Rescue Me

Between Heaven and Hell #0.5

by Heather R. Blair

Rett Davis did his time in hell. He’s earned a bit of heaven, but he damn well didn’t expect to find it on the stage of a strip club in Purgatory, Idaho.

Izzy Kozlov has her rules. No family. No friends. No connections. She’s used to running. Too bad Izzy just found the one man who won’t let her.

A few days on Rett’s mountain is all it takes to make Izzy break all her rules. But when a storm sweeps down off that mountain and her secrets come calling at last, Rett will have to perform one more rescue…

And hope it doesn’t go like the last one.

Genres: Romantic Suspense, Contemporary Romance, Romance, Novella

154 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 14, 2019

About the author

Heather R. Blair wrote her first book in the first grade and hasn't stopped since. Back then it was all about horses, now it's pretty much the dark, sexy and shivery.

She lives in the frozen north of Minnesota, near that big gorgeous lake called Superior and enjoys hiking when the snow melts. She also does murals, rides herd on four monsters(otherwise known as children), is slightly obsessed with Martin Freeman, British television and things that go bump in the night.

She loves reading,(duh!)and interacting with other bibliophiles and authors. Feel free to bug her at will and sign up for her newsletter to get shiny new promos, free stuff and MORE!

https://linktr.ee/heatherrblairauthor

Check out works in progress and upcoming releases on pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/heatherr4300/

Reviews

[Carol [Goodreads Addict] · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rescue Me is book #.5 of the Between Heaven and Hell series by Heather R. Blair. This is my very first book by Heather and first, I just have to get this out…OH MY FREAKING GOSH!!! Whew, okay, I feel better now. So let me tell you about this book.



Rett Davis is a former Army Ranger and Special Forces Operative. His last mission went horribly wrong and now all Rett wants to do is live quietly in his mountain home up in the mountains of Idaho near the town of Purgatory. Rett likes the solitude, but every few months, he does go down into town and visits a strip club there, Babylon, to find a woman for the night. It’s on such a night when Rett first sees her dancing up on the stage. He can’t take his eyes off her. But then all heck breaks loose and everything changes.



Izzy Kozlov has been living her life looking over her shoulder ever since she ran away. She’s dancing now at Babylon to make a living. When she’s dancing, she feels free. When she first saw him, she felt the pull towards him. Even in the darkened room she could see his scowl and somehow, she felt the need to make him smile. But before she could do that, her world was turned upside down.

“He settled her without even trying, soothed her rough edges and made her feel at home, at peace. Just like his mountain.”



Rett talks Izzy into coming up to his cabin with him. She needs somewhere to go for a few days and he needs to keep her with him. Every day she is there his need to protect her grows. She is the sunshine to the darkness he lives with every day.

“Izzy wasn’t his. Something so bright could never belong to him.”

Rett knows Izzy is running from something but he doesn’t know what. And Izzy knows that Rett is also trying to keep something buried from his past. Izzy knows she can’t stay, that she will just bring danger to this man’s door that she has begun to care so deeply for. But now she’s starting to wonder how she will ever make herself walk away.



This book! First, Rett is everything. This man is possessive, sexy as heck, tough but soft with Izzy. He takes in troubled horses and helps them. He’s part mountain man, part cowboy, ex military. He’s everything! Izzy was sweet but also tough. I loved these two together. There is also plenty of nail biting suspense involved in this. There is a LOT between the covers of this book!



The town of Purgatory also has a motorcycle club, The Sinners, who are Rett’s neighbors. We specifically meet Rhys Conner, the current vice president of the club. The next book, Ruin Me, will be his story. Do I need to say how excited I am for this book?

For more about this book and so many more, come and visit me at Carol's Crazy Bookish World.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/44036...

[Carvanz · Rating 5 out of 5]

HOLY HECK and OH MY GAWD, OH MY GAWD, OH MY GAWD!!! This book! I’m am left absolutely breathless after reading this! Heather R. Blair has already proven to me she can write just about anything but my gawd did she just prove to me SHE CAN WRITE ANYTHING!!!

For a novella this has absolutely everything needed for a full length book. I’m still a bit scattered in my brain from all the total alphaness, sweetness, drama and action that took place in such a short space of time!

Izzy is obviously hiding out from someone or something from her past and is currently working at a club outside Purgatory. When she lays eyes on the big scowly man sitting alone in a corner she is instantly drawn to him. With every intention of making him smile she sets out to do just that.





Rett is living a solitary life up on his mountain. It’s been a year since he’s had the company of a woman and even as his body wants the release, the man just isn’t up for an easy lay. He’s hungry for more despite the fact that his life and the way he lives it isn’t optimal for a relationship. Just as he’s leaving he sees her. And with a smile in his direction, his whole life suddenly takes a turn.





What follows is a story of finding love even when you’re not looking for it, of finding safety where you least expect it, and of finally finding freedom from past ghosts. Rett was so incredibly alpha that I literally swooned each time he took care of Izzy. It isn’t that she isn’t capable of it herself, but the way he sweetly did it with such care and concern, never pressing her for more, it set my heart to soaring.

“You won’t let me open a door to save my life, pull out my chair even when we’re at home alone and never let me pay for any-f---ing-thing. You also swear worse than my uncle when he’s had too much blackberry brandy, throw me over your shoulder whenever it suits your mood and teach me to rupture a man’s testicles? What kind of man are you, Rett Davis?”

She didn't see Rett move, but a second later he was on his feet, grinning down at her. "Your kind, sunshine."





Gah! This story is absolutely going onto my top favorites list of ALL TIME!

This is a fast paced read that never once slows down. The chemistry between these two is absolutely SIZZLING!





I consumed this in one sitting and was ready to reread it as soon as I finished. Izzy and Rett are the perfect characters that I look for when reading romance. To get them together in one book is like finding a rainbow butterfly unicorn kitten. I try not to demand someone to read a particular book when I review but I can’t stop myself this time…YOU MUST READ THIS BOOK!!!



Standalone although more to come in the series
Dual POV
Safe no om/ow drama; both are celibate
Triggers violence; human trafficking

[Mindy Lou's Book Review · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sooo many boxes were checked with this little novella. For me, Rett made this book 5 stars. He's the big, quiet, scowly kind of hero that took one look at the heroine and was instantly possessive of her. He has a military background that screams don't mess with me. He's everything I love in a hero and when he goes all out to protect Izzy, that just nailed it for me.

Izzy is hiding from something bad and Rett is determined to find out what that is and fix it for her. She's falling for the big guy and doesn't want to bring trouble down on his door, but she also doesn't want to leave the man that makes her feel safe and loved. What she doesn't know is that Rett plans to make that choice for her.

I'm a fan of the Susan Stoker Operation Alpha world and Heather R. Blair did that world justice with Rett and Izzy's story. This is my first book from this author and I'm very excited to see what more gems she has out there.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another hit by Heather R Blair. I swear this author can write any genre, sub-genre, the back of a box of cereal and I'll read it. Her words will pull you in and her storytelling will keep you glued.

And Rett and Izzy story was no exception. I loved it. Fast paced. Action packed. Sexy as all heck. A must read.

[Gio Listmaker · Rating 4 out of 5]

****UPDATE*****



https://dl.bookfunnel.com/5055z9s74g?...

Heather R. Blair

Takes Us Back To Idaho To See What Adventures Izzy And Rett Are Getting Into


Promise Me




I Can't-Wait To Discover New Authors Characters And Stories In This Anthology








This Book Took Me By Surprise

If You Know Me, I Tend To Shy Away From Most Of The Scenarios In Rescue Me

Strippers, OTT Alphas, Motorcycle Clubs, And Insta Love, Are Usually Not My Thing

Heather Has A Way Of Turning You Into A Fan

Take Our Stripper For Example Izzy Kozlov The Heroine



Right From The Start She Has Something Special

Rett Davis Our Hero Immediately Takes Notice



Izzy And Rett Have A Palpable Connection



She Recognizes The Kindness Under His Tough, Grumpy, Wounded (PTSD) Exterior



They Live In A Rough Small Town In Idaho Called Purgatory



Izzy's Past Catches Up With Her And Rett Is There To Rescue Her

Rett Takes Her Up The Mountain To His Ranch



At The Ranch, We Meet Horses And An Unruly Goat





There Is Some Steamy Times (Literally)





And A Ton Of Action



Heather Always Packs A Punch In Her Short Books

I Can't-Wait To See What Happens Next In The Town Of Purgatory Where Heaven And Hell Meet.



ARC Generously Received
Review Honestly Given

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

New to me

This author is new to me. I really enjoyed this story and look forward to more by her. There’s lots of action and adventure. Rett is OTT all the way! I loved him.

[Veronica Rosa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, loved this novella! I was sucked in from the moment Izzy saw Rhett's scowl. I adore Ms. Blair's PNR and UF books, so of course I followed her to her newest book and I'm so glad I did.

There was a refreshing twist with this book when it came to Izzy's past and what she was running from, which I won't spoil. All in all, I'm looking forward to the next one in this series.

[NanaX8 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rescues...

Action packed, page turning, heart racing love story with an ex-military man protecting a stripper...what more can go wrong, can he save her and will she love him back. Awesome book!!

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heather R. Blair has done it again! She can write any genre and you’re just sucked into it. This is Rett and Izzy’s story. They live in a town called Purgatory. Izzy is a stripper and Rett goes into her establishment one night and he immediately is smitten with her. Izzy has a troubled past that she’s running from. Rett is very sweet with her and refuses to let her run from him. Her past catches up to her and let’s just say Rett is a bad ass.

I don’t want to give too much away but this book is so good and so sexy. It’s completely safe, too.

Can’t wait for Rhys’s book!

[Ashleyjo · Rating 2 out of 5]

I want to preface this review by saying that this author is beyond talented. I’ve LOVED Cupid and the Toil series, both of which are paranormal. One of my fav other niches is military romance/suspense. So, of course, I had to read this one by one of my fav para authors, right?

Sadly, it didn’t work for me, and I learned that my favorite frappe shop doesn’t necessarily also have my favorite slice of cake.

Romance…

The romance is up to par. Yes, it’s insta love, but leave it to this author to bring the slow burn to insta love lol, and I love her inner explanation on insta…

Love didn’t have rules. It didn’t have to come slow or steady—or after this many dates—or that many kisses—or xyz milestones. Sometimes love just knocked you off your feet and tossed you over its broad, bad-ass shoulder.

Alpha teddy bear lovers will eat the MMC up with a spoon, but I’m a different kinda gal.

So, for a plot-centric f’r like me, everything else in the book basically put a wet blanket over a sweetish romance.

Note: Safe. No OW, OM. Unprotected sex. Been a year since he’s been with OW and unknown time for her but no one local or mentioned.

Characters

The MMC should be great - grump, alpha, quiet unless it matters. He’s made up of the right stuff, but he gets lost in a story that’s beating it’s chest to roar… but said chest is on a hamster, not a lion. In other words, the story simply isn’t as big and grand as it pretends to be, but in overexerting that effort, the characters get pushed aside as mere narrators verses characters within.

It’s a similar situation for the FMC in that she gets lost in the tedious, overtaking details of the story.

I don’t connect with either character, and I don’t feel the connection between them growing because the story ceases to be about them and kinda just revolves around them.

I can’t get a solid feel for their personalities because it’s interrupted by too many details about OTHER PEOPLE, not the MCs. As something is being told about one of the MCs, it’s always overshadowed by a cast of people, details, and scenery.

Beyond she’s a stripper on the run and he’s a war vet with baggage, there’s just no other character traits to pull you in and get you seeing them as people. Every scene focused on them is them doing something with a horse or screwing, which means there’s really no character ARC here.

Any bit of detail gets other people thrown into it as a setup for their own storylines to later appear in other books, which is a horrible error that’s oh so common in military team books.

Suspense

The plot is this: Exotic dancer on the run into the arms of a grumpy ex-military lunatic. It’s all the details that you pick out about the plot surrounding the plot summary that don’t work for me.

Spoilers >>>>>>

12 examples of why this plot is a foul ball for me…

1) Her exiled Russian mobster father taught her NOTHING about anything… right down to even speaking or sounding Russian?

2) The dead daddy involved the half sister black sheep not even blood related in said businesses, but didn’t teach the FMC shit about that lifestyle. Other overarching, overreaching details, such as a mob guy walking away from his mob family to start his own mob kingdom.

3) Sister is big and bad enough to kill the daddy in an ambush coupe and sex trade her one sister when asked, but she originally just lets the sister (blood heir) meander off.

4) Too many close proximity characters there by coincidence who quasi know one another from military life.

5) MC club inner workings muddy the storyline because it’s such a threadbare connection to the main plot. It felt plopped in the storyline just for the sake of future books.

6) An MMC with his knee blown off to the point bone shows hasn’t a) bled to death b) thinks he can singlehanded drive up on a mafia house and take everyone out whilst f’d up on morphine and a bone-deep injury c) climbs walls with said f’d knee, d) fight hand-to-hand with an MMA mafia mofo whilst dragging said knee behind him e) I digress. …. And all because he wills it to be. That’s like saying someone has both their kidneys torn out, but just wills themselves to piss. Beyond OTT.

7) He gets security intel so detailed as to identify a small gap in the compound’s security cameras, complete layout, etc within a couple of hours of a friend of a friend of a friend digging into it.

8) Like some bad episode of Days of Our Lives, the MMC actually challenges the bad guy to a fight for the girl.

9) The sister grows a semi… heart, and just let’s the FMC walk away after a big showdown ending the way she could’ve easily have made it end without involving the FMC at all. She could’ve just shot the bad guy same as she did there, which makes what did happen melodramatic.

10) The FMC using a threat that she could’ve used to a) not run b) not be taken after she ran c) save herself without the MMC ever hobbling his ass into a showdown.

11) The MMC says his eyesight is f’d up to where he can’t hit a human target from across a room on point or make out what’s on the face of money …. Yet, he can make out whether a dancer has glitter on her body or not and a lot of other shit throughout the story? Furthermore, it’s never fully explained HOW his vision became so f’d up.

12) Suspense should be a ball, each thread composes the plot, but no single strain pulls it apart. This plot is a triangle - hit the reader with danger cloaked in who, what, why…. rock the reader to sleep… wake the reader back up with a bomb of TSTL.

^^ You get the point… the points don’t line up in a logical, believable way. Mostly, that’s okay in para because the author can both make and tell the rules as she sees fit. In RL suspense, that’s just not the case. The plot points can be OTT, but they still must be grounded by reality, norms, plausibility.

Technical…

Several typos throughout, such as…

Rest {{Rett}}} went down, barely able to catch himself before his leg smacked into the floor.

Writing…

Not up to par with her other bodies of work. This felt stiff. Having read her other books, I could feel the author holding herself back to … err… ??? normalize ??? the characters? I’m not sure, but this lacked her norm writing voice. Was that edited out? Maybe… since this did go through the grinder of interlink from a big series by a different author? Not sure. Either way, from sentence structure to tone, this felt alien to what I know of this author.

Overall…

While this review is harsh and I adore this author, I’d be doing her a disservice to offer a happy face and move on. She’s a fanfyckingtabulous writer. Creative beyond. A wordsmith of snark and wit, but this one dropped a foul ball. Yet, I have every faith that she will pick that mofo up and start a new game with a new book to hit another home run elsewhere.

I’d recommend for readers not focused on suspense or a military niche. Instead, more for readers who are heavily drawn to alpha/damsel insta love that doesn’t instantly gratify but that does ride off into the sunset on horseback - literally - after an OTT show of a white knight.

[~Nichole~ Sizzling Pages Romance Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book slump finally over.

Wow this book sucked me in from the start. Celibate, gruff, reclusive and grumpy hero? Sign me up. Ret had all of the things I love in my hero. Izzy was just the kind of light he needed. Loved the interesting and mysterious characters. I can't wait for more in this series.

[Ginny Pearson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rett meets Izzy when he saves her during a shootout at a club. He is living with demons from his past but the animals help sooth his soul. She is running from her past.
Can they help each other find peace? Can Fish help him when he runs into trouble?

[Cyndy Richard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so hooked!!! This book pulled me in, I couldn’t put it down!!!! Rett is every women’s dream waiting to happen.
I can’t wait to see what’s else is waiting for me in purgatory!

[Vickey Mcgee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hard to Put Down

This is a new author to me. I'd read several in the Special Forces: Operation Alpha series and have enjoyed them. I saw this one plus the title pulled at me. I started it and I didn't want to put it down. It moves quickly along with plenty of action. I loved the characters. I can honestly say I'm anxious to visit Purgatory again.

[April ♥"LOS" ♥ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh...I really liked this one!
I'm so used to reading fantasy or PNR from Heather R. Blair so I wasn't sure what to expect with this book but she knocked it out of the park! I completely fell for Rett Davis with his quiet strength and love of animals. He's a natural protector with a special set of skills but who has a dark past that is still haunting him. But when a chance encounter puts Izzy Kozlov in his path, Rett knows that he's ready to put his demons behind him in order to keep her safe.

[Rrroyster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!

I've never read anything from the author before. It is not going to be the last. This book was amazing! Rhet is every woman's fantasy! I loved him and Izzy were great together! Can't wait for Rhys story next! Happy reading!

[Nightbird Novels · Rating 5 out of 5]

Garrett "Rett" Davis prefers his solitary existence working with his horses up on his secluded mountain far away from town. But every one in awhile when a need arises for a little uncomplicated companionship, he ventures down for a visit. With each trip, his views of civilization get more and more lackluster... and then he meets Izzy.

Izzy Kozlov is on the run. And her most recent stop has her living in a seedy motel and paying her bills by stripping. Izzy is under no illusions that life is going to get any easier from here, and she isn't looking for anyone to save her, either.

But when a typical night at the club is shattered by a violence that Izzy knows all too well, Rett is the man to step in and rescue the woman who has the power to change his entire existence...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Rescue Me was an incredibly sexy, suspenseful and all consuming read. Izzy and Rett's instant connection may be doomed from the start with the explosive secrets Izzy has been keeping to herself. And, while she is unwilling to drag a good man like Rett into her messy life, he may be the only only who can help her escape her troubles for good...

Rett was the best!! A total swoon-worthy and incredibly tough, ex-military man who has a soft spot for all things Izzy. With his warm heart and complete honesty with his feelings, he is just the kind of man a woman like Izzy needs in her life. While he has his own demons that he faces from his military career, when he needs to protect the woman he loves, he will stop at nothing to ensure her safety. 

Izzy was such a strong woman and a survivor. She has been living on the run and when she soon realizes that danger may be closing in, her first inclination is to keep running... if it wasn't for Rett. Being up at his place and realizing how happy and peaceful her life could be, she must decide if she wants to keep running or if she can trust him to save her once again. 

I loved this book so much!! From Izzy and Rett's scorching hot attraction, to the well thought out storyline, and the interesting and developed characters, this was a novella done right! This book starts off the new Between Heaven and Hell series, and I absolutely can not wait to see more from this world!!

I received a complimentary copy of this book for my honest and unbiased review.

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[Kimberly / Love Notes Book Blog · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars. This was a great romantic suspense read! Rescue Me includes cameos from Dane from Susan Stoker's book, Rescuing Bryn, but it is primarily Rett and Izzy's story. Rett is a former Special Forces military man who has a sad past and survivor's guilt. Since he retired, he has been a recluse, living in a cabin in the Idaho mountains. He only comes down the mountain to the closest town, Purgatory, for supplies. But one day when he is visiting town something happens and he steps in to save Izzy from danger. Izzy is a former ballet dancer with a poor family life and a past that has her on the run. She is hiding out in the Purgatory, working as a stripper, when her past comes back to haunt her. Rett saves Izzy and takes her to hide out in his cabin in order to keep her safe. As the two spend time together, these two begin to fall for each other. They must face demons from both of their pasts in order to face a future together.

I really enjoyed this book. Rett and Izzy were complete opposites who attracted. He was a gruff cowboy and, despite currently being a stripper, Izzy was innocent and full of sunshine. She stole his heart and melted his gruff exterior. They made an unlikely pair and a perfect match. Their chemistry was amazing and I definitely felt the love between them. I enjoyed the story and found it was a great balance of suspense and romance. I have not read the Susan Stoker series this book spins off of, but that did not affect my enjoyment at all. Also, this book is a novella, but it feels like a full length book.

Overall, Rescue Me is a sweet, sexy and suspenseful book! I enjoyed seeing Rett and Izzy's relationship develop. I look forward to more from Ms. Blair in the future!

*arc provided in exchange for an honest review*

[Riann Leigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given this book for an honest review and man am I glad I accepted. Fast paced and action packed.

Rett Davis is a former Special Forces operative who has become nearly a recluse. He lives up on his mountain taking care of his horses and is content with his life, or as content as his survivors guilt will let him be.

Izzy Kozlov is a woman with a secret and on the run.

Rett comes into town one night and saves Izzy when there is an attack where she works. He takes her home to give her shelter and then convinces her to stay, knowing that she is running from something. The two settle into a routine and get to know each other as much as possible without revealing their secrets.

I really enjoyed this book and when secrets are revealed you can’t help but feel for them both. The climax had me turning pages and wondering how soon the next installment of this new series comes out.

[Friend to Books and Cats Alike · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heather R Blair doesn’t know how to write an unlikeable book! I’m a tired new mama with too big of a TBR list and too little time. A novella written by my favorite author with all my favorite tropes? Count me in! This shorter story was the perfect start to what is sure to be a wild ride through Purgatory... I can’t wait!

[Linda Landers · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Past

Rest and Izzy had their pasts that they had to come to terms with before they could move forward. Rest and Izzy had to let go of perceived mistakes.

[Mary Lynn Morris · Rating 4 out of 5]

God book

This book had it all. International intrigue, murder and mayhem , love , hate and greed. Best of all, a happy ending. I enjoyed.

[Kari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. This story didn't pull any punches. It delt with a difficult subject matter with respect and sensitivity without holding back. I loved the characters and thier Romance. Plenty of action, really really bad guys and a solid cast of characters to meet again in other books, this is a great start to a series.

[Em · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Great story. Sweet, short and well-written. Just the right amount of depth. I was afraid for a few chapters that it would dive a little too deep into the criminal side of the story, but lucky it kept its focus on the couple and their love story.


Plot:
The girl works as a stripper, and one night she’s up on stage dancing when two guys enters and starts shooting. The guy, being a retired military man, saves her. He listens in when the girl deliberately lies to the cops about who she is, and he decides to be the on protecting her for whatever or whomever she’s running from. Her past catches up to her, but he saves her. The end.

[Lori Walsh, Guaresimo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book no extra drama just the right amount of action, I wish her sister would have gotten what she deserved but maybe in Walker's book if he gets one. will he get a book, and what happened to the book Ruin Me Rhys book? I really want that one. Please.

[Charlene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this one.

[CHANDRA RENEA FIELDS · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chandra's Review

I truly enjoyed reading this book it was intriguing, loving, sensual, and sexy! I would definitely recommend this book to read!

[Lynda · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Mary Butts · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very bloody. Not to believable but fast moving alto

Liked but too violent for me. Not too believable. Descriptions of fight very good. Confused about some of the chase cars.

[Alznuthouse · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was okay

this book was ok, could have used a lot more intimate scenes. The beginning seemed to drag a bit. But all around just ok