Book Review, Excerpt & Giveaway: Return to You by Samantha Chase

Return To You by Samantha Chase

Release Date: March 3, 2015

Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Summary
She will never forget their past...

He can't stop thinking about their future...

James Montgomery has achieved everything he'd hoped for in life...except marrying the girl of his dreams. After a terrible accident, Selena Ainsley left ten years ago. She took his heart with her and she's never coming back. But it's becoming harder and harder for him to forget their precious time together, and James can't help but wonder what he would do if they could ever meet again.



My Review:
Return to You was an amazing read.  I love the story where the guy and girl were so close in high school but something happens and they are apart for many years but finally get back together.  Add in a wonderful uncle matchmaker (which is what ties this series together) and you get magic.

I believe this is the fourth book in the Montgomery family series.  It's based on a man in the family (he's the Dad in the first three books and I believe the Uncle in subsequent books, like this one) who is a great matchmaker. I really liked him. He was fun, sweet and had wonderful intentions to unite each child/niece/nephew into the relationship they are destined for.  He does some arranging but it never comes off as manipulative since he has their best interests at heart.

And oh does he have James' and Selena's best interests at heart.  These two were high school sweethearts, meant to be together but pulled apart by horrible circumstances that I can't reveal because it's really a part of how the book unfolds.  Watching them react to each other, find each other again and deal with the past is both wonderful and heartbreaking.  Both have held on for the other for so long, but as it works most of the time, stubbornness can get in the way.

Both characters, James and Selena are developed very well.  I got a great feel for each of them, their pain, their pride and their love for each other and their passion in life.  The plot was fast-paced, giving some flashbacks to how they met and some of their life in the past but mainly focusing on the now and how they get back together.  Of course their is conflict, you can't have a romance book without it and I had to see what would happen.  That makes it a great book for me.  When I care enough about the characters to see what happens to them.  And now I hope I will get a glimpse of them in future books about the Montgomery family.

A great installment in a series, but don't be afraid to read this one as a stand-alone.  I did and I am curious about the other matches that were made and can't wait to read other books in the series.  I will go back and read the first three and will definitely pre-order any future books.  This is a fun series and if this book is any indication I will really enjoy the other books in the series.  Looks like I have a new automatic author for me in the contemporary romance genre.  If you haven't checked out Samantha Chase I can heartily recommend this one.

Rating: 4.5/5.0

Excerpt

It was near midnight and Selena’s eyes felt heavy. With her head resting on James’s shoulder, she tried to focus on the ending of The Philadelphia Story. Back when they were dating, they used to enjoy watching classic movies, and finding one on the television seemed like the perfect way for them to relax after such an emotional evening.

James looked over at Selena and smiled to himself. If he could freeze this moment in time, he would. For years he had wondered if he’d ever find a woman he could come home to, with whom he could sit like this and simply relax. The woman half-asleep beside him was the only woman he wanted to fit that bill. The credits were beginning to roll, and he gently nudged her with his shoulder. “Hey,” he said softly, “are you still awake?”

“Mmm…barely,” she whispered and then yawned. As much as Selena knew that the bed would be a far more comfortable place to sleep, she didn’t want to leave the security of James’s side. She jumped when he shifted beside her to stand up. A wave of panic hit her as she prayed that he wasn’t getting up to leave. Before she could even voice her concern, James turned off the television and then scooped her up into his arms. “Oh!”

“Don’t get me wrong. I was completely enjoying being curled up with you on the sofa, but I had a feeling your neck was going to kill you tomorrow.” He walked through to the bedroom and carefully held her close as he pulled back the comforter and gently placed Selena down. Without a word, he walked back out to the living room and locked the door and turned out the lights before returning to her.

He didn’t ask permission.

She didn’t extend an invitation.

Neither seemed necessary.

Buy Links:

Amazon      Barnes and Noble     Kobo      IndieBound

Author Biography

New York Times and USA Today Bestseller/contemporary romance writer Samantha Chase released her debut novel, Jordan's Return, in November 2011. Although she waited until she was in her 40's to publish for the first time, writing has been a lifelong passion. Her motivation to take that step was her students: teaching creative writing to elementary age students all the way up through high school and encouraging those students to follow their writing dreams gave Samantha the confidence to take that step as well.

When she's not working on a new story, she spends her time reading contemporary romances, playing way too many games of Scrabble or Solitaire on Facebook and spending time with her husband of 25 years and their two sons in North Carolina.



Website      Facebook      Twitter      Goodreads

Giveaway
 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

***I received this book from the publisher for an honest review.  I was not compensated in any other way except receiving the book for free.  ***

What Are You Reading Monday #14

Come post weekly and see what others are reading too just so you can add to your tbr - I always do! For more information see Sheila at One Persons Journey Through a World of Books and join in!

Books Completed Last Week (links go to my review):

• The Way We Fall by Cassia Leo (mine, bought)
• One Night in Close Exposure by Ashley C. Harris (review)
• Return to You by Samantha Chase (review) 
• You Should Have Known by Jean Hanff Korelitz (audiobook, library) 

Reading Now: 

• Grift by Jason Mosberg
• Cell by Robin Cook (audiobook, library)
• Knitting Rules!: The Yarn Harlot's Bag of Knitting Tricks by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee (Scribd)

Next: 

• Reckless by S.C. Stephens (Scribd)
• Thoughtful by S.C. Stephens (ebook, review)
• Origin in Death by J.D. Robb (audiobook, audible)

Summary -

It's been another cold week for those of us in coastal NC.  We had snow and ice Tuesday and it finally melted Wednesday afternoon. The kids and I were out of school/work on Tuesday and Wednesday and they had a 2-hour delay on Thursday.  Then Thursday was my birthday and my family made it a great day. My youngest even gave me an amazon gift card he got for Christmas.  My oldest gave me some money (I didn't want them to do anything but at the same time it was very touching).  And my husband gave me some lovely clothes.  It was a good and crazy week!

So how was your week?  What were your temps like where you were and how much snow did you get if any?  Any great books to share from the past week or ones you are looking forward to?

Book Review, Excerpt & Giveaway: One Night in Close Exposure by AshleyC. Harris

One Night in Close Exposure by Ashley C. Harris

The highly awaited follow up (and final book in the series) to Ashley C. Harris’ ONE NIGHT IN HEATED SNAPSHOTS.

My Review:

First I should mention that I haven't read the first book in the series, One Night in Heated Snapshots.  And while I could easily read this book, I would like personally to go back and read the first book to get more of a feel for Beth and Sterling in their past.

That said, I don't think you must read the first book to enjoy the second story.  There are brief glimpses into what happened in the first book, but never anything that I thought of as a major spoiler.  So I thought the history was treated welll for people like me who jump in and start reading One Night in Close Exposure.

So what did I think.  It's a cute story that is powered along by some character development and a lot going on in the plot. It's a quick, easy and satisfying book to read.  A romance just finding it's start again despite a lot of of odds against it.

I enjoyed Beth and Sterling's characters.  They were different and going through different things but they share so much.  Both have fears and both have dreams, but will things work between them?  You'll have to read it to find out.

My only fault with the book was not in the story or the characters but there were some minor editing blips that may have gotten missed on first pass and I'm hoping by the time that the book is released (I think this was an eARC) that these will be fixed.  They were very minor and most people would miss them.  They didn't glare at me or yank me out of the story.  And most of the book has no editing issues at all.

If you enjoy a simple romance (guy+girl) with some hurdles thrown in then this is perfect for you.  Both Sterling and Beth are fun characters and the sparks fly when they are together which makes for a great romance.  So come, read and enjoy.

 My Rating: 4.0/5.0

Excerpt:

“Beth, you need to go ... ” is what her mom had told her repeatedly all week long the moment there was breaking news that Sterling Johnson, and a whole slew of other Olympic athletes, were flying into Beth’s city for the governor’s honorary ball. Beth knew her mom was right, what other chance would she get to talk to Sterling at this point, especially now that he had actually broken a new world record and joined the U.S.A. Olympic team? The answer was none.

            Too many people had begun calling him the minute his Olympic swimming status was announced on a national level, which is why he must have switched numbers, breaking off the possibility of Beth getting ahold of him again. Well, not all possibility, but the truth was she hadn’t ever wanted to face him after their one steamy night that had ended so wrong. But now, just as Sterling’s stellar Olympic news was announced, she had learned her own life stopping drama. In fact, she was pretty sure her life was over as she imagined her dreams and aspirations suddenly crashing to the floor. Oh God, how can this really be happening to me? How can I do this, Lord?

            She entered the ballroom with waves of hot nausea assaulting her. Smells of seafood and other appetizers were making her stomach turn in the worst possible way. Of course, her stomach had been turning for two and a half months now; she just hadn’t realized it was morning sickness until it was too late. I’ve been so foolish ...

            There was a big yellow taped off area where media was not allowed to pass and yet Beth stood at the very edge of it with her photography media badge, looking. Would she be able to get Sterling’s attention ahead of time before the speeches came? A bodyguard warned her with his stern eyes not to dare take a step further and trip up the rope.

            Nervous energy caused her to tremble at the thought of speaking to Sterling now, looking upon his tall height and too ripped abs, ripped in a way that made him this next generation’s newest Michael Phelps and Michael Lochte rolled into one. Young fans posted statuses on the web that Sterling’s face was far more handsome, far more perfect, than any swimmer before him. His photos had been spread across all the papers, capturing his best angles. Beth had to admit, it seemed like they were right.

            If only everyone knew the true man and his motives under that swim cap.

About ONE NIGHT IN CLOSE EXPOSURE:

Title: One Night in Close Exposure

Series: Snapshots #2

Genre: New Adult Romance

Release Date: February 23, 2015

Publisher: Self-Published

Print Length: 89 pages

Format: Digital

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Synopsis: Beth, in another life, was a top student and had nothing but visions of a successful career in her head. That was until one night with Sterling Johnson, the sexy and deceitful swim champion next door, who changed her entire future. Now, because of that night from her past, Beth’s path as a photographer is forever changed. Gone is the young women she used to be as she struggles to keep a secret hidden.

Sterling Johnson, on the other hand, has quickly become America’s favorite Olympic athlete. Constantly followed and stalked by the press and the father he has turned his back on, Sterling craves someone who isn’t interested in his celebrity.

When a publicity stunt takes him back to a wild college campus and Beth, who turns out to be the media photographer assigned to his story, the flame he thought was dead rekindles. Will Beth prove to be the only girl not interested in his celebrity status? Or are her own twisted secrets and lies about to bring both their worlds down?

ONE NIGHT IN HEATED SNAPSHOTS, Book One in the Heated Snapshots series, is currently free on Amazon! Grab your copy now!

About Ashley C. Harris:
Author and film director Ashley C. Harris resides in Florida. Ashley was first recognized for her edgy writing and unique film work when she wrote and directed the teenage film Lines. Lines was the first feature film in the world captured using only Mac Laptops.

In 2013 Ashley teamed up with Barclay Publicity to release the first title in a new young adult series Shock Me. Ashley then went on to release the first of a new NA series, One Night in Heated Snapshots, that quickly reached Amazon's Best Selling top ten list for sports romances.

When she is not dreaming up new books and working on film sets, she loves to spend time with her friends and family.

Keep a close watch for Ashley's newest young adult books releases!

Connect with Ashley at: Website | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads | Tumblr | Instagram

To celebrate the release of ONE NIGHT IN CLOSE EXPOSURE, Ashley’s giving away a gift card to Amazon or Barnes and Noble (winner’s choice) worth $10! Enter below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

***I received this book from Barclay Publicity for an honest review.  I was not compensated in any other way except receiving the book for free.  ***

Write On Review-a-thon Starting Line

It's time for another Write On Review-a-thon and I need it!  It's easy to participate.  Go to The Book Vixen to sign up and see what others are doing.

The Write On review-a-thon is a monthly event created and hosted by Brianna at The Book Vixen. It’s 2 days dedicated to getting reviews done, whether you have one review to write or 30+. This edition of the review-a-thon takes place all day Friday, February 27th and Saturday, February 28th. Let’s get those reviews done!


Review-a-Thon Details:

• Reviews can be of the written variety or in video format.
• This event is not limited to book reviews. If you write/vlog reviews for movies, super cool gadgets, or anything else, you are welcome to participate.
• To participate, create a post on your blog with a list of reviews you need to complete. Don’t forget to grab the official blurb (above) and event button (grab code below). If you don’t have a blog, you can announce your intent to participate via social media (Twitter, Facebook, Google+, etc.) with a link back to this sign up post so others can join in as well.
• Add the DIRECT LINK to your sign up post to the linky found at the end of this post. The sign up linky will be open until 11:55 pm PDT on February 27th.
• On February 27th, get working on those reviews!
• There will be a wrap-up post linky on The Book Vixen on March 1st.

Reviews I need to do:

1. Get Dirty by Gretchen McNeil
2. Hope to Die by James Patterson
3. Happenstance by Jamie McGuire
4. The first four books in the Rosemary Beach series (Rush and Blaire's story) by Abbi Glines
5. You Don't Want to Know by Lisa Jackson
6. Suspicion by Joseph Finder
7. The City by Dean Koontz
8. Sea Breeze Series by Abbi Glines
9. Return to You by Samantha Chase

I'm hoping to get at least 5 done, and really hoping to do all of them and have some weeks done in advance.  That would be a great feeling :)

Good luck everyone participating!

***I received this book from the publisher for an honest review.  I was not compensated in any other way except receiving the book for free.  ***

What are You Reading Monday #13

Come post weekly and see what others are reading too just so you can add to your tbr - I always do! For more information see Sheila at One Persons Journey Through a World of Books and join in!

Books Completed Last Week (links go to my review):

• Effortless by S.C. Stephens
• Survivor in Death by J.D. Robb (audiobook, audible)
• Private Vegas by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro (library)
• Hope to Die by James Patterson (library)
• Get Dirty by Gretchen McNeil (ebook, for review)

Reading Now: 

• The Way We Fall by Cassia Leo (mine, bought)
• You Should Have Known by Jean Hanff Korelitz (audiobook, library)
• Origin in Death by J.D. Robb (audiobook, audible)
• Knitting Rules!: The Yarn Harlot's Bag of Knitting Tricks by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee (Scribd)

Next: 

• One Night in Close Exposure by Ashley C. Harris (review)
• Reckless by S.C. Stephens (Scribd)
• Thoughtful by S.C. Stephens (ebook, review)
• Croak by Gina Damico

Summary -

It's been a cold week for those of us in coastal NC.  No snow, just a few brief flurries that didn't stick but we woke up in the single digits Friday morning.  That's about 30 degrees below our normal lows and getting into the 20s just doesn't do it for this NC girl.  How long until Spring? It was a good week for reading and a good week to start back on the blog. It feels good to be reviewing again.

So how was your week?  What were your temps like where you were and how much snow did you get if any?  Any great books to share from the past week or ones you are looking forward to?

Book Review: Survivor in Death by J.D. Robb (In Death #20)

Survivor In Death by J.D. Robb
My rating: 4.5/5.0
Publisher: Brilliance Audio
Publish Date: February 1, 2005
Format: Download from Audible.com
Narrator: Susan Ericksen

My Review:
Twenty books in and no boredom or repetitiveness with this book series. Like Law & Order a series about a homicide cop, even one set in the future, has many directions and a long way it can go. Add to that that the characters are always growing and you have a series that can go on and on. I think the series is up to book 40 or so now, and I can see why.

It's another case for Lieutenant Eve Dallas, her crew of fellow cops and her husband, Roarke. This one is a murder of a family with one survivor left. The little girl who survives is also taken with Eve so that adds another layer to the Roarke-Eve relationship when they take her in to their house for protection. Seeing both of them interact with her is definitely interesting and I think well-portrayed. Neither is ready for kids and that is evident in amusing ways.

The murder is interesting and resolves in an exciting way. I was never bored. I also enjoyed the usual interactions with the characters. I love Eve and Roarke of course, but adding in Somerset, Mira, McNabb and Peabody definitely keeps things interesting. I love this series solely for the characters.

I listened to this on audio and I have to say the Susan Ericksen is an amazing narrator. Her voices for the characters are amazing. It's great because I never lose track of who is speaking even if my mind wanders away for a minute or two. I look forward to hearing more of her narration as this series continues.

Looking for great romantic suspense, then look no further. The In Death series never disappoints and the 20th installment adds more of what you come to expect in this series.

About Survivor in Death:
No affairs. No criminal connections. No DNA. No clues. Eve Dallas may be the best cop in the city - not to mention having the lavish resources of her husband Roarke at her disposal - but the Swisher case has her baffled. The family members were murdered in their beds with brutal, military precision. The state-of-the-art security was breached, and the killers used night vision to find their way through the cozy middle-class house. Clearly, Dallas is dealing with pros. The only mistake they made was to overlook the nine-year-old girl cowering in the dark in the kitchen. . .

Now Nixie Swisher is an orphan - and the sole eyewitness to a seemingly inexplicable crime. Kids are not Dallas's strong suit. But Nixie needs a safe place to stay, and Dallas needs to solve this case. Not only because of the promise she made to Nixie. Not only for the cause of justice. But also to put to rest some of her own darkest memories - and deepest fears. With her partner Peabody on the job, and watching her back - and with Roarke providing the kind of help only he can give - Lieutenant Eve Dallas is running after shadows, and dead-set on finding out who's behind them.

Challenges:
TBR reading
Audiobook Challenge
No Book Buying
Romantic Suspense
Outdo Yourself 

***I purchased this book with my monthly Audible.com credit.  No compensation was given for my opinions of this audiobook.  ***

Audiobook suggestions wanted

It's my new Audible credit day, which always makes me feel like a kid in a candy store.

So my simple question for today is: What audiobook(s) would you recommend?