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Forged in Desire by Brenda Jackson
31 Tuesday Jan 2017
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31 Tuesday Jan 2017
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“All of your ideals, your hopes and dreams…they cease to matter if you abandon them in your darkest hour. We have to see this through to the end.”
Jack McIntyre and Caroline Gerard have never shied away from a challenge. As dual commanders of the American rebel forces, they now face the greatest adversity of their lives. Every decision has permanent consequences. Relationships are tested and restored. Hard truths come to light. When the reality of their situation finally hits them, there is one thing they know for certain.
No sacrifice is too great for love.
It All Ends Here. Their love however will never end.
Let me list my feels to be honest I have so many mixed emotions. I felt distraught, angry, sad, tearful, and joyful and although frightening at times there was so much hope.
“Take miracles when they came, because they’re few and far between.”
Triumph is beautiful, raw, gritty, astonishing, poignant, hopeful and daunting. And of all things emotionally draining. It bled me dry I laughed, I cried, I felt bittersweet. I saw everything that I was meant to see and yet all of it cannot be put into words no matter how hard I try.
My opinion on Caroline varied with each book. There were times where I hated her and I loved her all at the same time. Caroline here is not who she used to be and she still feels that her sanity might snap at any time. But she is a fighter. She is also still easily provoked and doesn’t have a real hold on her temper.
I will repeat myself for the sake of it hands down Monty is one of the best Heroes I have read. His brand of dominance, his complete control his kindness, his tenderness and devotions as well as his unconditional love for Caroline is undeniable.
I will always love you Monty. You are my number one silver fox.
The journey they have been on is hard to describe it is something that needs to be read, experienced. They were different when they met, they grew together as well as the love they had for one another. They were torn apart by extreme circumstances but each helped to put themselves back together again. Together they are sinfully, sexually decadent. More than they used to be, a deeper connection, more intense and knowing more of what they have and what they can lose.
I highlighted so much of this book and have realized that I can’t really use anything of it is an experience you have to go into blind. It is everything I imagined and more.
Although I do have some slight negative points against the book. But the positive far outweigh the negative. But I have the need to mention them anyway.
Personally I found the ending to be somewhat anticlimactic. I really had no idea what to expect it just all felt too smooth for me. But my questions in regards to the ending being too smooth are more about the execution of it. I would have liked to have seen what the Santos administration had done in more detail. I could raise and ethical and maybe even philosophical nature that doesn’t belong here. As it’s a review and not a debate.
I do find the author’s mind truly fascinating and wouldn’t mind picking it apart. Or having a debate with her. Ethical, philosophical or otherwise anything else.
Ms. London is fearless in her writing and it all comes from the heart. Without a shadow of a doubt the determination and love involved in this journey is admirable. The idea to set up this plot now? Foresight might have been involved on her part.
The intellectualism of the book raises it to an epic moral and ethical debate to show how some people are willing to go to the extremes to fight for what is right and what the world in the end can come to if we aren’t careful. If we don’t stand up for our beliefs and values. This series and more specifically this book has earned a part of my mind and heart. See now I have been a tad philosophical here.
I didn’t want to voice this one but in for a penny in for a pound right? It was in some cases too patriotic where some things where I thought wow okay that is putting it on thick.
Parting words: Be vigilant at all times.
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“WOW!! I can’t even put in to words, just WOW!” – 5 star Goodreads Review
“Flawlessly plotted and full of sex and suspense, Pakhan’s Salvation by V.F. Mason was an incredible story that I did not want to end.” – 5 Star Review from Just Let Me Read
Finally, when she was tired of all those voices in her head, she sat down and wrote a book. It was a huge decision to make and she thanks her friends and family for supporting her in it.When she is not writing, she can be found with her friends doing all sorts of crazy things or reading recent romance books that were written by her favorite authors.
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“The Higher Elevation trilogy will delight fans of mystery and romance alike.” ~NYT Bestselling Author Annabel Joseph
Despite her misgivings, she knew she was falling in love with him and that scared the crap out of her. He was complicated, and was probably leaving the state next year, to go back to New York or wherever his career would take him. She could not afford to be distracted and definitely did not want to have her heart broken. And frankly, this psychic thing between them scared her a little, too. Pulling away from him was the sensible thing to do, and only way she could protect herself.
But he kept showing up, and ruining her resolve in the process.
She felt his eyes on her while folding her clothes, but he said nothing. When the task was done, she looked up at him, trying to find a way to get him to leave without hurting his feelings. Instead, he pulled her into his arms and kissed her.
Well, one kiss won’t hurt, but after that, he has to go.
His hands roamed her body, feeling every curve. He wanted to absorb her into his skin, become one with her. Touching her was not enough. He couldn’t find the usual words of protest, did not have the willpower to push her away this time. He knew she wanted to be his, and he wanted to be hers. Logic and reason had no place here, and for the first time, he knew it was meant to be.
She pulled away, her lips swollen and reddish-pink. “Please Zac, let me stay this time. Don’t push me away.”
He responded by flipping her over, onto her back. He laced his hands in hers. “I won’t. I’ll never send you away again.”And then he kissed her, pouring his overflowing feelings into every touch. It was as though a damn had burst, and he surprised himself with how deeply he felt it. But for now, he only wanted to make exquisite love to her, so no matter what happened later, she would never forget him, her first lover.
He pulled her to him, devouring her mouth with his own. Words still weren’t enough, and he needed her like a drug. Her arms came around his neck, and she kissed him back, making a small sound of desire. His arousal became evident and he pressed against her, backing her up against the counter. Her fingers were entwined in his hair. She pulled him to her hard, and he felt her teeth against his tongue. His need for her was crashing over him in tidal-wave fashion, but somewhere in his mind he knew he had to stop. She pulled her lips away from his, her breath ragged.“We have to stop. Sophie…”He was kissing his way down her neck. “I know…God, Sarah, I can’t take it much longer…I need you.”Pushing on his chest with her hands, she brought him back to cold reality. She slipped away from him just as Sophie returned to the kitchen.“Mamma, can I watch cartoons?”As she followed her daughter into the other room, he stood there in the kitchen, still breathing hard. The heat between his legs was dissipating, his heart returning to a normal beat. The craving, the need…that wasn’t going away anytime soon, if ever.
31 Tuesday Jan 2017
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31 Tuesday Jan 2017
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31 Tuesday Jan 2017
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“This book is everything and more then what I expected. Lilly Atlas is such an amazingly talented author. She brings you into this world making you feel as if you are right there in the midst of the No Prisoners.” ~Sister Spot Book Blog
Lilly Atlas is a contemporary romance author, proud Navy wife, and mother of two spunky girls. By day she works as a physical therapist for a hospital in Virginia. Lilly is an avid romance reader, and expects her Kindle to beg for mercy every time she downloads a new eBook. Thankfully, it hasn’t happened yet, and she can often be found absorbed in a good book.
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As the crown prince of Dubreva, Phillip lived a life without regrets. Until now.
Disgraced and humiliated by his very public break-up with his ex- fiancée, Phillip just wants to move on with his life as quietly as a billionaire prince can.
He can’t avoid his duties to his people–but he never expected to be thrown into the path of a beautiful CEO who’s even more famous than he is. And richer. Not to mention, the media empire she built from the ground up is watching his every move.
Lucky for him, she’s not at all interested in helping him find redemption. Then again, Phillip may be falling for her. If only she would stop being such a royal pain.
“…..raw and hit you on a different emotional level.” – 5 Star Reader Review“Well rounded characters and an intriguing plot has me secretly hoping they’ll be more in this world.” – 5 Star Reader Review
“That’s why you’re here,” he confirms.
I nod. “Even though I thought you were the scum of the universe.”
“And now?” he asks.
I blink, considering my words before I speak. “And now?” I echo, wondering exactly what I think. As a journalist, my own words fail me, and I find that I can’t vocalize it, what I think of him now. The silence stretches between us, and I see his pained expression at it.
No, that’s not what I want. Not at all.
In desperation, I lean forward and press my mouth to his.
We’re both unprepared at the passion that flares up between our lips, and I nearly gasp at the heat that warms me up from the inside out. His tongue sweeps my mouth, and I moan against him, not caring what others think when they see me kiss him. His fingers run through my hair as his other hand encircles my waist, holding me to him.
Our breaths entwine, and for one marvelous moment, I wish we were alone so I could see where this takes us. But I know that as soon as it ends, we will both return to reality and embarrassment.
And too soon, he takes a breath, breaking the kiss. I want to cry in disappointment that it was so short-lived. He presses his forehead to mine. Is he breathing harder?
“Should we take this back up to your room?” he asks, his voice rough.
A shiver runs through me as our eyes meet. “Yes.”
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“We should swim,” I blurted. “Liven this party up a bit.” I pulled the hem of my shirt from my pants. “You can’t be serious. We don’t have on suits.” Persephone delicately sipped the hard alcohol in her glass. “Oh, come on. We don’t need suits.” I pulled my dress shirt over my head and kicked off my flip flops. In the heat, I drew the line at dress shoes. My head cocked for Veva to follow my lead. “Follow me,” I urged. Veva’s adamant shaking head fueled my desire to swim. “You wouldn’t,” Veva gasped, as I reached for her. It was all the temptation I needed. I bent and swooped her up at the waist, hoisting her over my shoulder. “Solis!” she screamed, beating my back. The loose, sheer material felt less than paper thin and swished over Veva’s skin at the back of her knees. “Gotta live a little, Veva. That’s what your name means.” “Put me down!” Her hand smacked my ass, and I sprang to life with the delicate sting. “Do you have on underwear?” I groaned, slowing my pace as I neared the pool’s edge. “I don’t see how that’s any of your business,” she yelled with another swat at my lower back. “Put me down.” “What kind of bra do you wear with a dress like this?” I asked, ignoring her plea. As I neared the edge of the pool, I slid her down my body, but not far enough for her feet to reach the ground. Her toes kicked at my shins, but I refused to release her. Her body trapped against mine only reinforced my growing excitement. She squirmed and screamed, but I wanted an answer to my questions. From the feel of those firm globes pressed against my chest, I’d say no bra constricted those precious breasts. My hands slipped under her thighs and she willingly wrapped her legs around my hips in an effort to prevent me from releasing her into the pool. “I’m waiting for an answer,” I teased, hitching her body higher against mine. The thin material was so silky under my hands, if I inched them upward, I’d discover the answer for myself. “I’m warning you. Put. Me. Down.” “Or what?” I threatened playfully. I twisted at the waist, swinging her away from the pool before twisting quickly, motioning as if I’d toss her into the tempting bath water. “Okay,” she screamed. I inched closer to the edge, feeling for the tile with my toes. I balanced on the precipice, knowing Veva did as well. I shifted her away from the water, still holding her under her thighs while her legs clamped around my waist. “So?” “You’ll never find out if I wear underwear or not.” Her threat only encouraged me. I spun, swinging her over the pool’s edge. Only something happened—her weight shifted, and the momentum of the false toss tugged her outward from me. Instinct to protect her kicked in, and I grabbed onto her. We moved in slow motion, her eyes opening wide, as did mine. She fell backward as she held fast to my neck, and I was going down with her. I turned my body, angling to hit the water first, but it didn’t matter. Within seconds, we submerged in the tepid pool. I held onto her and watched as her dress billowed outward in the warm liquid. It rose as we sank and I caught a peek of what I questioned. It was only Veva and I underwater for that moment. Nothing else existed. Nothing else mattered with my arms wrapped around her waist, drawing her close to me. We pushed upward collectively and sprang from the water. I whipped back my hair, noticing Veva’s fell in limp strands over her face. Her make-up trickled down her cheeks. That strange sense of only the two of us in the world surrounded me. There was no sound but our breaths gasping for air. Reaching out to wipe away the unnecessary paint on her face, she swatted at my hand. The moment abruptly burst. “Don’t touch me.” “I’m so sorry, Veva. That wasn’t meant to happen.” “Of course not. Dangling me over a pool, threatening to throw me in because you want to know if I wear underwear, would never lead to me going in the water.” Her sarcasm flowed deeper than the liquid around us. Ignoring her battling hands, I brushed back her hair, wiping down her face to remove the streaks of make-up. I stepped closer to her. “You ruined my dress.” Her hands futilely attempted to pull out the formerly billowing material. In doing so, one strap fell off her shoulder and dropped precariously low, threatening to expose her. I stepped even closer, but Veva stepped back. My eyes drew to her chest. Round, ripe globes outlined in sheer wet fabric highlighted the peachy center. “Veva, I…” “Forget it,” she huffed, smacking the water as she released her dress. “I’m freezing.” She stepped toward the edge of the pool, but I blocked her way. Freezing or not, the wet material enhanced her assets and I didn’t need the whole party to see what I desired. “Just stay put a second.” I muttered, my eyes diverting from her chest, but the force too strong, they roamed back. “Oh, now as if dumping me in here isn’t enough, you want to keep me in the pool. What’s next? Drowning?” “Veva, no, it’s not like that…it’s…Heph?” I called out. His attention hadn’t left the spectacle I’d made, and I motioned for my dress shirt. Not taking my meaning, Persephone brought the shirt to the edge of the pool. Before she reached me, Zeke appeared. “Veva, honey, are you all right?” The concern for our guest weighted heavy in his tone, and on my heart. He’d mysteriously reneged his threat to send me to nowhere Nebraska, but this stunt might spark a new deal. “I’m fine; I just want to get out of here.” She stepped again for the edge of the pool, but I blocked her, turning my back to her to face my father. “If you wouldn’t mind?” I reached upward for my shirt from Persephone, and Zeke stepped back. I turned to face Veva, but Zeke still had the final word. “Meet me in my study. You have some explaining to do, son.” The endearment demeaned more than comforted. I placed a hand on Veva’s upper arm to guide her toward the grand staircase. She shrugged her shoulder, yanking her arm out of my grasp. “I’m so sorry, Veva. But you’re more than cold at the moment, and I need you to put on my shirt.” This direction stopped her, and she looked down at herself before glaring up at me. I held out my button down. “Why? Why cover it all up?” She waved a hand up and down her soaked dress. “First, it’s ruined, and second, isn’t this what you wanted? To embarrass me? Show the party what I had under the dress, which you clearly know now is very little?” She huffed, and my heart sank. Exposing her to the party had not been my intention. I wanted her all to me. “I’ll replace the dress,” I offered, but the words were wrong. She swiped the shirt from my hands and threw it in the water, releasing it to float away from us. “Forget the dress. I just want to get out of here.” She twisted away from me, dragging the water laden fabric of her dress behind her as she walked through the pool. When she reached the edge of the first stair, she stepped upward, took a deep breath and continued forward. Her uptight shoulders and straight back told me—she’d had enough of me. The dress clung to her as she exited the water. There wasn’t a curve to be discovered or a crevice to be hidden. She continued forward, holding ramrod stiff as she regally left the pool. Persephone met her at the water’s edge, arguing she should have taken my shirt, but Veva held up a hand at her friend. Shaking her head, she dismissed Persephone and walked toward the house, letting everyone get a glimpse of what I’d never experience.“We should swim,” I blurted. “Liven this party up a bit.” I pulled the hem of my shirt from my pants.
“You can’t be serious. We don’t have on suits.” Persephone delicately sipped the hard alcohol in her glass.
“Oh, come on. We don’t need suits.” I pulled my dress shirt over my head and kicked off my flip flops. In the heat, I drew the line at dress shoes. My head cocked for Veva to follow my lead.
“Follow me,” I urged. Veva’s adamant shaking head fueled my desire to swim.
“You wouldn’t,” Veva gasped, as I reached for her. It was all the temptation I needed. I bent and swooped her up at the waist, hoisting her over my shoulder.
“Solis!” she screamed, beating my back. The loose, sheer material felt less than paper thin and swished over Veva’s skin at the back of her knees.
“Gotta live a little, Veva. That’s what your name means.”
“Put me down!” Her hand smacked my ass, and I sprang to life with the delicate sting.
“Do you have on underwear?” I groaned, slowing my pace as I neared the pool’s edge.
“I don’t see how that’s any of your business,” she yelled with another swat at my lower back. “Put me down.”
“What kind of bra do you wear with a dress like this?” I asked, ignoring her plea. As I neared the edge of the pool, I slid her down my body, but not far enough for her feet to reach the ground. Her toes kicked at my shins, but I refused to release her. Her body trapped against mine only reinforced my growing excitement. She squirmed and screamed, but I wanted an answer to my questions. From the feel of those firm globes pressed against my chest, I’d say no bra constricted those precious breasts. My hands slipped under her thighs and she willingly wrapped her legs around my hips in an effort to prevent me from releasing her into the pool.
“I’m waiting for an answer,” I teased, hitching her body higher against mine. The thin material was so silky under my hands, if I inched them upward, I’d discover the answer for myself.
“I’m warning you. Put. Me. Down.”
“Or what?” I threatened playfully. I twisted at the waist, swinging her away from the pool before twisting quickly, motioning as if I’d toss her into the tempting bath water.
“Okay,” she screamed. I inched closer to the edge, feeling for the tile with my toes. I balanced on the precipice, knowing Veva did as well. I shifted her away from the water, still holding her under her thighs while her legs clamped around my waist.
“So?”
“You’ll never find out if I wear underwear or not.” Her threat only encouraged me. I spun, swinging her over the pool’s edge. Only something happened—her weight shifted, and the momentum of the false toss tugged her outward from me. Instinct to protect her kicked in, and I grabbed onto her. We moved in slow motion, her eyes opening wide, as did mine. She fell backward as she held fast to my neck, and I was going down with her. I turned my body, angling to hit the water first, but it didn’t matter. Within seconds, we submerged in the tepid pool. I held onto her and watched as her dress billowed outward in the warm liquid. It rose as we sank and I caught a peek of what I questioned.
It was only Veva and I underwater for that moment. Nothing else existed. Nothing else mattered with my arms wrapped around her waist, drawing her close to me. We pushed upward collectively and sprang from the water. I whipped back my hair, noticing Veva’s fell in limp strands over her face. Her make-up trickled down her cheeks. That strange sense of only the two of us in the world surrounded me. There was no sound but our breaths gasping for air. Reaching out to wipe away the unnecessary paint on her face, she swatted at my hand. The moment abruptly burst.
“Don’t touch me.”
“I’m so sorry, Veva. That wasn’t meant to happen.”
“Of course not. Dangling me over a pool, threatening to throw me in because you want to know if I wear underwear, would never lead to me going in the water.” Her sarcasm flowed deeper than the liquid around us. Ignoring her battling hands, I brushed back her hair, wiping down her face to remove the streaks of make-up. I stepped closer to her.
“You ruined my dress.” Her hands futilely attempted to pull out the formerly billowing material. In doing so, one strap fell off her shoulder and dropped precariously low, threatening to expose her. I stepped even closer, but Veva stepped back. My eyes drew to her chest. Round, ripe globes outlined in sheer wet fabric highlighted the peachy center.
“Veva, I…”
“Forget it,” she huffed, smacking the water as she released her dress. “I’m freezing.” She stepped toward the edge of the pool, but I blocked her way. Freezing or not, the wet material enhanced her assets and I didn’t need the whole party to see what I desired.
“Just stay put a second.” I muttered, my eyes diverting from her chest, but the force too strong, they roamed back.
“Oh, now as if dumping me in here isn’t enough, you want to keep me in the pool. What’s next? Drowning?”
“Veva, no, it’s not like that…it’s…Heph?” I called out. His attention hadn’t left the spectacle I’d made, and I motioned for my dress shirt. Not taking my meaning, Persephone brought the shirt to the edge of the pool. Before she reached me, Zeke appeared.
“Veva, honey, are you all right?” The concern for our guest weighted heavy in his tone, and on my heart. He’d mysteriously reneged his threat to send me to nowhere Nebraska, but this stunt might spark a new deal.
“I’m fine; I just want to get out of here.” She stepped again for the edge of the pool, but I blocked her, turning my back to her to face my father.
“If you wouldn’t mind?” I reached upward for my shirt from Persephone, and Zeke stepped back. I turned to face Veva, but Zeke still had the final word.
“Meet me in my study. You have some explaining to do, son.” The endearment demeaned more than comforted. I placed a hand on Veva’s upper arm to guide her toward the grand staircase. She shrugged her shoulder, yanking her arm out of my grasp.
“I’m so sorry, Veva. But you’re more than cold at the moment, and I need you to put on my shirt.” This direction stopped her, and she looked down at herself before glaring up at me. I held out my button down.
“Why? Why cover it all up?” She waved a hand up and down her soaked dress. “First, it’s ruined, and second, isn’t this what you wanted? To embarrass me? Show the party what I had under the dress, which you clearly know now is very little?” She huffed, and my heart sank. Exposing her to the party had not been my intention. I wanted her all to me.
“I’ll replace the dress,” I offered, but the words were wrong. She swiped the shirt from my hands and threw it in the water, releasing it to float away from us.
“Forget the dress. I just want to get out of here.” She twisted away from me, dragging the water laden fabric of her dress behind her as she walked through the pool. When she reached the edge of the first stair, she stepped upward, took a deep breath and continued forward. Her uptight shoulders and straight back told me—she’d had enough of me. The dress clung to her as she exited the water. There wasn’t a curve to be discovered or a crevice to be hidden. She continued forward, holding ramrod stiff as she regally left the pool. Persephone met her at the water’s edge, arguing she should have taken my shirt, but Veva held up a hand at her friend. Shaking her head, she dismissed Persephone and walked toward the house, letting everyone get a glimpse of what I’d never experience.
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“Passionate. Angsty. Mind-blowing. A masterful tale of intrigue, lust, and jaw-dropping sex…Yep. It’s one of my hottest reads this year.” -Ilsa Madden-Mills, Wall Street Journal Best-Selling Author