Title: Hero By Night

Author: Sara Jane Stone

Series: Independence Falls

Published by: Avon Impulse

Date published: Jan 20, 2015

Genres: Contemporary

Book Length: 384 pages

Steam Rating: Steamy

Main Characters: Chad & Lena

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“Hero By Night was definitely one hot and heavy, steamy read! This is one couple that absolutely represents our MFEO stamp of approval! Heck I’m pretty sure Chad and Lena created the title!!” ~Becca 

He was nobody’s hero until he landed in the wrong bed…

Armed with a golden retriever and a concealed weapons permit, Lena Clark is fighting for normal. She served her country, but the experience left her emotionally numb and estranged from her career-military family. Staying in Independence Falls seems like the first step to reclaiming her life until the town playboy stumbles into her bed…

Chad Summers is living his dream—helicopter logging by day and slipping between the sheets with Mrs. Right Now by night. Until his wild nights threaten his day job, leaving Chad with a choice: prove he can settle down or kiss his dream goodbye. But when he ends up in the wrong bed, the one woman in Independence Falls he can’t touch offers a tempting proposition. Chad is ready and willing to give in to the primal desire to make Lena his at night—on one condition. By day, they pretend their relationship is real.

But their connection extends beyond the bedroom, threatening to turn their sham into reality if Chad can prove he’s the hero Lena needs night and day… forever.

I have been and always will be a HUGE Sara Jane Stone fan. There is just something so addictive and real about the way that she writes. Her books come alive as the story grows with each word read and every page turned.

That being said, I wasn’t sure how I was going to feel about Chad’s story. He has always come across as a bit of a player and well if I’m being honest a pompous ass! Boy am I glad that I looked past that and stuck with it! This story may have been one of my favorites! Okay…who am I kidding?!? I can’t choose which of the Independence Falls books is my fave! Each time I read one I say that this one is it…this is my favorite book in this series…but then the next one makes me second guess that statement.

Chad is definitely sexy as sin and his damn dirty talking absolutely leaves me panting and begging for more sexy scenes! The sweet and creative ways that he comes up with to satisfy help Lena burst through her issues with intimacy are epic. With that being said, I can honestly say that I think the most memorable part of this book for me was the first hand hold…that moment just really stands out for some reason.

Lena is a gorgeous girl that is dealing with some serious issues. Her PTS is strong and holds her back from a ‘normal’ lifestyle. Lena’s character is so very real. Her struggle is believable and left me filled with respect, pain and a confidence that she will pull through it. Let me just add in here that Hero, the service dog, may just be my favorite character ever! His protecting Lena often leads to some interesting scenes!

So, I know what you’re thinking…what about the romance?

While it may start out as a pretend relationship in some ways, it is definitely not pretend in the end. The love between Chad and Lena grows and flows in a natural manner. Watching their relationship grow from friendship to so much more had me giggling and tearing up. Hero By Night was definitely one hot and heavy, steamy read! This is one couple that absolutely represents our MFEO stamp of approval! Heck I’m pretty sure Chad and Lena created the title!!

If you are looking for a realistic, amazingly accurate, and breath takingly sexy book then this is definitely the series for you!

Check out our review of the other books in the series:

After several years on the other side of the publishing industry, Sara Jane Stone bid goodbye to her sales career to pursue her dream-writing romance novels. Sara Jane currently resides in Brooklyn, New York with her very supportive real-life hero, two lively young children and a lazy Burmese cat.

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Have you been someone’s hero? Could you handle it?

Title: Caught in the Act

Author: Sara Jane Stone

Series: Independence Falls

Published by: Avon Impulse

Date published: Sept. 16, 2014

Genres: Contemporary

Book Length: 384 pages

Steam Rating: Steamy

Main Characters: Liam & Katie

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“Overall, Caught in the Act is sweet, hot, sexy, caring, daring, alpha and just plain fun! It was a perfect addition to the first book in the series and I cannot wait to see where Sara takes us next!” ~Becca 

Falling for his rivals’ little sister could cost him everything …

For Liam Trulane, failure is not an option. He is determined to win a place in Katie Summers’ life before she leaves Independence Falls for good. But first, he needs to make amends for the last time they got down and dirty.

Only problem?

His professional success hinges on striking a deal to buy Katie’s family business. And after Liam’s relationship with their Katie went south years ago, the Summers brothers are more enemy than friend. If both parties agree to set the past aside, they can reach an understanding. But when Katie welcomes him back into her bed, Liam risks everything to make her his.

After Liam betrayed her trust, Katie Summers will do anything to keep him from walking away with the family business. She decides to seduce him, knowing that when her brothers find out, they will back off from the deal. And she’ll finally have her revenge. But when her plan spirals out of control, Katie learns that payback may come at too high a price …

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Can’t watch the review? I typed up most of it below!

With as much as I adored Full Exposure which is book one of the Independence Falls series, I was a little worried that I would end up disappointed in Caught in the Act. I mean, how could Sara Jane Stone possibly pull off two amazingly awesome books in a row right? 

WRONG!

Thankfully I was wrong! Sara has written yet another 5 deep breath book for me!

Let’s talk about the story a bit.

Katie and Liam have a bit of history…and not the good kind! Liam screwed things up big time and Katie is looking for a little payback. Little did she know that her plan at payback could end up backfiring…in a totally awesome way! The story flowed well, never had a boring moment, and kept me begging for more. The feelings were raw and real. The emotions were so accurately portrayed that I felt it…I was happy, sad, crazy…and a little bit horny on several occasions in this book! Way to go on a perfectly written book Sara!

How about the characters and their relationship…was it as good as the story line?

Liam…oh Liam…you poor, poor man! I totally love him for his alpha male side and I love him even more for the fact that he tries to fight it for Katie. For some reason he doesn’t think his alpha side is what she wants. While what he did in the past was despicable and really ticked me off, he absolutely redeemed himself in my eyes by all that he did in the present.

Katie. Katie is a super sweet and yet slightly indecisive woman that had me wanting to beat some sense into her within just a few chapters! Dude…I get that he screwed up before…but he is trying now and he is trying hard! I swear if she had followed through with her plan I may have been ticked enough to toss my kindle across the room….probably not…but it’s possible!

As a couple these two have some major chemistry! It’s easy to see that they can’t keep their hands off of one another and I totally get why their past happened the way that it did. Can you imagine that sort of sexual tension and chemistry when you’re only 18??

With everything that Liam is willing to give up for Katie and several other things that I’m not going to mention for spoilers sake…these two are totally MFEO! 3 Cheers for Sara writing two books in a row that gain our high honor of MFEO Stamp of approval!!

Overall, Caught in the Act is sweet, hot, sexy, caring, daring, alpha and just plain fun! It was a perfect addition to the first book in the series and I cannot wait to see where Sara takes us next! I have some ideas after reading this book…but I’m not going to even try and guess!

Check out our review of the other books in the series:

After several years on the other side of the publishing industry, Sara Jane Stone bid goodbye to her sales career to pursue her dream-writing romance novels. Sara Jane currently resides in Brooklyn, New York with her very supportive real-life hero, two lively young children and a lazy Burmese cat.

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Katie Summer’s Top 5 Reasons to Read Caught in the Act

(Disclaimer: Katie is the heroine of Caught in the Act, the second installment in Sara Jane Stone’s Independence Falls series. She might be a little biased)

Hi! First a huge thank you to Breathless Ink for inviting me here on release day! Today, I thought I’d share my top reasons you should add Caught in the Act to your ereader right now. And I threw in a few of my favorites snippets from the story too. Happy Reading!

5. If you love animals, pick up this story! I have a barn full of animals that others gave up on. From horses to goats, I’ll never turn away an animal in need, even if my big brothers feel that we have too many mouths to feed already. And I dream of the day when I can stop working for my family’s company and focus on saving four-legged friends in need.

4. After reading Full Exposure, you might want to catch up with Georgia, Eric and little Nate—and read about the plans for Georgia’s bachelorette party. And just wait until I get Liam involved in the planning . . .

“My answer is still no. I can’t leave my goats.” She pointed to her backseat. “And they won’t fit on your bike.”

“Your what?” Hands dropped to his side as he peered into her wagon. “What the hell are you doing dressed up and driving around with livestock in your car?”

“I was looking at potential spots for Georgia’s bachelorette.”

Liam looked at her, eyebrows raised. “You’re throwing my little sister a party that involves goats?”

“They were at one of the venues. The owner was planning to take them to the slaughterhouse. Even the baby. So I bought them. And we are not having Georgia’s party there.”

3. Liam Trulane is one dirty-talking, Alpha hero! Hmm, maybe this should be number one . . .

Liam caught her arm. “You’re not taking your clothes off in front of that man.”

The way he said those words, as if she didn’t have a choice, as if the decision was his to make—it should have sparked fury. She hadn’t planned to strip down for the photographer. Not today. Not while Liam watched. Still, he had no right to tell her what to do.

“Maybe not all—”
“No.”
A thrill ran down her spine. Despite their history and the fact that she’d struggled to change, to become a different woman from the foolish girl who’d met him in the field, she wanted to see his brown eyes burn with a look that said, You’re mine.

“Liam,” she said, feeling as if she was poking an angry bear. “You might like the ones under the shower.”

He drew her closer, his eyes shining with a look of pure possession. “Katie, when you get wet that man will not be anywhere close to you.”

2. You love a story with a strong, independent heroine. (That’s me!)

“Honey, when are you going to get it?” Liam smiled ruefully. “I want what is best for you. Always. I have from the beginning. Now you’re free to take that job in Montana.”

The way he’d faced her brothers all those years ago, knowing it would end in a fight, how he’d brought them to this moment when she tried to sacrifice her hopes and plans for the
future …

“Oh Liam, when are you going to understand, you can’t decide that for me.” She glanced at the two imposing men hovering in the hall and raised her voice. “None of you can.”

1. You love reading about a made-for-each-other couple that conquered their obstacles!

With the full moon rising in the Oregon night sky, Liam climbed into the passenger side of Katie’s station wagon and reached for his seat belt.

“Want me to drive?” He’d never liked riding shotgun.

“You don’t know where we’re going.”

“You could navigate.” Seat belt secure, he looked over at her. She’d changed out of her usual jeans and T-shirt into a short, pale pink dress that did amazing things for her long legs. Hell, maybe she should drive. He’d rather watch her skirt inch higher on her legs.

She put the car in reverse and backed out of his driveway. “I can do both. Settle in. Relax. We’re going to be here for a while.”

“I like how you dress for research, but I’m wondering if my jeans and boots will make the cut.” He glanced up at her profile. She’d blown out her hair again and put on makeup. A light coat of shiny gloss on her lips, which left her looking like she wanted to be kissed, and a dusting of something that highlighted her green eyes. “Mind telling me where we’re headed?”

“Surprise. But I think you’ll fit in just fine.”

He shook his head. “You have an independent streak a mile wide, don’t you?”

“I couldn’t stay eighteen forever.”

“Honey, you knew your own mind back then. Your headstrong spirit is part of the reason I never realized how innocent you were. I never imagined it was your first time.”

She stole a quick glance at him before returning her attention to the road. Putting on her blinker, she steered the wagon onto the highway. “We don’t need to talk about this.”

“I think we do.”

He hadn’t been looking forward to this conversation, but he knew it needed to happen. She’d told him the other night that she didn’t hold a grudge, but he suspected that was a lie. Maybe she hadn’t admitted it to herself. Either way, if he wanted to move forward with Katie, they needed to revisit the past. Here, in her moving car, where he couldn’t invite her to sit on his lap, was probably the best place.

And there was one question he’d been dying to ask for seven long years. One he should have addressed to her that night instead of shutting her out.

“Why didn’t you tell me it was your first time?”

“I was afraid you’d stop. I didn’t want you to walk away.”

“I would have,” he cut in.

“I know. And I told myself that it didn’t matter. I thought you—” She bit her lower lip as if trying to stop herself from letting another word escape.

“That I’d fallen in love with you?” He kept his voice soft and gentle as if speaking to one of her skittish horses. “Katie, I never meant to hurt you. Never. But I was young too. And pretty damn stupid. I wasn’t looking for love back then.”

“And now?” she demanded. “What are you looking for now?”

Liam hesitated, staring out the window. It was too soon to tell her that he wanted a second chance at that moment when she’d offered him her heart, her future, her everything. He needed more time to prove that he deserved her, show her that he’d cherish her. This time it would be about what she wanted and needed from him.

“I’m not as stupid as I was back then. I like to think I’ve learned from my mistakes.”

*Avon is hosting a TOUR WIDE Rafflecopter Giveaway for FIVE Signed Copies of FULL EXPOSURE Book One Independence Falls

What would you do…could you forgive and forget in order to have a HEA of your own?

Title: Full Exposure

Author: Sara Jane Stone

Series: Independence Falls (#1)

Published by: Avon Impulse

Date published: July 1, 2014

Genres: Contemporary, Military

Book Length: 272 pages

Steam Rating: Steamy

Main Characters: Eric and Georgia

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“Full Exposure is filled with twists and turns and an exciting romance that keeps you on your toes and begging for more.” ~Becca

No touching allowed … 

After serving her country, Georgia Trulane craves adventure—and sex. She’s set her sights on her brother’s best friend—now her boss, since she took a temporary job as his nephew’s live-in nanny. Only problem? Eric refuses to touch her. That doesn’t stop Georgia from seducing him. But an earth-shattering encounter leaves her fully exposed, body and soul.

Eric has a long list of reasons to steer clear of the woman he has wanted for as long as he can remember. For one, he refuses to be her next thrill ride. When he claims her, it will be for good. But the attraction is undeniable, and the more they fight it, the stronger it pulls. But will it be enough to conquer their obstacles?

In Full Exposure, Sara Jane Stone pulls off the incredible! She grabs the readers attention, gets you emotionally attached to the characters and the story, and makes you feel like somehow everything will be okay…all within the first few pages!

The story in this book is both unique and typical all at the same time.

No, seriously…let me explain!

We have the typical falling for your best friend’s little sister story mixed with the I’m falling for my boss story with a touch of I need to make the best decision for my kid not myself story…then add in a dash of military background and PTSD and voila! See what I mean about typical but not typical all at the same time?? 

Let’s get into what makes this book great and unique:

~Georgia (one of the main characters) is a FEMALE character with PTSD that stems from her time in Afghanistan.
~Georgia is the nanny…and is struggling with finding ways to remind herself that she is alive and well. She does some pretty crazy stuff in order to get that rush.
~While Georgia is struggling with her PTSD she is still a very strong and independent woman. (Such an awesome thing to read! I’m tired of the wimpy woman that needs to be saved.)
~Liam is the over protective brother that doesn’t think Georgia can function on her own anymore and enlists the help of his “trustworthy” best friend Eric.
~Eric has custody of his 3 year old nephew and only wants what is best for him. Which of course means he is pushing away any and all relationships because of his childhood.

Now that you know the story line and characters how about the writing that makes it rock?

~Nothing feels rushed. The relationship develops smoothly and realistically.
~Everything is written in a manner that causes the reader to feel as if they were a part of the story. 
~The characters are lovable and relatable and REAL! These characters are deep and multi-faceted. Georgia manages to be a strong, independent woman while showing a small bit of vulnerability and such a caring sweet side that she is utterly perfect. Eric is the strong masculine alpha male with a soft side who wants to take care of everyone and make everything perfect.

Alright, enough with my random bullets on what makes this book rock! Let’s talk romance!

Eric and Georgia’s chemistry makes them totally MFEO (Made For Each Other). It’s easy to see that these two have been fighting their attraction for one another for a very long time and are on the verge of jumping over that cliff from friendship to lovers. There are a lot of bumps in the road for them to reach their HEA, but it is definitely worth it. The sex is HOT, sweet and exciting. Watching as these two work through their issues as a couple and as individuals was endearing and emotional. I found myself sitting on the edge of my seat with my fingers crossed hoping that things would work out.

Full Exposure is filled with twists and turns and an exciting romance that keeps you on your toes and begging for more! I felt like the PTSD side of the story was done very well and seemed to be relatively accurate. The relationship between Eric and Georgia was epic and when you toss in sweet little Nate…well things couldn’t have been better!

All I can say is that Full Exposure is DEFINITELY a book that I recommend!

After several years on the other side of the publishing industry, Sara Jane Stone bid goodbye to her sales career to pursue her dream-writing romance novels. Sara Jane currently resides in Brooklyn, New York with her very supportive real-life hero, two lively young children and a lazy Burmese cat.

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BE SURE TO CLICK HERE AND SEE WHAT ELSE IS INCLUDED IN THE MONTHLY GIVEAWAY!

Sara Jane Stone is offering an ebook copy of Full Exposure as a giveaway.

What is your favorite type of book boyfriend: Lumber Jack, Military guy, or business man?!? Comment below and let us know!