Reyna knows happily-ever-after isn’t in her future…But after three years of solitude, Reyna is ready for a fling. She’s learned her lesson with bad boys and long-term expectations, so her neighbor’s visiting nephew is the perfect man to lead into temptation. But Kade has a gift for breaking her rules and ensuring Reyna doesn’t regret it, which means one night becomes two…Kade believes in … believes in putting the past where it belongs…
Kade was always waiting for the right woman, and one night with Reyna convinces him that he’s found her. It’s more than great sex and good conversation: Reyna’s determination to shape her life inspires him to rebuild his own, and he knows they’ll be a great team. All he has to do is convince her to take a chance on him and forever. When Reyna’s past catches up to them both, will it destroy their new partnership before the future begins?
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3.75 stars–SPRING FEVER is the second instalment in Deborah Cooke’s contemporary, adult SECRET HEART INK slightly paranormal, erotic, romance series of novella-a spin off from the author’s Flatiron Five series. This is cupcake shop owner Reyna Tate, and police officer Kade Sullivan’s story line. SPRING FEVER can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous instalment is revealed where necessary including tattoo artist Chynna who’s imbues her designs with a touch of magic. There is a slight time line cross-over with book one –Snowbound.
NOTE: SPRING FEVER contains scenes of domestic violence that may be triggers for more sensitive readers.
Told from dual third person perspectives (Reyna and Kade) follows the building relationship between cupcake shop owner Reyna Tate, and police officer Kade Sullivan. Kade Sullivan was spending his ordered time-off in the small town of Honey Hill, fixing and updating his Aunt and Uncle’s home when the sexy cupcake shop owner Reyna Tate catches his eye. Kade knows his time in Honey Hill is limited but meeting small business owner Reyna Tate has Kade thinking about a possible future with the mysterious and feisty woman who refuses to acknowledge the demons from her past. What ensues is the back and forth, up and down ‘thing ‘ between Reyna and Kade, and the fall-out as Reyna is unable to let go of the past, a past that controls her head and her heart.
Reyna Tate’s issues are personal and emotional such that the demons prevent our heroine from moving on from the past. Unable to allow herself the possibility of love, Reyna goes through life waiting to be hurt, or hurting someone that she loves. Reyna’s behaviour and attitude is troubling; her back and forth is disconcerting; she struggles to reveal the truth or accept Kade for the man that he is. Kade Sullivan’s attraction to Reyna is immediate and swift but Reyna’s rules for dating leave Kade wondering if Reyna’s walls will ever come down. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.
SPRING FEVER is a story of betrayal and loss; acceptance and denial; love and a happily ever after. The premise is engaging; the romance struggles in the face of Reyna’s emotional up and downs; the characters are colorful but damaged and lost. SPRING FEVER touches on issues of domestic abuse, an all too familiar reality for many women and men.
Reyna knows happily ever after in not in cards for her, but she can’t help wanting a fling with her neighbors nephew.
Kade is intrigued by Reyna, and wants more than one night with her. Will be be able to convince her to give them a chance at forever ?
Spring Fever is a perfect addition to the secret heart series. Though a novella it has all the makings of a full length novel. It is romantic, sweet, and with some drama that kept me rooting for a HEA. Can’t wait to read Lexi’s story.
The second installment in the tattoo artist’s heart magic series. We get Reyna’s story who is the tall, tattooed, confident and strong willed cupcake maker of the group. Her past is a mystery that we learn about in this story. Be warned there is domestic violence dealt with in this story, for those who have triggers about that topic.
Reyna has started a prosperous cupcake business in Honey Hill Maine, outside of Portland. She formerly lived in Manhattan. She has friends but very guarded with her trust and ALWAYS in control. We find out that Chynna has done every one of her many tattoos. She’s decided she’s ready for a fling, a one-night-stand, and her options are limited in Honey Hill. Kade is a gorgeous guy staying with his elderly aunt and uncle and helping renovate a beautiful victorian home they own. Reyna doesn’t know but Kade is a cop who’s recovering from shooting an unarmed man at a domestic violence call. His confidence has taken a hit and he needs time to get his head together. Reyna decides he’s perfect and puts herself in his sights. Kade had already noticed Reyna, the mysterious delicious tattooed business owner. One taste and Kade is more than ready to spend the night and have many repeat nights. He’s startled when Reyna kicks him out after a few hours and says that’s it. Kade is very perceptive and has picked up on a lot of clues in Reyna’s behavior and appearance to tell she’s been violated at some time in the past.
I really was awed at Deborah’s understanding of Reyna and Kade’s issues. She was so sensitive to the nuances of each of them. I really liked this story. Kade is inspired by Reyna’s attitude strength and courage. He decides he can do no less. When Reyna’s past finds her you will have to read the story to find out if Kade is there for her – *wink, wink – it does have a HEA.
Thank you Deborah Cooke for the freely given ARC of this story for my honest review. I am delighted to read anything you throw my way!
I really enjoyed this contemporary romance. Reyna is ready for a fling, and her next door neighbor’s visiting nephew, Kade, looks like the right candidate. Kade meets Reyna and is sure she is the one woman for him. Reyna and Kade had a great connection and I loved their story. This book can be read as a standalone story, though it is #2 in the Secret Heart Ink series. I recommend this book and look forward to reading more in this series as well as other books by this author.