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| LauraKayeAuthor.com |
Hero Series, Book 2
by Laura Kaye
Entangled Publishing
230 Pages, Print and E-book
Disclosure:
Blogger Purchase.
I am on Laura's Street team which means I'm like a Booster Club member. But, that I like her work should be evident in the fact that I actually bought the book!
He wants just one night…
After growing up with an abusive, alcoholic father, Army Special Forces Sgt. Brady Scott vowed never to marry or have kids. Sent stateside to get his head on straight—and his anger in check—Brady’s looking for a distraction. He finds it in his beautiful new neighbor’s one-night-only offer for hot sex, but her ability to make him forget is addictive. Suddenly, Brady’s not so sure he can stay away.
…what they need is each other.
Orphaned as a child, community center director Joss Daniels swore she’d never put herself in a position to be left behind again, but she can’t deny herself one sizzling night with the sexy soldier who makes her laugh and kisses her senseless. When Joss discovers she’s pregnant, Brady’s rejection leaves her feeling abandoned. Now, they must overcome their fears before they lose the love and security they’ve found in each other, but can they let go of the past to create a future together? LauraKayeAuthor.com
Whenever I read one of Laura's books I have to have tissues nearby because I know I'll be crying at some point. With her heartfelt writing, sympathetic characters, and obstacle strewn romances, Laura always manages to strike a balance between emotional responses like happiness and sadness and the books often land a little on the sentimental side.
I hadn't realized this was, to some degree, a story with holiday landmarks: it begins and ends on Labor Day, and marks Halloween and Christmas very nicely. The two stories out in the series are about contemporary military heroes and their lives stateside and would make a great Holiday gift for romance loving friends with military spouses or veterans. And I like how the entirety takes palce over the course of a year marked with holidays.
I just enjoy her stories. Her writing has developed depth and descriptive impact since the first story I read by her, FOREVER FREED, a year and a half ago. But, even then I complimented her work. It has become somewhat less expository, sexier, and the dialogue feels right. In fact, the dialogue gives this story heart. The characters are alive with well-drawn personalities that aren't just the same-old, same-old. Laura writes with sincerity; you can feel it in the books. There is nothing pretentious about it.
Her situations too are very real: too often a night of great sex results in a bundle of joy. The pill is NOT fool proof, I have friends who have learned this the hard way; even though they love their children it was quite a shock to discover they were pregnant. One night can change your life.
Laura's heroes, and heroines, are quirky and often troubled; almost always good looking. Like most love stories the romance faces obstacles, a love story without obstacles is boring.
In this case they are internally-rooted in the psychology of the hero, Brady. To a lesser degree life has given Joss some baggage too. I like that Laura made Joss tattooed, with a tongue stud. Generally, I don't like tongue studs but I will make an exception for Joss.She gave Joss an urban, edgy look with a heart of gold. And, this straight-laced military guy falls for this inked stud wearing chick with pink streaks.
Brady's baggage, which we learned about in HER FORBIDDEN HERO, about his sister and best friend, is tragic. Kids and families do fall through the cracks all too often.
The emotional conflict here is psychologically based. Suffering from anger management issues Brady fears he will become his father. His father was, in Brady's memory evil. In truth, it's another matter. He became an abusive fathre with addiction problems. Brady doesn't remember any good times before his father turned into an ogre.He doesn't think he can have any of the things a "normal" person would, doesn't even believe he deserves them. Laura handles Brady's issues with sensitivity, even when Brady is callous and cruel.
"Becoming my father" is a trope I have run into before. Is this a common fear among men? I know most of this blog's readers are women, so I ask you to ask this question of the men in your life. Do they fear, or have hope of, becoming their fathers? My husband says it never even crossed his mind, but his childhood wasn't at all traumatic.
Needless to say, it is that issue and its complications that require resolution for the reader to get to an HEA.It takes a lot of courage for the hero to come to grips with his past and for the heroine to believe him. The book is part of a series but would also stand on its own.
I know I will continue to read Laura's wonderful books. They offer me great characters and interesting situations and always make me feel good. I highly recommend her books and ONE NIGHT WITH A HERO is no exception. If you like a steamy romance with heart then this is the book for you!
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