Review of Sweet Sacrifice by L.D. Rose with Giveaway

Welcome to the review tour for Sweet Sacrifice by L.D. Rose, which is the ninth book in The Soul Mate Tree series, which have been featured both here and on my other blog Books to Light Your Fire. I'm sharing an excerpt and a giveaway with you today, in addition to my review of the book. If you follow the tour, you can see other excerpts and reviews, plus have more chances to enter the giveaway. Remember to leave the author your questions and comments!

Please note that affiliate links are present within this post. Should you make a purchase through one, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Also I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Sweet Sacrifice

Former Navy SEAL Sebastian “Bash” Lockard died in Afghanistan after leaping on a grenade to save his comrades. Little did he know his act of heroism would grant him a ticket into Heaven’s elite army as one of the few and powerful Archangels. Struggling with his new existence, Bash still retains his human memories, leaving behind a wife he loves with all of his heart. Although he’s forbidden to see her, he can’t resist her lure, or the mortal desires he harbors for her.

As a young widow and nurse, Irene Lockard still mourns her husband two years after his untimely death. His absence is everywhere, and when her best friend weds, she hits an emotional rock bottom. As if summoned from the skies above, Sebastian appears before her, and they share an unforgettable night. But when he once again vanishes, she wonders if she’s truly gone mad with grief.

The only way Sebastian can remain with Irene is if he makes the ultimate sacrifice. But will she overcome her fear of losing him again to another war?

Read an excerpt:

Her eyes snapped open, her vision blanketed by huge white feathers, before a giant wing shoved her back. Her arms flailed as she fell hard on her tailbone, the impact rattling up her spine and clacking her jaw shut.

Pain and awareness ripped into her, the veil of fantasy torn from her eyes as she gawked at the rail in front of her.

She was outside. In the dark. Ready to jump from her hotel balcony.

Her sharp intake of air scraped her ears, her heart kicking against her ribcage as she covered her gaping mouth with her hand. Holy shit. Did I sleepwalk? Was she really about to plummet to her death from fourteen stories high?

And did a huge bird just save her life?

Backpedaling across the concrete, the air cool against her thighs now that she’d nearly torn her dress in half, she hit the glass of the sliding balcony doors. Reaching up with a shaking hand, she clutched the handle and pulled herself haphazardly to her feet, yanking the door open and stumbling inside. She slammed it shut behind her, the glass rattling from the force of the blow as she flipped the lock closed. Retreating farther, she toppled onto the bed, staring at the night outside with growing horror.

She recounted her steps from when she’d arrived at the hotel. The elevator, the housekeeper, entering the room, sitting, crying, falling asleep, the river, the blood, the panic, the tree—

The tree.

Climbing the tree, touching its leaves, remembering . . .

A loud thump hit the balcony outside, muted by the thick glass. Her bleary eyes shot to the figure standing on the ledge and she released a cross between a sob and a shriek, then stifled her mouth with a hand.

Tall, bare-chested, his suit jacket and shirt bunched in his fist as he tossed them aside. Tattoos covered his arms, shoulders, and the base of his neck. Closer now, she discerned the pattern of inked wings, pale muscles rippling, lines and cuts he’d never worn before. His dark hair fell a little longer on top, disheveled from the wind, his face still carved with gorgeous edges, but thinner, wearier. His eyes were black holes, endless, consuming. Infinite.

Sebastian.

His knuckles rapped on the glass, the sound sending a terrified jolt into her nervous system. His eyes bore into hers, cutting through the darkness.

“Reen. Open the door.”

Reen. Her nickname rumbled from his lips, his voice still that resonant timbre she adored. God, some nights she’d pleaded to hear that sound again, just to listen to him speak one last time.

This had to be another dream. He had to be a dream. She was hallucinating.

Christ, had Phillipe spiked her drink?

“Reen.” He grasped the handle, tugged on it, his inked bicep contracting. “I know you see me.”

She couldn’t move, nailed to the bed with fear, paralyzed by disbelief. He pressed both palms flat on the glass, big hands with callused fingers, hands that had memorized every part of her body. He broke eye contact, dipping his head as he murmured, “Please, baby. Let me in.”

As if his plea granted her motor skills, Irene was suddenly on her feet, hurrying across the carpet toward him. She struggled to control her shaking hands, trembles reverberating through her entire body. It took her three tries to flip the latch, and then she backed away, recoiling, afraid of this man who looked so much like her dead lover.

He pulled the slider open in a smooth, fluid movement, the cool ocean breeze escaping into the airless hotel. Setting his sights on her, he stepped over the threshold, his presence filling the room, overwhelming her entirely. When her back hit the main door, the opportunity to flee opened up wide, but she stilled as his scent wafted into her nostrils, a blend of sandalwood and her husband.

Sebastian. Her Sebastian.

The slider closed behind him, the finality of the sound echoing through her bones, and she couldn’t run.

Not from him. Never from him.

An almost strangled sigh escaped him and he swallowed hard, his Adam’s apple bobbing in his throat. A gut-wrenching pain glittered in his dark eyes while he drank her in, his gaze skittering over her from head to toe, as if reacquainting himself with his broken disaster of a wife.

Finally, he approached her in the dark, closing the distance between them, and she pressed harder against the door. If he held her, if he so much as touched her, she would be lost to him, squandering any semblance of sanity she’d managed to retain in these awful years without him.

Blistering tears flowed freely down her cheeks as he halted mere inches away, so close, so goddamn close his warmth radiated off his bare chest. He lifted a hand and she flinched, stopping him as if she’d slapped him. The pained expression on his face yanked a wretched sob from her throat, and she just couldn’t believe it, couldn’t believe he stood right there in front of her.

The medal, the flag, the decorated casket, the salute . . . had it all been a lie?

His finger brushed her cheek, tentative, soft, waiting for her to strike. When she didn’t, he cupped her face in his hand, his skin still rough and callused, wiping away her tears with his thumb. She leaned into his touch, unable to resist his warmth, and he framed her face with his free hand, staring into her eyes with a need so raw it stole what little breath she had left in her burning lungs.

“My God.” He whispered the words, as if he didn’t have the strength to give them voice. “I’ve missed you.”

Available on Amazon

US / UK / CA / AU

**My thoughts**

This book stretched me a little bit outside of my normal realm of reading with the angels aspect. Bash sacrificed his life in Afghanistan and then became an angel. He is currently tortured as he is making his way out of purgatory, but really would prefer to be with his woman. His widow Irene is tortured on Earth because she has been left behind without her beloved. I can't imagine how it would feel to suffer such loss, especially soon after getting married. Each of them would give anything to be with each other again, but for Bash to make that happen would leave him with some dire consequences.

But the temptation is too strong, and the two have a passionate encounter that threatens Bash's future and confuses Irene even more. Can you imagine having your dead husband return to you in spite of what lies in store for him? I have a feeling I would be like them and would want to do whatever I could to be with the one I loved. But I can't help but worry for each of them as I am reading through the story. Bash is facing eternity in a sort of hell and Irene isn't able to move on if he can't stay with her. It will just torture her even more.

The only thing that threw me off a bit was the fighting that Bash goes through with other angels and demons along the way. It was almost out of place in the story for me, but again, I don't usually read this kind of story. Plus I was most interested in the romance part of the story, the two soul mates finding their way back to each other. 

This is a short read, that I was able to zip through in under an hour. I read fast, but for those who prefer shorter stories, this is for you. This is also one for those who love soul mates and good fighting evil.

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About L.D. Rose

L.D. Rose is a neurotic physician by day, crazed writer by night, and all around wannabe superhero. She writes paranormal romance and urban fantasy, but she's been known to delve into horror, sci-fi, and medical suspense on occasion. L.D. Rose is a PAN member of the RWA, FF&P, NEC-RWA and CoLoNY. She currently lives in Rhode Island with her studly hubby, her hyperactive boxer, and her two devious cats.

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Review of Make Me a Match (The Soul Mate Tree Series) with Giveaway by Mackenzie Lucas

Welcome to the review tour for Make Me a Match by Mackenzie Lucas. This book is the fifth in this series revolving around the Soul Mate Tree. I stumbled upon one of these some months ago and found the premise intriguing. An added bonus is that the publishing company is actually local to me. So I am proud to support the works that they publish. Keep on reading for an excerpt, as well as my review of this title. Leave questions and comments for the author. And of course, follow along the tour for even more reviews and more chances to win the giveaway!

Please note that affiliate links are present within this post. Should you make a purchase through one, I may earn a small commission to help me support my websites, at no additional cost to you. I also received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Make Me a Match (Soul Mate Tree Series)

Widower Mark Cage is rusty at relationships. He owns the micro-brewery that supplies the restaurant and bar at St. Augustine's premiere spa resort, Essence, with its award-winning local craft beer. And he’s been focused on building his business and raising his teenage daughter ever since his wife died ten years ago. Nothing else.

When he runs into a sweet kindergarten teacher who is vacationing in St. Augustine and staying at Essence everything changes. A sudden, inexplicable encounter with a mystical tree known for its legend of bringing lovers together, convinces Mark the schoolteacher is his destined match. However, his encounters are disastrous.

His only hope of persuading the woman he wants to even consider a date with him is working with Essence’s on-site relationship guru, Athena Sullivan. A reknowned relationship coach, Athena is the opposite of everything Mark wants in a woman. She’s feisty, independent, and challenges him at every turn. Sparks fly between the two from their first meeting and flare into a blazing inferno as Athena helps him navigate the dating scene.

After a series of too-perfect, mis-queued dates, Mark realizes maybe the woman of his dreams is not a sweet schoolteacher after all. Maybe she’s a feisty, independent, sexy relationship coach who stands up to him and is everything he’s always wanted or needed in a woman.

If he opens himself up to true love, he might just find second chances at love are possible and that his perfect soul mate is closer than he thinks.

Read an excerpt:

Two days later Jamie came bounding into his office at Ancient City Brewery. “Hey, Daddy-o.”

“Uh oh. She wants something,” Mark commented to no one in particular as he pushed away the stack of invoices in front of him. Running a brewery was work he didn’t usually mind. Today, though, his focus was shot. “What do you need now, dollface?”

“Nope. I don’t want anything. I’ve got something for you. It’s a surprise.” She waved a folder in his face.

He went to grab for it and she snatched it back. “Hold on. Not so fast.”

Mark settled back into his chair and laced his hands behind his head, prepared to wait for the reveal. “Okay, so what’s this all about?”

“Weeeeeeeell. It’s good for you, but you’re not gonna like it.”

“Sounds like what I used to tell you about eating your Brussel sprouts and broccoli.”

“Eww.” Her face comically contorted. “You don’t need to get nasty.”

Amazing. The girl still hated broccoli and Brussel sprouts to this day.

“It’s in no way as bad as Brussel sprouts.” She blessed him with one of her brightest smiles. He was in so much trouble.

“This is going to be bad.” He groaned. “Out with it. What is it? College is ten grand more? You want to go to school in the Grand Caymans?”

“Can I? Is that a possibility?”

“Ah, no, not even a chance. You’ve been accepted into the University of Virginia. That’s where you’re going.”

She pretended to pout for a few moments, then smiled. “Okay. Charlottesville it is, then. Sooooo. Ready for your surprise?”

“Girl, you better share before you burst.”

She studied him warily. “All right. So. Here’s the deal. I bought something . . .”

“This never ends well for a man.” Mark sighed and pulled at his ear. “How much did you spend?” 

“For me, what is a mini-fortune.”

Mark groaned. “How much?”

“A thousand dollars.”

His front chair legs slammed to the concrete floor. “You what?”

“Now, listen. It’s a good cause.” Her face started to get red. “And, well, I spent my own money.”

“Jamie, what money?”

“I work part-time.”

“Yes, and you were saving your money for school. Books and such.”

“Right.” Her gaze skittered away. “I’ll get by. Most of the books are online anyway these days.”

“What did you spend the money on?”

“I told you, I spent it on you.”

This was like pulling teeth. “How?”

“Aight. Remember the part I said would be good for you, but you wouldn’t like?”

“Yep.”

“That’s this part . . . I purchased a three-session package for you to meet with a relationship coach to help you with your dating skills.” The words rushed out in a tumble, then she held her breath.

He didn’t like it. Not one bit.

When he didn’t say anything after a few seconds, she blew the breath out.

“What the hell is a relationship coach? And why do I need one?”

“Come on, seriously, Dad? I don’t see women beating down your door.” She cleared her throat. “And it’s important to me to know you’re settled before I move away to school.”

“What the fuck?”

“Language,” she reprimanded.

“Who’s the daughter here? And who’s the parent?”

“Not my fault if you act so immature and cuss all the time.”

“I’m an adult. I’m allowed.” He frowned. “You didn’t answer my question, what is a relationship coach? And why did you waste a grand on one?”

“Someone who helps you navigate dates and meet new women. Kind of like a matchmaker in the old days.”

“I’ve already met the woman I want to date. Daphne.”

“Yes, but she ran away.”

“She did not. Why is everyone saying she ran? I did not scare her away. She was whisked away by Jezebel.”

“Jezebel who? I don’t know a Jezebel.”

The sexy blonde at the bar with the big boobs who’d been hanging on Jason, propositioning him while his fiancé chatted out in the lobby with Daphne. That Jezebel, that’s who. But Mark wasn’t about to say those words to his daughter. “Never mind.”

“So, you’ll have to meet with her. She’s agreed to help you through three dates, and the aftermath.”

“Aftermath? You make it sound like PTSD.”

“Well, might be a little shell-shock on her part. You’re not the easiest man to deal with these days.” Jamie crossed her arms over her chest. “Just saying.”

He growled, “Why does everyone say I’m not easy? I’m the pleasantest man in St. Augustine.” It was not lost on Mark that he was glaring at his daughter while he asserted his amiability. Damn.

“Because you growl a lot?” She contemplated him, an expression etched on her face that declared him deranged. Or stupid. “And you scowl.” She came around the desk to place the folder in front of him. Then she smoothed his forehead, her thumbs manually flattening his brows. “There, that’s better. You need to practice. You seem a little scary to outsiders. Only those of us who love you know differently.”

He hugged her around the waist, burying his cheek in her belly for a second before he let her go. “You’re all that counts.”

“No, you need to get a woman to love you. Not your family, who must love you no matter what.”

He gave her the stink-eye.

“There you go again. Stop it.” She swatted him. “Meanie. You need help to lighten up and I have just the person.” She tapped the folder. “She’ll be great for you.”

He opened the folder to find a brochure describing the services provided, the mission of the counselor or coach, and a checklist of what to bring to the first session. Shit. He couldn’t do this. He tossed the brochure onto the desk. “I’ll get your money back.”

“Nope. No can do. It’s non-refundable.” She crossed her arms defiantly.

“You’re under eighteen. It’s not legal for them to take your money. They have to give it back.” He grabbed his keys. “I’ll go now.” He picked up the brochure to find the address. “Where did you say they’re located?”

“She’s based at Essence. But Dad, you’re not getting my money back. Gabby signed for me. Besides, you need to do this. Please. I can’t leave for college in the fall if you’re not settled, or at least on your way to making better inroads with the female population.”

“Wait a second. What do you mean?”

Her mouth firmed. “I mean I won’t go. Period. I see how lonely you are. Once I’m gone, it will only be worse. I can’t leave you all alone, knowing how handicapped you are in the relationship department.” She shoved the brochure he held toward him. “It’s only three sessions. It will be good for you and it’ll give your daughter peace of mind. Please do it. For me.” Her eyes filled with tears.

Dammit. He didn’t do tears.

Mark sucked in a deep breath through his nose, slumping in defeat. “All right. Whatever. I’ll do it.” He shook his finger at her. “But you are leaving for school come August twenty-fifth.”

Jamie squealed and launched herself at him, arms tight around his neck. She kissed him on the cheek and let him go. “Thank you. Your first session is tomorrow. You won’t be sorry, I promise.” 

She waved as she departed.

Mark sat back down in his chair and flipped through the brochure. On the back page, the picture of the relationship coach jumped out at him.

Jezebel.

He was already sorry for his promise.

Buy it on Amazon

**My thoughts**

The concept of this series, a Soul Mate Tree that helps people find their true loves, is an intriguing one to me. And what's fun is along this whole series, each author definitely puts their own spin on it. In this one, you have a widower who simply has not been able to find love since losing his wife 10 years ago to cancer. Mark is a very angry man, angry that his wife has left him, and frustrated with not being able to figure out how to move on with his life. His daughter is about to go away to college and he will then be alone again. He has decided that what he needs in his life is a reliable, practical, down-to-earth woman who can keep his life predictable. And he has found her in a kindergarten teacher named Daphne.

I have a tongue-in-cheek aversion to Daphne being a stereotypical timid kindergarten teacher. I taught ages 3-6 for 20 years, and believe me, I never fell into this stereotype. Then again, I never followed any of those conventional rules. ;-)

Regardless of Daphne's profession, she has to be this kind of a person, or the entire premise wouldn't work. I understand why he thinks this is what he wants or needs in his life. But everyone tells him from the get-go that it just isn't going to work. He needs someone a little more fiery. And Athena is definitely the kind of woman who is going to help him find what he really needs in a woman. She's quite fiery and stands her ground, while turning his world upside down.

I have to admit that Mark is very difficult to like at the beginning. He is abrasive and curt and likes to growl a lot. As I said before, his anger really shines through. I warmed up to him a bit more by the end of the story. 

Other minor characters in the story are interesting. Jamie, Mark's daughter, is sweet. You can tell that she really loves her dad and just wants him to be happy. Sarah is Mark's dead wife, who makes a spiritual appearance and also seems like she was quite sweet. I liked Sarah's grandmother, who is pushing Mark to move on with his life, though I don't understand how she can be as young as she is made out to be in the novel, and still have this grown-up great-granddaughter heading to college. Sally, who is engaged to one of Mark's friends and helps push this entire romance coaching thing along was fun and amusing. I think it would have been interesting to have had these characters play a larger role in the story, or else have fewer of them making quick appearances.

This is a short story, easily read on the porch on a summery afternoon. While this is the weather that is perfect for these quick reads, I almost wish it would have been longer, to really allow Mark to explore his new relationship and transformation.

And I have to point out that this story is a lot spicier than I originally thought it would be from the blurb. It caught me a little off-guard, though I don't have a problem with those kinds of stories. I just probably would have toured it on my other blog instead. But trust me, there is a lot of heat in this one. And one scene that reminded me a lot of a movie I saw once with Gerard Butler, that is quite naughty and intriguing all at the same time.

About Mackenzie Lucas

Mackenzie Lucas is an avid reader of genre fiction. She writes contemporary and paranormal romance, and listens to an eclectic mix of music. She loves a good story, whether it’s an erotic short, a full-length romance novel, or the narrative slice-of-life found in country music. In any story, emotional integrity and authenticity are most important to her as well as a big dose of romping hot sexual tension. She enjoys smart-mouthed, sexy heroines, hunky alpha heroes who know how to take care of their women, and plot twists that surprise her, but most of all, she just wants to experience the satisfying emotional arc of a character falling in love and finding what he or she needs most in life.

Mac is a small-town country girl with a world-traveler’s heart. She grew up in the Allegheny Mountains of Pennsylvania and she’s lived in Dublin, Ireland, within spitting distance of New York City in Long Island, and now in the Washington, D.C. area. She obtained her undergraduate degree in English Literature from Dickinson College and received her M.F.A. in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University. She’s currently an author for Soul Mate Publishing and is represented by Otis and Mackintosh Literary Agency.

With Mackenzie Lucas—whether you’re reading her light paranormal romance or her small-town-based contemporary romance—you’ll always find a heart-warming love story about connectedness, community, and emotional authenticity. And, no, it doesn’t hurt that all her heroes are panty-melting gorgeous alphas and all their sexy, sensually aware heroines know how to stand up to them, give no quarter, and love them just as they are.

Watch for new titles by Mackenzie Lucas.

http://www.mackenzielucas.com/

https://www.facebook.com/MackenzieLucasFanPage

https://twitter.com/MacLucas_writer

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6915570.Mackenzie_Lucas

Mackenzie Lucas will be awarding a $25 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

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