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See How They Run by Bethany Campbell, a Loveswept Classic
In this harrowing, pulse-pounding story of romance and danger by Bethany Campbell, two strangers race to save innocent children from a crime lord’s hit men.
A gifted teacher for special-needs children, Laura Stoner loves her charges, especially eight-year-old autistic twins Rickie and Trace Fletcher. An ordinary day on the school playground turns into a nightmare when shots ring out and an old man lies dead. By witnessing the drive-by shooting, the boys become innocent targets of a dangerous syndicate. Now U.S. Attorney Mike Montana is tasked with getting the boys and their beautiful, determined teacher out of harm’s way.
But it’s getting harder by the minute. There’s a leak inside the Witness Protection Program and no matter how fast or far they run, the bad guys spot their every move. Part of Mike wants to deny the fierce possessive attraction growing for Laura. But desire wins, and soon he’s in over his heart, aware that nothing means more to him than getting them all out of this one alive.
Includes a special message from the editor, as well as excerpts from these Loveswept titles: In the Arms of the Law, Ivy Secrets, and The Rose of Blacksword.
Order your copy here
FREE Excerpt – Ride With Me – Ruthie Knox
“A sweet yet sultry, honest and heart-tugging ride. Everything a love story should be!” Carly Phillips, New York Times Bestselling Author“Sexy, hilarious, poignant and just plain fun, RIDE WITH ME is a fantastic debut!” – Bestselling author Leslie Kelly
“A fantastic, sexy, and fun story! Ruthie Knox’s, RIDE WITH ME, was a delight to read.”
Jill Shalvis, NYT Best Selling Author“Ride With Me, is a unique kind of road trip with the best kind of bumps and curves!”
Sandra Hill, New York Times Best Selling Author“Smart, sexy, and downright fun–I loved every moment of the ride!”
Julie James, National Bestselling Author“Ruthie Knox writes a devil of a good book! Ride With Me is one wild and fun ride you’ll enjoy from the first page to the last!”
Christie Craig, award winning author of romances with heart, humor and suspense.“Debut author, Ruthie Knox’s, RIDE WITH ME, is a great mix of steamy passion and non-stop wit. Get ready to laugh out loud. One HOT read!”
Christina Skye
New York Times Best Selling Author of A HOME BY THE SEA“Ride With Me is smart, sexy and funny, and once I picked it up I could not put it down. Can’t wait for more from Ruthie Knox. ”
Sarah Mayberry, Harlequin Super Romance“Ride With Me has it all: it’s sexy, smart and fun. Ruthie Knox is a name to watch for in contemporary romance.”
Samantha Hunter, Harlequin Blaze“A charming, off-beat romance romance debut, with a fresh new voice to keep the rest of us on our toes. Discover Ruthie Knox now, so you can say, ‘I read her when…’” —Meg Maguire, author of The Reluctant Nude
RIDE WITH ME by Ruthie Knox, A Loveswept eOriginal Excerpt
FREE Excerpt – Because of You, a Loveswept Original by Jessica Scott – Just $2.99
Find out what Amazon readers are clamoring about:
By Stella (Ex Libris)
Anne W, Oklahoma City
“Jessica Scott is an exciting new voice in romantic fiction who bursts upon the scene with an unputdownable debut novel!”
Robyn Carr | New York Times Bestselling Author
“Edgy and current–and a truly satisfying love story. Put this book, Jessica Scott’s BECAUSE OF YOU, on your “must read” list.”
Suzanne Brockmann | New York Times Bestselling Author
“BECAUSE OF YOU is powerful, timely and wonderfully executed. Jessica Scott should be on every reader’s list.” Brenda Novak | New York Times Bestselling Author
“Jessica Scott writes with a soldier’s heart. BECAUSE OF YOU is touching, authentic and a fantastic read.”
Cindy Gerard | New York Times Bestselling Author
“Crackling with realism, sizzling with sexual tension, and pulsing with emotion, Jessica Scott has penned an unforgettable military romance that delivers heartache and hope on every page.”
Roxanne St. Claire | New York Times Bestselling Author
“Watch out Navy SEALS, there’s a new hero in town and he’s wearing Army gray! BECAUSE OF YOU is a beautifully crafted, wonderfully emotional debut.”
JoAnn Ross | New York Times Bestselling Author
FREE Excerpt – BECAUSE OF YOU by Jessica Scott, just $2.99
Ivy Secrets by Jean Stone, a Loveswept Classic
Jean Stone’s dramatic, suspenseful novel weaves together the lives of three young women with a closely guarded secret that puts a teenage girl in jeopardy.
They met at a prestigious women’s college in New England; three women from different backgrounds: Charlie, the poor girl from the wrong side of town; Tess, the gifted artist seeking love and acceptance; and Marina, a European princess craving an ordinary life. They were best friends and soul mates, and together they swore to keep a shocking secret.
Now, fifteen years later, the past has come back to shatter their worlds and rekindle long forgotten dreams. Charlie’s teenage daughter has been kidnapped—but not for the ransom that her wealthy husband can pay. The truth reunites the roommates and forces them to confront the girls they were and the women they have become. Only now do they understand that true strength lies in their faith in one another and their willingness to expose the scandal, lies, and desperate acts born of sacrifice. And only the truth behind their ivy secrets can set them free.
Includes a special message from the editor, as well as excerpts from these Loveswept titles: The Rose of Blacksword, Spellbound, and Tender, Loving Cure.
My Passion for Police + Giveaway!!
My Passion for Police
By Deborah Harmse, author of In The Arms Of The Law
You see, I’ve always wondered how a man who deals with scumbags all day at work can go home to his family and lead a normal life. How does he spend his day investigating crime scenes, witnessing autopsies, interrogating reluctant witnesses and probable murderers…then walk through his front door, hug his kids, kiss his wife and sit down at the dining room table to eat dinner and talk about homework and home improvement projects and the front lawn that absolutely must be cut this weekend.
I didn’t understand. I kept asking myself one question: How does a man managed to live such a dichotomous existence. That became the question at the center of my novel, In the Arms of the Law.
To answer that question, I set out to learn all I could about the life of a policeman—his typical work day; his opinions about criminals and witnesses and victims; how, after a particularly gruesome day on the job, he left all that behind and met his family for pizza to celebrate his son’s 5th birthday.
I devoured nonfiction and fiction books and articles written about (and by) cops. I was getting somewhere. My homicide detective, Mackenzie Hoyle (Hoyle because he was the type of cop who does things “by the book”) was beginning to come to life.
But I hit the research jackpot about 30,000 feet in the air somewhere between New Orleans and Los Angeles. I was flying home from a Romance Writers of America conference when I zeroed in on an article in Delta’s In Sky magazine praising a recently published nonfiction book—Homicide: A Year on the Killing Streets, by David Simon. (Years later the same book would be fictionalized in the television show Homicide: Life on the Streets and eventually become the inspiration for the HBO series The Wire.)
Homicide? Killing Streets? I thought. Now this is what I’m talking about. I couldn’t get a copy fast enough.
Then one day, when I was sitting at the counter in a coffee shop in Southern California, my nose buried in this fascinating book, the man sitting next to me asked me what I was reading. I looked at him, and without saying a word, showed him the cover.
“Homicide: A Year on the Killing Streets,” he said. “Interesting topic. I have a friend who recently retired from the California Highway patrol. He was a homicide detective,” the man said.
“No kidding,” I said. “Do you think he’d be willing to meet with me? I’m writing a novel and my main character is a homicide detective.”
“Probably,” he said.
And that’s when my research got really interesting.
So question, any police type characters that light your fire? Either on TV, from a book or in real life? James Bond is always a favorite spy type 
what about you — comment to win one of five books randomly given out to random winners every week on R@R – winners announce on Sunday – Good Luck!
The Making of . . . .by Jean Stone + Giveaway!
The Making of
IVY SECRETS
By Jean Stone
I am thrilled to have my first three novels included in the Loveswept program. Talk about timeless female topics: babies, lovers, and awakening independence.
The concept for IVY SECRETS began with my editor. A graduate of Amherst College, she attended the school when Prince Albert of Monaco was studying there. We wondered what it was like to be royalty at small college in western Massachusetts. Because I write for and about women, and because western MA is my home, I shaped an idea around a princess who went to Smith College in neighboring Northampton.
My mother had dreamed I would go to Smith. Of course, that was a while ago. The woman who’d headed the ladies’ guild at our church was president of the Alumnae Association. I think my mother hoped that a Smith education would turn me into a white-gloved, proper lady, like Mrs. whatever-her-name-was.
I did not want to go there. There were no boys. It was too close to home. And I had little interest in taking classes with the daughter of President Nixon.
Fast forward about a hundred years: I found myself prowling the Smith College grounds, notebook in hand, enthralled by the ages-old campus with its ivy-covered brick buildings, its rambling walkways and inviting stone benches, its old New England, academic charm. What a magical place for adventure! For romance! For a princess to land!
I muttered to my by-then-deceased mother that perhaps I should have listened to her.
I love to write about situations that affect women of all ages, all backgrounds, all walks-of-life. As a writer, I have the most fun when I toss a few very different females together and watch what happens. Guaranteed, there will be conflict. Guaranteed, there will be fun. And usually, they will wind up with a secret or two.
Often they find love, which can be enchanting and wonderful, or nerve-wracking and exhausting, but always life-changing.
IVY SECRETS opens years after the main characters – Charlie, Tess, and Marina – had been roommates at Smith. On the surface, it appears that the women have nothing in common, not then, not now. But, today, Charlie’s fourteen-year old daughter has been kidnapped: Reluctant or not, the women know the importance of sticking together.
As they attempt to locate the girl, we learn the story behind their story…how each arrived at where she is today, and what, if anything, can be done to change decisions of the past.
I hope you enjoy IVY SECRETS as much as I enjoyed writing it. I’d like to extend a special thanks to my bff, Steven Cooper, who came up with the title. And thanks to Prince Albert of Monaco, too, for his unwitting contribution!
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Can you think of a situation where you found yourself depending on women with whom you have nothing but in common except for one situation?
Remember, 5 winners are chosen every week to win a random book – good luck! Winners announced on Sundays.
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What’s Next: After having written several playful, tongue-in-cheek novels under the pen name, Abby Drake, I am currently working on a series that takes place on Martha’s Vineyard. Visit my website for updates: http://www.jeanstone.com.
In the Arms of the Law by Deborah Harmse, a Loveswept Classic
A murder investigation pairs a cynical detective and a vivacious teacher in Deborah Harmse’s engrossing novel of romantic suspense.
A cop who has seen too much of the dark side of life, Mackenzie Hoyle has developed a few rough edges. He’s working a murder case and has some hard questions for a troubled student at the local high school. But getting past Rebekah de Bieren challenges his toughest tactics. The tiny, blonde civics teacher is as protective as a mother lion, making his job a little more difficult—not that he’s complaining. She’s sexy, straight-shooting, and reawakens something deep and primal he’d forgotten existed.
Mack may be as big, tough, and sexy as they come. but underneath the badge is a gentle man who pulls Becky even as he pushes. He’s got a crime to solve; she’s got a kid to protect. But maybe somewhere in the middle, the crazy, wonderful passion igniting between them will lead to a chance for happiness neither one ever saw coming.
Includes a special message from the editor, as well as excerpts from these Loveswept titles: The Rose of Blacksword, Spellbound, and Tender, Loving Cure.
The Rose of Blacksword by Rexanne Becnel, a Loveswept Classic
From bestselling author Rexanne Becnel, this classic romance is the beguiling tale of two souls cast together by fate. Like all her historical novels, The Rose of Blacksword speaks to a love that resonates throughout the ages.
Lady Rosalynde of Stanwood has the power to entice men to deeds of reckless daring. And none is so rash and bold as the condemned outlaw known as Blacksword. In return for safe escort to her ancestral castle, Rosalynde is forced to marry the rogue, never dreaming that holy wedlock will fan the flames of unholy desire.
Wielder of the coveted Blacksword, with the fate of his noble name resting on his massive shoulders, Sir Aric of Wycliffe lives to bring death to his treacherous nemesis—until his heart is bested by the enchanting maiden who saved him from the hangman’s noose. Bound together by ancient custom, the brazen knight demands nothing less than Rose’s total surrender. But even as revenge and honor war within him, he is undone by the most seductive conqueror of all: wild, irresistible love.
Includes a special message from the editor, as well as excerpts from these Loveswept titles: Tender, Loving Cure, Spellbound, and This Fierce Splendor.
Book Review, E – The BookPushers on Because of You
Publisher: Loveswept
Publish Date: Out Now
How I got this book: From the Publisher via NetGalley
“Keeping his men alive is all that matters to Sergeant First Class Shane Garrison. But meeting Jen St. James the night before his latest deployment makes Shane wonder if there’s more to life than war. He leaves for Iraq remembering a single kiss with a woman he’ll never see again- until a near fatal attack lands him back at home and in her care. Jen has survived her own brush with death and endured its scars. And yet there’s a fire in Shane that makes Jen forget all about her past. He may be her patient, but when this warrior looks her in the eyes, she feels – for the first time in a long time – like a woman. Shane is too proud to ask for help, but for Jen, caring for him is more than a duty -it’s a need. And as Jen guides Shane through the fires of healing, she finds something she never expected – her deepest desire.”
This blurb came from Amazon.com. “BECAUSE OF YOU is the first in her Coming Home series if you want to learn more about that series please visit Ms Scott’s website HERE.
I don’t remember what made me start following Ms Scott on a particular social network but she was deployed at the time. I continued to have 140 or less character conversations with her while she finished her deployment, took command and received her first publishing contract to lead off the return of the Loveswept line. As her release date approached Ms Scott posed a question on Twitter asking about how an author goes about setting up a blog tour. I was one of the bloggers who answered, offered advice and arranged dates on The Book Pushers.
See The BookPushers for more on Jessica, her interview and her series
I have to state before I actually begin talking about BECAUSE OF YOU that I had extremely high expectations. I have read some of Ms Scott’s blog posts so I wasn’t worried about the quality of her writing; I was more concerned with how she was going to incorporate the military for two reasons. First, due to my day job I am really familiar with the Army culture so things that weren’t quite right would certainly jar me out of the world Ms Scott created. The second is that I know exactly how familiar Ms Scott is with the Army’s culture so I wasn’t willing to give her the leeway I try to give to someone who had to depend on research. I am pleased to state that Ms Scott certainly met my expectations and then some!
I was first introduced to Sergeant First Class Shane Garrison as he was trying to deal with the end of his marriage. Unfortunately the end of a relationship is a common occurrence in the military so carrying the thread of struggling relationships throughout the story added to its realism. In those same early pages I was introduced to some personalities that would continue to resonate and play important roles in the lives of the main characters. A few of them I am hoping get to become main characters in the future. I was also able to get a real feel for the depth of responsibility towards his platoon that Sergeant First Class Garrison has.
“Shane just didn’t want to watch them say good-bye to their wives and girlfriends, and it had nothing to do with his divorce. Shane hated the knowledge that he might not be bringing everyone home to their families.”
This gathering is also where I was introduced to Jen St. James whose friend Laura happens to be Shane’s company commander’s wife. Since Laura convinced Jen to go out with them for the first time after undergoing a rather traumatic series of events Jen is able to meet Shane and several members of his platoon. Jen gets a taste of their personalities and also share a rather sweet moment with Shane at the end of the night.
As the story continued I noticed something rather impressive about Ms Scott’s writing style. Any character that she spent more then 2 lines bringing to my attention played a role as events progressed. Some acted to reinforce aspects of some of the primary characters while others demonstrated that Shane and his men were not in some idealized vacuum but a group of people with all the inherent quirks and foibles that come with people. Even with the life-threatening action taking place in Iraq with Shane’s unit Ms Scott did not neglect to develop the characters of the wives, girlfriends and support structure back at Fort Hood. She was able to use their very uncertainty and the lack of personal knowledge on the part of Jen, a civilian nurse, to explain to her audience some aspects of military culture without becoming infodumpy or condescending.
Ms Scott’s deft use of interpersonal relationships clearly illustrated how much the members of Shane’s platoon depended on each other and how an injury, an evacuated or a killed member of their platoon upset the balance. She was also able to show how much of a person’s identity is wrapped up in what they can do physically. This is especially true in a culture, for example that of the infantry that demands a high level of physical performance as a foundation. When members of that culture suddenly lose that ability they lose their foundation. The path to finding a new foundation and regaining their sense of worth plays a huge role in the lives of Shane, Jen and other members of his platoon.
I really liked how Ms Scott paired two people dealing with the loss of something they used as part of their identity together. They were able to help each other continue the healing process and neither one could throw at the other the excuse when things seemed insurmountable that the other person just didn’t understand. Some of you might have seen me mention on twitter a few occasions while I was reading that I had to come up to breath, well that pause was used to control the urge to grab my box of tissues and start bawling. I was at work and I MUST maintain my composure there.
I think the only thing I didn’t like was one of the stereotypes that Ms Scott used regarding a poor excuse of an officer. I didn’t like it because unfortunately it is one that is a common belief that is based on truth, I have met people who fulfilled that stereotype, but not everyone who graduates from West Point is that way. I cannot fault the usage because again for some people it is true. Also the use of that stereotype helped reinforce the accuracy of the military culture.
As I stated near the beginning of this review Ms Scott surpassed my expectations regarding the inclusion of military culture and she provided me with a touching, entertaining read. I was fully invested in her characters and a certain sequence of events about broke my heart. When I reached the last page I kept trying to move to the next page because I wanted to see what happens next. I am eagerly awaiting the next installment in her trilogy.
I give BECAUSE OF YOU an A.
Have you read it? What did you like about the book, BECAUSE OF YOU, and/or, do you like contemporary romance stories. Comment below to be one of 5 winners chosen randomly every week – winnners announced on Sunday – good luck!
Links to purchase
I am eagerly awaiting the next installment in her trilogy. I give BECAUSE OF YOU an A.
E -The BookPushers
Anne Woodall, Romance@Random Reviewer, Because Of You, ON SALE NOW!
BECAUSE OF YOU by Jessica Scott
LOVESWEPT Debut
By Anne Woodall, Romance At Random Reviewer
I know a little bit about learning to live again. I know about being so weak and helpless you want to die. I know what it’s like to look in the mirror and hear that little voice that whispers you’ll never be whole again. (Jen St. James, BECAUSE OF YOU)
The best part of discovering a new author whose talents grip your attention immediately is sharing the good news with other readers. In all my years of reading military romances, there has been only one other book that moved me as much as this one did. BECAUSE OF YOU is a beautifully written and poignant love story between two individuals, broken both in body and spirit. It also honorably portrays the lives of the everyday heroes and heroines who serve in the military and gives them the credit they so deserve.
When Sergeant First Class Shane Garrison regains consciousness after being critically wounded in an attack on his team in Iraq, he finds himself starring into the eyes of Jen St. James. On the night before his deployment four months ago, they shared one heated kiss and then parted ways.
Jen St. James is a nurse and a survivor. After fighting her own personal battles, she fears never again being accepted and loved for herself because of the scars she carries. Seeing Shane again reminds Jen of the feelings that his unforgettable kiss triggered months ago, but also reinforces the pain of knowing that he might reject the real her.
Shane, who has an almost desperate need for fixing the problems of others, particularly those of his soldiers, suddenly finds his independence taken away by his injuries and he feels completely useless. Asking for help is and always has been a totally foreign concept to him. His divorce left him with no home or money and now because of his injuries he’s unable to fend for himself. Jen understands some of what Shane is going through and steps forward offering him not only a place to live while he recovers but a much-needed lesson in self-worth. Shane really doesn’t know how to handle his feelings for Jen. She’s touched his heart with kindness the likes of which he’s never known before, and much to his surprise he realizes his future is bleak without her in it. They are flawed characters who have each suffered betrayal, loss and pain, but find in each other the kind of love that looks beyond the physical imperfections and deep into the soul. There is an exceptionally touching scene between Jen and Shane where he proves beyond a doubt that his feelings for her reach way beyond the physical. Even the most critical and demanding romance fans will find the chemistry between them powerful and satisfying.
Jessica Scott has paved the way nicely for upcoming books in the “Coming Home Series,” by introducing a remarkable cast of supporting characters who skyrocket the first book from being excellent to exceptional. Among them, you’ll meet Captain Trent Davila and his wife, Laura, who are facing changes in their once solid and loving relationship. When Trent suddenly goes silent and Laura hears rumors accusing her husband of improper behavior with a female soldier, along with other worrisome concerns related to his job, she begins to fear her marriage is in real trouble and that the father of her children isn’t being honest with her. In addition to Jen and Laura, there are a number of other strong female characters who exhibit an appealing combination of toughness and vulnerability. Sharing girls’ night out with the female cast offered up some delicious girl-talk, as well as giving us their take on the more serious matters of the heart.
In the category of supporting characters, first prize goes to the young man wrapped in a bright yellow tracksuit resembling Sesame Street’s Big Bird. Sergeant Vic Carponti bugs his platoon sergeant more often than not, but Shane admires Carponti’s special gift for sharing his wicked sense of humor and making the best of otherwise grim situations for everyone’s benefit. Severely wounded in the same attack as Shane, Vic faces his future a changed man. Yet he proclaims he’ll be fine and that he’s lucky that he made it home without “TC” being blown away; otherwise, “he probably would have to kill himself.” I think you’ll be amused and entertained by Carponti’s personal account as to why he places so much importance on this “TC” character. Sgt. Carponti provides many laugh-out-loud moments throughout the book but this one certainly made me hoot and holler the loudest.
Opening a window for us to look through into the realistic world of military life, the author details the daily concerns and problems facing soldiers and their families along with the toll it takes on them. Their stories are told with compassion and great skill. Whether she’s writing dialogue between the characters or using military terminology, the authenticity is front and center. The quick-witted banter between the soldiers seems very natural. I would bet that the bonafide soldier who authored this book has mixed in some actual conversations she’s participated in or overheard in her own experiences at one time or another in her military career.
From the beginning I was completely enthralled in this story. The hero will capture your heart and you can’t help but love and admire the heroine. At times, the story is heart wrenching and confrontational. All of the characters become real. You don’t just like them – you feel their hurt and share their pain. But most importantly, you’ll cheer for each and every one of them to achieve their happily ever after. Keeping your Kleenex nearby is probably a good idea.
The hallmark of a great book not only excites, thrills, and keeps you thinking about it for a long time to come, but it leaves the reader begging for more – and this one certainly fits that description. BECAUSE OF YOU, by debuting author Jessica Scott, is an impressive start to a new series and I am pleased to recommend it without hesitation.
