'Hare, #4)By Janet Evanovich and Lee Goldberg
Publication Date: September 15, 2015

Nicolas Fox is a charming con man and master thief on the run. Kate O’Hare is the FBI agent who is hot on his trail. At least that’s what everyone thinks. In reality, Fox and O’Hare are secretly working together to bring down super-criminals the law can’t touch. Criminals like brutal casino magnate Evan Trace.

Evan Trace is running a money-laundering operation through his casino in Macau. Some of his best customers are mobsters, dictators, and global terrorists. Nick and Kate will have to go deep undercover as high-stakes gamblers, wagering millions of dollars—and their lives—in an attempt to topple Trace’s empire.

It’s a scam that will take Fox and O’Hare from the Las Vegas strip, to the sun-soaked beaches of Oahu’s North Shore, and into the dark back alleys of Macau. Their only backup—a self-absorbed actor, a Somali pirate, and Kate’s father, and an ex-soldier who believes a rocket launcher is the best way to solve every problem. What could possibly go wrong?
 




Breaking a Legend (Kavanagh Legends, #1)By Sarah Robinson
Publication Date: September 29, 2015

Perfect for fans of Katy Evans and Monica Murphy, Sarah Robinson’s blistering-hot series debut introduces the Kavanagh brothers—mixed martial arts fighters who work hard, play hard, and love with all their hearts. 

As one of the big names at his family’s gym, Legends, MMA star Rory Kavanagh is used to being in the spotlight—until a gruesome leg injury knocks him out of the cage. Rory is left feeling sidelined in more ways than one, battling the inner demons that come with losing the one shot at his dreams. Then Clare walks into his life and gives him a new dream: winning her heart. There aren’t many new faces in Woodlawn these days, but this tough, beautiful stranger makes Rory want to get his life back into fighting shape.

Clare Ivers doesn’t think she’ll be able to tell anyone what really brought her to the close-knit Bronx neighborhood where she just started bartending. But her life’s on pause and her past is catching up fast, try as she might to move on—with new friends, steady work, and a chiseled alpha male trying to get her attention. Even though Rory’s more than a little intense, she can’t deny that her heart beats faster when he looks at her with those soulful silver eyes. Clare thought she was done with love, but Rory might just be man enough to show her she thought wrong.

Includes a special message from the editor, as well as an excerpt from another Loveswept title. 

For 18+ years of age.




Valor on the MoveBy Keira Andrews
Publication Date: September 9, 2015

He’d give his life to protect the president’s son. But he never expected to risk his heart.

Growing up gay in the White House hasn’t been easy for Rafael Castillo. Codenamed “Valor” by the Secret Service, Rafa feels anything but brave as he hides in the closet and tries to stay below the radar in his last year of college. His father’s presidency is almost over, and he just needs to stick to his carefully crafted plan. Once his family’s out of the spotlight, he can be honest with his conservative parents about his sexuality and his dream of being a chef. 

It’s definitely not part of Rafa’s plan to get a new Secret Service agent who’s a walking wet dream, but he’s made it this long keeping his desires to himself. Besides, it’s not like Shane Kendrick would even look at him twice if it wasn’t his job.

Shane’s worked his way up through the Secret Service ranks, and while protecting the president’s shy, boring son isn’t his dream White House assignment, it’s an easy enough task since no one pays Rafa much attention. He discovers there’s a vibrant young man beneath the timid public shell, and while he knows Rafa has a crush on him, he assures himself it’s harmless. Shane’s never had room for romance in his life, and he’d certainly never cross that line with a protectee. Keeping Rafa safe at any cost is Shane’s mission. 

But as Rafa gets under his skin, will they both put their hearts on the line?

Tuesday, August 25, 2015

A Taste of Sugar by Marina Adair Release Week Blitz


If you guys haven't read the Sugar, Georgia books yet, you are seriously missing out on a funny and sweet contemporary romance series!  Check out the info & excerpt below and don't forget to enter the giveaway!



A TASTE OF SUGAR by Marina Adair (Forever Mass Market; Sugar, Georgia #3)
A blast from her past
Charlotte Holden, Sugar’s favorite pediatrician, knows better than anyone that love only leads to heartbreak. Instead, she’s focused on creating the Grow Clinic, an outpatient center for children. All she has to do now is to host the best Founder’s Day Parade in the history of Sugar, Georgia, to win over a big-city donor. Easy as peach pie. Then sexy Jace McGraw blows back into town and utters those three words every woman dreads: we’re still married.

…leads to tantalizing trouble
Jace McGraw was making an offer on his dream business in Atlanta when he was told that his wife had some credit issues. Wait, his wife? The annulment went through years ago—or so he thought.  He’d walked away only to keep his troublemaker reputation from ruining her dreams. But now that they have a second chance, Jace offers Charlotte a deal: he’ll grant a discreet divorce in exchange for 30 days and nights of marriage. Because this time he isn’t going to let her go without a fight.

Buy the book!

SUGAR ON TOP by Marina Adair (April 28, 2015; Forever Mass Market; Sugar, Georgia Book #2)
She's sassy and sweet
The last thing Glory Mann wants is to become chairman of the Miss Peach Pageant in Sugar, Georgia. Spending months hearing nothing but the clinking of pearls and judgment? No thank you! But when Glory is forced to take the rap for a scandal she didn't commit, the judge sentences her to head the committee. Even worse, her co-chairman is rugged, ripped . . . and barely knows she's alive.

He's ready and willing
Single dad Cal McGraw can't take any more drama in his life. After a difficult divorce, his little girl became a boy-crazy teenager and his hands are full. The last thing he needs is to spend his down time with the town bad girl. Glory is pure trouble-tempting and tantalizing trouble. But he can't deny the strong chemistry between them-or how her touch turns him inside out. Now as squabbles threaten to blow up the contest and the town of Sugar itself, Cal must risk everything on the sexy wild card to get a second chance at love . . .

Buy the book!

SUGAR’S TWICE AS SWEET by Marina Adair (November 25, 2014; Forever Mass Market; Sugar, Georgia Book #1)
He’s trouble she doesn’t need
Thanks to a cheating fiance, Josephina Harrington’s perfect life just crashed and burned. Moving in with her overbearing parents is definitely not an option. No, she needs to prove she can make it on her own. And she will—by turning her great-aunt’s old plantation house into a destination getaway. She’s just not expecting her contractor to be so hands-on—and so totally irresistible. 

…but everything she wants
Bad-boy golf champion Brett McGraw figured his hometown of Sugar, Georgia, was the perfect place to lay low and get his life back up to par. The leggy blonde with a pint-sized pup is the kind of sweet ’n’ sassy trouble he never saw coming. She doesn’t know a nut from a bolt and before long, he’s renovating her house…as she steals his heart. Can he convince Josephina that his womanizing ways are in the past and he’s ready for forever?

Buy the book!
BAM  





Excerpt:

“Morning, Dr. Holden,” he said, unfolding himself from the car.
“You’re late.” Charlotte stood and swished her way down the steps toward him. No good morning, no thanks for coming, just a you’re late as though they had plans, as though he’d disappointed her again.
“Sorry,” he said coolly, tapping the face of his watch. “Forgot to set it to Charlotte Standard Time.”
She stopped a few feet from him, and he could see the hesitation in her expression. Hesitation and something else. Something that looked an awful lot like vulnerability. Oh, there was a good portion of irritation and hostility glaring at him through those baby blues, but behind it all was definitely vulnerability. Interesting.
“You’re the one who said we had to go to Atlanta today.”
“I believe you told me you were too busy to make the time,” he said, not sure how he was going to handle six hours in an enclosed space with her. Just standing downwind taking in her floral scent was making him hard.
“I changed my mind.”
Jace looked at her for a long moment, then laughed. She was serious.
“Darling, you don’t change your mind. Ever.” Charlotte Holden might be a Southern belle, but her Kevlar wall of stubbornness could rival a Southern granny’s—and having been raised by the most mule-headed granny in the world, that was saying a lot. Oh, he believed that Charlotte had changed her mind, he just didn’t know why. “So what happened with your debutante sisters yesterday that has you desperate enough to call me?”
“Sugar Peaches,” she corrected. “And since when do you keep up on Sugar gossip?”
“Since you started calling yourself a Sugar Peach. I mean, weren’t the Peaches your mom’s thing?”
Charlotte had once confided in him that she moved to Atlanta to escape the pressure of following in her mother’s footsteps. The pageants and parties and social ladder climbing were Babette’s dream for Charlotte. Charlotte’s dream was to save lives—and she was a master at it.
“Well, it’s my thing now,” she said, and he couldn’t help but notice the resignation in her voice. He wanted to know what else had changed, then realized it didn’t matter anymore. “And that means I have to be back as soon as possible. Founder’s Day is only three weeks off, and I have a lot to do.”
“Yeah, me too.” He had to get an annulment, convince his buddy to fix Hattie’s car, and secure that loan before Dale pulled his offer.
“Good, because as the current regent of the Sugar Peaches it falls to me to plan the Founder’s Day Fair, so this trip needs to be a quickie,” she said, her bossy, take-charge tone making him smile.
“Quickies aren’t really my specialty,” he said. “But who am I to argue with a lady?”
“Easy and discreet, Jace. The last thing I need right now is to explain this to my parents,” she clarified as though he was slow, as though he didn’t know just how anxious she was to put the past behind them. Which shouldn’t have pissed him off, because that was what he wanted, too. But it did.
“Easy and discreet? Kind of like our marriage?” he mused.
She looked at him for a long moment and then slowly shook her head. “Nothing about our marriage was easy, Jace,” she said, and the absolute certainty in her voice made him want to prove her wrong.
“There was one easy thing between us,” Jace said, stepping into her and closing the distance, trapping her between the car and his body. He reached behind her neck, crushed his mouth to hers, and kissed the hell out of her.
Only one touch, and she was kissing him back. No hesitation, no second-guessing, just—pow —debutante to seductress. Not interested to tongue down his throat in two seconds flat.
And holy fucking God, it was perfect. The way she felt, the way she tasted, the way she crawled up his body and demanded more...How had he forgotten this side of her?
That insane pull between them, which he’d convinced himself didn’t exist, wasn’t only burning a hole through his clothes—and his mission—it also wasn’t one-sided. Which told him that he should a) back the hell up, and b) immediately cancel this field trip they had planned. Before things got crazy.
But then she made this sexy little sound in the back of her throat—the one that used to drive him batshit crazy, that still drove him batshit crazy—and he was a goner.
So he deepened the kiss, because why the hell not? Charlotte had her prim and proper hands all over him, and he was certain that this was the best kiss he’d ever had. Hot and needy and raw and so damn desperate it was like driving down the track at three hundred miles per hour with no breaks.
Then he realized that this was not only the best kiss ever, but probably also their last kiss ever, and he slowly pulled back, tugging her lower lip between his teeth as long as he could until the connection finally broke. And damn, he wished he hadn’t stopped.
That one second of uncharged air was all Charlotte needed. Sure, she was breathing heavily, and her gaze was dazed and confused. A mirror image of his own. But within a split second her eyes frosted over and that unflinching fortitude was back.
Not that he was fooled. Jace knew that they had chemistry, remembered how electric they were together, but what had arched between them just now floored him. And it had floored her, too.
Charlotte cleared her throat. “This changes nothing.”
Jace lowered his gaze to her hands, which were resting on the buckle of his belt. “Oh, it changes something.”


About the author:
Marina Adair is a lifelong fan of romance novels. Along with the Sugar series, she is also the author of the St. Helena Vineyard series and the upcoming Shelter Cove series. She currently lives in a hundred-year-old log cabin, nestled in the majestic redwoods of the Santa Cruz Mountains, with her husband and daughter. As a writer, Marina is devoted to giving her readers contemporary romance where the towns are small, the personalities large, and the romance explosive. She also loves to interact with readers and you can catch her on Twitter at @MarinaEAdair or visit her at www.MarinaAdair.com.

Connect with the author!






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