Book #Review: Stone Cold Surrender (Westmoreland 4) by Brenda Jackson .@AuthorBJackson

Book Title: Stone Cold Surrender (Westmoreland 4)
Author:  Brenda Jackson |Website| Twitter| Facebook|

Publisher: Harlequin Desire
Genre: Romance
Series/Standalone: Series
Format: ebook, Mass Market

Cost: $4.99

Pages: 192

How I got it: Purchased

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Publisher
Publication Date: July 23, 2004
Add To Goodreads
Synopsis:

Stone Westmoreland had an eye for the ladies. And charm that never failed. He was an experienced player who played for keeps. So who would have guessed that prim and proper Madison Winters could rattle his nerves without even trying? She had him feeling all protective, and all sexed up, too. Before he knew it, Stone had volunteered to help Madison find her mother, who’d gone missing in the mountains.

Stone was willing to play the knight in shining armor, but only if it meant the hard days of trekking through the wilderness would result in the ultimate payoff–passion-filled nights under the Montana starlit sky with the delectable Miss Winters….

It's another of the Westmoreland Clan stories and I'm glad to be back in this world.  Although it relied heavily on Corey's story it was still a good story to read about them.  Stone is a famous author of the Westmoreland Clan, he's on his way to unwind  on his Uncles secluded mountain, post book publication. Madison is a teacher on summer break, and she's on a mission, her mother has run off recently and she needs to make sure she's okay.  They meet on the flight because Madison is afraid of flying and Stone helps to calm her down.  From there our story unfolds and boy what a story we get.

My favorite character is Stone because he's so set on not falling in love because he didn't want to lose himself in any relationship as his friends have.  As he goes down the path of love he tries to justify why he's acting like he is and keeps telling himself he's just being a good guy as if it's not love. Madison is here to find her upstanding staid mother who went on vacation with friends and never returned. She has gotten messages stating her mother is okay but this woman who is leaving the messages can't possibly be the woman who has raised her whole life.

As I was reading I kept asking myself what kind of person is so deeply involved in their parent's lives. Like girl back up and let your mother live, she's told you she is doing ok and yes it might be out of the ordinary for her but she's a grown woman trying to have some fun. Just because you don't know her to live like this doesn't mean she didn't get down when she was younger.  I can't imagine trying to tell my mama that because my father passes she has to remain a lonely widow because that's what I'm comfortable with, I can totally hear that conversation now and it wouldn't go well for me. Not.At. all!!

When Stone discovers that the man Madison is looking for is his Uncle he decides to run interference and keep Madison occupied for a while. In doing this they take the time to get to know each other and it's funny reading the parallels that their love stories run on. Except for this time, Madison doesn't have a family telling her what to do.  I liked that this couple has a second chance at love, it's sad that Corey has lived his whole life loving this one woman and never had the fulfilling life that she went on to have. She married and had a child and her family and career where he was left to pick up the broken pieces of his heart. He still succeeded in his career and was a fantastic Uncle to his siblings' children but having made the decision to love only once he wasn't able to have the family he deserved.

As the story progresses missed opportunities come to light and way more people end up on Corey's Mountain than were truly expected. And it was great seeing where the connections that come about in later books come from.  It's sad that people make decisions that benefit them but hurt so many others in the long run especially children.  But I guess we make the best choices we can at the moment and hope that the fall out isn't as deep as we fear.

I loved that this is a second chance romance along with a chance to learn from the past for another couple.  it's a sweet look at how our decisions affect even those we don't' know about. I really loved the story and can't wait to dive in deeper with the newest members of the family.

 ★★★★☆

I hope you like meeting and falling in love with another of the Westmoreland Clan. Happy Reading my loves, 

#Review, #Giveaway & #Excerpt : BUILT by Jay Crownover .@JayCrownover .@InkSlingerPR

Book Title: Built (Saints of Denver Book 1)
Author:  Jay Crownover |Website| Twitter| Facebook| BUILT Goodreads | Jay Crownover Goodreads

Publisher: William Morrow
Genre: New Adult Romance
Series/Standalone: Book 1
Format: ebook, and Trade Paperback

Cost: $14.99

Pages: 400

Purchase: Amazon US | iBooks | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

Publication Date: Jan 5, 2016

Add To Goodreads
Synopsis:
From the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Marked Men books comes an electrifying new spin-off series, Saints of Denver, featuring all the characters fans have been dying to read about.

Sayer Cole and Zeb Fuller couldn’t be more different. She’s country club and fine-dining, he’s cell-block and sawdust. Sayer spends her days in litigation, while Zeb spends his working with his hands. She’s French silk, he’s all denim and flannel. Zeb’s wanted the stunning blonde since the moment he laid eyes on her. It doesn't matter how many smooth moves he makes, the reserved lawyer seems determinedly oblivious to his interest—either that or she doesn't return it. Sayer is certain the rough, hard, hot-as-hell Zeb could never want someone as closed off and restrained as she is, which is a shame because something tells her he might be the guy to finally melt her icy exterior. But just as things start to heat up, Zeb is blindsided by a life altering moment from his past. He needs Sayer’s professional help to right a wrong and to save more than himself. He can’t risk what’s at stake just because his attraction to Sayer feels all consuming. But as these opposites dig in for the fight of their lives, battling together to save a family, the steam created when fire and ice collide can no longer be ignored.

And don’t miss this sneak peek of BUILT! Check out the excerpt here! 

I dug my fingers into his wrists and scowled right back at him as his pulse kicked into my touch. “I don’t think you’re an asshole or a player at all, Zeb, but I also have no experience with men like you.”

                “Men like me? What does that mean? What kind of man am I?” He was getting angry and frustrated and I couldn’t blame him. It was hard for me to explain why he was everything I wanted but everything I could never have. We were on two different levels when it came to our personalities and I knew there was no way someone as passionate and expressive as he was would ever be interested in someone as reserved and closed off as I was. Where I was the frozen tundra when it came to emotional availability, he was the blazing heat of the desert. I could see the fire of his annoyance in his gaze as he waited for my shaky explanation.

                “You’re a man who is sure of himself and confidant. You’re a man who is used to having women fall at his feet. You’re a man who is exiting and interesting.” I lifted an eyebrow at him. “You’re a man who is tattooed and drives a cool vintage truck around, you’re a man who doesn’t mind getting dirty and can create things for a living. All of that is the total opposite of everything I’ve ever known, Zeb.”

                His eyebrows went from the deep frown over his nose to shooting up on his forehead and disappeared under the dark fall of hair that rested there. A grin that could only be described as wicked slashed through his beard and his hands tightened where they were still holding on to my face.

                “I thought you were going to say a man with a past. A man that has been to jail. I thought you were going to say a man with my history is the kind of man you have no experience with. You surprised me.”

                If I was a different type of woman, I might have smacked him for that kind of ignorance. “Where you have been doesn’t define who you are, Zeb. I told you when we first met that I understand that people make mistakes.”

                He grunted and moved his face closer to mine. “And here I am on your doorstep with another one. You want me to teach you about a man like me, Sayer? I’m pretty simple to figure out.”

                I didn’t believe that for a single second, so I opened my mouth to tell him. There was never anything simple about passion. I didn’t get a chance to utter a sound because before I got a word out I suddenly knew exactly what it felt like to be kissed by a guy with a beard because he dipped his head and devoured my mouth with his.

                It felt phenomenal.

Pre-Order Links

If you can't tell I have kind of taken a bit of a hiatus, it wasn't expected and it certainly wasn't planned, my life kinda needed a little more attention than the books did the last few weeks, and let me tell you I missed both the books and sharing with y'all all about the books. Then this popped up in my mailbox and I couldn't not read it. I snuck time at work, I read when I was supposed to be working on projects for my family, I snuck reading when I was supposed to be sleeping, heck I certainly gave up on sleep so I could finish this, and then I regretted finishing it, because well, there is no more Jay books until like March. Ugh Jay write faster!!!

 Y'all know I'm a Crownover Fangirl already, I show her and all her boys so much love on the blog because she writes amazing characters that feel like people I know, people I like and people I want to get to know and I get so sucked into the story as it goes on that I'm most often not even aware that time is flying. This story is no different, we already knew the outcome was going to be Zeb & Sawyer getting together, but the journey is what I read the books for and man what a journey. It had great highlight and laughing moments, and moments that stopped your breath, I loved reading Zeb and Sawyer's journey reading as each learned to embrace the jagged edges of themselves, and learned how those pieces would fit together and make them a great couple.

Sawyer doesn't come from the most loving of backgrounds, although she is privileged in her upbringing compared to the rest of the crew, what they created as a family she lacked. Having taken her father's last will and testament and run with it, she's made the first moves to getting out from under his thumb what was meant to be his last "eff you" to her became her greatest triumphs because it gave her the family she has always wanted. Sawyer is a reserved woman because she doesn't know how to handle emotions and being a part of a family the way the others have learnt by being there for each other, but she is very much the kid with her face moshed against the glass looking out at the world and dying to be apart of it but scared she's not enough to really be included.  She has these ideas about herself that she's been feed since she was a child, and yet she doesn't notice that she has already embraced change and the drastic differences between the woman she thought she was and the woman she actually is.  I love that her home is a sanctuary not just for herself but also for Salem's sister, and it becomes a bit of a sanctuary later on for someone else as well and I loved those moments of her learning to stretch herself beyond what she thought she knew.  One of my favorite lines is the discussion of her love for color, and how she hides it on her toes and yet in her home she has this rare red wall in her kitchen.  I just love it.

Zeb is a man with a past, his temper put him a place that led to him serving time, and now that he's out, he's honest about his past and figures he'll let the chips fall how they want.  Having become good friends with Rowdy, he's even more fascinated by his sister, & jumps at the chance to help her create her dream home by renovating her Victorian. Zeb's the total opposite of Sawyer and yet, she's the piece of the puzzle that adds the most to his picture.  Coming from a loving family background, and not knowing all there is to know about Sawyer, Zeb does make some mistakes, but I absolutely loved that in this one he was the most sure about the relationship, about being the one who was determined to bring her out of her shell.  I loved the Zeb saw Sawyer way better than she did and he understood her quirks a bit better than she did at times and he was totally willing to work with whatever she was willing to share.

There are so many great moments between them, especially as Sawyer begins to come out of her shell, but my favorites are when they are interacting later in the book, when Sawyer is trying to find her footing not just as a friend, or as a sister, but as a woman who Zeb is interested in.  It's so much fun to watch her try to embrace all he's trying to give her while still trying to remain braced for the pain of failure.  And when Zeb gets a powerhouse in his corner it's so much fun to watch her embrace that while running from Zeb.  I loved their interactions, I loved the few times we get to see the Marked Men, especially when Rome goes all Daddy crazy over his daughter.

I absolutely loved reading this books and especially seeing the upcoming couple I can't wait to see how that unfolds.  Jay has once again captured the journey of love in a way that makes it fun, and sweet, and not too heartbreaking.  And now I want to go re-read it again.

★★★★1/2☆

Happy Reading my loves and just know that Zeb and Sawyer together are awesome, the journey to getting there?? Is so worth the read.

And now time for a giveaway  Goof Luck!!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

#Review, #Giveaway & #Excerpt : BUILT by Jay Crownover .@JayCrownover .@InkSlingerPR

Book Title: Built (Saints of Denver Book 1)
Author:  Jay Crownover |Website| Twitter| Facebook| BUILT Goodreads | Jay Crownover Goodreads

Publisher: William Morrow
Genre: New Adult Romance
Series/Standalone: Book 1
Format: ebook, and Trade Paperback

Cost: $14.99

Pages: 400

Purchase: Amazon US | iBooks | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

Publication Date: Jan 5, 2016

Add To Goodreads
Synopsis:
From the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Marked Men books comes an electrifying new spin-off series, Saints of Denver, featuring all the characters fans have been dying to read about.

Sayer Cole and Zeb Fuller couldn’t be more different. She’s country club and fine-dining, he’s cell-block and sawdust. Sayer spends her days in litigation, while Zeb spends his working with his hands. She’s French silk, he’s all denim and flannel. Zeb’s wanted the stunning blonde since the moment he laid eyes on her. It doesn't matter how many smooth moves he makes, the reserved lawyer seems determinedly oblivious to his interest—either that or she doesn't return it. Sayer is certain the rough, hard, hot-as-hell Zeb could never want someone as closed off and restrained as she is, which is a shame because something tells her he might be the guy to finally melt her icy exterior. But just as things start to heat up, Zeb is blindsided by a life altering moment from his past. He needs Sayer’s professional help to right a wrong and to save more than himself. He can’t risk what’s at stake just because his attraction to Sayer feels all consuming. But as these opposites dig in for the fight of their lives, battling together to save a family, the steam created when fire and ice collide can no longer be ignored.

And don’t miss this sneak peek of BUILT! Check out the excerpt here! 

I dug my fingers into his wrists and scowled right back at him as his pulse kicked into my touch. “I don’t think you’re an asshole or a player at all, Zeb, but I also have no experience with men like you.”

                “Men like me? What does that mean? What kind of man am I?” He was getting angry and frustrated and I couldn’t blame him. It was hard for me to explain why he was everything I wanted but everything I could never have. We were on two different levels when it came to our personalities and I knew there was no way someone as passionate and expressive as he was would ever be interested in someone as reserved and closed off as I was. Where I was the frozen tundra when it came to emotional availability, he was the blazing heat of the desert. I could see the fire of his annoyance in his gaze as he waited for my shaky explanation.

                “You’re a man who is sure of himself and confidant. You’re a man who is used to having women fall at his feet. You’re a man who is exiting and interesting.” I lifted an eyebrow at him. “You’re a man who is tattooed and drives a cool vintage truck around, you’re a man who doesn’t mind getting dirty and can create things for a living. All of that is the total opposite of everything I’ve ever known, Zeb.”

                His eyebrows went from the deep frown over his nose to shooting up on his forehead and disappeared under the dark fall of hair that rested there. A grin that could only be described as wicked slashed through his beard and his hands tightened where they were still holding on to my face.

                “I thought you were going to say a man with a past. A man that has been to jail. I thought you were going to say a man with my history is the kind of man you have no experience with. You surprised me.”

                If I was a different type of woman, I might have smacked him for that kind of ignorance. “Where you have been doesn’t define who you are, Zeb. I told you when we first met that I understand that people make mistakes.”

                He grunted and moved his face closer to mine. “And here I am on your doorstep with another one. You want me to teach you about a man like me, Sayer? I’m pretty simple to figure out.”

                I didn’t believe that for a single second, so I opened my mouth to tell him. There was never anything simple about passion. I didn’t get a chance to utter a sound because before I got a word out I suddenly knew exactly what it felt like to be kissed by a guy with a beard because he dipped his head and devoured my mouth with his.

                It felt phenomenal.

Pre-Order Links

If you can't tell I have kind of taken a bit of a hiatus, it wasn't expected and it certainly wasn't planned, my life kinda needed a little more attention than the books did the last few weeks, and let me tell you I missed both the books and sharing with y'all all about the books. Then this popped up in my mailbox and I couldn't not read it. I snuck time at work, I read when I was supposed to be working on projects for my family, I snuck reading when I was supposed to be sleeping, heck I certainly gave up on sleep so I could finish this, and then I regretted finishing it, because well, there is no more Jay books until like March. Ugh Jay write faster!!!

 Y'all know I'm a Crownover Fangirl already, I show her and all her boys so much love on the blog because she writes amazing characters that feel like people I know, people I like and people I want to get to know and I get so sucked into the story as it goes on that I'm most often not even aware that time is flying. This story is no different, we already knew the outcome was going to be Zeb & Sawyer getting together, but the journey is what I read the books for and man what a journey. It had great highlight and laughing moments, and moments that stopped your breath, I loved reading Zeb and Sawyer's journey reading as each learned to embrace the jagged edges of themselves, and learned how those pieces would fit together and make them a great couple.

Sawyer doesn't come from the most loving of backgrounds, although she is privileged in her upbringing compared to the rest of the crew, what they created as a family she lacked. Having taken her father's last will and testament and run with it, she's made the first moves to getting out from under his thumb what was meant to be his last "eff you" to her became her greatest triumphs because it gave her the family she has always wanted. Sawyer is a reserved woman because she doesn't know how to handle emotions and being a part of a family the way the others have learnt by being there for each other, but she is very much the kid with her face moshed against the glass looking out at the world and dying to be apart of it but scared she's not enough to really be included.  She has these ideas about herself that she's been feed since she was a child, and yet she doesn't notice that she has already embraced change and the drastic differences between the woman she thought she was and the woman she actually is.  I love that her home is a sanctuary not just for herself but also for Salem's sister, and it becomes a bit of a sanctuary later on for someone else as well and I loved those moments of her learning to stretch herself beyond what she thought she knew.  One of my favorite lines is the discussion of her love for color, and how she hides it on her toes and yet in her home she has this rare red wall in her kitchen.  I just love it.

Zeb is a man with a past, his temper put him a place that led to him serving time, and now that he's out, he's honest about his past and figures he'll let the chips fall how they want.  Having become good friends with Rowdy, he's even more fascinated by his sister, & jumps at the chance to help her create her dream home by renovating her Victorian. Zeb's the total opposite of Sawyer and yet, she's the piece of the puzzle that adds the most to his picture.  Coming from a loving family background, and not knowing all there is to know about Sawyer, Zeb does make some mistakes, but I absolutely loved that in this one he was the most sure about the relationship, about being the one who was determined to bring her out of her shell.  I loved the Zeb saw Sawyer way better than she did and he understood her quirks a bit better than she did at times and he was totally willing to work with whatever she was willing to share.

There are so many great moments between them, especially as Sawyer begins to come out of her shell, but my favorites are when they are interacting later in the book, when Sawyer is trying to find her footing not just as a friend, or as a sister, but as a woman who Zeb is interested in.  It's so much fun to watch her try to embrace all he's trying to give her while still trying to remain braced for the pain of failure.  And when Zeb gets a powerhouse in his corner it's so much fun to watch her embrace that while running from Zeb.  I loved their interactions, I loved the few times we get to see the Marked Men, especially when Rome goes all Daddy crazy over his daughter.

I absolutely loved reading this books and especially seeing the upcoming couple I can't wait to see how that unfolds.  Jay has once again captured the journey of love in a way that makes it fun, and sweet, and not too heartbreaking.  And now I want to go re-read it again.

★★★★1/2☆

Happy Reading my loves and just know that Zeb and Sawyer together are awesome, the journey to getting there?? Is so worth the read.

And now time for a giveaway  Goog Luck!!
a Rafflecopter giveaway