Weekly Winners

Since I was away at RWA last week, no winners were chosen. Here is a list of winners' from last week and this week.


Danielle
No Strings Attached Poster from Nicolette Day

Lisa
Italian Affair by Annie Seaton

Maureen
Love at High Tide by Christi Barth

Anita
Box of Scotland Goodies from Susana Ellis

Marcy
On Every Street + Sins and Needles by Karina Halle

Anita
The Rogue Steals a Bride by Amelia Grey

Karen
Still Into You by Roni Loren

Barrie Mac
Karen
Protector by Nancy Northcott

Lori
Paradise Valley

May
If the Shoe Fits by Megan Mulry

Kai Wong
Days of Rakes and Roses by Anna Campbell

All winners have been notified via email. Thank you to everyone that stopped by and entered. =)

ARC Review: Midnight Games by Elle Kennedy

MIDNIGHT GAMES is the third installment in Elle Kennedy’s superb Killer Instincts special operations romantic suspense series, and I’ve been eagerly awaiting its release since book #2 came out in February. This series, featuring a cadre of badass former Special Forces operators now working as soldiers-for-hire under the illustrious Jim Morgan and a coven of female assassins and undercover operators headed by the fearsome Noelle, is not for the faint of heart. It deals with hard-hitting topics (human trafficking crops up frequently) and boasts the truly heinous villains and violence/deaths that are such an integral part of spec ops romances, but if you like your romantic suspense gritty, super sexy (Elle also writes erotic romance), somewhat profane, and populated by alpha men and kickass heroines, it’s hard to do much better than these books.

Though MIDNIGHT GAMES could, in principle, be read and enjoyed as a standalone, it is definitely advisable to read the previous two books (MIDNIGHT RESCUE and MIDNIGHT ALIAS) first, as plot threads and characters from the other books play a prominent role. In fact, we first meet hero Trevor Callaghan in book #1, fresh off the murder of his fianceé during a home invasion whilst he was off playing mercenary and completely mired in guilt, with no will to live. Despite only being a secondary character in the first two books, he experiences an incredible amount of growth and healing in those novels; when it’s time for his story in book #3, he’s ready for a second chance at love and willing to go to any lengths to get it. Having seen him at his lowest and knowing the guilt he’s borne for two years, his flaws make him come across as alpha without being excessively autocratic or overbearing (which tends to irk me). But, boy, is the alpha sexy—watching him lose his head over Isabel and go all caveman when another man touches her is ridiculously satisfying. Especially because he’s man enough to realise—and apologise—when he’s being an overprotective ass but can’t seem to help himself. Be still, my heart!

Heroine Isabel Roma is also first introduced in book #1 and plays important roles in both the first and second books of the series. A former Mafia princess and former FBI Special Agent working in the organized crime unit (hello friction with the Family!), Isabel is now a ‘chameleon’—an undercover specialist focusing on reconnaissance and intelligence gathering—in Noelle’s assassin outfit. Totally kickass but a bleeding heart deep inside, she bears the emotional scars of the Mafia upbringing, her imprisoned father’s disdain, and the guilt of every person she has been unable to help, including her mother and brother. She’s incredibly skilled at transforming herself into any one of her many personas and hiding her true self, whom she believes is unworthy of love—but it’s that flawed, vulnerable woman that Trevor wants. Watching a woman who is so self-assured in every other aspect of her life and who could probably kill you without breaking a sweat get flustered by Trevor’s candid pursuit and learn to open up and let him in is both sweet and satisfying. I was rooting for their HEA from the moment the two of them crossed paths in book #1, and though the timing was always off with one or the other, the connection between them is palpable throughout all the books. And when they both decide to stop fighting their attraction, the sexual chemistry is truly scorching.

MIDNIGHT GAMES is a fantastic addition to the series, and definitely recommended for all Killer Instincts fans that have been wanting to see Trevor & Isabel get together from the beginning. In addition to the great primary story, we get treated to more of that superbly written camaraderie between both the men on Morgan’s team (the bromance between Aussie playboy Sullivan Port and movie star handsome Liam Macgregor is hilarious) and the women in Noelle’s assassin team, and some more insight into the animosity between Morgan and Noelle. I cannot wait to see how that develops (my guess is theirs will be the final book in the series), and what is in store for the next book. 2014 feels entirely too far away!

Romantic suspense fans who’ve enjoyed Christy Reece’s Last Chance Rescue series or Cindy Gerard’s Black Ops, Inc. series should definitely give Elle Kennedy’s books a try.

**ARC provided by Publisher**

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

Feature and Giveaway: Forgotten Sins by Rebecca Zanetti

His Secrets Can Destroy Her

From the moment Josie laid eyes on sexy, mysterious Shane Dean, she was in love. Their desire ignited a passionate affair, and within weeks, Shane had slipped a ring on her finger. It seemed her every fantasy was coming true . . . until her new husband disappeared without a trace. Now, two years and one broken heart later, Josie is shocked by the hospital calls: Shane has been found . . . at a crime scene with no memory of how he got there.

Her Love Can Save Him

Shane can't remember the blue-eyed angel at his bedside—or who he even is—but he knows something isn't right. His hearing is razor sharp, his physical strength incredible, and the urge to protect Josie overwhelming. For powerful enemies are hunting him, and Josie is the key to discovering why. As Shane struggles to unravel his past, dangerous new truths come to light. Can he protect the only woman he's ever loved? And can Josie trust a man she thought she knew—one who carries such a deadly secret?

Purchase: | Amazon | Kindle | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | iTunes |

Guest Post with Author M.S. Brannon

Please please welcome author M.S. Brannon to RFTC. M.S. is celebrating the release of her book, Scarred Love and has stopped by to chat.

M.S. Brannon was born and raised in the Midwest. She still resides there today with her wonderful husband and son. When she is not writing or reading, M.S. Brannon spends time with her family, watching movies, and discovering new music. She writes romance because she believes love and heartache is the rawest emotion one can experience.

Places to find MS:

| Site | Facebook | Twitter | 

ARC Review: A Cursed Embrace by Cecy Robson

A Cursed Embrace was not a read for the faint of heart. It’s been a while since an author was able to pull me in and wrap me around the hearts of the main characters. I experienced both the highs and lows as Celia and Aric faced off against their feelings for each other, demon attacks, and various other obstacles thrown at them. I always try my best to avoid spoilers, so I’ll just warn you that if you are like me and get emotionally invested in well written characters...it’s going to be a rollercoaster.

Picking up just a few days after the previous novel, Sealed with a Curse, the Wird sisters are spending time with each other, their love interests, and trying to get back to their not so ordinary...ordinary life. After almost losing their lives fighting to help the Vampire Master Misha save his Family a brief respite is all they’re looking for. Well, except for Taran and Celia who’s Wolves of interest are leaving them in sour moods complete with stretched nerves and in Celia’s case...itchy claws. No word from Aric, Pack Alpha and Celia’s love interest, was truly eating her up and had her questioning whether there’d been anything there at all. Though the stint of silence ends ubruptly as a rather shady were-raccon ends up dead on the Sisters’ front porch.

We find that this occurrence has been linked to several murders in which Aric and his Pack were investigating. The Wolves being severely protective over the sisters decide that it is time for them to stick close and make sure those they care for are kept safe. Though, it isn’t just the Wolves who’ve decided it their responsibility to take care of the girls...but Misha and the local Vampire Family stand more than ready to take things into their own hands if the situation grows to require it. At this point in the story it became clear that there is a slight love triangle between Aric, Celia, and Misha. As far as triangles go however this one doesn’t stay staring you in the face through the entire book.

From this moment on the book picks up pace as danger and demons lash out at the gifted gals working to capture, use and abuse them for nefarious plans to wreak havoc on the world at large. With both Family and Pack at their sides they face each obstacle with strength, courage, and concern for their family and friends. I read this book in one sitting and though the ending left me with little closure, it surely had me itching to get my hands on the next installment. Also, I’m looking forward to reading the first book so that I can learn how this series began, how the characters I’ve grown to care for came together, and basically just have the opportunity to spend a little more time in the world Robson created.

If you are a fan of Urban Fantasy loaded with action, alpha males and kick butt females, and enough emotional turmoil for any romance junkie to sink their teeth into I suggest you pick up this title.

**ARC provided by Publisher**

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