IN CLAIMED BY LOVE…
Family law attorney Gabriella Liakos has one true love, Elpitha Island, where she grew up and hopes someday to return. But Elpitha is in financial ruins, and Gabriella will do anything to keep it from falling into the wrong hands.
Duke Ryder is a savvy real estate investor set on making Elpitha into an exclusive resort. Unlike other investors, he’s not scared of … scared of purchasing a property where one family has roots so deep they practically reach the ocean floor…until he meets his beautiful, stubborn, and enticing tour host―the daughter of the owner of most of the island.
Gabriella sets out to dissuade Duke from purchasing Elpitha, but Duke has other ideas. He wants Gabriella and the island. Duke’s powerful seduction draws Gabriella in, but can a savvy investor who’s used to glamour and glitz, and a woman interested in preserving the culture she adores find a happily ever after together?
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Absolutely loved this book. The Ryder men are all alpha males and Duke didn’t disappoint. Loved Duke and Gabriella relationship. Both have strong personalities. This book is definitely love at first sight. Love this series.
Claimed by Love is book #39 in the Love in Bloom series and is book #2 in the Ryders series but can be read as a standalone.
Family law attorney Gabriella Liakos has one true love, Elpitha Island where she grew up and hopes to someday return. But Elpitha is in financial ruins and Gabriella will do anything to keep in from falling into the wrong hands.
Duke Ryder is a real estate investor set on making Elpitha into an exclusive resort. He’s not scared of purchasing a property where one family had roots so deep they practically reach the ocean floor until he meets his beautiful, stubborn and enticing tour host, the daughter of the owner of most of the island. But as hot, rough and dirty as this man is, he is also sweet, caring and supportive.
Both Duke and Gabriella are immediately drawn to each other but have conflicting agendas. Can they successfully separate business and pleasure?
**CONTENT WARNING: Due to mature content, recommended for readers aged 18+**
Wonderful characters and great story line
Gabriella grew up on Elpitha Island, a place where everyone is your family. Duke is interested in purchasing the island from Gabriella’s grandfather to put in a resort and to bring business back to the island. Gabriella is to be Duke’s tour guide. From Duke and Gabriella’s first meeting the sparks fly. Gabriella is afraid to leave her self fall for Duke, afraid he will change her home too much.
I am the biggest BJ Harrison fan. His voice brings the story to life. He makes listening to the audio version so enjoyable.
I have never been disappointed by any of Melissa Foster’s books and this one is no different. You can’t help but to fall in love with Duke, Gabriella and the Island of Elpitha
Audiobook version:
This is the same great characters and writing we have come to know from Melissa Foster. Great plot- pleasant narration. Great read.
I must start by saying Melissa writes amazing stories and this story did not disappoint. Another must read. Gabriella’s family island is in trouble. Her grandfather asks her to take Duke, the new investor around the island. It was an instant attraction between Duke and Gabriella. The love Duke has for her is beautiful. It doesn’t hurt that Duke is hot in his undercrackers. He does everything he can to keep the island just the way Gabriella wants it.
I love how Melissa’s Braden books have strong family bonds.
I read this book a while back. However, I just listened to the audio version narrated by BJ Harrison. I love his narrations of Melissa’s books. He is a delight to listen to.
As I listened to this audiobook, I came to realize that there was very little conflict in it, even though it seems like the conflict should have been substantial. Duke is wanting to develop the island that Gabriella’s family owns and lives on. She really doesn’t want that to happen. Seems big, right? Not really, because Duke rolls over right away and tells her he won’t do anything (in bed and as far as the island is concerned), that she doesn’t want to happen. Conflict pretty much over.
This is the usual Melissa Foster book. All about attraction and then heading for the proposal. Her books are sweet, which B.J. Harrison’s voice adds to, but they are also super hot. If not for the sex scenes, I would say her books are sweet, innocent romances…but then there IS the really hot sex. It’s kind of a quandry. She also throws lots of family into her books, whether blood related or people who are just always there for each other.
I have listened to many of her books and really enjoy them, especially when I’m not in the mood for anything heavy or complicated. It’s a good light, but let the hormones flow read!
AUDIOBOOK NOTE…I have become the biggest BJ Harrison and Melissa Foster Audiobook fan. There is nothing better than listening to BJ Harrison read me Melissa’s amazing story. The voice brings the story to life. I can hear the emotions that the characters are going through. Their stories come to life for me.
I listen while working out, cleaning the house, driving around, or pretty much anytime I can sneak more than 5 minutes for myself. It makes the time doing things I may not enjoy as much so much better.
Panty melting smile…. How can you not love a book that uses that to describe the hunky, sexy, and wonderful main character? I couldn’t pass up on reading Duke’s story when that is how Gabriella describes him. Who am I kidding? I couldn’t pass up reading Claimed by Love because it is written by the amazing Melissa Foster and is part of the Love in Bloom series.
In true Love in Bloom style, Duke and Gabriella have a true and real love. Their attraction is instantaneous but they have to work for it. It would have been easy to just fall into bed and hope for the best but Duke is just too good of a guy for a quick lay with Gabriella. Gabriella is also a wonderful character. She calls out Duke on his intentions with the island, she holds tight to her beliefs and wants, and make Duke work to win her over for good. Together these two are absolutely on fire.
I also loved that other Love in Bloom characters makes appearances in Claimed by Love. Pierce Braden (sigh), Emily, and of course those wonderful Ryder siblings all made appearances. This book can be read as part of the series, which I recommend, or it can be read as a standalone.
The Ryders are back and Claimed by Love follows Duke Ryder and Gabriella Liakos set in the beautiful surroundings of Elpitha Island. The island sounds amazing and is a mix of Greek and Southern US heritage.
I fell in love with the island and Gabriella so it was any wonder that Duke did as well. He is on the island as a potential investor due to Gabrialla’s grandfather putting the island up for sale – the tourism is suffering and most of the younger generations have moved to the main land.
Gabriella is back on the island to facilitate the sale on behalf of he grandfathers wishes and be Duke’s tour guide – she has taken a break form her high flying job as divorce lawyer.
This is a slower paced story form Melissa with no drama and I think with the island setting this is the perfect story and perfect way to tell it. The intense chemistry between them from the outset and the struggle to keep business and pleasure apart and throw in a beautiful island is a recipe for a great love story.
For all this is book 2 in the Ryders and part of the Love in Bloom series this can easily be read as a stand alone = as will all Melissa’s book.
5 Stars