Could you forgive the one you love of anything… even murder? Behind the iron gates of their Malibu mansion hides the truth about Shae Love’s boyfriend. After the relationship ends in violence, Shae flees on her family’s yacht.Drew Vega is running from something too. When he meets Shae on a Samoan island, both conceal their destructive secrets but can’t resist falling for each other. But there’s … there’s a bigger problem lurking. His name is Brett Abspoel and he’s Drew’s lifelong friend. Not even Drew knows how much Brett’s chilling past has broken him and how it’s led to Brett’s current obsession – Shae. As their three lives collide, they fight to survive the wreckage of love – and hate. If you love a suspenseful romance with a twist that’ll keep you reading into the night, then you’ll love T.M. Bashford’s first book in this page-turning serial trilogy.
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The Heartless Tide is book one in the Tide Series by T. M. Bashford. Masterfully written, The Heartless Tide is a suspense romance that kept me up late into the night. This first book ended in a cliff hanger. I normally don’t like cliff hangers, but I have to say that this book is so intriguing I can’t wait to read more. I adored the heroine – Shae Love. Strong and yet vulnerable, Shae is on the run from her past when she meets handsome Drew Vega on a Samoan island. I loved that the setting was so creative and different. Bashford writes a true masterpiece. I normally only read historical romance, so when this book came my way in the form of an ARC I was hesitant. I am so glad I read it. Here is one of my favorite scenes. “I liked spending time with you today,” he murmurs near my ear, his voice throaty. All the jumpiness inside me is replaced by a wafting sensation of lightness drifting through my veins. Not trusting myself to speak, I lift my face and let my eyes answer, “me too.” I half-smile. His expression is soft and caressing and a split-second later, his lips graze my cheek. Rather than push him away as I should, I pause, take in how exquisite tremors whisk through my body. His mouth moves to brush my lips, barely touching, more of a question from his lips to mine.” Beautifully written. Smoldering romance. A knife to the heart suspense.
I wasn’t sure about what I was getting into reading this book and at first was weary that it may end up being a youthful angsty kind of read. Instead this new to me author grabbed me into her world and held me there. She doesn’t overdue the details and at each turn in the book show us two people who while yearning for more both harbor secrets they are hesitant to reveal. Friends and co-workers make their presence known some for good and other’s who have ulterior motives. I found myself immersed in the story and invested in the outcome. I love this author’s style and the fact that the book was well edited was a welcome relief. There is still much unknown, the suspense is there and we are left with the threat of more. This isn’t a standalone series so you do have to read all 3 books. Is the author ready to keep this level of intrigue and suspense through to the end?? Only time will tell and of course I will too.
I was given a copy of this book for an honest review. Oh my God. I got chills so many times reading this book. It completely blew my mind. It managed to surpass my high expectations AND be nothing at all like I expected. The characters all have their secrets & are trying to keep their true identities hidden. This was a phenomenal book and I can’t wait to continue the story in book #2 of the series, The Tide.
4.t Stars
This book is written by a new to me author.
It was an enjoyable experience to read because it felt like an adventure and along the way the characters met and fell in love. I enjoyed this adventure with the characters but the adventure isn’t quite over. There’s a big hurdle of a murder charger to be dealt with before smooth sailing can occur for their love story. I can’t wait to read what happens next.
T.M. Bashford, ‘The Heartless Tide’.
The Tide Serial, book 1.
As a Hidden Gems ARC reader I received a free copy and promised an honest review. Here it is.
Rating: 4,5 stars (of 5).
In general: Romantic Suspense at its Best.
Main characters:
– Shea Love. After her relationship with her boyfriend Connor ends in violence, she killed him in self-defense. Then she flees on her family yacht, Sassy Jam, from Malibu to Samoa. Crossing the equator she swore never to fall in love and trust a man again.
– Drew Vega. He’s a gorgeous looking Australian from Sydney. He studies to become a veterinarian but took a break from vet school and now volunteers in an animal shelter on Samoa. He’s from a very wealthy family but the relation with his parents is a bit problematic.
– Brett Abspoel. Drew’s friend. He had a very difficult youth and now has a damaged soul. Drew (who had a bad youth too) protects his friend as good as possible. Brett has a crush on Shea, but she feels more for Drew.
Shea and Drew meet at Samoa where she moored to repair her sail ship. Looking for a wharf she helps Drew to rescue a stray dog. They start a conversation and like each other.
The author, T.M. Bashford, then describes how their relationship develops. The original plot is exciting, the main characters are created with insight and are very credible. The sea action scenes are compelling. For me the book was a pleasure to read and I’m looking forward to the next novel in the Tide series.
R. Huiszoon.
Just wow, it’s been a couple of days and I still don’t know what to say about this book! Nothing I write in my review would ever give this book the justice it deserves.
The storyline was so much more than what I expected from the blurb and I was hooked right from the start. It was refreshing and unlike anything I’ve read so far. And writing was simply amazing! It flowed well with vivid descriptions of Samoa and Shae’s journey on Sassy. I have to say, I’m not really familiar with sailing and boat terms but that didn’t take away from my absolute enjoyment of this story.
Characters are complex and human, and I can’t stop admiring Shae. I loved the slow burn between her and Drew. It was really emotional considering Shae’s painful secret and past that holds her back. Their connection in the last couple of chapters really pulled my heartstrings. It was wonderfully written and you could feel Drew’s healing love for Shea and how he helped her to finally start to face and let go of her past.
I can’t wait to find out what happens next and already have the next book on pre-order.
Although I received an advanced copy I also purchased this book for my collection.
TM Bashford shows her love of words with her intense story The Heartless Tide. Watching love grow, with painful memories chasing the waves that push Shae across the world in a solo sail, we meet the soul of the story.
This is a unique story that leads into the second book in her trilogy. And I was sooo thankful to be able to grab the next one and keep the tale moving!
From the very beginning, the reader is swept up in the hurricane of emotions the protagonist lives, fighting to survive, fighting to be strong, fighting to not be “only a girl” in a world of cruel, untrustworthy men. As her story gradually unfolds, and her past overshadows her present and denies her any future, tiny sparks of hope keep her clinging to her own life, sparks that blaze into something too big to deny, yet too impossible to accept.
Obviously the first part of a series, this ends in a tortured cliffhanger.
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I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.