GIVEAWAY + Book Review - Deer in Headlights by Staci Hart

Deer in headlights – she was paralyzed as her mind went a zillion miles in a split second

[BLURB]
What do the Greek gods do when they're bored? Because they're always bored, so humans are the perfect players in their games.

Aphrodite owns love; she hasn't lost a competition on her turf in over three millennia. Apollo is on a mission to win. He's counting on it to finally get the one woman he's never been able to have. The two gods will choose their human players, and if Aphrodite can't get them together before the clock runs out, Apollo will get his way. And Aphrodite couldn't have that.

Lex and Dean are perfect for each other, they just don't know it yet. Dean is a perpetual bachelor, and a brooding, beautiful rock star. Lex is always with a man, but she'll never fully give herself up. Aphrodite has her work cut out for her, but if she can't make it work, no one can.

The gods have their own drama. Apollo killed Aprhodite's mortal love - they've got beef that's been dragging on for thousands of years. Ares, the douchebag, is forever trying to pick a fight, and trying to get Aphrodite into bed. And Persephone, Aphrodite's best friend, is the one person who Aphrodite shares everything with.

Follow the gods as they fight, laugh, cry, lose love, gain power, and make a mess with humans.

[REVIEW]

3 Stars

Dear in Headlights is like reading two books in one.  It’s Greek Mythology with a contemporary twist!

Aphrodite is the love goddess and she never loses.  If two people are meant to be together, Aphrodite will see to it.  Aphrodite and Apollo play the game of love but with humans. Two humans are picked and if Aphrodite can get them to fall in love within a month, then Aphrodite wins, but if she can’t Apollo wins.

The humans are Lex and Dean. Dean is a rock star and man-whore, who is notorious for sleeping with band member’s girlfriends.  Lex is Travis’ girlfriend and Travis is the newest member of Dean’s band.   Lex and Dean are drawn together, but Lex doesn’t want to hurt Travis and Dean doesn’t want to break up his band.

Dear in Headlights is split between two parallel story lines, The Gods and the Humans.

I decided to give this read a try because I found the blurb very interesting.  I’ll be honest, I don’t know much about Greek Gods, so it’s not my forte and I found that I enjoy Lex and Dean’s story more, but I did find both stories fascinating and very different.  There are some flash backs during the God’s story line, but enough to add a little depth to the story.

There are times where it was a little difficult to follow, there are plenty of side characters and if you aren’t paying attention it can throw you off.  (To me anyhow) I really liked Lex and Dean’s story and maybe because it was easier to follow.  I am usually not a fan of love triangles, BUT Lex never did anything to make me angry at her.  There was a fine line between flirtation and downright cheating.

There’s plenty of tension between both God and human stories.  There are a few steamy scenes which would make this read mature read, but it wasn’t too much and didn’t take away from the story.  I think Deer in Headlights warrants a specific audience and definitely for those Greek lovers.  

An ARC was provided in exchange for an honest review

[Excerpt]

Lex sat in the back of a dingy dive, sipping her drink out of tiny cocktail straws. There was no way she was putting her mouth on the glasses in this place. She glanced up through the very small crowd to spot Kara near the stage, her heart shaped face upturned to a mealy, dirty singer as he screamed into the microphone. He clearly believed he was Sid Vicious reincarnated. This guy had about as much talent as a safety pin in Sid’s cheek.

When the set ended, Kara made her way to the table and set her beer down with a thunk. “I can’t keep this up. Clearly I was very, very drunk when I hooked up with Spike.”

“I still can’t get over that you hooked up with a guy named Spike.”

“Ha ha. Funny. Let’s get out of here, yeah? There’s still time, maybe we can actually find a bar with a band that doesn’t suck.” Kara grabbed her purse and a pale, skinny, sweaty arm slipped around her shoulder. Kara’s lip curled, totally disgusted.

“Hey, chicks. How’d you like the set?” Spike sneered. He looked like a short, starving Billy Idol.

“Oh, it was great.” Lex tried to keep her face together. “You guys are…special.”

Kara shrugged out from under his arm. “Uh, Spike, I’m not feeling so good so we’re going to bail—”

“What? You can’t go yet. We’re on the list at a couple of clubs, and you’re coming.”

Kara shot Lex a 9-1-1 look, but Lex wasn’t paying attention. She was too busy watching the rest of the band walk up. Specifically, the tall blond that led the pack. Lex couldn’t take her eyes off of him. She wondered how the hell she had missed that?

He leaned on the table next to Lex with a charming smile on his face. Kara cleared her throat. 

“Uh, right. I mean, I don’t know Kara. Are you feeling okay?” Lex looked hopefully to Kara and her eyes flicked to the blond.

Kara sighed. “You know what, I guess I can tough it out. Come on, lover.” She linked an arm into Spike’s, and as they walked toward the exit, Kara shot Lex a look over her shoulder. Lex slid off the seat and slung on her bag. She was going to owe Kara, big time. The blond walked next to her as they made their way out.

“So, how’d you like the show?” He sounded like he was baiting her.

“Um, it was…interesting?” 

He laughed, and she relaxed. He knew they were terrible. 

“Yeah, well, it pays the bills. Most of the time, at least” He gave her a wave. “I’m Travis.”

“Lex,” she said as they stepped outside.

“Well, Lex, it’s nice to meet you.” He ran his hand through his hair. “So, how about I buy you a drink?”

She smiled up at him. “I think I’d like that.” 

[Author's Bio]

Staci has been a lot of things up to this point in her life -- a graphic designer, an entrepreneur, a seamstress, a clothing and handbag designer, a waitress. Can't forget that. She's also been a mom; she has three little girls who are sure to grow up to break a number of hearts. She's been a wife; even though she's certainly not the cleanest, or the best cook. She's also super, duper fun at a party, especially if she's been drinking whiskey. Her favorite word starts with f, ends with k, and there a uc in there. 

From roots in Houston, to a seven year stint in Southern California, Staci and her family ended up settling somewhere in between and equally north, in Denver. They are new enough that snow is still magical. When she's not writing, she's sleeping, cleaning, or designing graphics. But let's be honest, she's mostly writing.

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[PURCHASE LINKS]

AMAZON - SMASHWORDS - B&N 

DIH is a light, fun read that will keep you laughing, tug at your heartstrings, and maybe make you change your panties. It's steamy and sweary, a lighthearted romance with a Greek mythology twist.

[GIVEAWAY]

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