In book three of Love by the Yard: Ten years ago, Coach Xavier Jackson was poised to complete a lifelong journey. When he wasn’t picked up after the seventh round of the draft was over, he was left to wonder if his dreams of playing professional football were finally over. Instead, with a chance as a free agent he made good on his, but the lure of off-field activities led the tight end to make the worst decision of his life.
Chelsea Monroe was engaged to the best football player their little college had ever seen. She’d become part of his family, tasked with keeping his baby sister, Leeda, safe when he had to go away. But a visit between training put an end to everything, leaving her shattered and unwilling to give herself to anyone ever again. Though a decade of focus on her career made her a sought after litigator, it kept her from making any personal connections.
Chelsea decides to take a trip to Jamaica before her fresh start in Chicago, but instead of it being a break, it turns into a second chance. Leeda Jackson has plans for her brother and the woman that should have been her sister.
I received this audio book from the author for an honest review.
I want to start by saying I love Logan McAllister’s voice during audio stories. He does such a great job. Michel has had him voice a few of her stories and I have to say, I can’t wait to listen to more!! He does a great job changing the voices for characters but place great inflection for the story.
This story….Man, Xavier and Chelsea …..they just hit me in the heart. This is the story about what if and what happens when you realize you pushed the best part of you away. What will you do when given a 2nd chance???
Xavier and Chelsea were happy, in love, and waiting to hear about his chance at a pro-football career. They can’t wait to start their life together and are happy to have his little sister around to complete their little family. When Xavier gets cocky, greedy, and excited about all the “jersey chasers”, he throws everything he has with Chelsea away. After 3 days he realized that was an epic EFF UP but Chelsea was gone.
10 years later Chelsea is recovering from a divorce. She decided to take a week trip with her best friend to a wonderful resort to drink and prepare for her next move in life. When she sees Xavier, she is none to thrilled and also excited beyond imagination. Seems Xavier’s little sister has been doing some Facebook stalking of her favorite “almost sister” and is not letting her brother EFF UP AGAIN!!!
I loved loved loved the story and how Chelsea was on her guard but also willing to try again with Xavier. I also loved how Xavier knows this is the only time he will ever be able to get what he threw away back but is scared. Now he fears she will reject him after all this time.
The couple have some things to work through, like trust and communication, BUT I have to say I was just like Xavier’s sister in pulling for the two of them. I loved her and her fire. She was the perfect person the kick Xavier’s butt in to gear and not let him throw this 2nd chance away.
Michel Prince is an author who graduated with a bachelor degree in History and Political Science. Michel writes young adult and adult paranormal romance as well as contemporary romance.
With characters yelling “It’s my turn damn it!!!” She tries to explain to them that alas, she can only type a hundred and twenty words a minute and they will have wait their turn. She knows eventually they find their way out of her head and to her fingertips and she looks forward to sharing them with you.
When Michel can suppress the voices in her head she can be found at a scouting event or cheering for her son in a variety of sports. She would like to thank her family for always being in her corner and especially her husband for supporting her every dream and never letting her give up.
Michel is a member of RWA Pro and Midwest Fiction Writers. In 2013 she was awarded Elite Status with Rebel Ink Press. She lives in the Twin Cities with her husband, son, and cat.
Can town librarian Lily Dixon and MMA bad boy Reese Cooper keep their love affair a secret in small town Iowa? Braden, Iowa is the last place on earth Reese Cooper wanted to be but a devastating injury in the octagon forces the MMA fighter back to the small town he once called home. He barely steps foot on Main Street before he is reunited with Lily Dixon, the town librarian and the girl who possessed his heart since they were in kindergarten. Every day in Braden is the same for Lily Dixon. That is until Reese Cooper walks back into her life. With his chiseled, perfect body and dreamy blue eyes, he steals her heart just like he did when they were kids. His kisses, his touch are far better than any fantasy she’s ever had about him. Is she willing to risk everything when her preacher father finds out about her love affair with the town bad boy? And what will happen when Reese goes back to Vegas, leaving her alone in Braden without him?
I bought this book and listened to the audio book.
This is a sweet insta love story about town bad boy Reese who comes home after a log absence to recoup after a bad fight. He is stunned stupid to see the one women he cant seems to shake out of his system still looking as beautiful as he remembered.
Lilly has always had a crush on town bad boy Reese but knew he was not interested in her in any way. When he comes back to town and starts kissing her ear, she is confused because how can the only person she ever loved be here in town and kissing her ear!!!
The love story is insta love in the fact it moves very quickly, and they are professing their love for one another. They are trying to hide the relationship from her father who is the town preacher and does not approve. Reese also worries about Lilly’s reputation in the small town if things get out about what they are doing in the evening *wink*
The couple have a few things to work out like is Reese leaving when he rehabs his injury, what happens when his MMA promoter comes back and what happens when a secret is soon spilled about Lilly!!
If you enjoy insta love stories you will enjoy this book.
I will saw this narration isn’t my favorite. I almost wonder if I might have enjoyed the book more with me reading vs listening to his voice.
Tricia Andersen lives in Iowa with her husband and her three children. She graduated from the University of Iowa with a Bachelor of Arts in English and from Kirkwood Community College with an Associate of Arts degree in Communications Media/Public Relations.
For the past five years, Tricia has been a member of Hard Drive Performance Center in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, an affiliate of Roufusport in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She has experience in kickboxing and currently trains in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Even though she has never competed in an MMA cage, she’s witnessed and been a part of a fighter’s journey from fight camp to their walk to the cage. She also has competed in jiu jitsu.
Scott Taylor has the perfect life. He gets to fulfill his dream playing professional hockey, has a loving family, and a tight group of friends. But the one thing missing in his life is a partner to come home to. He knows exactly who he wants to fill that position– the only woman he has ever loved. The one who got away, who constantly consumes his every thought. What it would take to get her to Just Say Yes to a second chance?
Becca Phillips is an independent woman who has made her career as an ER nurse a priority in her life. She has a loving family and a best friend by her side, but she can’t seem to get over her first love, Scott. Insecurities led her to break up with him years ago when he started climbing the ranks in professional hockey and, for eight years, Becca has avoided Scott when he returns home each summer. Can she overcome her fears and allow love back into her life? All she has to do is Just Say Yes to the one and only man she has ever loved.
I love reading or listening to a “new to me” author. When I saw this author will be attending my favorite author event and she wrote about sports characters, I had to grab a book.
This is a great 2nd chance love story. Who doesn’t love a 2nd chance story???? I am a sucker for it for sure.
Becca and Scott were love at first sight kinda kids. But as life threw curves balls and Becca’s insecurity got the best of he,r she leaves the love of her life. Now 8 years later Becca realizes she is missing the man of her dreams. She decides to not avoid seeing Scott when he visits this summer. She is prayig he too will want to try and rekindle things.
Scott has it all. He has homes, money, and is important on his hockey team rocking the captain title. The one thing he doesn’t have is Becca. She is the one who got away. He is determined to get her back and make her see she is the right woman for him, and he is the right man for her.
The story is a sweet but sexy story of the two reconnecting and figuring out if they are the one for the other. I loved seeing Becca and Scott opening their eyes and making room in their heart for the other. I also love the side story of Becca and Scott’s best friends who too have seem to have found a love connection whether they want to admit it or not.
The story has some insta-love elements but since these two date for high school and college it is easy to see them slip back into their relationship routines. One of my favorite things about the characters are their abilities to want to best for the other half. Scott is out to show Becca how important she is and Becca is all about supporting Scott in his time of trial during his hockey season. They both really do compliment the other and their history is shown really well.
The audio voices in the book were amazing. I loved listening to the differing voices for Scott and Becca. I hope when the rest of the books are done, they continue with the two people because they did a great job bringing the characters to life for me.
Samantha Lind is a contemporary romance author. Having spent the first 27 years of her life in Alaska, she now calls Iowa home where she lives with her husband and two sons. She enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, reading, watching hockey (Go Knights Go!), and listening to country music. You can connect with Samantha on her website, www.samanthalind.com.
Looking for a signed paperback? Contact Samantha directly!
Healing With Words, host of Writers on the River, is a 501(c)(3) not for profit established for healing survivors of abuse, addiction, trafficking and prostitution. We feel the best way to spread love is to share the love of reading.
Through the written word, persons can find an escape and a form of entertainment.
Our mission is to bring together readers, authors, and survivors in a positive manner that affects change and relief from negative influences.
A huge thank you to Eric McKinney, Jon Salvador, and JM Walker!
Take Two: A Collection of Second Chance Stories is an anthology of from the authors of Writers on the River. Love and life get another chance in these tales that will warm your heart and make you fall in love again.
The proceeds of this anthology will go to Thistle Farms, a non-profit organization located in Nashville, Tennessee that helps women survivors of violence, sex trafficking, prostitution and addiction.
Some stories guaranteed are by the following authors with many more authors joining mission:
Jessica Depre’s life is in tatters. She’s on the run, thanks to her abusive husband Robert, who needs to silence her about his criminal escapades and the part he forced her to play in them. When bounty hunter Drake Adams walks into the boarding house where she works, Jessica slips away into the night. Her only hope of surviving and protecting those she loves from her husband’s rage is to vanish forever.
Unable to accept that the only woman he ever loved left him standing at the altar and married another, Drake Adams has given up a good law practice in the Wyoming Territory. If he’s not hunting down bounties, he’s pursuing the bottom of a bottle of bourbon. When Drake learns his former fiancée, Jessica Majors-Depre, has a price on her head, he decides he will collect the reward.
Can the bounty hunter and the bank robber ignite a future from the ashes of their past when they are trapped by a blizzard in a mountain shack or will playing with fire burn them both?
I’m a hybrid, in that I’m published both traditionally and I’m self-publishing. I wrote my first published novel while working on the critical introduction of my creative project for my master’s degree. It wasn’t the most perfect timing but my Muse isn’t the most cooperative, either. She dropped Colt and Amelia into my head and insisted I write their story. So, I tried to reason with Her. Yeah…that wasn’t going to work either. In between writing pages of that critical intro, I kept a second document open and wrote their story.
All of my published novels are western historical romances. My traditionally published romances are set in/around a little town called Federal, in the Wyoming Territory. Federal was actually a town at one time and it still shows up on the state maps handed out by the Tourism Commission in Wyoming. However, Federal isn’t even a wide spot in the road anymore. Other than a small wooden sign denoting “Federal” on a spur of the Burlington-Northern Railroad line, there isn’t much left of Federal.
I love this period of our nation’s history. The national psyche was recovering and healing in the aftermath of the American Civil War and the westward expansion helped to heal that psyche. The research I’ve had to do with each novel makes the history geek in me totally giddy. Those weren’t survival skills I was learning. I was researching how my characters would have lived.
When I’m not writing, I show those Collies I first fell in love with as a child. I’ve bred or co-bred more than thirty champions. I also make beaded “bling” leads to sell to help support my dog show addiction/habit. Dog shows are the reason I don’t have too many vices–I can’t afford another habit.
I received this book for free from the author for an honest review.
So this book …it is definitely a different departure from the regular books we get from Heather. She can write some killer romantic suspense and she can leave you wanting more for sure and trust me you will get that…but this book has a different vibe.
The story is about Brooke who has endured a life of hell with her husband Warren. When she finds out she is pregnant, she is instantly afraid for her baby. Brooke fears no one can help her and then she meets Donna. Donna helps Brooke, now Kellie, escape to better her life.
This story is jumping back and forth from past to present. We see Brooke and then we see Kellie. We see her on the run with her baby until she lands in a small town. She is keeping to herself when the town sheriff slowly starts to friend her daughter to get to Kellie. We see her struggle with opening herself to him because she was warned NEVER to tell who you really are.
When Brooke’s past comes slamming into her future as Kellie with Blake, we all worry and then BOOM the other shoe drops and …..HOLY MOTHER YOU WILL NOT SEE IT COMING!!!!
I received a copy of the book from the author for an honest review.
OH my stars, Heather had me on the edge of my seat on this one. I have to say I was totally vested in Brooke’s story.
Brooke was in an abusive relationship and when she found out she was pregnant she knew she had to run. She was able to get away and start a new life for her and her daughter. When the town sheriff befriends her daughter, it is hard for her to keep the walls up. Brooke finds herself falling for Blake and I was so happy for her. Blake is amazing he is so good for Brooke. Just when things seem to be looking up for Brooke her past catches up with her.
This has a crazy cliff hanger. It took me a while to be able to put my thoughts together to write this review. I had so many things going through my mind and I don’t want to give anything away. All I can say is what an ending and I am so ready for the second book.
Heather DAgostino is an avid reader turned Bestselling Author of the Contemporary Romance Series The Broken Series, The Shattered Series, The Second Chances Series, The Cook Brothers Series, and Romantic Suspense series The Witness Series.
She attended the University of North Carolina at Charlotte where she received a Bachelors of Arts in Elementary Education with a minor in Mathematics.
She currently lives in Central New York with her husband, two children, two dogs, and three cats. When shes not writing she can usually be found at the dance studio, soccer field, or one of the many other places that she plays Supermom.
Officer Adam “Lemon” Lehmann volunteered for experimental cybernetic upgrades to save his life, but the decision killed his career. Now working as a bar bouncer in a society which both fears and loathes cyborgs, Adam wants to lay low until either his aging human parts, or his glitching cyborg parts end his lonely life.
Eve Myer has critical information about her employer’s corporate corruption which is killing cyborgs. But when the internet whistleblower she meets at a bar takes a fatal shot meant for her, she clings to the sexy yet reticent bouncer’s offer of safety. She finds both protection and passion in his arms even as an unknown adversary is determined to destroy her information, and her.
Adam and Eve struggle to keep their own secrets in the face of their escalating feelings and the mounting threat on their lives, even when that threat comes from each other.
Book One of the Silver Cyborg Series trilogy. This story has a romantic happy ending and a storyline continuing to book two.
Time, choices, mistakes, regrets, fate…and MadDog2020!
When Adam was dying he made a choice to accept cybernetic prosthetics to save his life, but now being a cyborg means he is existing in between worlds. Happy to be alive but nothing to live for. He was shunned for his choice and lives a solitary life for fear that he will glitch and hurt someone. Eve is a smart and strong woman who found out the company she works for is killing cyborgs. Her objective is to get this information to the right people and ultimately save the cyborgs. When these two meet you can feel the connection right away. They have a slow burn type of chemistry. One absolutely worth waiting for. He knows something is off with her but can’t put his finger on it. One thing leads to another and BAM! Their lives have been slammed together and now both of them are in danger.
In true Ava fashion there is quite a bit of snark and sass with some seriously hawt scenes. Believe me, you don’t want to miss any of that. One of the things I loved most about the story is that it wasn’t predictable. It consumes you because the conspiracies are crazy and when you see how things change at the drop of a dime it keeps you turning the pages. Add a little MadDog2020 and the mention of toilet paper hoarding and you’ve got yourself an awesome story! No, seriously. These are mentioned and were perfect additions (so now you totally have to read it because you have to know if it’s true!) but the love story that occurs is breathtaking. A sort of Beauty and the Beast scenario, if you will, with a wonderful happily ever after. However, the real zinger is near the end. There are a few characters that are going to become big players in this trilogy and I can’t wait for the next. Bring it on!
Ava Cuvay writes out of this world romance featuring sassy heroines, often-alien-but-always-sexy heroes, and an alcoholic beverage or two… Set in a galaxy far, far away. She resides in central Indiana with her own scruffy-looking nerfherder, kiddos who are growing up without her permission, and two kitties that make her laugh. She believes life is too short to bother with negative people, everything is better with Champagne, and Han Solo shot first. When not writing, Ava is thinking about writing. Or wine. And she’s always thinking about bacon.
Warning: For Adults 18+. Contains wording and actions some may deem offensive. Sexually explicit content. MF.
In book one of Permanent Hangover: All Finn Gardner wanted was a breath of fresh air when he stepped into the alley behind the Permanent Hangover Bar and Tattoo Parlor. At first sight, he’d thought it was just another homeless person to shoo away from the building. Instead, he found someone who needed help—his help.
Having been given a second chance himself, Finn believes in paying it forward. The Hangover has taken more than one lost soul in over the years.
Bailey Parson needed to get away. She left her life in Chicago behind and escaped to St. Paul, but she never once thought far enough ahead to what her next step would be when she arrived there. To her, what she was running from, was much more to worry about than some half-baked plan. After a month stuck on the streets, a new need arises as the temperature started to drop—survival.
Given a chance by a stranger, Bailey works to find her way. Not only winning over customers and the staff with her smart wit and empathy, she wins over the standoffish tattoo artist.
Keeping their relationship forward focused, Finn hoped to avoid both of their baggage. However, when Bailey’s past threatens to destroy everything they built together, Finn’s left with decisions to make. Does he give up the beautiful curvy woman, the only one whose touch calms him? How much of his dark past would he need to unlock to save her? A past with the potential to destroy what they have together.
More importantly, can the lovers turn the scars of the past into a design strong enough to see them through any challenge? Or will the permanent ink leave them with open wounds and no chance of healing?
I receive this audio book from the author for an honest review.
Friends. I finished this audio book and had to sit and think about my review. There is so much happening in this slow burn of a love story ….I mean….WOWZERS!!!
Bay and Finn are not your ordinary H/h of a love story. They are both broken in a way and that brokenness affects how they deal with people. Finn cannot stand to be touched and Bay just doesn’t trust or doesnt believe people don’t have an ulterior motive. No one is nice for nothing.
Finn is in the wrong place at the wrong time with the wrong people. He serves his time and comes out. He is living but in black and white. He has lost the ability to live life in color…until Bay. When he sees her, he has the need to help her.
Bay is running for a really bad situation. The more we learn of her past, the more we are angry for her. When Finn offers to let her move in to his spare apartment little did they known this blooming friendship would become so much more for each of these broken souls.
Seeing these two fight the connection for fear of running what they have built made my heart ache for that finally first kiss!! GAH!! It was so sweet and perfect. As the story builds and we see their relationship move forward we know their pasts will come back to haunt them. When we learn who helped Finn, I was stunned. When we see Bay is afraid of her past I literally yelled “you are stupid!! DO NOT LEAVE HIM!!!!” LOL (That isn’t a spoiler so don’t worry!!)
Their story is full of happiness and healing. I really enjoyed listening to the audio narration. He did a great job expressing the feelings of both characters.
I love the story and the side characters are amazing. Michel said there is a new book coming out soon and I cannot wait to see who it is about. I mean, I don’t think I can guess or even choose!!
Michel Prince is an author who graduated with a bachelor degree in History and Political Science. Michel writes young adult and adult paranormal romance as well as contemporary romance.
With characters yelling “It’s my turn damn it!!!” She tries to explain to them that alas, she can only type a hundred and twenty words a minute and they will have wait their turn. She knows eventually they find their way out of her head and to her fingertips and she looks forward to sharing them with you.
When Michel can suppress the voices in her head she can be found at a scouting event or cheering for her son in a variety of sports. She would like to thank her family for always being in her corner and especially her husband for supporting her every dream and never letting her give up.
Michel is a member of RWA Pro and Midwest Fiction Writers. In 2013 she was awarded Elite Status with Rebel Ink Press. She lives in the Twin Cities with her husband, son, and cat.
Heather DAgostino is an avid reader turned Bestselling Author of the Contemporary Romance Series The Broken Series, The Shattered Series, The Second Chances Series, The Cook Brothers Series, and Romantic Suspense series The Witness Series.
She attended the University of North Carolina at Charlotte where she received a Bachelors of Arts in Elementary Education with a minor in Mathematics.
She currently lives in Central New York with her husband, two children, two dogs, and three cats. When shes not writing she can usually be found at the dance studio, soccer field, or one of the many other places that she plays Supermom.
All of my top books from January 1 to June 30th are author who are #WOTR20 authors.
Love and Neck Ties by Lacey Black
Zombie Queen by Mary Martel and Brandy Slaven
Four Rounds by Jillian Jacobs
Mine for Now by Cindy Tanner
Convict Blood by Vivian Ward
Love and Neck Ties
Blurb – For Samuel Grayson, everything is black or white. As a funeral director, there’s no room for in-between. He’s accustomed to dealing with life and death, though he’s definitely more comfortable with the latter. Especially when it comes to a chaotic, petite, feisty ball of energy. Freedom Rayne. Samuel’s pretty sure her goal is to make his life hell, or so it appears. When Samuel boards a flight to Las Vegas for his sister’s wedding, the last thing he expects is to share it with the one woman who drives him crazy.
Freedom is eccentric and completely content with it. Floating around from job to job, she finds peace and tranquility in everything she does, including tormenting poor, uptight Samuel Grayson. When she finds herself on the same flight as him for her best friend’s wedding, she sees this as the perfect opportunity to get under his skin, something she tries to do every chance she gets. The problem is the more time she spends with him, the more she likes him.
What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, right? Not for Samuel and Freedom. Will they be able to forget about their trip when they return to Rockland Falls? What if one mistake turns out to be the best thing ever?
Blurb – The beginning… The beginning is always the best place to start when reflecting on what has been. Thinking back on it, my life had been perfect. Middle class girl in high school with a happy home life. My life had been full of nothing but promise. Life was good. Everything was great. And then my whole world went to shit. In one day. The disease came first. Then the dead. It was a fight for my life every single day from the start. But I was different from all the rest. I had heard my mother’s screams while watching my sister become one with the undead. All the while feeling like there was absolutely nothing I could do to help them. It killed me. What’s more, it changed me. I did everything I possibly could to survive on my own. And then I learned how to survive with others. By being their Queen. Their Zombie Queen. And by being the most feared woman they ever came in contact with.
This is a WhyChoose novel full of zombies, a sword wielding badass chick, and an army of dudes. Recommended age 17+ due to content and language.
Blurb-—A completely ridiculous way to fall in love. You Tube influencer and syndicated morning talk show host, Cricket Kelly lives life with purple tips on her red locks and unicorn socks on her feet. Theodore Brooks lives by the numbers with nary a hair out of place. They meet between boxing bags and even though opposites attract, Cricket’s father is being implicated for money laundering, and Theo is the lead investigator on the case. Will four rounds be enough to discover true love? Or will disastrous dates end their chance at happiness? Find out with this slightly silly but absolutely fun fight for love
Blurb – I’m forced to choose between life and death in two hells that I can’t escape.
Facing a prison sentence on a mysterious, unknown island with my infant daughter, I try to lay low and fly under the radar during my term, but Officer Matthew Kent has his sights locked in on me from the moment we have our first encounter. I find myself trapped in his private lair where my worst nightmare begins.
Handsome, obsessed, and haunted by his past, he’ll never let me go. Confined with my captor, love is no longer a choice because without him, I might not live long enough to make it out of here alive. My only instinct is to survive. There’s just one problem with our forbidden relationship: people are watching––and talking about it. Someone will die. Someone must die. But who will it be first?
Read this dark prison romance novel to find out who will make it out alive
Blurb – Ran Walker can’t outrun his demons. After watching the woman he loved marry another man, he’s given up on finding that happiness for himself. Until a chance encounter with a fiery redhead challenges everything he thought he knew…
Elle Sullivan is done bending to the expectations of others. Now, she’s determined to live life by her own terms. Even if that means taking a chance on the burly biker that helped her fix a flat tire. He’s the exact opposite of any man she’s ever dated—yet the heat between them is undeniable.
Can Ran and Elle shrug off the shackles of his haunting past and her constricting family name to find the freedom of a blissful life together? Or will the ill-fitting facades of who they are supposed to be force them apart?
I received this book from the author for an honest review.
LAWD!!! Sammy and Free!! You two have been killing me this series!! I mean GAH!! I was so excited when I learned that Free was going to be Samuel’s HEA because honestly, I cannot imagine anyone else with him. As opposites as they are, they fit together perfectly in so many ways.
Samuel has always been annoyed yet intrigued by his sisters’ best friend who was essentially adopted into the family. He, however, also couldn’t stand her constant teasing and chaos of a world. Samuel is Mr. White and Black. Everything has a place and life isn’t messy. Life is orderly. Boy does Free rock his world right off its axis.
Freedom is the queen of the hippie life. She doesn’t eat meat. She doesn’t believe in animal testing on products. She is the most reliable if not slightly late friend you can ever want so why is she so attracted to her sister older brother. The man who wears ties to family functions…never mind what those ties do to her libido!!!
These two have fought the chemistry so long so when they are thrown together in the Vegas for Samuel’s sister/Free’s best friend Harper’s wedding as the only single friends, they kiiiinda lose control and kiiiind awake up a mess. Apparently, what happens in Vegas doesn’t always stay in Vegas!!
I loved seeing Free be so sure in the decision to stay with Samuel and convince him she was the right person for him. Seeing Samuel so conflicted but stepping out of his norm to TRY this life with Free was adorable. I loved the scene with him in the shop…hilarious!! The entire scene cracked me up.
The conflict of the story made my eyes a bit leaky because we all wanted to punch Samuel. He has lived by his strict controlled world. He is having a hard time learning to trust his heart and not follow his brain. Free is the most amazing character in the series and when we finally got to SEE what her life was before this meeting Harper and her family, it was sad. We understand why family is so important to her and why she clings to those she loves so fiercely.
The epilogue was amazing, and the bonus epilogue made my heart sing!! I was so happy by that little chapter because …well we all needed to see this happen and see the HEA!!
I received this book from the author for an honest review.
I can’t even begin to tell you how amazing and crazy good this story is. The first chapter will have you on the edge of your seat. My heart was in my throat listening to Emerald tell you about the day everything changed for her. If that chapter does not keep you totally enthralled, then when you hear the description of the life and surroundings Emerald has…I felt my skin crawling because it was so tense and so claustrophobic. I was dying but in heaven dying!! It was totally a good thing!
This book is so fast paced at times with so much action and then other times we are feeling the despair and fear of Emerald. We know its been 16 months and we know she is sad, lonely and scared. When the Sam appears I admin I was scared outta my mind because women aren’t treated the best in these worlds and Emerald knows this first-hand. As the other guys start to show Emerald they are not the bad guys and can be trusted, we see her open up and hope beyond hope she had a safe place. A Family to call her own. Complete with a crazy Granny!!
The story is a lot of interpersonal relationships and dealing with the all the men and one Emerald. But when Emerald makes some proclamations, I was like GET IT GIRL!!! When our family is starting to come together and starting to find a rhythm, chaos finds them and its not even the crazy girl or the wild man who bring it home.
I loved the action and loyalty this family shows one another. But sweet Baby Jesus if you ladies don’t write another book, Imma be broken. I need some more time with some of the guys and Emerald.
I read the first chapter and was messaging Jillian how hilarious this book is. Seriously I snort laughed so many times in this book!
Cricket is so damn funny and off the wall, but I loved her so much. Once you get past her wild and crazy side you see a woman who wants to be loved for her but is so scared of being loved. Her life hasn’t been great, and she hides it well. However, her insane attraction to her friend’s brother changes that for her in an instant.
Theo is a total sick in the mud. He goes boxing with his sister and takes notice of the wild instructor immediately. When she just shoves her way into his life, he is not happy but also not unhappy about it. The only issue is…he can’t get involved with her given he is investigating her father’s dirty dealings.
The dates the two go on…had me in stitches!! I mean shut up!! I couldn’t stop giggling while reading!! The story of Theo’s investigation takes on the majority of the end of the story but seeing them try to be together through it all was well worth the read.
Seriously I would love to read a book about Jessica, Theo’s sister, because this insane family needs more wild in their lives.
I receive this book from the author for an honest review.
Ok fraaaannz!! I am a dark reader but I am a scaredy cat dark reader…meaning…if its super dark I hide and cry. If its super dark, I freak outta my mind. Ok so now you know what kinda whimp reader I am. Lemme say, THIS BOOK I was totally rooting for the couple and not at all sad about what was happening. LOL
Vic and Henry are totally in a bad spot and get caught stealing. Now this is way way way back when Australia would send entire families to the jail if the parents were caught. So Vic and Henry along with baby Lizzy are facing this jail time. (You get the prequal for the story here https://www.authorvivianward.com/ )
The couple are bound and determined to last the 9 month journey and if they get separated, they will keep their heads down and noses clean. Well that is a great plan IN THEORY, but Vic soon becomes the eye of Marine Officer Kent’s eye.
Matthew Kent is not a great guy….initially. Yeah, he is forcing himself on Vic but soon they two do form a bond. Now I know people will scream STOCKHOLM SYNDROM, but I don’t think so. I think they really and truly grow to love each other. Matthew has cared for Lizzy and Vic while also looking for her husband but coming up short.
They two must overcome a lot while on the journey to the prison’s new camp. They wonder if they can make it ago and what will happen once they do arrive at the island. Right when we think we know what will happen, Vivian throws a giant couple of twists and turns and I was like DAYUM GIRL!! Why you gotta do me like this!!! LOL
Once they boat makes way to the mainland Vic has a lot of new things to navigate and new worries besides what she has been worrying about the entire journey. I legit cannot even begin to discuss what happens on the island because HELLO SPOILERS are not my jam. But if you like darker books and storied with crazy twists and turns with yummy anti-heros and sweet heros, then this is a book for you.
I received this book from the author for an honest review.
Friends!! Ran has been on my mind since I read When you Where Mine back last fall. I mean this dude is a hot mess of loyalty and family but also heartbreak and feeling less then.
You don’t need to read the previously mentioned book BUT to know Ran and his heart, I highly suggest it. When Elle comes and knocks him on his big burly ass, you will appreciate it all the more. Ran has only loved Harper and after the heartbreak of losing her to Ash, he has given up on finding anyone. He knows he is a felon and who wants to marry or be with a guy like that? He is gruff and rough around the edges plus he is totally pushing away all his friend. But he is definitely the one guy you can trust to keep a woman safe.
Elle is over it all. After walking away from her fiancée and starting life over in this small town, she too is over dating. When an accidental tasing of Ran leads Elle to wonder about the hot stranger, they both think they will never see the other.
When Elle comes barreling into his life by helping and befriending his sister Nona, who also is a hot mess and I am dying to know her story with Ben, the two start a “friends with benefits” relationship. Each is afraid of the day the other will call it quits but is secretly falling head over heels with the other.
When miscommunication and self-doubt cause the two to separate, I was ready to nut punch Ran. I was glad to see Harper come and knock some sense into him with the help of Ash. These two are a perfect fit and they need to open their eyes and stop worrying about the fears in their heart.
I am such a huge fan of these characters. I admin the previous book was one of my favorite last year so this book was a very anticipated book by me. I can saw 110% this book did not let me down. I loved getting to know Ran and all his “faults” even more. But I really loved the sassy and fiery red head named Elle who helped him overcome his fear of being less then. But yo, I really freaking loved Gigi!!!!
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