Exposed (Captive #2) by Brighton Walsh-a review

EXPOSED (Captive #2) by Brighton Walsh-a review

Exposed

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date July 21, 2015

In this sexy, suspenseful New Adult novel, a young woman hiding from her criminal past is taken captive by her ex-boyfriend, the ultimate bad boy.

Evie is about to embark on the perfect life. Beautiful, poised, and engaged to a rising business star, she fits the part of trophy wife perfectly, except for one thing: her entire identity is a lie.

Five years ago she created a new identity for herself, but it all crashes back when something she witnessed years ago comes back to haunt her. Now she’s in danger of losing more than her social status.

Determined to protect the careful life she’s built for herself, Evie doesn’t want anything to do with Riley, the criminal for hire who broke her heart years ago. But Riley has other ideas. He’s never forgotten Evie, and to protect her, he steals her away. Hidden from the world, sparks begin to fly as old memories resurface and their passion reignites.

••••••••

REVIEW: EXPOSED is the second installment in Brighton Walsh’s new adult, contemporary CAPTIVE romantic, suspense series. This is Evie and Riley’s storyline-a second chance for two people ripped apart by someone else’s greed and anger. EXPOSED can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Riley is Gage’s (Ghost) younger brother, first introduced to us in CAPTIVE (book one). Any necessary information from the previous storyline is imparted where necessary.

Told from dual first person points of view (Riley and Evie) the storyline follows the rekindling of a relationship once thought dead and gone. Five years earlier Evie was presumed dead, and in the ensuing time Riley has placed all of his anger and grief into the mercenary lifestyle as part of a crew hired to enforce an illegal set of rules for anyone disobeying those in control. But Evie has been on the run; in hiding with a new name and identity, and a fiancé who knows very little about Evie’s previous life. When her picture is spotted in a social column, Evie’s life on the run begins anew, but this time Riley is the first one on the scene, to ensure Evie remains alive and a part of his future.

The relationship between Evie and Riley has already been established-high school sweethearts whose love for one another grew through their mutual connection to the ‘crew’- but the truth about Evie’s presumed death was kept secret from Riley-Evie had uncovered some information that had placed her life in danger, and to protect everyone she loved, Evie remained ‘dead’ and missing for close to five years. Riley’s anger begins to overshadow his love for Evie but when the truth is revealed, Riley becomes Evie’s number one protector and guardian. The $ex scenes are intimate and seductive; Brighton Walsh has upped the erotic factor with the release of book two. Evie tends to use $ex as a distraction both for herself and Riley, and Riley is never one to refuse what is being offered.

The secondary and supporting characters include Gage and Madison from CAPTIVE book one, as well as a number of former and current members of the ‘crew’. Frankie returns as part of the requisite evil on the hunt for Evie; and Aaron sides with Gage and Riley as they endeavor to protect Evie from Max-the man who has ordered Evie’s capture.

The world building continues to follow the members of the crew-a group of mercenary –style thugs and enforcers who are hired for any number of illegal reasons and threats. Although Gage is no longer a part of the crew, his involvement remains to try and protect his brother and the woman that he loves. Evie and Riley spend most of their time (and the story) together, stuck in an apartment where the walls begin to close in around them, and in this, the suffocation factor bled into my enjoyment of the storyline.

EXPOSED uses some memories, flashbacks, and nightmares to expose the reader to Evie’s life-the reasons she is on the run, and why she is reluctant to have any contact with her family. This particular portion of the storyline is a major factor in the character’s personality growth and background, as well as an issue that the author was hoping to bring attention to, but the development is somewhat incomplete.

Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley.

Reviewed by Sandy

Series spotlight

CaptiveCAPTIVE
Captive #1
by Brighton Walsh
Genre: new adult, contemporary, romance

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of CAPTIVE

Amazon.com / B&N / KOBO / The Book Depository

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date March 24, 2015

He’s the most dangerous man she’s ever met…and she’s falling in love with him.

Madison Frost is desperate to escape her life. Daughter of a prominent businessman, she has everything a girl could ask for. Except for a family who’s present in her life, and anyone to talk to outside the four walls of the prison she calls home. Madison dreams of one day leaving her life behind. She never thought being kidnapped is how it would happen.

Now she’s being held captive by a man who’s as frightening as he is sinfully gorgeous. Enormous, muscular, and filled with secrets, the man they call Ghost is an enigmatic mercenary, and Madison is trapped with him. She doesn’t know who hired him or why, but the more time she spends at his mercy, the more she realizes he’s not what he seems. Beneath his rough exterior lies an unexpected gentleness and a heart as broken and battered as her own.

But as Madison lets down her walls, Ghost holds tight to his, hiding secrets that could destroy everything.

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Tessa Ever After (Caged in Winter #2) by Brighton Walsh-Review, Book Tour and Giveaway

TESSA EVER AFTER (Caged in Winter #2) by Brighton Walsh-Review, book tour and Giveaway

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Tessa Ever After
Caged in Winter #2
by Brighton Walsh
Genre: new adult, contemporary, romance
Release Date: May 5, 2015

Tessa Ever After

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / The Book Depository

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date May 5, 2015

Jason’s been living (and loving) the rich playboy lifestyle for five years, but now his parents are pressuring him to get involved in the family business. The last thing he wants is another obligation, but when his best friend moves out of state and asks Jason to look after his sister, he can’t just say no.

Tessa had to grow up way too soon. After dealing with the aftermath of her parents’ deaths, then becoming a teenage mom, she knows the meaning of responsibility. Which is why, at twenty-two, she’s looking for so much more than a party boy. She’s looking for someone who can stand by her and her daughter…forever.

A relationship between them is doomed from the start, but who says they can’t have a little fun? But as Jason gets closer to Tessa—and her daughter—fun starts to turn into something else… Something Jason’s not sure he’s ready for.

•••••••••••••

REVIEW: TESSA EVER AFTER is the second installment in Brighton Walsh’s contemporary, new adult Caged in Winter romance series. This is graduate student Jason Montgomery, and Tessa Maxwell’s storyline. Jason is Cade Maxwell’s best friend; Tessa is Cade’s sister; Cade we met in book one CAGED IN WINTER. Although TESSA EVER AFTER is the second installment in the series, it can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty.

The premise follows the friends to lovers relationship between single mother (to Haley) Tessa Maxwell, and Jason Montgomery. Following Cade’s move to Chicago, Jason became Tessa’s protector and guardian which soon escalated into something more. Jason doesn’t do relationships –he is more of the one night stand variety- and Tessa rarely dates as she is responsible for her five year old daughter. When Jason spies Tessa on one of her rare date nights out, he knows it is time to claim Tessa as his own.

The relationship between Tessa and Jason is one of immediate attraction; there is plenty of sexual chemistry between our leading couple, and the push and pull of ‘do we or don’t we’. Tessa has loved Jason for as long as she can remember but Jason is her big brother’s best friend and Jason considers Tessa off limits. The more Jason insists on friendship, the more their attraction to one another grows but Tessa has watched Jason’s parade of women for years, and in this, she doesn’t want to be another statistic. Our hero Jason has fallen in love with Tessa, and with it comes the love of a five year old girl who likes playing princess and tea parties. Cade’s over protective big brother complex takes over when he threatens Jason if any harm comes to his little sister, but Tessa reassures her brother, that she is no longer the naïve little girl who needs protection. The $ex scenes are intimate and erotic-Jason likes to talk dirty in the bedroom.

The colorful cast of secondary and supporting characters include Tessa’s best friend Paige; Cade and Winter from book one; as well as their mutual friend Adam, whose own life is about to implode. We are introduced to Jason’s parents- a couple whose control over their son’s life matches Jason’s need to escape his ascribed future-there is no fun when your entire life has been mapped out by those in charge.

TESSA EVER AFTER is a delightful and intoxicating storyline. There are moments of heartbreak and misunderstanding; passion and love. Brighton Walsh has the ability to seduce the reader into a compelling and addicting storyline with a happily ever after. The premise is engaging; the characters charismatic and real. If you are a fan of the new adult genre, you will not be disappointed.

Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley.

Reviewed by Sandy

series spotlight

Caged In Winter
by Brighton Walsh
Genre: new adult, contemporary, romance
Release Date:
November 4, 2014

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of CAGED IN WINTER

Caged in WinterAmazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk/ Barnes and Noble / KOBO / The Book Depository

CAGED IN WINTER by Brighton Walsh

ABOUT THE BOOK: ReleaseDate November 4, 2014

Aspiring chef Cade Maxwell is immediately, viscerally attracted to Winter Jacobson. But it’s not her mouthwatering curves he’s drawn to—it’s the strange emptiness in her eyes. When Cade saves her from a drunken customer with grabby hands, he’s shocked at her response

Winter doesn’t need Cade’s help. After a lifetime of getting by on her own, she’s happy to rely on herself. She’s exactly seventy-six days away from graduating college, and if she can hold it together that long, she’ll finally be able to rise above the crappy hand she was dealt.

But now, every time she turns around, Cade is there, ready to push her, smile at her, distract her from her plans. Winter knows she can’t afford to open up—especially to a man she’s terrified to actually want.

Interview-Purple

TRC: Hi Brighton and welcome to The Reading Café!

Brighton: Hi there! Thanks for having me!

TRC: We would like to start with some background information. Would you please tell us something about yourself?

Tessa Ever AfterBrighton: Let’s see…I spent almost ten years as a professional photographer before I went full time with this author gig. I have two kids who drive me crazy and whom I love to pieces. I like to drive too fast and swear too much. And I’ve never met a piece of cake I didn’t like.

TRC: TESSA EVER AFTER is book two in your CAGED IN WINTER New Adult romance series. Would you please tell us something about the premise?

Brighton: Sure! TEA is the story of a strong-willed single mom who struggles to find her Happily Ever After and instead finds herself in lust with Mr. Wrong—a charming playboy who happens to be her brother’s best friend.

Caged in WinterTRC: Will Cade and Winter (Caged in Winter #1) make an appearance in the storyline?

Brighton: Yes! Both Cade and Winter play a part in Tessa’s book, though Cade definitely plays more of a role. Readers will get to see him in all his older brother protectiveness.

TRC: What challenges or difficulties (research, logistics, background) did you encounter writing this particular story? the series?

Brighton: For TEA, the biggest challenge was making Jason’s character work for the book after I’d already boxed him in a bit in CiW. I had to twist things a little regarding his family business, but it all worked in the end. The hardest thing in the series would be just that: that it’s a series and not being able to go back and edit earlier books to make things work when you get further along is the hardest.

TRC: How do you keep the plot unpredictable without sacrificing content and believability?

Brighton: I think this is totally a unique reader experience, because what one reader believes is predictable, the other views as surprising. I don’t set out to make things unpredictable when I’m writing, but I do set out to make a unique story for my characters, and I let them lead.

TRC: Thank you Brighton for taking the time to answer our questions.

Brighton: Thanks so much for having me!

 

about the author

Brighton WalshFollow: Goodreads /Website /Twitter /Facebook

Brighton Walsh spent nearly a decade as a professional photographer before deciding to take her storytelling in a different direction and reconnect with her first love: writing. When she’s not pounding away at the keyboard, she’s probably either reading or shopping—maybe even both at once. She lives in the Midwest with her husband and two children. Visit her online at brightonwalsh.com.

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There are TWO (2) ways to WIN !!

Berkley Publishing and The Reading Cafe are offering a paper copy of TESSA EVER AFTER to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe.

1. If you have not previously registered at The Reading Cafe, please register by using the log-in at the top of the page (side bar) or by using one of the social log-ins.

2. If you are using a social log-in, please post your email address with your comment.

3. Please LIKE and Follow Brighton Walsh on Facebook

4. LIKE us on FACEBOOK and then click GET NOTIFICATION under ‘liked’ for an additional entry.

5. LIKE us on Twitter for an additional entry.

6. Please FOLLOW us on GOODREADS for an additional entry.

7. Please FOLLOW us on TSU for an additional entry.

8. Giveaway open to USA only

9. Giveaway runs from May 9 to 13, 2015

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Captive (Captive #1) by Brighton Walsh-a review

CAPTIVE ( Captive #1) by Brighton Walsh-a review

Captive

Amazon.com / B&N / KOBO / The Book Depository

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date March 24, 2015

He’s the most dangerous man she’s ever met…and she’s falling in love with him.

Madison Frost is desperate to escape her life. Daughter of a prominent businessman, she has everything a girl could ask for. Except for a family who’s present in her life, and anyone to talk to outside the four walls of the prison she calls home. Madison dreams of one day leaving her life behind. She never thought being kidnapped is how it would happen.

Now she’s being held captive by a man who’s as frightening as he is sinfully gorgeous. Enormous, muscular, and filled with secrets, the man they call Ghost is an enigmatic mercenary, and Madison is trapped with him. She doesn’t know who hired him or why, but the more time she spends at his mercy, the more she realizes he’s not what he seems. Beneath his rough exterior lies an unexpected gentleness and a heart as broken and battered as her own.

But as Madison lets down her walls, Ghost holds tight to his, hiding secrets that could destroy everything.

REVIEW: CAPTIVE is the first installment in Brighton Walsh’s contemporary, new adult Captive romance series. This is twenty year old Northwestern student Madison Frost and Ghost’s (aka Gage) storyline.

Told from alternating first person points of view (Ghost and Madison) the premise focuses on the abduction and imprisonment of Madison Frost. Madison grew up privileged; the only child of a successful businessman and his alcoholic wife, Madison knows what it feels like to be invisible and ignored. Her issues with low self esteem and poor self -image will have a major impact on how she handles her upcoming abduction and later battles. From her absent father to her barely conscience mother, Madison has been on her own for a very long time until the night she is abducted and held hostage in a remote cabin with a stranger who has more in common with Madison than they thought possible. Madison has no extended family and no close ties to friends, and in this, her absence isn’t questioned and barely noticed.

Ghost is a mercenary for hire; a man who gets paid to do what no one else will do and his most recent target is Madison Frost. Keeping his distance from Madison becomes increasingly difficult as the days pass with nothing to do but wait for his next instructions; there is a mutual attraction to one another, one that does not go unnoticed by Ghost or his captive. Then things go from bad to worse when the people pulling the strings start making further demands and refusing to pay Ghost for the job he was hired to do.

The relationship between Ghost and Madison begins as predator and prey but very quickly moves towards friendship and lovers. There is a distinct ‘Stockholm Syndrome’ feel to the storyline wherein our heroine falls for her captor but a captor who is sympathetic to her plight and family situation. I believe Madison finds a kindred spirit in Ghost-a man whose past is strangely similar to her own. Ghost will become Madison’s protector, defender and lover, but in the end he is still the man who abducted Madison for a price. The $ex scenes are intimate. CAPTIVE is not an erotic storyline but a story about building love, betrayal and learning to let go. When it comes to Madison, Ghost is gentle, caring and not without some guilt and remorse. Any anxious moments, in regards to the Madison’s safety, are short lived when our heroine begins to fall for Ghost within a very short period of time.

The secondary and supporting characters include Madison’s family housekeeper Sylvia, who is more like a mother than Madison’s own mom. We are introduced to several co-conspirators involved with Madison’s abduction including Ghost’s younger brother Riley who keeps an eye out for anything that might go wrong. Madison’s father, although absent for most of the storyline, plays a key role in the storyline premise and outcome. Some of Madison’s own thoughts and feelings come through during her counseling sessions with Dr. Ford.

CAPTIVE is an entertaining and imaginative storyline but one where the outcome wrapped up too neatly; the punishment did not fit the crime (so to speak); and there is no noticeable or noted retribution for the person in charge. The premise does not fit the current style of ‘kidnapping and abduction’ scenarios that many authors have journeyed into wherein the captive becomes a further victim through abuse and assault. Our ‘anti hero’ is not abusive; he does not torture his victim or emotionally destroy her will to live. Ghost will fall in love with Madison but any hope for the future will be lost when Madison discovers the truth.

Brighton Walsh has a passion for writing storylines about heroines with broken hearts and heroes with troubled pasts. There are emotional and controversial moments followed by intimate and intense romance. If you like a storyline with a happily ever after for two people caught up in an improbable situation, CAPTIVE will grab hold and not let go.

Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley.

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Caged in Winter by Brighton Walsh-Review, Blog Tour and Giveaway

Caged in Winter by Brighton Walsh-Review, Blog Tour and Giveaway

 

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Caged In Winter
by Brighton Walsh
Genre: new adult, contemporary, romance
Release Date:
November 4, 2014

Caged in Winter

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk/ Barnes and Noble / KOBO / The Book Depository

CAGED IN WINTER by Brighton Walsh

ABOUT THE BOOK: ReleaseDate November 4, 2014

Aspiring chef Cade Maxwell is immediately, viscerally attracted to Winter Jacobson. But it’s not her mouthwatering curves he’s drawn to—it’s the strange emptiness in her eyes. When Cade saves her from a drunken customer with grabby hands, he’s shocked at her response

Winter doesn’t need Cade’s help. After a lifetime of getting by on her own, she’s happy to rely on herself. She’s exactly seventy-six days away from graduating college, and if she can hold it together that long, she’ll finally be able to rise above the crappy hand she was dealt.

But now, every time she turns around, Cade is there, ready to push her, smile at her, distract her from her plans. Winter knows she can’t afford to open up—especially to a man she’s terrified to actually want.

•••••••••••••••••

REVIEW: CAGED IN WINTER is the first installment in Brighton Walsh’s new adult, contemporary series. This is aspiring chef Cade Maxwell and web design student/waitress Winter Jacobson’s story. Told from alternating first person points of view (Winter and Cade) the storyline follows the building relationship between two people who know what it is to have suffered loss.

Cade is a man whose life inexplicably changed five years earlier upon the death of his mother. With his father long ago deceased, Cade was now the head of a household that included himself, his younger sister and with that the impending birth of his sister’s child. Fast forward five years and Cade is on the precipice of making it big in the culinary world but something or someone is holding him back. Ever the protector, Cade is reluctant to move forward fearing his sister and niece’s safety and protection. Enter Winter Jacobson-a feisty, independent and broken young woman who will turn Cade’s world upside and inside out.

Winter is a young woman whose life has been difficult. Growing up in the foster care system from an early age, Winter has come to depend on only one person-herself-and in this she is struggling to make ends meet. A full time web design student, working nights at a local bar, Winter will meet Cade Maxwell-a man who believes it is his right to protect Winter from the men who frequent the bar in which she works. But Winter wants nothing to do with Cade’s overbearing protective streak and a good portion of the storyline finds Winter at odds with Cade’s attention

The relationship is one of immediate attraction but one that could have easily gone sour with Winter’s attitude and inability to open up. She is a heroine who is closed off from others; someone who protects her privacy; and a woman who has seen too much heartbreak and betrayal in her life. The sex scenes are emotional, imaginative and intense.

The secondary characters include Cade’s friends and family including his sister Tessa whose story will be told in book two. The world building focuses on Cade’s culinary life, Winter’s need to succeed, and a back history of two people from different walks of life.

Brighton Walsh writes a passionate and provocative storyline that will see two people find their happily ever after. There will be bumps in the road when Winter refuses to accept the help that is offered, and in this, we see that love does not always conquer all.

Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

Excerpt beige

 

 

 

 

I bend my knees so we’re eye level and tug on her hand until she meets my gaze. “I don’t know what we could have. It might be nothing. But I’ll be honest . . . I haven’t felt like this in a long time, and that’s enough for me to know I want to see where it goes. Can’t we just see where it goes?”
With a deep sigh, she says, “I’m not right for you, Cade.”
“How about you worry about if I’m right for you. Let me decide the other.”
And then before she can stop me, before she can utter another word of opposition, I slide my hand up her arm, over her shoulder, until it’s wrapped around her neck. With my other hand, I swipe a piece of hair back with my fingers, and then lean in, brushing my lips against hers. After only a moment, I pull back just enough for her to be able to tell me to stop. When nothing comes, I close the distance between us once again, taking her bottom lip in between mine. I brush my tongue against it, coaxing her mouth open, and she breathes this sexy little gasp as I slip inside. She tastes like cookies and wine, and I want to fucking devour her.
She grips my shirt with both hands, clutching me to her, and I stop holding back and press every inch of my body against hers, groaning as my cock presses fully against her. The moment a whimper comes from her, I know she feels it. And I can’t muster up any embarrassment, because I want her to feel it. Even with all her brass balls and fuck-everything attitude, something tells me she needs reassurance, so I give it to her. In every stroke of my tongue against hers, every brush of my thumb along her jaw, I show her how much I want her.
When her chest is heaving, her lips parted and swollen and so fucking hot, I trail kisses down her neck, seeking out every inch of skin that’s uncovered. Her head thumps back against the wall, one of her hands gone from gripping fistfuls of my shirt. Instead, she’s holding my head to her, and I don’t want to stop. I want to kiss and lick every inch of her, slip my hands under the material of her sweater, unbutton her jeans, and not stop until I feel her soft wetness against my fingertips.
But the knowledge that she’ll regret it if I don’t stop forces me to slow down.
I pull back, loosening my grip on her and putting an inch of space between us. I kiss the corner of her mouth, her cheek, and then her ear. Against it, I whisper, “Don’t say no.”
There’s a beat of silence. Two. Three. And then she says the sweetest word I’ve ever heard.
“Okay.”

 


 

About The Author beige

Brighton WalshFollow: Goodreads  /Website  /Twitter /Facebook

Brighton Walsh spent nearly a decade as a professional photographer before deciding to take her storytelling in a different direction and reconnect with her first love: writing. When she’s not pounding away at the keyboard, she’s probably either reading or shopping—maybe even both at once. She lives in the Midwest with her husband and two children. Visit her online at brightonwalsh.com.

 

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There are TWO (2) ways to WIN. 

1-Exclusive to The Reading Cafe-comment for your chance to WIN a paper copy of CAGED IN WINTER

2-Follow the Rafflecopter instructions from Penguin Publishers.

The Reading Cafe is offering a paper copy of CAGED IN WINTER to ONE (1) lucky commenter

1. If you have not previously registered at The Reading Cafe, please register by using the log-in at the top of the page (side bar) or by using one of the social log-ins.

2. If you are using a social log-in, please post your email address with your comment.

3. LIKE us on FACEBOOK and then click GET NOTIFICATION under ‘liked’ for an additional entry.

4. LIKE us on Twitter

5. LIKE us on GOODREADS 

6. LIKE Brighton Walsh on FACEBOOK

7. Giveaway is open to US only

8. Giveaway runs from November 2-6, 2014

 

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NOTE: The Reading Cafe is NOT responsible for the rafflecopter giveaway. If you have any questions, please contact the tour provider.

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