A Kiss to Die For (Book Blast, Review and Giveaway)

A Kiss to Die For

by Gail Barrett

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BLURB:

Homeless Army veteran Sullivan Turner is nobody’s hero.  His failure to save his fallen comrades proved that.  So when a gutsy social worker gets caught in a drug gang’s crosshairs, he knows he’s the last man who can safeguard her and the pregnant teenagers she’s trying to protect. 

Former debutant Haley Barnes learned the hard way how to survive.  After witnessing a cold-blooded murder, the terrified teenaged runaway changed her identity and hid to save her life.  But when the killer tracks her down and attacks the girls in the homeless shelter she now runs, Haley knows the time has come to stand and fight.  But to bring down the powerful killer she must confront her high-society family’s darkest secrets -- and convince wounded warrior Sully Turner he’s the hero she believes.



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Excerpt

She tightened her grip on his waist.  His pulse slowing, he closed his eyes, feeling oddly at peace despite the danger hounding their heels.  Maybe it was because she’d suffered as much as he had.  Maybe because she understood how deep a loss like that could sear.  But he realized that he liked being around Haley.  He respected her.  Admired her.

He was falling for her.  Hard.

His stomach sank.  He had no right to pursue her.  He was the last person she needed, unsuitable in every way.  She needed someone who could protect her, defend her, not an unstable wreck like him.

But he couldn’t seem to resist her.  Everything about her impressed him -- her loyalty, her determination to safeguard others, her refusal to run from the enemy dogging their steps.
   
And God help him, but he wanted to feel that again, that idealism, that drive to make a difference in the world, that need to battle the bad guys and keep the defenseless safe.

To be the man that he once was.


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AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Gail Barrett is the award-winning author of thirteen romantic suspense novels.  A former RITA® and Daphne finalist, Gail has received the Book Buyer’s Best Award, the Holt Medallion, the Booksellers Best, The National Readers’ Choice Award, and numerous other awards.  She lives with her husband in Western Maryland.  For more information, visit her website: www.gailbarrett.com.


Buy Links:

Amazon
BN

Gail will be awarding a $25 Amazon gift certificate and either a signed print copy (US ONLY) or an electronic copy of Fatal Exposure (Buried Secrets book one) to one randomly drawn commenter during this tour and her other Super Book Blast on August 21st.

Please leave a comment with the most recent romantic suspense title you have read and don't forget to leave a valid e-mail address.  Visit the other blogs on this blast and leave comments for extra entries.


1: Bunny's Review
2: Farm Girl Books
3: You Gotta Read Reviews
4: Deal Sharing Aunt
5: Beyond Romance
6: Perusing Princesses
7: The Reading Addict
8: Stitch Read Cook
9: Welcome to My World of Dreams
10: It's Raining Books
11: Straight from the Library
12: Andi's Book Reviews
13: Sharing Links and Wisdom
14: Reading In Twilight
15: Beyond My Writing Space
16: Sun Mountain Reviews
17: Regina May Ross's Blog
18: My Reading Obsession
19: The Certifiable Wenches
20: The Simple Things in Life
21: Harlie's Books
22: Sugarbeat's Books
23: Book Bliss
24: The Fuzzy, Fluffy World of Chris T. Kat
25: Rose and Beps Blog

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My review:

A Kiss to Die For by Gail Barrett is the exciting sequel to Fatal Exposure, both part of the ‘Buried Secrets’ trilogy.  Haley Barnes has dedicated her life to providing a haven for pregnant teens, prompted by her own traumatic youth.  A horrific crime from her past threatens to undo all that she accomplished and a sudden danger results in her relying on the apparently homeless man she has noted near her shelter.  Staff Sergeant Sulilvan (Sully) Turner is still dealing with the repercussions from his last tour of duty which has saddled him with significant emotional and physical scars.  He is reluctantly forced to deal with both his personal demons and with Haley’s dangers but they must decide who they can truly trust if they are going to survive and they may not be able to even fully trust each other.

This compelling romantic suspense tale provides an enthralling tale of two damaged people who are brought together by frightening circumstances.  The gradual unfolding of their histories provides a compelling backdrop to the danger and tension that escalates and the problems that each has with his or her damaged psyche gives them compassion and insight into each other.  The poignant portrait of the struggle that the acclaimed warrior is undergoing is a sobering glimpse of the suffering that our heroes experience both during their service and after they return home.  This was a great addition to a very enjoyable series and it is fascinating to see the overall story unfold even as each volume can stand on its own.  I look forward to meeting the mysterious third woman in this trio that forged indelible bonds in their youth and surmise that she will be just as impressive as her two compatriots.  

A copy was provided to me in return for an honest review (which has been submitted to Night Owl Reviews)