5 Smooches!

Synopsis

Sometimes the heart wants what it can’t have.

That’s the motto Silas Mackenzie, the president of The Dixie Wardens MC, has lived by since he was a young man.

Now he’s well on the way to middle age, has three grown children, and he’s lusting after a woman he should definitely stay away from.

Especially one that his ex-girlfriend had given birth to, and happened to be only twenty seven years old.

Sawyer isn’t a young girl at heart, though.

She’s seen the inside of a jail cell for eight long years, and every one of them she spent paying for a crime she didn’t commit.

Silas Mackenzie knows as soon as he sees her that the girl has sacrificed enough.

And maybe…just maybe…so has Silas.

It’s time for Silas Mackenzie to get what he deserves, and put a little bit of happy back into Sawyer’s world, one rough, bearded kiss at a time.

Review

It’s no secret or surprise to Red Cheeks Reads followers that I’m the resident Lani Lynn Vale fan of the group. A Lani Lynn Vale book is a guaranteed, never-let-me-down, sure thing for me. I became a die-hard fan of Ms. Vale’s about half way through her first book, Boomtown, and I haven’t looked back. This author just ticks off all my boxes, and her books never, ever disappoint me. Within the pages of that first book, we met Silas McKenzie for the first time.

“My job wasn’t done… but my time as a good attentive father was.

And I’d pay for that decision every day for the rest of my life.”

To most, Silas Mackenzie is somewhat of an enigma. A semi-retired CIA asset and the president of the Dixie Wardens MC, Silas has this quiet aura of danger wrapped around his persona like a cloak. Always a loner, he doesn’t let anyone all the way in, and while he’s let his MC brothers get close, even they haven’t fully penetrated his walls. There are reasons for this, good reasons, scary reasons. Silas’ past never stops him from looking over his shoulder, it’s as if he’s just waiting for it to catch up to him. So instead of endangering anyone else he cares about, he just doesn’t let anyone get too close. You never know who is watching…

“…we find the defendant guilty of four counts of manslaughter.”

Twenty-year-old college student, Sawyer Berry, is perfectly happy reading her books on Friday night. She is not a party-girl, and this self-professed lightweight never lets herself have more than one drink. Yet, the night her life changed forever, she allowed herself to be bullied into attending a party she did not want to go to by her best friend, Bristol, and her boyfriend, Isaac. Having had enough of the party, she rounded them up and drove them all home in Isaac’s truck. A slick and foggy night and dealing with two very intoxicated friends who were grating on her last nerve coupled with her driving Isaac’s oversized Texas-good-ol-boy pick up truck, something she was never comfortable driving, all added up to disaster when the driver of a smaller truck pulled right out in front of them and Sawyer slammed into them, killing the four passengers inside and killing all of Sawyer’s hopes and dreams in the process.

“We’ve got to stop meeting like this.”

Silas and Sawyer meet up one night at a bar more than an hour from home. Both are there looking for the same thing. A hook up. They wind up leaving together. Crackling chemistry explodes when they make it back to Silas’ and what starts out as a one-night-stand morphs into a friends with benefits type of arrangement. Pillow talk naturally goes to what happened that night, and Silas does not like what he hears.

“Got nothing left to lose… Careful’s not in my repertoire.”

Silas is also dealing with the very unsettling news about a former target’s untimely release from prison. This target was Silas’ main focus during his early days as an undercover operative with the Dixie Wardens. Unfortunately, this man when exacting his revenge on Silas by targeting his family, is also the reason why Silas made that awful, difficult decision all those years ago to withdraw from his family. This man is dangerous, evil and hell bent on revenge.

“What the ^%*& happened here?”

Silas begins looking into Sawyer’s case, and he does not like what he finds and spurs him to dig deeper. Sawyer is starting to settle back into her life. During an unfortunate time, Silas’ past threatens his future. The dilemma is real. Silas is tired of being lonely and he loves Sawyer. He’s got a decision to make, turn his back on her, their love and a chance at happiness, like he did to his family 30 years ago, or take a chance and try to protect her from the evil that threatens. It’s a hell of a choice to have to make.

I’ve been waiting for Silas’ story for so long, as have the vast majority of Vale fans. And I must say, she did not disappoint. We’ve gotten scant few details on Silas over the years, Vale hoarded them like a fat kid with his Oreos, only doling out an occasional tidbit here and there. This book finally – finally – answers all of our questions. And there is so much more to the story than we could have even imagined. Heartbreaking at times, achingly lonely in parts, if you weren’t a Silas Mackenzie fan before, you will be now.

As usual, Vale’s writing is on point. She just has a way of building her stories and layering in all the details that make it so easy for the reader to visualize what’s happening. All of that trademark Vale humor that her fans have come to love and expect in one of her novels is here, despite the heavy subject matter. It’s sexy, it’s smart, and it’s Lani Lynn Vale’s best work to date. I loved Silas and Sawyer, I loved their story, and I loved this book. It’s back to a familiar place for me: waiting for her next release!

Counter To My Intelligence and the talented Lani Lynn Vale get 5 smooches from me!

~ Danielle Palumbo

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5 Smooches

Synopsis

Sayer Cole and Zeb Fuller couldn’t be more different. She’s country club and fine-dining, he’s cell-block and sawdust. Sayer spends her days in litigation, while Zeb spends his working with his hands. She’s French silk, he’s all denim and flannel.

Zeb’s wanted the stunning blonde since the moment he laid eyes on her. It doesn’t matter how many smooth moves he makes, the reserved lawyer seems determinedly oblivious to his interest—either that or she doesn’t return it. Sayer is certain the rough, hard, hot-as-hell Zeb could never want someone as closed off and restrained as she is, which is a shame because something tells her he might be the guy to finally melt her icy exterior.

But just as things start to heat up, Zeb is blindsided by a life altering moment from his past. He needs Sayer’s professional help to right a wrong and to save more than himself. He can’t risk what’s at stake just because his attraction to Sayer feels all consuming. But as these opposites dig in for the fight of their lives, battling together to save a family, the steam created when fire and ice collide can no longer be ignored.

Review

‘Sayer Cole was a project I couldn’t wait to get my hands on.’

EEK!!! A new Jay book in a new Jay series! Holy Hell I am excited for The Saints Of Denver and Built starts it all off with a BANG. Whenever an author I love starts a spin off series I get excited but also weary. Will I love it like the original? Can it live up to the hype? Well, let me assure you Built lives up to it all and more. Zeb and Sayer filled me with all the warm happy feelings, they made me laugh and had me tearing up with the struggle they faced. I was completely enthralled with these two dynamic characters and their unique love story.

‘It felt like a conquering. A victory. A battle fought and won. It felt like he was trying to make it so that I would never be able to kiss anyone else in my life without having to compare it to this moment.’

Built is so different than the Marked Men series and yet still felt comfortable and familiar. We know Sayer as Rowdy’s sister and though we meet the dark and mysterious Zeb previously we don’t know a ton about him or his story. These unlike two could not have been more different and yet they could not have been more perfect for one another. Sayer is as straight laced as they come, a lawyer who comes from a well to do family. She has had a pull towards Zeb since she met him in Bar but convinced she can’t love like she is supposed to she pushes him away. Still unable to have him too far she hires him as a contractor on her house torturing herself daily with having him near and yet unable to act on her feelings.

‘I sure as hell wasn’t only a client when I was buried deep inside of her and she was whimpering my name over and over again as she came.’

Zeb has a record and knows he is the complete opposite of who Sawyer should want. Yet from the moment he saw her he has made his attraction clear to Sayer but still respects her wishes when she puts distance between them. But when a one night fling comes back to haunt him,  Zeb ask Sawyer for help and humbled himself to know that sometimes their are more important things than acting on an attraction. Working closely together to solve his problem Sayer and Zeb grow closer and closer until their desire and chemistry reaches a boiling point. But can Sayer get past all her insecurities and realize she is capable of love and can Zeb realize that being an ex-con does not make him undeserving of someone classy like Sayer?

‘God, did his truth undo me . . . every single time.”

I feel like I was completely unprepared for the vast array of feeling Built left me with. I was overwhelmed with emotion and loved every second of it. Zeb was kind, sweet and patient but also Alpha and refused to be pushed around. When she needed him to be patient he was there waiting and when she needed a push Zeb would become firm and in control. With explosive chemistry (and oh boy when the finally give in after all that build up it is definitely EXPLOSIVE) and a story full of rich characters and emotional development I could not have asked for more from Built.

‘I knew Sayer was going to break my heart and I was willingly letting her do it.’

From the first page I was pulled into Zeb and Sayer’s story and by the end I was sad to see these characters go (though I am sure they will make cameos in other books thankfully.) I grew with them fell in love with them and now I am overly attached to them and sad the book is over and already trying to look at my schedule for a time I can re-read it! Whether you have read the Marked Men series or are coming into this with a fresh start Built, as well as The Saints Of Denver series is sure to quickly become a favorite of yours.

~miranda

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5 SMOOCHES!

SYNOPSIS:

Sassy, dramatic, hot-headed are just some of the words used to describe me since the time I was born. A few little mishaps growing up and my mom has a running ‘Emerson Baker’ prayer circle, and I have the reputation of a spit-fire that won’t go away.

I prefer the terms loyal, passionate, fiery, and possibly a bit impulsive.
So when my best friend proposes the concept of starting our own business, I jump on the idea.

CHEATERS BEWARE!
That should be our motto… because your secrets can’t stay hidden for long with Trixsters Anonymous on the case.

We are the moonlighting duo hell-bent on helping those who suspect their lovers are cheating. We’re professional, careful, and completely anonymous…What could possibly go wrong?

Walker Scott… that’s what goes wrong.
I never stood a chance against the gorgeous, hazel-eyed, fiercely determined man who storms into my life and completely blindsides me.
He’s the proof that opposites attract—and when they do, the chemistry is explosive.
Did I mention he’s also a detective? A very, very, talented detective?

Pretty soon being a Trixster is a lot more complicated.

REVIEW:

This is my second time reading the very talented Ahren Sanders, and the second time I’ve been impressed with her writing. I’ve been devouring romantic comedies this year, and Trixsters Anonymous is an absolutely fabulous one. From the first page, I was swept off my feet with a story that was funny, light-hearted and seriously sexy, but it was the dash of suspense and a fun female friendship that I enjoyed nearly as much as the romance that pushed this story from a great read into one that was special and memorable.

I loved the heroine, Emerson Baker. She was fiery and feisty and one of the most fun-to-read heroines I’ve ever read. Known to her friends as Emi, she’s a bit of a handful and is regularly accused of being overly dramatic. Her antics are widely known, and her mother has formed a prayer circle dedicated to Emi just for this reason. But it’s her latest venture with her best friend, Maren, that has the potential to eclipse all of her past escapades.

Walker Scott is all man. A former Army MP and current Charleston detective, he’s bossy yet incredibly patient. Not one to back down from a challenge, he was exactly the kind of man who could handle the notorious spit-fire. It also didn’t hurt that he was the drop-dead gorgeous, sexy, swoony alpha-male of Emi’s dreams. Instant attraction may have fast tracked this relationship, but with chemistry that leapt off the page, their pairing was a perfect blend of smoking hot passion and made-for-each-other, once-in-a-lifetime compatibility.

Emi’s latest venture, a top-secret business with Maren, has the potential to eclipse all of her past escapades. Their mysterious infidelity investigation service, Trixsters Anonymous, provides their clients with irrefutable confirmation when a significant others’ unfaithfulness is suspected. Maren and Emi are really good at it, too, using disguises and high-tech gadgets to capture the evidence they need. But despite all their careful planning to remain unidentified, they never planned on Walker Scott.

Laugh-out-loud humor reminiscent of a modern-day Lucy and Ethel and a sweet, sultry southern romance as steamy as a summer day in Charleston form a solid foundation in this uniquely entertaining romcom. But it was the threads of suspense along with a surprise second romance and a cast of interesting side characters that Sanders wove expertly into the fabric of the plot that added the depth and dimension to round out an already fantastic story into the page-turning pleasure that has secured a spot on my 2017 top favorites list. Five smooches from me for Trixsters Anonymous by Ahren Sanders.

~ Danielle Palumbo

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