Release Me by Ann Marie Walker & Amy K. Rogers
Virtual Blog Tour
Excerpt, Review and Giveaway
The second in the “seriously sexy and sinfully steamy”* Chasing Fire series, about a pain too deep to forgive and a passion too hot to forget…
Alessandra Sinclair knows that Hudson Chase is the last man she should want. The boy from the wrong side of the tracks has grown into a man who would do anything to get ahead, even if it means breaking Allie’s heart. But whenever she’s near him, the attraction between them is undeniable. And now that they’re working together, keeping her distance from Hudson is almost as impossible as keeping her feelings in check…
Hudson already lost Allie once and he refuses to lose her again. He’s determined to use their new business partnership to rekindle the spark he knows is still there. Only the closer he gets to winning her over, the clearer it becomes there are still secrets that could tear them apart for good…
“We need to talk.” With a quick movement Hudson punched a card into the control panel and the elevator jerked to a halt.
Allie’s eyes darted to the panel and her spine straightened. “We talked at the gallery.”
“That wasn’t a conversation.” More like verbal sparring.
“I said all I needed to say.” She appeared to be completely composed, but Hudson could see the rise and fall of her chest, the white-knuckle grip on her bag.
“You may have unloaded, but hell if I have. And no matter what it takes you’re going to hear me out. Even if it means keeping this godforsaken elevator stopped all fucking day.” He tried to remind himself that anger would get him nowhere. Calm, levelheaded domination was the key to pressing the advantage, except he was way past that. With her he felt like he was gripping sand and every grain was slipping through his fingers.
“Stop trying to control me, Hudson.” Allie turned and lifted her chin. The anger was gone and in its place was a mask of complete indifference. Goddamn, it shredded him. He’d take anger over apathy any day.
He took a deep breath. She was going to ride this facade like the Macy’s Day Parade, marching through their little exchange as if they were nothing more than business partners forced into a resentful coexistence. He had to get her to drop her guard, to let him in. And if pissing her off was what it took to incite a reaction, then so be it.
“It’s never been that way between us and you know it, Alessandra.” Hudson flashed a slight smirk as he prepared to drop the H-bomb. “Well, except for the bedroom. And if memory serves, you enjoyed it.”
He braced himself, expecting a slap to light his face on fire, but instead her eyes dilated and fixated on his mouth. Her lips parted and her breath quickened. He had her. No matter how unaffected she pretended to be, she couldn’t help but respond to him. And the longer they stood mere inches apart, the more desire took over and became a downright menace.
Never one to miss an opportunity, Hudson reassessed on the fly. He stepped closer and his voice dropped to a low, seductive murmur. “Is that what it will take for you to hear me out?” He swept a hand across her collarbone and up the side of her neck. “You, tied to my bed?”
My Review
It’s not every day that I fall in love with a series the way I did with this one. Remind Me, book 1 in the Chasing Fire series was an amazing debut for this dynamic author duo. I enjoyed that book immensely but, Release Me was even more amazing!
First of all, if you haven’t read the first book, get on your eReader and download it now. To thoroughly understand this series, you must read book 1. At the end of that book, Allie discovered much about her parents, her ex-fiancée and Hudson. Release Me, book 2 starts off right where Remind Me ends.
Tragedy strikes changing both Allie’s personal and professional life. There is much for Allie to deal with. An emergency board meeting names both Allie and Hudson to joint CEO positions where they must work together.
While Allie may have freedom from her parents, who enjoyed making life decisions for her, she now needs to prove herself to keep Ingram Media alive. With Hudson as her new partner, trust issues arise.
I love Allie and Hudson so much. They were perfectly written. Allie shows her strengths in this book in many areas. She takes command of her professional responsibilities, maintains a steady friendship with Harper and establishes a humorous relationship with her new assistant Colin. Oh, you will love Colin. He is the ideal assistant.
Hudson, sigh….. continues to be the total alpha male and excels at the “commanding alpha.” I mean seriously, if commanding alpha was an Olympic sport, I would be on the sidelines holding up that “10” sign and cheering for sure.
I think what I loved most about Hudson in this story is that he demonstrated how multifaceted he really is. He is gorgeous, sexy as fuck, powerful, forgiving, romantic, commanding, funny, and ultimately loving. It is truly evident that Hudson will do anything for Allie making him such a complete man/character. You’ll see, you will love him even more than in Remind Me. I promise.
After misunderstandings have been clarified, this couple finally gets back together. Let me warn you, it’s the exquisitely written intense and romantic moments planned by Mr. Chase that will heat up your eReaders and may require a glass of water or two.
There were many scenes that I absolutely adored in this book making it quite difficult to pick a favorite. I loved the elevator scene for its intensity. I loved Christmas for many reasons. But the funniest, while sexiest part was cookie decorating with Hudson. I totally pictured that scene in my mind. And finally, there is the Orient Express scene. Holy Wow!
Important characters from Remind Me are back. Strong sibling love is truly evident in this book from moments in Nick’s rehab to Christmas Eve/Day. Those moments proved how tender and lovable Hudson could be. Harper, Allie’s “BFF” as Hudson calls her, has an important role in this book as well. She is not only supporting of Allie but protective in a way only a best friend could be.
This book series is at the top of my favorites and I know I mentioned this before when I reviewed Remind Me, but it is true. I could picture my favorite male model, David Gandy, the muse, throughout every brilliantly written scene.
Release Me is another “unputdownable” emotional read with forgiveness, passion, new beginnings and ultimately love.
As for the ending, without giving anything away, readers will be left with another concerning cliffhanger. Why is October so far away?
I can’t wait to read Reclaim Me, book 3 in this trilogy to see how their story ends.
I gave this book 5 sizzling stars!
The Chasing Fire Series is perfect Summer reading and I highly recommend it.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Marie Walker and Amy K. Rogers are in constant contact, plotting story lines
and chatting about their love of alpha males, lemon drop martinis and British
supermodel, David Gandy. You can find them on twitter as @AnnMarie_Walker and
@Amy_KRogers.
Reading & Writing Between The Wines Blog 
Thank you so much for hosting RELEASE ME!
You are welcome! I enjoyed both books immensely.