Review and Giveaway: Promise Me Light by Paige Weaver

"I'm darkness, Maddie. Stay away from men like me. You'll only get hurt."

At one time my life was simple. Easy. But that was before the war. Now I was no longer an average college student. I was a survivor. A woman living in a ravaged world. My future was not bright and my life was far from perfect. The war had taken so much from me... but it wasn't finished yet. It wanted more. It wanted my heart. My soul. The one person I couldn't live without. It wanted Ryder Delaney. My best friend. The bad boy. The one person who could fight like no other and love me like no one else. He was the father of my baby. I watched him walk away one hot summer day and I prayed he would return. I needed him like I needed air to breathe and water to drink. Without him I was lost. A light without her darkness. Until he returns, I'll wait for him. And I believe he will return because love is powerful... And so is the light calling him home.



4 Star Review by Allison East

My preface to this review is that you have to read Promise me Darkness first to understand any of what is going on in Promise me Light. That being said, what a great conclusion to Maddie and Ryder's story.

Although, I really enjoyed the suspense in both novels, Promise me Light had so much more! Ups and downs are riddled throughout this book, enough to keep your heart palpitating the whole time.

It starts out just where Promise Me Darkness left off with Maddie waiting on Ryder to get back from trying to save her best friend Eva. Only Cash and Gavin show back up with Eva- no Ryder in sight.

This story is amazing, because you are really rooting for Ryder the whole story.  I love a good book boyfriend, especially one that you need to root for! Ryder is the type of bad boy book boyfriend that you can't help but fall for. He is kind of reckless, but behind all that he just wants to find love, and be loved- like anyone else.

"You said it was over," he whispered against my skin, sending a tingle through me. "But we're never over."



The story of Maddie and his love is also told through flashbacks, which I normally hate, but they give insight into their relationship. It also shows as long as Maddie had a secret crush on Ryder, it seems he had feelings for her but never thought he was good enough.

"It'll always be you and me," he rasped against my mouth, his hand dropping from my hair to start unbuttoning my shirt, "together."

And so much of this,

"I went through hell to get here," he said hoarsely, rolling his lips against mine, "but now I'm in heaven."

I was so excited to get an advanced copy of this story, it was one of the ones  I have been waiting for. Paige's writing is so fantastic I read this in a day. The story had just the right amount of "different" as to be spectacular. And a great epilogue to sum everything up so we aren't guessing what will happen next.

You will certainly enjoy this conclusion and all the twists and turns that encompass the main characters but also how they survived the very unsavory conditions that they lived in. It's a story like one you have never read; a story of survival that could actually happen in real life. This is what made this story very tangible to me.

I was actually sad when this story was over because I really loved Maddie and Ryder. I could read about them again and again. Both were such strong characters, one of the strongest couples I have read about. You will definitely enjoy this conclusion.

Nook Promise Me Darkness

Nook Promise Me Light




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Review and Giveaway: Tattered Love by Lola Stark

When ex-Special Ops bad-ass Mace walks into Needle's Kiss tattoo parlour, he never expected to find the girl who would turn his life upside down.

Hard as nails Scarlett has been unlucky in love: she’s been burnt, chewed up and spat out. Reluctant to have another relationship, can she keep her wits about her when hot-as-sin Mace walks into her tattoo parlor? Or will he break her down and leave his mark within her ink?

What starts out as a little fun, turns into something so much more.

Can Scarlett look beyond Mace's devastating past or will his demons come back to haunt them both?

Content warning: contains steamy, anywhere-goes sex, an alcohol induced embarrassing night out and two headstrong lovers taken on a whirlwind of crazy.



4 Star Review by Faith Dotson

This will make your toes curl, hair stand on end and give you the most delicious goose bumps- Yep…it’s one of those reads fellow book junkies.

Scarlett is nothing but a take no holds barred kind of woman. She runs a successful business, has a bad ass car, and prides herself in not being a sappy kind of woman. Her life hasn’t been all tea cups and tiaras, but she has made it being known as a tomboy thanks to the raising of her late father. Nothing and I mean nothing will stand in her way. The way this woman handles herself makes you want to be her best friend or you secretly wish that you were Scar.

“Yuck, he just wouldn’t quit with the sappy shit. Maybe I should tattoo his eyeball instead? ‘I’m not a kitten. Why are you here?’ I asked bluntly and straight to the point. I didn’t want to be rude, but he was grating on my last nerve.”

And Mace…well, he is just plain man candy. He’s a bad ass himself, but he has no problem bringing out the mushy side of himself to get what he wants. You fall in love with him not only for his sex on a stick appearance but for how he knows to treat a woman. He is a dominant family man and oh so swoon worthy. As with any man, he does have his “man” moments where you just want to smack him, but once you find out his pain, you just want to take him in your arms and cuddle with this muscular meat. 

“Looks like it’s time to step it up a notch then. I told you already, sweetheart. I’m. Not. Going. Anywhere.’ Kissing the side of my neck between each word, he stepped back palming my ass as he moved away and went back to the living room.”

“Let me prove it to you. You’ll never know until you give me a chance.’ Indecisiveness shone deep in her eyes. I reached out and cupped her perfect face in my hands and whispered, ‘Let me protect you, baby. That’s what a man does for his girl. He protects what’s his.” UMMM…Hello! Swoon notable!!!!

This story contains humor, a ‘bout of drama, and panty melting, fanning yourself, hot, delicious sex. It also contains the swoon worthy moments that not woman in their right mind could not fall for and let’s not forget the moments when you want to do a face palm. The secondary characters add so much fun to this read. Scar’s best friend Teeny is a wild cat with a soft side, and Mace’s brother, who also drizzles sex, adds a lot of humor. You will also find a lot of family dynamic from Mace’s family. Lola captures every aspect in this delicious read.

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Blog Tour: Breaking Nova by Jessica Sorensen

Synopsis

Nova Reed used to have dreams-of becoming a famous drummer, of marrying her true love. But all of that was taken away in an instant. Now she's getting by as best she can, though sometimes that means doing things the old Nova would never do. Things that are slowly eating away at her spirit. Every day blends into the next . . . until she meets Quinton Carter. His intense, honey brown eyes instantly draw her in, and he looks just about as broken as she feels inside.

Quinton once got a second chance at life-but he doesn't want it. The tattoos on his chest are a constant reminder of what he's done, what he's lost. He's sworn to never allow happiness into his life . . . but then beautiful, sweet Nova makes him smile. He knows he's too damaged to get close to her, yet she's the only one who can make him feel alive again. Quinton will have to decide: does he deserve to start over?

Or should he pay for his past forever?

4.5 star review by Jen Skewes

Wow! I am no even sure where to begin with this review.  When I found out that Jessica Sorensen was writing another book of course I could not wait to read it.  When I read the prologue a few months ago I was completely hooked and knew I needed to read more.  I knew this was going to be an emotional read that deals with deep issues.  Jessica Sorensen has a way of writing these amazing stories that bring our every emotion, she has a way of making you feel those emotion with the characters she creates and Breaking Nova is no different.   This is the heartbreaking story of two broken people who have both experienced the loss of a loved one in a traumatic way and are both trying to find a way to move on. 

Nova lost the love of her life and ever since that horrible day when she found Landon she has been trying to find a way to deal with the pain, to move on, to understand why he did it, and what was going through his mind when he did and most of all why he left her.  She is not sure how to live and move on without Landon.  She is numb and just living her life day to day as they come.  Then she meets Quinton and from the moment she sees him she is drawn to him.  Maybe it's the sadness that she sees in his eyes, the same sadness that she has.  Maybe it is because he understands her pain like no one else can, because he is feeling the same pain that she is.

Quinton has also lost the love of his life and has blamed himself for it ever since.  It was supposed to be him. He has lost all ability to even care what goes on around him or to even care for anyone or anything for that matter.  But when he meets Nova there is something about her.  He wants to help her, to take care of her.  And those feelings start to scare him because he isn't supposed to care.  He has been numb since the death of his girlfriend and being with Nova brings out feelings that he doesn't want to be having.  They begin to form a friendship and at times find themselves crossing that line.  They find themselves being pulled towards each other, fighting it every step of the way and then pulling away from each other when things get to be too intense. It's like they need each other but are afraid to get to close, afraid of what may happen if they do.  The truth is that Nova doesn't really know where the sadness that she sees in Quinton comes from and vice versa.  They don't know that much about each other except that they both seem to be in this dark place and when they are together they both feel more alive. 

Quinton and Nova were both good, loving and caring people.  And they still are and you see that part of them when they are together.  You see Quinton wanting to make Nova happy, trying so hard not to bring her into the dark world that he now lives in.  I honestly cannot imagine going through what these two have gone through. And I think that people deal with the loss of someone in different ways.  Some people try to move on and live life for themselves for the person they lost and the people around them.  But then there are some like Quinton and Nova who become this person that they don't know.  They become a shell of themselves and lead themselves down a path of self destruction.  Nova feels lost without Landon.  She isn't sure who she is any more and sometimes wonders if she ever really knew who she was.  Will she find out who that person is with Quinton or is it something that she needs to do on her own?

There is so much more to this story but I don't want to give it away.  Breaking Nova is raw, and emotional, intense and real.  Jessica Sorensen has an amazing way with words that draws you in and connects you with these characters who are so broken that your heart will completely break for them. She has a way of making you feel the emotions of the characters as if you are experiencing their pain and loss with them. You want to be able to hug them and tell that that everything is going to be OK.  You want to see them move past the pain and heal.  This story was sad and emotional and will rip your heart out.  But it was all worth it and I loved every minute of it.  Breaking Nova is a powerful story of two people who are so broken and so lost that they find themselves in this dark world that they do not belong in.

Will Quinton and Nova be able to break free from this place that they are in and move forward?  Will they be able to heal and move on from the pain? 

Another amazing job by Jessica Sorensen.  I cannot wait for the next book!



About the Author

The New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, Jessica Sorensen, lives in the snowy mountains of Wyoming. When she's not writing, she spends her time reading and hanging out with her family.

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Review and Giveaway: Derek by Dawn Martens

Synopsis

Rylie Sullivan hasn’t had an easy life. She is broken, so broken she doesn’t think she will ever be fixed. When she meets Derek, he barges into her life and tries to break down the walls she has so carefully construed to keep what’s left of her safe. When Rylie’s past mixes with her present, will Derek stand by her and help her survive? Or will he bail for the next pretty thing?

Derek Tremaine has had it easy. Coming from a wealthy family and blessed with good looks, Derek has breezed through life. After years of one night stands, and a few half ass attempts at relationships, Derek has almost given up on ever finding the woman for him. When he sees Rylie however, he can’t help but be drawn to her. Rylie is different, more so than any other person Derek has met. Rylie’s beauty- her tattoos, piercings and beautiful blonde dreads drew him in, but it’s her sweet, kind nature that makes him want to stay around and protect her. Winning Rylie’s heart will be his greatest challenge yet, but Derek knows the reward will be more than worth it.
Which is why Derek has no intentions of letting her go.

4 star review by Jen Skewes

I am a big fan of the Resisting Love series.  Derek is the last book in the series and Dawn Martens did a fantastic job with it.  Derek is a little different that the other books in this series in that it deals with some deeper issues.  Derek and Rylie's story is about finding love when you believed love just didn't exist any more, it's about healing, and moving on.

Rylie didn't have the best childhood.  She had two parents who were always drunk, constantly moving because her parents could never afford to pay the rent.  Basically she had two parents that could care less about her and would do anything to pay the bills.  Rylie finally broke free from her parents and while out one night with friends she met Caleb.  She was definitely attracted to Caleb and a little surprised when told her he wanted to get to know her better before sleeping with her.  Caleb seemed like this amazing guy and could possibly be the "one".  But  it turns out that Caleb wasn't this sweet, caring and amazing boyfriend.  He was a controlling, abusive monster and as hard as she tried to escape she couldn't.  Justice was finally served and Rylie was now free of Caleb.  But at this point she had become so broken and damaged. She just wanted to move on and get past it all.  But how do you do that when your body and mind are constant reminders of what happened to you?   Rylie had become so broken that she didn't even believe in love any more.  How could you when you grew up with parents who didn't care and the only other love she knew came in the form of physical abuse.  She wan't looking for love and never planned on going down that path again, until she met Derek Tremaine.

Derek has always been a player.  He has been with many woman and they have been nothing more than just sex to him.  But now he sees his close friends getting married and settling down with kids, he starts to wonder that maybe the days of being a player are over.  He wants what they have, but he hasn't found the right girl.  Until he meets Rylie.  He knows from the minute he sees her that she is something special.  But unfortunately given her past and what has happened to her Rylie is exactly interested and she is not sure she can even trust someone like Derek. Derek wants Rylie but somehow he messes up before even getting a chance with her and then she leaves town, never to see him again.

Fast forward three years later where this little thing called fate steps in.  Rylie and Derek end up living in the same town again and when Derek sees her again he vows to make Rylie his.  He knows her past and knows that she still has this wall around her heart so he agrees to be friends with her......for now.  He isn't the same person that he used to be and he intends to prove it to her.  Rylie enjoys the time she spends with Derek and all though they agree to remain just friends, let's face it, we all know how well that works out.  Derek and Rylie eventually give in to their feelings for each other and Derek slowly breaks down the walls the Rylie has built.  But unfortunately their road to happiness is a bumpy one.  There are two people who are standing in their way and will do what ever it takes to make sure they are not together.  Will Rylie's past come back to haunt her and ruin the happiness that she has found with Derek?  

I loved Derek.  He was such an amazing hero.  He knew her past and how much pain she went through and because of it he was patient with her.  He knew he wanted her but was willing to start out as friends first.  He was caring, sweet, loving and wanted to protect Rylie.  You also see that even though at one time he was a player he was a little bit of a momma's boy and had a wonderful relationship with his parents which I loved.  Rylie was a great heroine.  She has been through so much pain, hurt and abuse but she always managed to stay strong and try to move past it.  She also had a great support team.  She had an amazing friend in Melody and even Derek's parents were so awesome.  

I loved this story and loved Derek and Rylie together.  It was an emotional read and my heart broke for Rylie and all that she went through.  We see through flashbacks a little of what happened to her.  And through all the hurt she went through she moved on.  Derek and Rylie has such a wonderful relationship especially when she finally let guard down and let Derek into her heart.  They had a bumpy journey with some road blocks along the way but they never gave up, especially Derek. 

Derek is a beautiful story about love, healing and moving on from the past.  It is about learning to believe in love again and second chances.  An excellent job by Dawn Martens. 


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Release Day Book Blitz: Lovely by Beth Michele

TITLE - Lovely

AUTHOR - Beth Michele

GENRE - New Adult

RELEASE - September 26, 2013

GOODREADS - http://tiny.cc/0w7x3w

BOOK DESCRIPTION -

A moment can change everything…

Ashton Taylor. Six foot one, Dark hair, chiseled jaw, riveting hazel eyes, and a body cut in all the right places. He’s a natural. Things just come easy to him. He’s used to getting everything he wants, excelling at everything he does. The grades, the recognition, the beautiful women. His path was set. A girl, a full scholarship to UC San Diego, and a bright future. To others, his life seemed perfect. But, things are never what they seem, and life, well, at any moment, something or someone can come along and turn it upside down. That something…the death of his father. That someone… Cara Hayward. The girl with the hypnotic eyes, melodic voice, enchanting smile, and lips sent straight from heaven. The girl who doesn’t want to be seen. So what happens when a guy who everything comes easy to, meets a girl who doesn’t come easy? Can he crawl through all the broken glass to find her? Will the girl he discovers deep down be able to see past his perfect exterior? Together, do they have the power to heal one another? Or, could the very thing that brings them together, be the one thing that tears them apart?

Prologue
Who am I?

Fuck if I know.

I step out of a scalding hot shower, humidity filling the bathroom, the air weighing so

heavy it's hard to breathe.  I can relate.  I wrap a towel around my waist and feel my way to the

sink.  Who am I?  This question continues to plague me.  My eyes crawl up to the mirror begging

for an answer, but a buildup of moisture prevents me from seeing my reflection.  I place my fists

on either side of it, rub the steam off with my palm, and stare.  As I contemplate this question,

the only thing I'm left with are blank eyes looking back at me.  I know this shouldn't be, but it is. 

I'm a devoted son, responsible brother, trusted friend, excellent student, and a good fuck.  I’ve

been told I'm talented.  And I suppose things come easy to me.  My life seems perfect.

There shouldn't be anything missing right?  Wrong.

There is.

I only wish I knew what it was.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR -

I am a wife, a mom, an author, and a lover of all things chocolate, well, anything sweet really. While stuffing chocolate in my face, I enjoy reading young adult and new adult novels furiously, and spending time with my husband and two adorable children who keep me on my peppermint pink painted toes. Those same children who inspire me to tell silly stories that cause hysterical giggles to tumble from their bellies. I love to laugh and love to have a good cry, especially after reading a novel that stretches my soul, one that makes me feel, and lingers in the corner of my heart. I’m a hopeless romantic and a happily ever after fanatic, and I love to write about LOVE. I began writing when I was in middle school, penning anything from short stories, to poetry, and then later moved on to write children’s books. I have now endeavored into New Adult and Contemporary Romance novels and am loving every minute of it. My first novel, Love Love, was released in May, 2013.

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LOVE LOVE by Beth Michele is currently on sale for only $0.99 for a LIMITED TIME

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Book Blast: Mid Life Love: At Last by Whitney

Mid Life Love (Mid Life Love, #1)
If you'd asked me what love was two years ago, I probably would've said, 'It's this amazing feeling that obsesses and possesses you; it's what me and my husband currently have.' If you ask me that same question today, I'll say, 'Please get the hell out of my face.’

Claire Gracen's life is picture perfect. Her career as a marketing director is on the brink of being legendary, and her marriage to her high school sweetheart has never been stronger. No, wait. It has.

It used to be amazing and fulfilling, but one day Claire realizes that she's been living a lie and her best friend and husband have committed the ultimate betrayal. Broken and depressed, Claire is in need of something new—new city, new job, new friends.

When she happens to attract the interest of the sexiest man she's ever met, a man significantly younger than her, she immediately turns him down—only to later discover that this man is Jonathan Statham, self-made billionaire and CEO of Statham Industries. Her boss.

Jonathan Statham is unlike any man she's met before. He's used to getting whatever he wants—whenever he wants, and he isn't about to take no for an answer.

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Mid Life Love: At Last (Mid Life Love, #2)

If you ask me if Jonathan Statham makes me happy, I’ll say ‘Absolutely. He’s the man of my dreams and I can’t wait to marry him.’ If you ask me why my ex-husband Ryan is currently one inch away from me—staring into my eyes and pressing his hand against my cheek, I’ll say, ‘I have no fucking idea…’

Claire Gracen finally has the life she’s always wanted: A career she loves, a man who’s willing to do any and everything for her, and friends that show her the true meaning of the word ‘friendship.’

As she and Jonathan prepare to make the ultimate commitment to one another and plan the wedding of her dreams, she quickly realizes that the hurtful past she left behind in Pittsburgh is a lot closer than she thought.

Sexy, unpredictable, and as charmingly clever as ‘Mid Life Love,’ ‘At Last’ will captivate you from the first page and never let you go.
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Mid Life Love – Amazon (Paperback) 
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Excerpt

Claire

“We don’t need pre-marital counseling, Claire.” Jonathan looked over at me as the elevator doors

closed. “This is a waste of time.”

“I didn’t say we needed it. I said we should try it—to make sure we both have honest expectations about

being married.”

“And what expectations are those?”

“You’ll find out when we get there.” I smiled at him and he rolled his eyes.

I’d told him I wanted to attend a few sessions before we got married—something Ryan and I didn’t do,

just to make sure we were on the same page about a few things. Of course, he was one hundred percent

against the idea, but after I told him it would make me “happy,” he slowly gave in.

We were scheduled for a two hour session with the top counseling firm in San Francisco—Waldo and

Emerson Associates. The doctors had assured me that it would be a light and easy process and that

Jonathan and I would come out of it feeling closer than before.

As our elevator came to a stop and the doors glided open, I realized that there was nothing ahead of

us. There was no secretary’s desk, no simple sign that read “Waldo & Emerson,” nor was there anything

that resembled any sort of professional counseling business. Instead, the entire floor was covered in

white sand, the few clear columns that stood ten feet apart were filled with colorful fish, and there were

three beige beanbags that surrounded a small makeshift fire-pit.

Before I could accuse Jonathan of tampering with our session, a man dressed in an all-white tunic

stepped in front of us.

“Ahhhh,” he said, smiling. “The future Mr. and Mrs. Statham. Welcome to Waldo pre-marital counseling.

I’m Dr. Choate and I’ll be assisting you through the first stage of unity today.”

“Wait a minute. I’m sorry.” I shook my head. “We’re supposed to be meeting a Dr. Fleming. Is this the

wrong floor?”

“No. You’re in the right place. This is it.”

“Then where is Dr. Fleming?”

“He retired last week. He didn’t send you an email?”

I shook my head.

“Oh, well sorry about that. The company decided to hire me in his place the same day that he left.

After all my success with the Zen rituals at Statham Industries, they thought I was the best choice.”

He reached out to shake Jonathan’s hand. “That’s why it’s an absolute honor to bestow my new and

exclusive Zen practices with the man who made me a household name.”

Oh god…


Author’s Bio

A self-diagnosed candy addict, travel junkie, and hypochondriac, Whitney Gracia Williams LOVES to write about characters that make you laugh, cry, and want to (in the case of Selena Ross) reach through your Kindle and slap them.

She is the "imaginary bestselling" author of the Jilted Bride Series, Mid Life Love, Wasted Love, and Captain of My Soul.  She also loves getting emails from her readers, so if you want to tell her how much you loved (or hated) her stories e-mail her -  whitgracia@gmail.com

Contact Links

Website - http://www.whitneygracia.com

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/pages/Whitney-Gracia-Williams/586872201345340

Twitter - https://twitter.com/WhitGracia

Goodreads - http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6518370.Whitney_Gracia_Williams

Pinterest - http://pinterest.com/whitgracia/

Review and Giveaway: Everything I've Never Had by Lynetta Halat

Synopsis

Celeste Hebert appears to have it all, but there are many things she's never had, been forbidden from having.

One night. One song. One kiss. The perfect trifecta to unleash the floodgates of a forbidden attraction between the widow and her husband’s bad boy cousin, Adrian.

Celeste endeavors to rebury the feelings that surface after this one night since her powerful family despises him. Kindred spirits, best of friends they attempt to douse their attraction; however, Adrian always seems to know exactly how to push her buttons and may prove too much to resist.

Having defied his family by making his way on his own terms, Adrian struggles to regain their acceptance. When he meets his cousin’s wife and wants her for his own, he feels he’s finally lived down to the title—black sheep. But, when his cousin dies unexpectedly, Adrian fights his attraction and swears to honor them both by helping her raise her boys.

Finding himself enveloped in a cocoon of love and acceptance, Adrian knows it’s more than just physical attraction. However, unforeseen events threaten to destroy those he now holds dear and his newfound peace.

Will the ties that bind them be their undoing?


4 star review by Jen Skewes

"You're my life, my love, my heaven."

Celeste has lost her husband and is left to raise her three amazing boys by herself.  She comes from a very powerful family, who for most of her life has been told what to do.  How to act, who to be friends with, how to feel and who she should marry.  She married Tripp because both of their families thought they should be together.  She had known Tripp for a long time and he was a wonderful husband and father and she did love him, just not the way a wife should love her husband.   When Celeste lost Tripp to cancer she was now faced with raising her three boys alone.  Celeste is a very strong woman and was capable of taking care of her boys on her own.  She was an amazing mother to all of them and only wanted what was best.  She didn't want them growing up in a family who made decisions for them like she was.  But unfortunately for her, Celeste and Tripp's family had other plans for her.  They already had plans as to who she would marry and who would be her boys' stepfather. They chose her late husband's brother, who happens to be a complete sleazeball.  Celeste had no intentions or interest in marrying William.  There was only one person that she wants and that was her late husband's cousin Adrian.

Adrian has always been the black sheep of the family mainly due to his father's reputation.  He only became acquainted with his cousin Tripp recently and the two happened to become very close.  So when Tripp died he promised to take care of his wife and her kids.  But what no one knew was that the moment Adrian met Celeste years ago he wanted her, but being his cousin's wife she was completely off limits.  There is no denying the connection between Celeste and Adrian, both physically and emotionally.  But being with Celeste is completely out of the question.  He isn't good enough for her, their families would never accept it and being with Celeste will only cause her to get hurt.  But Celeste feels differently. When she is with Adrian she has feelings that she never experienced before.  She gets those butterflies in her stomach, there is this sexual pull towards him that she can't deny.  As much as these two want to be with each other they use every bit of their will power to remain just friends.  But how long can two people who are meant to be together stay just friends?  How long can they push their feelings aside and ignore the magnetic pull that they have towards each other?

"I love you too, Celeste.  More than anything.  More than Everything."

I loved Adrian!  He was an amazing person all around.  He loved Celeste's boys as if they were his own.  He was there for her when Tripp died in every way possible.  He was like her rock, always there when she needed him.  There was no doubt that he was in love with her.  He would do anything for her, well almost anything.  He wouldn't take the chance of being more than just friends with her no matter how much he wanted to.  He needed to stay in the friend zone to keep her safe.  

"I've never known such a feeling of complete contentment than when I am with you and the boys.  Do you know how huge that is for me?  To feel peace and acceptance and love?  I've never had that."

Celeste and Adrian has this amazing chemistry and connection and you felt that connection in their first kiss...OMG! That kiss said it all and you felt it all; the emotions and the chemistry between them.   Their relationship in the beginning was so frustrating and heart breaking at the same time.  You could feel the love they had for each other and wanted them to work past the issues and be together.  Every time they would get close they would pull away.  I don't want to give away to much but will say that at some point they give in to their feelings and decide that no matter what their families think, no matter what they are holding over their heads they are going to be together and be happy.  But their journey is not an easy one.  They have their family to deal with and then are faced with another road block that could bring them further apart.  Their journey is one that will make you laugh, cry, swoon and break your heart at times.  They have their ups and downs and both work hard to fight for what they have and fight for each other.  Celeste was an amazing heroine.  She spent her whole life doing what was expected of her but now it was time for her to fight for what she wanted, she was strong and independent and I loved how she stood up for her and Adrian.  

"I've never felt more loved, more cherished, more alive." - Celeste

Lynetta Halat did a fantastic job with this story.  I loved Celeste's brother who was the only family remember that really understood her and stood up for her.  Her relationship with her boys will touch your heart.  She was such a wonderful mother and you could feel how much she loved those boys and what they meant to her. There was one part in the book that involved letters and guitar picks which was one of my favorite parts of the book, besides the epilogue of course.  But it really showed the love that these two characters had for each other and how they truly were meant to be together.  A wonderful job by Ms. Halat.



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