About the book
Brady Marshall has made a career of playing it safe. When he decides to do something rash and becomes
a Navy SEAL, he thinks he's finally escaped the rigid structure of the high society life his parents forced down his throat. All he does is trade in one set of rules for another. He follows military protocol to a T, but it still results in the death of an entire team of Navy SEALS and puts his best friends directly in harm's way. He’s struggled to stay afloat and not drown in grief, guilt, and booze, but he's losing that battle quickly. When his baby sister flees her abusive husband and shows up on his doorstep with his young niece in tow, he has no choice but to clean up his act. He will stop at nothing to protect them and never let them down again, even if it means taking a job that goes against everything he believes in. If protecting a pop star princess who thinks she's better than everyone means he can keep a roof over their head, what other choice does he have?
Layla Carlysle has lived a life of luxury. She's been a star since the young age of fifteen, and every record she releases shoots straight to the top of the charts. She has people surrounding her every single day telling her how amazing she is, how beautiful she is, and how lucky she is, but she’s never felt more alone in her entire life. She wants nothing more than to break free and do what she really wants to do: write her own music, sing her own songs, and find a way to finally be happy with her life. The only thing standing in her way is her mother, Eve Carlysle. Eve has controlled every single aspect of her daughter’s life and will stop at nothing to achieve fame and fortune, even if that means using her daughter to get there. When an overlyamorous fan’s letters become increasingly more sinister, Brady will have to suck up his opinion of how the other half lives to take the job seriously. The pair will need to learn to trust each other and put aside their differences before the letters become a reality and someone’s life is in jeopardy.
Brady has been to hell and back, and he refuses to let anyone else get close to him again. Layla has never lived her life for herself, and the emptiness is threatening to break her for good.
Sometimes our lives are already planned for us, but because of you, all of that could change in an instant. 
My Thoughts
It’s easy to forget about all of the bad memories when the one shining light in your life is back and brighter than ever. It’s easy to forgive the hurts and disappointments when the only thing you’ve ached for is standing right there in front of you.
Because of You is the second installment in Tara Sivec’s Playing with Fire series, and I’m happy to share that she’s done it again. Brady and Layla’s story was a perfect representation of what Sivec does best… which is to command the reader’s attention and entertain us with a well-developed plot and extremely likable characters.
For fans of her Chocolate Lover series, again I must say - don’t expect to get the laugh out loud moments and silly scenes that had us cringing and guffawing in laughter. With
Because of You, plan to engage in a storyline that’s filled with steamy moments, serious action and constant intrigue.
I will admit that despite this being the second installment in the Playing with Fire series leaving me to assume that I should know what to expect, I was still somewhat waiting for Sivec to bust out her funny side. However, I think it’s just fun to know that Sivec can shift her style with grace, but still deliver those hints of what else she’s capable of. Talented author!!
In
Because of You, we meet Layla Page Carlysle a pop star sensation with a stalker that has become increasing more dangerous. As a result, Brady Marshall is hired on as a Private Investigator to track down the man whose threats to Layla force her staff to take serious notice.
Brady has a tainted past with his career. He was part of a blotched Navy SEAL assignment that resulted in some of his close friends being killed. And later when he took on a position in the police department, a wrong move cost him his partner and two innocent victims in a domestic violence call. Needless to say, Brady has a tough weight to balance on his shoulders that only gets more complicated when his sister and niece come to him for protection.
When he lands Layla’s assignment, Brady feels he has a lot to prove with no room for error. As Layla and Brady spend more time together, they strike up a complicated romance that not only endangers the person he’s assigned to protect, but also the people that have come to depend on him.
Truly a great story that had me furiously turning the ePages with enthusiasm. I loved that Sivec altered her narrative style in this book, which was alternating first perspectives between Layla and Brady. It was exciting to see through the eyes and minds of these two as their action packed story unfolded. First person narrative is Sivec’s strong suit and I hope she continues to capitalize on it.
Brady Marshall… oh Brady Marshall!!! What a treat! As much as I loved Garrett in book one of this series, which was a LOT, I loved Brady ten times more in this book. His passion, commitment and flaws made for the perfect complement to Layla’s broken and empty life. I loved seeing these two come together and battle their demons with courage.
Overall, I’m a huge fan of Sivec. She has the ability to make me laugh, keep me entertained and hook me with her characters. She’s proven her skill as a writer IMHO and I can’t wait for her next installment. Pure joy!
5 Suns
About the Author
T.E. Sivec is the pen name for Tara Sivec. Under T.E. Sivec, she delves into a more serious genre that is her absolute favorite to read romantic suspense. She loves reading a book and feeling her heart speed up with anticipation and wanted to be able to give that feeling to her fans.
T.E. lives in Ohio with her husband and two children, living the dream of being a fulltime writer.
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As part of the blog tour, the host and author are giving away a swag pack, which will include a signed paperback copy of Because of You as well as a tote bag and lots of other fun goodies! :)
Be sure to visit the other blogs on this tour!
