Lelyana's Reviews
I read, I review.
REVIEW : Safe in His Heart (Safe #2) by Renae Kaye
Published by Dreamspinner Press
Released 2 May 2016
Available in eBook and paperback formats
Andrew and Paul learned about God and Jesus in different churches and realize their views of spirituality are worlds apart.
Andrew was raised Catholic and was told his homosexuality was a sin. For his entire life, he hid the truth. He married and had children to present a façade to the world—that of a straight man. It's not until he has an affair with Paul, who shows him a different side of Jesus, that Andrew realizes he can be gay and still believe in God. Paul's Jesus is one of acceptance and love, and in Paul's church, being gay is not a problem.
For Paul and Andrew, falling in love is the easy part of their journey. They must make it through the fires of cheating, being discovered, Andrew's wife leaving, the necessities of childcare and family life, the demands of their jobs, and working on their commitment to each other. Only then can they be safe in each other's heart.
Before you read the book, this is a fair warning from me. Don't judge Andrew before you finish the whole book. Since the first book, I knew who's Paul involved with and I hated Andrew and never thought that Paul will ended with Andrew. Andrew of all people ! How stupid Paul is? Well, love is stupid, and blind, and unreasonable.
Paul knew from the first time at the gym that Andrew is a married man and he can't stop wanting him. If there's anyone to blame, who's to blame? I'd say, no one. Because, yeah...You know my answer, love is 'unreasonable'.
Andrew has a reason why he's having affairs when he's still married. He has a reason, and I do understand his reason. Because if you lived a life Andrew's life, you'll probably do the same.
Andrew just loved his parents to the level slavery and unhealthy. Andrew loves his two children and put them above all, above his own happiness.
He was being stupid once, when he married that woman (I don't even want to mention her name), out of love of his parents (or afraid, I have no idea) and to respect his religion which is has the same idea with my religion about homosexuals. So...
Here came Paul, handsome, sweet, accepted who he is , 'unconditionally', and he fell hard for Paul. No more fling, no more gym sex with others after Paul. The 'fucking agreement' became addiction, and their addiction became love. And Andrew and Paul can't get the hell out of the situation. Finding their happiness, or let Andrew back to his family.
Let's thank to his so called wife, that he can finally can be with Paul in the end. And you'll know why Andrew did what he did, because that woman did what he did even before Andrew did what he did. Confuse? Read again. Got what I mean? Yeah. It's about the cheating thing. Why I wasn't mad of Andrew for cheating? I won't call it a cheating though. They have 'agreement', from the first time even before Andrew married that woman. Cheating is my hard limit. But in Andrew's case, I think I can make it exceptional.
This is not an easy read for some people though, if you're opposed to religion talk, people afraid of God and cheating (not) in their unhappy cold married life, don't read this book. If you're like me, and love Paul so much and wants to learn to love Andrew (because he's the one who need some TLC even more), this is the book for you.
I enjoyed this story, I enjoyed Andrew and Paul, and hey, there's Lon and Casey revisited. Well done, Renae !
*All teaser pictures provided by Author*
eBook links
Dreamspinner: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=7683
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Safe-His-Heart-Renae-Kaye-ebook/dp/B01EG0QCOM
ARe: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-safeinhisheart-2023479-149.html
B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/safe-in-his-heart-renae-kaye/1123670418
Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/safe-in-his-heart
Paperback links
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Safe-His-Heart-Renae-Kaye/dp/1634772261
Renae Kaye bio
Renae Kaye is a lover and hoarder of books who thinks libraries are devilish places because they make you give the books back. She consumed her first adult romance book at the tender age of thirteen and hasn't stopped since. After years – and thousands of stories! – of not having book characters do what she wants, she decided she would write her own novel and found the characters still didn't do what she wanted. It hasn't stopped her though. She believes that maybe one day the world will create a perfect couple – and it will be the most boring story ever. So until then she is stuck with quirky, snarky and imperfect characters who just want their story told.
Renae lives in Perth, Western Australia and writes in five minute snatches between the demands of two kids, a forbearing husband, too many pets, too much housework and her beloved veggie garden. She is a survivor of being the youngest in a large family and believes that laughter (and a good book) can cure anything.
How to contact Renae:
Email: renaekaye@iinet.net.au
Website: www.renaekaye.weebly.com
FB: www.facebook.com/renae.kaye.9
Twitter: @renaekkaye
Posted by Lelyana's Reviews at 05:40 1 comment: Links to this post
What Remains by Garrett Leigh
*** FIVE 'WHAT REMAINS' OF YOU' STARS !
This is Garrett Leigh at her finest. Like chocolate. This is fine dark chocolate that I always craved every day of my life. Bitter but yet delicious you want it for more.
I'm still hangover and can't write a proper review today. I mean...I feel Jodi, I feel Rupert.
How miserable their life after what happened with Jodi that day, the day after 'everything is fine'...the BAM! It changed in one second.
With Ed Sheeran's Photograph while writing this (you'll know why I chose this song for this book's playlist), I cried all over again. Over what Rupert's missing in his life 'after' that day, and cried after what Jodi's missing 'after' that day.
But what I love about Rupert and Jodi, they're both determined person, and stubborn, and they're not giving up even after their life broken into pieces. Rupert stay there for Jodi, even (view spoiler)[his heart was broken and knew he will never get the old Jodi back. (hide spoiler)]
There are so much I love in this story ( I don't care about Rupert's ex-wife though).
Rupert's determination, his daughter, Jodi's personality and his stubborn attitude to 'learn' about his 'relationship' with Rupert.
The Photo album made me thinking, that we're all need a printed photos to put in the 'real photo album', just in case...it safe life, safe relationship, and time is stood still in photograph, no heart broken, eyes were never closed, and time's frozen . Damn, I became sappy sometimes. But this book makes me sappy, and I don't mind at all.
I'll be back later for a more proper review, right now, I'm just want to enjoy my re-reading, with Photograph...where time's frozen... (I'm still hangover, and I'm okay with it)
This is a highly recommended, especially who adores Slide and Rare. This book has the same vibes as that one.
* ARC was provided by Publisher through Netgalley in exchange of a fair and unbiased review. No high rating required*
Posted by Lelyana's Reviews at 20:00 No comments: Links to this post
COVER REVEAL : Illuminate the Shadows (Shatterproof Bond #1) by Isobel Starling
**RELEASE DAY is 9th MAY 2016 **
The thrilling, funny sequel to 'As You Wish'.
A Scotsman and an Englishman fall in love…
After the most amazing week of Declan Ramsay's life, at Dunloch Castle on the banks of Loch Ness, in Scotland. The charming, mysterious Samuel Aiken has turned Declan's life upside down. Declan has experienced a remarkable change. He has come to terms with the fact he is bisexual, and he has fallen head-over-heels in love with his boss's son Sam.
However, falling for his boss's son was never going to be an easy path to happiness, mainly because the boss in question is multi-millionaire property tycoon and former MI5 operative, Sir James Aiken.
Sir James is repulsed by his son's homosexuality, and so discovering that his employee Declan Ramsay- the man he installed to run his luxury property rental empire- is in a relationship with Sam, does not go down well.
The lovers cannot hide from the looming presence of Sir James Aiken for long! Soon enough James makes his move, and Declan finds out what he will have to endure to stay with Sam, and what he will have to give to feel worthy of Sam's love.
**The story continues in "Return to Zero" (Shatterproof Bond #2)** This second book will be released on 6th June 2016
It was the first time Sam and Declan had ever invited guests over to the apartment. It was such a normal thing to do, and the thought of it made Sam feel ridiculously sentimental. Everyone seated at the table was in-love, and everyone appeared happy. Sam could never have guessed a year ago, that the man he had been emailing to discuss Oliver and Annabelle's impending nuptials would turn out to be the one.
Sam observed each of their faces in turn, Declan, his own big, handsome man, grey eyes sparkling with mirth and his cheeks flushed pink from alcohol and laughter. He was devouring his umpteenth petit four. And then Oliver, the brother who looked nothing like Declan, with his average pasty looks, 'strawberry blond' ginger hair, and angular features. And finally Annabelle, wild dark curls cascading onto her shoulders, and her smile radiating happiness. Sam felt so lucky to be in their company, to feel at ease being himself.
Declan's socked foot slid up Sam's trouser leg, Sam looked up to meet his gaze.
"Tell me. What was Sam like as a kid?" Declan said to Belle, while smirking at Sam.
"And what was Declan like?" Sam addressed to Oliver, returning Declan's mischievous stare.
Oliver and Annabelle turned and grinned at each other. "Ladies first, darlin'," Oliver said. Annabelle fixed her gaze on Sam. His eyes pleaded, as if he knew exactly which story Belle would choose to share from her vast repertoire.
"When Sam was six… or seven," She began. Sam hid his face in his hands and groaned.
Declan laughed at the reaction, he couldn't wait for the embarrassing story.
"… I think I was around ten or eleven. Anyway, Dad was always away a lot, you know, for work, and Sam asked mum what dad did for a living. Mum couldn't tell us he worked for the government, for our own safety, of course. We all know how kids blab in the playground. We'll, mum told Sam that our father worked as an Escapology trainer, and when he was away, someone had gotten stuck and he was helping them escape."
"Awe, that's kinda cute," Oliver said.
"Isn't it! Any other child would have taken that with a pinch of salt and moved on. But, my darling brother was never like the other children" She said affectionately. Declan gave Sam a quizzical look.
"And thus, The Amazing Sam was born."
"The Amazing Sam?" Declan questioned.
"Oh God, this is so embarrassing" Sam chipped in. "I was 'that kid' the geek with his head in books. When other boys were playing football, I was always, researching. I got it into my head to read up about Escapology. Mum bought me a Houdini magic set, but… I only wanted the rope and handcuffs," Sam admitted.
Declan and Oliver burst out laughing. Sam rested his chin on his hand, "I knew you would laugh" He huffed.
©Isobel Starling 2016
Prequel novella is now on sale on ARe https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-asyouwishshatterproofbond05-1872206-351.html
Pre-order links :
All Romance
Inspiration strikes at the strangest of times.
Born in Germany, Isobel Starling spent most of her twenty-year professional career making art. She relocated to the UK and,faced with the dreaded artist's creative block, Isobel started to write and found she loved it more than making art.
Isobel's first novel "Schonling" was a best seller in the GLBT-Bisexual genre on the 'All Romance ebooks' site.
She has just completed her sixth book, and signed French translation rights for novella "As You Wish".
She adores the M/M genre and enjoys writing about wounded souls and the complexities of personal relationships.
Despite not having found proof yet, Isobel believes in love at first sight and endeavours to give her men a thrilling journey and a satisfying ending!
Author links :
http://isobelstarling.wix.com/author
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Isobel-Starling/616067078525832
https://twitter.com/isobel_starling
https://isobelstarling.wordpress.com
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