Category Archives: Military

#WOTR24 #military #bravoteam #Review #Audio #RomanticSuspense #Drama #MilitaryFiction #Contemporary #ContemporaryRomance – Rescuing Gracelynn, Special Forces Operation Alpha, Bravo Team Book 1 by Anna Blakely, Narration by Virginia Rose

Rescuing Gracelynn (Special Forces: Operation Alpha) (Bravo Series Book 1) by [Anna Blakely, Operation Alpha]

Bravo Team’s technical analyst and confirmed bachelor, Nathan Carter, is happy being single and has no intention of falling under the spell of a woman. Ever. Then, he meets Gracelynn. Before he knows it, the sweet, tenacious woman has Nate questioning his long-standing doubts about love, soul mates, and happily ever after.

Gracie McDaniels is happy with her new life and loves her new job. Working closely with the hunky guys on R.I.S.C.’s Bravo Team, including her future brother-in-law’s best friend, doesn’t seem as if it’ll be an issue…until she meets him.

Nate’s smart, funny, and handsome…everything she’s ever wanted in a partner. But just as they start to grow close, an innocent friendship from Gracie’s past comes back to haunt her. When her life is threatened, Gracie instinctively turns too Nate for protection and soon he and the other members of Bravo step up to keep Gracie safe.

With help from Ghost and his friends, the Delta Force and Bravo teams find themselves racing against the clock to save the only woman Nate has ever loved…before it’s too late.

Goodreads

Amazon

I purchased this audio book.

The narration provided by Virginia Rose was great.  She did a wonderful job varying the voices and giving emotion to the characters.  A bad audio voice can ruin a book so fast, but she did a fantastic job!!  I was totally engaged and hooked by how she told the story.

Here we go with my long-winded story…lol…if you read my reviews you are used to this.  I met Anna at a book signing but she was also lined up to attend my signing.  I like to read something from each author, and this was the perfect time to grab her plus get her opinion.  Now I like military but my bestie LOVES military so I knew buying her a book would be a great gift idea.  After talking to Anna and hearing her say Audio…my dog ears perked up at that comment….this was the series I picked for me.  LOL

This is the spin off series from the alpha series but I didn’t feel lost or like I missed anything at all.  The characters are all introduced, and I would have thought this was just a regular series had Anna not told me it was series two.  So anyone who likes to stay in “True order” you are ok to start here.

Nate and his fellow RISC team at hanging out having a beer and razzing each other like single dudes do.  When Gracelynn steps out on the patio his whole body is on high alert.  He must meet her.  He ends up scoring a secret date with her on the guise of planning a bachelor/bachelorette party together.  The chemistry between the two is off the charts but his military buddy and her sister are like NOPE.  You are a dirty dawg!!  Stay the EFF AWAY from Gracie!!  Of course, he listens…bahahha nope.  Gracie, of course listens BAHAHAHA nope. The couple begin a slow dance and the steam is off the charts.  When things change and Gracie has to go undercover with Nate as her “Handler” everything gets blurred REAL quick for the two.

The story of why and who is after Gracie was a good one.  I enjoyed all the god guy/bad guy stuff and how the team was working together to stop the terrorist.  I will say I giggled at the villains voice in the audio because it totally is the perfect villain voice!!

Now I will say there were a couple times I did eye roll at the “women are helpless” but then just let it go because hey its not my book.  But yeah, once or twice I was like REALLY Girl???  All in all, I loved the book and can’t wait to download book two audio.

Author of the exciting R.I.S.C. Series, Anna Blakely brings you stories of love, action, and edge of your seat suspense. As an avid reader herself, Anna writes what she loves…strong, Alpha heroes and the intelligent, independent heroines they love.

Anna’s dream is to create stories her readers will enjoy, and characters they’ll fall in love with as much as she has. She believes in true love and Happily Ever After, which is what she will bring to you.

Anna lives in rural Missouri with her husband and children, as well as several rescued animals. When she’s not writing, Anna enjoys reading, watching action and horror movies (the scarier the better), and spending time with her amazing family.

#Audio #Military #SecretBaby #2ndChance – Fallen Comrade, Project Morpheus Book 1 by Jillian David, Narration by Tiffany Morgan

Fallen Comrade (Project Morpheus Book 1) by [Jillian David]

Ex-Green Beret Jake Zimmerman’s Georgia mountain seclusion is shattered when the one woman he should never have left, pregnant Kiera McNeill, shows up on his doorstep. Her life is in danger, thanks to a botched Morpheus Squad mission. If the nature of her baby is discovered, evil forces will stop at nothing to capture Kiera. When Kiera learns of Jake’s top-secret Morpheus Virus running through his veins, she realizes that her protector is the deadlier threat.

Kiera knows the secrets of Fallen Comrades, a billion-dollar “charity” which siphons donations away from wounded veterans and into the pockets of power-hungry CFO Beau Lequire. Now her sadistic ex-boss, Lequire, wants revenge. Her only chance of escape rests in the lethal hands of the man who once rejected her: Jake. All she needs to do is suppress her feelings for Jake long enough to destroy Fallen Comrades, stay alive, and save her baby.

Goodreads

Review by Twinsie Angie

I won this audiobook.

I have been watching this book for a couple years.  The first time I saw it was when it was a preorder.  Then last year I saw it but there wasn’t an audio.  This year I won an audio copy from the author at a book event.  I was sooooo excited.  I mean the blurb was totally ME!!

I downloaded it and jumped in.  The story is about Jake and Kiera.  They have a history to put it mildly.  He must save her since she found out some bad things about some bad guys.  We meet Jake’s military team who are all infected with the virus that makes them kinda “hulk” out in a way.  LOL   I mean they don’t turn green but they get BIG MAD.  LOL

The audio for the book was good.  It wasn’t the best, but it was far from the worst.  The narrator did a fine job reading the story but a couple times when she was “Jake” the voice was Kiera and vice versa.  Nothing terrible and it didn’t affect my enjoyment of the story.

Now the story.  I understand this is the first book in a series, so I give it time to explain people, situations, etc. However, I felt like this book was REALLY slow to develop with a lot of repeating information from different POV’s in the same scenes.  SO that did become a bit tedious for me, but I did stick it out and continue to read.

Jake has so many issues he needs to pull a city bus behind him.  The man was infuriating with his push and pull to Kiera.  I was like DUUUUUDE.  But Kiera was too soft hearted to me.  I was like GIRL!!!  They have history with having dated in high school, being her brother’s best friend, and then a little oppps that created the “little bit” in her belly.

I did enjoy the story but it was very slow to go and I felt like it stayed pretty slow going. There were a few days I set the book down and walked away for a day or two.  The love story has intense scenes that were great when Kiera and Jake weren’t fighting.

The concept was interesting, and it did make me push through to continue the story.

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Award-winning and bestselling author Jillian David quickly writes then slowly edits paranormal, suspense and adventure romances. She loves to use medical situations and characters to drive drama in her books. Her favorite cell is the platelet and her least-favorite organ is the pancreas. She fully believes that curse words, when appropriately deployed during surgery, are hemostatic. Which also explains why no book of hers will ever bleed out…

According to multiple starred reviews, Jillian’s books cause sleep deprivation and a drop in productivity, as well as visceral responses from her vivid descriptions — side effects which might qualify as a breach of her Hippocratic Oath to ‘do no harm.’

Here’s what readers are saying:
– “You will not want to start this book right before bed like I did because you won’t want to go to sleep.”
– “…a highly original, paranormal, second chance, romantic suspense novel on steroids, and it kept me turning pages until dawn, and it gets 5 bleary-eyed stars from this reader.”
– “I started this incredible paranormal suspense filled love story and couldn’t put it down. I stayed up the entire night reading it.”
– “Such an awesome read. As soon as I started it, I couldn’t put it down. I even stayed home from the gym just to be able to finish this in the same day.”
– “(T)his author sure knows how to write torture scenes and make you feel the physical abuse the characters are going through!”
– “(T)his (writer) can make you twist around in your seat in an effort to not pee yourself from fear.”
– “Jillian writes incredibly interesting characters in situations that keep you reading late into the night, even if you have to work the next morning.”
– “Just read the 4-book story (The Cowboys of Copper River series) to the end, started yesterday afternoon! Couldn’t put it down, except for 3 hours when I fell asleep early this morning.”

HELL TO PAY (paranormal romance)
1) Immortal Flame
2) Relentless Flame
3) Flame Unleashed
4) Flame’s Dawn

HELL’S VALLEY (paranormal western romance)
1) Legacy of Lies
2) Legacy Lost
3) Legacy of Danger
4) Legacy Found

PROJECT MORPHEUS (military romantic suspense)
1) Fallen Comrade
2) Hidden Comrade
3) Silent Comrade

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#WOTR23 – #Review – Echoes of a Dream (Echoes #1) by BT Urruela

Echoes of a Dream (Echoes Trilogy Book 1) by [BT Urruela, Kim  BookJunkie]

Dylan Correia has always had a special gift. At first he thought he was having a bad trip, hallucinations. By eighteen, he realized it was something different. Something powerful. It began as a wave of prickly heat sweeping over his body, causing the hairs on the back of his neck to stand on end and his eyes to slam shut. He’d see things—terrible things—in his head, and like the echoes of a lucid dream, the thoughts would stay with him for days, torturing him.

He continued ignoring the power, lying to himself, until the day he saw it on the news—a Chevy Malibu flipped upside down and burning. The same one he’d seen in his visions the night before.

After a few years away at college, unburdened by these visions through frequent alcohol abuse, Dylan reaches graduation having already started a successful vinyl and comic book store with his best friend. Everything runs smoothly until a mysterious run-in with a stranger from a top-secret government agency threatens to flip his world on its end.

There’s a new program and Dylan’s a perfect fit.

Will Dylan take the stranger up on his generous, but vaguely described, offer? Does he have what it takes to pass the rigorous training if he does choose to join the program? And at what cost to him?

Goodreads

Review by Twinsie Kelly

The cover and the blurb drew me in immediately. I was definitely intrigued. You go on this journey with Dylan, present day, talking about his past and the trouble he had with his first run in with drugs and the “hallucinations” and further continues on to how he was approached for a top secret opportunity clear through his training. Imagine that? Top secret opportunity that will leave a lot of conspiracy theories in your brain as you continue on Dylan’s journey. That’s what! Other people in the program would, very literally, just disappear. Others were beat down to become very obedient soldiers. But what more would you expect when you accept a very vague job offer? There were times that I forgot that Dylan was basically narrating the story, but he would pop back in at the perfect times with just enough clarification of how he wished things were different before you dove right back into the story again with another twist and turn. There is an M/M romance happening however, it does not overshadow the story at all. If M/M is not your jam, you will still enjoy the story. This is definitely a conspiracy theorists’ wet dream! Full of suspense and will leave you with more questions than answers. A huge cliffhanger! I am anxiously awaiting the next in the trilogy and hoping to get to some much needed answers. Great start to what is sure to be an excellent series!

Author Logo

BT Urruela is a combat wounded amputee, purple heart recipient, contemporary author who has written both independent and traditionally published books. He is a RARE under 40 award recipient, Rockwood Summit High School and Rockwood School District Hall of Fame inductee, Co-founder and Brand Ambassador for VETSports, Ambassador for Tampa Sports Academy, People Magazine Tribute for Heroes winner, Cover Model, Motivational Speaker and Philanthropist.

At an early age he began writing short stories having been inspired by reading books authored by RL Stein. His maternal grandmother’s bookshelf was filled with literature that inspired his young mind and cultivated his vivid imagination.

Upon graduation from high school his desire to have a 20-year military career was cut drastically short by an improvised explosive device. Taking the life of his commander, and leaving the remaining four team members badly wounded.

After careful consideration and multiple surgeries, he along with the guidance of his doctors made the decision to amputate. It was the only surgery he ever left with a smile on his face, as if a weight had been lifted. He struggled for two more years through 4-5 hours of physical therapy a day, five days a week to get adapted to his new prosthetic. He medically retired from the Army with high hopes. His focus on restoring his physical shape being the most eminent battle caused him to neglect his psychological state.

Meeting people was difficult and there were very few options for veterans to utilize that would stimulate friendship, and ultimately, allow communication barriers to be breached. After moving to Tampa, Florida, he co-founded the veteran community sports nonprofit, VETSports, with two other combat wounded veterans. It was their mission to change the way veterans transitioned back to civilian life through organized team sports, community involvement, and leadership opportunities.

After being invited to attend a photoshoot with acclaimed photographer Michael Stokes, he flew to California in December of 2014, with incredible excitement. His photos were so widely publicized that he soon gained exposure to the literary world like he’d always dreamed of. That opportunity launched him into his present writing career. He co-wrote the novel ‘A Lover’s Lament with author KL Grayson. The following year he released first solo novel, ‘Into the Nothing’ and will be releasing Wicked Little Words with author Stevie J. Cole. He is now writing full-time.

#WOTR23 #Review #Audio – Stitched Up Heart: Combat Hearts Series, Book 1 – By: Tarina Deaton Narrator: Hayden Bishop

Stitched Up Heart (Combat Hearts Book 1) by [Tarina Deaton]

As an Air Force medic, Bree Marks saw the worst the War on Terror had to dish out. Now a physical therapist, she uses her experience to help other veterans heal from their physical wounds; while she battles her own emotional damage.

Blaming himself for his best friend’s suicide, former Army Ranger Jase Larken, retreated from life. To honor his best friend’s memory and assuage his guilt, he started an outdoor adventure company to help veterans with PTSD.

Bree had better things to do than catch her cheating fiance in bed with another woman. Jase is something better – for a night at least. For the first time in years, Jase wanted more. When he finds her again, he doesn’t give her another chance to run.

Jase’s protectiveness grates on Bree’s independent nature. She’s dealt with her fair share of alpha-male, door kickers and doesn’t need one telling her what to do now. But as a new danger emerges, Bree and Jase must face their pasts, before someone’s obsession with Bree destroys any chance they have of a future.

Can be read as a stand alone. No cliffhangers within the story.

Goodreads

Review by Twinsie Melinda

I purchased this audio book.

When your BFF reads a book and tells you that you have to read it because she knows you will like it. You do not ask questions you pick it up and listen to it.  She was so right I did enjoy this one not only was it a good story but the narrator took it to another level.  Hayden did a great job.

Bree just had a crappy day. Found her fiancé in bed with another woman so she decided to hit the bars with her BFF. I loved Denise and seeing her and Bree’s friendship. Bree ran into Jase at the bar and decides to have a one-night fling. The next night she is out the door and never plans on seeing him again.  When Jase wakes up and she is gone ticked him off. He thought they had something. When the stars line up Bree is brought back to Jase and he is going to hang on to her and not let her run again.

These two are amazing together. They both have their demons they are trying to forget but they keep working their way back. They each understand what the other is going through and knows what the other needs. I loved that Bree was just as tough as Jase. She is no weak female that needs Jase but strong enough to stand up to him.

I enjoyed this story so much I have to say the narration set this one apart from other audio books. I am excited to read more of this series.

Tarina has spent her entire life in and around the military – first as a dependent and then as an enlisted Air Force member.

She writes contemporary and military romance about strong women and the men strong enough to love them. She draws heavily from her own military experience to create authentic characters who face real personal challenges.

Tarina is still active duty and a single mom of six-year-old twins. Her favorite hobby is sleep. She has delusions of retiring from the military and being a stay-at-home mom and full-time writer.

#WOTR23 #audio #Neighbors #Military #2ndChance #Police – Imperfect Heart, Combat Hearts book 4 by Tarina Deaton, narration by Hayden Bishop

Imperfect Heart (Combat Hearts Book 4) by [Tarina Deaton, Jessica Snyder]

It’s not a mid-life crisis if you’re finally doing something you love, right?

Separating from the Air Force after thirteen years may seem drastic to some, but Zoe Acevedo is finally doing something for herself. Opening an independent bookstore in Haven Springs, North Carolina is a major undertaking, but Zoe has a plan and a list. What she doesn’t have is time for distractions like her interfering family, her cheating ex, or the sexy neighbor who always manages to find her in the most awkward situations.

As a Haven Springs police officer, Tim Larken has dedicated his life to protecting and serving. He learned the hard way that the damsel in distress doesn’t always want to be saved, but somehow he manages to help his curvy new neighbor out of one tight spot after another.

Their attraction is undeniable, but when true disaster strikes will that be enough for two Imperfect Hearts to heal together?

Imperfect Heart is the final book in the Combat Hearts series. It can be read as a stand-alone. Guaranteed HEA and no cliffhangers.

Goodreads

Review by Twinsie Angie

I purchased this book and audio.

Again, I have to say the narration is A-MAZ-ING!!  I mean Hayden just blows me away with each book.  I absolutely love love love her ability to tell the story.

I am going to start by saying this series was absolute perfection.  I have called all the guys as mine to my blogging sister.  I can’t decide who I love most. I can’t decide which woman I want to be best friends with.  I can say that I most definitely will be relistening to this series time and time again.

Oh Tim.  What a character he has been.  The police officer who has a heart of gold.  He loves his brother and now Bree.  We have seen him through the entire series, so I was pumped to see him get his HEA.  He is just the fun-loving guy and I always wondered WHY??  Why hasn’t he been snatched up?  ANNND Then we learn his story.  Poor dude.  Again, he has the purest heart of all and he has his heart destroyed by love.

Zoe is something.  She is a firecracker for sure.  I fell in love with her the first scene where she is so stubborn and tried to climb (unsuccessfully) through a window.  She is starting her life over after a divorce and career change.

When Tim sees Zoe stuck in the window the chemistry was born.  They both are attracted to the other but he is afraid to try and she is not making space for anyone right now.  The more time they spend together the more their chemistry is undeniable.

I was so happy listening to the story of her overcoming and learning to trust/lean on people while we see Tim learning to love/trust again.

I have to say I am broken hearted this is the last book in the series because it was just such a great series and I will definitely be reading more from the author in the future.

Tarina has spent her entire life in and around the military – first as a dependent and then as an enlisted Air Force member.

She writes contemporary and military romance about strong women and the men strong enough to love them. She draws heavily from her own military experience to create authentic characters who face real personal challenges.

Tarina is still active duty and a single mom of six-year-old twins. Her favorite hobby is sleep. She has delusions of retiring from the military and being a stay-at-home mom and full-time writer.

#WOTR23 #audio #Military #2ndChance #BestFriendsSibling – Rescued Heart, Combat Hearts book 3 by Tarina Deaton, Narration by Hayden Bishop

Rescued Heart: A Titan World Novel (Combat Hearts Book 3) by [Tarina Deaton]

“Please, Jordan. It’s Emme.”

The last thing Major Jordan Grant expected was to be pulled off his unit’s deployment for a civilian mission. But when Titan calls, you answer — especially when the mission is to rescue the younger sister of your childhood best friend. Moments away from death, NGO nurse Emme France could only pray for a miracle.

The last person she expected to see in the smoke and dust was Jordan Grant, her teenage crush and litmus test of all the men she’d dated ever since. Lying low at Titan’s exotic Abu Dhabi headquarters while the media furor around her rescue settles, Emme and Jordan explore a mutual attraction that is no longer young and innocent. Days in the desert paradise ignite desire and blur reality…until they return home, where Jordan rejoins his deployed unit and Emme is left alone to reevaluate her life and priorities.

Their passion was forged in the fires of combat. Will the home fires be enough to keep the burn alive?

Goodreads

Review by Twinsie Angie

I purchased this book and audio.

So, we kinda know Jordan but not a whole lot.  We know he survived the unimaginable thanks to Bree.  We know he has demons.  We know he is struggling.  So when I got his book I was so excited to meet this man.

Again, I have to say the narration is A-MAZ-ING!!  I mean Hayden just blows me away with each book.  I absolutely love love love her ability to tell the story.

Jordan is going to dedicate his life to military and service.  When he gets a call to come and do a special “off the books” mission for a family friend he is stunned.  He always thought Emme was something special as a kid and now he can’t imagine her as a woman.  He joins the Titan Team (This is a series from Cristin Harber) who was hired by her family.

Emme is doing her thing providing care for women in another country when she is taken as a hostage.  She is not sure why and is giving up surviving when she is rescued by….Jordan…..Doug’s best friend.  The one guy she always crushed on???

The story of Emme and Jordan was amazing.  The way he helped her get through her trauma.  The way they both talked about their history and wanting to explore MORE.  Of course, stuff goes sideways and hearts are on the line.

I was so excited by this couple.  I love the way they bonded and how they both accepted each other for who they are.  They both wanted more with the other but were scared to death at rejection or changes they couldn’t handle.

Tarina has spent her entire life in and around the military – first as a dependent and then as an enlisted Air Force member.

She writes contemporary and military romance about strong women and the men strong enough to love them. She draws heavily from her own military experience to create authentic characters who face real personal challenges.

Tarina is still active duty and a single mom of six-year-old twins. Her favorite hobby is sleep. She has delusions of retiring from the military and being a stay-at-home mom and full-time writer.

#WOTR23 #audio #Military #2ndChance – Locked-Down Heart, Combat Hearts Book 2 by Tarina Deaton, narration by Hayden Bishop

Locked-Down Heart (Combat Hearts Book 2) by [Tarina Deaton, Jessica Snyder, Shauna Kruse]

Denise Reynolds’s tightly controlled life is thrown off kilter when she’s given custody of her young cousins. There are days she has a hard enough time getting herself out of bed, never mind two precocious kids.

If that wasn’t enough, Chris Nolton comes strolling back into town as suddenly as he left it. She’d broken her own rules and given him a chance once before, only to have him ghost on her. But he’s not there for her this time. No, he’s leading the FBI Task Force intent on capturing the kids’ biological father. A man who was sent to prison for manslaughter. A man who was released five years too early. A man who wants his kids back.

The past has a way of repeating itself and once again, Denise finds herself defending the innocent against the evil of world. One wrong decision, one second guess, could have devastating consequences. To protect the most important people in her life, she’ll need to trust the one man with the power to break her.

Goodreads

Review by Twinsie Angie

I purchased this book.

GUUUYS~This series!!!  I am in HEAVEN!!!  I will admit I am not a huge military reader, but these books got me in my feeeeeels!!!

Denise….We love her or I love her anyway. I mean she is the best.  Sorry but I have a huge girl crush and I want her to be my best friend.  I would say I would fight Bree, but I know what she can do with a rifle…so I will just share her!!!

Denise is selfless.  Denise is the most loyal person.  She is who you want in your corner.  But Denise is a MEEEESSSSS. Between getting her heart broken by Chris (accidently I admit) and the stuff with Sarah.  Girl is about to CRACK!!!  Well she does crack actually….and punches Chris ….LOL I did laugh pretty hard at that scene.

Chris is so mad when he finds out no one told Denise about his job.  He rushed home and finds out his new case is *Gulp* Denise’s cousin!!!  Yeah he is allll kinds of a mess but he knows he wont let her go again.

This book has A LOT going on.  Denise and Chris trying to get it together…mainly Denise because Chris is in it for the long haul except, he won’t do girls hair *Snicker*.  Denise figuring her life out now that she is a single mom of 2 kids.  She needs help but won’t ask for it at the shelter and just damn with her life!!!!

I am telling you.  I have book 3 ready to go.  Hayden’s narration is PERFECTION.  She gives the scenes the tension voice or comedic voice as written. I think her narration had made my enjoyment even better.  For real girl is amazing!!

I honestly am torn…do I love Jase or Chris more…its close but Jase may still be on the top…but its CLOSE!!!!

Tarina has spent her entire life in and around the military – first as a dependent and then as an enlisted Air Force member.

She writes contemporary and military romance about strong women and the men strong enough to love them. She draws heavily from her own military experience to create authentic characters who face real personal challenges.

Tarina is still active duty and a single mom of six-year-old twins. Her favorite hobby is sleep. She has delusions of retiring from the military and being a stay-at-home mom and full-time writer.

#WOTR23 #Audio #Series #2ndChance #Military – Half Broke Heart, Combat Hearts Book 1.5 by Tarina Deaton, Narration by Hayden Bishop

Half-Broke Heart (Combat Hearts #1.5) by [Tarina Deaton]

Denise Reynolds is used to putting up a good front to show the world a strong, capable woman, but keeps a lot of things buried deep.

Chris Nolton is everything she learned the hard way to avoid — a sexy alpha-male who could charm her out of her pants and work his way into her heart. If history has taught her anything, it’s a deadly combination, but he manages to dig up emotions and longing she’s tried to bury for years.

He says all the right things and pushes her boundaries in all the right ways. Letting her guard down is difficult, especially since believing all the right things in the past led to unimaginable consequences.

Being content with her life may no longer be an option, but risking her heart may bring her to her knees.

Author’s Note: Half-Broke Heart picks up in the middle of Stitched Up Heart (Combat Hearts, #1) and is not intended to be read as a standalone.

Goodreads

ebook only

The audio for this book is included in the audio for book 2.

Review by Twinsie Angie

I purchased this book.

I will say if you haven’t read book one you probably need too.  I think you can read this book without reading book one but Denise is hella funny and you don’t want to miss her comedy.     I mean I had a bit of a girl crush on her TBH so this book and book made my heart happy.

I want to start by saying Hayden’s narration is *Chef’s kiss* amazing.  She does an amazing job with telling the story.  She is easily becoming a favorite voice for me.

Ok so we see Denise and Chris in book 1 but had no clue what was going on between the two of them under Bree and Jase’s noses. Granted Bree was being stalked but still….

Denise and Chris are hella funny together.  They both had some issues, but Chris is ready for a woman too settle down with.  He didn’t realize it until he sees Jase with Bree and until a certain female is giving him the slip.  Karma play boy!!!

Denise is frightened outta her mind with these feelings she is having for Chris.  No one gets her and he does, everyone pushes her and he doesn’t.  No one gives her comfort like Bree and yet she is leaning into his touch. FREAK OUT CITY!!!

Right when we think they are going to have a HEA we quickly realize there is a reason for book 2….OOOF Chris you are in big trouble but hopefully Denise wont be toooooo mad??? Oh dude you’re screwed because yeah she is going to lose it on you.

Tarina has spent her entire life in and around the military – first as a dependent and then as an enlisted Air Force member.

She writes contemporary and military romance about strong women and the men strong enough to love them. She draws heavily from her own military experience to create authentic characters who face real personal challenges.

Tarina is still active duty and a single mom of six-year-old twins. Her favorite hobby is sleep. She has delusions of retiring from the military and being a stay-at-home mom and full-time writer.

#WOTR23 #Military #Mystery #Audio – Stitched up Heart, Combat Heros book 1 by Tarina Deaton, Narration by Hayden Bishop

Stitched Up Heart (Combat Hearts Book 1) by [Tarina Deaton]

As an Air Force medic, Bree Marks saw the worst the War on Terror had to dish out. Now a physical therapist, she uses her experience to help other veterans heal from their physical wounds; while she battles her own emotional damage.

Blaming himself for his best friend’s suicide, former Army Ranger Jase Larken, retreated from life. To honor his best friend’s memory and assuage his guilt, he started an outdoor adventure company to help veterans with PTSD.

Bree had better things to do than catch her cheating fiance in bed with another woman. Jase is something better – for a night at least. For the first time in years, Jase wanted more. When he finds her again, he doesn’t give her another chance to run.

Jase’s protectiveness grates on Bree’s independent nature. She’s dealt with her fair share of alpha-male, door kickers and doesn’t need one telling her what to do now. But as a new danger emerges, Bree and Jase must face their pasts, before someone’s obsession with Bree destroys any chance they have of a future.

Can be read as a stand alone. No cliffhangers within the story.

Goodreads

Review by Twinsie Angie

I purchased this audio book.

First up, I am a narration snob.  I admit it.  I am picky and picky and even picky about my voices.  Ya’ll Hayden’s voice was THE BEST!!   Seriously she brought the characters to life.  She read the snide comments that were written with just the right attitude and sass.    For real….In love I am with her narration.

I grabbed this book because I had audio credits to burn.  I admit I was shallow when I saw the cover.  Don’t judge we have all stopped for a pretty cover.  Anywho, I then read the blub and was like hrmmmmm lets give it a whirl.

I am so dang glad I did.  I was laughing so hard at scenes because Denise and Bree are totally me and my bestie.  I was also fanning myself because ….. JASE….MMMMMMMMMMMMMMM Its gonna take a lot for me to dump him as my book boyfriend……for this series at least.  #BookWhore

I loved that fact this book was military but not so over my head military I was lost.  I loved that the characters all understand what it is like to return home after service trying to find a new normal after all they saw and witnessed while in service.  I loved the teasing of which branch you served in.  I loved the comradery they all had.

Jase and Bree meet at a bar.  Bree had just tossed her fiancé and his side piece out when she decided to drink her sorrows away with her bestie.  After an amazing night with Mr. Walking Orgasm she slips out the door.  Jase is not happy because he finally felt a connection.  He is going crazy and then she just shows up in his life again.  Mr. Super Alpha grabs her and won’t let her go.  Literally he grabbed her and it was hysterical!

I thought the story of the two of them dealing with falling in love and falling so fast was freaking them out.  I loved they knew what the other was dealing with.  I loved that Bree kicks Jase’s ass but Jase also is there to hold Bree when she falls apart.

The mystery of the story is that someone is harming people for hurting Bree.  I thought I knew the who and when we find out the why, it made my heart sad.  Menta Health is a serious issue and I loved how respectfully this was dealt with throughout the book.

I am super pumped for Denise and Chris.  This is going to be a crazy ride!

Tarina has spent her entire life in and around the military – first as a dependent and then as an enlisted Air Force member.

She writes contemporary and military romance about strong women and the men strong enough to love them. She draws heavily from her own military experience to create authentic characters who face real personal challenges.

Tarina is still active duty and a single mom of six-year-old twins. Her favorite hobby is sleep. She has delusions of retiring from the military and being a stay-at-home mom and full-time writer.

#WOTR22 #NewRelease #ReleaseDay #Military #2ndChance #BestFriendsToLovers #ARC #DoubleReview – The Ones He Left Behind by H. D’Agostino

Title: The Ones He Left Behind
Author: H. D’Agostino
Genre: Second Chance Military Romance
Cover Design: Cassy Roop, Pink Ink Designs
Photographer: Golden Czermak
Model: Charlie Gaddis
Release Date: May 31, 2022
BLURB

Ethan has been my whole world for most of my life. From our childhood antics to our promise to love each other ‘til death do us part’. I’ve never known life without him— until now.

 
When the soldiers knocked on my door, my life forever changed. They stood there in their dress blues, and their words shattered my world.
 
Ten years have passed, and not much has changed. The pain is less, thanks to the gift Ethan left behind— our son. I’ve found happiness in the small things in life. Everything was good until Ethan’s best friend, Cooper, showed up.
 
They enlisted together, went to battle together, and then he disappeared. I haven’t heard from him in ten years. Why is he back now, and what does he want with me?

I received this book from the author for free for an honest review.

This is a story about a love triangle of sorts.  Ethan, Cooper, and Hope.  Ethan and Hope are the young couple who fall in love while Cooper watches from the sidelines.  Cooper would never do anything to ruin what his friends have but he loves her from the sideline. The three are always together.  Ethan and Hope get married while Cooper and Ethan leave for the military together.  As you can guess, Ethan doesn’t make it back leaving a devastated and guilty Cooper, a widowed Hope, and a son named Jake.

Hope and Jake had made a great life for themselves when Cooper enters their life.   He is guilty for still loving Hope and not being there for her and Jake all the years since Ethan’s death.  He is a mess but can’t not be near her.  We learn about his past and slowly he reveals what has happened to him since Ethan died.  We see the hurt, sadness, and guilt over Ethan’s death.

Slowly Hope and Cooper start to realize things between them is more then friends.  They have some emotional baggage to figure out and then tackle how Jake will feel about Uncle Cooper being a bit more than just an uncle.

The story was about a 2nd chance between these 2 old friends. Will the past allow them to move forward and will they take the chance their hearts want or will they continue to hide from the happiness that is right in front of their faces.

I received a copy of this book from the author for an honest review.

Ethan, Cooper, and Hope have been friends since they were little. Cooper has had a thing for Hope but Ethan and her struck up a relationship and Cooper would never hurt his friendships by breaking that apart. Hope’s life was changing quickly. Ethan and Cooper when off to the military. Ethan and Hope got married and were going to have a baby. This is when tragedy struck. Ethan was killed in action leaving behind a wife, child, and a best friend. Hope lost not only her husband but best friend also. Cooper is fighting demons from watching his best friend die and could not face Hope. Hope had to push though and raise her son, Jake.

Both have issues they have to overcome. Cooper is a very complicated person and confusing at times. He wants to stay in the background not to upset what Hope and Jake have going in their life. Then he wants to be in their life like he promised Ethan before he died. Cooper gets into his head and hurts Hope again by disappearing into the background again.

I liked seeing the scenes of Ethan, Cooper, and Hope growing up. I also enjoyed seeing Jake grow and finding similarities with Ethan.  This Second Chance story will take you on a journey of highs and lows.

  LINKS
AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU
AUTHOR BIO

Heather D’Agostino is an avid reader turned Bestselling Author of the Contemporary Romance Series The Broken Series, The Shattered Series, The Second Chances Series, The Cook Brothers Series, and Romantic Suspense series The Witness Series.

 
She attended the University of North Carolina at Charlotte where she received a Bachelor’s of Arts in Elementary Education with a minor in Mathematics.
 
She currently lives in Central New York with her husband, two children, dog, and two cats. When she’s not writing she can usually be found at the track, soccer field, or one of the many other places that she plays ‘Supermom’
AUTHOR LINKS