January James

I couldn't put this book down. Don't you love kickass heroines who pick themselves up, dust themselves off and go after what they want with guns blazing? I certainly do and Diana Delaney is a woman of integrity and passion who is dedicated to her troubled indie record label, Phoenix Music which is under attack. The newly hired CEO Jude Peyton-Harris is there to tear apart and ruin her company. The same mystery man she had met at an exclusive sex club and had the most incredible and blissful show more night of her life with. And the gloves are off.

The chemistry between Diana and Jude is off the charts. They truly belong with each other with their heartbreaking pasts and their lonely existence. Diana is a firecracker after she realizes what she has to lose. Her determination to save her company despite Jude's ominous predictions that it won't happen is so promising and contagious that I was rooting for her every step of the way. Diana also loses her heart to Jude as she watches him battle with his mission to destroy and his love for her. Jude unquestionably has a dirty job as an infamous business fixer who takes companies apart with no regard for the consequences. However, Diana changes him by loving the man behind the mask. And boy, does he show her how proud he is of her accomplishments and her fierce loyalty to her employees. He becomes her greatest supporter and biggest fan. Sorry, no more hints. You'll have to read the book.

There is also some suspense in this book as well. Diana is in danger from someone in her past which is very chilling and ominous as their threatening letters to Diana get more and more violent.

I must mention Diana's two very special and loyal colleagues, Carlos and Sheridan, who give it all they got to help her succeed and are there for her personally as well.

I highly recommend this engaging and steamy opposite attract romance set in the cutthroat music industry among the rising stars, and the billionaires who can end their careers in a whisper. It's a real page-turner.

Thank you to Ms. James for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review. show less

I'm pulling from the TBR pile again and it is an author I've read before. The Brain is the first installment in January James' adult contemporary Starling Key band-of-brothers series set in the Florida Keys. This is the head of Starling Key Security Connor Johnson's and new employee Tawny Graham's storyline.

NOTE: Due to the nature of the PTSD storyline, there may be triggers for more sensitive readers.

Told from dual perspectives the young 22-year-old Tawny is starting a new life and new job show more in Florida after nursing her mother through her six-year battle with Alzheimer's. Her first meet-hate with Connor is when she drives into a brick wall initiating his anger and frustration considering his ordered life has just been breached by an attractive woman he needs to stay far away from. Yeah, that's not gonna happen. She's the new event manager and her desk is right outside his office. Not to mention, she lives right next door. And, last but not least, she's living inside his head every day.

I admire Tawny for her strength and dedication to taking care of her sick mother from the age of 16 when she dropped out of school to moving from New Jersey to Florida and starting over. She's alone in the world but finds so many new friends at the new resort. Everyone, but the one man she is attracted to.

Connor is a perfectionist and though his work as head of Starling Key Security and a sketchy sideline hustle are doing well, he's taken on way more than he can handle and he's distracted by the woman he cannot be with.

Tawny and Connor have an instant and tortuous attraction. It builds slowly as Connor fights his feelings for Tawny and tries so hard to stay away from her. When he finally gives in it's a beautiful thing, but his troubled past and stubbornness are tearing them apart. Tawny is so kind and compassionate when she sacrifices her happiness for Connor's sake. My heart broke for Connor at the end when he finds the strength to fight for Tawny by choosing who he wants to be and not who he thinks he should be. The touching and heartbreaking grand gesture had me in tears.

There is a large and lovely ensemble cast of colorful, dynamic secondary and supporting characters including Connor's loyal and strong band of brothers and Tawny's new supportive coworkers, and the wise and feisty resort retirees.

If you love romantic and raw storylines with tortured heroes and the strong women that love them, give this book a try. I can't wait to hear Carter's story. show less