Review of Until There Was You by Jessica Scott

Publisher: Loveswept
Series: Coming Home #2
Format Read: e-Galley
Release Date: October 8, 2012
Buying Links:   Amazon   Barnes & Noble    Random House

Book Blurb (from goodreads): 

 He plays by the rules, she’s not afraid to break them. Now these two strong-willed army captains will prove that opposites attract . . . 

A by-the-book captain with a West Point background, Captain Evan Loehr refuses to mix business with pleasure—except for an unguarded instance years ago when he succumbed to the deep sensuality of redheaded beauty Claire Montoya. From that moment on, though, Evan has been at odds with her, through two deployments to Iraq and back again. But when he is asked to train a team prepping for combat alongside Claire, battle-worn Evan is in for the fight of his life. 

Strong, gutsy, and loyal, Captain Claire Montoya has worked hard to earn the rank on her chest. In Evan, Claire sees a rigid officer who puts the rules before everything else—including his people. When the mission forces them together, Claire soon discovers that there is more to Evan than meets the eye. 

 He’s more than the rank on his chest; he’s a man with dark secrets and deep longings. For all their differences, Evan and Claire share two crucial passions: their country and each other.


Reviewed By: Bea

Bea's Thoughts:

This book cost me a night’s sleep. I kept trying to put it down and go to bed and every time it called my name and wouldn’t let me go. I was up until 3AM reading it. I started it one night, got to about 25% and went to bed, but the next night…oh, the next night. It was totally worth it.

Claire and Evan are two very likable people, though I empathized more with Claire. Evan’s rigidity was off-putting at times, not only for me but for Claire too. But as we get to know him better, and see beneath the surface, we understand why he is the way he is and we see that he is willing to step outside the lines, when convinced that it’s merited.

 Evan and Claire are scarred, both emotionally and physically. Events from their pasts have affected them; neither one has been in a serious relationship until they hook up about halfway through the story. While they have been interested in each other for years, they’ve also worked together both abroad in Iraq and back home in the US. Unfortunately, they usually clash when they work together. Evan is a career officer and believes in following the rules and orders while Claire started out enlisted before going to Officer Candidate School and becoming a captain; she’s more inclined to question things and take shortcuts.

“How can you be an officer and be that emotionally attached to everything you do?” “Because at least I give a shit about what I do. I may be loud and I may speak my mind, but no one will ever say I don’t care.” She took a single step backwards, crossing her arms over her chest. “How can you call yourself a leader when you don’t care about anything but doing what the commander wants? Those are people, not a means to an end, Evan. You get the right people in the job and the rest will take care of itself.” “That’s part of your problem, Claire. You might be good, but you’re not good enough to succeed on talent alone. You’re reckless. And you don’t believe in the rules. But they exist for a reason.” 

This difference in approach, and the resulting consequences, is a major source of conflict. Another major source is the drinking problem of an enlisted man, Reza, who is a friend of Claire’s. As they work together on their current mission, and deal with Reza’s drinking, they get past the barriers they’ve put up, and become closer physically and emotionally. Their relationship proceeds in fits and starts as they struggle with their feelings and their work.

Scott grabbed me from the start and never let go. While some things were predictable, it didn’t matter because I had to see what happened next. Scott weaves in details about the Army life and respectfully shows military life both stateside and during military engagements. It was a pleasure to read a military based story that was actually accurate yet not full of propaganda or cynicism. Scott’s characters are nuanced, realistic and a pleasure to spend time with. I also cared about the secondary characters and I want to know what happens with Reza, Sarah and Engle.

Although this is part of a series, it can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty.

“Until There Was You” is exciting, emotional and a joy to read. Go get a copy now!

I received an e-galley from the author for review.

This review first appeared at Romance at Random.

Sunday Book Share #7

 

I'm participating in both The Sunday Post, hosted by Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer and Stacking the Shelves, hosted by Tynga's Reviews. Each meme allows book bloggers the chance to share books they've received, and different posts and events at their blog.

This has been a busy week. I had the final lung surgery on Tuesday and it went smoothly. The results won't be known for a while but the procedure itself went off just fine. My recovery so far has been pretty smooth too. I expect I'll be back at work on Monday. I appreciate everyone's kind words and thoughts, they've helped. :)

While I was recovering, the blog was busy both with scheduled posts and and a couple of unplanned ones. There are a couple of giveaways going on still and there might be one this week. I say "might" because I may need to pull out of the blog tour sponsoring it. I didn't realize that the book in question involved cancer as a major plot line and I always try to avoid books and movies about cancer. It just hits too close to home. So, if I can't finish the book, I'll likely end up pulling out of the tour. I've already talked to the author and given her a heads up. Apart from the whole cancer thing, I'm enjoying the book. :D

Reviews:  Sleepwalker by Karen Robards

Interviews:  Q&A with Lori Foster

Excerpts & Cover Reveals:  Dare by Kacey Hammell

Gunslingers and Ghost Stories, An Anthology

Run the Risk by Lori Foster

Amityville Horrible by Kelley Armstrong

Iced by Karen Marie Moning, Stolen by Shiloh Walker and Forbidden by Jacquelyn Frank

Giveaways:  Kissing Under the Mistletoe by Marina Adair

Run the Risk by Lori Foster

News and Discussion:  Live Chat with Lois Lowry

What is Urban Fantasy?

BOOKS

Library

Gifted

About two weeks ago, I received a press release about this book and I promptly wrote a post about it. The book is pubbed by Random House and Habitat for Humanity and raises funds for Habitat. Someone at Habitat saw my post and offered to send me the book. I happily agreed and it arrived a few days ago. I'm not sure if the edition I received was a special one or the regular one but it came with a slipcover and a book plate and the book is signed by the author. VERY kind of Habitat. Now, I just need to decide whether to give it away here on the blog and buy my own copy or keep this one and give away a copy. Either way, at some point, there will be a giveaway.

Review

Kindle Freebies 

 

Another surgery, more Kindle freebies. :D I didn't go quite as crazy this time as the others but even so, I downloaded many.

How was your week? Leave a link to your post as part of your comment. :)

What is Urban Fantasy?

@blodeuedd83 I do not like when UF is on best of fantasy list, you know I love UF. But it has nothing to do with fantasy, nothing at all 

@BeasBookNook @blodeuedd83 *blink* but the F in UF stands for fantasy! And UF originated from fantasy. It can also be horror but that's fantasy too. 

@blodeuedd83 @BeasBookNook Fantasy for me takes place in another world. urban fantasy is just paranormal romance without the romance

 The following twitter exchange took place between myself and blodeuedd earlier this weekend. The conversation, in conjunction with a series that Bastard Books has been doing on UF, got me thinking. Bastard Books has a series of posts this month from various guests on what is wrong with urban fantasy, why they don't like it, or both. There are some very valid points in the posts and they have given me much to think about. I recommend reading them.

When I first read blodeuedd's tweets, I was in disbelief; how could someone think that urban fantasy has nothing to do with fantasy? I'm still doubtful, but then I thought more about her second comment. If I understand her correctly, (and blodeuedd, if you're reading this, please speak up if I'm wrong!) for her urban fantasy is about werewolves, vampires, demons and other creatures that traditionally were considered horror or paranormal. 

For me, urban fantasy is more, much more than that. One of the first books widely considered to be urban fantasy is "War for the Oaks" by Emma Bull. The first urban fantasy I ever read was "Greenmantle" by Charles de Lint, still one of my favorite books. Both books are set in contemporary times, in a more or less urban setting, and involve beings from fantasy. Another early series that I'd call urban fantasy is the Bedlam's Bard series by Mercedes Lackey and assorted co-authors. Again, stories involving the fae set in in modern times in an urban setting. Over the years as horror grew more mainstream, we began to see vampires and werewolves, along with witches, demons and ghosts, begin to show up in contemporary stories set in urban or primarily urban settings. Urban fantasy expanded and grew, creating a larger variety of stories and worlds.

These days, urban fantasy has been taken over by beings formerly considered paranormal or horror and you see less of the traditional fantasy side. Less, yes, but not gone entirely. Seanan McGuire's Tobey Day series is akin to de Lint and Lackey's early works. Kevin Hearne, Nicole Peeler, and Ilona Andrews among others have blended both the fae side and the paranormal side into delightful, thrilling urban fantasy stories. I especially love Hearne and Andrews' use of various global mythologies in their books. They have integrated different elements of urban fantasy into cohesive worlds that are firmly, in my opinion, urban fantasy. Their use of mythology and traditional, but often overlooked fantasy beings, are major factors in my enjoyment of their books. That said, I do enjoy werewolves and witches, vampires to a lesser extent. I love Kelley Armstrong's Women of the Otherworld series, and the Mercy Thompson and the Alpha and Omega series by Patricia Briggs; I enjoy Keri Arthur's Riley Jensen and Risa books (though admittedly, those are paranormal romance and not straight urban fantasy) and Jodi Redford's That Old Black Magic series (also PNR. Hmmm, not making my case, am I? :D)

Still, for myself, I prefer the fairy and mythology flavored urban fantasy. Happily, there's room for all of us. :)

So, what is your definition of urban fantasy? What does the term call to mind when you see it?

ETA: I got into a great discussion on twitter about the differences between urban fantasy, paranormal romance and contemporary fantasy. I see more discussion posts in my future. In the meantime, please, share your thoughts, I want to hear them.

Live Chat with Lois Lowry!

The School Library Journal is sponsoring a live chat with author Lois Lowry. She'll be appearing live at the Maurice J. Tobin School in Roxbury, Massachusetts. You can ask questions in real time and the SLJ is webcasting it. Don’t miss your chance to hear the Newbery Medal–winning author talk about her latest book, "SON", the fourth book in the Giver Quartet.

Webcast Schedule: Wednesday, November 7, 2012
                             1:00PM–2:00PM EST
                             12:00PM–1:00PM CST
                             11:00AM–12:00PM MST
                             10:00AM–11:00AM PST

Interested? Register here. Many thanks to the School Library Journal and publisher Houghton Miffflin Harcourt for sponsoring this event!

More Excerpts! Iced by Karen Marie Moning, Stolen by Shiloh Walker & Forbidden by Jacquelyn Frank

I have some yummy excerpts for you from Random House. The first one is from "Iced", the next book in Karen Marie Moning's FaeFever series and also start of an offshoot series featuring the teenager Dani O'Malley. It goes on sale in a few weeks, on the 30th of this month. Also out on the 30th is Jacquelyn's Frank's new Nightwalker story, "Forbidden".  This is also the first book in a spinoff series. The last one is from "Stolen" by Shiloh Walker, a stand alone romantic suspense, also out on the 30th. Below you'll find blurbs and excerpts for all of the books, enjoy!

Iced:

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Karen Marie Moning comes the first book in her hotly anticipated new urban paranormal trilogy, set in the world of her blockbuster Fever series.

The year is 1 AWC—After the Wall Crash. The Fae are free and hunting us. It’s a war zone out there, and no two days are alike. I’m Dani O’Malley, the chaos-filled streets of Dublin are my home, and there’s no place I’d rather be.

Dani “Mega” O’Malley plays by her own set of rules—and in a world overrun by Dark Fae, her biggest rule is: Do what it takes to survive. Possessing rare talents and the all-powerful Sword of Light, Dani is more than equipped for the task. In fact, she’s one of the rare humans who can defend themselves against the Unseelie. But now, amid the pandemonium, her greatest gifts have turned into serious liabilities.

Dani’s ex–best friend, MacKayla Lane, wants her dead, the terrifying Unseelie princes have put a price on her head, and Inspector Jayne, the head of the police force, is after her sword and will stop at nothing to get it. What’s more, people are being mysteriously frozen to death all over the city, encased on the spot in sub-zero, icy tableaux.

When Dublin’s most seductive nightclub gets blanketed in hoarfrost, Dani finds herself at the mercy of Ryodan, the club’s ruthless, immortal owner. He needs her quick wit and exceptional skill to figure out what’s freezing Fae and humans dead in their tracks—and Ryodan will do anything to ensure her compliance.

Dodging bullets, fangs, and fists, Dani must strike treacherous bargains and make desperate alliances to save her beloved Dublin—before everything and everyone in it gets iced.

Iced: A Dani O'Malley Novel (Fever Series) by Karen Marie Moning

          Forbidden:

From New York Times bestselling author Jacquelyn Frank comes this first book in The World of the Nightwalkers—an exciting and sensual new spin-off series in which the Bodywalkers, an ancient race of the night, battles the evil forces who prey on them.

The unexpected happens in an instant. On her way to work, secretary Docia Waverley hurtles into a crashing crossroads, and she quickly begins to suspect that things will never be the same. Then, when a tall, blond, muscular stranger intervenes on her behalf, telling her it is his duty to protect her at all cost, what is just a feeling turns to proof positive. That is, as long as Docia’s savior doesn’t turn out to be a crazed kidnapper.

When Ram finds Docia, he has no doubt that she is his queen. But as this golden warrior sweeps in to protect her, he feels something more than body heat every time they touch. He is overwhelmed by a searing connection that goes deep into the twin souls inside him. A desire rises in him that is forbidden—this woman is his queen, the mate of his king, his leader, his best friend. And yet Docia is so vulnerable and attractive that she awakens a hunger in Ram that is undeniable, a carnal craving he cannot yield to . . . not without risking the very survival of the Bodywalkers.

         Stolen:

This thrilling and super sexy novel from bestselling romantic suspense author Shiloh Walker will appeal to fans of Allison Brennan and Linda Howard.

Shay Morgan has stayed hidden for a long time. Living a reclusive life in Earth’s End, Alaska, she’s as far away as she can get from the trauma of her childhood and the man who hurt her long ago. But terror takes over Shay’s life yet again when an unknown stalker steals away the fragile peace she’s built for herself—targeting not only her but the one man who’s ever managed to get past the walls she’s built around herself.

Elliot Winter has lived through being falsely accused before—it ruined his military career. Now it’s happening all over again. And this time, his accuser is a twisted impostor who’s targeting his ex-girlfriend, Shay. Despite a fierce mutual attraction, Shay and Elliot broke up because Shay couldn’t let her guard down, couldn’t let Elliot in. But now they both need to trust each other to confront a psycho who seems to know all their secrets.

COVER REVEAL! Amityville Horrible by Kelley Armstrong

It's here! The cover for Kelley's forthcoming novella featuring necromancer Jaime Vegas.

I can not wait for my copy to arrive. I'm indulging and ordering both the ebook and the print. :)

Interview, Excerpt, & Giveaway of Run The Risk by Lori Foster

Today it's my pleasure to welcome romance author Lori Foster to the Nook. She's touring the book blogosphere to celebrate and promote the release of her newest book, "Run the Risk".

Since first publishing in January 1996, Lori Foster has become a Waldenbooks, Borders, USA Today, Publisher’s Weekly and New York Times bestselling author of over 70 novellas and novels. She currently writes single titles for HQN. Lori believes it’s important to give back to the community as much as possible, and for that reason she ran special contests in conjunction with a publisher, facilitating many first sales for new authors. She routinely organizes events among authors and readers to gather donations for various organizations.

Along with her good friend, Duffy Brown, Lori hosts a very special annual “Reader & Author” event in West Chester, Ohio. Proceeds from the event have benefited many worthy causes, including the Hamilton County YWCA Battered Women’s Shelter, the Animal Adoption Foundation, The Conductive Learning Center for children with spina bifida and cerebral palsy, and The One Way Farm, Children’s Home.

Lori has received many prestigious awards, including: Romantic Times “Career Achievement Award” for: Series Romantic Fantasy Contemporary Romance Lori Foster has been both a clue in the New York Times crossword puzzle and the USA Today Quick Cross puzzle. She enjoys visiting with readers on her Facebook Fan page, Twitter, Goodreads, and Pinterest. Sign up for Lori’s Newsletter to get the latest news on book releases!

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 Q&A:

 Bea: What book are you reading now?

Lori: This might change by the time the answer is posted, so how about I mention BOTH series that I’m loving? Jill Shalvis’s “Lucky Harbor” series. I’ve already read (and loved) “Lucky in Love,” and “At Last,” and I’ve already purchased “Forever and a Day.” I’m also reading Erin McCarthy’s “Fast Track” series. I’ve finished “Flat Out Sexy” and “Hard and Fast.” She has a lot more in the series, so I see myself with plenty of reading to do for the next few months.

Bea: When did you first consider yourself a writer?

Lori: Not until after I sold my 3rd book. Before that, I still didn’t say too much about writing. I didn’t want to be a one-book wonder, and two books could still be a fluke. So I waited. In fact, I’m still pretty uptight about telling it to strangers. Not sure why.

Bea: What inspired you to write your first book?

Lori: Reading great stories! Romance blew my mind. Great dialogue, engaging characters that drove the plot, happen endings... love it all. I’d always been a day-dreamer and a right-brained oddity. J I decided to write that 1st book (and then the 2nd and 3rd and 4th) just for me. “If there’s a book you really want to read, but it hasn’t been written yet, then you must write it.” –Toni Morrison. When I went to a writers’ con and met a bunch of writers who’d been working on their 1st chapter for 5 years, I thought, hmmm. Maybe I have what it takes.

Bea: How did you come up with the title?

Lori: RUN THE RISK is about Logan Riske. Ages ago, readers would write me and say that they couldn’t remember which hero had which title. It made sense then to put a part of the hero’s name in the title to make it easier for readers. But after this series, I think I might switch it up again. HQN is giving me such amazing covers that I hope readers will remember the image, if not the title.

Follow the tour here: http://booktrib.com/blog-tour-run-the-risk-by-lori-foster/


Have more questions for Lori? She's having a live chat on BookTrib.com this coming Monday, October 22nd at 7PM EST. Come join Lori and ask her your burning questions! BookTrib will be giving away 10 copies of "Run The Risk", as well as her Dirty Car Art print and t-shirt! Click on the photo below for more information. 

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Excerpt: 

 “I keep to myself.” She awkwardly snatched back her groceries and straightened her spine. “Others should do the same.” “Yeah, maybe I could.” Giving up his scrutiny of her cluttered living space, he leaned in her door frame—all six-feet-plus of him. His broad shoulders kept her from closing the door. Patient, silent, he waited for her to meet his gaze. Girding herself, Pepper looked up—and felt caressed by his suggestive, intimate attention.

****************************************************************************************

 Giveaway

  

Book Blurb (from goodreads):

When Detective Logan Riske goes undercover to find Pepper Yates, a potential link to his best friend's unsolved murder, he vows to gain her cooperation by any means necessary. But the elusive beauty is more suspicious—and in far more danger—than he expected. And the last thing Logan needs is to start caring for her….Pepper has spent years dodging the corrupt club owner who will stop at nothing to keep her silenced. She can trust no one, not even the handsome new "construction worker" who's moved in next door. The heat between them is undeniable. But will surrendering to passion bring her the safety she so desires—or will her feelings for Logan draw them both into a killer's crosshairs?

Run the Risk
Series: Love Undercover #1
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Formats: Paperback, ebook, audio
Length: 384 pages, 529 KB
Buying Links:  Amazon   Barnes & Noble   The Book Depository

I have one paperback copy to giveaway to a US or Canadian resident. Enter using the rafflecopter widget below.

Excerpt from Dare by Kacey Hamell

Author Kacey Hamell is back again with her newest romance, "Dare". You may recall I've reviewed two of her romances, "Sinful" and "Illusions" (she has a fondness for single word titles LOL), and interviewed her back in March. Today I have an excerpt from "Dare".

Born, raised and still living in her hometown in Ontario, Canada, Kacey found true love with her husband. As a Mom of three, Kacey has made certain that each of her children know the value of the written word and the adventures they could escape on by becoming book-a-holics in their own right. She is a multi-published erotic romance author who was encouraged to write by her beloved husband and quickly found herself writing fast and furiously. Not that she’ll ever tell him those three dreadful words that he longs to hear…”You were right.” Kacey is a true romantic at heart.

Find Kacey online:

Blog
Facebook
Twitter
Goodreads

 

Dare

By: Kacey Hammell

Publisher: Evernight Publishing

ISBN: 978-1-77130-128-2

Genre: FICTION, ROMANCE, EROTICA

Format: ebook

Length: 77 pages, 260 KB

Release Date: September 20, 2012

Buying Links:  Amazon   Evernight    AllRomance/OmniLit  

Book Blurb (from author): 

Legal secretary, Olivia Warner enjoys being single and, aside from her closest gal pals, usually keeps to herself. But the night of her thirty-fourth birthday, she and her friends spend a fun-filled evening at a local bar where her friends dare her to approach a man, and spend the night with him. Olivia's not one to turn down a dare, especially from her old college pals. She only hopes the man in question is in for some good conversation, because that's all she'll give him.

Darren “Dare” Shalvis has given up on women. He's tired of being chased for his money, good looks, and prowess in bed. He prefers to meet a woman who, for once, wants nothing more from him than mere conversation. If only the woman asking him to spend the night with her wasn’t his favorite legal secretary. 

Accepting a dare has never been so tempting… 

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Excerpt 

She gave a small laugh and lifted the glass for a drink. 
Dare watched her lips as she drank. He wondered what they’d taste like. It was something he’d considered many times lately.
He was drawn to her, but unsure he’d ever act on it.
 Her whole demeanor said ‘hands off.’ And he wasn’t sure he was ready for the challenge.
“Tell me about it.”
“I’ll cut right to the chase.” As he turned on the stool, their knees brushed. Neither moved.
He thought he saw her eyes lit up. Perhaps Ms. Warner wasn’t as immune as he thought.
“My friends brought me here tonight for my birthday.”
“Happy birthday.”
She smiled. “Thank you. The jury’s still out whether it’s happy or not. My friends decided that as a present they’d get me a man.” She blushed and reached for her drink.
“Go on.” Intriguing.
She set down her glass and continued, “They dared me. Dared me to find myself a man and spend the night with him.”
Women…who understood them? He’d only ever participated in dares when he was younger. He didn’t think anyone took them seriously anymore.
“And you need my help, how?” Dare’s heart rate accelerated. She wasn’t asking him to…
She stared up at him, her gaze steady. “I need you to spend the night with me.”
If he hadn’t heard it with his own ears, he wouldn’t have believed it. This night was the strangest he’d had in a long time. It was as if he’d been offered a million dollars on a silver platter.
Of course, he wanted to spend the night with her. He’d fantasized about it many times. He just wasn’t clear on what exactly she was asking. He didn’t want any misunderstandings.
“Are you asking me to spend the night with you to…” Dare cleared his throat. “…be with you?”
“Oh! No, yes, I mean no. Dammit, I’ve screwed this up.”
“Relax.” He put a hand on her knee. “It’s okay. Let’s try this—do you want me to have sex with you?” Olivia groaned. Dare love that sound, and heat filled his groin.
“No. Not to have sex. God, this is mortifying.” Olivia placed her hand over his where it still rested on her knee. “Just to spend the night together—a movie, hang out, whatever—until eight a.m., when the dare is over.”
Dare laughed. She talked so fast he could hardly keep up. He’d never seen her so animated before. He liked her flustered and breathless…a lot. He wondered if she looked and sounded like that during sex.
He couldn’t go that route. Not now.
“Okay, so let me get this straight. You want us to spend the night together—with no sex—until morning? All because of a dare? Why didn’t you just say no?”
“I can’t. In college, the five of us made a pact—in blood, for God’s sake—that we’d always be friends and never back down from a dare. Trust me, right now, I wish I’d never made it.”
He chuckled. “Yes, I can imagine how you feel.”
“I’m so tired after the day we had. This was the last thing I needed tonight.”
“Yeah, when I stopped by the office today you seemed a bit irritated.”
She sighed and ran her fingers over his hand. Dare was surprised how comfortable it felt to have their knees and hands touch. He didn’t think Olivia was even aware she caressed his hands…or wreaked havoc on his libido. If her innocent touches could send him into overdrive, he wondered what would happen if she put all she had into it.
“It was the day from hell. I just wanted to meet the girls for a few drinks, then head home to soak the day away.”
Dare grit his teeth and tried not to think of Olivia in a bathtub—water floating around her body, relaxed, languid. The image could send him over the edge.
“Well, you’re in luck. I’m your man for the night."
Olivia smiled and her eyes danced. “Thank you. I really appreciate it. The last thing I wanted to do was have to pick up some random guy. I’m so glad you were here.”
 Pleased he could help her, Dare grinned. He realized he wanted to anything to put that carefree smile on her face.
“So.” He took a sip of his beer. “What do you want to do?”
She scowled. “Well, we could go back to my place. I have a spare room that you can crash in if you want.”
Surprised, Dare took in her flushed face. “Are you sure?”
She nodded. “Yeah. We don’t exactly have to stay up all night. It’s still spending the night together, right?”
He chuckled. “Yeah, in a manner of speaking. Your friends weren’t specific.”
A smug smile crossed Olivia’s face. “No they weren’t. Which is a testament to how much they thought this through. I would have made a list of do’s and don’ts.”
They both laughed. Olivia had a naughty streak and he liked it. Liked it—and her—very much. A night with Olivia Warner wasn’t what he’d expected. Sure, he’d thought of her in his bed often, writhing and moaning with passion, but he never thought fantasy would become a reality. He couldn’t let the opportunity go. His buddies didn’t call him Dare for no reason. He could never resist a challenge. He placed both hands on her shoulders, drew her gaze from her glass, and put his cards on the table.
“What if we have an agreement?”
She frowned. “What do you mean?” “For us to spend the night together, we should have some ground rules.”
“Ground rules?”
“I will spend the night with you. More than eager to do so, except one thing.”
“What’s that?” she whispered.
He barely heard her but saw her lips move. He wanted to taste them, desperately.
“I don’t want to sleep in any spare room.”
“You don’t?” She gawked at him. Her expression was comical but Dare didn’t feel like laughing.
“No. I want to spend the night in your room.” Dare had her full attention. She stared at him, eyes wide.
“In your bed.”

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If you liked the excerpt, the book is out now, so go get yourself a copy!