{eARC Minute Review} Dare to Dream (Maxwell #2) by S.B. Alexander

Dare to Dream (Maxwell #2) by S.B. Alexander

Bad boy Kade Maxwell knows all too well the pain and loss of the death of a loved one after his sister’s death tore his family—especially his mother—to pieces. He longs for the day his mother can heal from the mental anguish and return home to live with her family again. He prays every day that God will keep his brothers safe and that his father will one day be reunited with his wife. He doesn’t dream of his future. In fact, he had nightmarish glimpses of what his life would’ve been like as an adult until he met Lacey. She’s a light that cuts through his darkness. Her beauty, her determination, and her dedication in overcoming her own tragedy energizes his belief that maybe—just maybe—he can dream again.

Lacey Robinson has suffered tragedy at the hands of a killer who took away her sister and mother. After a change of scenery and a new life, her PTSD is on the mend. With the love and strength from Kade Maxwell and the help of her psychiatrist, she’s been able to work on the triggers that cause her panic attacks and blackouts. With a clear head and a clear road to the future, Lacey dreams of three things: She longs to find the person who killed her family. She wants to play baseball for ASU so bad she can taste it. And she wants a future with Kade Maxwell. But with several roadblocks thrown in her way, she may not get everything she wants. A trip to California opens a door that could expose the killer. Aaron Seever is up to his psychotic, bullying antics, and Kade has his own path for the future, one Lacey isn’t sure includes her.

Kade vows to love and protect Lacey even if that means his life for hers. Lacey vows to push through her demons and show Kade and her family that she has what it takes to rise above tragedy, even if she has to run into the arms of a killer to save a loved one. (Blurb via Goodreads)

{Details} eARC, 268 pages. Published July 17th 2015 . Source: ebook provided in exchange for an honest review

{Rating} 4/4 - I really liked it!

{Review}

While I enjoyed the story I felt that it lacked the magic of the first book, Dare to Kiss. That said, I did love that Dare to Dream is told in alternating perspectives - I loved seeing inside Kade's head. And I loved catching up with the Maxwells. I'm such a fan of those boys and can't wait to read the triplets' stories.

Dare to Dream took a different direction than I expected, both with Kade and Lacey's relationship and the danger surrounding them. Kade and Lacey's romance is up and down, hot and steamy, and sweet and tender. And because they're both stubborn and passionate they butt heads and it leads to heartache. The mystery and drama kept my attention and I was eager to finally get answers. I liked how S.B. Alexander chose to leave Kade and Lacey, with some dreams coming true, and others that don't, but ultimately it's a happy ending.

Happy Book Birthday! On the Edge of Destiny (Vampire SEALs #3) by S.B. Alexander

On the Edge of Destiny (Vampire SEALs #3) by S.B. Alexander 

Life has never been better for Jo Mason. Her powers are growing, and so is her relationship with the handsome Vampire SEAL, Webb London. Nothing can burst her bubble. Not her upcoming trial for the death of her nemesis, Blake Turner. Not even when she learns her DNA is the key for her enemy to build an army of vampires. Until she has a recurring dream that involves Webb’s future. 

Webb has an important SEAL mission looming. He and his team must rescue a comrade who has been missing in action. He hates to leave Jo, but duty calls. He can’t trust in an old myth that dreams could be the window to the future. Not when a life is on the line. Not even if it’s his own. (Blurb via Goodreads)

Buy it on Amazon now!

S. B. Alexander's Amazon page + Facebook + Twitter + Goodreads

I love S.B. Alexander's Vampire SEALs series - as well as her Maxwell series - go check them out, I bet you'll enjoy them too.

{ARC YA Review} Dare to Kiss by S.B. Alexander

Besides her family, Lacey Robinson’s only other love is baseball. She’s on top of the world when Arizona State University approaches her to discuss a scholarship. To be the first girl ever to grace a college boys’ team is beyond what she has ever dreamed. Her fastball is impeccable, her curveball equally as good, and her slider annihilates anyone who dares to step in the batter’s box. But fate has its own way of throwing curveballs.

When she looses her mother and sister to a home invasion, baseball and her dreams die with them. Tragedy has a way of seeping deep into her psyche, causing nightmares, panic attacks and blackouts. Diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, her psychiatrist recommends a change of scenery and picking up the things that she loved to do, and for Lacey that is baseball.

After a move clear across the country, only two things matter to Lacey—overcome her PTSD and make Kensington High’s baseball team. However, she never counted on meeting someone who wants her as badly as Kade Maxwell. The tall, sexy and drool-worthy bad boy has a magical touch that awakens her feminine side, and a kiss that slowly erases her nightmares. But getting involved with him may be dangerous when Kade’s nemesis returns to town to settle a vendetta. To complicate matters, her PTSD has taken a turn for the worse. She has to find a way to heal otherwise she may not have a chance at anything in life, especially love. (Blurb via Goodreads)

{Details} eARC, ebook, 309 pages. Expected publication: September 2014. Source: Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Many thanks to S.B. Alexander

{Rating} 4/5 - I really liked it!

{Review}

"The ball left my hand and zigzagged on its way to home plate, missing Tyler Langley's glove." (page 1, line 1)

Lacey is a different kind of heroine. She's struggling with her past, with a horrific loss and the way that it has changed every facet of her life. She's quick to react, to overreact, to hit out - literally and figuratively. She's reckless and impulsive. I didn't always understand Lacey and her actions and I didn't always like her but I was fascinated by her and her story and I was dying to know what was going to happen next. Though I'm not a baseball fan - or sports fan of any variety - I liked how Alexander showed Lacey's passion for the game and her drive and commitment.

Kade. A guy with his own demons. A guy who has been hurt too. A guy who sees something in Lacey that calls to him. I found him to be a little over the top, trying a little too hard to be an alpha male, but I did like him. He's a caretaker and a fixer and he's good for Lacey. He gets that she has issues with trust, with love, and he pushes her to open up, to trust, to give him a chance. I liked his imperfections, how he screws up, more than once, and we get to see how he deals.

The triplets. Ahh. I love their dynamic. How they are with each other, with Lacey. Alexander does a great job with making each of the Maxwell brothers distinctive and interesting, and giving just a hint of their histories and struggles. I so want to know more about them.

Though Dare to Kiss is only the first part of Lacey and Kade's story it doesn't end on a cliffhanger (halleluiah!) there are still unanswered questions. I want to know what happens next. And I want to see more of the Maxwell boys.

First Line Friday (41) Dare to Kiss by S.B. Alexander

First Line Friday is a meme hosted on Rampant Readers, where we share the first line of the novel we a currently reading in order to pique the interest of other readers like you. So basically, we just share the first sentence or two of the novel you are currently reading, and tell us whether or not it hooked you in!

The book:

Besides her family, Lacey Robinson’s only other love is baseball. She’s on top of the world when Arizona State University approaches her to discuss a scholarship. To be the first girl ever to grace a college boys’ team is beyond what she has ever dreamed. Her fastball is impeccable, her curveball equally as good, and her slider annihilates anyone who dares to step in the batter’s box. But fate has its own way of throwing curveballs.

When she looses her mother and sister to a home invasion, baseball and her dreams die with them. Tragedy has a way of seeping deep into her psyche, causing nightmares, panic attacks and blackouts. Diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, her psychiatrist recommends a change of scenery and picking up the things that she loved to do, and for Lacey that is baseball.

After a move clear across the country, only two things matter to Lacey—overcome her PTSD and make Kensington High’s baseball team. However, she never counted on meeting someone who wants her as badly as Kade Maxwell. The tall, sexy and drool-worthy bad boy has a magical touch that awakens her feminine side, and a kiss that slowly erases her nightmares. But getting involved with him may be dangerous when Kade’s nemesis returns to town to settle a vendetta. To complicate matters, her PTSD has taken a turn for the worse. She has to find a way to heal otherwise she may not have a chance at anything in life, especially love. (Blub via Goodreads)

 The first line(s):

"The ball left my hand and zigzagged on its way to home plate, missing Tyler Langley's glove."

Hooked?

Not by the first line but the story? Definitely. I cannot put it down.

Join the fun, link up at Rampant Readers