Psychiatrist Henley Elliott fled her quiet life in Cleveland for a gypsy lifestyle, trying to stay one step ahead of her painful memories. When she breaks down in quirky little Trappers’ Cove, Minnesota, she meets Sheriff Carter McAlister – a man healing from his own share of hidden heartbreaks.
At the request of a friend, Carter offers Henley a job to help her get back on her feet…but soon he … feet…but soon he can’t resist trying to sweep the intriguing woman off them. Breaking through her carefully built shell proves to be a near-impossible task, and to make matters worse, a dangerous new presence in the Cove seems to be targeting Henley. They must learn to trust in each other in order to keep her safe.
Can Henley and Carter leave their secrets and scars in the past to get a second chance at happily ever after?
Sensuality Level: Behind Closed Doors
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This story kept me turning the pages. The emotional journey for both Henley and Carter. I loved how they helped each other through family, danger, healing, and falling in love. The secondary characters were welcome humor and support for this wonderful couple. Both were stronger than they thought and had reached a point that they could move forwards with their lives. A few giggles, laughs, tears, a little psychic power, and breath holding made this a story that I recommend.
I received a copy of this story through Goddess Fish Promotions, and this is my unsolicited review.
This book is creative, entertaining, exciting, intriguing, captivating, suspenseful, and extremely gratifying!!!
I could not put this book down and read it in just one sitting!!!
This book starts out ten years after the first book. Maggie and Aidan Gaels are now married and their daughter, Tala, is ten-years-old. A new mysterious stranger, Henley Elliot, arrives in Trappers’ Cove when her car breaks down. Maggie and Tala welcome Henley into their lives and even offer her a place to stay at their cabin. Aidan is unsure of newcomer Henley as he is concerned for the safety of his family. Sherriff Carter McAlister, a close friend to the Gaels agrees to run a background check on Henley and suss her out. Carter realizes Henley is the girl he met on the side of the road after her car broke down and tried to give her a ride that she ultimately turned down. Carter was instantly infatuated with her and curious to get to know her. Henley, strapped for cash, and needing money to pay rent and pay for her auto repairs accepts Carter’s offer for a job working as a dispatcher at the sheriff’s office. Henley has been on the run for the past two years fleeing from town to town. Staying long term in Trappers’ Cover was so not her ideal plan. But being around Maggie and Carter makes her feel safe so she decides to stay while she works on paying off her debts. But there are many reasons Henley has been on the lam and it seems they finally may be catching up with her now that she’s settled down. Who is hunting down Henley? Can Carter protect her? Will Carter be able to finally win Henley over? No spoilers here!! But you definitely will want to read this book and find out!!
I really liked the main characters, Henley, Carter, Maggie, Aidan, the ever so curious and inquisitive Tala, and of course the adorable Dublin, Carter’s German Shephard! They were all likable, relatable, and genuine.
I really liked Henley and Carter as they both had real problems, flaws, and baggage. They worked well together, and their witty banter really played off each other. The characters fit well together and just seemed to complement one another. Not to mention their chemistry and passion that sizzled off the page!!
I liked that Henley was such a multi-dimensional character as she was at first quiet, timid, demure, and secretive. Then over the course of the book she really opens up and you get to meet the strong, stubborn, sassy, tenacious, and caring character that she’s kept locked away. It is also revealed that she has been dealing with self-esteem issues, personal insecurities, and hiding a secret, mystifying ability. After suffering a traumatic head injury Henley can now pick up the emotions of anyone she touches. Mostly a burden and always afraid of being touched or having to touch someone as feeling someone’s sadness, grief, or anger – even for just moments can be overwhelming and unbearable. This was such a creative and intriguing ability and one that I couldn’t imagine having!
I really enjoyed that the author created flawed and damaged characters that really showcased her writing style and ability to push her characters to reach their full potential over their arc. This is especially so with Henley, as her character had such significant growth, development, and improvement over the course of the book.
It was great catching back up with Maggie, Aidan, and the charming folks in Trappers’ Cove! I was so happy to see so many returning characters!! I tend to get invested in my characters – especially in a book series, so I was glad to see everyone come back and pick right up where we left off from the last book.
I loved the adorable Minnesota setting. My mom’s family is from there and I grew up with all those silly small-town stories about walking to school in the snow five miles, etc. lol!!! So, I loved all the author bringing in the sweet hometown vibes with all the neighborly fixin’s. It definitely brought an enjoyable element to the story line.
I also loved the author’s writing style as she was superior on detail and the way she immerses you into her storytelling. Her writing draws you in and keeps you fully engaged as the story unfolds!!
I liked that this book had many, but short chapters as they were well-written, concise, and easily flowed.
This book has a creative story line that evenly flows, superb writing style with meticulously well-described scenes, strongly-developed characters, is steady paced, and completely keeps you fully entertained!!
There are some predictable scenes. However, there are still a few very unexpected twists and turns that you won’t see coming!
This book is Book Two of The Fated Series. This book can be read as a standalone, however, there are significant character and story line overlap from the previous book. Even with the overlaps, this book wouldn’t be confusing to new series readers, but I personally would think it would make more sense and have a stronger impact on the understanding of this book series, if you started with book one first.
All in all, I really enjoyed reading this book and would absolutely recommend it! I think all romantic, suspense readers will like this book too! So, add it to your TBR List and get to reading – you won’t be disappointed!
**Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book and have voluntarily provided an honest, and unbiased review in accordance with FTC regulations.**
I absolutely enjoyed this book! One of my favorite things to read is small town romance, and this had it all. The secondary characters absolutely shined throughout.
That’s not to say the main characters didn’t. They did. There was an ease in the way they were written that really made this book easy to read, no burps or hiccups at all. From the very start, when Henley was coaxing her old car into just one more mile, to the end when their romance was being wrapped up (and they had Maggie and Aiden as the “peanut gallery”) I just enjoyed them all.
The storyline was interesting as well and I appreciated that both characters had a traumatic past to overcome. There were times I found Carter to be a little too cocky and Henley a bit too reticent to form attachments, but they are who they are. I had to laugh at how Maggie just steamrolled Henley from the very start and completely enveloped her with her friendship. Honestly, everyone in the town did the same thing with their openness and willingness to accept her (except Aiden…and I did like that subplot as well).
It was neat getting reacquainted with Maggie and Aiden from book one, as well as the town and its people, too. However, this book easily stands on its own so don’t let the fact it’s book two in a series deter you from giving it a try. Also, even though I say this book’s heat level is “spicy”, the love scenes are present but very mild and understated.
The mystery side of this was well written as well, though as in the book before, the bad guy was a little over the top bad (to the point I could almost envision him in one of the old melodrama’s twirling his mustache). Still, it holds up and I loved how everyone bands together to protect Henley.
The end was perfect. I giggled every time Maggie or Aiden murmured something during the wind down of this story. A good, solid, well written and fun read. I’m looking forward to the next book.
Book two of the Fated Hearts series a well written story that kept me turning pages. Psychiatrist Henley Elliott comes to Trappers’ Cove, Minnesota to get away from some things in her past. She meets Sheriff Carter McAlister. There is suspense, drama, danger, arson, attempted murder, shooting, a villlain, and romance. I want to read the next book. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is a very enjoyable paranormal romance. I liked it… The characters are interesting and the story is great..
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This was one intriguing read with the good character and plot development that kept me totally glued to my kindle until the turn of the very last page!
Carter and Henley both are trying to pack away their demons by leaving their homes and starting somewhere else. When Carter sees Henley, he is drawn to her and as they connect through being together, their presence compliments the other. Henley slowly lets her guard down around Carter but someone is out to endanger her. Will she trust Carter to be the one to protect her from the impending danger? This story draws you in while having you empathize with Carter and Henley.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Good lord this series just keeps better and better. I didn’t think that Ms. Flade would be able to top Aiden and Maggie’s story but she did. Carter and Henley have my heart, just like Aiden and Maggie. They were made for each other and Ms. Flade builds their story layer by layer. She takes her time with them and lets them tell their story. Its almost like you are intruding on it. It’s sweet, sassy, emotional, and intelligent. Nothing is rushed. Even the suspense element that runs throughout the book. Which, by the way, I never figured out…AGAIN. I swear in my old age, I’m slipping when it comes to figuring out stuff.
Both Carter and Henley are dealing with some major baggage when they first meet. Another thing I love about Ms. Flade’s writing is she only gives you bits and pieces of their troubles that brought them to the small town. Again, she lets them do the telling, not her. It’s refreshing to this reader that she writes like this. I don’t the info dump that most authors do but Ms. Flade takes her time. Also, her use of dialogue is beyond compare. She writes intelligent, realistic dialogue between all of her characters. Even, young Tala (well she’s 10 now) gets into the action when talking to Henley. There is one scene with Tala and a big wolf that had me thinking, OMG. And no, I’m not telling you the significance of it either. Read the first book. Again, Ms. Flade just writes what her characters are telling her to do. Nothing more, nothing less.
The scene with Carter’s family is great. I still need to warm up to Jenna since her book is next and I loved her in the first one but she is really is a first-class *itch in this one and she is only in one scene. The scenes with Henley’s family are sad but heartwarming in the end. I really liked her mother in the end. The bathroom scene is classic. Henley’s sister can rot and her dad isn’t much better. Maggie, Tala, and Aiden are great in the book. I forgot how grumpy Aiden is and it shines in this book. Really, he is grumpy but I get it. I still love him though.
There is a major secret in the book that ties this book and Aiden/Maggie’s book that is one of those OMG, holy Batman moments that is just brilliant, heartbreaking, emotional, and just…I can’t. You just have to read it. There is a paranormal aspect to the book, too and it’s Henley’s secret to share, not mine. I liked especially how Ms. Flade doesn’t let it become the main focus of the book. It’s only a part of Henley, however, it does explain all of the running and her family situation back in Cleveland.
Overall, I could go on and on about how fantastic this series is and how much I loved Carter and Henley but then you would tune me out. You just need to read the book. You won’t be sorry and you will thank me later. I’ll wait.