Wednesday, July 8, 2015

Blog Tour: Elude by Rachel Van Dyken






The sixth book in the internationally bestselling Eagle Elite Series.
*Interconnected Stand Alone*

Twenty-Four hours before we were to be married--I offered to shoot her.
Ten hours before our wedding--I made a mockery of her dying wish.
Five hours before we were going to say our vows--I promised I'd never love her.
One hour before I said I do--I vowed I'd never shed a tear over her death.
But the minute we were pronounced man and wife--I knew.
I'd only use my gun to protect her.
I'd give my life for hers.
I'd cry.
And I would, most definitely, lose my heart, to a dying girl---a girl who by all accounts should have never been mine in the first place.
I always believed the mafia would be my end game--where I'd lose my heart, while it claimed my soul. I could have never imagined. It would be my redemption.
Or the beginning of something beautiful.
The beginning of her.
The end of us.

BUY LINKS:
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iBooks: 
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Nook: 
http://bit.ly/1FWBCpi

4.5 Star Review by Jennifer Hagen

Sergio messed up…He played two entities and now he has to pay the price.  His punishment is to protect Andi, the daughter of a Russian enemy.  The best way to offer protection is by way of marriage.  Sergio will be getting married!  It won’t be forever though as Andi has leukemia and has about 6 months to live. Both of them always saw themselves getting married only once in life, to somebody that held their heart.  This is a little awkward for both of them, but at least Andi is trying to make the best of the situation.  Sergio, on the other hand, makes it very obvious that he is not happy.  Even though Andi knows her time is limited, she makes the best of it.  I would have to say if I knew I had limited time, I would want to live like Andi and be happy.  She has everybody pulled into her aura and has a beautiful personality.

It may be cliché, but little by little Andi is able to get Sergio to break down any walls he has.  Sergio even smiles and laughs when around her.  Andi wants Sergio to promise her one thing…

“Promise.”  The word was out of my mouth before I could stop it.
“What?”  His perfect eyebrows know together in confusion.  “Promise you what?”
I licked my suddenly dry lips.  “Promise me you won’t cry over me.”

Sounds easy enough for Sergio, especially since he has no intention of feeling anything towards Andi.  This is just a means to an end of his punishment with the family. 

Sergio was a difficult character to bond with considering that we really know very little of him even though he has been mentioned in all the books.  He was always a secondary character summoned to come in and attempt to clean up whatever mess the family needed tended to. We were never given a glimpse into his personal life, but now with the chance to see him spotlighted we are able to see the darkness of his job is beginning to effect him.  Andi is a bright light for Sergio and he can’t resist her snake-charming ways.  He’s fallen for her.  

Personality wise I found Sergion to be comparable to Phoenix – having had to do things he may not agree with and now having to deal with his conscience.   Sergio and Phoenix can relate to one another more so than any other characters in the series and I think that is why Sergio can finally let go of what he is holding inside.

I had no words.
So, for the first time since my promise to Andi, I let it go.  I collapsed against my enemy – the one guy I probably hated just as much as Tex.
And I cried.
Big heaving sobs wracked my body.
And Phoenix De Lange of all people…
Held me.
And told me it was going to be okay.
I just wish I believed him.

I love that excerpt.  I feel like I read just a little bit of poetry the way it was written.  The broken, heart-shredding, fragmented thoughts lets us feel exactly what Sergio was feeling. 

Andi’s thoughts also very well versed.

“You give me moments, moments where I don’t remember I’m sick, moments where only we exist.  They’re like tiny presents sprinkled throughout my life.”
                                                                                                                                         
Both Sergio and I were holding onto hope – hope that a last chance effort would mean a different ending.  My pajama neck line was wet , so wet that I had to find a dry spot inches below.  This is not an easy read.  I tried to distance myself, but I couldn’t.  I became invested wholeheartedly and I needed Sergio and Andi to be together forever.  I needed Sergio to find that tiny ray of happiness along with finally being at peace with himself.  

It’s odd, when you face death every day, when you elude it, when you finally come to terms with the fact that you won’t be on earth forever – that’s when you think you’re at peace.   I’d thought I was okay with dying.  Until I met her.

Does he find peace?  And what about that promise he made to Andi?

“Andi…”My voice broke.  “…I broke my promise.”
She shifted in my lap and faced me.  “What?”
“I cried…I cried over you.”
Andi’s eyes welled with tears as she cupped my face with her hands.  “That’s okay…I cried too.”


Ms. Van Dyken is a very, very talented author.  She can have me laughing at these crazy gun-toting guys only to next have me wiping my eyes.  I like her writing style.  I find her books to be a quick read, but yet full of quality.  It is rare to find that in many authors.  I have lost count of how many books of Rachel’s I have read, but I have never once been disappointed.  This Eagle Elite series has developed so much in terms of characters, depth and emotions since the very first book released 2 years ago and it shows by the upward star ratings I have given the last few books. 


EXCERPT


"You weren't kidding about those mimosas." Andi yawned behind her hand as we walked through Lincoln Park. I'd originally thought to take her to the zoo since she had that odd fascination with animals, but after seeing how tired she was, I decided to save it for another day.
"Well…" I held in my chuckle. "…when you have five of them…"
"I had three." She held up four fingers.
"Good to know you're just fine." I laughed. "Should I carry you?"
"Probably." She gave me a dopey grin. "But I think I can at least make it to the car."
"It's about a mile away."
"Oh." Her face fell.
"How about a piggyback ride?" I offered lamely, hating that a simple walk to the car was making her sad because she was so exhausted.
She stopped walking and crossed her arms. "Riding a cowboy was on the list."
"I'm not following."
"Talk to me in a southern accent, and I'll imagine a cowboy hat on that gorgeous head of hair and boom… I'm riding a cowboy."
I pinched the bridge of my nose. "Andi, I have so many different scenarios that would fit perfectly with that statement. None of them, however, include me carrying you through the park while singing 'Achy Breaky Heart.'"
"Oh good. You know it then?"
"I need to learn the art of silence."
"Probably true." She nodded.
"And teach it to you," I added.
"Aw, come on cowboy…"
I rolled my eyes and turned around so she could jump onto my back. "Should I find a park bench, or can you actually jump this high?"
"Never ask a ninja if she can jump — it's degrading."
"My mistake. I thought you were a short Russian masquerading as a baker. Go ahead, ninja. Jump."
She did, probably using the rest of the energy she had left. Her arms wrapped around my neck tightly. "Mush."
"I thought I was a horse."
"I changed my mind. Girls can do that on occasion."
Damn, the girl made me smile. The afternoon sun was starting to set as we walked along the path. Andi was encouraging me to use a southern accent in her most Russian accent.
And I was trying to pay attention to our surroundings, just in case we'd somehow been followed.
I thought we were in the clear until we reached the edge of the park. I could see the street, and immediately regretted that simple fact the minute two black sedans pulled up to the curb.
Five men got out.
Two from the first car.
Three from the second.
Andi tensed behind me.
"Andi." I kept my smile in place like there wasn't anything wrong. "Got any energy left?"
"Enough." She shuddered behind me.
"My gun," I whispered. "It's in the back of my pants. Reach between your legs and slide it up so nobody sees."
"You know in any other situation…" she muttered as I felt the gun slide up my back.
"Good," I encouraged. "The minute I put you down I want you to aim for the guy to the left. Don't shoot for the head. Hit his kneecap so he goes down. If he reaches for his gun—"
"This isn't my first rodeo, cowboy."
"You're right. I forget."
"I'm good. Don't worry about me."
The tension left my body. "I won't. Just don't get shot. I hate having to sew up bullet wounds."
"Please." I could feel the energy riding off her body. "You owe me a massage if my body count's higher."
"So now it's a competition?"
"Russians rarely lose."
"Well, you should get used to it. Because this Italian's going to hand you your ass."
"I'd like to see you try."
The men were trying to look nonchalant, outside their cars, smoking cigars like they weren't waiting for the perfect opportunity to attack.
"One," I whispered.
Andi slid farther down my back. "Two."
"Three." The word fell from my lips just as I ducked to the right. Andi went to my left and popped off two rounds directly into the guy's kneecaps — not just one, but both of them. A crunching sound broke out across the park as he fell on bones, cracking them further. He wailed in pain and surprisingly didn't reach for his gun.
Three of the men started charging me. Gun less, I could only rely on the fact that my fists were just as deadly as any gun could be, and I punched the first man in the throat then turned and elbowed the next. They stumbled back. Another gunshot went off. Andi was seriously picking them off like she was shooting fish in a bucket.
The three men turned their heads to glare at her. Then, rather than attacking, came at me again.
Surprised, I was knocked in the face by the first guy but sidestepped the next hit then landed a hard blow to his stomach followed by a knee to the groin. With a growl, I head-butted the next guy then punched him in the jaw; the sound of teeth breaking was my only indication that he'd be down for the count.
The final man circled me.
"Let me get him," Andi pleaded behind me.
"He's mine," I barked.
The man shrugged and held up his hands. "You should let girl do your work."
I rolled my eyes. "I'll never hear the end of it."
"Andi," the man called, "why not come with us, huh? You've done job. Time to come home."
"Job?" I repeated.
Andi came up beside me and aimed the gun for his forehead. "I've never worked for you."
"Oh?" The man chuckled and glanced at me. "He knows as well as I know… you are never out."
"Please let me pull the trigger."
The man ran at us.
I ducked then heaved my body into his, sending him backward against the park bench. Punch after punch I landed to his face, his blood mixing with the slices breaking out on my knuckles.
The sound of sirens interrupted my blatant mutilation of his body.
"Serg…" Andi kicked me. "…gotta disappear."
I backed up, chest heaving. "Right."

With one last kick to his body, I grabbed her hand and ran like hell toward our car, our very easy-to-spot car.

About Rachel Van Dyken:


Rachel Van Dyken is the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestselling author of regency and contemporary romances. When she's not writing you can find her drinking coffee at Starbucks and plotting her next book while watching The Bachelor.
She keeps her home in Idaho with her Husband, adorable son, and two snoring boxers! She loves to hear from readers!
Want to be kept up to date on new releases? Text MAFIA to 66866!
You can connect with her on Facebook www.facebook.com/rachelvandyken  or join her fan group Rachel's New Rockin Readers. Her website is www.rachelvandykenauthor.com .

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