Friday, October 16, 2015

Review: Tales of the Fifth Guardian; Book Six: Thoran

Tales of the Fifth Guardian; Book Six: Thoran Tales of the Fifth Guardian; Book Six: Thoran by C.M. Johnson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

*I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
Book 6 was full of action and betrayal. We get to see things from many different points of view in this book. Edward and Johnathon even get their own chapters. It was a great insight into their point of view that I loved seeing. Several bad things happen but a lot of big good things as well. It was definitely a book right on par with the rest of the series! 5 STARS!

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Tuesday, October 13, 2015

Review: Tales of the Fifth Guardian; Book Five: Ascension

*OMG! This was a tear jerker! A must read!

Tales of the Fifth Guardian; Book Five: Ascension Tales of the Fifth Guardian; Book Five: Ascension by C.M. Johnson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

*I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
We made it!! If you're anything like me, then you've been waiting to get to the book where the memory blocks fall and they reach ascension. Well, I'm happy to tell you that this is the book! I was so excited to find out what all was hidden behind the memory blocks and see if my hunch was right. The only spoilery thing I will say is...have a tissue or 2 next to you before you get into this book. You will need it! As always, the writing was fabulous. 5 STARS!

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Saturday, October 10, 2015

Review: Tales of the Fifth Guardian; Book Four: Roderick

Tales of the Fifth Guardian; Book Four: Roderick Tales of the Fifth Guardian; Book Four: Roderick by C.M. Johnson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

*I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
Whew! Book 4 was a roller coaster ride! Here we have the kidnapping and time spent with Roderick that Keri saw before their birthdays. It was a very emotional and dark time. There was a time or two where my stomach turned a bit at the torture session but...it was a torture session so that's to be expected. Other than that, I thoroughly enjoyed the book. There were a few times where I literally cracked up laughing too. It was great. I am amazed at C.M. Johnson's ability to flip from at gruesome torture to a light hearted conversation. 5 STARS.

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Wednesday, October 7, 2015

Review: Tales of the Fifth Guardian; Book Three: Taken

Tales of the Fifth Guardian; Book Three: Taken Tales of the Fifth Guardian; Book Three: Taken by C.M. Johnson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

*I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
I just finished book 3 and am so excited! I have not been able to put this series down since I started. I literally have not read ANYTHING else but these books from the first minute I turned on book 1 and I don't mind a bit. I absolutely love this series!! Here in book 3, we spend the majority of it in Richard's care. As in Keri's vision, it is different than the last time. Things are way different then her being used and abused! Now this installment is the longest of the books so far, but there is so much going on that I didn't notice the extra length in a bad way. I was glad to spend more time in the Guardian world. There are a few surprises in book 3 that are very exciting as well! I can't wait for you to read this book so you can be as thrilled as I am. Absolutely 5 STARS!

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Sunday, October 4, 2015

Review: Tales of the Fifth Guardian; Book Two: Bonded

Tales of the Fifth Guardian; Book Two: Bonded Tales of the Fifth Guardian; Book Two: Bonded by C.M. Johnson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

*I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
Book 2 in the Guardian series was great! Things get a bit darker but also a bit happier in this book. I know that is contradictory but it's true. Things are changing for Keri and her gang, I can't wait to find out what will happen on the dates she specifies. I'm not good with secrets so I get as frustrated as Kerreth in wanting to know! But I know that all will be revealed in time. If you enjoyed book 1 at all, then you will definitely love this one. If you have NOT read book 1, don't start here...go back and get the 1st book because you need the information in there to make things make sense. Another 5 STARS for Johnson!

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Friday, October 2, 2015

Review: Tales of the Fifth Guardian; Book One: The Beginning

*I am reviewing this entire series, which has 8 books to date. The reviews will be here in order and will continue as I get through the books. This series is absolutely amazing! I highly suggest these books!!! <3

Tales of the Fifth Guardian; Book One: The Beginning Tales of the Fifth Guardian; Book One: The Beginning by C.M. Johnson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
WOW! This is the 1st in the Guardian series and oh my word, what a start! We get to meet everyone in this book and get some background on the situation. I know some people don't like background information in books, but trust me you have to have it in this one. This is not a book you can just casually read...you have to pay attention. Without the background information, I would've been lost. Johnson has created a whole new world, along with its own language (there's a dictionary at the back). I didn't use the dictionary because the characters do go on to explain whatever was said and I just went with that. The writing in this book was amazing! I seriously couldn't put it down. I chose to lose sleep rather than stop reading this piece of art. It was amazing. I know I'm saying "amazing" a lot, but I can't convey just how great this book is without using it. I know that I'm going to start book 2 right away. If you like any type of mental abilities or fantasy, or even romance then you will love this book! 5 STARS!

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Thursday, October 1, 2015

Review: Vanished

Vanished Vanished by Kimberly Readnour
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

*I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
I was lucky enough to get an advanced copy of this book and...Finally!! We made it to book 3! We ended book 2 at a VERY interesting place and thankfully book 3 picks up right there. Heather gets herself into a very weird and uncomfortable position this time around. She has to help solve a case that becomes very near and dear to her heart. This case though, it comes about in an incomprehensible situation. I literally had my jaw on the floor when I figured out what was going on! Very good story line and writing flow again Kimberly. I seriously wish I could give this book more than 5 STARS!

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Review: Blind Trust

Blind Trust Blind Trust by Peiri Ann
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

*I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
When I was asked to review this book, I wasn't too sure what I was going to think about it but I am very glad I was given this chance! There are so many twists and turns that I almost had whiplash at times. It's not common at all for me to be completely caught off guard for almost the entire book! It was awesome. There was a constant "who's who" and "are you freaking serious?!" conversation that played out in my head. Major brownie points to you Peri Ann for that ability!! 5 SHINY STARS!

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Wednesday, September 9, 2015

Review~ Deceptions by Kimberly Readnour

Deceptions Deceptions by Kimberly Readnour
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Deceptions is book 2 of the Mystical Encounter Series. It picks up right where book 1 left us at and continues with the story and the same gang of people. The visions gets more intense and costly in this installment though. We have heartbreak, new love, deception (obviously), and forgiveness. The emotions in this book are everywhere and oh boy does Kimberly Readnour make sure that you feel every single one of them as well! I can't count how many times my eyes teared up or my heart was pounding with nervous energy. Things do work out, some in surprising ways and others the way that I hoped they would. Of course, there's a huge kicker as well that has me starting book 3 immediately!! 5 STARS

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Tuesday, September 8, 2015

Review: Forced Autonomy, Phase 3 by Lila Felix

Forced Autonomy, Phase 3 Forced Autonomy, Phase 3 by Lila Felix
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Ok, here we are at book 3 and oh boy how things have changed! Petra, Law, Creek, Lauren, Leah, and Shep have some BIG issues that come up in this installment. If we thought things were a bit shady in Phase 2, I was taken aback with the new information I received in Phase 3. Things have taken a new turn and are getting really interesting! Again though, there were some smaller editing errors. The errors aren't anything that will make you stop reading, just annoying to me. I hope that Lila Felix can have an editor run through the books or a beat reader to help her with these. Despite the errors, this installment is definitely a 4 STAR book.

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Monday, September 7, 2015

Review: Forced Autonomy, Phase 2 by Lila Felix

Forced Autonomy, Phase 2 Forced Autonomy, Phase 2 by Lila Felix
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Phase 2 in this serial was pretty much on par with the first one. Petra and Law had some new issues that came up and it will be interesting to see how that goes since it ends on another cliffhanger! Thankfully the books are out and I don't have to wait to find out. Odin is getting more and more suspicious too...I'm not sure what is going to end up happening here. Again, as in the first book there were some typos, but nothing that screws up your read. The flow and writing were both on the same level as book 1. Another 3.5 book.

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Sunday, September 6, 2015

Review~ Forced Autonomy, Phase 1 by Lila Felix

Forced Autonomy, Phase 1 Forced Autonomy, Phase 1 by Lila Felix
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is book 1 in the serial Forced Autonomy an it's pretty good. The world has been flipped on its head and now is a place that is unrecognizable. We meet Petra as she gets a second chance at life. Things are not always what they seem in this world though. Petra meets someone from her past and at first I was excited...I'm not sure what's going on now. Law is great! There's something about Petra that Law craves like never before. The writing in Forced Autonomy is pretty decent. I did find some typos but nothing so bad that it takes you from the book. There is a pretty darn huge cliffhanger at the end though! Good thing that I already have the next books! 3.5 STARS

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Saturday, September 5, 2015

Review~ No Good Deed by M.P. McDonald

No Good Deed No Good Deed by M.P. McDonald
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book was amazing! I love crime books, and this one was so great. There were several and I mean SEVERAL parts where I was a bit taken aback by how graphic some situations were, but I knew this going in so I was expecting it. I just wanted to mention it so that you were aware of it beforehand. This isn't your every day "coated in sugar" crime novel...this is the "nitty gritty" kind. You see what goes on. The storyline was great, the imagery was spectacular, and the narration was on point! I would not change a single thing about this entire book if given the chance. 5 STARS!

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Friday, September 4, 2015

Review: Never Said by Carol Lynch Williams

Never Said Never Said by Carol Lynch Williams
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

*I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
Never Said is a young adult book about twin sisters and a drastic week in their lives. They are complete opposites at first; Annie is the favorite while Sarah tends to stay to the background a bit like she is the fiddle player to her sister’s tune. The sisters do not stay as opposites though as some dramatic changes are happening in the household. The situations definitely draw the girls closer together, more like what we all have preconceived notions of twins. With the situations that are going on in Never Said, I think that every pre-teen needs to read or listen to this story. It is a touching story that makes you think about your own children and what they aren’t telling you. Both the storyline and narration had a great flow to it, and the narrator has a good talent to bounce back and forth with the point of views in the story. I like that! 4.5 STARS for Never Said!!


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Thursday, September 3, 2015

Review/Tour~ Forever Marked by Lady J



Forever Marked
by Lady J


SYNOPSIS

If you were a marked woman, how far would you run?

At only 23 years old, Ellora's life is turned upside down. She captures the unwanted attention of a dangerously ruthless man, who'll stop at nothing until he possesses her. Haunted by nightmares of the brutal attack she survived, Ellora flees the country desperate to hide. But, the longer she runs the deeper his obsession grows.

Behr is a hard working bachelor who's life is stuck on repeat. Every single day is filled with the same people, and the same routine. That is, until a beautiful stranger stumbles into the local pub and into his heart. Even though he's immediately drawn to her raven black hair and deep green eyes... he knows she's hiding a secret. One he's determined to uncover.


Can Ellora stay safe in this small harbor town?

Or

Has the twisted game of cat and mouse, just begun?




MY THOUGHTS

I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO RECEIVE A COPY OF THIS BOOK TO REVIEW FOR THIS TOUR, AND FOR THAT...I AM DEFINITELY GREAT FULL! THIS STORY IS FOCUSED ON ELLORA. SHE IS AN AWESOME GIRL WHO CAN DEFINETELY HOLD HER OWN. TAKING A JOURNEY WITH HER ACROSS THE WORLD, INTO A NEW PLACE, WITH ONLY WHAT SHE HAS ONE HER BACK AND IN HER LUGGAGE DEFINITELY KEPT ME INTRIGUED. MEETING EVERYONE IN THIS NEW PLACE AND FALLING IN LOVE WITH THEM WAS AMAZING. THERE REALLY ARE STILL GREAT COMMUNITIES OUT THERE! I DON'T CARE IF IT IS A BOOK, I WANT TO GO THERE AND HANG WITH EVERYONE LOL. LADY J, YOU HAD MY HEART RACING IN SO MANY PLACES IN THIS STORY GIRL. IT WAS PERFECT. THERE WAS ADRENALINE IN SOME, ROMANCE IN OTHERS, AND EXCITEMENT FOR "FAMILY" THROUGHOUT. I CANNOT WAIT FOR BOOK 2!! A FULL 5 STARS!

EXCERPT

Ellora raced down the hallway as fast as her legs could carry her. Dread gripped her when she
heard his heavy footsteps pounding on the hardwood floors behind her. His powerful presence echoed around the eerily empty house. It didn't matter how fast she ran, he was always right on her heels. Ellora quaked violently when she made it to the stairs. If she couldn't make it out of there, she'd never survive. Reaching out, Ellora gripped the railing with both hands and used the leverage to fly down the steps. She skipped so many at a time, it felt like flying. He thundered down the steps, after her. The smell of his rancid panting, snaked its way over her shoulder. The stench stung her nose. Ellora risked looking back. His large black eyes, vicious with a murderous rage she didn’t understand, were only a few feet behind her. He was close enough to grab her. Oh. My God, this is it. He reached out... and she lunged, taking a giant leap before she got to the last three steps. She successfully made it over the carpeted runner at the bottom. Her ankles stung as she landed hard, on her bare feet. Easily ignoring the pain, Ellora sprinted to the front door. She heard him land on the runner and crashed to the floor, as it slipped out from under him. Shaking, she fumbled with clumsy fingers, trying to unlock the deadbolt and door knob lock.

After several slips from her bloodied hands, she finally heaved open the door. She skidded on her own blood, which was trickling down her legs and pooling onto the floor. The cool air rushed in, sobering her. Chills raised goosebumps on her skin as she dashed out the door. Ellora looked back to make sure he wasn’t behind her. This action caused her to lose her balance, tripping down the driveway and crashing right into the car. She remembered leaving her it unlocked, so she wrenched it open and jumped inside. She immediately locked the doors in record speed. It took only a moment for her to get a grip on her debilitating panic. She frantically searched her pockets for the car keys. First the front, then the back. Ellora froze. A devastating hopelessness made her stomach drop when she realized that she left the keys in the house. She hung her head in defeat… BANG! BANG! BANG! The sudden violent pounding sent Ellora shooting out of her seat, frightened to death as he pulverized the glass window with his fists. He stopped his onslaught abruptly and pressed his face against the window. His disturbing eyes and malicious sneer held her captive. He lifted his hand presenting a set of keys and shook them. ‘NO!’



MEET THE AUTHOR

I grew up in Upstate NY, but my heart belongs in Arizona. If given the chance, I'd gladly trade in frost burn, for sun burn!  I speak in movie quotes ALL the time. Seriously, it might be considered a sickness by now ;) I absolutely love the sound of others laughing. So I'll try to get you to do just that!

I love coffee, peanut butter cups, and OF COURSE reading.  I grew up causing all kinds of trouble with my twin sister/partner in crime.  My wild over-exaggerated story telling grew, along with my love for reading. With the support of my hubby and the encouragement of my womb mate, I put pen to paper, and let my imagination take over.

I am an author currently working on the release of my debut novel. Forever Marked is a romantic suspense, and the first book in a series. I enjoy reading all genres. Paranormal, thriller, romantic suspense, dystopian.... You name it!

Lady J on Facebook:  FACEBOOK
Forever Marked on Goodreads:  GOODREADS








Review: Finding Dandelion by Lex Martin

Finding Dandelion Finding Dandelion by Lex Martin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

*I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
Finding Dandelion is book 2 in the series and is Jax and Dani’s turn for the spotlight. In this installment, we get back to a lot of the same friends that we know and love from Dearest Clementine. We also get closer to some of the background characters, including Darrin. Finding Dandelion has the fun, college atmosphere filled with young love, drama, easy emotions and all the things that we tend to lose the older we get. I think the story line was just as good here as in book 1. The only reason that I don’t give this book 4.5 stars is due to the narration. It is a dual narrated book, which I love, but the male narrator just didn’t do it for me. He wasn’t a bad narrator, far from it actually, but it sounded like maybe he had a cold or something? I’m not entirely sure what it was, but there was something that just didn’t sit right. The female narration was great like the authors’ work, so overall I give 4 SOLID STARS.


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Wednesday, September 2, 2015

Review: Pocketful of Sand by M. Leighton

Pocketful of Sand Pocketful of Sand by M. Leighton
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

*I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
I listened to this right after Strong Enough by M. Leighton, so I had Leighton books back to back. This was not a bad thing at all. I was able to see some of the variety that she has the ability to write. It is always nice to see that an author can go in multiple directions. Pocketful of Sand’s synopsis mentions that this is an epic love story, and is sure is! This isn’t your typical romance novel where everything just clicks into place and everything is peachy. It is not a light-hearted, feel good type of book. Pocketful of Sand is as real of a love story as you can get! In this story, there are situations that are hard to read/listen to and even harder to live. People do have to live through situations like this though, so as hard as it was to listen to them, they were as real as you can get in a book. The story line was very good and the dual narration was great. Anyone who knows me and my audiobooks, knows that I love multi-narration audio, especially if done well. I know that anyone who gives this book a shot, and can take the rough situations for what they are, will love it! I give this book 5 SHINY STARS!!


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Tuesday, September 1, 2015

Review: Strong Enough by M. Leighton

Strong Enough Strong Enough by M. Leighton
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

*I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
I received this in audio format and loved it, especially since it’s dual narration. Strong Enough is book 1 of the series and definitely sets a good foundation for the rest to come behind. Learning about Muse and her trying to find her dad but finding Jasper first was definitely interesting! Jasper has his own agenda to follow, but will it get in the way? Strong Enough has enough suspense, romance, and intrigue to keep you going on until the end, and it leaves you wanting even more. This is absolutely not a one-time read/listen for me. I will be keeping an eye out for the rest of the series on audio. 4.5 STARS!


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Friday, August 28, 2015

Cover Reveal~Forever Marked by Lady J



Forever Marked
 BY Lady J

SYNOPSIS

If you were a marked woman, how far would you run?

At only 23 years old, Ellora's life is turned upside down. She captures the unwanted attention of a dangerously ruthless man, who'll stop at nothing until he possesses her. Haunted by nightmares of the brutal attack she survived, Ellora flees the country desperate to hide. But, the longer she runs the deeper his obsession grows.

Behr is a hard working bachelor who's life is stuck on repeat. Every single day is filled with the same people, and the same routine. That is, until a beautiful stranger stumbles into the local pub and into his heart. Even though he's immediately drawn to her raven black hair and deep green eyes... he knows she's hiding a secret. One he's determined to uncover.

Can Ellora stay safe in this small harbor town?

Or

Has the twisted game of cat and mouse, just begun?




EXCERPT

Ellora raced down the hallway as fast as her legs could carry her. Dread gripped her when she
heard his heavy footsteps pounding on the hardwood floors behind her. His powerful presence echoed around the eerily empty house. It didn't matter how fast she ran, he was always right on her heels. Ellora quaked violently when she made it to the stairs. If she couldn't make it out of there, she'd never survive. Reaching out, Ellora gripped the railing with both hands and used the leverage to fly down the steps. She skipped so many at a time, it felt like flying. He thundered down the steps, after her. The smell of his rancid panting, snaked its way over her shoulder. The stench stung her nose. Ellora risked looking back. His large black eyes, vicious with a murderous rage she didn’t understand, were only a few feet behind her. He was close enough to grab her. Oh. My God, this is it. He reached out... and she lunged, taking a giant leap before she got to the last three steps. She successfully made it over the carpeted runner at the bottom. Her ankles stung as she landed hard, on her bare feet. Easily ignoring the pain, Ellora sprinted to the front door. She heard him land on the runner and crashed to the floor, as it slipped out from under him. Shaking, she fumbled with clumsy fingers, trying to unlock the deadbolt and door knob lock.

After several slips from her bloodied hands, she finally heaved open the door. She skidded on her own blood, which was trickling down her legs and pooling onto the floor. The cool air rushed in, sobering her. Chills raised goosebumps on her skin as she dashed out the door. Ellora looked back to make sure he wasn’t behind her. This action caused her to lose her balance, tripping down the driveway and crashing right into the car. She remembered leaving her it unlocked, so she wrenched it open and jumped inside. She immediately locked the doors in record speed. It took only a moment for her to get a grip on her debilitating panic. She frantically searched her pockets for the car keys. First the front, then the back. Ellora froze. A devastating hopelessness made her stomach drop when she realized that she left the keys in the house. She hung her head in defeat… BANG! BANG! BANG! The sudden violent pounding sent Ellora shooting out of her seat, frightened to death as he pulverized the glass window with his fists. He stopped his onslaught abruptly and pressed his face against the window. His disturbing eyes and malicious sneer held her captive. He lifted his hand presenting a set of keys and shook them. ‘NO!’




MEET THE AUTHOR

I grew up in Upstate NY, but my heart belongs in Arizona. If given the chance, I'd gladly trade in frost burn, for sun burn!  I speak in movie quotes ALL the time. Seriously, it might be considered a sickness by now ;) I absolutely love the sound of others laughing. So I'll try to get you to do just that!

I love coffee, peanut butter cups, and OF COURSE reading.  I grew up causing all kinds of trouble with my twin sister/partner in crime.  My wild over-exaggerated story telling grew, along with my love for reading. With the support of my hubby and the encouragement of my womb mate, I put pen to paper, and let my imagination take over.

I am an author currently working on the release of my debut novel. Forever Marked is a romantic suspense, and the first book in a series. I enjoy reading all genres. Paranormal, thriller, romantic suspense, dystopian.... You name it!

Lady J on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/authorLadyJ?fref=ts
Forever Marked on Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25863185-forever-marked?from_search=true&search_version=service_impr











Thursday, August 27, 2015

Cover Reveal~Only You by Stephanie Rose & #Giveaway




Only You
A Second Chance Novel
by Stephanie Rose
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: October 14, 2015




SYNOPSIS

Only You is a STANDALONE novel in the Second Chances Series.

I spent my life searching for love, but Evan was right there all along. As gorgeous on the inside as he was on the outside, I never had to wonder if he loved me. He showed me with every glance, every sweet touch, every scorching kiss. I wanted nothing more than to give him my forever—until I found out I may not have one. Paige was the girl of my dreams. So beautiful in every way; no one would ever compare. I feared she would never be mine, and then she became my everything. I wanted to be with her for the rest of my life. I wanted her to be my forever. But love may not be enough. Why do I have to say good-bye to the love of my life? How can I let you go—when it’s always been only you? PLEASE NOTE: Only You is a Contemporary Romance with intense language and sexual situations meant for readers 18 and up. 


EXCERPT

Prologue

Paige My eyelids were weak and heavy. All I did now was sleep, but I was still too tired to wake up. I didn’t even remember how I got here. It took a pathetic amount of strength to lift my head and glance over the tray of food. I wasn’t sure what time it was, but pretty sure it was late. Why they thought I wanted crackers now was beyond me. They can’t really expect me to eat, can they? Swallowing anything was torturous thanks to the deep open sores that trailed down my throat. Water burned, so the thought of eating anything was as appealing as chowing down on sandpaper—and would probably feel the same going down. I curled into the fetal position as I shivered and rubbed at my skin to get warm and felt the pointy bone through the flesh of my arms. I reached for the covers and winced at the pain fingers as I gathered up the scratchy fabric and pulled it over my aching shoulders. It hurt to move. It hurt to breathe. Most of all, it hurt to think. The life I wanted, with the man I wanted, haunted my dreams. You own me. Can’t you see that? You’re mine. You’re everything. I…can’t see my future with anyone else but you. I finally found what I’d been looking for my entire life, but I couldn’t keep it. The sound of voices yelling outside my hospital room snatched me out of my thoughts. I pushed myself up, panting at the exertion it took to sit upright. I leaned back on my elbows and my weak heart leaped in my chest when I recognized the voice causing all the commotion outside—the voice I’d know anywhere. “I need to see her, please.” Evan? No, no, no. I didn’t want him to see me like this. How did he find out I was here? “I’m sorry, sir. Immediate family only. This is the ICU.” “I’m not leaving. Paige? Daisy, it’s me!” My heavy head dropped to my hands. The sobs that ran through me made it difficult to breathe thanks to the oxygen tubes filtering through my nose. Pushing him away was the hardest thing I ever had to do, but I did it for him. I didn’t want to let him go. I wanted him to hold me, tell me he loved me and know he would never leave me. I wanted that so fucking much it ached. “Sir, please. She’s a very sick girl.” In time, he’d see. He deserved someone who could give him a life, children, and a future. All things I can’t offer him, no matter how much I wished things were different. He deserved better than this, better than me. The door was half closed but opened with such force that it banged into the wall and made me jump. Evan marched up to my bed and took my face in his hands. His hay colored eyes filled with tears as his hands shook. “I love you, and I’m not going anywhere.” His voice quivered with emotion, but I wasn’t sure if it was sadness, rage, or a combination of the two. “Now, you’re going to tell me exactly what’s going on. And why you lied to me—” 


MEET THE AUTHOR


Stephanie lives in the Bronx, New York with her superhero-obsessed husband and son. Her day job is marketing, but she always has a story in her head. This lifelong New Yorker lives for Starbucks, book boyfriends, and 80s rock After spending most of her youth watching soaps, Stephanie has an obsession with angsty drama and hot romance. She's excited to finally bring the characters she's been dreaming about to life! 


WHERE TO FIND HER

 TSU


THE SERIES

Always You




~GIVEAWAY~




Wednesday, August 19, 2015

Review/Tour~The GenTech Series by Ann Gimpel


Series Backstory~


Sometime between the interminable wars in the Middle East and 9/11, the United States moved forward breeding a race of super humans. Clandestine labs formed, armed with eager scientists who’d always yearned to manipulate human DNA. At first the clones looked promising, growing to fighting size in as little as a dozen years, but V1 had design flaws.

Seven years ago, a rogue group turned on their creators, blew up the lab, and hit all the other breeding farms, freeing whomever they could find. In the intervening time, they’ve retreated to hidden compounds and created a society run by men. Women are kept on a tight leash because the men fear if they discover their innate power, they’d launch their own rebellion. 



Winning Glory
GenTech Rebellion
Book 1
by Ann Gimpel
Genre: Military Romantic Suspense


The line between hunter and hunted thins, blurs, and finally shatters.


SYNOPSIS

Being a genetically altered human without a name grew old, so Glory named herself. Surrounded by a maze of unpleasant alternatives, she makes a bold choice and ends up a fugitive in the midst of a Minnesota winter. Once she’s on the run, she discovers how unprepared she is for life outside her protected compound.

CIA agent, Roy Kincaid, devoted his career to hunting super humans who staged a rebellion seven years before. He’s not making much headway, so he goes deep undercover. One blustery night, a striking woman staggers into the café where he’s catching a late meal. Part waif, part runway model, the half-frozen woman arrows Glory’s flat out of alternatives, but death in the storm might be preferable to telling the tall stranger looming over her anything. Sensing Roy is dangerous, she pushes into his head seeking clues and discovers he hunts those like her. Maybe she can fool him, just for tonight. Get a hot meal and dry motel room out of the deal. If she’s lucky, he’ll never find out she’s on the run from the same group he’s targeted.

The thing she didn’t count on was falling in love.



EXCERPT

…“Dessert, hon?” The waitress sidled back over to him, and Roy realized he was her only customer.
“Sure. What do you have?” She rattled off a series of pies and cakes. He chose apple pie with a scoop of ice cream, and she left with his dinner plate. Roy slumped against the chair. He had to keep going. No choice. Not really. A good night’s sleep, coupled with the first adequate meal he’d had in a couple days might make a big difference in his attitude. At least he hoped they would.

He’d just begun on the pie, which had a surprisingly flaky crust, when a rush of cold air yanked his attention toward the door. A tall woman walked in. Long, dark hair caked with snow swirled around her, and she held her body tightly as if she were really cold. Roy glanced at her feet and was shocked to see a pair of tennis shoes with holes in them. Good God, had she been outside with such inadequate footwear? Didn’t she understand she could freeze to death? Even his stout boots didn’t do much to divert the cold. Keeping her gaze downcast, she made her way to the counter and sat.

“Coffee, hon?” The waitress asked. 

“How much is it?” the woman inquired.

“Two bucks.”

“Oh.” The woman’s shoulders drooped, and she swiveled the stool around, getting ready to go back out into the storm.

“No, you don’t.” The waitress’s voice sharpened. “I’ll stand you a coffee. You look about done in.”

The woman’s even features melted into what looked like relief before she turned back to face the counter. “Thank you. That’s really kind and I appreciate it. My wallet was stolen, and—”

“Never you mind.” The waitress patted the woman’s shoulder. “Bet you’re hungry too.” She poured hot coffee into a mug and handed it to the woman, who drew the steaming liquid to her lips.

“Maybe a little,” the woman ventured. She clasped the cup with fingers white from cold. By now, Roy knew he was staring, but he couldn’t make himself turn away. There was something waiflike and alluring about the tall woman with long, black hair. Snow dripped off her, creating puddles around her stool. All she wore against the winter weather was a thick, gray sweater and worn jeans. No scarf. No gloves. No hat. He was close to certain her wallet hadn’t been stolen. She looked more like an abuse victim on the run to him. Maybe he could help her get to her intended destination, if it wasn’t too far out of his way.He pushed his chair back and made his way to the counter. “Say—” he began, but she started and drew away as if she expected him to hit her. I was right. Abuse victim for sure. 
“I’m not going to hurt you.” He kept his voice low, soothing. “Order whatever you want, and I’ll pay for it.” 

She kept her gaze on her hands clutching the coffee cup. “I can’t let you do that, sir. I’m all right. Truly I am.”

Without waiting for an invitation, he took the stool next to hers and called to the waitress. “Bring her the same meal I just had.”

“You got it, hon,” rang from the direction of the kitchen.

“You are not all right,” Roy said. “You’re thin as a rail, and you were shivering when you came in here. In fact, you still are. I’ll bet your shoes are wet clear through.” When she didn’t respond, he ploughed on. “Let me help you.”

She shook her head. “Don’t want your kind of help. It always comes with strings.”

“Mine doesn’t.”

He pushed a little with his enhanced mental ability to get her to look at him. If she did, maybe she’d see truth in his eyes. A shudder ran down her thin frame, but she dragged her gaze upward reluctantly. Roy felt bad for forcing her, but he didn’t have time to soothe her wounded places, which he suspected ran deep. Eyes a shade of green he’d never seen inspected him. Long, thick lashes framed those eyes, and they were set in a face with high cheekbones, a high forehead, and black eyebrows winging a track over porcelain skin.

“Who are you?” The words tore from him. He hadn’t meant to say them. She was nervous as a feral cat as it was.

She shook her head sadly. “No one. I’m no one. You’ll forget all about me when you leave here.”

Something shifted in his mind, but he fought it. Before he could determine if something real had just happened or if he were imagining things, the waitress showed up with the woman’s dinner.

“Here you go, hon. Hope medium’s okay for that steak?”

“Fine, thank you.” Before the words were out, the woman picked up the fork and knife and shoveled food into her mouth.

Roy congratulated himself on a good call. Even though she’d been reluctant to admit it, she really was starving. He had no idea what she’d do tomorrow or the next day, but it wasn’t his problem. While she ate, he observed her from the corner of his eyes. In addition to being hungry and underdressed, she looked young. Maybe twenty. He’d be surprised if she were much more than that.
He shook a mental finger at himself. The country was full of abused women running from the men who used them as punching bags before they raped them. It was one part of law enforcement work he’d never understood: why the women kept going back for more. “There are safe houses for girls like you,” he said, and could’ve kicked himself. What the hell was wrong with his mouth tonight? He couldn’t seem to keep words on the other side of it.

She stopped chewing long enough to glance at him. “What’s a safe house?”

“A place where women like you can go so whoever’s after you can’t get to you.”

“What makes you think someone’s after me?” Color splotched across her white cheeks.

Roy took a deep breath. “I was a cop for a long time.”

Her entire body tightened, and he wondered if he’d been wrong about why she was out in the storm. “You said was.” She swiped a paper napkin over her lips. “Are you still?”

“No. Not anymore.”

She took another bite, clearly thinking about what he’d said. “These people you think are after me. Could they still find me in a safe house?”

He wanted to lie to her, but didn’t. “Sure. Anyone can find anybody with the Internet and all, but the people who run the safe houses won’t let anyone who might hurt you inside.”

She drew her arched brows together and drank some coffee. “I’d have to go outside sometime. Work. Earn my way.”

He nodded. Those things were all true. He scratched his head and pushed too-long hair out of his eyes. “Sometimes, when a man is really persistent, there are ways of setting you up with a different identity in a different part of the country.”

Interest lit her features, and she cut up the last of her steak. “Where would I go to have that happen?”

“I’m not sure, but we could check with local agencies in the morning.”

A blank expression washed over her face, as if someone had shut out a light. She shot him a look she might have given yesterday’s overripe trash. “Morning, huh? You’re just like all the rest of them, mister. Means I’d have to spend the night with you.”

Roy winced. He hadn’t been thinking. Of course she’d make that connection. “No.” He shook his head emphatically. “I’d buy you your own room for the night. You can clean up, get some sleep, and we’ll regroup in the morning after breakfast.”

She narrowed her eyes, and he felt himself drawn into their depths. “My own room with a locked door?”

He nodded solemnly, willing her to believe him. If he could just do one decent deed, it would make up for the last two weeks of beating his head into a brick wall. Maybe it would give him enough juice to keep hunting for the scientists who were a bunch of Houdini fuckers.

“Mmph.” She started on her potato, taking large bites. In between them, she said. “I’m trying to figure out your angle. If I’ve worked my way around to believing you won’t hurt me by the time I’m done eating, I’ll accept your offer.”

It was the best he was likely to get. Roy stood. “Fair enough. I’m going to finish my pie.” It was sitting in a pool of melted ice cream, but he didn’t mind. “If you’d care to accept my help, just stop by my table on your way out. If you walk past, I give you my word I won’t bother you.”

“Deal.” She said around a mouthful of food. Swallowing, she twisted to look at him. It felt as if she were staring straight through him, but Roy held his ground even after he identified a zing of power withdrawing from his mind. What the hell was she, anyway? When she returned to her dinner, he retreated to his pie, thoughts racing a mile a minute. What the fuck was he doing? If he were smart, he’d forget his offer, throw enough money on the table to cover both meals, and run like hell for his car.There was something about the woman, though, an appeal that drew him, snared him, and wouldn’t leave him be. He ate mindlessly, not tasting the pie. He knew the feel of freak mind control. Was that it? Had he inadvertently stumbled onto one of them? Impossible. They’re never by themselves, and whatever she examined me with didn’t feel quite right. Plus, she didn’t resemble the ones he’d killed before. They had dark hair, but animal eyes. Amber, not green like hers. Of course they’d been men, but simple genetics argued they’d all look much the same if they came out of the same petri dishes. Were there other augmented humans beyond those he already knew about? The
thought fascinated and chilled him at the same time.

He scraped his fork over the plate and realized it was empty. Slugging back long-since-cold coffee, he dug for his wallet and extracted what he was certain would cover dinner, laying bills on the table and placing his empty mug atop them. The woman looked almost done with her meal. What would she do? What would he do if she walked by him and out the door? Would he be able to keep his promise and not go after her?…


MY THOUGHTS

This is the first book I've read by Mrs. Gimpel, and boy did she not disappoint! A mixture of genetic engineered humans, CIA, unknown abilities, and romance and you have Winning Glory. I wanted to stay up all night long so I did not have to put it down. It was such an amazing book! I don't know if anyone else could've mixed all these pieces together the way that Ann did. You have to give this book a try! 5 STARS!



Honor Bound
GenTech Book 2

We have to trust to fight side by side, but love’s so unexpected—and so irresistible —it trumps everything.

SYNOPSIS


Honor takes a huge chance and flees her compound one wintry night. A genetically altered woman, she has no memories from before her kin staged a rebellion seven years before. Because of her enhanced physiology, she finds a home working for the CIA alongside four other women just like her. There are still plenty of rules, but they’re different, and she’s figuring out how to blend in.

Milton Reins burns through women and marriages. After the third one implodes, he swears off hunting for a replacement. Running the CIA is a more than fulltime job. There’s no time for anything else in his life, which is fine until Honor comes along.

Training in the gym throws their bodies together and makes him remember the feel of a woman in his arms. Milton aches for her, but she’s a freak—the CIA term for test tube humans designed by scientists.

Honor wants Milton with every bone in her body, but it’s a terrible idea, especially after she delves into his head and sees his ambivalence toward her kind. Need drives them together, but their differences create roadblocks every step of the way. Fueled by anger and fear, she shuts him out. So what if the sex was great, she’s done.

Or is she?



EXCERPT


…“How about this?” Honor finished her drink and twirled the glass between her hands. “The other women and I are on top of things. We’ll make sure nothing…unexpected happens.”

“What if I pull rank and order Charity to stay here?” he demanded, not liking her answer.Honor shook her head. “That’d be a bad idea.” After a pause, she added hastily, “Sir. With all due respect.”

Milton chortled. “You’re learning. Why is it a bad idea?”

Honor closed her teeth over her lower lip. “Like all of us, she’s finding her way. Figuring out where she fits in here. Even though we lived in the western United States, we may as well have been in Bangladesh for all the differences between living here and where we were after the rebellion.”

“You still haven’t told me why it’s a bad idea.”

“She needs to trust you. If you ride herd on her, treat her like the Nameless Ones treated us, she never will, and this…problem of hers will just get worse.” Desperation flared, a glowing nimbus she nipped quickly, but he’d been paying close attention, plus he’d been inside her mind. Milton pushed forward with a combination of intuition and his augmented ability. “You’re worried it will get worse anyway.”

Her gaze skittered away. “Yes. No. Possibly. These things are hard to predict. Please.” She leaned forward this time and placed a hand over his where it lay atop his leg. “Let us handle it our way. I give you my word we’ll ask for help before it gets out of control.”

Her touch was warm, electric. Before he could stop himself, he set his other hand over hers, and turned the bottom hand upward, capturing her flesh between his. His mouth was suddenly dry, and his groin tightened with a rush of sexual energy so intense it stole his breath. Words became a struggle, but he forced them out anyway. “Doesn’t sound very smart to me. Is there any chance she’ll switch allegiance?”

Honor’s eyes widened. “Oh hell, no. You mean fight for the Nameless Ones?” When Milton nodded, she was even more emphatic. “No. That’d never happen. She hates them just as much as we do.”

It was the main thing that had worried him: that he’d been playing host to a double agent—again. Some of the tension drained out of him, and he rubbed his fingers over Honor’s where they lay clasped between his. “I really should go, sir.” She tried to pull her hand back, but he didn’t let go.

“Do you always do what you should?”

Honor looked away. “Not a fair question, sir.”

“Stop calling me that!”

“But you are my commanding officer.” Honor kept her voice soft, but the meaning in her words slapped Milton squarely across his forehead.

He released her hand. “Sorry.” He spoke stiffly. “I forgot myself. You’re free to go.”

The sadness he’d sensed earlier was back in spades. It flowed from her in slow, tired waves. He pushed, surprised when she let him inside her mind. Not far, but enough for him to view the loneliness she’d lived with all her life. Her only safety zone had been the dozen women in her dorm at the compound, and seven of them were dead. No wonder she needed to do everything possible to protect Charity. Milton got to his feet and offered her a hand. She took it and stood too. “Thanks for
helping me understand you a little,” he said.

“You’re welcome. Sometimes that way is easier than talking. Thank you for not insisting Charity stay here.”

“She’s important to you,” he said. “I didn’t fully appreciate how much you depend on each other until you allowed me into your thoughts.”

Milton didn’t know if he moved toward her, she toward him, or both of them simultaneously, but Honor ended up in his arms. He tightened his hold, enjoying the feel of her sleekly muscled body against his. She matched his six-foot height and fit perfectly in his arms. His cock hardened against her belly, and her eyes widened in surprise. “Of course you’d be a virgin,” he murmured, stroking his hands down her back.

“We were off-limits to the Nameless Ones, but we talked about sex among ourselves.”

Arousal flashed deep inside him. Even though he knew he shouldn’t, he asked, “What did you talk about?” He cupped his hands around her high, firm buttocks and snugged her against his erection.

Desire apparently trumped discomfort, and she pushed against him. “Men. We talked about how penises get hard, and how one might feel inside us.” She licked her lips, and heat flickered in her eyes. “Sometimes we’d touch ourselves and mind link, so we could feel each other come.”

He’d never considered that possible use for his enhanced senses. The feedback loop from feeling what his partner felt right along with his own arousal intrigued him and made him hotter than hell. Honor pressed closer against him and kneaded his back. Milton traced her full lower lip with his thumb. “Has anyone told you what a devilishly attractive woman you are?”

She shook her head.

He couldn’t resist the siren call of those lips. Milton angled his head and closed his mouth over hers. He kept the kiss tentative in case he wasn’t reading her signals right, but she ran her tongue over his mouth, tasting him. He licked, nibbled, sucked, and she kissed him back with growing fervor as her body radiated need. Her nipples hardened where they pressed into his chest, and she rubbed against his ridiculously erect cock.

About the time she pushed her tongue into his mouth, and he sparred with it, loving the taste of her, common sense intruded. He pulled back, his breath coming unevenly. He wanted to strip her clothes off, unwrap her, worship the amazing body he’d scuffled with in the gym, but tonight wasn’t the time. Not before a major offensive, and not with her in a direct line of command, with him functioning as her team leader. The women ended up his responsibility to remove Glory from reporting to Roy, but here was the same problem all over again.

Reluctantly, he placed his hands on either side of her head. “Honor, we can’t do this.”

“I know it’s wrong, but I’ve never been kissed before, and I…” She looked away. “…didn’t want it to end. I’m sorry, sir. I’ll do a better job of—”

“Goddammit, Honor. You’re not listening.” Frustration vied with desire and feeling like a shit for letting the situation get out of hand in the first place.

“Yes I am. You said what we did was wrong.”

“No, I didn’t, but the timing’s bad.” He paused a beat. “And you work for me, which means—”

“I know exactly what it means. I may have been sequestered in that compound, but I’m far from stupid.” She wrenched away from him and stumbled toward the door.

“Honor, please.”

She spun to face him. “This was a mistake.” Hurt carved furrows around her eyes. “I’m used to being by myself. Taking care of myself. Don’t worry. I won’t be a burden on

“That’s not what I—”

She turned and fled out the door. Milton considered going after her, but recognized it was a bad idea. The attraction between them was so strong, there’d be no way to have a rational conversation.

Until they’d shared an orgasm or two…


MY THOUGHTS

Just like the 1st book in the series, this one was amazing! Blending sci-fi, romance and technology is a delicate balance to get it all right. Ann Gimpel sure knows how to keep that balance. I don't know how Ann keeps the books coming as fast as she does while making them better and better every time! There was just enough of action, emotion, and romance to keep it all in line. I loved joining Honor and Milton on their journey! I can't wait for Charity's book next! 5 STARS!



Claiming Charity
GenTech Book 3


What does it take to move past a lifetime of hating?


SYNOPSIS


Charity’s luck never ran strong because her original configuration was unstable. Her handlers designed experiments to fix the problem, but only made it worse. Sick to death of living under their thumb, she jumps at a chance to escape her compound. She’s no sooner settled in as a CIA special operative—a role where she can put her augmented mind and body to use—when her wobbly genetics escalate.

Tony’s a freak—a genetically altered human waging war against the government. He snaps up an offer of amnesty, walking away from his role as a genetic researcher to work for the CIA. When Charity collapses in a severe seizure, he labors to save her life, but nothing’s working. In a last ditch effort, he joins his mind to hers and discovers he wants her more than he’s ever wanted anything. Only problem is she hates every single male freak for how they treated women in the compounds.

Charity recovers from her medical crisis, but all she can think about is Tony. Furious, determined to never let anyone like him near her, she blocks him from her mind, but he seeps back in anyway. Loving someone like Tony is a huge risk, a gamble that could throw her already precarious genes into a tailspin.

Knowing all that, why the hell is she considering it?


EXCERPT

…Tony dialed his night vision up another notch and paced Frank as they ran hard around Langley’s perimeter. After being cooped up for hours in a plane, both men needed to burn off some steam. As Tony ran, scenes from his computer-like brain flashed before him. After his petri dish birth on one of the breeding farms set up by the U.S. government, he’d been groomed from adolescence to work as a genetic researcher. None of them attended school; their knowledge was downloaded directly from huge mainframes operated by government scientists. He lived a comfortable life at his breeding farm near Portland, Oregon, but it blew up in his face seven years ago. He was twenty-two then and knee-deep in research to perfect those like him. Each successive strain was a bit better than the last, but
problems still cropped up.

He’d been close to a major breakthrough—at least he thought he was, but it could’ve been a dead end like so much of his research—when a cadre of renegade freaks, genetically engineered humans just like him, staged a rebellion. They hadn’t cared for the decision to scrap the earlier prototypes, so they blew up every breeding farm they could find. After that, they created hidden compounds, like the one in Keyser, West Virginia where Tony ended up. He hadn’t bought into the violence, but there wasn’t a hell of a lot of choice once it began. Normal humans shot them on sight after the rebellion, so he went along with the program and moved his genetic research to his assigned compound. He didn’t have nearly the access to materials he’d had prior to the rebellion, but at least he was still alive.

“You’re pretty quiet, buddy,” Frank observed.

“Sorry. I was thinking.”

The other man snorted. “Always dangerous. About what? Did you come up with something we missed on those hard drives Milton swiped from our headquarters?”

“Nah. Wish it were that straightforward.”

Frank slugged him in the arm. “Watch that esoteric stuff. Our programming’s not designed for it.”

“Maybe not, but do you ever wonder what will become of us?”

“The probability of that line of thought producing something of value is—”

“Not what I asked,” Tony snapped. “We’ve thrown in our lot with normal humans, V0 as it were. We can’t undo it.”

“So? You and I discussed this before we showed ourselves and requested amnesty. We could’ve remained hidden. They would have found Charity without our help, and then they’d have left. We didn’t take that route. Are you having second thoughts?”

“Not really. We didn’t fit in with the other Nameless Ones—except it was a ridiculous moniker, since we had names, we just didn’t tell them to the women.” Tony slowed when they came to a perimeter fence and turned to face the other man. Because of the physical strength built into his genetics, he wasn’t even slightly winded. Frank stopped and tossed his hood back. Shaggy black hair fell to his shoulders, and he examined Tony through his amber, animal-like eyes with vertical slit pupils. All the men looked very much the same due to shared genetics. Tall, rangy, muscled. Both of them wore
regulation issue CIA field gear they hadn't changed out of yet.

“What aren’t you saying?” Frank asked.

“Not sure. Except I’m feeling like a man without a country. We didn’t fit in there, but we don’t fit in here, either. They don’t trust us. I saw it in Milton’s eyes that night you and I saved Charity’s life.”

Frank grimaced. “Shit, bro. We’re machines. We’re not supposed to have feelings. Who cares if they trust us, so long as they continue to offer us a place to work and live? When did you fall off the wagon?”

Should I? Tony weighed the advisability of confiding in Frank, but if not him, then whom?

“Talk, or I’m going back to my apartment. I’m fine when we’re moving, but I’m getting cold. Can’t be much more than fifteen degrees out here. In fact,” Frank sent a short blurt of power outward, “it’s eighteen point three Fahrenheit, but there’s a five knot wind, which brings the ambient temperature to—”

“Never mind that. I know it’s cold without a weather report. I have a problem that runs deeper than the humans not trusting us. They made a commitment to us, same as we did to them. The odds of them welching on the deal—so long as we don’t fuck them over—is under twelve percent.”

Frank furled his brows. “Okay. So you have a problem. Is it something we could hash out inside where it’s warm?”

“I think better when I’m cold.”

“Fine.” Frank gestured with a gloved hand. “Whatever it is, get it out, so we can chase down something to eat and find our beds.”

Tony unclenched his jaw. It was either spit it out or shut up. Running probabilities about Frank’s reaction wouldn’t alter his choices. He squared his shoulders and began to talk. “I spent a long time—hours—linked to Charity when she was so compromised. I was the one who sent my energy into her.”

“I haven’t forgotten. So?”

“I developed a fondness for her during that time.” Very unmachine-like feelings tightened Tony’s gut.

Frank’s eyes widened. “Oh ho! You want to fuck her. I’m not seeing where that’s a problem. The women were off limits to us at the compounds, but the CIA doesn’t have those kind of rules.”

The unmachine-like feelings intensified, and Tony felt his face grow warm. “Yeah, I want her that way, but it’s more than that. I like her. She’s a bitch, sure, but she’s fresh and funny and spunky. We drummed the spirit out of so many of the women, but not her.”

“Have you talked with her about any of this?”

Tony shook his head. “No.”

“Why not? Seems to me that’d be the logical place to start.”

A snort blew past Tony’s lips. “Yeah, huh? Problem is I got a pretty good look inside her head. She hates us.”

Frank drew back. “Why? She never even met us before she and her group attacked our compound.”

Tony shook his head again. “It runs deeper than that. She hates all of us men—for how we treated her and the other women. Even if that weren’t there, it must’ve been appalling for her when she discovered the V4s slaughtered the females in our compound. Her team planned to rescue them. The V4s figured it out and beat them to the punch.”

“Yeah, but none of that was personal—” Frank began.

“Try telling her that. I’m sure it felt goddamned personal. Christ! The women’s bodies weren’t even cold when Charity stumbled onto them.”

“I’m not sure Charity found them, but the women who did certainly told her about it.”

Frank jerked his chin in the general direction of their apartment building. “Let’s get moving.”

When Tony fell into step with him, he went on. “Seems to me you’ve really only got two choices. One. You suck it up and keep quiet. We weren’t exactly designed to have mates. All our babies were created in test tubes—even after the breeding farms.”

“That was because we were afraid the women would pick our brains during sex, discover how powerful they were, and demand equality.”

“It doesn’t matter why,” Frank replied. “Even though I was a minority, I never believed it would’ve been the end of the world if the women discovered their innate power, but they didn’t. Regardless, over time, we got away from intercourse as a primary source of procreation.”

“We’re getting off course. What’s my second option?”

“Sit down and talk to her. Tell her how you feel.”

Tony rolled the probabilities of how that would go through his brain. “Less than an eighteen percent chance she’d be open to it,” he muttered.

Frank didn’t respond, and they ran the rest of the way to their building in silence.

Once they were inside, Tony said, “Thanks.”

“For what? I didn’t help much. See you tomorrow at zero seven hundred.” Frank turned down the hallway that led to his apartment.

Tony climbed a flight of stairs to his quarters and let himself in. If getting something going with Charity was such a crapshoot, why couldn’t he let go of the idea? When the answer came, he didn’t like it much. He’d broken protocol to save her, blending his energy with hers in an intimate pattern that wasn’t in any of the manuals. Apparently she’d gotten under his skin during the process, and now he was stuck. When he wasn’t busy, she was all he thought about. He stripped out of his heavy field coat and tossed it over a chair. The rest of his clothes ended up in a heap on the floor. Everything could stand a tour through the washing machine, but not tonight. He headed for the bathroom and a shower with his cock standing out like a ship’s prow. He was hard almost all the time now, despite jacking off two or three times a day. Hard because he wanted her.

Crap!

He pulled the shower curtain aside. Once he got the water going, he stepped over the high rim of the tub. Even though he tried not to, his hands found their way to his engorged flesh, and somewhere between the soap and hot water, he made himself come with visions of what he thought Charity’s perfect, naked body would look like plastered behind his eyes…


MY THOUGHTS

Omg! I seriously think the books in this series get better the farther we go! In book 3 here, hard ass Charity gets a dose of what Glory and Honor have already been through, except her bull headedness makes things much more difficult than they had to be. But if she wasn't that way, then she wouldn't be the Charity that we all know and love. There was one part where, as much as I love Ann, I was going to be very pissed...and I'm sure the part I'm talking about she knows it too! All in all this is another winner for Ann Gimpel and a 5 STAR READ!


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ann Gimpel is a mountaineer at heart. Recently retired from a long career as a psychologist, she remembers many hours at her desk where her body may have been stuck inside four walls, but her soul was planning yet one more trip to the backcountry. Around the turn of the last century (that would be 2000, not 1900!), she managed to finagle moving to the Eastern Sierra, a mecca for those in love with the mountains. It was during long backcountry treks that Ann’s writing evolved. Unlike some who see the backcountry as an excuse to drag friends and relatives along, Ann prefers solitude.

Stories always ran around in her head on those journeys, sometimes as a hedge against abject terror when challenging conditions made her fear for her life, sometimes for company. Eventually, she returned from a trip and sat down at the computer. Three months later, a five hundred page novel emerged. Oh, it wasn’t very good, but it was a beginning. And, she learned a lot between writing that novel and its sequel.

Around that time, a friend of hers suggested she try her hand at short stories. It didn’t take long before that first story found its way into print and they’ve been accepted pretty regularly since then. One of Ann’s passions has always been ecology, so her tales often have a green twist.

In addition to writing, Ann enjoys wilderness photography. She lugs pounds of camera equipment in her backpack to distant locales every year. A standing joke is that over ten percent of her pack weight is camera gear which means someone else has to carry the food! That someone is her husband. They’ve shared a life together for a very long time. Children, grandchildren and three wolf hybrids round out their family.