Gabriel (The Second Legacy) by RJ Scott - Review Tour

Buy Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK | KOBO | Smashwords | Barnes & Noble | iTunes 

Length: 55,000 approx 

Cover Design: Meredith Russell 

Legacy Series 

Kyle (The First Legacy) - Amazon US | Amazon UK

Blurb

Trapped in darkness, can an escort find a man to help him into the light?

Gabriel Reyes never gave in. He fought and was hurt, was abused but escaped with his life. He made his way in the world using the one thing he was good at: sex. He earned a place with a man who controls everything but Gabriel is safe; he’s made it.

Cameron Stafford hires Gabriel for a night, needing nothing more than a pretend boyfriend to get his dysfunctional family off his back. With the money he has in the bank and his own hotel, why won't they just leave him alone? It doesn’t matter that a degenerative disease has stolen his vision, or that his last boyfriend was a bastard who tried to steal from him; for now he has purpose.

When Gabriel and Cam fall for each other, can they find real happiness and, maybe, a forever that will save them both?

A new story set in the world of Jack and Riley Campbell-Hayes and the Double D Ranch, Texas.

Please be aware: emotional and physical abuse are depicted on the page in this book.

August 2 - The Way She Reads, Xtreme Delusions, Oh My Shelves

August 7 - Making It Happen

August 9 - Jim's Reading Room, MM Good Book Reviews

August 11 - Nerdy Dirty & Flirty, Wicked Faerie's Tales & Reviews

August 15 - The Geekery Book Review, Sexy Erotic Xciting, Nessa's Book Reviews

August 17 - Padme's Library, Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books, Books Lovers 4Ever, Wicked Reads, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words

August 19 - Bayou Book Junkie, Dog-Eared Daydreams, Embracing My Crazy

Review

This book comes with a health warning as follows: Be aware: emotional and physical abuse are depicted on the page in this book.

I’d advice anybody to heed this warning. If Kyle’s story in Legacy Ranch #1 was hard to read, this one takes the character’s pain and the reader’s discomfort a few steps further. There are no two ways about it, Gabriel’s plight will tear your heart out of your chest, break it and then stomp all over the broken pieces. And the thing is that it wasn’t Gabriel’s past and the violence and abuse he encountered there, or even the horrific treatment he accepts as normal in his present, that tore me apart. What really got to me was Gabriel’s acceptance of what had happened to him and what was still happening to him. His firm believe that his life is exactly what he deserves, because he’s not worth anything and, as his abuser continuously reminds him, because nobody could care for the worthless person he is.

Cam was a breath of fresh air in what otherwise would have been a story too bleak to read (for me). He has a host of issues of his own to deal with since he’s almost completely blind and as a result on the receiving end of his family treating him as an invalid and useless, despite the fact that he very successfully manages the hotel he owns. But while Cam has his challenges, he also has self-confidence and people (and a dog) to support him all the way.

When the two men get together it is because Cam books Gabriel’s services. But even from the start it’s clear there’s something between them — a spark that ignites something in both of them even if neither is willing (Cam) or able (Gabriel) to recognise it as such. And while it doesn’t take Cam long to acknowledge his growing feelings for Gabriel, Gabe hasn’t got it in him to believe anybody could care for him beyond the orgasm he so expertly delivers. As Stephen, his pimp (?), handler (?), abuser constantly reminds him, he is unlovable. The mind-fuck Stephen has pulled on Gabriel has him convinced that Stephen is his saviour and he deserves what Stephen does to him. To say Gabriel’s thoughts and believes broke my heart would be a gross understatement. All I wanted was to wrap Gabriel in my arms and hold him safe or, failing that possibility, allow Cam to do it for me.

And that’s all I’ll say. The Gabriel’s journey towards a place where he begins to recognise that he is worth more and might be loveable and even capable of loving somebody else is breathtaking if far from easy. Because this story doesn’t come with miracles, sudden flashes of insight and easy ‘happy-ever-afters’. And while that made the story at times very hard to read, it also provided a level of reality that made the ending to this story all the more touching and so very worthy of the tears in my eyes.

So my friends, heed the warning and then lose yourself in a story that will touch your heart and stay with you for a very long time.

Related review: Kyle (Legacy Ranch #1)

Author Bio

RJ Scott is the bestselling romance author of over 100 romance books. She writes emotional stories of complicated characters, cowboys, millionaire, princes, and the men and women who get mixed up in their lives. RJ is known for writing books that always end with a happy ever after. She lives just outside London and spends every waking minute she isn't with family either reading or writing.

The last time she had a week’s break from writing she didn't like it one little bit, and she has yet to meet a bottle of wine she couldn’t defeat.

mailto:rj@rjscott.co.uk

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Haven’s War (Safe Haven #2) by Parker Williams

392 pages

Buy links: Amazon US | Amazon UK

The blurb

With Haven on an extended honeymoon with Sammy, bad guys around the world are breathing a lot easier. No one is better at permanently removing these lowlifes who target children—and the brutal murder of two teenage girls makes clear it’s past time to return to work. Haven’s first assignment back results in a new family member and a renewed sense of urgency to protect and avenge the innocent.

There is nothing ‘usual’ about the business of hunting predators, but when several of Haven’s fellow agents are killed, a pattern emerges. The hunters have become the prey, tools in a bitter vendetta for a perceived wrong.

Despite years of working alone, when the target shifts to someone unexpected, Haven calls in reinforcements—a friend to stand between the family he loves and a ruthless killer. Teamwork may be the only way to win this fight—unless it’s already too little, too late.

Haven tries to approach this as he would any other assignment. Find your enemy and make sure they suffer before you eliminate them. But when a member of his team goes off-book and ends up dead, everything changes. It’s no longer a battle.

Now it’s war.

Review

I thought I knew what to expect when I started this book. It hasn’t been that long since I finished Haven’s Creed and my memories of that story are still vivid. So I knew there would be violence described in vivid and gruesome detail. I knew to expect moments when I’d want to read with my eyes closed. And I knew that whenever I thought it was getting too much for me, Sammy and Haven’s relationship would ground me again. I thought I was prepared for what was to come… I was wrong.

This book was harder to read than Haven’s Creed because the story turned very personal, both for the characters and for this reader. I’m not going to talk about the how and why but trust me when I say you too will feel the need to avenge the wrongs done and the horrors inflicted when you read this book. And just when I thought I knew exactly what was about to happen next and how it would all end…the story took me by surprise, in a glorious example of how far our Haven has come.

I loved the opportunity to witness how Sammy grows, not so much overcoming his past ordeals but learning how to live with them. He expands his horizons while continuing to ground Haven whenever Haven’s duties are close to getting the better of him. And it’s a joy. It is also very well done because there are no miracles here, just a natural and realistic continuation of Sammy's story.

What makes the books in the ‘Safe Haven’ more than ‘just’ heartstopping thrillers filled with suspense, violence, and blood — apart from the wonderful love story between Sammy and Haven of course — is the fact that at their core they are a study about good and bad and force the reader to wonder how far they would be prepared to go in order to stop evil. Another reason this book left me awestruck is that it gave such a wonderful insight into what makes a person transform from a man into a monster; how easy it is to lose touch with yourself and your moral compass once the killing takes over. It was as fascinating as it was chilling.

On a, somewhat, lighter note there’s Oscar who we meet for the first time in this book. I liked Oscar who is a lot like Haven except even less in touch with his emotions than Haven was at the start of Haven’s Creed. Oscar provided quite a few of the much needed lighter notes in this story and I’m delighted to know that he’ll be getting his own book too. If anyone needs to find what Haven discovered with and through Sammy, it is Oscar and I’m already eagerly anticipating his story.

Long story short: Haven’s War is a fast paced thriller with a thought provoking premise, fascinating characters, and a wonderful and at times very sexy love story. It gets graphic at times but if your stomach is strong enough to put up with that I can’t recommend this book and its prequel highly enough.

Related Review: Haven’s Creed

Love at the Right Tempo by Michael Mandrake & Remmy Duchene - Release Blitz

Buy Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK

Length: 76,805 words

Publisher: Evernight Publishing

Blurb

Violinist Frederick Tremblay is one of the biggest names in classical music. When it comes to work, he’s all in. There is only time for music and working to make his dreams come through but none for love. Hell, he barely makes time to eat. When he agrees to play at an acquaintance son’s birthday party he figured he’d go in, make his rounds then go home—but his plans change when he walks into the path of Vaughan Singleton.

Vaughan “Sin” Singleton is the disowned heir to a candy empire. After he came out, his life basically ended and he had to start over from scratch. Joining the military was the thing to save him and also the one thing that brought him to his knees. Forced to retire, slinging alcohol wasn’t his dream but he needs something to pay the bills and to assist with easing back into civilian life. When he meets Frederick, Vaughan isn’t looking for love, but one unguarded moment changes everything.

From different sides of the track, Frederick and Vaughan have much to teach each other. But what is to become of their new romance when Frederick’s quirks come to light and Vaughan’s brother shows up?

Excerpt

“Way to step out, man.” Deena giggled.

Frederick ignored her comment and put up his free hand. There was a man behind the bar, but he had his back turned and right now, no one else was there working with him. He looked to be busy drying glasses or perhaps washing. Though Frederick didn’t want to disturb him, he really wanted something else to quench his thirst.

“I’m sorry, excuse me, sir.”

The man turned around and approached them. “What can I get you?”

Frederick eyed the mature gentleman in front of him, taking in his features. Dark brown eyes, hair cut low with a beard and well trimmed mustache. His lips were thick. Kissable. Frederick loved a man with distinct features.

“Oh … um… I’d like a soda. Perhaps a 7-Up or Sprite if you have it.” Frederick continued staring, clutching his violin case tightly in his hands.

Deena seemed to pick up that he was tongue tied. “And I’ll have a beer. Heineken if you have it?”

“Heineken for the lady and a—um—soda for the gentleman,” the bartender said. There was a slightly hitch in the way he said soda, almost as if in disbelief. He then focused his attention on Deena. “Would you like the bottle or a glass?”

“The bottle is fine. I’m a simple kind of gal.” She giggled.

Frederick smiled at the man, still holding onto his violin as if it were a life raft. He wondered why the bartender seemed put off by his request. “Something funny about 7-Up or Sprite?”

The bartender eyed him with his head tilted slightly to the side. “Oh nothing.” He spoke, his lips forming over the two words making them escape his being easily. “Nothing at all.” Without another word, he walked over for a clean glass that sparkled. They had the word Prince’s with a crown on the side in golden letters. Using large hands, the bar man operated the tap to expertly fill the glass with Sprite before grabbing a green bottle of Heineken from a cooler and prying off the cap. When he returned he set the glass before Frederick without a word but offered Deena a smile with her drink. “Ma’am?”

“Thanks.” Deena batted her eyelashes at him.

Flirtatiously.

Frederick suppressed a growl and eyed his glass, watching the bartender walk away again. For some reason, it bothered him that the guy appeared to be bothered by his choice of beverage. “I don’t drink alcohol, by the way. I’m sort of boring. The fact I play violin is the most interesting thing about me.” Frederick set Gabriel beside him in a vacant chair. He lifted the glass to his lips and swallowed slowly, still gazing at the handsome gentleman working the bar.

Deena nearly spat out her beer, and she nudged him with her elbow.

“To each their own,” the bartender said. “Did anyone let Stuart know you’re here?”

Frederick finished his Sprite, still gawking at the man. “Yes, the hostess did. I suppose she’ll be back shortly. Do you mind if I ask your name?” Frederick thought he’d go for broke even though it was quite possible he’d be barking up the wrong tree. A part of him said he wasn’t, or perhaps he hoped that to be true.

Deena gasped next to him, seemingly in surprise.

The bartender moved to stand directly across from Frederick, braced his elbows into the bar and leaned in. “If you wish to tell my boss I’ve been an ass to you,” he said, his voice warm and rough. “You don’t need my name for that. All you have to do is tell him the black guy at the bar. I’m the only one here.”

Frederick shivered at the sound of the man’s voice and how he leaned in so close to him. Instead of shying away as he usually did, he decided to play the game. “Actually, I wasn’t thinking that at all. More like, I wanted to know your name so I know the lovely man that is taking such good care of us tonight and, maybe might like to have a drink with me after my performance?” Frederick knew he was going for broke. Gazing at the bartender, Frederick had every intention on finding out something about him, even if it was the disappointing news he’d dread.

“I see.” The barman licked his lips. “I’m working. Drinking on the job is strictly prohibited, and besides—you’re not a fan of alcohol.”

Frederick sighed inwardly. He looked to Deena for help, but she only kept drinking her beverage.

Author Bios

Michael Mandrake pens complex characters already comfortable with their sexuality. Through these, he builds worlds not centered on erotica but rather the mainstream plots we might encounter in everyday life through personal experiences or the media.

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Multi-published Remmy Duchene was born in St. Anns, Jamaica and moved to Canada at a young age. When not working or writing, Remmy loves dabbling in photography, travelling and spending time with friends and family.

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Runner by Parker Williams - Release Day Post

 200 Pages

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press

Buy links: Dreamspinner | Amazon US | Amazon UK | iTunes | Kobo

The blurb

Matt Bowers’s life ended at sixteen, when a vicious betrayal by someone who he should have been able to trust left him a shell of himself, fighting OCD and PTSD, living in constant fear and always running. When he buys a remote tract of land, he thinks he’s found the perfect place to hide from the world and attempt to establish some peace. For ten years he believes he’s found a measure of comfort, until the day a stranger begins to run on Matt’s road.

He returns every day, an unwelcome intrusion into Matt’s carefully structured life. Matt appeals to the local sheriff, who cannot help him since the jogger is doing nothing wrong. Gradually, after tentatively breaking the ice, Matt begins to accept the man’s presence—

But when the runner doesn’t show up one day, it throws Matt’s world into chaos and he must make the hardest decision of his life. 

That blurb sounds fascinating, right? It hooked me the moment I first saw it. But, just in case  you need more convincing, Parker Williams has very kindly provided me with one exclusive extra scene you won’t find anywhere except here and an excerpt. Enjoy!

Extra Scene

The day I got the keys for my new place, I let the envelope that contained them sit on the table for hours. This reflected another monumental shift in my life, one that once I took that first step, I could never go back.

My teacher used to tell us about the importance of not burning bridges, because you never knew when you had to go back again. That’s what I did. I torched those suckers, because if there was one thing I knew for absolute certain, it was that I would never be back.

I’d trekked out to the new place every day while it was being built. I had to see it from the ground up, so I could become accustomed to it. When it was time for my move, there were pangs of guilt as I thought about what I was leaving behind.

Mom didn’t come to say goodbye, which was fine. After I found out how she felt about me, it was probably better that she not come. My brother stood and glared at me, but made no move to stop me. Uncertainty gnawed at my stomach, but I had to go. My life was no longer here.

As soon as I got the last of the boxes put into the house, I wanted to collapse from exhaustion. There had been quite a bit of heavy lifting involved in the move, and with no one helping, it took a lot out of me. I collapsed on the couch, sucked down two glasses of water, and then got up to set my new home up the way it needed to be.

With everything I put away, I became more certain that I was doing the right thing. Each item that was slipped into its new home brought with it a level of calmness. It took me until long into the night before I had most of the stuff put away. When I was done, relief surged through me. I’d done it. Now I was finally, blessedly alone. I sagged onto the sofa and closed my eyes, familiarizing myself with the sounds of the night. The hoot of an owl, the winds as they rustled the leaves on the trees, the gentle chirps of crickets.

Everything was as it ought to be. What I’d longed for has finally come to pass. Now I could finally be alone. It was what I wanted.

Right?

Excerpt

I COULDN’T find it within myself to talk to him for the first four days. I kept hoping he’d stop running by and my life would go back to normal. I should have known better. Ever since the incident, nothing went the way I expected it to. I continued to watch him, and I had to admit, the apprehension that coursed through me had eased. He didn’t really frighten me anymore, but the thought of talking to him filled me with dread. What made it worse for me? He’d continued to glance toward the house, and if he saw me, he’d give a smile or a little wave.

No, I wasn’t being honest. After a few weeks of him waving, I had actually started to weave that into my daily routine. I stood in front of the window, looking out at the road every day at ten thirty. One day it rained, and he was thirteen minutes late. I went into panic mode, hyperventilating and pacing around the house, chastising myself. How had he become a part of my world? Why did I now depend on him to be where I expected him to be? I grew angry with myself for that. Despite the pleading I’d done with Clay, I no longer wanted the man to stop running by my house now that I’d grown used to seeing him.

And worse, when he waved, I had started waving back.

Review

The lies we tell ourselves are the most damning ones of all, because after a time we start to believe them.

This book intrigued me ever since Parker Williams first mentioned it on Facebook and shared the blurb. To say I couldn’t wait to get my hands on it would be a gross understatement. Of course there are risks involved when a new release is anticipated as much as this one was. I’m delighted and grateful that Runner not only lived up to my expectations but exceeded them.

Matt’s story is heartbreaking. The ordeal he had to go through as a sixteen year old would bring somebody twice his age to their knees and it is therefore hardly surprising that he retreats into himself, stops trusting the world and creates coping mechanisms for himself to deal with his little corner of that world. Of course the way he gets through his days is not what others would call ‘normal’ (if ever there was a word I hate), but it works for him and for more than a decade it is enough for him.

The runner, who turns out to be an author named Charlie, upsets Matt’s carefully planned routine. Until, almost imperceptibly, he becomes part of that regimen and slowly and even more carefully gets closer to Matt, drawing him out little by little.

I won’t go into the story itself beyond what I’ve said above except that what follows is beautiful and that you should really read it for yourself.

I do want to say one or two things about why this book touched me so much. Parker Williams managed to create a character who exudes both a troubled mind and enormous strength of character at the same time. It would have been so easy to turn Matt into a perpetual victim. After all, he had every reason to give up. But rather than make the reader pity Matt, he’s given us a man who lives his life on his terms. Others may not approve of how he’s living, but he’s independent, and while he may not be happy, he’s not unhappy either. He’s okay.

I’m so glad this wasn’t a ‘love fixes all’ sorta story. Yes, with Charlie’s help Matt manages to start looking outside the shell he’s created for himself and take the first steps towards interacting with the world at large again, but it isn’t an overnight miracle. It’s tiny steps forward with setbacks along the way. In fact, by the end of the book there’s still no guarantee that Matt will ever overcome all his issues. But, and that’s a message I want to be heard loud and clear, that’s okay. He’s dealing with his issues, aware of them and getting ever better at living both with and despite them. Because that’s how it is in real life. We don’t miraculously overcome whatever is wrong with us; we deal, we make the best of what we have and, if we’re lucky, the situation will continue to improve. This book left me convinced that Matt’s journey had only begun and that he would move further along that road because he’s that strong and because he had that support — from his community, from his family and, most importantly from Charlie.

Charlie *sighs* Oh Charlie. Now, I have to be honest here. Charlie came very close to being too good to be true. He does have a bit of a fairytale prince aura. It is both surprising and further proof of Parker William’s skill as an author that he didn’t irritate me. He was just about human and fallible enough to keep him real. And he was so exactly what Matt needed. The way their relationship develops from strangers, through begrudging acquaintances, via friends, to lovers was beautiful. They grew into each other in what felt like an organic manner and it was a joy to see it happen. And best of all, Charlie doesn’t try to fix Matt; for Charlie, Matt is good enough just as he is. And if he wants to try and push himself further, Charlie wants Matt to do it for himself and not for Charlie.

In fact, I think the reason I fell in love with this story is because it had just the right balance of realism and fairytale — although the smooth writing, gorgeous main characters, and wonderful secondary characters, may also have had something to do with it.

Long story short: I thoroughly enjoyed this book and am incredibly grateful that I could read it in one sitting. I did not want to part from Matt and Charlie until I was sure they were okay. And just in case you’re wondering; I do recommend this book!

About the Author

Parker Williams believes that true love exists, but it always comes with a price. No happily ever after can ever be had without work, sweat, and tears that come with melding lives together.

Living in Milwaukee, Wisconsin with his husband of a quarter century, Parker continues to believe and writes stories where there is (almost) always a happy ending.

Connect with Parker on:

Twitter: @ParkerWAuthor

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Roaring Waters (The Warfield Hotel Mysteries #3) by C.J. Baty

Buy Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK 

Length: 194 pages 

The Warfield Hotel Mysteries Series 

Drifting Sands (Book #1) - Amazon US | Amazon UK

Crashing Waves (Book #2) - Amazon US | Amazon UK

Blurb

Damien Fitzgerald has lived through hell and is determined to never let anyone get close to him again. A fervent reporter, he throws his life into his work and doesn’t care whose toes he steps on. But someone else does. He’s got a stalker, and the messages are growing increasingly threatening. He turns to his best friend, Justin Warfield and his lover, Private Investigator Marcus Drummond. Seems like a good idea until Robert Wyler becomes part of the package.

Robert Wyler, the manager of the bar at the Warfield Inn, has always been misunderstood. Sure he takes care of his body, wears his hair long and likes tatts, but that doesn’t mean he’s domineering. A cold exterior hides the more passionate man inside. Men like Damien Fitzgerald get on his nerves. Too good looking. Too arrogant. But when Justin and Marcus needed his help to guard the man from a stalker, Robert couldn’t say no.

Damien and Robert have a history. Whenever they are near each other sparks fly. Can Damien and Robert get past their prejudices to find the real men hiding underneath. Will they find love before the stalker gets to Damien and their chance at happiness is destroyed forever…

Author Bio


C. J. Baty lives in southwest Ohio. Her heart, however, lives in the mountains of Tennessee where she hopes to retire some day. The mountains have always provided her with inspiration and a soothing balm to the stresses of everyday life.

The dream of writing her own stories started in high school but was left on the back burner of life until her son introduced her to fan fiction and encouraged her to give it a try. She found that her passion for telling a story was still there and writing them down to share with others was much more thrilling than she had ever expected.

She has a loving and supportive family who don't mind fixing their own meals when she is in the middle of a story, and a network of friends who have encouraged and cheered her on in her quest of being an author.

One thing she has learned from life and she is often heard to say is: “You are never too old to follow your dream!”

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The Garden (Lavender Shores #2) by Rosalind Abel - Release Day Review

246 Pages

Wings of Ink Publications

Buy links: Amazon US | Amazon UK

Available on KU

The blurb

Beautiful Gilbert Bryant designs jewelry for the rich and famous, and he made his escape from his gossipy little hometown of Lavender Shores. However, with so many friends and family, he keeps getting pulled back. When he attends his best friend’s engagement party, Gilbert can’t help but sample one of the new men in town. It’s just some innocent—or not so innocent—fun. Nothing that will even cross his mind once he gets back to his everyday life. 

Walden Thompson dreamed about living in Lavender Shores since he visited as a child. He finally gets his chance, and he embraces the opportunity to start over, to become someone new. He leaves both hurts and dangerous habits in the past, where they belong. When Gilbert crosses his path, Walden gives in to his baser instincts. He can indulge in the carnal pleasures this once and still be okay. 

Their few hours together haunt Gilbert, the two-hundred-mile buffer from home no longer shutting out the past or the sexy man he left behind. Walden is just beginning to recover from the smoldering encounter with Gilbert when they are thrust together once more. This time, neither of them can walk away, no matter how hard they try. But when their pasts crash into each other as surely as the magnetism that pulls them together, walking away may be the only option. 

Review

‘I’d seen his soul. Beautiful, broken, strong. A soul I wanted to hold and protect. A soul I thought might be able to heal mine.’ - Gilbert

WOW! This book packs a punch in every possible and exquisitely wonderful way. I mean, what’s not to love about a story featuring two gorgeous men who both see themselves as broken beyond redemption. Two men who are irresistibly drawn to each other and, when they act on it, discover they are a perfect match when it comes to sex. Two men who, despite their every instinct screaming at them to forget the other, to keep their distance, find it impossible to fight whatever it is that’s pulling them ever closer together.

There’s a lot I won’t be telling you about this story. You won’t catch me revealing why Gilbert is determined to stay away from Lavender Shores for as much of the time as he can possibly manage. Nor why he has an issue with teachers. And I’m also not going to talk about the past Walden is ashamed off. All I’ll say here is that both these men have good reasons for fearing that others might reject them as soon as those secrets come out into the open — it may turn out that they’re wrong, but you’ll completely understand where they’re coming from and your heart will break for them a little.

I got completely swept up in Gilbert and Walden’s story. They’re such beautiful creatures, despite what they might think of themselves. And together they are pure magic. And their bedroom antics — let’s just say Rosalind Abel takes us to a whole new level of hot. But, while I enjoyed (and maybe blushed about) the sex scenes, it was the emotional journey both men made that touched me most. The trust growing between them, the way they manage to open up to each other despite their fears, and the way they hold on despite their fear of what they’re about to walk into, took my breath away.

And I can’t thank the author enough for not taking the obvious route towards creating drama. I thought I knew what had to be coming and when it didn’t, I cheered.

As for the garden the book is named for: I want it to be mine. The descriptions of it were so vivid and painted such a stunning image I actually found myself being jealous of a fictional character for having created such a magical sanctuary.

All in all it is safe to say I’ve fallen hard for Lavender Shores. The setting, the people who live there, and the love stories we get to observe have all worked their way into my heart, and I’m already looking forward to book three. To say I’m a fan would be a gross understatement.

Related review: The Palisade