BLOG TOUR REVIEW & GIVEAWAY: Panic (Rook and Ronin #3)

I've been a part of the blog tours for Tragic (Rook and Ronin #1) and Manic (Rook and Ronin #2), so it felt only natural to have a spot on the Panic (Rook and Ronin #3) tour to finish things off for Rook and Ronin. The tour is organized by Xpresso Book Tours. Read on for my review, then enter the giveaway. And don't forget to check out the other stops on the tour!

Panic (Rook and Ronin #3), by JA Huss
To Be Published October 24, 2013
Publisher: Science Future Press
Format: ARC, provided by the author and Xpresso Book Tours
Genre: new adult contemporary romance
To Buy:  Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Kobo

Rating:  4.5 STARS

(From Goodreads) Rook is chasing her dream—film school and a chance at a life beyond the one she ran from six months ago. But before she can become the girl she wants to be, she must deal with the girl she left behind.

Ronin is also chasing his dream—a family of his own and a life away from erotic modeling. And he too, has a past he’s trying to forget. A past that makes Rook question everything about their life together.

Lies, secrets, and shocking truths will rock the foundation Rook and Ronin have built. Can they put the past behind them and move forward together? Or is this just another too good to be true relationship that will crash and burn in the end?

"Don't panic, Gidget. Be still and stay calm. We'll be OK, I promise. Just keep calm and it will all work out."

I can't believe that Rook's and Ronin's story is over! And, as far as series finales go, this was a doozy. I was barely 20% into Panic when I started... well, panicking, actually. And then I started to feel better. And then I was freaking out again - it was a crazy, wonderful roller coaster of a book. 

Rook only has to get through one season on the new Shrike Bikes reality show and then she and Ronin can start to live their lives together. But, complications abound - the show is shooting a few hours away from Denver, so she has to be away from Ronin. Meanwhile, Ronin is happy because Claire is out of rehab and looking really, REALLY good, which makes Rook really, REALLY unhappy. Luckily, she has the dynamic, hot duo of Spencer and Ford to keep her comfy and warm - maybe a little too warm if Ford has his way. And, it soon becomes apparent that, even though Rook's ex Jon is in jail, he's still not completely done wreaking havoc on Rook's life.

Rook has come a really long way from the timid, cowering girl we saw in the beginning of Tragic. Her experiences as a model and Ronin's love have given her confidence and guts. Although she hasn't yet gotten to the point where she can deal with all the nasty stuff that happened to her in her past (and, believe me - it was pretty horrific), she's in a good place. She has good friends in Antoine, Elise, Spencer and Ford. And she has the promise of a good life someday with Ronin. Provided he can be patient enough to wait for her to get over it all. 

I look up at this incredible man and I have no words for what I feel. I'm not falling for Ronin. I'm laid out flat on my face. 

Ronin, meanwhile, has never wavered. Once he realized Rook was "the one," he stayed the course. I think she needed that from him - to be the constant in her ever-changing world. But, in Panic, Ronin's past catches up with him too, and as it turns out, he needs Rook as much as she needs him.

She kisses me and the whole world disappears. Just blips out of existence for me. When she kisses me there is nothing but her tender lips and my pounding heart. There is nothing but the buzzing of her essence coursing in my blood and penetrating my soul. There is nothing but us.

We see a lot of Spencer and Ford in Panic - especially Ford. We are allowed a peek into his life and into his psyche, and not all of it is pretty. But, most of all, we see how these two guys have come to care for Rook in their own special ways. Goodness, I love these boys. They really would do anything for both her and Ronin. As Rook is finding herself, Ford has taken on the role of the tortured soul. Most of the emotional moments for me came during Ford moments. In fact, the epilogue is from Ford's POV, and gave us the perfect set up for Huss' next series (which is all about FORD!). 

After Rook and Ronin are thrust into yet another catastrophe created by Rook's ex, Jon, they are forced to make really tough choices. And, it all comes back to what they are willing to fight for. 

I'd never leave you. I hope you know that, Rook. I'd never walk out. I'd fight for you every single time. You'd never even have to wonder if I'd be there because I'd show the fuck up before that thought could ever cross your mind. I want you. I'd risk everything for you. - Ronin

I'll fight for us every single time. You'll never even have to wonder if I'll be there, because I'll show the fuck up before that thought can even cross your mind. I want you, Ronin and I'll risk everything for you. I will never walk out on you. - Rook

If that doesn't give you the feely sighs, I don't know what will. 

As per usual, Panic is told in dual POV - Rook's and Ronin's. We see more of Ronin's POV here then in the previous two books, which is fine by me. That man's mind is a beautiful place. The only thing missing from this incredible book is the modeling aspect. I did miss that - it was such an interesting part of the first two.  There's also not nearly as many steamy scenes, but the ones that are there are good ones. Oh, and if you have an aversion to the f-word, be forewarned. You will be desensitized to it before you reach the end. :)

The Rook and Ronin series was so good, and Panic was the best of the bunch. I can't wait to see how Huss will break down Ford's walls for us in her next spin-off series. Mark your calendars - it's sure to be epic. 

Awesome new - right now, TRAGIC and MANIC are each only $0.99! If you haven't started this series yet, now is the perfect time to start it. 

Buy links:  TRAGIC - Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Kobo  /  MANIC - Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Kobo

About the Author

J. A. Huss likes to write new adult books that make you think and keep you guessing. Her favorite genre to read is space opera, but since practically no one reads those books, she writes new adult science fiction, paranormal romance, contemporary romance, urban fantasy, and books about Junco (who refuses to be saddled with a label).

She has an undergraduate degree in horses, (yes, really–Thank you, Colorado State University) and a master’s degree in forensic toxicology from the University of Florida. She used to have a job driving around Colorado doing pretty much nothing but shooting the breeze with farmers, but now she just writes, runs the New Adult Addiction and Clean Teen Reads Book Blogs, and runs an online science classroom for homeschoolers.

Learn more about J.A. Huss --> Website / Facebook / Goodreads / Twitter

Giveaways

There are two PANIC tour giveaways for you to enter! The first is a tour-wide giveaway for a Kindle Fire (US) or $100 PP money (INT) and some new signed swag.

You can also enter my own giveaway to win one e-book copy of either TRAGIC or MANIC by J.A. Huss. This is an international giveaway - mobi and epub copies only.

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