STEAL MY BREATH AWAY (Havencrest U 1) by Sarah Castille-review

STEAL MY BREATH AWAY (Havencrest U 2) by Sarah Castille-review tour

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Google Play / Apple / Chapters Indigo /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date June 17, 2025

Emotions run high, but the tempo thrums higher as music, heat, and angst collide between a singer and her bodyguard.

Haley Chapman has struggled against rules all her life. As the daughter of a senator, she’s expected to finish her college degree, but music is her one true love—the only outlet she has for her wild, impulsive feelings.

When Haley becomes the target of a brazen kidnapping attempt linked to her mother’s high-profile Senate career, the Senator insists on round-the-clock protection. Having a security detail follow her around college feels like overkill, but the Senator has the perfect solution.

Ace Murphy was her brother’s best friend, and a former Air Force pilot, now working in personal security as a celebrity bodyguard. He was also Hailey’s teenage crush and the man who abandoned her when she needed him most, breaking her fragile heart.

Now, as Ace poses as her boyfriend on campus, their personalities clash. He may be her protector but to Haley, Ace is just another obstacle to her freedom and a painful reminder of the past. But as the threats escalate, their forced proximity ignites a connection they can’t ignore–one that could either save them or break them all over again.

•••••••

REVIEW: STEAL MY BREATH AWAY is the second instalment in Sarah Castille’s contemporary, adult, HAVENCREST U erotic, romance series. This is twenty-four year old, former US Air Force pilot turn security specialist Ace Murphy, and twenty-one year old, college student/ singer/ radio DJ Haley Chapman’s story line.STEAL MY BREAK AWAY can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary

Told from dual first person perspectives (Haley and Ace) using present day and memories from the past, STEAL MY BREATH AWAY follows in the wake of an attempted abduction of our Haley Chapman. Haley’s mother is running for state senator, and the fall out is affecting our story line heroine. In an effort to protect her daughter , Haley’s mother hires Ace Murphy, the young man who was once her son Matt’s best friend, a young man with a lifetime of guilt who sees Haley as more than an assignment.

The world building focuses on the past and the present. Ace’s struggle with what was and what will never be, and Haley’s need to be independent in the face of the danger threatening her life. From college campus to cafes and nightclubs, Haley is determined to not let anything upset her normal routine, often in the face of threats against her life. TSTL, her need to defy Ace Murphy finds Haley a target, a victim, and a survivor all at the same time.

The relationship between Haley and Ace is a best friend’s younger sister relationship but years earlier, just days before Ace and Matt deployed, Haley was humiliated by the young man who starred in all of her fantasies and dreams, and in the ensuing time, Haley struggled to forgive the man she had always loved. Ace believes he is unworthy of his best friend’s sister, and in this, the push and pull of their relationship often forces Ace to run when his heart gets involved. The $ex scenes are intimate and provocative without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

There is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters from both the past and the present. We are introduced to Haley’s best friend Paige; Dante and Skye (The Sound of Us 1) as well as Haley’s parents; personal security guard Maverick; several co-workers, and fellow students at the local college radio station.

STEAL MY BREATH AWAY is a story of second chances; of heart break and grief; family and friendships, relationships and love. The premise is emotional and captivating; the romance is seductive ; the characters are energetic and determined .

Click HERE for Sandy’a review of book one THE SOUND OF US

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Follow: Website / Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author, Sarah Castille, graduated with a B.A Honors degree in History and an LL.B. (law degree) and practiced law on the West Coast for several years before succumbing to the lure of foreign travel. She obtained a Masters Degree in Law from the University of Edinburgh and then practiced at one of the world’s largest law firms in London, England during which time she traveled extensively, wrote moderately, and developed a taste for tea, European footwear and Greek cuisine.

She traded in her life of European glamor for the comforts of the frozen North and the excitement of home renovation, during which time she wrote extensively, never traveled, and developed a taste for beef jerky, Tim Horton’s coffee and Sorels.

After her first book, Legal Heat, won prizes in nine Romance Writers’ Association chapter contests, including the Grand Prize in the Valley of the Sun Hot Prospects Contest, Sarah decided to take a break from high heels and legal practice to write about red-hot alpha males and the women who tame them. Her second book, Against the Ropes, was named as one of Publishers Weekly’s Top Ten Picks for Romance & Erotica for fall 2013, and her third book, Unraveled, hit the New York Times Bestseller’s list. Sarah’s current release, Barely Undercover, was named as the “Must Read Erotic Romance of the Year” in the Sneak Peek Reader’s Choice Awards (2013). She hasn’t dusted off her briefcase yet!

Sarah lives with her husband, munchkins and a family of owls in the shadow of Canada’s Rocky Mountains, where she is currently working on her next novel.

Share

THE SOUND OF US by Sarah Castille- a review

THE SOUND OF US by Sarah Castille-a review

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Google Play / Chapters Indigo /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date November 26, 2024

Broken hearts and hidden pasts collide in a symphony of passion and redemption.

Skye Jordan thought she had it all figured out. Eighteen months ago, she was in college and dreaming of a basketball career. But in a split second her world fell apart. Now she’s back at Havencrest U, broke and desperate. She has no use for sexy, bad boy musicians who kiss her senseless. . . until she lands an internship at the radio station where he works.

DJ Dante Romano has lost every person close to his heart. All he has is his music. Consumed by guilt and driven by vengeance, he has no time for love, and yet the fiery new intern who shares his passion and feels his pain tempts him like no other. For Dante, Skye is off limits. And yet from the moment he meets her, he can’t turn away.

Soon their scorching attraction develops into something deeper. Together they could make beautiful music, but will their untold secrets force them apart?

••••••

REVIEW: THE SOUND OF US by Sarah Castille is a contemporary, new adult, erotic, romance story line focusing on journalism student Skye Jordan, and twenty-three year old, law student/ DJ Dante Romano.

NOTE: Due to the nature of the story line premise, there may be triggers for more sensitive readers.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Skye and Dante) THE SOUND OF US follows the building relationship between on journalism student Skye Jordan, and twenty-three year old, law student/ DJ Dante Romano. Approximately eighteen months ago, in an instant, Skye Jordan’s life spiralled out of control. Fast forward to present day, after a leave of absence, in the hopes of making the women’s basketball team, Skye returns to Havencrest U, where she will meet bad boy and DJ Dante Romano but all does not go according to plan, and Skye finds herself on the precipice of change, including the possibility of starting over somewhere else. At the proverbial eleventh hour, Skye is offered a journalism scholarship, an internship at the campus radio station where she will fall for a man whose own demons are dangerous and dark. As Skye begins to research a series of questionable events for her journalism assignments, our couple find themselves struggling to move on from the past.

The world building focuses on several pathways including the revelation of Dante’s demons, and Skye’s past but as Skye begins to dig deeper into a couple of stories, everything becomes personal and dangerous for the people she loves. Meanwhile, Dante is battling his father for control, a man who doesn’t like to be told no.

The relationship between Dante and Skye is one of immediate attraction based on a love of music. Their back and forth communication using song lyrics, titles and playlists was complex; their lack of communication and misunderstandings were the catalysts for many arguments and withdrawals. The $ex scenes are intimate and impassioned.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful and energetic secondary and supporting characters including co-workers, friends, family, athletes, and mentors, all who play a significant role in our couple’s lives.

THE SOUND OF US is a story of secrets and lies, betrayal and obsession, power and control, family and friendships, acceptance and love. The premise is dramatic, haunting, emotional and thought-provoking; the romance is spicy and seductive; the characters are animated, sassy and determined.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Follow: Website / Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author, Sarah Castille, graduated with a B.A Honors degree in History and an LL.B. (law degree) and practiced law on the West Coast for several years before succumbing to the lure of foreign travel. She obtained a Masters Degree in Law from the University of Edinburgh and then practiced at one of the world’s largest law firms in London, England during which time she traveled extensively, wrote moderately, and developed a taste for tea, European footwear and Greek cuisine.

She traded in her life of European glamor for the comforts of the frozen North and the excitement of home renovation, during which time she wrote extensively, never traveled, and developed a taste for beef jerky, Tim Horton’s coffee and Sorels.

After her first book, Legal Heat, won prizes in nine Romance Writers’ Association chapter contests, including the Grand Prize in the Valley of the Sun Hot Prospects Contest, Sarah decided to take a break from high heels and legal practice to write about red-hot alpha males and the women who tame them. Her second book, Against the Ropes, was named as one of Publishers Weekly’s Top Ten Picks for Romance & Erotica for fall 2013, and her third book, Unraveled, hit the New York Times Bestseller’s list. Sarah’s current release, Barely Undercover, was named as the “Must Read Erotic Romance of the Year” in the Sneak Peek Reader’s Choice Awards (2013). She hasn’t dusted off her briefcase yet!

Sarah lives with her husband, munchkins and a family of owls in the shadow of Canada’s Rocky Mountains, where she is currently working on her next novel.

Share

Luca (Ruin and Revenge #2) by Sarah Castille-Review, Book Tour & Giveaway

LUCA (Ruin and Revenge #2) by Sarah Castille-Review, Book Tour & Giveaway

Luca Banner

LUCA
Ruin and Revenge #2
by Sarah Castille
Release Date: June 27, 2017
Genre: adult ,contempporary, erotic, mafia romance

Luca 2

Amazon | B&N | iBooks | Kobo | Google Play | IndieBound

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date June 27,2017

Luca Rizzoli was nearly destroyed by a brutal betrayal that cost him his family. Now a ruthless crime boss in the city of sin, he lets nothing touch his frozen heart–until a smoldering encounter with a beautiful stranger ignites his passion. One night isn’t enough for a man who takes what he wants, but his mysterious temptress has slipped away.

For two years police detective Gabrielle Fawkes has lived for revenge. But a night of indulgence with a sexy stranger changes everything. Powerful, charming, and deliciously dangerous Luca, has his own private reasons for offering to help her pursue the drug lord who killed her husband. There’s a lot Luca isn’t telling her and the more she finds out the less she wants to know.

When Gabrielle becomes the target of the drug lord she has vowed to hunt down, she must do the unimaginable: place her life in a mobster’s hands. To save her, Luca must break his Mafia ties–or risk losing Gabrielle forever.

••••••••••

REVIEW: LUCA is the second installment in Sarah Castille’s contemporary, adult RUIN AND REVENGE erotic, mafia romance series. This is restaurateur and Toscani family Capo Luca Rizzoli, and police detective Gabrielle Fawkes’ story line. LUCA can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary. Luca was first introduced in book one-NICO.

NOTE: LUCA contains scenes of graphic violence, murder and torture, and may not be suitable for all readers.

Told from several third person points of view including Luca and Gabrielle, LUCA is a forbidden romance between police detective Gabrielle Fawkes, and mafia Capo Luca Rizzoli. Two years earlier Gabrielle’s husband was brutally murdered in a mafia-style hit and our heroine believes the local drug cartel is responsible for his death. In the ensuing time Gabrielle has put all of her efforts into taking down the drug lord she believes is responsible but an on-duty shooting finds our heroine roommates with a dark and sexy man who offers Gabrielle everything and more. Enter Luca Rizzoli, a man who is willing to risk his ties to the mob to save the woman with whom he is falling in love. Several threats against Gabrielle’s life place Luca on the receiving end of more than one attempt at his own.

Loyalty to the family is first and foremost in the world of the Italian mob but Luca’s relationship with Detective Gabrielle Fawkes places our hero in a precarious position as it pertains to his loyalties and support of the man in charge. But Luca is willing to risk his life and his position for the woman that calls to his heart. His over protective, alpha attitude makes for some contentious moments between Gabrielle and himself. Luca’s backstory is emotional.

Gabrielle is desperate for revenge against the man she believes destroyed her life. Her narrow focus, disregarding everything else, finds our heroine facing down a hierarchy at work that is no longer willing to give Gabrielle a chance at revenge. Gabrielle’s inability to let go lands her in trouble on more than one occasion.

The relationship between Gabrielle and Luca is one of immediate attraction. The sexual chemistry is palpable; the $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and intense. Luca likes to take control and talk dirty in the bedroom.

LUCA is an intricate and detailed novel with several subplots weaving throughout the story-some connected while others focus on secondary characters and their struggle in both their personal and professional lives. There is a twist to the story line that was easily deduced and predictable.

There is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including many members of the Toscani mob family both by blood and by mob association. We are introduced to Gabrielle’s husband’s former best friend police detective Jeff Santos, as well as Gabrielle’s besties Nicole and Cissy. I am hoping for Nicole’s HEA .

Although a well-written and exciting story line I did have an issue with Gabrielle’s inability to see, or lack of awareness as it came to Luca’s connections to the mob. For a detective she is completely oblivious to the who, what and why of the Toscani family, the mob and their dangerous lifestyle. Sadly this aspect leant to some unbelievable moments and shaking of my head.

LUCA is a dark, gritty, emotional and dramatic tale; a mafia romance of forbidden love between two people whose lives will collide in more ways than one. The premise is engaging and energetic; the characters are colorful, tragic and passionate; the romance is intoxicating and provocative.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

About The Author beige

Sarah CastilleSarah Castille is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Redemption Series, Ruin & Revenge Series, Sinner’s Tribe Motorcycle Club series, Legal Heat series and the Club Excelsior series. A recovering lawyer with a fondness for dirty-talking alpha males, she now is a full-time writer, who lives on Vancouver Island. Sarah’s books have been listed as Publisher’s Weekly’s Top Ten Picks and Best Summer Reads, and Amazon’s Best Romance Books of the Year, and have won numerous reader’s choice awards including the Holt Medallion.

Connect with Sarah:

BOOKBUB | FACEBOOK | AMAZON AUTHOR | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | GOODREADS | PINTEREST | YOUTUBE | NEWSLETTER | WEBSITE

rafflecopter giveaway

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

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Inkslinger 2

Share