RFTC I've Got a Secret Event Winners

There are many winners to announce but before we do so, we just wanted to take the time and say a SUPER BIG THANK YOU to each and every author that helped us celebrate RFTC's 5th bloggerversary. We loved having you all come by to share your Secrets. Thank you so, so much. =)

Feature: Fly With Me by Chanel Cleeton

From the author of the Capital Confessions Novels comes the first in the steamy Wild Aces Romance series.

U.S. Air Force fighter pilot Noah Miller—call sign Burn—loves nothing more than flying hard and fast. When he meets a gorgeous and sassy woman while partying in Las Vegas, he immediately locks on to her.

Jordan Callahan owns a thriving clothing boutique, but her love life is far less successful. Her luck changes when six feet, two inches of sexy swagger asks her to dance and turns her world upside down.

One scorching weekend becomes an undeniable chemistry that they can’t leave in Vegas. But the long distance relationship and their different lives threaten to ground their romance. And when the dangers of Noah’s job become all too real, Jordan learns being with a fighter pilot means risking it all for a shot at love…

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Check out the FIRST CHAPTER of Fly with Me HERE.

ARC Review: Blown Away by Brenda Rothert

Blown Away is the first book that I have ever read from Brenda Rothert, but I really enjoyed it. As soon as I read the blurb for this one, I knew I had to read it! I live in the mid-west, so tornadoes are something I have been dealing with my entire life. I have never read a book featuring storm chasers before, so that was something that absolutely fascinated me. I am so glad that I took a chance on a new to me author, and this definitely won't be the last I read from Brenda Rothert. 

Just as Drew McGovern is getting ready to get married, her fiance Colby is killed in an accident. She goes a year just getting by, but she realizes that she needs to change something to feel alive again. So when she gets the chance to join Colby's storm chasing team, she thinks that it is exactly what she needs. What she never expects though is to start falling for Colby's best friend Aiden O'Neal who is also on the team. Aiden has always secretly been jealous of Colby and Drew's relationship, though he never let either of them know how he really felt about Drew. So while he knows that it is wrong to take a chance with her, he finds it hard to fight the connection growing between them. 

I really liked Drew and Aiden together. Drew was strong and I loved that she took a chance and stepped outside her comfort zone when she knew that she wasn't fulfilled with what she had been doing. I really admired that about her, and it was great to see her just leave her life behind and pursue something that was both scary and exciting for her. While I did like Aiden and loved him with Drew, there were a few times here that I wasn't his biggest fan. He had a tendency to push Drew away and that usually involved him being a jerk to her. While I understood it to a point, I didn't like it. But these two had a great connection and chemistry that was undeniable, so I was really hoping that they would be able to get over all the obstacles standing in their way and be able to move forward together. 

Besides the few issues I had with Aiden, there were a few things that happened in this story that I wasn't the biggest fan of. I don't want to spoil anything, so I won't go into detail. One happened towards the beginning of the story and affected how I thought of Aiden a bit. While things turned out okay and I got why it happened, I didn't like seeing it and didn't like that Drew had either. The other thing happened later in the story, and I felt like it was a bit "much ado about nothing". It was something that seemed to just be added into the story for some drama and conflict, and honestly it did nothing but annoy me and make me angry while at the same time cause problems for Drew and Aiden. I just didn't feel like there was any need to go there, and it seemed too convenient that it was resolved the way it was for all the trouble that it had brought up. I just wish that the author hadn't gone there at all. But otherwise, I really did enjoy this story and I found the storm chasing so unique and interesting. This was something different, and it had my attention from the very first page. I would recommend this one and I will read more from Brenda Rothert in the future.

**ARC Provided by Publisher**

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Guest Post with Author Lynnette Austin and Giveaway

Meet Lynnette Austin author of Every Bride Has Her Day.

The luxury of staying home when the weather turns nasty, of working in PJs and bare feet, and the fact that daydreaming is not only permissible but encouraged, are a few of the reasons middle school teacher Lynnette Austin gave up the classroom to write full-time. Lynnette grew up in Pennsylvania’s Alleghany Mountains, moved to Upstate New York, then to the Rockies in Wyoming. Presently she and her husband divide their time between Southwest Florida’s beaches and Georgia’s Blue Ridge Mountains. A finalist in RWA's Golden Heart Contest, PASIC's Book of Your Heart Contest, and Georgia Romance Writers' Maggie Contest, she’s published five books as Lynnette Hallberg. She’s currently writing as Lynnette Austin. Having grown up in a small town, that’s where her heart takes her—to those quirky small towns where everybody knows everybody...and all their business, for better or worse.

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ARC Review: Big Easy Temptation by Shayla Black and Lexi Blake

This is the third book in the series but it's the second one I read. I read the last installment but missed the first one. I keep meaning to rectify that situation but have not quite gotten around to it. Even without reading the first book, I love this series and this contribution did not disappoint. Shayla Black and Lexi Blake are individually great authors but together they weave suspense, intrigue and erotic romance together in ways that are not easily duplicated. This is a great series overall and I highly recommend it. Ok, now let me get to this actual book.

Big Easy Temptation is the story of Dax Spencer and Holland Kirk. Let me just tell you, I love me some Dax and if you've read any of the books in this series, you probably feel the same way. I wasn't sure if I was going to love Holland. Holland is a detective and she's got the kind of unyielding moral code that I find irritating. I was particularly wary of how Holland handled the events surrounding Dax's Dad but by the end of the book I was team Holland. Holland is basically fearless and does not hesitate to familiarize the people around her with the facts of life. I ended up really liking those qualities.

The chemistry between Holland and Dax is smoking hot from the prologue to the epilogue. One of the things that I really like about these two is that they spend quite a bit of time in the book hating each other. But there is something about the hate chemistry that is just as compelling as the warm fuzzy feelings they had for each other. Overall, no matter if these two were in love or hate, it was HOT and the passion leaps off the page at you. The clashes the couple had (and there were more than a few) just made their relationship more interesting and their reunions even sexier.

This is really a story of how true love will persevere. There is a lot going on in the book. There is an underlying mystery, there is the issue of how things ended between the couple in the past and there are the supporting characters. But nothing is lost in terms of the romance. Front and center in the plot is always the issue of how the passion and love between Dax and Holland survived over time and a whole slew of crazy events.

This book has plenty of twists and turns. People are betrayed, others are killed and Dax and Holland are facing a common enemy that can destroy them and the people around them. This book will keep you on the edge of your seat trying to figure out the "kill list" and distinguish the good guys from the bad guys. And of course, there is the sex. When these two authors get together, you can expect some hot hot hooking up and you will not be let down because it is here!

This book is a great way to kick off your summer reading list. I suggest you read the whole series in order though. So if you haven't read the first two books, read those first and then finish with this one. I can't wait to see what these authors have in store for us next.

**ARC provided by Publisher**

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ARC Review: Never Let You Go by Monica Murphy

Never Let You Go is the sequel to Never Tear Us Apart by Monica Murphy. This book is not a standalone and continues the story from the first book. If you have not read NTUA, I would recommend starting there and being mindful of possible spoilers below. I will warn readers that because of the content here, as with the first book, that if you have any possible triggers with violence or rape that you take that into consideration before starting this story. 

Never Let You Go picks up where Never Tear Us Apart left off. Katie has learned that Ethan is actually Will and that he has been lying to her since he has been in her life. Though the connection between them is one that she can't argue, she knows that she can't trust him fully now that he has deceived her. But with everything that they have been through together, both of them know that no one else will ever understand them the way that they understand each other. As Katie and Ethan try to move forward with their lives, the media and Ethan's father threaten to tear them apart once and for all. 

Knowing all that these two had been through, it was easy to see how both of them had issues that would likely never fully go away. But I have to admit that there were times here that Katie annoyed me with the fact that she let others influence her opinion of Ethan. He had given her some reason to question his motives by lying, but with his actions all he had ever done was protect her and care about her. Even his keeping his identity a secret from her was for a reason, even if it was one I didn't agree with. But their connection was so strong that I really just wanted her to let it all go and trust in what they had between them. Their chemistry was as strong as ever here, and you could really see that these two had so much love between them even if it came from them coming together under circumstances that no one should ever have to go through. 

I really loved seeing these two try to move on together though, and even if they weren't together right away here they worked well together. They spent time together getting to know who each of them had become, and it really felt like they were making progress over the entire course of this book even with Katie's trust issues. The media situation felt a bit over the top at times, and I really hated Lisa the reporter as well as Katie's sister Brenna. Actually besides Katie, Ethan, the neighbor Viv, Ethan's friend Jay, and Molly the dog I really didn't like a single character here. The ending felt a bit rushed to me and it wasn't entirely satisfying knowing that there was so much time spent elsewhere here in this book and then the story was just over so quickly with all being resolved and wonderful as easily as it was. I felt like even though it was a good ending for these characters that it just didn't feel entirely genuine and everything seemed to almost be a bit too perfect for how much these two had been through. While I did like the characters and the story overall, this book just didn't pack the same punch the first one did and I just wanted a bit more of what I had loved so much about the first story. I still think that this series is worth the read though even with those criticisms, especially with the story being so different from everything else out there.

**ARC Provided by Publisher**

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Audiobook Review: Crossroads by Riley Hart, Narrated by Sean Crisden

I am a huge fan of Riley Hart's, so when I got the opportunity to list to Crossroads I couldn't wait! Crossroads is the first book in Riley's Crossroads series and it is a standalone story narrated by Sean Crisden. In the past I have had some issues with Sean as a narrator because I felt like his voice didn't fit the age group of the characters he was portraying. I thought that he was the perfect choice here though and I really loved his interpretation of this story. He did both of the guys really well here and I liked the life he brought to Nick and Bryce. 

Nick Fuller is starting over after divorcing the woman he had been with since he was in high school. He had never been with anyone else and thought that he would be with her forever. He owns the restaurant of his dreams, but Nick is ready to move forward and meet new people. When he meets his next door neighbor Bryce Tanner, the two strike up an immediate friendship and find an easy relationship unlike they have with anyone else. Getting out of a relationship of his own recently, Bryce sets out to show Nick a good time and help him meet some women. But they both quickly realize that they would rather spend time with each other than anyone else. With both men having been straight their entire lives, the sudden attraction they feel for the other takes them by surprise. But when faced with their new crossroads, will they choose the lives they have always lead, or take a chance on something new and unexpected together?

I really loved both Nick and Bryce. These men were so easy to like right from the start. They were sexy and I couldn't get enough of them. Nick was so passionate about cooking, and I loved what a great guy he was. Same thing went for Bryce! He might have changed careers and constantly been searching for something else as his family liked to remind him, but it was clear that when he found what he was looking for and passionate about that he gave it everything he had. You could easily see his love for motorcycles and his growing relationship with Nick. These guys were fun and I loved their interactions. They were open and honest with each other, and had some of the best communication I have ever seen in a romance novel. Yes they had their moments where they didn't always tell each other everything right away, but they didn't shy away from discussing the big things and I was so glad that they were able to face everything together. They were so hot together and had a ton of steam, but their connection was so easy and solid that it just felt like they were meant for one another. I don't know that I have ever read a gay for you story that the relationship felt as natural as this one did and I just loved every bit of it. 

Overall, Crossroads was a fantastic story that was brought to life with great narration from Sean Crisden. Once I started listening I didn't want to stop, and I really felt like Sean did a great job not only differentiating between the different characters, but to really bringing the personalities out in both Nick and Bryce. It was so easy to listen to this story and I was invested the entire way through. Sometimes with audiobooks and the narration I will find my mind wandering, but that didn't happen here at all. I was captivated right away and was enjoying every minute of this book as I was listening. I already can't wait to go back and listen to this one again, and I know it will be one that I listen to and read again many times in the future. It was just such an amazing story and is definitely one of my all time favorite M/M books that I have ever read. If you are a fan of M/M romance, you definitely should be reading Riley Hart. Crossroads is a must read for me, and I am already looking forward to the next book from her.

**Audiobook Provided by Publisher**

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ARC Review: Only Beloved by Mary Balogh

Only Beloved is a sweet romance that focuses on both lead characters sorting out their past and coming to terms with it. It was a nice conclusion to the Survivor's Club series. We saw many cameos of previous protagonists, thus also getting a little extra epilogue for each of them. My only qualm was that there were some boring parts that drug on a little too long for my taste.

Dora is a 39 year old spinster who lives in a small village and is a local music teacher. She is quite a gifted musician. She missed out on her society debut to raise her younger sister. Dora isn't bitter over her sacrifice and has learned to accept her situation in life and make the best of it.

George is a 48 year old Duke who lost his only son in the Napoleonic Wars and his wife who was beside herself with grief over losing their son and committed suicide. He opened up his country home to wounded soldiers of the wars, and in doing so created the Survivor's Club. This group of individuals became close friends and a great support group for each other.

George makes a hasty decision to remarry, and the person who comes to mind first is Dora, an acquaintance he met a year or so prior. So out of the blue he travels to her home to ask for her hand in marriage. I think they were both surprised that she says yes! Both Dora and George's new engagement and marriage are disrupted by their difficult histories.They have to learn to help each other overcome the sorrows of their pasts.

I really like Mary Balogh's style (sweet and calm) but this book took it too far for me. I found several parts hard to get through. It felt to me like she fluffed up the story with details to make the tale longer, that weren't necessary to the plot. Despite that one misgiving, the romance was precious. The story was almost too perfect and left the reader with this feeling of foreboding. This was the desired effect in my opinion though, because the climax was quite exciting! And the little extra message of starring older protagonists than what is the social norm, was fantastic!

I do wish I had started this series with book one, and I do plan to go back and read them because I love them so much. Mary Balogh is a wonderful writer. I am excited to see what she has in store for future series!

**ARC provided by Publisher**

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ARC Review: A Walk in the Sun by Michelle Zink

I have been in a bit of a rut lately when it comes to reading, so I was really hoping that A Walk in the Sun by Michelle Zink would be the one to turn that around. It has such a gorgeous cover and the blurb really drew me in and made me want to read it. While I was drawn in right away, I ended up with mixed feelings on the story overall and this wasn't quite what I had been hoping for. 

After a tragedy strikes her family, Rose must rearrange her future and put her dreams on hold. Bodhi left home when he was young and has been working farm jobs ever since which allows him to travel. Bodhi was already looking forward to his next gig when he met Rose and it changed everything. Despite the attraction between them, they both know that with the end of summer approaching and Bodhi planning to leave in September will they be over before they really begin? 

I really liked both Rose and Bodhi. I thought that they were strong characters and they each had a lot that they were dealing with. With Rose having just lost her mom and being forced to help around the farm thought that was the last thing she wanted to do, you couldn't help but admire her. These two had a lot of chemistry and the connection between them was easy to see. Their relationship was more of a slow burn though, and there were times that it felt like things were taking a bit too long. 

The biggest issues I had though was the fact that this story while it had good moments, was also really cliched at times. There wasn't much that was new or different, the conflict was so typical and too easily resolved. It just felt like the same old story told too many times for me to really have much interest in what was happening. Because of that my interest waned and I found myself bored several times here. I had hoped that there would be something to stand out here since I did like the characters, but unfortunately for me this story was just okay. I think that a lot of readers will probably really enjoy this story, and it is worth giving a chance if it sounds like something you would like. This very well could just be a combination of the funk I am in and the sheer amount of books I read for why it was just okay for me personally and it could end up being one that others really love.

**ARC Provided by Publisher**

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Feature and Giveaway: League of Rogues Series by Darcy Burke

Book 1

Miss Margery Derrington and her dear aunts are in dire straits. Their discovery of a rare manuscript will hopefully stave off their creditors—if it’s worth what they hope. Margery reluctantly allies with a reclusive scholar to use the book to pursue a treasure that could solve their woes. Only, the irresistible desire she feels toward her partner is neither expected nor wanted.

Rhys Bowen can’t believe he has his hands on the elusive de Valery text. Solving its hidden code and unearthing its legendary treasure would establish him as one of Britain’s leading antiquaries, finally casting him out of his brilliant late father’s shadow. But when a centuries-old organization convinces Rhys of the perils of disturbing the past, he must choose between his conscience…and the captivating woman he’s sworn to help.

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Book 2

Major Elijah Hollister never wanted to be an earl, particularly not when it meant losing his brother. When a bold adventuress shows up at his door seeking a treasure map, Elijah suspects his brother’s death may not have been accidental and that the lady knows more than she’s willing to share. Whether she’s a friend or foe, Elijah plans to keep her close—and hope the temptation of her kisses doesn’t ruin them both.

Miss Catriona Bowen can almost taste the fruits of her years-long quest to find one of Britain’s greatest treasures. The discovery will deliver the recognition and respect she deserves as an antiquary, despite the fact that she’s a woman. However, to find the map that will lead her to success, she must ally herself with a stoic, yet provocative earl with a different goal. And when a villain threatens their lives, she realizes too late that love is the greatest treasure of all.

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Darcy Burke is the USA Today Bestselling Author of hot, action-packed historical and sexy, emotional contemporary romance. A native Oregonian, Darcy lives on the edge of wine country with her guitar-strumming husband, their two hilarious kids who seem to have inherited the writing gene, and three Bengal cats. Visit Darcy online at www.darcyburke.com and sign up for her newsletter, follow her on Twitter at twitter.com/darcyburke, or like her Facebook page, www.facebook.com/DarcyBurkeFans.

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Special thanks to Darcy Burke & the Past Thrills Authors for sponsoring this giveaway.

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Feature: The Darkest Torment by Gena Showalter

The Queen of Paranormal Romance, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Gena Showalter, returns with THE DARKEST TORMENT, the eagerly anticipated twelfth novel in her Lords of the Underworld series, available May 31, 2016! Pre-order your copy today!

Pre-order your copy of THE DARKEST TORMENT by Gena Showalter, and each week, be entered to win 1 of 4 darkly dangerous prizes! Just fill out the form! http://bit.ly/23mjCxS

ARC Review: The Untamed Earl by Valerie Bowman

Ever since I read the first book in the Playful Brides series, “The Unexpected Duchess” I cannot get enough of Valerie Bowman. I’ve been waiting for this book since I finished and loved, “The Irresistible Rogue.” For anyone that has never read this series Bowman takes a very witty and historical spin on tales such as Cyrano de Bergerac, The Importance of Being Earnest and other classics as The Philadelphia Story and gives it a spin. Bowman is one of those authors I leap to read her work. I really enjoy her heroines, heroes and her plots.

“The Untamed Earl” is a spin of the “Taming of the Shrew.” Alexander Hobbs is the sister of the alluded to shrew. Lavinia, her older sister, is definitely a shrew. When she was young she became very ill and since then Alexander lived in her sister’s shadow. For the most part Alexander accepted this lot in life, but when her parents arrange for her sister to marry the man that stole her heart years ago, Lord Owen Monroe, Alex takes matters into her own hands. Years ago Alexander met Owen by her balcony and since then he stole her heart.

Lord Owen is Cassandra’s brother; she is the heroine from “The Accidental Countess. Owen has a bad reputation not only in society but also with his family. His parents think it’s time for him to marry and start taking his life seriously. With Lavinia’s parents they arrange a marriage proposal for Owen and Lavinia, but Lavinia’s parents insist that she must fall in love with him and accept him on her own terms. Lavinia is a shrew in every sense of the word. She is an awful bully and Owen realizes that although he has had no luck with other conquests, Lavinia is more than he had bargained for. Alexander offers up her help. She tells Owen that if he helps her launch in society then she will help him with her sister.

I really like Alex and Owen, individually and as a couple. They were very sweet and they had great chemistry. There are some sad and heart-breaking moments and before long Alex realizes that her plan might need some reinforcements. I have really only two small complaints. One there was so much action and change of scenes in the previous book and this book was one ball after another. Second, I now have to count down the days until the next book in the series- The Legendary Lord which is about Viscount Christian Bancroft. I really loved the glimpses that the author gave us of his character and I cannot wait to see what she has in stored for him and Sarah. I really enjoyed this great shrew of a story and loved how the author finally gave Alex and Owen the chance they needed. Although the book is a part of the series, it is easily a standalone. However, the heart of the story is the friendship of Cassandra, Lucy and Jane -which I was happy to see them make an appearance. If anyone has time to sit around and binge read, I definitely recommend they do so with this funny series.

**ARC provided by Publisher**

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