Seaside Secrets Seaside Summers # 4: Love in Bloom # 24 By: Melissa Foster Releasing February 24th, 2015 Self-Published Tony Black is the hottest surfer on the planet. He travels the world throughout the year and spends his summers on Cape Cod with his friends, at the Seaside cottages in Wellfleet, Massachusetts. He’s got his choice of women, but Amy Maples is the one he wants. Fourteen years ago she was his for an entire summer, until a devastating accident changed everything, and what they had seemed like it had never existed—at least for her. Amy Maples is as consistent as the day is long. She’s spent summers on Cape Cod forever, she always does the right thing, and she’s spent years trying to reclaim the heart of Tony Black, the only man she’s ever loved. She’s back for a summer of fun with her friends at Seaside, only this year she’s been offered the opportunity of a lifetime thousands of miles away, and she’s decided to try one last time to reconnect with Tony. But having a relationship with Tony means dealing with her past—and dealing with her past may knock her to her knees. Second chances to fix youthful mistakes... Since Seaside Summers series started, all the readers have been aware of Amy's feelings for Tony, her pining after him. At the wedding of their friends, Amy finally puts things in motion, and tries to seduce Tony, while intoxicated. And their past, surprising and secret filled history, starts to unfold. There's so much pain, agony, anxiety in their past. It is touching, the torment of their feelings is heart breaking. It clears the picture of why they have been acting towards each other as they have, and my heart went out to them. The pain and anguish of their youth, that they've still carried with them, the pull/push from each other, and the fear of history repeating itself, takes the first half of the story. They have so many complications on their way, and it almost seems that after all the years of pining after Tony, it is now Tony, who has to win Amy over, even though it was her, who hurt him by walking away 14 years ago. But they face their demons from their youth, together working on the issues, growing up emotionally, and standing up for themselves. It is an emotional journey they take in a short period of a time, but they take some big steps to start with a clean slate. The group of friends has expanded, they have found love, and seems to be moving on to a next stage in their lives. I've enjoyed the Seaside Summers and the rowdy group of friends, they are fun, charismatic and easy to relate to. Tony and Amy's story had anguish, grief and sorrow, but also love, passion, and sweetness. ~ Three Spoons with a teaspoon on the side B&N | Kobo | iTunes | Google Play Melissa Foster is an award-winning, International bestselling author. Her books have been recommended by USA Today's book blog, Hagerstown Magazine, The Patriot, and several other print venues. She is the founder of the Women’s Nest, a social and support community for women, the World Literary Café. When she's not writing, Melissa helps authors navigate the publishing industry through her author training programs on Fostering Success. Melissa is also a community builder for the Alliance for Independent Authors. She has been published in Calgary’s Child Magazine, the Huffington Post, and Women Business Owners magazine. Author Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads Link to Follow Tour: http://www.tastybooktours.com/2014/12/seaside-secrets-seaside-dreams-4-by.html
Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23123409-seaside-secrets?from_search=true Goodreads Series: https://www.goodreads.com/series/130906-seaside-summers
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The fine line between strength…and surrender When a Navy SEAL drops into Khat Shinwari's life unexpectedly, love opens her up for the first time. But her bond with Mike Tarik comes at the expense of her family's expectations that she quit the military and start a family in her village. A sergeant in the US Marine Corps and a Shadow Warrior, Khat is torn between giving in to the love she has for this courageous man and walking away from him forever. But deep in dangerous territory, Khat goes missing. The only man who can save her is the one she might need to give up. With Mike's bravery, Khat learns to trust in the future, all while her ingrained values pull her back to old traditions. Will love or duty win out? Just a few days ago, I reviewed TAKING FIRE by Lindsay McKenna, where the beautiful love story of Khat and Mike started. It is an amazing tale, a stand-alone novel, and I highly recommend you read that, cause on ON FIRE fills in to that, and the story continues. On Fire is an intense and emotional journey in between cultures, families, and two people in love, determined to make it work for them. The novella starts off with intense, riveting action, when the SEAL team goes on a mission to rescue Khat from the village, where she has taken refuge on, wounded and sick. The fight against the Taliban is harsh and bloody, and they only have so much time, if they want to get Khat out of there alive. When Mike has to wait and see, if Khat will survive, another kind of battle is fought. Emotional and touching scenes from the hospital, while Mike is waiting by Khat's side, had me in tears. The feelings in the air are palpable, the love, hope, determination, and faith for survival. The adaptation and adjustment to the civilian life is not easy for Khat, but Mike's family is standing by her side, helping and guiding her on every step. Khat has her journey of healing, from the surgery, from years in the black ops, and from the hurt and disappointment from her father. Heartwarming, tender conclusion to Khat and Mike's journey, where thrilling action is mixed with love and passion, and bright plans for the future ~ Five Spoons! Wanted: Sexy sun-kissed surfer for hot summer fling. Innocent Alexia Burton needs to become sexually confident for an upcoming acting role, and that means taking a lover. Someone she’s attracted to. Someone who’ll teach her what she needs to know, but not ask for more than she's prepared to give. She needs to learn the intensity of true desire and then have him walk away. Parker Hargreaves is determined to make amends for treating Alexia badly all those years ago. He's changed and wants her to think better of him. If that means letting her sharpen her sexual moves on him, so be it. He’ll do it. His playboy reputation certainly won’t suffer. He just doesn't count on walking away being so hard. Ah, if this story doesn't want me to leave this winter, cold and snow behind, and embrace the sun, the surf, the sand... Preferably in Australia! I love stories that are based in Australia, the nuances of the culture, language with unique sayings is just fascinating. The story is easy to relate to, I mean, who doesn't have that one person in our teen years, that we made a mistake with, with words or actions, and we wish we could just take it all back. So much so, that the event might have changed us as a person. And what will happen when/if you meet that person again, talk about awkward... So after many complications, and despite the past history, Parker and Alexia not only become friends, but start a holiday fling. But emotions go deeper, falling in love doesn't ask for permission. There's sweet, tender yet passionate relationship, some past and present pain to overcome, compromises to be made, meeting halfway to be accepted. It was delightful, and partly amusing, to see Parker and Alexia work the past, and start to build the relationship. I liked that they both realized they were indeed privileged in their positions in life. The stubborn streak, career oriented attitude, and broken heart, teach both of them lessons in life. It was a quick read, with sunny skies, and lovely beach town atmosphere, but it also had an interesting life lesson, and the ending was just so perfect... ~ Three Spoons with a teaspoon on the side |