RELEASE BLITZ: REVIEW, EXCERPT, TEASERS, AND GIVEAWAY: Who I’m Becoming (FireNine Series #4) by Shanora Williams

Montana Delray is the most laid back of the popular rock band, FireNine. He’s goofy, charming, blatantly honest, talented, a massive flirt, and extremely handsome. The girls literally throw themselves at him, and he accepts it. He loves the attention. The fame. The parties. His single life.

With so many women to choose from, it’s not in his nature to chase after just one, but when Lauren Harkin enters his life, that all changes.

Lauren is smart, sexy, confident, and knows exactly how to get under his skin… and although he hates to admit it, he loves it. He wants her in every way possible, but she doesn’t want anything to do with him. Famous FireNine rocker, Delray isn’t the kind of guy Lauren needs to bring into her life. After having her emotions tampered with repeatedly, she refuses to give into someone who will most likely take her for granted and make things worse.

But with much effort and some sexual manipulation, Montana and Lauren come to an agreement neither of them can resist. As their fling carries on, though, everything intensifies, and once they realize it true fear sets in.

Soon they come to the realization that they care for one another more than intended, and they both know caring for someone other than themselves means opening their hearts.

The reality they face with each other is totally unexpected and becomes their biggest fear… and neither of them is ready for it.

From the beginning of the Fire Nine series, Montana’s story was the one I wanted to hear. Throughout the first three books, readers get glimpses of the fun loving player who seems to only live for himself and the pleasure he seeks. For the last nine years, Montana has lived free and easy, not looking for anything serious, and why would he when he can have a different flavor each night and then walk away ready for another night of sex, alcohol, and drugs. But underneath his stage persona, there’s a lot more to Montana than he’s willing to allow to surface or for that matter admit to, but perhaps it’s just going to take the right woman to force Montana to become the man he truly is inside. Enter Lauren Harkin – she’s the one woman who didn’t fall for the smooth talking manwhore. She turned him down flat, and ever since then, Montana hasn’t forgot about the fiery red head, and now that the band is headed back to France, he’s going to do everything in his power to finally rid his mind of her by getting Lauren in his bed, or at least that’s his plan.

Montana’s plan to seduce Lauren is actually a lot easier than he thought it would be, which both excites and perplexes him, but when she abruptly leaves without saying goodbye, his desire for her only increases further stumping the man who never needs a second taste. So when Lauren offers a no-strings one week affair, he jumps at the chance – ready to get lost in her body once again. But soon, both find their purely physical, fun relationship crossing lines that neither can admit to wanting, and when it gets to be more than either can handle, they take the cowards way out and run, refusing to give into their true feelings.

Is Lauren the woman to tame Montana’s wildness and make him a one woman guy or will her fears and insecurities force her to walk away from the man who might repair her broken heart? The path to Montana and Lauren’s happily now is riddled with miscommunication, jealousy, and secrets, as well as a heavy dose of denial. The idea of commitment is a huge issue for both of them, so as they work to resolve their concerns, it’s going to be a bumpy ride.

Overall, I enjoyed Montana and Lauren’s story. I had a hard time at the beginning feeling connected to the characters, but further into the story, it got better. Lauren’s inner turmoil was a bit confusing because readers aren’t privy to her backstory for some time, which made it difficult to connect with her and understand her issues. At the end, though, knowing the secrets she’s keeping, it makes sense to not put them out in the open right away, but the way it was presented made it a slight issue. There’s definitely not as much angst in book four as the other two couples faced, which was a nice change of pace. Each couple is different, facing varying obstacles, so giving Montana and Lauren problems that fit just their personalities works well. Reconnecting with the other members of Fire Nine and their significant others is always an added bonus in a series. They’re a family, and Shanora demonstrates their bond throughout the story.

The Fire Nine series is a definite must read for readers who love bad boy rockers!

A complimentary copy was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

3.5/4 poison apples

I pressed the button to my floor and it opened several seconds later. Silence crept between us but it wasn’t an uncomfortable one. It was sort of… nice. After taking nearly decades to find the hotel key in my pockets, I stuffed it into the lock of the door and stumbled inside, laughing at my own idiocy.

She followed in behind me, and I flipped the light switch. A dim light illuminated above her head and she smiled. “Well… you’re here,” she breathed.

“I am,” I said.

“Do you… need anything?”

“Nope…”I paused. “Well maybe just for you to stay.”

She let out a girlish giggle. “Montana, you know I can’t stay.”

“Why not?” I asked, stepping in.

She dared a step as well, angling her head and locking eyes with me. Bringing her hand up, she ran it across my cheek and a faint smile appeared on her lips. “Because it would be wrong of me to sleep with you.”

My dick pulsed. Her voice was smooth and seductive. It was sexy as hell with that accent. “Why would it be wrong?”

“It’s a long story. Just know it would be.”

“Don’t beat around the bush, Princess.”

She smirked. “I’m not. Maybe when you’re sober…”

I laughed, throwing my head back. “I guess that’s never then.”

“Well, then I guess we’ll never have that experience, huh?” She was teasing the hell out of me. Her voice. Her body… so warm and close. Fuck.

What made it worse was how she turned around and walked away, swinging her plump ass in those tight blue jeans. “I’ll see you tomorrow. Big show, right?”

“Yes,” I whispered. I couldn’t stop staring.

“Good…”She opened the door.

“Wait,” I called before she could make it out.

She lifted both brows, glancing over her shoulder. “Yeah?”

I walked towards her, licking my lips. “Tell me your name. I need to know it.”

She lowered her head, biting a smile. “If I tell you my name will you take it easy for the rest of the night?”

“I will… for you, Princess.”

She paused, batting her mascaraed eyelashes while running her eyes up and down the length of my body. Her smoky eyes then met mine, she stepped back, and a warm hand pressed against my chest. She stood on the toes of her high-heels and whispered, “Lauren Harkin. Don’t forget it,” she murmured. “Because if you do, I won’t tell you my name again… you’ll just have to suffer with not knowing the name of the woman that, in every way, intrigues you.”

My eyes stretched.

And she smirked.

And it was right there, in that moment, when she had me. It was in that moment when I realized I had to have her. I had to get her up under me. I had to dick her down at least once. She was begging for it, and my body wasn’t denying it. I wanted her and I wanted her something serious.