A steamy, emotional romance from USA Today Bestselling Author Alexa Padgett. “Two strong, battle-scarred people grapple with how to make a relationship work in the forceful first Austin After Dark contemporary.” ~ BookLifeRemembering the music I love… lets me forget a past that haunts me.I thought realizing my dream of country music stardom would chase away the ghosts of the past. But I didn’t … me.
I thought realizing my dream of country music stardom would chase away the ghosts of the past. But I didn’t understand how the horrors of war would imprint their scars on my heart… leaving me a shadow of the man I used to be.
Haunted by regret, filled with a rage I can’t control, I destroy my favorite guitar.
A J. Olsen original. The only instrument that allows my fingers to caress my music into creation.
Now, I need a new one, and in order to get it fast, I have to work with her–Jenna. She stirs something deep inside me. Something I haven’t felt in years.
When I stare into her breathtaking eyes for the first time, I see struggles that echo my own. The kind of torment that colors a woman’s soul. But I’m drawn to her–I just can’t stay away.
As our emotions start to blossom, creating a magic that rivals the music, Jenna’s dangerous ex reappears to play a reckless game. Between his lust for revenge and the unreasonable demands of my record label, we can’t catch our big break.
And unless we can both heal the wounds that remain shuttered in darkness, we’ll lose everything.
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The title is so appropriate. This story will touch your heart and you’ll be falling in love with the characters!!
Quality writing. A story that emotes realism: angst, joy, sorry, pain, fear, love …. a whole gamut of emotions exceedingly well. Ms. Padgett takes the reader on a journey with characters going through painful, traumatic experiences, through to the joyful exuberance of romance. There certainly are gritty parts to this tale but they only showcase the realities of living in our world today. As unfortunate as these circumstances are, this reader learned a lot about the depth of pain that sometimes impacts people. Both the main male and female characters had their share of pain and sorrow. Ms. Padgett drilled right down to the bone to what impacts a person to their core. These types of circumstances cross the path of the main female character more than once in her lifetime, challenging her intestinal fortitude. Who knows the machinations (or who wants to know) of some people who appear to be destructive to those around them and target certain people with their evilness. It was very beautiful to watch the loving support family offered, not just during these events, but afterward as well.
A very “meaty” novel that offers the reader plenty of hours of enjoyment!
Thank you Ms. Padgett for the entertainment. This reader looks forward to reading many more of your novels!
Highly recommended read.
I voluntarily received an advance review copy of this novel via Booksprout and I am leaving an honest and unbiased review. I have no affiliation to this author.
Jenna and Camden were both broken and had been mistreated, making their love story full of false starts and lack of trust. Yet they both admired each other’s physical appearance and ability. And Camden had her pop-pop’s approval and her pop-pop was her go-to man for advice. Problem was that Cam just lost his father unexpectantly and an old high school friend is seeking vengeance against Jenna and these two factors made for very muddy waters but a great read!
I really enjoyed “Deep in the Heart” by Alexa Padgett. This is my first read by this author. I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I’m a pretty picky reader – I don’t like books the recycled plots. This was not one of those. This book is well written and covers some raw heavy storylines. The characters were engaging and I was on the edge of my seat waiting to see what was coming next and anticipating the end. I would absolutely recommend this book to those who enjoy a well-written story. A great addition to my book collection and well worth the price.
Happy Reading…enjoy!
This was a absolutely beautiful book and I loved every single second of it. Jenna and Cam were both extremely wounded people who never thought they would find solace but they did. In each other they found the balm they needed for there soul and it incredible to read cause you feel the sadness throughout there journey. Definitely recommend
Great story line and characters, Awesome !! Loved this book. The storyline was so interesting that it had me turning pages in anticipation of where it would lead . I was very intrigued with the characters in the story. Simply awesome . Definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for a great read. I would recommend to others. Worth the read and the money!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
What beautiful story of love and healing. Cam is a famous musician with scars on his body and his heart. Jenna is amazing guitar maker with her own demons to deal with. They meet when Cam becomes her client. Right away they can’t deny the attraction and the need they have for each other. But their pasts and the pain in their own hearts stop them from being happy. They have to work together to heal and that may not be something they can do. This was such a heart gripping story. I felt their pain come off the pages. I was totally invested in their personal stories and the one they were creating together. I loved these characters. Jenna made me frustrated at some moments but I understood her decision making. She didn’t deserve the emotional pain she was in. And the fact that she crafted beautiful instruments was totally cool. Cam was a sweetheart who at times I wanted to smack for saying the wrong things. But he gripped my heart too with his back story. And don’t go thinking you have this story figured out because I guarantee you don’t. Read this book with a friend so when that moment comes that you need to talk to someone about what happens you have someone. My poor dogs are clueless. This is a must read in my opinion. And I am excited this is a series. Can’t wait to dive into the next one.
Deep In The Heart, An Austin After Dark Book by Alexa Padgett
Jenna Olsen is a twenty-four-year-old skilled guitar craftsman from Austin Texas. She is also half owner of Olsen Guitar Company with her Pop Pop. Jenna designs and builds guitars for most of Seattle’s big music names and some she can’t.
Camden (Cam) Grace is a popular country singer and an Austin hometown darling. He is also medically retired after a couple of tours in Iraq after an injury. Now he helps raise money for his fellow men at arms.
After getting bad news, Cam destroys his bus and his show guitar. Now he needs a new guitar, so he goes to the best and that’s Olsen Guitar Company. When Cam walks into the show room for his appointment, he sees a man threatening a young woman at the counter and he can’t help but swoop in to save the girl. Both are attracted to the other but have loads of baggage. Back in college, Jenna almost died after eating GHB laced chocolates. She has had a fear of eating food that hasn’t been cooked in her own kitchen. Cam has had his share of trauma whether it be oversees in Iraq or at home. Both have trouble with trust but when they are with each other they can breathe and feel balanced. Sharing their past with each other also helps them get closer and finally find someone who ultimately understand their fears. When a misunderstanding sends Jenna into a panic, she pushes Cam away and runs. Can Cam bring her back and prove that she can trust him to protect her even from herself?
I am so glad that I read this book after the Seattle Sound Series. Jenna was from Many Sounds of Silence, Book 4. The change you see in her from that book where she bright to Deep in the Heart where she is quiet and anxious makes me sad. I understand where this version of Jenna comes from, but it still breaks my heart. The way Cam wants to take care of her from the very beginning is sweet. I love the way he talks her down from the edge and helps her calm down by just being near him. What made me laugh was they were almost testing to see who was the most screwed up and how it made them perfect for each other. Who does that? Its perfect for them though. This book also made me want to buy Werthers candies.
Two broken people, both suffering from PTSD, find in each other the peace and the healing they so long for. However, the outside world is not at all accommodating and a series of dramatic events unfold that leave them reeling. One cannot help but feel for Camden as he struggles to overcome the past and its pain, whilst Jenna has her own demons to fight. The story is suspenseful and well written, with a romance that slowly builds out of mutual respect for one another and the obstacles they have to overcome. One is left on tender hooks wondering whether the couple will ever find their way to happiness and the reader is kept in a state of suspense right to the end. Although this book is part of a series and characters from previous books appear in this one too, it is nevertheless a standalone and comes to happy conclusion. I received a copy of this book as a gift and this is my honest and voluntary review.
This book is so good. No spoilers here though. Knowing a bit about the main characters from a previous series made this story even better. I highly recommend reading the Seattle Sound series first, to enhance your reading experience but it is not necessary. I love Jenna’s personality, especially her creative cuss words which make me laugh. Cam has been portrayed as a guy with a big heart in the previous series but we see who he truly is now. Both Cam and Jenna have painful stories and re-living the memories is difficult for both of them. Yet it’s a really great storyline that digs deep into their lives. One of my favorite paragraphs is “Some people had a knack for living – found joy in every nuance of their days. I could barely cobble together two words to form a coherent sentence, let alone pick a reasonable outfit or trust myself out in public.” So well-written!
Cameron and Jenna are the main characters in this story. Cam was a country music star and was an ex army veteran who had a bad leg injury and is haunted by his tour of duty, and he suffered from ptsd. Jenna made custom guitars with her grandfather and she also suffered from ptsd after a horrible incident in her teens. These two people had a lot of problems between them but both of them were instantly attracted to each other. They met when Cam went into the shop where Jenna and her grandad worked, to order a guitar. Cam came in just as Jenna was being taunted by Ben who was involved in the bullying of Jenna at high school. Cam managed to get rid of him but Jenna knew that he would be back. Jenna clearly had feelings for Cam but she keeps on blocking him and pushing him away. Both of them had some bad problems and I was wondering if they would ever actually get together! I found it to be an excellent read and I recommend it.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Deep in the Heart (Austin After Dark #1)
Loved this book and loved getting to know the characters Jenna & Camden. Love this Authors work, will definitely be reading more. A definite 5 star for me. <3
I’m an avid reader but I have a sweet spot for books based in Texas. When this one landed on my kindle I couldn’t help but read it. Guitar maker, country singer and the amazing city of Austin had me all intrigued. I loved the fun lines like holy s*** on sugar toast and golly gee wonky wump. The characters are so broken but you can’t help but want to hug them, fix them and root for them to overcome it all! Jennas love her PopPop and guitar making is so heartwarming. And how can you not love a country singing good old boy that served our country and did multiple tours before being hurt and is always trying to help the damsel in distress. Don’t think this is a sugary sweet romance. It is not. There are trigger (cheating, violence, stalking and death) but it’s a beautiful story! I would love to hear this in audio with some deep southern drawls!!! (*swoons). And the concert scene! That right there is love story goals!
I read over a hundred books each year and have become somewhat jaded at times, but this book stopped me and made e think.
Jenna is a wonderful, in depth character who has been given several raw deals in her life. She’s been knocked down so often no one would blame her if she didn’t get back up. But she does and she is trying so hard to find her new normal after each hut.
Cam is a nan who also has known his share of knockdown and he is trying to find out if there is a bright spot in his life.
When these two broken souls meet, the attraction is there, but their past continue to overshadow their present.
It is very rare for a book to stay with me long after I have finished it. The characters in thus book are real and you will feel their pain and triumph.
I was given this book for an honest voluntary review
She has had a hard time and finds trust difficult. She mends guitars so when he comes to her for help she says yes. He broke his after a temper fit. They are both broken so can they help each other mend their hearts?.See if they can
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I thought this was a great book. Very realistic characters that went through things in life that I could relate to.
This is a great book that incorporates the reality of PTSD and Anxiety Disorders with romance. Add to the mix careers, family and friends makes the obstacles that need to be overcome feel like a hopeless journey.
Can these two figure it out or is it just too much excess baggage? I am so happy I received an ARC of this book so I could review it for potential readers.
Emotional heart-wrencher that will keep your attention from beginning to end! Hard to put down, mostly due to the fact that you just don’t want to delay finding out what happens next! Two damaged people find and help each other get to the places they each deserve to be! There are plots within plots which also pique your interest, but most importantly, filled with real-life issues like trust and love and their lives before each other that would be sure to test any relationship. The question that will remain in your mind throughout the entire book is whether or not they can possibly fix each other. No spoilers here, however, just know, regardless of how this book turns out, you won’t be disappointed. Good start to another series that I’m certain will wow us.
What an emotional rollercoaster!
Anxiety riddled Jenna and Cam meet one fateful night when things take an ominous turn for Jenna.
Her past is out to get her in the worst way possible when all she want to do is make a quiet life for herself making guitars in her Pop Pop’s shop.
When the famous Cameron Grace comes in that night with a request she wants to say no to, she takes on the challenge to make him the best guitar he has ever owned in a short amount of time.
Little does she know that this meeting will change her life.
Great story, great read!
I read this book voluntarily for an honest review.
Alexa. Padgett has done it again! This gut wrenching story of Jenna and Cam’s meeting of hearts is an amazing love story. Complete with their own HEA. I started reading this great series backwards, but even knowing some of the stuff beforehand didn’t take away from the story one iota! Heartfelt and
Steamy, just the way I like myBooks