Tag: Coming Home

Review: Back to You by Jessica Scott

Posted September 7, 2016 by Rowena in Reviews | 2 Comments

Review: Back to You by Jessica ScottReviewer: Rowena
Back to You by Jessica Scott
Series: Coming Home #2
Also in this series: Until There Was You (Coming Home #3), Because of You (Coming Home #1), Back to You
Publisher: Forever
Publication Date: July 29th 2014
Pages: 304
Add It: Goodreads
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Ripped Bodice | Google Play Books
four-stars
Series Rating: four-stars

He's in for the fight of his life . . .

Army captain Trent Davila loved his wife, Laura, and their two beautiful children. But when he almost lost his life in combat, something inside him died. He couldn't explain the emptiness he felt or bridge the growing distance between him and his family—so he deployed again. And again. And again . . . until his marriage reached its breaking point. Now, with everything on the line, Trent has one last chance to prove to his wife that he can be the man she needs . . . if she'll have him. . . to win back his only love.

Laura is blindsided when Trent returns home. Time and again, he chose his men over his family, and she's just beginning to put the pieces of her shattered heart back together. But when Trent faces a court martial on false charges, only Laura can save him. What begins as an act of kindness to protect his career inflames a desire she thought long buried—and a love that won't be denied. But can she trust that this time he's back to stay?

I read this book for book club and was completely blown away with how good this book was. It was different from anything that I’ve read in a long while and I loved seeing two people who were very much in love heal from their broken relationship.

Back to You is the second book in the Coming Home series and it follows Trent and Laura, friends of the couple from the first book, Because of You. Trent and Laura are married with two kids and they have a wonderful marriage, or, they had a wonderful marriage before Trent is shipped off to war and comes back a completely different person from the man Laura married.

Laura knows that Trent is suffering through something big but he’s closed every communication avenue to her and when she finds out that he’s been shipping himself back out every chance that he can, she’s understandably hurt. Hurt that he doesn’t love her enough to come home. Hurt that he is missing out on being a father to their two kids. Well, she can’t fight to save her marriage for herself and she’s hurt enough that she wants out. She just wants a fresh start, with her kids and away from the man who broke her heart.

Trent is suffering from some major PTSD and he’s got a whole lot of survivor’s guilt going on with no idea how to fix himself or his family. He’s under investigation for some really serious charges and it took the job he used to escape to be stripped from him to realize what was really important. His wife. His family. He’s got a second chance to get things right, to fix the broken heart of the only woman he’s ever loved and he really hopes that it’s not too late.

My heart hurt for both Trent and Laura because their story wasn’t an easy one. They already had a foundation of love under them and their story was all about fixing their broken marriage. She wants a divorce and he doesn’t and we see them both struggle with where to go, what to do. I thought Scott did a fantastic job of putting the reader right smack dab in the middle of Trent and Laura’s story. The story was real and it was hard but in the end, their story was so worth the heartache. I thought everything was wrapped up pretty nicely and I loved the little tid-bits we got from the other couples in Laura and Trent’s circle of friends.

This book was good and I’m so glad that I read it. I definitely recommend.

Grade: 4.25 out of 5

four-stars


Tagged: , , , , , ,

Cover Reveal: One More Shot by Victoria Denault

Posted April 17, 2015 by Rowena in Promotions | 0 Comments

Here at Book Binge, we don’t normally do very many blog tours or cover reveals but this week, you’re getting two.  This book (and series) sound like something we’d enjoy and we’re really looking forward to jumping right in.

And now….here’s the cover:

Denault_One More Shot_E-Book

Ha! I was going to resize the picture but then I took a good look at it…and changed my mind. How hot is that cover though???

I love it! Here’s the blurb:

ONE MORE SHOT by Victoria Denault (June 2, 2015; Forever Yours E-Book; $3.99; Hometown Players Book #1)

They say you only get one shot at making your dreams come true. Jordan is determined to take two.

Drafted by the NHL at eighteen, Jordan Garrison was headed for fame, and there was only one person he wanted to share it with-Jessie Caplan. He was crazy in love with her, and had finally told her so. They shared an amazing night . . . and then everything fell apart.

Jessie tries not to think about the night she gave herself to Jordan-or how he broke her heart. She tries not to think about it, but she does. Especially now, when she’s staring into his sky-blue eyes for the first time in six years. After so much time and torment, she can’t tell if she loves him or hates him. But Jordan has learned enough to know a connection like theirs is rare. He was lucky to find Jessie once. No way will he lose her again.

Pre-Order Links:

Amazon
B&N
iBooks
BAM
GooglePlay
Kobo

About the author:

Victoria Denault loves long walks on the beach, cinnamon dolce lattes and writing angst-filled romance. She lives in LA but grew up in Montreal, which is why she is fluent in English, French and hockey.

Social Media Links:

Website
Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Instagram


Tagged: , , , , ,

Book Watch: Home for Christmas by JoAnn Ross and Jessica Scott

Posted November 11, 2014 by Holly in Promotions | 0 Comments

HomeForChristmas_ebook_smallIn honor of Veteran’s day, I just wanted to post a quick reminder that Home for Christmas, the anthology featuring novellas from JoAnn Ross‘s Shelter Bay series and Jessica Scott‘s Coming Home series, is on sale today. Both series’ feature men and woman of the military (current and former).

An all new holiday duet featuring brand new works from New York Times Bestselling author JoAnn Ross and USA Today Bestselling author Jessica Scott featuring brand new Shelter Bay & Coming Home novellas. 

You Again – A Shelter Bay Novella
A book nerd, a brainiac science guy, and a misplaced killer whale…

Meghann Quinn wasn’t always a hugely successful author. Adam Wayne wasn’t always a marine biologist studying whales. Back in high school in Shelter Bay, Oregon, she was the shy book nerd helping the brainiac science guy pass English. Meghann had no idea Adam would turn into such a hottie. Adam has no idea their once-upon-a-time sweet summer romance inspired Meghann’s popular teen novels.

Two shy geeks didn’t have the courage to share their true feelings back then. But now that Meghann’s back in town, they’re pondering life’s important questions. Such as, will Adam ask her to the Snow Ball? And what are they going to do about the lost Orca who shows up on Christmas Eve? And can two nerds get past their initial insecurity to take a second chance on a once-in-a-lifetime love?

All I Want For Christmas Is You – A Coming Home Novella 

From USA Today Bestselling author Jessica Scott comes an all new novella about a woman who came back from war changed and the man who loves her enough not to let her go.

All Major Patrick MacLean wanted was Christmas with the woman and child who were his family in everything but name. But Captain Samantha Egan has come back from the war a different woman than the one who left – and she doesn’t know if she can love him anymore.

But neither of them counted on the determination of a little girl they both call daughter and if Natalie has her wish, her parents may have no idea what’s coming for them. It’s going to take Christmas miracle to bring these two wounded warriors back from the edge of a broken heart.

Home for Christmas is self-published. You can buy it from one of the e-tailers below.
iBooks  | Amazon | BN  | Kobo | Play 


Tagged: , , , , , , , ,

Excerpt (+ Giveaway): Back to You by Jessica Scott

Posted July 29, 2014 by Holly in Giveaways, Promotions | 3 Comments

Back-to-You-Blog-TourBack to You by Jessica Scott, the third book in her Coming Home series, features married couple Trent and Laura. I am an absolute sucker for the reunited lovers theme, but this book grabbed me right from the start and wouldn’t let go.  Today it releases in mass market paperback.

We have an excerpt to share with you, along with a giveaway sponsored by the publisher (they’ll be in touch if you win).  As I said in my review this was an extremely realistic look at the trials and tribulations our military members and their families face.  I admit I was bawling by page 8 and that didn’t really let up until about halfway through the book. You can read the full review here. I gave it 4.75 out of 5.

BACK TO YOU by Jessica Scott (July 29, 2014; Forever Mass Market; $6.00)

He’s in for the fight of his life . . . 
Army captain Trent Davila loved his wife, Laura, and their two beautiful children. But when he almost lost his life in combat, something inside him died. He couldn’t explain the emptiness he felt or bridge the growing distance between him and his family-so he deployed again. And again. And again…until his marriage reached its breaking point. Now, with everything on the line, Trent has one last chance to prove to his wife that he can be the man she needs …if she’ll have him

. . . to win back his only love.Scott_BacktoYou_MM

Laura is blindsided when Trent returns home. Time and again, he chose his men over his family, and she’s just

beginning to put the pieces of her shattered heart back together. But when Trent faces a court martial on false charges, only Laura can save him. What begins as an act of kindness to protect his career inflames a desire she thought long buried-and a love that won’t be denied. But can she trust that this time he’s back to stay?

Read an excerpt:

His uniform scraped the edge of her cheek. His body was a solid wall beneath her skin and for a brief moment, she 

She hadn’t meant to cry in front of him. Not again. But the truth had simply slipped free of the chains she’d attempted to bind it with, breaking her resolve until it emptied out of her, tearing free and leaving her drained.simply let him hold her. His strength wrapped around her, his scent pulled her close, reminding her that somewhere inside this man was the man she’d married. The man she’d loved.

It was a long time until the tears stopped. Her eyes felt swollen.

Now, she rested against Trent and closed her eyes. She simply stopped. Stopped fighting. Stopped arguing. Stopped resisting her stubborn heart that still loved this man no matter how many times he hurt her or lashed out.

His leaving, his anger: He wasn’t in control of those things. Not like she’d convinced herself he was in those dark days when the rumors and innuendos had been breeding like a live thing in the silence between them. But there was more at work here than her husband simply walking out on her.

He’d made a huge step by talking to the counselor. And he hadn’t needed to tell her about their conversation, but he had. Laura leaned back, refusing to believe the insidious voice in her head that said he was just telling her this out of sheer selfishness.

She lifted her gaze, looking deep into his eyes. She started to shift and pull away but Trent moved first, cradling her face with his palms. Gently, his thumbs caressed her cheeks, wiping away the tears.

“I’m so tired of screwing everything up, Laura,” he whispered. “I want to fix this. Not for the trial. For us.”

“It’s not that simple.”

“Yes, it is.” His voice was urgent and harsh. “I can’t fix what I’ve done. And I damn sure don’t deserve your forgiveness.” He lowered his forehead to hers, his palms warm and solid against her skin. “But I’m asking you to help me. Help me reset my normal. Help me learn how to be a dad again. A husband.” He blinked rapidly.

She pressed her lips together, biting back fresh tears. “And what happens when you leave again?” she whispered. “What do I do then?” She sniffed quietly. “You keep breaking my heart.” Her voice cracked.

His fingers crooked around her jaw. “I want to stop.”

They were tucked away in a quiet corner of the coffee shop. The couch was blocked by a high booth. No one could see them. Laura kept her eyes locked on his. Finally he’d laid his fears, his hopes, his dreams in her lap.

She could crush him so easily. A stronger woman might have walked away, doing to him what he’d done so many times to her. But she was not that woman. She wanted to end the pain between them, not prolong it.

She’d thought divorce was the right answer. Ending the sham their marriage had become, protecting their children from more pain. The kids were her life now and she would not apologize for that. For all intents and purposes, she’d been a single parent for years and that was okay because she knew how to do that. Now fear latched on to her heart. Fear that he would leave her again. That he would once again shatter her into a thousand pieces.

But he was here. At this moment, it was all she had. Without giving herself time to think about the consequences, she leaned closer and brushed her lips gently against his.

She pulled away before he could deepen the kiss. Fear and awareness and arousal skittered through her veins, making her off balance, like a needful, sensual thing. She’d grown accustomed to the hugs of her children, their wet kisses and enthusiastic embraces.

What she craved now was something darker. The faintest brush of lips against lips had sparked something primitive inside her. Something deeper and richer. A long-forgotten need to be touched by a man. But not just any man—by this man. His hands, roughened by combat, sliding up her thighs. The coarse pads of his fingertips caressing her skin.

Memories bombarded her as she attempted to lean away and salvage the remnants of her pride.

But Trent was not operating under the get-some-space battle plan. He reached for her, his eyes rich with dark emotion. His palms scraped against her cheeks, his fingers strong as his lips claimed hers.

His breath was a gasp against her tongue and for a moment, Laura was stunned into stillness, unable to move beneath the assault on her senses. But then her body remembered his taste, her tongue remembered his touch, and a warmth awakened inside her. She opened for him, stroking his tongue with hers, her body folding into his like it was meant for him.

Her every nerve came alive. A cascade of long-denied arousal mixed with bittersweet memories of other homecomings, other farewells. It crashed into them both, driving them under a torrent of emotion.

This was the man she had married. A man who could make her body purr just thinking about him inside her. A man who knew exactly how to kiss her to drive her wild.

This was the man she’d been waiting for. She wanted nothing more than to crawl into his lap and have that urgent, passion-filled sex of first homecoming.

It was a long moment before the arousal faded and she became aware of the tender, sucking kisses he placed on her lips.

Another moment before he rested his forehead against hers.

An eternity passed before the words she’d never thought she’d ever say again slid past her lips. “I miss you,” she whispered.

And for once, he did not pull away.

Giveaway*: Enter for a chance to win one of ten (10) print copies of Back to You use the Rafflecopter widget below.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/26635c79/
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Later this month I’ll have a signed copy of the book to giveaway, so be sure to check back. In the meantime, go forth and read. Seriously, this is a book that will stay with you.

About Jessica:

Jessica Scott
USA Today bestselling author Jessica Scott is a career army officer; mother of two daughters, She’s written for the New York Times At War Blog, PBS Point of View: Regarding War Blog, and Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America. She deployed to Iraq in 2009 as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom/New Dawn and has served as a company commander at Fort Hood, Texas. She’s pursuing a PhD in Sociology in her spare time and most recently, she’s been featured as one of Esquire Magazine‘s Americans of the Year for 2012.

Find her around the web: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Buy the Book:

B&N | IndieBound Books A Million iTunes |Amazon

*Please note, this is not a Book Binge sponsored contest. 


Tagged: , , , , , ,

Excerpt (+ a Giveaway): All For You By Jessica Scott

Posted February 4, 2014 by Holly in Giveaways, Promotions | 1 Comment

all for youALL FOR YOU by Jessica Scott (February 4, 2014; Forever E-Book; $2.99)

Can a battle-scarred warrior . . .

Stay sober. Get deployed. Lead his platoon. Those are the only things that matter to Sergeant First Class Reza Iaconelli. What he wants is for everyone to stay out of his way; what he gets is Captain Emily Lindberg telling him how to deal with his men. Fort Hood’s newest shrink is smart as a whip and sexy as hell. She’s also full of questions-about the army, its soldiers, and the agony etched on Reza’s body and soul.

. . .open his heart to love?

Emily has devoted her life to giving soldiers the care they need-and deserve. Little does she know that means facing down the fierce wall of muscle that is Sergeant Iaconelli like it’s just another day at the office. When Reza agrees to help her understand what makes a soldier tick, she’s thrilled. Too bad it doesn’t help her unravel the sexy warrior in front of her who stokes her desire and touches a part of her she thought long dead. He’s the man who thinks combat is the only escape from the demons that haunt him. The man who needs her most of all . . .

        Read an excerpt!

Emily watched her friend weave through the crowd of broad-shouldered Cavalrymen and toward the captain. Alone at the bar, Emily twirled her wine in the glass, staring into the swirling pale golden liquid.

She sipped her wine and glanced around the wide open space, feeling the warmth. She was comfortable in this place. A drink after work. A good friend. This was a good life. It was simple. It had purpose. So much better than the complicated mess she’d left behind.

 She lifted her glass, savoring the freedom of her rebellion. She might not fit into her uniform just right but she fit here among these soldiers better than she’d ever fit back home.

All-For-You-Launch-Day-Blitz

She saw Olivia gyrating slowly with the captain across the dance floor. Her friend’s movements were slow and sensual, a sultry undulation that spoke of power and of sex. She smiled at her friend’s pleasure. It was enough that Emily could enjoy another’s happiness. She’d come here tonight to relax, to help Olivia celebrate.

 “You don’t come here often, do you?”

Emily glanced at the man who’d appeared at her shoulder. He’d been standing with the group of captains that Olivia had just infiltrated.

“Not really,” she said, sipping her drink. She thought about easing away, putting space between where their upper arms touched.

Personal space much? she thought.

“Are you here with friends?” he asked. She caught a heavy scent of beer from his direction, beer mixed with cigar smoke. It was not unpleasant.

 She glanced over at Olivia. “Yeah.”

 “Not up for company?”

 She smiled and finally glanced back at him. “Not really. Thank you though.”

 He brushed the tip of his hat with two fingers. “My pleasure, ma’am.”

 He swaggered off, leaving her alone at the bar. That had been nice. Too bad she wasn’t interested. Once upon a time, she might have danced but there was something missing from the way he’d carried himself.

He was missing that power that Sergeant Iaconelli wore like it was second nature.

She shook her head and took a long sip of her wine. She’d done nothing but argue with the man but now she was thinking about him in a way that was purely unprofessional.

The heavy iron door swung open at that moment and Emily’s breath caught in her throat.

“Speak of the devil,” she muttered.

Reza Iaconelli stood in the doorway, his gaze scanning the room as though he was taking a headcount. What was it about the man that he was always walking through doors at the wrong time? And this time, his gaze swept the bar and landed directly on her.

His eyes lit up, his mouth flattened. Just a faint flicker, but it was enough to tell her he’d recognized her.

And the familiar hostility was gone.

Her mouth went dry and she took another sip. He wasn’t going to come over. It was going to be fine.

 They would keep the rampant hostility and no lines would be blurred.

It would be fine, right?

Except that he was now coming over. Weaving through the crowd, his Stetson adding to his height.

What the hell was she supposed to do about that? The closer he got, the more her stomach flipped beneath her ribs.

She was too tired to fight. And the alcohol would probably allow her to say something that she’d regret come Monday.

His clean white shirt accented his shoulders and made his skin look darker, more appealing. His face was shadowed by the brim of the Stetson.

He was there. A short space separated them. He radiated something—a power.

A rawness.

She was doomed.

**Giveaway** Use the Rafflecopter widgets below to enter for a chance to win All for You and I’ll Be Home For Christmas **Giveaway**


a Rafflecopter giveaway
a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

 

Jessica ScottAbout the author:

USA Today bestselling author Jessica Scott is a career army officer; mother of two daughters, three cats and three dogs; wife to a career NCO and wrangler of all things stuffed and fluffy. She is a terrible cook and even worse housekeeper, but she’s a pretty good shot with her assigned weapon and someone liked some of the stuff she wrote. Somehow, her children are pretty well-adjusted and her husband still loves her, despite burned water and a messy house.

She’s written for the New York Times At War Blog, PBS Point of View: Regarding War Blog, and Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America. She deployed to Iraq in 2009 as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom/New Dawn and has served as a company commander at Fort Hood, Texas.

She’s pursuing a PhD in Sociology in her spare time and most recently, she’s been featured as one of Esquire Magazine‘s Americans of the Year for 2012.

All for You is available from Forever. You can buy it here or here in e-format.


Tagged: , , , , , ,