Flash Point
Author: Brooke Blaine
Genre: (Standalone) Romantic Suspense Novel
Release Date: July 12, 2015
The first time I saw her, I knew I’d have to kill her.
It’s been five years since the brutal death of her mother, and Katherine Shaw still relives the nightmares of that night.
She escaped.
The danger should’ve been over.
She couldn’t have been more wrong.
When her father, a prominent judge, receives a chilling death threat, her past comes hurtling into her present.
The warning is clear: They’ve got unfinished business, and they’re coming for her.
Katherine Shaw.
Rich girl? Check.
Spoiled and obstinate? Check.
A beautiful fireball who pushes every button he has? That was not listed on the dossier Jason Garrett receives when he’s assigned as one of her bodyguards. The last thing he ever expected was that his tempting client would prove to be more dangerous than those he’s protecting her from.
Their attraction would be forbidden even under the best circumstances. But as the threat draws near, the tension between the two of them rises, culminating in an explosive flash point that will blindside them both.
DGR: Hi Brooke! Thanks so much for being her at DGR. I got some verra interesting questions lined up for today! I hope you left your delicate sensibilities at the door 😉
Brooke: Thank you so much for having me! You know I only signed up for this for the naughty questions, right?
DGR: Let’s start easy; can you introduce yourself to readers that may not be familiar with you yet?
Brooke: Absolutely not.
Oh, all right, twist my arm. My name is Brooke Blaine, and I’m a bookaholic, chocoholic, 80’smovieandmusicaholic, and coffeemugcollectoraholic. I also like to write stories and make ridiculous dubsmash videos for my friends. No, you won’t find those on YouTube unless my phone gets hacked. Flash Point is my first solo novel, and I’ve also co-written a naughty, naughty serial with my best friend.
DGR: You co-wrote A Desperate Man with Ella Frank, and now you have your very own debut novel, how’s it feel?
Brooke: Fan-flippin-tastic. Actually, it was great to co-write with Ella too (we’re writing ADM 3 right now and have more collaborations up our sleeves), but it feels amazing to have my own book out. It’s been a long time coming, that’s for sure.
DGR: A Desperate Man was erotica and Flash Point is a sexy Romantic Suspense, do you have a genre you prefer to write in?
Brooke: Um. My next book is a Romantic Comedy. I know, I know. I’m doing this all wrong. But I’m the kind of reader that switches up my genres with every book I read, and my writing reflects that as well. I tend to write based on what I’m feeling and where my head is at…for instance, with A Desperate Man, I had some frustrations that just needed to be channeled, and Evan James and his sex addiction came out. My first solo book was actually intended to be the comedy I’m working on now, but I just wasn’t in the right mindset for it. That hot bodyguard was adamant he be the one you met before the others. Bossy bastard.
DGR: So you ARE at DIRTY girl romance, so how’s about some hard hitting questions? Sex scenes. What are some no no words you will never use in your writing. (please say lady flower or pearl? LOL)
Brooke: Oh God, I never would’ve THOUGHT lady flower or pearl. You’re just trying to gross me out now. I’d never say flicking the bean either, though it was funny when Gerard Butler said it. Ella is my critique partner, and she is SO PICKY about her sex scenes, so she would never ever let me write the words “baby arm,” “mayo shooting hotdog gun,” or “soft-shelled tuna taco” unless I was writing something intended to be crude or for shock value. And um, I’m not currently doing that, so I think we’re good.
DGR: Where do you get the inspiration for them? *waggles brows*
Brooke: For my sex scenes? I should say porn or movies or books, but the truth is, I just make them up depending on what’s going on. That’s such a boring answer. Let me give you a better one—
From my real life wallbanger boyfriend!
That’s not true, but let’s pretend it is.
DGR: Coffee, tea, or COCKtails?
You can’t make someone choose between coffee and cocktails. They are both crucial to my survival. Tea, on the other hand…well, I tried Twinings for Ana Steele, but it just didn’t work for me. Even my sink protested when I dumped it out.
DGR: Tell us something most people don’t know about you.
Brooke: My real identity. Where I live.
Oh, wait, you wanted me to tell you?
Um…I sleep with the TV on in another room when I’m at home by myself. Yeah, I’m a big chicken. I have no idea why I decided it was a good idea to write a suspense book. NIGHTMARES.
OK, now let’s talk Flash Point.
DGR: I love how assertive Katherine was. She had just the right amount of confidence without being brash. What are your thoughts on whiny or insecure heroines?
Brooke: Thank you! I have a pretty strong opinion on whiny and insecure heroines. I do enjoy flawed characters, but I prefer to read and write about the kind of women I surround myself with in real life. Yes, we all have our insecurities, and yes, I whine when I go too long without chocolate of some kind, but I don’t particularly care for women who have to be saved by a man or who put their lives on hold to do whatever it is they want her to. There’s nothing wrong with those kinds of books, and I’ve read and enjoyed them on occasion, but I’m a super independent single female, and I choose to reflect that in my writing.
DGR: Jason was (pause for lusty thoughts…..and I’m back) YUMMY! I may have taken a peek at your Pinterest board. Was Jason Statham your inspiration for his character?
Brooke: He definitely was! When you think badass, hot bodyguard who could kill you with a look…I mean, there was only one guy that fit that criteria for me. He’s so smooth even when he’s kicking ass. That’s what I was going for. I may or may not have binged on his movies.
DGR: If you had to describe Flash Point for us in 5 words, what would they be?
Brooke: BEST DAMN ROMANTIC SUSPENSE EVER!
Of course. 😉
DGR: Did you have a favorite part to write in the book?
Brooke: Yes! The end. Always the end. It was the same with A Desperate Man too. I get so excited to hurry up and get to that part that I end up writing it before the middle section is done.
DGR: Flash Point is quite a bit different from A Desperate Man. It’s definitely one sizzling romantic suspense. Are you planning on writing more in this genre or something totally different next?
Brooke: I will definitely write more romantic suspense in the near future. I’m thinking a certain character from this book should tell their story in a separate standalone, but the pieces are still coming together so it won’t be next. I anticipate that book will come in the first half of 2016. DGR: Any delicious little tidbits you can share with us? (Spoiler free, of course)
One of the characters in Flash Point was quite a bit older until the last week of writing. There is a HUGE thing that happens at the end of the book that was not part of the original draft. It was changed the day before the rest of my critique readers received their copy. Katherine’s father looks like a local judge from my hometown who is also grade school friend’s father. Many of the character names and places are Easter eggs for my family if/when they read it. Actually, that goes for all of my stories.
DGR: So what’s up next for you?
Brooke: Next up is my romantic comedy, Licked. Is that a dirty enough title for you? It will be the first in a series focusing on a group of girlfriends, but I can’t tell you toooooo much more yet. I’ll be announcing the release date/blurb/cover reveal in the next few weeks, so keep your eyes peeled on my website, (www.brookeblaine.com) subscribe to my newsletter (http://eepurl.com/brxPkP) or hang out with me on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/BrookeBlaine.Writer) so you don’t miss it. Dammit, I wish I could show you now!
DGR: Anything else you’d like to leave the readers with?
Brooke: I’d leave them with a copy of my book and a shot of whiskey if I could, but since my smart computer is not quite that smart, a simple thank you will have to do. I appreciate all of you who have picked up/will up my books. There are so many choices out there, (my TBR is insane too!) and I’m so appreciative of everyone who takes a chance on a newbie. Many spanks for that!
Thanks so much for having me, Dirty Girl! <3
Here are my links again, in case you want them:
Flash Point Links:
Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1OfkYmk
Amazon Non-US link: myBook.to/FP
Barnes & Noble Nook: http://bit.ly/1ULDQxR
Apple iBooks: http://apple.co/1LYP4LD
Kobo: http://bit.ly/1HvHIZO
A Desperate Man (Read for FREE exclusively on KU through August 2015)
ADM 1 Link – http://amzn.to/1OflpNs
ADM 2 Link – http://amzn.to/1Hz7U6Q
Brooke’s Contact Links
Newsletter Sign-up: http://eepurl.com/brxPkP
Website: http://www.brookeblaine.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrookeBlaine.Writer
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BrookeBlaine1
Google+: https://plus.google.com/+BrookeBlaine
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/BrookeBlaine
Instagram: www.instagram.com/BrookeBlaine1
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/brookeblaine11
He’d made a decision tonight. One that would ignite the world around him, but he was willing to scorch it to the ground to get what he wanted.
So here’s the thing, when it comes to my romantic suspense, I’m one picky girl. It’s the first genre that originally got me into reading and I read a lot of it. So suffice it to say it takes quite a bit to impress me. What? I said I was picky. Having had a bit of a taste of Brooke Blaine’s awesome in A Desperate Man: Volume 1 that she co-wrote with Ella Frank, I already had a feeling that her own debut would rock my world, and I wasn’t even a little bit wrong. I freaking loved this book! Suspenseful, sexy, and with twists and turns that will leave your mind reeling, this book kept me up well into the night because I couldn’t put it down.
Have you ever read about a character that felt so alive in your head he practically jumped off the pages? That’s how you know the true talent of an author, when she’s able to accomplish this with her MCs. And let me just tell you, if Jason was that character for me. You could hear his voice and feel his intensity from the very first page. Man but I gobbled that up.
Katherine Shaw witnessed the brutal murder of her mother five years ago. Powerless and unable to do anything but watch, she’s still dealing with the nightmares of that night. Having the killers responsible never been caught certainly doesn’t make her sleep any better. But now it seems like the threat is back and this time they’re after her and they won’t stop until she suffers the fate she was meant to along with her mother.
Jason Garrett is a bodyguard and part of the team hired by Katherine’s father to protect her. Intense would be an understatement for what he is. He lives, breathes and sleeps his job. Just because the little spitfire that is his client is determined to seduce him doesn’t mean he’ll lose sight of what he was hired to do and succumb to her advances.
Katherine was a badass in her own right. It’s not often you meet a heroine that’s not shy about going after what she wants but doesn’t come off as brash while doing it. Katherine was no wilting wallflower, that’s for damn sure. The girl was determined to get Jason in her bed and she went at him with all the arsenal she had. Have to respect her game.
After finishing Flash Point I can say without a shadow of a doubt that Brooke Blaine has definitely got a new fan in me. I can’t wait to see what else the woman has up her sleeve with her future books.
There was a few things that I was left to assume (which was definitely the author’s intent). There were a few things that took place that I would have liked more detail for and explanation. It left several questions in my head, and maybe that’s not a bad thing since I’m still thinking about it. The book ends on a HFN, however, for a romantic suspense, the ending did justice to the kind of story it was. I don’t think it would have been as believable had it ended any other way. If you’re on the fence about reading it, I highly recommend you do. You won’t be sorry. If sexy romantic suspense is your cuppa, this is definitely a must read. Cleverly written, packed with humor and action, and unpredictable until the very end, Flash Point was one hell of a debut from the fabulous Brooke Blaine.
You could say Brooke Blaine was a book-a-holic from the time she knew how to read; she used to tell her mother that curling up with one at 4 a.m. before elementary school was her ‘quiet time.’ Not much has changed except for the espresso I.V. pump she now carries around and the size of her onesie pajamas.
Flash Point is her debut solo novel, and she is the co-author of the erotic serial, A Desperate Man, with Ella Frank. The latter has scarred her conservative southern family for life, bless their hearts.
If you’d like to get in touch with her, she’s easy to find – just keep an ear out for the Rick Astley ringtone that’s dominated her cell phone for ten years.
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I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I’m not really a trilogy girl. I have never really read a trilogy where the main couple consumed me in such a way that I was itching for more of them, and yet somehow these two authors have managed that feat. Not only did I enjoy Release Me, I loved it even more than the first. Yeah. I’ll give you a moment to absorb that.
If second chance romance is your thing, this trilogy will deliver it in spades. I gobbled it right up like the starved addict that I am and it was absolutely delicious. The angst, the secrets, and of course the absolutely scorching hot sex all combined guaranteed for a page turner.
There was not one wasted page in the story. While I felt like the first book was a bit overwhelming on the sex, this one had the absolutely perfect formula. It was just enough to add to the story without taking anything away.
What’s better than a second chance romance? A second chance romance with an Aurora Rose Alpha. *swoon* There’s a reason she’s my go-to author for pure guilty pleasure read, and this book was the perfect fix. At just under 200 pages, it’s on the shorter side, and easily read in one sitting (which I did since I couldn’t put it down). Surprisingly in those short pages Aurora managed to give the readers a true heartfelt romance. It made me cry, it made me swoon, it made me pant. It was that perfect weekend afternoon read that will leave a smile on your face.
Fifteen years ago Lea and Austin were high school sweethearts that were planning on spending the rest of their lives together. But then the tragic death of her father leaves Lea shattered and she runs; from her life, from her town, and from Austin. Now she’s recently divorced and back to her childhood town to take care of her dying mother, but coming to terms with her past isn’t quite so easy when the boy that stole her heart those years ago is now the man that still makes it pound.
To say that Austin isn’t happy to see Lea again is definitely an understatement. When she left, she took what was left of his heart along with her. He’s bitter, angry, and the fact that she still draws him in like she did all those years ago doesn’t make it easier.
This series is my crack. No joke. Lynn Raye Harris has become synonymous for me with sizzling hot romance and heart pounding and action filled suspense. Her books are a guaranteed winner for me every single time and just get better as the series progressed. When I learned that she’ll be adding a SEAL division to her addicting HOT series, to say I was excited was a mild understatement. Not that I didn’t already love her military men, but SEALs! C’mon! Who doesn’t love a good SEAL? Add into that a second chance romance and what you got yourself is a book you won’t be able to put down from beginning to finish. Guaranteed.
What I love most about this series is that every heroine is tough as nails. Even if they’re not an operative themselves, they still hold their own. You won’t find any damsels in distress here. Ivy was certainly no exception. This was a heroine I liked from page one.
Just a few short lines into this book and I was perfectly hooked and I knew I head another winner from Roni Loren on my hands. I’ve been a huge fan of this author since first discovering her Loving On The Edge series years ago. But I have to admit, not one of her other characters had intrigued me quite as much as Pike did when I first met him in 
I knew his heroine will have to be something very special to catch his eye and boy was she. I knew I’d love Oakley from just the first chapter. Not often you meet a heroine that’s preparing cupcakes for her daughter while engaging in dirty talk as a sex line operator as her day job. I couldn’t help but giggle as she described the mundane experience of her “night job” while thinking about her chores. The woman had sass a mile long too.
Pike is a bad boy you’ll fall for right away. There’s always this undercurrent of vulnerability to him that flashes behind his devil-may-care attitude. When all the pieces of his past begin to click together, your heart will absolutely break for him and everything that he’s been through. While Pike thinks that all he wants is between Oakley’s thighs, he soon begins to realize that what he wants most of all is inside her heart. Oakley is not so easy with her turnaround, however. Her history with men and especially men in the music business is one that left some deep rooted scars. But that doesn’t mean she doesn’t soon find herself falling deeper and deeper under Pike’s appeal.
This book was a little bit different from the rest of the series in where The Ranch wasn’t a large part of the sex, if at all. Pike may be a rockstar in bed and out, but he’s not a man that recognizes himself as a Dom or anything else. He likes what he likes and he doesn’t label it. He likes a bite of pain in his sex and he likes a little bondage, but he’s not above letting the woman take control either. While he’s definitely NOT vanilla, the romance between him and Oakley didn’t have a very big BDSM element. So if you’re a reader that doesn’t enjoy much BDSM, you’d definitely enjoy this book.
I don’t think there was anything I didn’t enjoy about this book. It was sizzling hot and with a fantastic story that was perfectly paced. The sex was scorching but it never took away from the romance, only added to it. It’s not often you find an author that finds that perfect balance of erotic but without overwhelming it with sex.
It’s been over a week since I read Toxic and it’s taken me this long to be able to sum my feelings and clear my head enough to rate it. If I can describe this book for you in one word, it would be exhausting. I was absolutely emotionally spent when I finished it. I spent a good 40% of it feeling like I want to rip my hair out. And this is coming from a self-professed angst whore, mind you.
But then here’s the thing; I liked it. Even though the constant back and forth between Phoebe and Jeremy left me feeling like they’re going to give me whiplash, I still liked it and gobbled it up like the angst starved junky that I am. Was it delicious? Heck no! I thought I may choke on it. But god help me, I still liked it. My favorite trope is the second chance romance and Toxic delivers it in spades.
While both Phoebe and Jeremy know they may be toxic together, they can’t stay away from each other. Their chemistry practically crackles in electricity. There’s one thing that’s certain, Kim Karr can write some scorching sex scenes. But the lies between them are like poison that won’t leave. Much as they try to purge it from their relationship it remains that one toxic factor that brews the way for mistrust and mistakes. I think it would be safe to say that neither of these characters are perfect, far from it in fact. These two fuck up so many times it made me want to throttle them and chuck my kindle at the wall. It was rage inducing.
There’s a wealth of secondary characters that were introduced that added to the story in a very significant way. Maybe that’s what helped dilute the angst between Jeremy and Phoebe? It made the book evolve like a movie in front of my eyes and it made me really connect to the characters’ lives. I’m not sure I’d be able to say the same thing if this happened in any other book, but in this one it just worked.
If you’re looking for a book that will enrage you and enrapture you all in one, Toxic is that. It’s a make you want to rip your hair out while still rooting for the characters kind of second chance romance. It was far from perfect, but yet it worked. It may not be for everyone, but if you’re a reader that enjoys your angst in rage inducing proportions while getting an unforgettable second chance romance, Toxic is definitely a must read.
Joke, your story to tell when you wanna tell it. Your story to keep if you don’t ever wanna tell. Thought you had secrets. Way you’re holding’ back with this girl, think I’m wrong. You don’t have secrets. You got demons.
Women don’t run from me. Not when I want to catch them. She projects a hotshot image in her power suit and heels, but one thing I know about runaways. They’re afraid.
