Dangerous Embrace - Book Tour

Sarah Jennings wants nothing more than a quiet life-alone. Raised by an eccentric mother, their life on the road only taught her how to run away from hard times. But when she finds herself in an abusive relationship, this lesson serves her well. 

Now, back in her hometown, she's found a place she loves. She's a first grade teacher, and with few friends and less family around, she has what she wants, a quiet life under the radar where she can be free of her past and live quietly. Finally comfortable in her own skin, she's settled, and less fearful than she's ever been in her life. But it only takes one night and one act of violence for everything to change. Injured and afraid, Sarah wants to run again, but Mark Summors refuses to let her go. Just when Sarah thinks she can have Mark and the life he promises, her past comes back to haunt her. 

Mark Summors was born and raised in Santa Rosa. He married his high school sweetheart and never questioned his life, until he found his wife with another man. Now divorced, he wants something more. He's passionate about his job, he wants to protect people, and he devotes his life to it. This time he's protecting more than just another client, he's protecting his future; at least, Sarah Jennings will be his future, once he convinces her she loves him.

*May Contain Spoilers*

If you're looking for a novel that will touch your heart while forcing you to the edge of your seat, the urge to check over your shoulder a constant companion, then Dangerous Embrace by Dana Mason should be on your TBR list. 

Sarah Jennings hasn't had the easiest life. While growing up, her mother worked in night clubs while her and her brother were kicked to the backseat. She never learned what love felt like. Nor did she understand the meaning of 'home.' As a teenager, Sarah got engaged right out of high school and went through years of domestic abuse - physical, mental, and emotional. When she is nearly beaten to death, Sarah finally gets the nerve to leave while her ex-fiance is in prison. 

Readers will connect with Sarah on a variety of aspects. She's an incredibly strong woman who, literally, fights for the life she wants. She's honest, loving, courageous, and brave even though life keeps giving her a hand full of raw deals. Readers will also empathize with Sarah as well as support her throughout the book which will only bring them closer to this character. 

The plot of the novel is intense, demanding, horrifying, and full of hope. The experiences that Sarah survives through are down right terrifying. Living through a violent relationship is enough to scar anyone, but now Sarah's in the sight of a serial rapist and murderer. I fully respect that Mason did not shy away from being blunt in this novel. Some of the situations call for profanity and obscene descriptions. It's impressive that this didn't deter Mason from writing the book as close to reality as possible. Though, the line of events sometimes seemed unbelievable and over the top. 

Exploring the life of a domestic violence survivor, Dangerous Embrace is a romantic suspense novel that isn't afraid to lay everything on the line for love and life. 

Rating: 4/5 Cups

      
Dangerous Embrace

WWW Wednesday (39)

To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…

• What are you currently reading?

• What did you recently finish reading?

• What do you think you’ll read next?

01. Currently Reading:
Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. Amazing novel/memoir about finding God and how that affects the life we lead. Cannot believe I haven't read this before. Almost finished with it. =)

02. Recently Finished:
Lizzy Speare and the Cursed Tomb by Ally Malinenko. Terrific young adult fantasy novel complete with historical coincidences and mythological creatures. Great book.

03. Reading Next:
Dangerous Embrace by Dana Mason. Third and final book for the In Love With Romance Tour. Review will be posted on Monday, Feb. 11th.

Taking Charge - Book Tour

Is going back Robyn’s only way forward?

American-born Robyn Matthers is going home. With her dad in hospital, his roadhouse in ruins and the ice hockey team slipping down the league, she needs to take charge. But does she have the strength to do it?

Cole Ryan is a hockey player on a personal mission. He’s tall, dark, hot and Robyn’s noticed! But can she trust her feelings - or his? And what will Cole do when he finds out the truth about her?

With an ill father, a trailer trash step-mom and ex-boyfriend Brad desperate for another chance, does Robyn have time to contemplate a relationship? Can she start again? Does she really want to? And can two people really fall in love in three days? - Goodreads

*May Contain Spoilers*

Let me just say this and get it out of the way: This book was beyond amazing! I loved it and couldn't put it down. After all, I started it last night and finished it about ... five minutes ago. I've never read anything by Mandy Baggot before, but wow! I'll have to add her to my list of favorite authors. Especially if all of her books are as great as this one. 

Taking Charge is a novel aptly named. It focuses on Robyn, a young woman who can't seem to run far enough away from her past. So she does the only thing she can: takes charge. And after everything she's been through, readers will have no issues connecting with her, feeling her pain, and hoping that her life will get better. Just her gumption alone will have readers loving her. Even if she talks way too much, is a little snappy, bossy, and over the top. 

But she's also determined, loving, trusting, and laugh-out-loud-hilarious, even with the baggage she carries around. And trust me, it's heavy baggage. I can't tell you how many times I couldn't stop myself from laughing. 

And the love interest. Mr. Cole Ryan, yummy, hockey-playing scientist who wants to find a vaccine for certain cancer types. Well, readers won't have any problem falling for him either. 

The main thing I loved about this novel was the story line. It had so many twists and turns throughout it that will keep readers guessing as to what's going to happen next and to whom it will happen. All characters are set up against different obstacles. It's great to encounter a book where the author makes the supporting character work just as hard as the main characters.

Taking Charge called upon so many different emotions, it's almost unbelievable how believable the book is. I was blinking back tears, laughing out loud, and feeling the anger begin to boil. Baggot really knows how to evoke feeling from her readers, for all of the characters in the book, not just the main cast. Outstanding. Just outstanding. 

Taking Charge 

on Amazon

rating: 5/5 cups

Review Re-Posted for:

The Quintessential Gemini - Book Tour

For twenty-one years, the focus of Katherine Dale's life has been her work. Love interests and hobbies came and went, but what has always been there for her was her nine to five habit. Until she's replaced. With her confidence dented, Katherine is angry at life and at herself.

She's ignored hints of "changes to come" in her horoscope forecasts, written by the wonderful and renowned astrologer, Mark Ainsley-Thomas. Mark is now an "A" list celebrity in the UK and his new Agent is determined to raise his profile in America, so he has to take on the new, but talented, astrologer James Kingman to help him run his web-site.

Katherine lives her life according to her daily horoscope. When Katherine finds James has been writing her daily horoscopes rather than Mark, Katherine's life explodes in confusion and, unexpectedly, love as the three lives become inextricably tangled.

Now Katherine has to learn that the stars might be telling her that love is going to feature in her life, but when Katherine finds herself implicated in the headlines 'Mystic Love Triangle Surprise' she's just as surprised as everyone else! None of the men in her life are love interests - so what exactly does fate have in store?

*May Contain Spoilers*

Linn B. Halton takes astrology to a new romantic level of entertainment with her novel, The Quintessential Gemini. Relying on the perspectives of three characters, this book gives readers a peek at how the stars can predict upcoming life events, with a humorous twist. 

Katherine Dale is the Gemini of discussion as she, religiously, follows her horoscope forecast for everyday life. She's a feisty and passionate character and I think most readers will really enjoy her. They will connect with her based on her desire to open up to others, become more social, and achieve her dream of writing a book. Respect will shortly follow as readers see how hard determined she can be to reach her goals. I find the fact that she heavily relies on her horoscope forecast incredibly quirky, but we all have our odd bits. 

James Kingman is the unexpected love interest of Ms. Dale. He's reliable and very loving, though incredibly unsure of himself with a history of failure (or so he believes). Being on the outside of almost all previous relationships, including his marriage, James isn't the type to go leaping into relationships. Readers will connect with him based on his rocky past, generous nature, and loving spirit. They will also hate his ex-wife. Well done, Halton. 

Mark Ainsley-Thomas is the third point of view that readers will enjoy. He's the character that ties everything together it seems. He is the astrologer that Katherine's been following for more than twenty years and the boss that James works for. Mark is a laid back character to works as a go between/instigator in the novel. His part is wonderful and it's refreshing to see a character who leans back and enjoys his life as he ponders over the lives of others. 

The plot of The Quintessential Gemini was very interesting. It revolves around astrology and I loved how the story aligned with the forecasts. It gives readers a sense of foreshadowing that is fun to play with. The love story between James and Katherine is unique and very cute. 

The entire novel is told in first person and at some points is seems to take away from the story itself. I felt as if I was watching a video of characters telling me the story with flashes of actual footage. Which is a very unique writing technique but I felt the adjustment period diminished the enjoyment of the story. I wanted to see what was happening! Not just hear about it after the fact. 

Regardless of the adjustment period, The Quintessential Gemini was a quirky love story that was written in the stars. Very enjoyable! 

Rating: 3.5/5

The Quintessential Gemini