The Powerbroker by Anna Hackett {a review}

 If you've been reading the Norcross Security series from Anna Hackett, chances are you've been eagerly anticipating Vander's story. Well, it's here. The Powerbroker is all about Vander and Brynn as they journey to their happily ever after.

So what do we know about The Powerbroker? We know this is Vander's story. We know it involves a motorcycle club, and a police detective who is going undercover. We know that there is going to be suspense. We know that Vander is a protector. What we learn is that the police detective is a female (Brynn), and she is Hunt's cousin. We also learn that Brynn doesn't back down when it comes to Vander. She gives everything right back to him, and Vander doesn't know what to do with that.

I absolutely LOVED The Powerbroker! Seriously could not put it down. Vander and Brynn grabbed my attention, and would not let go. Yes, I did call it that Brynn would push Vander's buttons. This is the type of woman that Vander needed though. He needed someone to stand up to him and not backdown. He needed someone just as passionate as he is. The storyline in this book though? Oooh. So good. I love anytime there is an MC storyline in a non-MC series. (does that even make sense?) Witnessing how Brynn was able to get a job with the club, and how easily she seemed to acclimate was impressive. Then seeing how Brynn could hold her own against these men who are twice her size? Loved it. She went for it. She trusted her gut, as well as her training. When the big dramatic moment happened? I found myself wondering how it would get resolved. It's a romance novel, so I knew that our couple would get their HEA, but it was the journey toward that that kept me on the edge of my seat.

I loved every moment of this book. I think my absolute favorite would have been toward the end when Brynn said what she did. She laid it all out there, and it was just perfection.

Highly recommend you pick up the entire Norcross Security series. But if you'd rather just read Vander and Brynn's story, then go grab The Powerbroker. 

Thank you for taking time to read my thoughts. This book was so dang good, and I cannot wait to see what's next from Anna Hackett.

Laura

She’s undercover in a dangerous motorcycle club, and her unwanted protector is the city’s most lethal man.

 

Police Detective Brynn Sullivan is dedicated to her job and living up to the memory of her cop father. She’s out to prove herself on her biggest case yet—stopping a dangerous drug from flooding the streets of San Francisco. She needs to go undercover with the city’s wildest, most dangerous motorcycle club, and that means using any contact she can to get in there.

 

Even the dark, powerful ex-military man who rules the city’s streets from the shadows—Vander Norcross.

 

After years fighting for his country as commander of a covert Ghost Ops team, Vander Norcross has built Norcross Security into a thriving business to keep his family and friends safe. He’s a powerbroker in San Francisco, with his finger on the pulse of what’s happening—both legal and not so legal. When his friend asks a favor putting a detective—a female one—undercover with the Iron Wanderers MC, Vander is not on board.

 

It goes against every protective instinct he has, but Brynn proves to be tenacious, annoying, smart, and far too tempting.

 

Brynn and Vander strike enough sparks to start an inferno, but when dangerous players up the stakes, they find themselves with a bounty on their heads. On the run, with only each other to depend on, Brynn discovers she has an even bigger battle on her hands—capturing the heart of a man who thinks he’s too dangerous to ever fall in love.

Grab Your Copy Here:

Amazon | Paperback

Free in KU

Add The Powerbroker to your Goodreads TBR!

Meet Anna Hackett

Anna Hackett is a USA Today bestselling romance author who’s passionate about fast-paced, emotion-filled contemporary and science-fiction romance.

She loves writing about people overcoming unbeatable odds and achieving seemingly impossible goals.

Some of her bestselling series include Galactic Gladiators, Eon Warriors, Treasure Hunter Security, and Team 52.

Anna lives in Australia with her real-life hero and their two little boys. 

For more information on Anna and her books visit: www.annahackett.com.

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Thank you to Anna Hackett, and Wildfire Marketing Solutions, for providing me with an advanced copy of The Powerbroker.

Ground Zero by April Canavan {a review}

 

Are you a fan of April Canavan's books? Did you read the Birch Police Department series? Have you been wishing for a Birch Fire Department series? Well good news, Ground Zero, the first book in the series, is NOW AVAILABLE!

If you read any of the Birch PD series, then you may remember Josh. You may also remember that he was a police officer who was leaving the force to return to firefighting. On his final night as a police officer, he was at a roller rink meeting up with friends. It was there that two things happened. The first was that he kept making eye contact with a gorgeous woman. The second was that he had to make an arrest. Shortly before his shift was over, he had to take yet another call that brought him to a hotel. It was at that hotel where he ran into the woman again. A brief encounter turned into a night together, and then she vanished. That is until six months later when they run into each other in Birch. Jump forward a couple days, and who does Josh run into at the firehouse? Nia. Turns out she's been hired as the new paramedic for the station.

Ground Zero is another fabulous book from April Canavan. I am hooked on her Birch County books. Whether it's police or fire, I'm all in. Hand them over. Even though they always lead me to having tears strolling down my cheeks. From the way Josh and Nia originally met, to their reconnection 6 months later, I loved it all. It was also interesting to hear about Nia's connection to Eddie Stryker, and that history. Let's back up a bit though. At the beginning of the book, when Josh made that arrest, what happened after that? That storyline just poofed into thin air, and left me wondering. It was a loose end that wasn't tied up, and it's bugging me. However that location did lead to Josh and Nia meeting, so that's a plus. Okay back to Josh and Nia's relationship. I loved it. These two obviously had a fantastic connection, and their relationship from coworkers to friends to lovers was seamless. It just worked, and flowed nicely. Yes Josh put his foot in his mouth a couple times, but Nia also went overboard as well. But it gave that tension, and brought the uncertainty to their relationship. It made them both vulnerable. Love their relationship. I just do. Aside from the relationship, I also enjoyed how familiar faces popped up. We were able to "see" some of the Birch PD characters make appearances, and that just brought a smile to my face. Especially when Nox was mentioned. That kid just has a place in my heart. Let's talk about the action/suspense aspect of the book. OH MY WORD! That was intense. Plus it lead to the tears flowing. Those scenes just hit me smack dab in the feelings. As for the who-dun-it portion, I was immediately thinking of the characters we had previously met, and trying to determine if they had the motive. It wasn't until right before Josh discovered who was behind it, that I thought "what about so and so", and I was right. The final "showdown" though, damn. Loved it, and it hit me in the feels again. But I was left with a question regarding the villain. I don't think I missed it, my mind is telling me one thing, but at the same time it's telling me something else. So I've got questions.

Putting those couple of questions to the side, I thoroughly enjoyed Ground Zero, and am looking forward to the other books that are coming in the series. I'm now anticipating January 18, 2022, as that is when Breach Point is supposed to be releasing.

If you like small town romances, work place romances, firefighter romances, romantic suspense, and/or the forced proximity trope, then please go read Ground Zero. I think you'll enjoy it, and quite possibly find yourself wanting to go read all of April's backlist titles.

Thank you for reading my thoughts about Ground Zero. Loved this book, the setting, and of course the characters.

Laura

Ground Zero: The center or origin of rapid, intense, or violent activity

I carried her lifeless body out of a burning building.

One that collapsed on top of us, forcing us to fight for survival.

Where she gave her life so that I could live.

That nightmare wasn’t the happy ending I thought I’d find in the flames.

Turns out, it wasn’t our ending at all.

It was the beginning of our story.

The one where I fell in love without knowing what was happening.

Or the destruction she would thrust into my path.

Grab Your Copy Here!

Add Ground Zero to your Goodreads TBR!

Meet April Canavan

I live on chaos and coffee, and you’ll find it running through every single one of my stories.  

First of all, I absolutely abhor writing anything biographical. In any form. I’m terrible at it, and I have the very firm belief that no one wants to know who I am. You’re here for books, right? But that doesn’t mean I’m off the hook.

 

I grew up sneaking over to my great grandmother’s to read her Harlequin novels. Those were delivered once a month in a ginormous box, and from the age of ten, she let me devour them in their entirety. I fell in love with romance, even the clean kind. And that, undoubtedly, led to many days and nights with my face buried in a book and the discovery that I wasn’t happy unless my hair was up, and I had a story in my hand. 

 

I never wanted to write. I wanted to read. ALL the words. Until someone pointed out to me that I’d been writing my entire life. I just needed to put the book in my hand down and pick up a pen. 

 

Once I started, I found out that I couldn’t stop. Now, I’m always writing. Or reading. Or chasing my son through the house to get the elusive hug he thinks I don’t need.

 

Oh, and I’m a Leo… which is completely on-point if you know me at all. I love being the center of attention. On my terms. When I can stay at home in my pajamas. With lots and lots of coffee on hand. And maybe a few snacks.

Connect with April Canavan

To learn more about April Canavan, visit here!

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Thank you to April Canavan, and Wildfire Marketing Solutions, for providing me with an advanced copy of Ground Zero.

Saving Dani by Ellie Masters {a review}

Ellie Masters is back with another new release. Saving Dani is the latest addition to the One I Want series, and get ready reader friends because this one was so good. Although I feel like I say that about all the books in this series.

In Saving Dani, we meet Dani Studor and Alexander "Dax" Kingston. Dani is attending college to become a veterinarian, and this semester is winding down. Things are a bit rough with her fiancee, and Dani decides to end things once and for all. With spring break coming up, Dani decides to head home to spend time with her dad, and hopefully catch up with her friend Cate. Meanwhile, Dax's military career has just ended, and he's feeling a bit lost. He knows he should head home to Texas to be with his family, but the tension with his dad is keeping him away. He'll get there eventually, but first a road trip to see the US. Before he leaves on this road trip though, he visits a shelter, and ends up adopting the perfect dog for him. Together these two drive from Florida to Montana. Shortly after arriving to Bear Creek, Montana, Dax finds himself in the local diner where he overhears a conversation. Turns out one of the locals needs help during calving season, and well Dax is just the man for the job. A few days later Dax is driving along when he sees a vehicle on the side of the road, and a woman who appears to be struggling with changing a tire. He offers his assistance, she doesn't want it, but concedes that the lug nuts are too tight for her to release. And that is when Dani and Dax meet for the first time. No names are exchanged, and Dax drives off after loosening those lug nuts. Imagine his surprise the next morning when Dani finds him in the river where he's taking a quick bath. Friends, this is just the beginning of their story. Everything that happens during the river scene, to the discussion with her dad, to the fair, to her ex showing up, to the revelation of just who Dax is, it all just captures the readers attention.

Do I even need to say how much I enjoyed this book? Do I? Because I absolutely adored it. From the initial meet-cute on the side of the road, to the scene at the river, and every other part of the story, I was all in. I was drawn to Dax. There is something about him that just attracts you to him. There's a pull. Part of it may have been how he omitted little facts about who he is, the experience he has with cattle, his military background, and everything else that just makes Dax who he is. Dani is a strong, independent woman, who is capable of so much. Asking for help is something she isn't used to doing, and so she struggles with that. Dani is also a bit reserved about sensitive subjects, and gets uncomfortable when they are discussed. Together though, her and Dax are explosive. Dax brings out a side of Dani that she did not existed. The setting of Saving Dani is obviously gorgeous. I mean it's Montana, how can it not be? The characters of course drew me in, and I loved getting to reconnect with familiar faces from previous books. The story is so much more than just a love story. It's also about accepting the help that is offered to you, and trusting that you'll still be alright in the end. It is also about a family reconnecting, and moving on from the pains of the past. It's just so good.

You know I'm recommending this book, right? Of course you do. Whether you like small town romances, military romances, a bit of romantic suspense, somewhat of a forced proximity, or the feeling that the characters are soul mates, you need to read Saving Dani. Also, Saving Dani is the FOURTH book in the One I Want series, but it can be read as a standalone since each book focuses on a different couple. It's just that some of the characters you'll meet do have their own stories out there, so why not start from the beginning with Saving Ariel. I think you'll really enjoy them.

Thank you for taking time to read my thoughts on Saving Dani. It is a wonderful story, and I hope you'll give it a read.

Laura

BLURB

Air Force special ops, Dax Kingston is a military Pararescue Jumper who swoops in to save the day, rescue the wounded, and bring peace to the world. That is... until he becomes one of the wounded.

With his injuries, the Air Force sends him on his way and he’s left to say goodbye to the only life that ever mattered. Adrift without purpose, he takes his beat-up pickup truck and his trusty dog on the open road, looking for something, anything to ease his troubled mind.

What he doesn’t count on is the spitfire, slip of a girl he finds stranded on the side of the road. Dani hits all his buttons, takes none of his flack, and won’t let him fix her flat.

She makes him feel things he never thought he could feel, and while he’s determined to reel her in, she fights every step of the way.

Sparks fly. Tempers flare. But, he knows she’s his one.

There’s only one problem.

Dani's nursing a broken heart and wants nothing to do with love.

Will Dax and Dani lose their chance at a happily ever after? Or will true love prevail?

Saving Dani is a steamy, second chance, contemporary romantic suspense about love at first sight. It features a protective hero and the smart, feisty heroine who steals his heart. If you believe in true love and soulmates, this story is your happily ever after.

Get your copy today and let the binge-reading begin.

(Saving Dani was previously published as Dax.)

ADD TO GOODREADS

PURCHASE LINKS

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

Free in Kindle Unlimited

EXCERPT

“I want sleepless nights and conversations without end. I want passion, madness, and someone who will make my entire body shiver with one look from across a crowded room. I want someone who will pull me close and make me feel as if I not only belong, but am an indispensable part of them. I want them to see my flaws, embrace them, and show me how they’re my greatest strengths. I want love without compromise. I want to face the storm and know I’m not alone. I don’t want an ordinary love. I want the impossible.”

I bare my soul, giving him everything in one breath. Then I sit still. My chest heaves. My heart pounds. Regret creeps into my thoughts.

What the hell have I done?

He says nothing, yet his thoughts are telegraphed in the movements of his body. In the tensing of his legs. In the way his breaths hitch. He tells me everything.

He splays his hand across my belly, keeping his touch modest and yet at the same time, incredibly sensual. Possessive. Protective.

Dax’s chest swells with the deepness of his breath, then it’s as if his entire body curves around mine, claiming me as his own.

He wraps his arms around me, sheltering me. The warmth of his breath whispers past my ear, sending a shiver down my spine and a tickle shooting up my neck.

I tilt my head back against his shoulder.

“That’s…” He clears his throat. “That’s not what I was expecting.” He tugs on the reins and his horse ambles to a stop. “Who hurt you? Who took your heart and broke it?”

ALSO AVAILABLE

FREE for a limited time!

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

Always free in Kindle Unlimited

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

Free in Kindle Unlimited

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

Free in Kindle Unlimited

COMING SOON

Releasing February 22

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

Releasing July 31

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

AUTHOR BIO

Ellie writes the kind of heart-stopping, pulse-pounding, can't-stop-reading romance filled with all your sexy, swoon-worthy, alpha men. They have to be, because the heroines Ellie writes are strong women with take charge attitudes.

International, bestselling, multi-genre author, Ellie writes the stories she loves to read. Dark romance lover? Sweet contemporary romance? How about a romantic suspense to whet your appetite? Ellie writes it all. Don't wait any longer, your next book boyfriend is waiting for you.

Born in the South, raised under the Hawaiian sun, Ellie has traveled the globe while in service to her country. The love of her life, her amazing husband, is her number one fan and biggest supporter. And yes! He's read every word she's written.

Don't forget to sign up for her newsletter. Never miss another release, sale, or exclusive. 

AUTHOR LINKS

FACEBOOK | FACEBOOK GROUP | AMAZON | GOODREADS | BOOKBUB | INSTAGRAM | WEBSITE | NEWSLETTER

Thank you to Ellie Masters, and Give Me Books PR, for providing me with an advanced copy of Saving Dani.

Bite the Bullet {a review}

Bite the Bullet is the third book in the Birch Police Department series by April Canavan, and it releases TODAY!

If you've been with me for a while, then you know that both Balls to the Wall and Boots on the Ground made my monthly top 5 lists. I am a bit obsessed with the series, and love the romantic suspense element that they offer. I get sucked right in, and I cannot put the books down. So I am expecting Bite the Bullet to be the same way.

In Bite the Bullet we are meeting up with Emma Hayes and Dominic Ortiz. Emma, you may recall, is the sister of Linc and Danny. Linc and Danny served overseas with Dominic. Linc and Dominic now serve together at Birch PD. One night Bee comes over to Emma's house, as her parents asked if Emma could watch her. Emma loves Bee, so it wasn't an issue. Plus Emma knows a bit of what goes on across the street. She's reported it a few times. That night though, everything changes. It is also this night that Emma finds out Dom is back in town. Emma is a new recruit to the police department and is beginning her training. Dom has been tapped to be her training officer. But there's a problem. They're attracted to each other, and the other night they kissed. Dom agrees to continue on, and tells the Chief the kiss meant nothing. And that is where it all starts.

I am obsessed with the Birch Police Department series. I cannot get enough. I absolutely loved Emma and Dom's story. Loved the relationship that Emma has with Dom's parents and siblings. Love the friendship that this group has. Love the ritual the guys have before someone deploys. Love how they have each others backs. The love story was fabulous. It has a bit of an age gap, as well as the brother's friend trope, along with a little military romance. It's just wonderful. Now I honestly thought the big moment of the book was when Dom deployed and Emma went to training. HAHAHAHAHA NO. That wasn't it. I mean that was the little moment of conflict. The suspenseful moment was still to come. And when it did, I can't lie, my mind immediately went to another person. Even though clues were given early on, my mind still didn't go there. But when I realized what was happening, my jaw dropped, and I gasped.

This book. OH THIS BOOK. Is it going to make my May top 5? Well I don't quite know yet, but there's a good chance.

If you're a fan of romantic suspense, then go read the Birch Police Department series. There's two more books yet to come, and I am eagerly anticipating both of them. 

Thank you for reading my thoughts,
Laura

Watch Me Burn {a review}

Ever since I finished reading Watch Me Burn, I have been struggling to put my thoughts to paper (um, screen). You see it's not that I didn't like the book, oh no, I quite enjoyed it. Owen and Natalie are fantastic together. The saying opposites attract is completely true for these two. It's just that I cannot convey my thoughts all of the sudden. The words have abandoned me. I can't say I've ever had that happen before. 🤷🏼‍♀️

The romance was wonderful. I loved seeing these two connect, and build that trust. Natalie made a big impact on Owen. I think it's safe to say he made one on her as well. Not to mention Natalie's parents stepping up. Loved that.

You know what really kept my attention though? It was the suspense. It all goes back to a situation that happened when Owen was a teenager. Here we are years later, and there are still people trying to bring him down.  Oofta. How everything played out. So good. I was so invested, and definitely found myself holding my breathe toward the end.

Now of course I also have questions, but it is what it is. I won't get answers because this isn't a cliffhanger type series. So no big deal. (Okay fine, it's about Owen's Mom. Do we ever find out what her issue is when it comes to Owen? Or is it just her husband's issue pushed on her? Does their relationship ever change for the better?)

What I do know is that I am going back to read the first book in the Elements of the Heart series, Watch Me Drown, because I need to know more about Gills, Whack, and Everest. Actually I might need to go back and read Buried Hearts, as that is where we apparently first meet the guys. But then if I'm going to read Buried Hearts, I suppose I should really read all of the books in the In the Dark series. Hmm, I guess I have a lot of backlist titles to read. 🤣

Have you read any books by CE Johnson? If not, I recommend Watch Me Burn. I think you might end up liking Owen and Natalie. (and then become really curious about Whack/Lucas.)

Happy Reading,

Curious about Watch Me Burn, but haven't read the teaser for it yet? I've got you covered, courtesy of Wildfire Marketing Solutions. Just scroll down a little bit.

Release Date: March 30

I was jumped. But nobody believed me.

They would have killed me if I didn’t fight back. 

Only once I started, I couldn’t stop myself.

The cops arrested me.

The town raged against me.

The judge made an example out of me.

Everyone abandoned me except my little sister.

Ten years later, she’s set to marry one of the men that destroyed my life. 

And all she wants is her big brother at her side. 

I didn’t think things could get much worse until Natalie Bell steps out of her fancy car with designer high heels to check in at my Lodge. 

A city girl doesn’t quite fit into my life out here in the wilderness. But when she’s ready to stand up for me against my biggest enemies, she happens to fit quite nicely at my side.

This fire inside of me used to be fueled by hate. Now, I only burn for her. 

They can try to force me back up on that stake and light every match in their books.

But I’m a different man now.

You see, once you learn how to live in the flames, they can no longer hurt you.

Grab Your Copy Here!

Meet C.E. Johnson

C.E. Johnson writes contemporary romance with a side of suspense. Her stories are full of emotion, heartbreak, collapsing walls, and redeeming love.

When not writing until all hours of the night, she loves to read books that feature a strong male with a soft spot for his feisty heroine. She prefers stories that rip your heart out completely, then kindly place it back into your chest with a HEA.

She lives in the Midwest with her husband, two kids, and some spoiled rotten animals.

Connect with C.E. Johnson

Website | Newsletter | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook Reader Group | Amazon Author Page | BookBub | Goodreads

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Thank you to Wildfire Marketing Solutions, and CE Johnson, for providing me with an advanced copy of Watch Me Burn. A positive review was not required. All thoughts/opinions regarding the book are my own.

Watch Me Burn {teaser}

This book sounds so good, and I cannot wait to dive in!

🔥🔥TEASER BLAST🔥🔥

 

WATCH ME BURN by C.E Johnson is coming March 30! 

PreOrderHere: mybook.to/WatchMeBurn

 

I was jumped. But nobody believed me.
They would have killed me if I didn’t fight back. 
Only once I started, I couldn’t stop myself.

The cops arrested me.

The town raged against me.

The judge made an example out of me.

Everyone abandoned me except my little sister.
Ten years later, she’s set to marry one of the men that destroyed my life. 
And all she wants is her big brother at her side. 

I didn’t think things could get much worse until Natalie Bell steps out of her fancy car with designer high heels to check in at my Lodge. 
A city girl doesn’t quite fit into my life out here in the wilderness. But when she’s ready to stand up for me against my biggest enemies, she happens to fit quite nicely at my side.

This fire inside of me used to be fueled by hate. Now, I only burn for her. 
They can try to force me back up on that stake and light every match in their books.
But I’m a different man now.
You see, once you learn how to live in the flames, they can no longer hurt you.

 

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