Interview with Author Alissa Johnson and Giveaway

Meet Alissa Johnson author of A Talent for Trickery.

Alissa Johnson is a RITA-nominated author of historical romance. She grew up on Air Force bases and attended St. Olaf College in Minnesota. She currently resides in the Arkansan Ozarks where she spends her free time keeping her Aussie dog busy, visiting with family, and dabbling in archery.

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Review: Here With Me by Heidi McLaughlin

I am pretty late to the party when it comes to The Archer Brothers series by Heidi McLaughlin. Here With Me has been out for quite awhile, but it was one of those books that I just wasn't ready for. At first, I was waiting since I knew it ended with a cliffhanger and I wanted to make sure that I could read it back to back. I knew that this one was a love triangle that was bound to be filled with angst and I needed to know that I could immediately dive into the next one. Once the second book was released though, I just wasn't ready for some reason and these books got put on the back burner. After a recent discussion I saw on facebook about them though, I figured it was finally time to dive in and just go with it, especially since I have been in a military book mood after reading a really great one. I am so glad that I read this one, though I will admit that it wasn't easy. This book is an emotional read, and I think that it is one that will definitely bring out strong feelings in everyone who reads it. I already can't wait to start Choose Me to see what happens next! 

Ryley Clarke grew up in a military family and knew everything that went along with that. So when her fiance and his twin brother told her that they were joining the military, she supported them instantly. But when she was told that her fiance Evan was killed on a mission while she was home pregnant with their son, her life fell apart. Though reluctant at first, Ryley was eventually able to begin the process of moving on as Evan's twin brother Nate helped fill the void that Evan had left behind. Now six years after losing Evan, Ryley and Nate are engaged and set to marry within a few weeks time. But when Ryley returns home one day and finds Evan waiting for her on her porch, her whole life is once again thrown for a loop. Evan had thought his fiance and son were at home waiting for him to return, but when he sees the shock on Ryley's face he knows that things aren't adding up. Now Evan and Ryley must try to figure out what happened and why nothing is as they thought it was. Evan is determined to win Ryley back as he knows that they belong together, but Ryley knows that things aren't that simple. 

My heart literally broke for these characters and the impossible situation that they found themselves in. As more and more was revealed about the six years they were apart, I found myself wondering what was really going on just as they were. I wanted answers and I wanted those responsible to pay. I was firmly team Evan here, despite the fact that Nate was a good guy that had helped Ryley in her time of need. Nate was great and I really think that he deserves a happy ending as well, but I thought that the connection that Evan and Ryley shared was beyond what she could ever have with Nate. Part of that was because this book focused on Evan's return and we got to see so much of their past and how they fell in love. But I also just felt like the bond that was between Ryley and Evan was one that is rare and special, and only exists between those that are soul mates meant to spend their lives together. The heat and chemistry between them had clearly never gone away, but I really loved how it was dealt with here. We got to see them reconnecting and yet it was handled delicately and with as much respect as possible considering the situation they were in.

I was captivated right from the start of Here With Me, and I couldn't put this one down. There were a few times that I was frustrated with the characters here, but I kept thinking about the situation they were all in and it was easy to see how difficult it would be on everyone involved. The ending was a bit tough as it was clear that there is so much pain and hurt coming, and it made me really stop to think about not just Evan and Ryley, but also Nate. Though I am still firmly team Evan, Nate has definitely found his way into my heart as well and I don't want to see him hurt either. I really think that Evan and Ryley should end up together, and I loved seeing Evan bond with EJ and Ryley here. But I also want Nate to end up in a good place and get his own HEA. I can't wait to read Choose Me to hopefully get the ending they all deserve and I am dying to know what happened with the mission that took Evan away from his family and Ryley. This is definitely a book that I would recommend, and I think that readers should keep an open mind when starting. The circumstances here are hard to believe and the love triangle with twin brothers is one that could keep potential readers from giving this one a shot, but I do think that this is worth the read and Heidi McLaughlin is a great writer that I have faith will do justice to all those involved.

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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: Something Precious by M. Clarke

Something Precious is the sequel to Something Amazing by M. Clarke. This series is a spin-off from her Something Great series and while you do not need to have read the Something Great series to enjoy Something Precious, you do need to have read Something Amazing as it picks up after that book and follows the same characters. I was so excited when I found out that Jax, Jace and Rachel were getting another book! These are some of my favorite characters and I just loved them in SA. This one was tough at times to get through and I hated all the rough times that they had to experience. But I absolutely adore these characters and I was so glad to get more of them that it made every bit of struggle worth it! 

Jax and Rachel are engaged and preparing for their upcoming wedding. Everything is going great and they love being a family. But when Jax's ex Chloe shows back up wanting to spend more time with her son Jace, old issues start to reappear. Not only does Chloe want to be around Jace, but she wants her family back, Jax included. To make matters worse, Rachel's high school crush shows up as well wanting a chance that he never took with Rachel back when they were kids. When Chloe proclaims to be pregnant with Jax's baby, Rachel is left wondering if their relationship is strong enough to endure the constant obstacles thrown in their way.

I love these characters so much. Jax and Rachel are absolutely perfect together, and their connection was as strong as ever here. Unfortunately there were so many outside forces trying to mess with their relationship and that made each of them question each other at times. While their bond had never gone away, I really hated seeing them begin to wonder about what the other was thinking or feeling. While they might have known deep down that they were solid, it is hard to dig deep when everything in front of you says something different. The one thing that never changed though was the love they had for each other and their smoking hot chemistry.

Overall, this book had a ton of drama and there was a lot going on. I will admit that it was very frustrating at times and I seriously hate Chloe. I have to say though that I wasn't the happiest with Jax here either. While I understood what he was ultimately thinking and trying to do, I felt like he should have known better. The fact that he let things get as out of control as he did and let it go on for as long as it did was pretty troubling to me. It seemed like he wasn't really thinking about Rachel's feelings or well being at times and that wasn't okay with me. I know he apologized and she forgave him pretty easily, but I didn't like that it kept happening and that she let it go as easily as she did. I did love Jax, Jace, and Rachel as a family though and it was so good to see the love that they shared. These three were absolutely adorable together and I couldn't get enough of them. I am really excited to know that M. Clarke is planning to write a few more spin-offs about Jax's friends. M. Clarke is a great writer and her stories are always filled with amazing characters that you can't help but fall in love with. I highly recommend her books if you haven't read them before and if you are a fan of Something Amazing or the Something Great series, Something Precious is a must read!

**ARC Provided by TRSOR Promotions**

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Feature and Giveaway: No Groom at the Inn by Megan Frampton

In this Dukes Behaving Badly holiday novella, a young lady entertains a sudden proposal of marriage-to a man she’s only just met.

What does a lady do when a man she’s never seen before offers his hand in marriage? Lady Sophronia Bettesford doesn’t scream and run away. Instead, she accepts the shocking proposition. After all, what’s her other choice? To live with her cousin, caring for six children and a barnyard full of chickens?

James Archer has roamed the world, determined never to settle down. He’s faced danger and disaster…he fears nothing and no one except his mother and her matchmaking ways. So when ordered to attend a Christmastime house party filled with holiday cheer and simpering young misses, he produces a fiancée!

Sophronia and James vow to pretend to be in love for one month. But when they each promise to give each other a Christmas kiss it becomes clear that this pact made out of necessity might just be turning into love.

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