The High Sierras Series - Deadly Purpose, Already Gone by Diane Benefiel - Book Blast and Giveaway

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Diane Benefiel will be awarding Flash Point + Dead Giveaway to 2 randomly drawn winners via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

ALREADY GONE

A decade after Logan walked out on Maddy, he returns, and emotions long banked surface, then everything becomes complicated and dangerous.

DEADLY PURPOSE

Thrown together, and neither is happy about it, Meg and Declan navigate their unwanted growing attraction as they fight to keep Meg alive.

Read an Excerpt from Deadly Purpose:

Who was occupying her father’s cabin?

The surly face of a bearded man was not what she expected. Tall and long-limbed, his wide shoulders filled the door. Furrowed brows shadowing dark brown eyes and a scowling expression did nothing to alleviate the feeling that she’d awakened a bear in its den. And a hungry bear at that.

“What do you want?”

About the same time he growled out the question, the warmth hit her. It emanated from inside the cabin and felt like a thick blanket pulled fresh from the dryer and wrapped snugly around her. She wanted to slip past him and find a place to lie down for the next week or so. Someplace out of the way where she could ignore him until she felt better and could deal with his intrusion.

He stepped forward and wariness had her taking a step back before she recovered herself. Grow a spine. Don’t cower. Stand up for yourself.

He stepped onto the porch and pulled the door shut behind him.

Meg suppressed a groan at the loss of warmth. Gathering her resolve, she asked, “Who are you?” At least her voice sounded strong. “And what are you doing in my cabin?”

“Not your cabin. You must have missed a turn. Go figure out where.” He reached back to lay a hand on the doorknob.

“This is my cabin. You need to leave.”

He gave her a once-over before locking his gaze on hers. “I know what the owner of this place looks like, and you don’t fit the bill. Go away.”

“If I go away, I’ll get the sheriff and let him deal with you. I don’t think he’ll tolerate squatters in these mountains. I’ll give you ten minutes to get your things around, then you’re gone.”

“Go for it, lady. We have a police chief, not a sheriff, and cell coverage is spotty up here. By the time you get into town, it’ll be dark. Chief Gallagher is too smart to bother with this right now. He’ll tell you to get a room at a motel somewhere and figure it out in the morning.”

She sized up the man. With his tough build, he wouldn’t be easy to budge. This was not how she envisioned her day ending. She tightened her arms around her middle to stop the shiver snaking up her spine. A glance out from under the porch showed fat snowflakes wafting softly from the sky. She’d never seen snow falling before. Watching the drift of hazy white made her head swim.

“What the hell?” She jerked back when strong hands gripped her elbows, backing up her breath in her lungs. “What are you doing? Let go.”

“Then don’t act like you’re going to pass out.”

“I’m not going to pass out.” She pulled against his hold. “Hands off.”

He released her, putting his hands up like he was calming an emotionally disturbed person. The headache brewing at her temples spiked.

“You on something?”

Either irritation made his voice gruff, or it was his natural tone. She gave her forehead a surreptitious rub, not bothering to verbalize a response.

“Look at me.” He cast his gaze over her face. Only full, sensuous lips softened the rough planes of his face. He raised a hand and she backed up. A fuzzy sensation crowded at the edge of her brain, reminding Meg of when she’d suffered a concussion after being beaned in the head by a softball pitch.
“Steady there.” He held up a finger. “Without moving your head, follow my finger with your eyes.”

She looked him straight in the eye. “You know what you can do with that finger, don’t you?”

Only the slight crinkling at the corner of his eyes gave her any indication that the comment had struck home. He laid the back of his hand against her forehead. She didn’t jerk back this time, but it was a close call.

“You’re not high, you’re sick. Your skin is hot to the touch.”

About the Author:

National Readers’ Choice Award winner for her novel, Solitary Man, Diane Benefiel has been an avid reader all her life. She enjoys a wide range of genres, from westerns to fantasy to mysteries, but romance has always been a favorite. She writes what she loves best to read – emotional, heart-gripping romantic suspense novels. She likes writing romantic suspense because she can put the hero and heroine in all sorts of predicaments that they have to work together to overcome.

A native Southern Californian, Diane enjoys nothing better than summer. For a high school history teacher, summer means a break from teenagers, and summer allows her to spend her early mornings immersed in her current writing project. With both kids living out of the house, in addition to writing, she enjoys camping and gardening with her husband.

Diane loves hearing from her readers.

Website: http://www.dianebenefiel.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/DianeBenefielRomance
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/dianebenefiel
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/diane_benefiel
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8075321.Diane_Benefiel
BookBub: http://www.bookbub.com/authors/diane-benefiel
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/diane_benefiel

BUY LINKS:

ALREADY GONE

http://www.boroughspublisinggroup.com/books/already-gone
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/890537
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/already-gone-diane-benefiel/1129367248?ean=2940155781172
https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/already-gone/id1432885766?mt=11
https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/already-gone-7
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07GRT5C4F

DEADLY PURPOSE

http://www.boroughspublishinggroup.com/books/deadly-purpose
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/919162
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/deadly-purpose-diane-benefiel/1130339356?ean=2940155949565
https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/deadly-purpose/id1450309677?mt=11
https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/deadly-purpose
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07MZGS49L

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Short and Sweet Book Reviews # 344 - A Soldier's Return by RaeAnne Thayne, The Conspiracy by Kat Martin

A Soldier's Return by RaeAnne Thayne
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What does a child, dogs and two very nice people have in common. In this case it is a nice sweet story that uses each to keep me reading. I loved the way both of the dogs played a part and it was fun to see everyone in Brambleberry House. The house itself has a personality of its own. This was my first time to visit Brambelerry but not the first time for romances take place, For RaeAnne Thayne this is a return to tell new stories in a treasured place. Great story and interesting lead in to the story of another person living Brambleberry House.

I received a free copy of the book in return for an honest review.


The Conspiracy by Kat Martin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I once read that a story should be scene/sequel with the scene being the action and the sequel the time for the characters to rest. The Conspiracy uses that outline to keep the characters first in danger and then out only to be in danger again and then repeat, repeat, repeat. I loved how the story flowed with Harper Winston going to Chase Garrett for help in finding her brother Michael only to find that rescuing Michael puts Harper in danger. This is a thrill a minute action adventure with great characters and an over the top plot. First in a new series that looks like a great lead in for more excitement in future books.

I received a free copy of the book in return for an honest review.

View all my reviews

THE DIAMOND HEAD DECEPTION by James Blakley - Review and Giveaway

The Diamond Head Deception

by James Blakley

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GENRE: Mystery/Thriller

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BLURB:

After putting Iowa crop insurance cheats out to pasture, independent insurance fraud investigator Luna Nightcrow heads to Hawaii, but not for a vacation. The Shilpa, an Indian ocean liner, sinks and Luna is hired to determine if it still carries "Pacific Splendor" (a rare diamond insured for $15 million). The trouble is that Luna's not the only one looking for the diamond. Secessionists, sportsmen, and other suspects might sink to any depths to recover or smother Pacific Splendor.

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REVIEW:

The Diamond Head Deception has something that I often find missing in other mysteries. We are a diverse country but often you do not find that diversity in popular mysteries. Not true in this book. It is filled with people of different racial backgrounds. Not only are there a very large number of side characters they are some of the best fleshed out that I have read lately. Luna Nightcrow is a fraud investigator and comes to Hawaii to see if a very valuable diamond went down with the ship and if so is it still there. She is not the only one to wonder. What follows is an exciting journey that starts in a low key manner and ramps up as the story progresses. The book is well-written. There is a very nice flow to the story and the mystery kept me on the edge of my seat. While the book is only a little over 200 pages the story is so tightly written that everything fell in place before a very satisfying ending.

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EXCERPT

Rupee suddenly stopped and look around suspiciously. “Perhaps it is no longer safe to talk here.”

Luna cast an eye over the lounge and noticed a hefty, Hawaiian-looking man standing in the far corner behind them. He wore a tuxedo and was probably just checking out Rupee’s. But the scowl that he shot at them meant that he either didn’t like Rupee’s taste in tux or his taste in women. This might turn out to be a dangerous drink! Luna worried. But looking back at Rupee, she saw that he was still visibly shaken. I’ve got to be the strong one, Luna decided. So, she dragged a red fingernail up and down the back of Rupee’s hand. “Where do you suggest we talk, if not here?”

Rupee’s eyes widened. “Well, this is a hotel; so, it does have rooms,” he suggested.

Luna’s eyebrow cocked curiously. “Where’s yours, Rupee?” she asked softly.

A smile returned to Rupee’s face and he answered, “It’s a big one, Luna, way up high.”

Just what a girl likes to hear! Luna thought.

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

James Blakley was educated at Missouri Western State College and Washburn University. While at MWSC, he was a local and national award-winning columnist and section editor of "The Griffon-News." Blakley worked 10 1/2 years as a page and as an Assistant Librarian for the River Bluffs Regional Libraries of St. Joseph, MO. He currently lives in Topeka, KS where he worked for The Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library and several years in clerical and customer support capacities for international computer companies, such as EDS and HP.

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4678133.James_Blakley

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Diamond-Head-Deception-James-Blakley/dp/1629012475/ref=sr_1_1

Inkwater Press: http://inkwater.com/books/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=1352&search=the+diamond+head+deception

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GIVEAWAY INFORMATION

James will be awarding a $50 Walmart gift card to a randomly drawn winner (US ONLY) via rafflecopter during the tour.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Total Surrender (Sin Brothers #4) by Rebecca Zanetti

Contemporary Thriller

What Goodreads says:

A fight he must win...

Piper Oliver knows she can't trust him. They warned her that the tall, dark, and sexy black-ops soldier Jory Dean would try to win her over with his steel-gray eyes and deadly charm, but she won't be conned by this man they call a traitor. All she has to do is figure out the science necessary to save his life, and she's done. Something isn't adding up, though, and she won't rest until she uncovers the truth-even if it's buried in his deep, dangerous kiss.

A passion she can't resist...

Jory will do anything to reunite with and save his brothers-even kidnap the gorgeous woman who's working to deactivate the deadly chip in their spines. But the forces determined to destroy his family won't let them go so easily. Keeping Piper alive is more than he bargained for-and so is his burning desire for her. But with every second bringing him closer to certain death, can he afford to lose himself in her hot and willing embrace?

I love this series and have looked forward to Jory’s story from book one.  I wondered who they would pair him with but I never suspected it would be the Commander’s daughter.  Of course Piper was introduced in this book so she is a new character.

I found the story to be a little slow at the beginning but it picked up speed after the first few chapters and was non-stop action from then on.  Jory just wants to save his brothers and he will use anyone he can to make it happen.  He starts wanting to use Piper but as he gets to know her things change.  Along with the action and adventure we also get a romance.  The two have a heart stopping journey to their HEA.  

Total Surrender also introduces some important new characters and new information comes to light.  I started the book sad to leave the Sin Brothers but by the end I saw new hooks for future stores in the series.  I hope that those hooks are not just a tease but an indication that there is more to come.

This is a series that is best if read from book one. You can start with Total Surrender but it will be a lot more fun to start with book one and let the tension that is such a big part of the series build.

Hachette published Total Surrender by Rebecca Zanetti in 2014.

I received an ARC of Total Surrender from Netgalley in return for an honest review.