Book Review: Dying for Keeps

Dying for Keeps

By:  Seleste Delaney

Publish Date:  November 9, 2015

Publisher:  Ignite Entangled

Format:  eBook

Genre:  Contemporary Romance

Series:  4th in Agents of TRAIT series; 1st Book ~ Gaming for Keeps, 2nd Book ~ Conning for Keeps, 3rd Book ~ Fighting for Keeps

Impression:  Recently paired agents on a mission to find 'the mission' that will solve all the troubles stirring, and fall for each other in the process.

Synopsis:
Greta Gallagher is TRAIT's secret weapon. With her uncanny ability to sense trouble before it even happens, she's an invaluable asset to the team and her partner, Nico Tancredi. Except that ever since she botched the last mission, her “gift” has been completely MIA...and she needs Nico's help to find it again.

Nico has the ability to manipulate anyone except Greta. His challenge is to figure out how her mind works, without letting their attraction—unspoken and untried—get in the way. It does...and it's more intense than either of them imagined. But deep in the waters of the Bermuda Triangle, a terrifying secret waits for them both. A secret that doesn't just threaten their love, but their lives...and the very heart of TRAIT itself.

First Sentence:
Josh Marron thumped his fist on the desk.

Purchase At:
Amazon  /  Barnes & Nobles

My Thoughts and Summary:
Again, the synopsis does very well by the book so I'm not going to reiterate what's there.

Greta is special. She might have issues socializing and a few OCD's but she's got a knack for finding cases TRAIT needs to follow through on. Greta's ability to see patterns tells her something is off in the cases lately. But she has no evidence of a mission to go on to stop it, and prove it's really something going on. Greta's determined to find that something and solve what's going on. Greta references all three cases we've read in the series and that they shouldn't have fallen to TRAIT to solve. I like the quick touch of memory for the previous books, especially since this is the last of the series.

Now, pair Greta with Nico who is special in his own way. He vocally can influence people to do what they already want to do, but stop from doing it. He has a grand ability to communicate!

These two don't seem as they should be a perfect pair at first, but as I read I felt they were the heads and tails of the same coin. They completed the others ability were the other was a bit lacking. Their personalities compliment each other well too.

In this story we get the tie in of all the previous stories along with seeing each character for a few. This is definitely Greta and Nico's story but it's a bonus to see the others one last time with them.

I smiled the whole way through this story. I enjoy the chemistry between the characters as they stand their own as an individual, love each other for it, and compromise with the one they come so close to. And the geek references are always awesome!

The series are HEA books for the characters, which makes me happy too. It's sad to see the series end as I've enjoyed the fun of it each time.

Book Review: Fighting for Keeps

Fighting for Keeps

By:  Seleste Delaney

Publish Date:  April 21, 2015

Publisher:  Ignite Entangled

Format:  eBook

Genre:  Contemporary Romance

Series:  3rd in Agents of TRAIT series; 1st Book ~ Gaming for Keeps, 2nd Book ~ Conning for Keeps

Impression:  Sexy agents on the job and getting through their obstacles in trust.

Synopsis:
He made her crazy. In every way imaginable...

Since her partner's death, Jodi Israel has been perfectly happy playing Q to everyone else's Bond. Electronics and machines are safer - and they are a lot easier to deal with. Unfortunately, she's stuck with TRAIT's newest recruit, an infuriating, arrogant alpha-male who plays by his own rules...and is hot enough to send electric voltage through all of Jodi's circuitry.

Finn Danby heeds his instincts, even though it's cost him his job on more than one occasion. The moment he sees Jodi's fiery hair and uncanny engineering abilities, Finn's instinct takes over...and it's all libido. Now they're working together to protect the unstable daughter of a high-profile politician - and the sparks are flying. Both in and out of the bedroom. But when all hell breaks loose, Jodi and Finn just may find themselves alone…and unemployed.

First Sentence:
"You're sure?"

Calvin Burrows, the Tactical Response and Investigative Team senior agent nodded.

Purchase At:
Amazon  /  Barnes & Nobles

My Thoughts and Summary:
The synopsis of the book is spot on. So I'm not going to describe anymore as it'd be the same thing repeated. This is also going to be a short review as I don't want to give to much away or mush about how much I enjoyed this story and couple.

I had fun with this story. I pretty much finished it in one day. The "fighting" connection of Jodi and Finn have here is frustrating and challenging for them, but fun for me to read. They make quick jokes when working at each other's nerves.

Jodi and Finn strike me as two sides of the same coin. They both have different reactions and outcomes in their lives to a very powerful moment they lived through.

Jodi has spunk. But she hates having to assert her "rank" over Finn from the first meeting. But Finn reminds her of a past partner that didn't fair well in the field due to his lack of respect for her ability to do her job. She thinks in order to help Finn, and keep him from the same path of her last partner, she needs to do just this to make him better.

Finn is a bit different. He is like, from Jodi's view, her past partner yet he's not. From the moment he helped the little girl, I knew it (and I think Jodi too). He has a soft side and can be worked with, no matter how lone wolf he comes across. He does, however, have a past that affects his thinking on working and trusting others, one that also had the outcome of death. And he doesn't want it to happen again.

Their mission! I have to mention the senator's daughter. That's such a surprise! I liked this little twist.

I always have fun with the books in this series. They are shorter stories but fun with the banter and connecting the couple does through out. It is a sexy romance that has intimate moments. I will be looking forward to the next couple in TRAIT's agency. I think I know who it may be.

Cover Revealed: Dying for Keeps

I have loved this series. Yes, I'm a book behind but that's life's fault, not mine. I have it though and look forward to getting to enjoy it. And this is the cover reveal for the last book of the series. Sad to say that. But all great things must come to an end at some point, right?

Let me share with you. The cover for Dying for Keeps!

Dying for Keeps

Agents of TRAIT #4

(and final book of the series)

By:  Seleste Delaney

Due Out:  November 9, 2015

Description:

Greta Gallagher is TRAIT's secret weapon. With her uncanny ability to sense trouble before it even happens, she's an invaluable asset to the team and her partner, Nico Tancredi. Except that ever since she botched the last mission, her “gift” has been completely MIA...and she needs Nico's help to find it again.

Nico has the ability to manipulate anyone except Greta. His challenge is to figure out how her mind works, without letting their attraction—unspoken and untried—get in the way. It does...and it's more intense than either of them imagined. But deep in the waters of the Bermuda Triangle, a terrifying secret waits for them both. A secret that doesn't just threaten their love, but their lives...and the very heart of TRAIT itself. 

Oh this series started as so much fun and has continued to be a playful sexy little series. I'm sad to see it coming to an end, but I'm thankful for the books we have in the series. I'm looking forward to finishing it out with this couple.


Like the sounds of the book? Want to check out the rest of the series?
Here are links to find the previous books on Amazon:


And Pre-order Dying for Keeps:

Book Review: Conning for Keeps

Conning for Keeps

By:  Seleste deLaney

Publish Date:  February 3, 2014

Publisher:  Entangled Flaunt

Format:  eARC

Genre:  Contemporary Romance

Series:  2nd in Agents of TRAIT series; 1st Book ~ Gaming for Keeps

Recommendation:  Smexy little romance story for you to enjoy. Agents on a mission...and more.

Synopsis:
Lovers undercover…Secret Agent Marissa Jones has a gift. A con artist to the core, after deep hypnosis she can turn into someone else entirely. Marisa’s gift has gotten her into hot water over the years, but now more so than ever. With her smoking hot partner by her side, she needs to convince him that not only is she her true self, but also that she can be trusted—even in spite of her past.

…or traitors to the cause? Trevor Harris has his own issues with the mission, he’s got revenge to seek, a cursed painting to secure, and Marissa’s sugary-sweet alter-ego to ignore. But when he releases Marisa from her mental cage and things get a little too hot, he ends up finding out what falling for a con artist really means—bigger trouble than ever before.

First Sentence:
When all the threads of life are inexplicably wound around a single spool, there are very few choices in how to respond.

Purchase At:
Amazon  /  Barnes & Nobles

My Thoughts and Summary:
Marissa is teamed with Trevor, one she's partnered with for years now, on this mission to get a famous painting away from the deadly gangster like father. The kicker in the irony, she has deep feelings and desire for Trevor and this mission...to pose as engaged and a group wedding at the end of the week. Maybe their pasts will get in the way of the mission, or their desire for each other.

This is the second story in the Agents of TRAIT series. We pick up with Marissa and Trevor, which we meet in Gaming for Keeps with Cal. Marissa and Trevor are partners that worked with Cal at the convention. Cal is mentioned as he's off at a convention with his girlfriend. Marissa and Trevor are the couple we focus on here.

Marissa and Trevor have been flirting for years, but when she decided (after clues from him) to make the move he scowled at her and keeps their "relationship" that way - scowling. We learn of both Marissa's and Trevor's histories. Both are a little jaded and affect them now. Something they both hold on to hoping to escape it. Marissa, a thief with her family. Trevor, gangs and the murder of his best friend. Trevor, and Marissa quietly, worry that Marissa will slip back to the life of thievery as she's wanted this particular painting since before her and her parents were caught.

Seleste is talented in creating unique circumstances in her stories. In this book she's created a group wedding with a mobster like father coming to his son's wedding and handing down a priceless piece of art. This was a neat setting, but what caught my eye was the hypnotizing. Marissa is hypnotized and transformed into a character to play. She's not aware of it, but there are fall safes for things getting out of control in order to bring her out. This little twist reminded me a tad of Dollhouse. I liked that, but then I worried as Trevor does have feelings for Marissa and he doesn't want to take advantage of her when she's not herself.

This is definitely an adult read. Smexy all the way. A great little escape for you with a mission and love.

About Seleste:

Seleste started on her career path as a young child. Stories of talking animals soon gave way to a love of superheroes and science fiction. Her first foray into the world of romance came at age twelve when she envisioned a sweeping epic love story of two people thrust together and torn apart again and again by fate. As she recalls, the plan was for them to admit their love on his deathbed. But, as is often the case with pre-teen girls, a story of that depth gave way to other pursuits, and sadly it is completely lost other than vague memories.

After that, she occupied herself with short stories for a while, and then poetry until after she had earned a degree in chemistry, spent time as a high school teacher, and became a mother of two. Then she delved into writing fiction once more.

She never lost her love of the fantastic, and her stories now always reach into other realms. The worlds and people she creates occupy as much of her time as the real world, and she is most fortunate to have a family that understands her idiosyncrasies and loves her anyway.

Website/Twitter/Facebook/Goodreads

Giveaway Details:

20 eBooks of GAMING FOR KEEPS International

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule

Week 1:

2/3/2014- Becky on Books- Review

2/3/2014- books blog- Interview

2/4/2014- The Reading Addict- Review

2/4/2014- Manga Maniac Café- Guest Post

2/5/2014- My World...in words and pages- Review

2/5/2014- Fade Into Fantasy- Interview

2/6/2014- ReadingRenee- Review

2/6/2014- Literary Escapism- Guest Post

2/7/2014- The Reading Room: Cozy, Romance, Mysteries And More With Reviews- Review

2/7/2014- Steamy Guys After Dark- Interview 

Week 2:

2/10/2014- Bookaholics Anonymous 101- Review

2/10/2014- Simply Ali- Guest Post

2/11/2014- a little fiction of every flavor- Review

2/11/2014- Caribbean Accent Book Reviews- Interview

2/12/2014- Aine's Realm- Review

2/12/2014- Sizzling Hot Book Reviews- Interview

2/13/2014- For the Love of Bookends- Review

2/13/2014- Ex Libris- Guest Post

2/14/2014- Aria Kane- Review

2/14/2014- The Book Bellas- Guest Post

Cover Reveal: Conning for Keeps

I'm thrilled to share there are more books to this series!!!!! I loved reading the first story, Gaming for Keeps, when Seleste put it out. If you don't remember my review, well, go check it out! It's a perfect little Romance read that all gaming and book loving and convention visiting girls should read. Yes, I loved it.

But today I get to share with you the cover and details on the next book in Agents of TRAIT series! Yes! There is more to tell!

Conning for Keeps

By:  Seleste DeLaney

Due Out:  February 3, 2014

Description:

Lovers Undercover…

Secret Agent Marissa Joens has a gift. A con artist to the core, after deep hypnosis she can turn into someone else entirely. Marisa’s gift has gotten her into a lot of hot water over the years, but now more so than ever. With her smoking hot partner by her side, she needs to convince him that not only is she her true self, but also that she can be trusted—even in spite of her past. 

…or traitors to the cause?

Trevor Harris has his own issues with the mission, he’s got revenge to seek, a cursed painting to secure, and Marissa’s sugary sweet alter-ego to ignore. But when he releases Marisa from her mental cage and things get a little too hot, he ends up finding out what falling for a con artist really means—bigger trouble than ever before.

Author Bio:
At a young age, Seleste discovered the trick to not being afraid of the monsters under the bed was to turn them into heroes. Since that time, she’s seen enough of human monsters that she prefers to escape to fictional worlds where even the worst demons have to play by the rules and the good guys might end up battered and bruised (or dead), but they always win. And really, isn’t that the way it should be?

She is in the process of relocating to southeast Michigan with her two kids (and a pair of fierce, attention-hungry slobber- monsters of her own) and is hard at work on her next book. In those rare moments when she isn’t battling terrorists, vampires, or rogue clockworks, she can be found all over the Internet, where she loves to interact with readers.

You can find Seleste deLaney at:
Website:  http://www.selestedelaney.com
Tumblr:  http://selestedelaney.tumblr.com
Facebook:  www.facebook.com/AuthorSelestedeLaney
Twitter:  www.twitter.com/SelestedeLaney
Goodreads:  www.goodreads.com/SelestedeLaneyAuthor
Pinterest:  www.pinterest.com/selestedelaney/



Pick up the first book on Amazon:

Book Review: Gaming for Keeps

Gaming for Keeps

By:  Seleste deLaney

Publisher:  Entangled: Ever After

Publish Date:  June 10, 2013

Format:  eBook, 94pg

Series:  1st in The Agents of TRAIT series

Recommendation:  For all normal girls that love gaming and conventions and Firefly. There is a man out there that you can love, and love all of you.

Book Synopsis:
Pen Holloway’s done with men—in real life. Guys in game are so much less drama. But when her partner from Heroes of Fallen Gods invites her to the convention of the year, she panics. What if he’s another jerk? What if he’s not? Cal Burrows is living his dream of being a spy. One of TRAIT’s misfit spies, but still a spy. It’s the perfect job… until an arms dealer with a taste for blood invades his not-so-secret geek haven. All Cal wanted from ConDamned was to meet his on-line girl. Now, with the threat of mass murder looming, he’s forced to choose between keeping his mission a secret and protecting the girl of his dreams. Despite their attraction, Pen can’t help but suspect Cal’s hiding something. She also can’t shake the feeling he’s not as much of a stranger as he seems.

First Sentence:
Death shone in the troll's black eyes as it lunged at Megara.

Purchase At:
Amazon  /  Barnes & Nobles

**I read this novella for my own enjoyment.

My Thoughts and Summary:

Penelope started playing this game with her ex-boyfriend, who'd team (guild) she is still part of. But Aaron doesn't help her in-game. A man with the screen name Lohonas does. He's always got her back, even if he is from another guild. Lohonas has get in-game morals and team support. If Pen could meet one person from online, Lohonas would be him. But people aren't as they seem online. Aaron had proved that. ConDamned, a gamer, book, and comic convention, is coming up and Lohonas asks Pen if she's going to maybe meet? Nervous, Pen says yes. Cal is looking to relax at ConDamned, but his boss at TRAIT needs him on the job at the Con. Cal also is ready to work in the field again, or he thinks. All he has to do is find the code and break it, letting the others on his team know so they can stop the bad guy. And not lead on he's a secret agent. When Cal meets Pen, all he wants is to spend time with her and keep her safe.

The novella is from both Penelope's and Calvin's POV. It's neat how in the story the gamer persona did show through and match with their actions and real personality. Seeing their chat, I like Lohonas's personality. And he's not forcing her to meet him. If they happen across each other, they do. If not, it wasn't meant to happen. Hahaha! Pen is great. She's got spunk. I loved her strength and at the bar with the drink she chugs. She's quick with her retorts, and pending who her bather is with she's a hoot.

The story is quick. But conventions are only a weekend, so there isn't much time to waste. I liked that they had a semi-relationship prior to meeting, makes the relationship feel a bit stronger for me. The relationship grows with seeing the thoughts of both Pen and Cal. The danger of a threat to all at the Con comes to life toward the end of the story. And sparks an even deeper connection with Pen and Cal.

So enjoyed this sexy read. This is one that is a one sitting read. You want to keep reading Cal and Pen. Not to leave them be until the story ends. Even then, I wanted the weekend to keep going.

Cal is every girls, geek or not, dream come to life. But if you are a geek girl, yea you'll appreciate and love him deeply. Oh, I enjoyed this one. I think even if it was a full length novel, I'd want more of this couple. I was left happy, pleased, and not wanting the weekend to end. I'm always wishing for more from this author, Seleste.

Teaser Tuesday (179)

Teaser Tuesday

is a weekly event

Sponsored by MizB of Should be Reading

Here's how it works:

Grab the book you are currently reading (anything at all)

Open the book to any random page.

Share 2 teaser sentences from anywhere on the page

Please Make Sure They Are Not Spoilers!

(Don't Give Too Much Away)

Just enough to pique our interests

This Week:

Melissa's Read:

"Neither. Firefly all the way."

Suddenly she had all his attention. "Solid choice, but why?"

Gaming for Keeps
By:  Seleste deLaney
41 pg



Oh goodness did I love this novella story!!
You love romance? And geeky fun? Yep, this is soooo for you!
My review will be up on Wednesday.

Click the image below to check out on Amazon:
(psst, it's only $1.99)