As a child, Nakos Hunt left behind the familiarity of his Native American Arapaho tribe for time on Cattenach Ranch. Now the foreman, he’s happily settled into his life, but the girl who befriended him all those years ago suddenly has him twisted inside out. He craves stability and purpose, and Amy Woods is anything but a calming presence. Though she’s unbelievably gorgeous and about the only … person who can drag a laugh from him, he’s never been able to understand her. Then a moment changes everything, and an urgent need to protect her rises inside him. And doesn’t let go. So does an aching desire and a bond he can’t seem to control, no matter how hard he fights the need.
She’s no one’s version of ever-after…
Amy’s not a stranger to disappointment. She’s spent the majority of her life pulling up her bootstraps and flipping Karma the bird. Once, she may have dreamed of things like happiness and love, but those were for other people. Nakos has never been someone she deserves, yet the attraction between her and the meticulous sexy-as-sin cowboy is undeniable. And too tempting to ignore. Not only is he strong, patient, and respectful, he’s showing her a kind of romantic passion she didn’t think existed. But the secret she’s keeping could shatter their perfect bubble, and when an old nightmare comes crawling back from the past, she realizes losing Nakos will be the one thing she can’t recover from.
“Benediction is friends-to-lovers done oh so right! I devoured this book!”
~Laura Kaye, New York Times & USA Today Bestseller
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Benediction is friends-to-lovers done oh so right! I devoured this book!
I just spent all Sunday afternoon and evening devouring this paperback that I purchased directly from the author at a signing in Indianapolis. This is such a powerful story, more so than the blurb lead me to expect. The cast of characters was absolutely amazing and as much as I loved Nakos and Amy, my quiet hero was Nate! My only regret was not reading Redemption first! But it’s next up!
This book starts off running with heartache and slowly mends your heart just to break it again. Luckily by the end all is healed and happiness is perfect. Loved this book!
Favorite Quotes:
Finding Amy mottled with bruises and bleeding on the dirt floor of the barn—courtesy of her ex-husband, who Nakos referred to as the Antichrist—had reset some kind of circuit in his brain.
He was so over tonight it was tomorrow already.
Cursing his internal alarm clock, Nakos padded down the hallway before the buttcrack of dawn, his sole focus to get coffee. Lots of coffee. Until his blood type was Folgers.
Why can’t you answer one question without turning it into a root canal?
If it takes me until we’re eighty and in side-by-side rocking chairs, I’m going to wear you down.
Or I could just kill him. Nakos told me once he knew where to hide a body so it’ll never be found. Of course, he was threatening me at the time.
My Review:
Intense subject matter and relevant, and angsty storylines define this series of small-town contemporary cowboy dramas. Each character presents an interesting and unique dynamic with frightful histories that not only squeeze the heart but would also break the spirit of most, yet she was the queen of feisty one-liners. There were times I felt extremely frustrated with the character of Amy who was deeply wounded yet miraculously not completely broken, just infuriating, although she hid her emotional pain in her flippancy. I adored the kind and decent character of Nakos, although his indecision and inertia were a bit annoying at times, enough to make me want to give him a kick in the pants to get him moving. Thankfully, both characters had the watchful eye of thoughtful counsel of Nate to provide them insight and distribute those greatly needed nudges. Ms. Moran delivered a poignant and emotive storyline that also sizzled and snapped when the characters finally united forces.
This book was very hard to put done!! It had me laughing and crying through parts of the book!! When Nakos Hunt left his Native American Arapaho tribe to live on the Cattenach Ranch. He is now the foreman, he is very happy with the life on the ranch.
Then there was Amy the girl who befriended him so many years ago and suddenly has him all twisted up inside. Amy has been basically disowned by her family and they never had anything to good to say to her or about her. Amy has a horrible marriage and she has a horrible secret from her past. Amy and Nakos have a chemistry between them, which Amy is afraid of. Does Amy and Nakos hook up and does Amy tell what her secret is? Well to find out you really need to read this book!! I truly loved this book!! Awesome book Kelly Moran!!
Benediction floored me completely with the avalanche of profound emotions and characters whose stories will stay with me, will echo in my heart and mind, for a long while. I know as a fact that whatever I say about this book will not do justice to it, but I will give it my best try to communicate why I loved every single word of it. Why I went back several times while reading the book because I wanted to savor the words, the moments, the scenes, and stay in that glow for a little longer.
Redemption, the book one in the series gave a solid foundation for Benediction. Even though both books can be read as stand-alone novels, I wouldn’t. First, both are absolutely remarkable, and Redemption starts the back story to Benediction that gives you a different point of view to the events.
Nakos Hunt, the considerate, kind, protective man is a hero like no one else. I love him, his honesty, his insights, his openness with Amy was amazing. His patience, his fortitude, his humbleness when facing the new stage in the relationship with Amy, his best friend, was beautiful and admirable.
Amy Woods has never felt like she was good enough, that she mattered, that she was loved. Her parents constant belittling of her, constantly tearing her apart, the mental and physical abuse she had suffered through her life, it all had left her hollow, hiding behind smart-alecky comments and big smiles. She had such kindness, caring spirit, talent, and beauty in her, yet the castigation made her believe the hateful words and critique she had heard all her life.
Love is a powerful force and can start the healing process from the deepest, most painful wounds in our bodies, minds, and souls. The story of Nakos and Amy took me for an emotional ride like no other. There were laughs, smiles, and sighs. And there were tears, so many tears, of pain, sorrow, but also for the happiness and tenderness. The ache in my heart for Amy, the agony of some of the events, the grief of missed chances because of the abusex1b and its consequences, it all made such an impact, the scenes were so realistic, raw, sobering. And then there was the love. Not only between Nakos and Amy, the love and connection that burned in their souls, but also the love of friends, and the support and guidance they provided that helped them find their way to each other after the mending process from the past had started.
It is amazing how each emotion, on the whole scale of feelings, can be lived through the words and images on your mind so vividly, so sharply, and strongly. I was right there with the characters, in each scene, living them through, learning to love, learning to move on, learning to forgive and learn to let go, opening my mind to all the possibilities that future can hold right along with Amy and Nakos.
Benediction and Redemption are both on the very short list of ‘My 2017 favorites’ – maybe I should have started with that one. Absolutely loved it, and can not recommend highly enough!
~ Five Spoons!