ARC Review: Dashing through the Snow by M. Leighton

Dashing through the Snow is a standalone novella from M. Leighton. This one is short and has some cute moments as well as some steamy ones. While I did enjoy parts of it though, it suffered from what I typically have a problem with in novellas, and that is that there just aren't enough pages to really do the story justice. This one felt rushed at times, and while the beginning was promising, the second half of this story fell apart for me. 

Dilyn Hart hates Christmas, so she is relieved when she gets an assignment for Christmas Eve. She needs to interview known player and champion snowboarder Dash Grainger. When they are caught in a snowstorm, they find themselves falling for one another despite all the reasons that they shouldn't. 

These two were cute together and they definitely had chemistry. Dash and Dilyn definitely were a case of insta-love here, and while that can work for me sometimes I will admit that it didn't entirely work for me with these two. It was really rushed and didn't feel as though it was entirely believable. Things got a bit crazy in the second half of the story like I mentioned before, and I felt like it was just kind of over the top and really lost me. While I liked the characters and M. Leighton's writing style, this one was just okay. If you are looking for a quick holiday story without a ton of substance, this one might be one worth checking out.

**ARC Provided by Author**

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ARC Review: Brave Enough by M. Leighton

This is the third and final installment of the Tall, Dark, and Dangerous trilogy. I've read each of the books in the series in order. It isn't necessary for you to do that but there is a core storyline that is continued from book to book that I think will make more sense to you if you read in order. Just a quick sidenote, the first installment in the series remains my favorite. This entry is probably my least favorite but it wasn't bad. Just relative to the other two books this was my least favorite of the three.

Brave Enough is Tag's book about his romance with Weatherly. I just have to be petty for a minute and say that I hate the name Weatherly. I'm sorry if that's your name or your Mom's name but it just didn't fit the character in this book in my opinion. Moving on. Weatherly is from an affluent background where her entire life has been pre-planned and structured. When she meets Tag, Weatherly is desperate to create her own destiny instead of succumbing to the life her parents plan for her. Tag is Weatherly's opposite. His life is one free of restraint and inhibition. Tag's passionate approach to everything was exactly what Weatherly needed. I liked that Weatherly found the freedom she was searching for in Tag. The chemistry between the two is instantaneous but the build up of the romance is slower and endearing.

The book lost some steam with me for a reason that might be unfair. When you read a series you have a tendency to compare entries in the series to what came before them. In this case it was the character building that I've come to really expect from this author that I just didn't get in this book. I never really got a good sense of who Tag was. At one point I was wondering if I missed something in the earlier books that would've given me more information but no. There just isn't enough information about Tag. The book is told in dual POV's but I still didn't get an in depth view of Tag. Instead of depicting his emotions about events, events are simply relayed in his voice. When the book was over, I just wanted more.

The other issue I had with this book is that it wasn't as well thought out as the other books in the series. The plot sipped like a scratched CD after the first half of the book. There are some revelations half way through and I'm still trying to sort out the characters reactions and how they made sense in context. Even with all of my criticisms, however, I still say that if you have read this series, this book is a must read. If you haven't read this series, I highly recommend it.

**ARC provided by Publisher**

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ARC Review: Tough Enough by M. Leighton

Tough Enough is the second book in Leighton's "Tall Dark and Dangerous" series. I read the first book with Jasper and Must and I just need to tell you that this is a totally different book. The first book was definitely an action/suspense with a very strong, brooding alpha hero lead. This book reads like a much more traditional contemporary romance. There is a little suspense and even less action but it's mostly alluded to and takes up much less space in the plot. All that being said, this is still a good read and if you're a fan of the series, give it a try.

If you read the first book in the series, you know that the series is set up around the members or rather former members of a Navy Seal team. Rogan, the hero in this story was a part of that team who has become and MMA fighter and Hollywood actor in his retirement. When this book begins, there is an outstanding issue from the first book which is that someone is targeting the former members of Rogan's Seal team. That was a major issue in this book but it really is more of a blip in this book. Rogan meets Katie when she becomes his makeup artist on the set of his latest movie. Katie has deeeeep physical and emotional scars that she is both physically and mentally covering. up. Rogan is instantly attracted to her but the issue is whether Katie can accept herself and Rogan's feelings for her. Throw in the issues with the Seal team and we've got a story.

I really really like Rogan. He is absolutely everything you would want in a book boyfriend and way too much to hope for in a real boyfriend (ugh). Rogan is patient, persistent and understanding. He sees past Katie's physical imperfections and loves the deepest parts of her. Katie is not as likable of a character as Rogan but you can understand where she's coming from. The incident that led to Katie's scars was effed up to the 10th degree of effedupedness (that's a word) and as a result her barriers are Great Wall China strong. I enjoyed watching Rogan work through Katie's issues with her. It's always gets me when a man can love the crazy away because what elese could you hope for in love.

Almost the entire book is really Rogan working through Katie's issues and getting her to open up. There is not a lot of change in scenery or external action in the story. There is really good character dialogue but also quite a bit of character introspection.The connection between the couple is well developed but sometimes I did want a little more in the way of events. That might just be because I read the first book and it set my expectations in a certain direction. One thing I know I didn't like was the way so much information was shoved into the last 20% of the book. I felt like the author suddenly remembered this book was a part of series and decided to start connecting all these dots but it just all came too fast. I would've really liked to see the events at the end of the book spread throughout the entire story.

All in all, I think you will enjoy this love story and I would recommend it.

**ARC provided by Publisher**

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ARC Review: Strong Enough by M. Leighton

Strong Enough is my first M. Leighton book and I'm definitely interested to see what the future holds for this series. This book is the story of Muse and Jasper. Must hires Jasper, who she believes is a bounty hunter/investigator or whatever, to find her missing father. The story is supposed to be about how Jasper isn't what he seems and how perhaps Muse shouldn't trust him but that didn't work for me at all. I'll tell you why- because of Muse.

Muse was as flighty as her name and she was giving me acid reflux with her willful blindness. To me, from very early on in the book there was no question about Jasper's intentions or what the situation was with Muse's father. Throughout the book I struggled to understand why Muse ALWAYS seemed to be the last person to the party. If we assume "the party" was figuring out obvious facts. The whole reason Muse was separated from her father should have set off her alarm bells but nope. Muse never stopped to think about whether it made sense or what might really be going on there. If Muse was the only character in this story, I would've probably thrown my Kindle right out the window in abject irritation.

Lucky for my Kindle, this story includes Jasper. Jasper is every flavor of dark and brooding alpha male that I looooove. In fact, when this book opens up, it opens with a scene from Jasper's childhood that is as gripping as it is disturbing. That opening scene provides the framework for all of Jasper's effed uppedness (that's a word). From that point on, I was captivated by Jasper's story including who he became and how he dealt with the craziness that was his early life.

As for Jasper and Muse together, I liked the relationship but again that was mostly because of Jasper. I just felt like Muse was kind of stumbling around being shocked by ish that everyone else saw 50 pages ago. But I loved that Jasper protected her even when it required him to overcome fears embedded in him since childhood. And even though we see it in every book, I love the jealous hero who growls at every man who gets near his woman. It might be scary in real life but I love to read about it. Despite Muse's persistent dingyness (again, that's a word), I did feel the connection between her and Jasper and I was very much rooting for them by the end of the book.

I had to knock off a star because Muse worked my last good nerve but all in all, this book was better than just good. The writing and imagery is especially strong and the book has dual POVs which I love. I recommend giving this one a try.

**ARC provided by Publisher**

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ARC Review: Some Like It Wild by M. Leighton

Some Like It Wild is the third story in M. Leighton's The Wild Ones Series. It is the second full length story in the series and center's around Jake Theopolis, the brother of Jenna from Wild Child. I wasn't sure exactly what I was in for with this one because I have liked this series by M. Leighton, but I will admit that I haven't loved it the way I did with The Bad Boys series. I was pleasantly surprised how much I really enjoyed this story though, and it is by far my favorite of this series! Jake and Laney were so much fun to read about. These books have interconnected characters, but can be read as standalones.

Laney is the daughter of the town preacher and is used to being the good girl. She has always had a dream of getting married and having kids and devoting herself to her husband and family. When she finds her best friend and fiance in bed together, she throws herself into her work and heads to her hometown. She ends up working for the town bad boy who she once shared a passionate kiss with. Jake is everything she shouldn't want, and yet she can't stay away from him. Jake knows that Laney is the settling down type and that he could never be that for her. But Jake is determined to get her to loosen up and live life with him a little. But when her best friend and ex-fiance come back into her life as well as her meddling parents, what will she chose to do? Can she have some fun with Jake before she begins her planned out future? Or will the attraction they feel lead to more?

I really liked Jake. He was honest and up-front about what he wanted and what he could handle. He was funny and charming, and full of life. I really liked that he was such a fun-loving guy and that he was pretty much the exact opposite of Laney. He was a great balance for her and exactly what she needed in her life. Laney was nice and sweet, and she was a really caring person. I liked that even though she had been used to living her life to the expectations of her parents, that she was able to start to see that she needed to live her life for herself first and foremost. Jake helped her realize that she could stand up to them and do what she wanted. I really enjoyed watching as not only Jake helped Laney, but as Laney in turn helped Jake to get past some things that he had been through as a kid. She helped him see that he was worthy of love and that he deserved to be happy. Jake and Laney were also really hot together and had amazing chemistry from the start. These two generated a ton of steam, and I loved that they were so passionate about each other. They also had a really good time together whatever they were doing, and I really enjoyed their playful scenes together.

Overall, I think this series definitely keeps getting better. This installment was really good, and I didn't want to put it down. It was a really quick and enjoyable read, and I loved getting a bit more of Jenna as well. I was a little surprised how short it was though, and I felt the ending though satisfying was a bit abrupt. But that didn't keep this one from being a really entertaining read. If you are a fan of M. Leighton or New Adult books, this is definitely one that you will want to give a shot. M. Leighton is a great writer and her stories are always captivating. Jake and Laney's story is no different, and they will pull you in and make you fall in love with them. I can't wait to read more from Leighton and see where she takes this series as well as what she comes up with next.

**ARC provided by Publisher**

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Feature and Giveaway: Some Like It Wild by M. Leighton

How far will a good girl go for the bad boy she loves?

Laney Holt is a preacher’s daughter. A good girl. Her only goal was to get married, have babies and live happily ever after, just like her parents. Only that didn’t happen. With the betrayal of two people closest to her, Laney’s dreams came crashing down. Now she’s left with an empty space she doesn’t know how to fill. Until she meets Jake Theopolis, a daredevil with a death wish who has heartbreaker written all over him.

Jake has no interest in thinking beyond the here and now. All he wants out of life is the next rush, the next “feel good” thing to keep his mind off the pain of his past. His latest rush? Showing Laney there’s more to life than being a good girl—and that going bad can be so much fun. Her only concern now is how she can ever hope to satisfy the wild side of a boy like Jake. She’s looking forward to trying. So is Jake.

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ARC Review: Wild Child by M. Leighton

Wild Child is a short novella in M. Leighton's Wild Ones Series. It takes place after The Wild Ones and is Jenna and Rusty's story. Wild Child can be read without having read The Wild Ones, but I would still recommend that you read it. I loved Cami and Trick from The Wild Ones and was excited to get more of them. I was also anxious to get to know Jenna and Rusty better since I really liked them as well.

Jenna has just graduated college and is looking for a job to start her career. She returns home to attend the wedding of her best friend Cami and her fiance Trick. Jenna has always wanted to leave her small town but after a summer fling with Rusty, her feelings for him have her wanting him more than anything she has ever wanted before. Rusty has some abandonment issues from his father leaving him and his mother. He knows that Jenna wants out of town and he thinks its only a matter of time before she leaves him. So he does the only thing he possibly can to protect himself and he leaves her first. But after tragedy strikes, Jenna and Rusty are forced to face how short life can be. Will they let their relationship go in order to protect themselves and go after what they thought they wanted? Or will they figure out a way to go after their dreams and a relationship together work?

I liked both Jenna and Rusty. I liked that Jenna was true to herself and went after what she wanted. I liked that she was a great friend and a great girlfriend. She was thoughtful and sweet, and you could really tell how much she cared about those that she loved. I liked that Rusty was a fun guy who wasn't afraid to grow up and be an adult when the time came. I wished that he would have talked to Jenna about everything instead of just assuming he knew what would happen though. I didn't feel as connected to Jenna and Rusty as I did to Cami and Trick though, and I think part of that was that this novella was so short. I just felt like we didn't really get to know them as well as I would have liked. I did think that Rusty and Jenna had a lot of chemistry though and I loved the steam they had between them. It would have been nice to see more of their emotions and connection though.

I thought that this was an enjoyable story and a nice addition to the series. I wish that it would have been longer because I think that there was a lot we missed out on with Jenna and Rusty because of the length. I felt like their story was pretty rushed, and if I wouldn't have read The Wild Ones first I think it would have felt even more rushed. I also felt like because I had read the first book, that there were a few things from that story about Jenna and Rusty that had been dropped and never picked up again. In The Wild Ones, Jenna starts out with a boyfriend and then meets Rusty. They decide to start having an open relationship and seeing others as well, and that is when things begin with Rusty. But I don't remember her boyfriend ever being mentioned again and I think I was missing a bit of that closure, so in the back of my mind I kept waiting to read something about him. Even though I loved Cami and Trick and enjoyed seeing more of their HEA, I felt like they sort of took over Wild Child. Between them and the tragedy that happens, Jenna and Rusty almost felt like a minor part of this story for me rather than the focus. I hope that in the next story we get more of Jenna and Rusty and maybe a few of the blanks will be filled in. Overall though I did enjoy this story and it was a nice quick read. I think that M. Leighton is a great writer, and she has a way of coming up with wonderful and interesting characters. The characters in this series are no exception. I am excited to see where she continues to take these characters as well as get the story of Jenna's brother Jake in the next book Some Like It Wild which is due to release in March.

**ARC provided by Inkslinger PR**

Feature and Giveaway: Wild Child by M. Leighton

Jenna Theopolis has always known what she wanted. Getting out of her small hometown of Greenfield was number one on her list of priorities. Until she met Rusty Catron.

Rusty’s fun-loving personality was the perfect match for Jenna’s inner wild child. But what started off as a summer fling quickly turns into something more. At least it does for Jenna.

Rusty has lived with the ghost of his father’s abandonment since he was a child, but now he’s beginning to feel the crippling effects of his scars. He wants to trust in Jenna, but deep down he doesn’t believe someone so wild and free can ever be tamed.

But tragedy strikes, pushing Jenna out of Greenfield and leaving Rusty with a choice to make—face his inner demons or lose the love of his life. Forever.

Review: The Wild Ones by M. Leighton

I have been a fan of M. Leighton's ever since reading about Cash and Nash in her Bad Boys Series, so I was really excited to read more from her. The Wild Ones sounded like it would be right up my alley, and I thought that this book was enjoyable. I did have a few problems with this book, but I really loved Cami and Trick as well as the secondary characters. They were all interesting and likable. I did feel that these characters were a bit immature at times, but I think part of that is due to their age. This story is a quick good read though, and I am excited to read more in this series.

Cami has had a good life. She has never wanted for anything since her dad is a successful thoroughbred breeder. She has a good boyfriend and plans to run her dad's business after she finishes school. But a chance meeting one night while out with her friend Jenna changes everything. When Patrick "Trick" spills beer on Cami, they both instantly feel an attraction stronger than anything they have ever felt before. But Trick works for Cami's dad, and has been warned to stay away from her. Needing to keep his job in order to help his mom and sister, Trick and Cami try to stay away from each other. But the more they run into each other, the less possible that seems. They decide to try and be friendly with each other, but the more they get to know each other the less they are able to fight their chemistry. They finally give in to each other and things look like they will work out. But when past secrets are revealed and truths come out, they realize that there are more obstacles standing in their way than they ever dreamed of. Can they somehow have a relationship together, or will the things they have no control of keep them from the connection they both feel is stronger than any they have ever had before?

I really liked Trick. He was funny and charming, determined and driven. He was a great guy who would do whatever it took in order to support his family. I loved how he took care of them and sacrificed so much for them, when so many guys his age wouldn't. He was just a really great hero that you want to root for from the very first page. I really liked Cami. She seemed like someone that would be a lot of fun to hang out with in real life. She was sweet and caring and was a great friend. I really liked that all though she was privileged she treated everyone the same and not as though others were beneath her. Cami and Trick had a ton of chemistry and I really felt their connection was believable and real. I could clearly see how hard it was for both of them to fight their feelings and attraction to each other. What I didn't care for with them was the constant back and forth. I realize that there was a lot standing in their way, and I understood why they tried to avoid having anything happen between them. But after awhile it just seemed to be too much. I found myself losing interest because it was just so much that it started to seem unrealistic.

Overall, I think this book was a good read. I was hoping for Trick and Cami to get their HEA, and I wasn't disappointed with how things turned out. M. Leighton is a wonderful writer and she really has a way of writing characters that you fall in love with. The Wild Ones was no exception, I just wish there had been less of a push and pull and we could have had more of Trick and Cami together. There wasn't a ton of physical interactions between the two of them and I would have liked to see more steamy scenes, but the ones we did get were everything that I have come to expect from M. Leighton. They were hot and sexy and extremely well written. The Wild Ones was a great love story and I really believed in the relationship between Cami and Trick. They were great together and really seemed to be everything  you would expect a great couple to be. I think this is a very promising start to her Wild One's series, and I'm excited to get more of all these characters. I can't wait to read more about Cami's friend Jenna and Trick's friend Rusty in the next book, The Wild Child. I would recommend this book for those who like New Adult and Contemporary Romance stories. Especially if you enjoy a series with connected characters.

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ARC Review: Everything For Us by M. Leighton

Everything For Us is the third novel in M. Leighton's Bad Boys Series. This book is Marissa and Nash's story, and should be read after reading the first two books. Although this story is about Olivia's cousin Marissa, there is so much back-story that is needed to understand what is happening in this book that this story cannot be read as a stand-alone. I honestly wasn't sure if I would enjoy this story. If you have read the first two books, then you will understand how i could be a little apprehensive about Marissa getting her HEA. But I am very glad that I read this, and I really did enjoy reading about not only Nash but also Marissa.

Marissa is used to doing everything to please her dad. Anything he asks, she automatically does. She has become so used to her privileged life and her rich friends that she doesn't realize what kind of person she has become. But after being mistaken for her cousin and kidnapped, she quickly realizes that her life as she has known it is over. Nash has been living a life full of hiding out and doing whatever he has to in order to survive. But when he rescues Marissa, there is a connection between them that not only makes him think about much more than he should, but also makes him want to be better for her. Marissa and Nash begin to spend more time together while they work to bring down those responsible for the tragedy that the Davenport's have suffered. Marissa knows that Nash can wreck her heart, and Nash knows that he is no good for Marissa. But as the attraction and connection between them strengthens, will they end in heartbreak or figure out a way to let the other in and find their happily ever after?

I really liked Nash! He is sexy and dirty, and one of those rough around the edges guys that you just can't help but be drawn to. I found his character so interesting since he was supposed to be the one who would go to law school and had everything going for him before fate stepped in and changed everything for him and his family. He ended up turning out more like his brother than what he ever expected. I really liked seeing him go from struggling with his feelings for Marissa to coming to terms with the fact that he was falling in love with her. Marissa turned out to be a very likable character. It is sad that it took her being kidnapped to realize what she was like and that she wanted to change, but i'm glad that she was given a second chance. I loved that Marissa stood up to her father and decided to live her life the way she wanted and went after the things that she believed in. I thought that she was great for Nash. They were both exactly what the other needed. Where he was rough she would sort of round out the edges. These two were off the charts hot together also! I loved reading their steamy scenes!

Overall, I was pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed reading this story. Marissa and Nash were a great couple, and I was right there with them experiencing every high and low they shared. Marissa and Nash really drew me in to their story and made me fall for them. It was also really great to see more of Cash and Olivia. I was really glad that we got to see more of their story and the story of their family. A lot of questions that were brought up before were answered and I feel like the characters were able to get the closure that they needed in regards to the awful past that they had suffered. This series is great, and is filled with well written and interesting characters. I would highly recommend this series to fans of romantic suspense stories that really steam up the pages. This series will keep you turning the pages until you reach the end.

**ARC provided by Publisher**

Purchase: | Amazon | Kindle | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository |

Feature and Giveaway: Everything for Us by M. Leighton

When it comes to passion this hot, it’s all or nothing.

Olivia Townsend’s wealthy cousin Marissa had everything a girl could ask for—a great job, a privileged life, and all the friends she wanted. Or, at least, all the friends money could buy. But one case of mistaken identity has turned her privileged world upside down.

An abduction gone wrong lands her right in the lap of the sexiest, most dangerous man she’s ever met. To Marissa, he’s an enigma, but one to whom she’s irresistibly, inexplicably drawn.

With him comes a new world of freedom and passion, of dark shadows and dangerous secrets, a world where nothing is what it seems—except for the blind passion that Marissa can’t escape—or maybe even survive.

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Interview with Author M. Leighton and Giveaway

Today I would like to welcome author M. Leighton to RFTC. M. Leighton is celebrating the print release of her book The Wild Ones and has stopped by to answer a few questions. Please give M. Leighton a warm welcome.

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author, M. Leighton, is a native of Ohio. She relocated to the warmer climates of the South, where she can be near the water all summer and miss the snow all winter. Possessed of an overactive imagination from early in her childhood, Michelle finally found an acceptable outlet for her fantastical visions: literary fiction. Having written over a dozen novels, these days Michelle enjoys letting her mind wander to more romantic settings with sexy Southern guys, much like the one she married and the ones you'll find in her latest books. When her thoughts aren't roaming in that direction, she'll be riding horses, swimming in ponds and experiencing life on a ranch, all without leaving the cozy comfort of her office.

Places to find M Leighton:

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