Friday, October 9, 2015

I Need A Hero

Sergeant Oliver Martinez joined the military to serve his country—not plan parties. But after a run-in with his commanding officer, Oliver is suddenly responsible for the Alpha Dogs Training Program’s upcoming charity event. Worse, he’s got to work with the bossiest, sexiest woman he's ever met—who just happens to be the general’s daughter.

When it comes to military men, Evelyn Reynolds is not interested. And with the opportunity to launch her new PR firm at the charity event, she doesn't have time for some sexy, arrogant jerk with a hero complex. Evelyn is determined to keep things professional—if only she can ignore how Oliver’s muscles fill out a t-shirt and the infuriating way he makes her heart pound.

But when tempers flare and a scorching kiss turns into so much more, Oliver and Evelyn will have to decide if this attraction is forever…or just for now.



***Received an ARC in exchange for an honest review***
***GET YOUR COPY at all retailers October 20th, 2015***
CLICK HERE for a ***SNEAK PEEK*** of the 1st Chapter

As a HUGE fan of Codi Gary's 2 other series, I can tell you I was nervous to dive into a THIRD series by her. Could she do it again? Could she win my heart with her words the way she did in Loco, Texas and Rock Canyon, Idaho? The answer?!? HELL YES! 

You find yourself at the Alpha Dog Training Center with Dean (Sparks) and Tyler (Best) when they are joined by the reluctant Sergeant Oliver Martinez. Oliver was removed from the field and placed on PR duty until General Reynolds deemed him "fit" to return to regular duty. Enter the beautiful, Evelyn Reynolds into the picture. (Note the last name!) Eve is the publicist hired to help with the event that Oliver has been assigned to during his punishment. 

The attraction was immediate. But, neither were going to act on it. He was her type, and she wasn't his. The General created some other issues, as well. He was stuck in this task, and it was far from what he wanted to do. He liked to be out and about in the field, while Eve craved stability and an uneventful home life. Falling for a military man - like her father - was OUT OF THE QUESTION. But, she couldn't get Oliver out of her mind. 

"There are no details to tell. I don't even know if I like him, it's more that I just-"

"Want to strip him naked and eat chocolate off his abs?" Megan offered.
Eve thought about that, grinning. "His butt too. He's got a great butt." 


So begins the slow build-up. Man, does Codi write a mean build-up. But the passion behind Oliver's eyes and his seduction skills - Eve is a goner! 

"I'll tell you one thing, Oliver Martinez. The next time you want to seduce me in Spanish, you better be prepared to follow through." (SIDENOTE: I want to be friends with Eve. She is so strong-willed and sassy! We could hang out in her messy apartment and just laugh! )

Meeting Sparks, Best, Megan and everyone else - you get a real feel for all the emotions behind having an overprotective General of a Dad, friends who would do anything for you, passions that drive you to go the distance to acheive your dreams and falling hard for a person who is a complete 180 from your plans BUT meeting the family who raised them and falling even harder, seeing him change and grow as a person right before your very eyes, sneaking BACK into your room so his Mom doesn't know you snuck OUT in the first place. 

This story is genuine. It grabs your heart, straps it in and takes it for a bumpy ride. It wouldn't be a romance novella if it didn't. This story leaves you craving to know more about the others you got a sample of and wishing you could get dirty in the sand with your very own Oliver, after having his mom's enchiladas first. *insert a squeal here* 

When it gets closer to the actual release day, I will post my full review with photos on our blog, and post the link here. 

I will leave you with my final thoughts: 
1) I love the relationships these characters hold with their animal co-stars. It truly is such an important topic, and the author sheds such a wonderful light to the importance of those companionships. 
2) The Spanish mumblings and rumblings is perfect. Adds just the right amount of spice to the strong macho type that is Oliver. 
3) I love how the heroine is not this cookie cutter perfect woman. She drives like a crazy person, she is messy and all around NORMAL! How refreshing. 
4) And last, but not least - it flowed so well that you felt like you were living the story. This is what Codi does so well: she can tell a story so effortlessly you forget you are not in the facility with the guys training the dogs or cleaning up the mess made after leaving an untrained dog with you couch! Enjoy what is sure to be Codi's third incredibly successful series.


The Hunter

As Right Worshipful Master of Lodge Drysor, Dominic Cacciari will do anything to ensure the integrity of the brotherhood of Freemasonry—even if it means seducing the woman determined to uncover their secrets.

Gemma Hughes is tired of reporting about the social happenings of Perth’s elite, she wants to be taken as a serious journalist. When her newly discovered father dies in mysterious circumstances, she’s on a mission to find the people responsible and make them pay for taking her father from her. Even if the people involved are from the fraternity her father once was a member of. 

Attraction flares to life the moment Dominic and Gemma touch. With both of them on a mission to protect the things they hold important, fighting that attraction is imperative. Only the more they’re thrown together, the more the lines between what they’re fighting for become blurred. Will secrets be uncovered and a love lost? Or will love be stronger than the secrets of a mysterious brotherhood?



***Received an ARC in exchange for an honest review***

Nicole Flockton is the Aussie Queen of Romance! The Hunter is the second book in her latest series, The Freemasons. In this installment you dive into the inner workings the Dominic Cacciari, the head honcho of the lodge. Dom and the rest of "The Fab Four" as they have been dubbed are working on their secretive mission to help save kids that have been snatched up. ENTER Gemma, known as the thorn in the side of the lodge. Gemma reports all the latest gossip in Perth while trying to get her foot in the door as a well respected journalist. Gemma and Dom are not kind to one another. (And that is putting it nicely!) 

Nicole can pen some tension. Dom holds the title of Right Worshipful Master, but Gemma sarcastically refers to him as Grand Poobah (GP for short!) And boy did it irk him. 
"I thought I told you not to call me that?"
"Call you what?" 
"You know what."

Both deny the attraction, although it is very obvious to everyone who sees the two bicker and fight. 

"Why so bitter? Surely you're not jealous are you, Tesoro?"
Gemma snorted in a very unladylike manner. "As if. And cut the Italian sweet talk, GP. It's not going to work on me."

I can't tell you ALL my favorite parts without giving away everything in the novel, but this book is JAM-PACKED with mystery, love, fighting, finding one's self, friendship, Australia and so much more! The one thing I really adore is that Nicole writes Australia for us who have never been there. I felt like I knew all the spots in Perth and I felt at home. Ms. Flockton, that is talent. I love (and respect!) your integrity when sticking to the language used. Catching up with Ava & Cole was an added bonus. I really felt for them in the last novel. I urge you romance readers out there to take a chance on Nicole Flockton's writing. 



Below you will find all the ways to find out the goods about Nicole.  My recommendations? Her BOUND series rocks! Also based in Australia - and you can check out my reviews here: CLICK HERE for: Bound by her Ring and CLICK HERE for: Bound by his Desire - I cannot wait to read the final installment! Leave your comments below if you have ever been to Australia! :)