REVIEW: The Letter by Mina Carter

The Letter
Calendar Men – Mr. July
Mina Carter

Ex-SAS Sergeant Rick Week’s career ended in a hail of bullets and the death of his friend Billy. After months of recuperation, Rick can finally fulfill a promise he made to Billy; deliver a letter to his girl. Simple. Maybe....
Hattie Jameson lost the man she loved. KIA. Eighteen months later, she’s trying to move on. Then a sexy-as-hell Scottish soldier turns up on her doorstep—the man who’d been with Billy when he’d died. She shouldn’t find him attractive. Not at all....
Fortunately, fate, and Billy, have plans to bring the reluctant lovers together. Can Rick and Hattie get past their grief and let love in?
Genre: Contemporary, military romance, paranormal, erotic romance
Heat level: 4 Word count – 17k
Cover art by Mina Carter
~Excerpt~
“I’m Rick Weeks. Pleasure to meet you.”

Hattie’s hand was already out, ready to shake, but when he spoke, she faltered. Rick Weeks. She knew that name. She shouldn’t, but thanks to one of the men in Billy’s squad she did. Rick Weeks…Sergeant R. Weeks. The soldier who’d carried her Billy back into base while both of them were badly wounded. Billy had taken his last breath seconds after the gates closed behind them.

“I…I….”

Faced with the man who’d been with Billy when he died, she lost her ability to speak, or even think.

From what she’d been told, Billy’s squad had been ambushed in one of the nearby towns. Scattering, they’d been forced to take cover in the ruins. Insurgent activity in the area meant the base couldn’t send out a rescue party. She’d never been able to get an answer on why the British were in the area. But, according to the short letter she’d been given, a British soldier had found Billy injured and taking shelter in a building on the edge of town.

Together, Rick and Billy waited through the night then made a break for the base at dawn. They’d almost made it, the base in sight, but a sniper opened fire. Billy had taken the brunt of the fire, bullets riddling his slender frame to slam into the soldier who carried him—who continued to carry him, running for the safety of the base. The British soldier was hailed as a hero and Billy came home in a metal box.

Now, that soldier—Rick Weeks—stood in front of her, the name given a face, and she couldn’t think of a thing to say. Except….

“Go to hell.”
From the Author:
Mina Carter was born and raised in Middle Earth (otherwise known as the Midlands, England). After a slew of careers ranging from logistics to land-surveying she can now be found in the wilds of Leicestershire with her husband, daughter and a cat who moved in and never left.
Suffering the curse of eternal curiosity Mina never tires of learning new skills which has led to Aromatherapy, Corsetry, Chain-maille making, Welding, Canoeing, Shooting, and pole-dancing to name but a few.
A full time author and cover artist, Mina can usually be found hunched over a keyboard or graphics tablet, frantically trying to get the images and words in her head out and onto the screen before they drive her mad. She's addicted to coffee and Nutella on toast.

Sarah's Review: 
Thanks to Decadent Publishing and Mina Carter for the opportunity to read and review this great story.  I owe Mina and Decadent Publishing an apology since I am late getting this review up.  Unfortunately, real life decided to play a cruel hand.

I have to say that this story was one that left a lasting impression on me.  I have a soft spot for stories that involve the military.  There are so many things that I love about this story but if I go into detail, I will spoil the story.  

I love the Rick followed through on Billy's dying wish and brought a letter to his widow, Hattie.   Rick and Hattie don't expect to fall in love with each other.

REVIEW & GIVEAWAY:Playing with the Prop by Mina Carter

Blog Tour: Playing with the Prop
Author: Mina Carter
Genre: Sports Romance
Release Date: 4/29

Never mix business with pleasure...

A physical therapist for successful Rugby team, the Strathstow Sharks, Ashley's golden rule is never to mix business and  pleasure. She loves her job and the guys she looks after, and doesn't want to jeapardise her place with the team. As nicely put together as her charges are, she's never found herself remotely tempted. 

Until now. 

Harry James, the team's newest prop gives her butterflies in her stomach every time she has to treat him, and her fantasies involving his hard, muscled body and sinful lips keep her hot and bothered at night. Luckily, he shows no sign of having noticed her attraction, and hasn't shown any interest in her...

She's been his from the moment he saw her...

Harry James marked the pretty little physio the first day they met. For the last year he's been biding his time, and trying to get her attention. So much so, it's gained him a few nicknames in the squad. Not that anyone would dare tell her. 

When the Sharks win big on Harry's birthday, can he stop at claiming a birthday kiss, or will he want everything she has to give?

Welcome to our celebration! Join the party! 
https://www.facebook.com/events/650338368352972/ 
April 29th


Meet Mina:

Mina was born and raised in the East Farthing of Middle Earth (otherwise known as the Midlands, England) and spend her childhood learning all the sorts of things generally required of a professional adventurer. Able to ride, box, shoot, make and read maps, make chainmail and use a broadsword (with varying degrees of efficiency) she was disgusted to find that adventuring is not considered a suitable occupation these days.

So, instead of slaying dragons and hunting vampires and the like, Mina spends her days writing about hot shifters, government conspiracies and vampire lords with more than their fair share of RAWR. Turns out wanna-be adventurers have quite the turn of imagination after all…

(But she keeps that sword sharp, just in case the writing career is just a dream and she really *is* an adventurer.)

The boring part: A full time author and cover artist, Mina can usually be found hunched over a keyboard or graphics tablet, frantically trying to get the images and words in her head out and onto the screen before they drive her mad. She’s addicted to coffee and would like to be addicted to chocolate, but unfortunately chocolate dislikes her.

Stalker Links:

Website: http://mina-carter.com Facebook Profile: http://facebook.com/mina.carter Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/minacarterauthor Twitter: http://twitter.com/minacarter Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Mina-Carter/e/B002BOH5R4/ Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2920063.Mina_Carter Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/minacarter77

Mina's other titles: Amazon Books

Excerpt

Moving through the mass of people between them like the shark he was, he homed in. She didn’t see him until the last minute, her gasp audible when he reached her and slid an arm around her waist. She relaxed as soon as she recognized him, her lips curving up into a devastating grin, and he got the full effect of her done up for a night out. He’d never seen her wear makeup before, and he wouldn’t be able to say what she was wearing past lipstick. Whatever she’d done, it made her eyes appear all tilted and cat-like, emphasized her cheekbones and made his attention zero in on her lips. Her kissably soft lips. The sort of look that brought big men to their knees begging for a taste, and he was about as big as it got. He had to check himself to be sure he wasn’t standing there with his mouth open.

“Hey there, sexy. Looking for someone?” he asked with a smile, careful not to just haul her to him and kiss the life out of her. Patience, he needed patience. She’d turned up, after all.

“You made me jump!”

She tapped his arm, accusation stretched across her face. She was still smiling so he wasn’t worried that he’d scared her. Besides, it hadn’t escaped his noticed that she’d turned toward him within his hold or that her hand lingered on his upper arm after she slapped him. Bare inches separated their bodies before she turned to glance around the bar, just for a moment, but that was enough. His entire body tightened, lungs frozen on a breath while his body reacted in a predictably male way. Locking the reaction down before she could notice, he turned her toward the bar where the rest of the lads were.

“Sorry, sweet stuff, I’m just pleased to see you,” he said, maneuvering her in front of him. “Hey! Coming through. Move it aside.”

She shot him a look over her shoulder as the crowd in front parted like the Red Sea. “Really? So I don’t need to check your pockets for a gun then?”

He blinked at her teasing glance. Full-on rabbit in the headlights until she turned around to watch her footing. Fucking hell. Okay, he hadn’t expected that. Not at all. He knew she was sharp, she had to be working with players who liked to take the piss, but the flirtatious note was new. He liked it though. Hell, did he like it.

“Sweetheart, you can check out my pockets, and anything else, any time you like.”

They reached the bar, and he motioned to the selection of drinks already lined up. The lads went for the “order one of everything and drink until it was gone” approach, but he was more than happy to order anything else she wanted.

Selecting a glass of wine, she lifted it to her lips but paused before taking a sip, watching him over the rim. “Really now? I might just have to take you up on that offer.”

Holy shit.

Heat hit him in the groin. An intense conflagration that galvanized his entire body. To stop himself from reaching for her, he picked up another pint. If he didn’t do something, he’d kiss her senseless, and more, right there in front of the entire bar.

“We can do that. Later,” he murmured, and took a fortifying gulp of his drink.

Later. Crap. If he lasted that long.

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Sarah's Review: 
Thanks to Mina Carter and N Kuhn for the opportunity to read and review this story.  It was definitely something that caught my attention.  I was expecting a different kind of book when I saw the title, then I read the blurb and was intrigued.  I don't know anything about rugby, but it didn't affect how much I enjoyed this read.

I enjoyed reading this short story and enjoyed the characters.  Without giving too much information away, it was a quick read and just the right amount of hotness included.              

REVIEW & GIVEAWAY: The Sin Circus Box Set

The Sin Circus
Everyone remembers their first trip to the circus--the home of fantasy and dreams. Where the idea that anything is possible meets a creative reality of alluring tricks and amazing acts of defiance. The big top is known for inspiring lust, awe, and happy memories, and now you'll see it like never before.

Some of today's hottest romance authors combine the decadent memories of the center ring with all the flavors in erotic fiction in The Sin Circus. Whether it's with a dominating Ringmaster, a lion tamer's bratty kittens, or a dark Harlequin King, this show is sure to shock the audience with its dazzling dares and tantalizing tales.


Dark Surrender by Rachel Firasek
He stole her control, but she hasn't completely surrendered her heart...yet.
http://www.rachelfirasek.com

Claimed by the Blade by Mina Carter
He's waited years to claim her. Tonight, she's all out of excuses...
http://mina-carter.com

Ring of Fire by Lacey Wolfe
The Ringmaster must figure out his feelings before his ballerina goes up in flames...
http://www.laceywolfe.com

Unmasking Her Dom by Jennifer James
Tormented by touch, the King of the Harlequin resolves to release his bratty sub before she strips away the last barriers between them, and discovers his secret shame.
http://www.authorjenniferjames.com

The Bratty Lioness Tamer by April Angel
Two sexy female lovers. A new master ready to tame them. And the performance they'll never forget.
http://millytaiden.com/

Sweet & Sticky by Sabrina Garie
Recipe for forever: Mix a flailing writer with a down-on-his-luck agent, toss in a pound of cotton candy and an empty bleacher. Let simmer.
http://sabrinagarie.com/

Twice the Pleasure by Georgina DeBurca
As the bindings unravel, two brothers race to save the woman who has captured their hearts.
https://www.facebook.com/author.deburca

With the Greatest of Ease by Anne Lange
He traded a trapeze and the catch of a lifetime for a life in a courtroom. Now he’ll share her, to catch her, one last time.
http://authorannelange.com/

Buy Links: ARE : B&N : Amazon

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Adri's Review:

Thank you to Rachel Firasek and all the other ladies who provided us with an ARC for this story so we could bring you this review.

This anthology makes me want to run away to the circus... (as I asked Rachel Firasek and Lacey Wolfe where the next stop for The Sin Circus was going to be). It's hot and sexy and has a little something for every kind of reader. Now it's no secret that my favorite stories are BDSM so of course those are the ones that stuck out to me the most. But there is also second chance loves, secretly loved you always loves and a bit of mystery and adventure. Even though none of the stories are really linked together, there is in a few the reappearance of  some characters in the other stories. The last one of the group having brought back most of the others.

This is also an anthology that you won't even realize you finished reading until the whole thing is done. It was such a quick read most people should be able to read it in one weekend afternoon. Which to me makes a great way to relax.

My only complaint about this anthology is that the stories weren't longer. I so wanted more of everything.

Happy Reading... Adri

Erin's Review

Never before have I wanted to run away to the circus so bad in my life! These stories are panty melting HOT! There is a bit of everything in this anthology, BDSM, menage, not-so unrequited love, mystery and second chances. Like Adri, I LOVE the BDSM world so those stories hit a spot with me, a good spot *wink* The menage stories are smoking!  You will not walk away from these stories unfulfilled, there truly is something for everyone.
 There are some characters that make appearances in other stories, but each story is a stand alone. At the time I was reading this the circus was actually in town, and all I kept think was, "Damn, I wish it were the Sin Circus instead!"
 After you read this, you will want to go under the big top, or on the table....the couch...the bed....the floor............

 Enjoy your trip to the circus!
~Erin