ARC Review: Takeover by Anna Zabo

Takeover is the first book that I have read by Anna Zabo, but I was really intrigued by the cover and blurb. I loved the idea of a one night stand turning into more when the main characters unexpectedly reunite. I liked Michael and Sam both, but I did have a bit of a tough time with this story. While the characters were great, I felt like it was the story itself that I had problems connecting with.

While on vacation in Curacao, Michael Sebastian is looking to unwind with a little fun between the sheets. But on his last night there, he still hasn't found anyone that he is interested in. Then Sam Anderson walks into the bar, and Michael knows he is exactly what he has been waiting for. Sam's tension is clear, and Michael knows that he can be the one to remove the suit and help Sam release all that tension. Their night together ends up meaning more than either of them expected, and they are both left feeling a connection and passion unlike anything they have felt before. But one night is all they can have and Michael leaves to return home. But when Michael returns to work, he quickly finds that his struggling company has hired none other than Sam to be their new CEO. While Michael and Sam both want more time together, they know that they need to keep things professional. But what they know and want are two very different things, and before long they are unable to stay away from one another. But with Michael refusing to be involved with someone in the closet ever again and Sam's fear of that knowledge ending his career, how can they ever hope to have any kind of future together?

I really liked both Sam and Michael. Sam was not your typical executive, and I really loved that about him. He looked the part, but he was willing to listen to his employees and would stand up for them when needed. He might have been about authority and control at work, but with Michael he relinquished that and handed it all over. He could really be his true self with Michael, and I loved watching him explore his desires and the passion that he had always fantasized about but never practiced. Michael was great as well. He was the easy going guy at work that everyone looked up to and relied on. He was loyal and kind. But in the bedroom he was after control. While he was domineering and took that seriously, he wasn't arrogant or mean about it. He wanted to give and receive pleasure, but he always cared for Sam and made sure not to take things too far or hurt him. I thought that Sam and Michael had great chemistry, and I liked the ease to their relationship. I thought that they really connected on every level and I enjoyed seeing them get to know one another and fall in love.

My problem with this book was that I felt like the story got too bogged down with all the work details at times, and I found myself losing interest. I understand needing part of that for the story, but at times I felt we got much more of it than we needed and I found it boring. I kept wanting to skim large portions of the story and get back to more of Michael and Sam. I almost felt like at times they weren't the focus of the story, but rather a side plot that was meant to round out the story of the problems with the business and those involved. I would have liked to have seen more interactions between Michael and Sam, especially after the ending. I wanted to see how they moved forward together, and adjusted to life in a relationship where they were out and able to be seen together. While this wasn't a bad book and I liked Michael and Sam, I had been hoping for more and it wasn't what I had been expecting. If you don't mind a romance where the relationship isn't the main focus, I would say you might give this one a shot. But if you are looking for one that has the characters and their relationship as the priority, this one might not be for you.

**ARC Provided by Publisher**

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ARC Review: Fly by T.A. Foster

I have become a huge fan of T.A. Foster's after having read several of her books now. She always delivers a sweet story that I know will leave me feeling happy and satisfied with the outcome. I can honestly say though that I have been super excited ever since I first heard about Fly, because there is just something sexy about a pilot! I ended up really enjoying this book, and it is definitely one of my favorites of T.A. Foster's to date. 

Skye Stephens is a workaholic who just had all the credit for a job well done taken from her. When her work friend suggests that they go and get a drink to get over it, Skye is at first reluctant but ends up agreeing. When her friend winds up sick and stands her up though, a sexy stranger swoops in a rescues her. They immediately hit it off and end up deciding to spend the night together. At first, the night seems to be typical for fighter pilot Ben "Bolt" Hardcastle. But when they find out that neither of them has a condom they end up spending the night just hanging out together. Ben is used to one night only, but with Skye he finds himself wanting more. They end up seeing each other more and more as both of them feel a connection unlike anything they have felt before. But Skye has a rule that she doesn't sleep with anyone until they have been together for at least a month, and she isn't convinced that Ben will wait around that long. Ben finds himself unable to stay away though, and soon he is actually thinking about a future with just one girl as long as it is Skye. But with his 6 month deployment coming up, can they really have any kind of future together when their relationship is so new?

I really liked Ben. He was sexy and sweet, and I really thought that he was great for Skye. He loosened her up and showed her how to really live and not just work all the time. I loved that even when he screwed up he wasn't afraid to admit that he had made a mistake and do what it took to show Skye that he wanted her. He waited for her, and he showed that their relationship was about more than just sex. I also really liked what a great friend he was and that he looked out for his friend's girl because he wasn't around anymore. I thought that he was really more than met the eye, and it was good to see him start to really allow himself to be happy and hope for the future with Skye. Skye was smart and dedicated, but she definitely worked too hard. She had been used to putting everything into her career and it was really great to see her start to enjoy life with Ben. I thought that they were perfect for each other, and I loved that they had the chemistry but also the everyday sweetness to them as well. I liked that they were playful and fun together, and it was really cute to see them on their dates and enjoying each other's company.

Overall, this book was definitely another winner from T.A. Foster. I enjoyed it a lot and I think it was definitely one of my favorites of hers. Ben and Skye were so fun to read about, but I also really enjoyed Ben's Friends as well! I especially loved Hollywood and I really liked the banter between those two. If you haven't read anything by T.A. Foster, you are really missing out. I love her writing style, and she always delivers a solid and entertaining story. Fly was no exception and I would absolutely recommend it if you are looking for a sweet and sexy contemporary read. I can't wait to see what T.A. Foster comes up with next.

**ARC Provided by Inkslinger PR**

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Interview with Author Chelsea Fine and Giveaway

Meet Chelsea Fine, author of The Right Kind of Wrong.

Chelsea lives in Phoenix, Arizona, where she spends most of her time writing stories, painting murals, and avoiding housework at all costs. She's ridiculously bad at doing dishes and claims to be allergic to laundry. Her obsessions include: superheroes, coffee, sleeping-in, and crazy socks. She lives with her husband and two children, who graciously tolerate her inability to resist teenage drama on TV and her complete lack of skill in the kitchen.

Find Chelsea at:

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Feature and Giveaway: Beauty and the Brit by Lizbeth Selvig

Tough and self-reliant Rio Montoya has looked after her two siblings for most of their lives. But when a gang leader makes threats against her sister Bonnie, even Rio isn't prepared for the storm that could destroy her family. When their dreams are shattered in one dangerous moment, Rio seeks refuge for them all at a peaceful horse farm in the small town of Kennison Falls, Minnesota.

Rio should feel safe in Kennison Falls, but her budding romance with the stable's owner, handsome British ex-pat David Pitts-Matherson, feels as dangerous as her past. The incredibly sexy David is as far from her type as any man could get, yet he tempts Rio in a way she never expected. But Rio knows that her time in Kennison Falls is limited, that her family is still in danger, and that she and David come from completely different worlds–a recipe for disaster.

David has his own secrets, and even the sparks he feels flying with the fiery and beautiful Rio may not be enough for him to let her into his heart. Can the beauty and the Brit ever find common ground? Or will their pasts stand in the way of true love?

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Guest Post with Author Anna Zabo

Meet Anna Zabo, author of Takeover.

Anna Zabo writes contemporary and paranormal romance for all colors of the rainbow. She lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, which isn’t nearly as boring as most people think.

She has an MFA in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University, where she fell in with a roving band of romance writers and never looked back. She also has a BA in Creative Writing from Carnegie Mellon University.

Find Anna at:

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