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Title: Salvation
Author: Stephanie John
Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance
Series: The Heal Me Series, Book 1
Synopsis
A chance meeting turned my world inside out.
Intelligent, sexy, and rich. With a dash of roguish charm and a cocksure smile, Nathan Blake is the ultimate fantasy. He can have any woman he wants with only a glance.
And he wants me.
My past has left me broken and humiliated, wary of men like him. I cut myself off from the pain, moving thousands of miles away to escape every reminder, determined to start anew.
I’ve been second best before. It isn’t happening again.
One kiss and I’m caught under his spell, drawn to him with every breath I take.
I can’t resist.
The passion that explodes between us becomes an intense connection neither of us thought we’d share.
Or need.
The suffering inside me reflects his – a pain I know he feels, but can’t bring himself to reveal.
I have no idea his love can heal me – that mine can heal him…
…if only I can let down my guard for him and trust.
Review
First of all, congratulations Stephanie on a brilliant debut! There are so many things I loved about your book especially the theme, a second chance on love. Your characters as well as your story were well written and very real. I love it when I can read a book and connect with characters the way I did in Salvation. Kara is beautiful, independent, but yet reserved due to past heartache. Nate, her boss, is handsome, powerful, rich and also reserved in his own way. Both have endured some type of pain in the past. Together they discover the power of love.
Throughout the book, the characters learn about each other and grow. Nate is Kara’s boss. Kara dismisses his advances at first knowing that work relationships can be devastating. But, Kara gives in and finally goes out with Nate. I loved that Nate was so blown away by Kara. Kara truly rocked his world.
I can’t say enough about Mai, Kara’s friend. She was funny, a great friend and most of all her biggest supporter. You will love her as you read more about her.
The detailed descriptions in this book are another reason I enjoyed it so much. I pictured this story scene by scene. The sexy banter between Nate and Kara was fun making them so likable. These characters were truly enjoyable to read about.
I cannot end my review without discussing the sex scenes. Wow! There are plenty of exquisitely written scenes in this book. Nate is the quite the guy. You’ll see what I mean.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book and look forward to the next book in the series. I was left making my own predictions about Kara and Nate’s future. They are a couple I am definitely cheering for. I hope it’s available soon.
I gave this book 5 stars! A fantastic debut!
I received an ARC in exchange for a review.
Excerpt
When I joined him, he was leaning against the sink staring at the wall, his features twisted in annoyance. “It’s important to me,” I encouraged, setting his empty bottle on the counter beside him. I pressed a hand to his shoulder. “I want to know all about you like you do me.”
“Yeah,” he scoffed, shrugging me off, “except you won’t let me in either.” The ferocity of him tossing the plates into the sink with a crash panicked me. My ears began to ring with the sound of my heart thudding in my chest. Nate glanced sideways, his face set. “You’re keeping secrets, too.”
I winced at the harsh truth of his words. What right did I have, asking him to open up when I couldn’t do it myself?
“Kara.” His fingertips drifted over my cheekbone. I jumped, taken aback by the veneration in his touch and the gentleness of his voice. “I don’t want to argue, to spoil an idyllic couple of days.”
I hated seeing him like this, so lost and bewildered, out of control. It went against so much of what I treasured about him. Yet it gave me comfort to know he wasn’t just an ideal high on a pedestal, completely out of reach. Nate was human, and he was here, with me.
I stepped closer and rubbed his arm. His eyes were mesmerising, the pupils almost fully dilated. My breath caught when I saw the depth of his feelings swimming in them as he stared back at me. The tiny tick of his jaw pulsed as he gritted his teeth. “I’m trying to do right by you. Trying my utmost to shelter you.”
My body tensed. “From what?”
Nate caressed my face, seeking and finding strength the way I did from him. His eyes were fretful and undecided. God, what had happened to make him behave so out of character?
I wrapped my arms around him and pressed my cheek to his chest. His heart pounded frantically. His shower gel still lingered on me, and mine on his skin. The two scents, woody and almond merged together, giving me an inevitable sense of calm and assurance. “What happened in New York?”
Order Links
You do not want to miss this novel … or deny yourself your next book boyfriend. So why wait? Order Salvation today!
About Stephanie
Most days, you’ll find Stephanie John on a yacht, wearing a very skimpy bikini, drinking champagne, eating chocolate and never gaining weight. When she isn’t asleep and dreaming, in real life you’re more likely to find her at the school gates, wearing whatever she dragged on that morning, drinking copious amounts of coffee. She still eats chocolate, though — everyone has their vices, right? Somehow, amidst the chaos of full-time mummy duties, she manages to write. Contemporary romance has always been her favourite genre to read for as long as she can remember (age-appropriate, of course).
Never in a million years did it occur to her to write one of her own. Now, she couldn’t imagine doing anything else.
Links
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Social Media
Giveaway!
Reading & Writing Between The Wines Blog 
Thank you so much for this amazing 5 star review! And for being part of the tour. So happy you enjoyed Salvation ❤
My pleasure. I’m looking forward to reading more of your writing. ☺