Her Sexy Marine Valentine

by Candace Havens

Mills & Boon Blaze series promises scorching hot reads...

A Sexy Marine Neighbour?

The sight of the gorgeous, ripped military man across the street heats Mari McDanieks from head to toe — and a whole lot in between. Yes, sir, she definitely has a case of Hot Marine Syndrome. And when First Lieutenant Brody Williams rescues her from an awkward run-in with her ex by pretending to be her boyfriend, Mari can confirm she’s got it bad...

Of course, they’re friends first, and friends help each other out. Mari needs a hand renovating the old Victorian house she just bought and Brody needs a girlfriend to secure his promotion. It's the perfect temporary arrangement — and then there’s the sizzling chemistry. It’s wickedly racy. It’s addictive. But neither of them expects Cupid’s arrow to aim for their hearts!

Genres: Romance, Harlequin Blaze, Harlequin, Contemporary Romance, Military Fiction, Category Romance

141 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 16, 2016

About the author

Bestselling author Candace Havens has published more than 25 books. Her novels have received nominations for the RITA's, Holt Medallion, Write Touch Reader Awards and National Readers Choice Awards. She is a Barbara Wilson Award winner. She is the author of the biography “Joss Whedon: The Genius Behind Buffy” and a contributor to several anthologies. She is also one of the nation's leading entertainment journalists and has interviewed countless celebrities from George Clooney to Chris Pratt. Candace also runs a free online writing workshop for more than 2000 writers, and teaches comprehensive writing classes. She does film reviews with Hawkeye in the Morning on 96.3 KSCS, and is a former President of the Television Critics Association.

Reviews

[Els · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely story.

[Danielle Urban · Rating 5 out of 5]

Her Sexy Marine Valentine by Candace Heavens is nothing but hot, sexy, and addictive. Her world of fiction is brilliantly spun together in a way that will leave readers falling in love with her characters. First, there's the inner conflict between two sexes, the outer conflict that both are struggling with and then the emotional struggles that come their way. Frustration, lust, and a whole lot of love ends up happening between two neighbors. What started out as a simple and a way to itch, their desires...turned into a complicated mess that neither one expected. Candace Heavens has also created other characters who help shape the path destined for these two main characters. Love conquers all is very strong within Her Sexy Marine Valentine. Readers will feel the heat, the anger, the worry, and most of all the hope at the end. A very satisfying ending...by a talented writer. Overall, I highly recommend this blazing romance to readers everywhere.

[Harlequin Books]

"Personal crises and internal conflicts threaten their happiness, but communication and honesty lead these soul mates to their happy ending. Mari and Brody’s chemistry is as intense as their emotional connection, making for a Uniformly Hot! love story that’s sizzling and sweet" (4 stars @ RT Book Reviews).

Miniseries: Uniformly Hot!

[Shae · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sexy and sweet! I love when you can pick up a book and immediately lose yourself in the story. After the turn of a couple pages I had completely fallen for Broady and Mari. I stayed up reading into the wee hours to find their happy ending and it was well worth it!

[Carole · Rating 4 out of 5]

So sorry my earlier 2 star review was incorrect and was for another book titled Daring her Seal by Anne Marsh. I really liked Her Sexy Marine Valentine. Final Rating: 4 Stars

[Lissanne Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I liked both the leads and I enjoyed their romance. There were a few clichéd subplots happening – she lacks confidence in bed because her douchebag ex said she sucked (and not in a good way), and he’s led to believe he needs a partner to secure a promotion – and I’ve read quite a few books with the same themes. But it didn’t detract from the story.

Brody lives across the road from Mari, and when he rescues her from her ex at the supermarket, she makes him dinner. She then asks him to help her restore the house she bought with her ex, who then dumped her the day she signed the papers and she can’t afford to sell it as is, and Brody finds he can’t say no.

They both agree this is just a temporary fling while they’re restoring the house. They’re attracted to each other – can’t keep their hands off each other – so they agree to a fling and they both walk away at the end. Brody is not a forever kind of guy, and Mari is happy to having great sex. Her parents’ marriage has been the yardstick with which she bases all relationships, so she’s horrified when they confess to her at an inopportune moment that all is not what it seems. Stunned and angry, she pushes everyone away… including Brody. She tells him she loves him and then shoves him out the door. He’s never said it back, but then she finds a card in which he’s written he loves her.

When the renovated house sells, Mari is distraught because it’s the house she and Brody renovated together. But this wouldn’t be a good romance without the happily ever after, so you know Brody refuses to let her push him away and they get to keep the house after all. Hurrah!

[Svalora · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to this book on Audible — at 1.5 speed making the narration okay for my tastes.
I enjoyed this book. For me it was a fun read with great characters, setting and plot. Believable and swoon-worthy.
I would read more by this author.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

HBZ #883 = 3.5+ stars

[Melissa · Rating 1 out of 5]

1.5 stars

[Mattie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Didn't like it, was boring. Np.

[Ines Johnson]

So interesting how the Dark Moment was someone else's breakup.

[Debbie Ballard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved and enjoyed reading the sensational, amazing, Harlequin romance written by the wonderfully, talented author, Candace Havens.
Mari McGuire has recently been dumped by her long-time boyfriend and stuck with a Victorian fixer upper house. Across the street from Mari lives the sexy, handsome Lieutenant Brody Williams. Mari asks Brody to help her fix up her house, and she will fix him meals as payment. Brody agrees to Mari's terms on one condition that she pretends to be his girlfriend. Brody makes it clear he is not into any long-term commitments and Mari agrees just friends with benefits. As Brody and Mari work closely together, passion ignites into what they both were not wanting.
Read the highly recommended, must read, beautifully written love story of Mari and Brody.
I received a free copy of the book from a Goodreads Giveaway.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this book probably last February in a contest and finally got around to reading it. I was under no obligation to write a review though the author requested I do so if possible.

I whipped through HSMV and think it's probably my favorite Havens book. You basically know what you're getting when you read a Blaze. The connection has to be fast because the books are about 200 pages and the set up is fairly similar. What varies is the skill of the author. In the same number of pages can she (or he?) give enough background and set up to make the story believable? Is the chemistry there? In this case, yes.

It was not the hottest book I've read, but quite frankly, the chemistry between the characters has become more important to me than the sexual gymnastics and extreme play that's becoming more common in romance now.

[Melinda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy through Goodreads.
---

Wow that was just the right amount of chemistry, steamness and hotness.

A win win set up between Mari and Brody lead to so much more, and why shouldn't it?! Like yum, so much hotness and chemistry between them, I was so eager to read what happened next and for some amazing scenes to appear. Happy to say readers won't be disappointed. There are a number of delicious and yummy scenes.

I like that not only do both parties come with baggage (emotional, mental and physical), and that they are able to work through it together. Plus the mini bombshells thrown in before the climax was rather unexpected but great they it helped these two work things out and ultimately realize what they want...each other!

[C. Stuchl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Her Sexy Marine Valentine Candace Havens PB

I read for the enjoyment and this book fit the bill. It is an engaging story line that touches on an important problem with returning military, PTSD. Brody is not the only one who has a guilt problem. Mari also has guilt from a failed relationship.
I liked the idea that Mari's friendship helped Brody's men open up to him.
All in all it is a very good story with a satisfying ending.

Thank you Goodreads and Ms. Havens for the book. It was a refreshing change from the Zombies and Vampire books.

[Deb Diem · Rating 4 out of 5]

Her Sexy Marine Valentine is my second book by Candace Havens and I liked it as much as the first. This fast read is a perfect choice for those with limited time for reading. Ms Havens has delivered a well written book. Mari and Brody's story is loaded with great characters, drama, humor and sizzle. I enjoyed Her Sexy Marine Valentine and look forward to reading more from Candace Havens in the future. There is no violence in this book. This is a complete book, not a cliff-hanger.

I won a copy of this book from Goodreads.

[Geraldine Sadiku · Rating 5 out of 5]

What starts out as friends with benefit with a twist story turns into so much more, excellent read.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice story !