AotM: The Greatest Gift & After the Fire by Felice Stevens (Reviews + Giveaway)

The Greatest Gift

Memories, Book 3

Cover Designer:  Dar Albert/Wicked Smart Designs

Cover Photo:  StockPhoto

Release Date:   12.10.15

BLURB:

After five years, Alex Stern and Rafe Hazelton have what seems to be the perfect marriage. Alex is entering his last years of residency and Rafe’s veterinary business is busier than ever. For Rafe, all that is missing is a child, but Alex, afraid of ending up to be a man like his father, isn’t as sure. He doesn't want to make any mistakes. 

When a new patient enters the hospital, Alex is drawn to the young, desperately ill single mother, who shares her fears for the future of her young son. Rafe worries about the toll on Alex becoming emotionally invested in a patient, yet he too can’t walk away once he meets the little boy, and together they vow to help in any way possible. 

Families are not always born of blood— love is a gift no one can plan for. And sometimes from the darkest of tragedies, the brightest light will shine. This is a 25k word novella in the Memories series.

 BUY LINKS

AMAZON US: http://amzn.to/1YZUJpG

AMAZON UK: http://amzn.to/1Njkl9F

AMAZON CA: http://amzn.to/1U5kwds

iBooks: http://apple.co/1XYM6i9

Kobo: http://bit.ly/1OUZDjd

*** Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie in exchange for a fair and honest review. ***

Rafe and Alex seem to have an idyllic marriage; however, the pressures of Alex's residency and the fact that he refuses to consider having a child is creating some problems in their relationship. When Alex becomes invested in the life of one of his patients, a young woman suffering from terminal cancer who has a 4-year-old, he can't stop himself from trying to help her in any way he can, and while Rafe is not too certain at first, he jumps at the chance to show Alex what a wonderful father he could be.

This book was such an emotional read for me, I hadn't read One Step Further, so I bought it and read these two books back to back and cried for the duration. There are books that have touched me deeply, but Alex and Rafe's story just about did me in.

I loved seeing how in love Alex and Rafe still were after 5 years. Yes, they had problems, there were things they didn't see eye to eye on (namely the having children issue), but the love was there, as sweet and all-encompassing as on the first book. It was amazing to see Alex so willing to help Jude and then see both he and Rafe fall for her son.

This was a fantastic, albeit slightly sad, but hopeful, heartwarming story that I definitely recommend!

Rating: 5 Stars!!!

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

A Walk Through Fire

Through Hell and Back #1

Blurb

Years after running away from an abusive foster family, Asher Davis still struggles with the guilt of leaving his foster brothers behind. He’s climbed to unimaginable heights as a ruthless, high-powered attorney, creating a life of power and control and takes whatever and whomever he wants.

Blaming himself for the death of his parents, Dr. Drew Klein retreats into a shell of loneliness, merely going through the motions of life. After a disastrous, short-lived marriage, Drew leaves his lucrative medical practice to set up a clinic for abused young men and women. The decision has more repercussions than Drew could ever imagine when the dark and sensual Ash Davis volunteers to help.

Although Drew isn’t gay, Ash is inexplicably drawn to him. He vows to simply bed him and forget him like he's done with every other man. However, Drew's sweet and caring nature and unexpected passion both stun and frighten Ash, who questions his right to any happiness at all. And when Ash befriends an abused young man who unwittingly draws the clinic into danger, threatening Drew’s safety and that of his beloved grandmother, Ash discovers that there is nothing he won’t sacrifice to protect the love he never thought he’d find. 

Author Note: This is a re-release of a previously released edition from November, 2014. It has been completely re-edited with over 15k added.

ADD TO GOODREADS

BUY LINK

Audible US

AMAZON US / UK
KOBO / iBOOKS

***Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie by the author/publisher for my reading pleasure in hopes of an unbiased opinion, a review was not a requirement.***

This is the second time I read this book, and even with the additions, it was just as amazing as it was the first time. 

I think I have a thing for broken characters, perhaps because there's more room for growth and Asher was so broken it just tugged at my heartstrings. Yes, he could be ruthless and a bit (okay, okay, a lot) of a jerk, yet, he had gone through so much and he felt so much, even if he tried not to show it, that I just wanted to cuddle him and make it all better for him. His need to atone for leaving his foster brothers and his guilt over it all, his ongoing search for them, the way he tried to help Stevie and how he connected with the kids at the clinic were just heartbreaking. And even if he was a player before, I loved that he could move past that and be the kind of man that Drew needed. It was awesome to see Ash heal, and actually trust Drew and Esther enough to share most of what he had to endure growing up in a foster home, with an abusive bastard that ruined his life.  

I was on the fence with Drew the first time, and again the second time around. For as much as I was told he was a good guy and all, the fact that he told Ash that he was worthless (even if it was in the heat of a fight and all) it just didn't sit right by me. However, he won me over once he stood up for himself and for Ash, fighting for him and what he knew was right. 

The chemistry between Drew and Ash was undeniable from the getgo and I really liked the progression once Drew realized that he wanted Ash, the fact that he'd been straight up until that point wasn't that much of a problem, but it wasn't as if it was immediate. He took his time to come to terms with it and decide that it was what he wanted. I also adored that they could be what the other needed, that they just were so perfect for each other even when they were so different.

I loved the secondary characters, especially Esther, Drew's grandmother, who was just about as amazing as she could be. Compassionate, giving and non-judgmental, she was always on Asher's corner, even when the others *cough Jordan cough* were being difficult.

I hated Jordan with the fire of a thousand suns. I couldn't stand him, wanted to slap him, strangle him or punch him so many times during the book. Grrrr! However, I have to admit that after a soul-shattering scene almost at the end (don't forget to stock up in Kleenex, because you'll need them), Felice redeemed him in my eyes, sort of. At least enough that I'm interested in reading his book, which comes next.

There were a few loose ends that I imagine would be acknowledged in the other books in the series, which I haven't read yet, but after this re-read I'll try to make the time to get all caught up with the series. 

All in all, a fantastic, heart-wrenching, emotional rollercoaster kind of book that I just couldn't put down until the very last page. Highly recommendable!!!

Rating: 5 Stars!!!

Dr. Drew Klein and Asher Davis don't meet under the most auspicious of terms. Asher is representing Drew's philandering wife in their divorce, but from the very first moment Asher lays eyes on Drew he can't deny the attraction he feels towards him. Knowing that nothing could ever happen between them, since Drew happens to be straight, Asher proceeds to live his life the way he has been for years. Sleeping with whoever, wherever and whenever he wants. He won't be made to feel bad about his promiscuous, no emotions allowed view on sex. However, when his connection to Drew goes from business to personal, he can't help but want to pursue the man in hopes that he might not be as straight as he thinks he is. Soon though, they become friends. Ash doesn't want to jeopardize that friendship he's come to love but resisting Drew is not easy. ********************************
I remember the first time I read this book I found myself so angry with Ash. He was an infuriating, closed off, egotistical ass and while I knew he'd change, his player ways I hated what he was doing. This time around, I saw Ash quite differently. I know it's because I now know his history and his backstory but it definitely changed the story for me. I was able to brush of some of the jerk things he spouted at Drew and remember it's because he has so many past hurts. I loved the chemistry between Asher and Drew and thought they were really great together. They were able to balance each other out. Drew is sensitive, loyal and caring while Ash is stern and a protector and a bit closed off. They both are there for each other to help keep the demons away. And you can tell they love each other. The writing as always is great and the story flows very well. I was highly entertained and there were moments that the author had me in tears as well as laughing. I definitely recommend A Walk Through Fire. 4.5 Stars! *Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie by the author/publisher for my reading pleasure in hopes of an unbiased opinion, a review was not a requirement.*

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

I have always been a romantic at heart. I believe that while life is tough, there is always a happy ending just around the corner. I started reading traditional historical romances when I was a teenager, then life and law school got in the way. It wasn’t until I picked up a copy of Bertrice Small and became swept away to Queen Elizabeth’s court that my interest in romance novels became renewed.

But somewhere along the way, my tastes shifted. While I still enjoys a juicy Historical romance, I began experimenting with newer, more cutting edge genres and discovered the world of Male/Male romance. Once I picked up her first, I became so enamored of the authors, the character-driven stories and the overwhelming emotion of the books, I knew I wanted to write my own.

I live in New York City with my husband and two children and hopefully soon a cat of my own. My day begins with a lot of caffeine and ends with a glass or two of red wine. I practice law but daydream of a time when I can sit by a beach somewhere and write beautiful stories of men falling in love. Although there is bound to be angst along the way, a Happily Ever After is always guaranteed.

NEWSLETTER

FACEBOOK

FACEBOOK READER GROUP

TUMBLR

PINTEREST

TWITTER

INSTAGRAM

a Rafflecopter giveaway