The Two Brains of Book Reviewers: SPARK Blog Tour

After being saved by a firefighter, Velaney Wills meets Eric Reilley, who recently moved from Texas to Boston to work on the Boston Fire Department. Ironically, Eric lives below Velaney and with his devilish charm, and sweet accent, Velaney is finding him hard to resist. Velaney grew up in what should've been the perfect childhood. Her father owns his own dental practice, and her mother a Pastor. She wasn't allowed to swear and never got into any trouble, however, her troubled and complicated past makes her build walls that she doesn't let down easily. Eric is fascinated with the fact that Velaney can't swear. She uses filler words to express herself that he often finds hilarious. Velaney runs as her outlet - releasing the rage and anger she has built up inside her from a deep secret she's never told anyone except her lifelong best friend, and roommate, Carissa. Eric and Velaney become running partners - only securing their obvious sexual tension between them. No matter how much Velaney pushes Eric away, he will always be there to save her.

REVIEW:

Who doesn't want a hot fireman in your life! Eric saves her life in the first few pages. Velaney does not have a great family life. In fact, Aiden, her brother, is the worst you can possibly have. I do not want to go into details of what happened to her to make her so stand offish, but it has much to do with him.

However Eric lives in the same building as her, walks into her apartment and makes her breakfast. Awesome! And all he wants to do is take care of her.

The book was good. It has the usual characters: the hot guy, the crazy roommate and the insecure main character. Her past is coming for her and anyone who she loves. It will be interesting to see what Eric will do to keep her safe.

I would give this a 3.7.

Darra

EXCERPTS:

"I was so worried, Velaney. What were you thinking coming into the woods?" He pulls back to look at me.

"I went for a run. I decided to take the scenic route," I mutter just above a whisper. "Are you mad?"

He chuckles lightly. "Velaney, I could never be mad at a beautiful woman like you. You are too precious to be running out here all by yourself." He looks me right in the eyes and pulls a piece of my hair behind my ear. I don't know why my whole body quivers every time he's near, and this time isn't an exception.

Part of me wants him to kiss me, while the other part wants to back away. His face is close to mine, looking soft and intimate. I'm not sure what to do, or if I should just wait for him to make the move. I stand there, waiting. He doesn't move. His hand is still wrapped around my ear as he looks at me intently.

"You are freezing," he mutters, leaning in closer. "Let's get you home where it's nice and warm." He smiles, moving his thumb across my cheek, then down my arm where he reaches for my hand. My body feels like I've been hit by lightening. The intense emotions that overfill my body are too much for me to handle. I want him to touch me so frigging badly, and the ache that stings between my thighs tells me just how much I want it.

We walk back to the car in silence. His hand is still holding mine, which is the only warm surface on my body. He's close to me so it's nearly impossible to ignore his scent. His husky aroma is mixed with aftershave, and it's the most amazing combination I've ever smelled. Perhaps, it was the way it smells on him, but the more I smell it, the more I want it. Want him.

Our arms brush each other as we walk out of the woods. I can finally see city lights and the beautiful blue sky. I expect him to release my hand now that we've reached the sidewalk, but he doesn't. He clenches it tighter as if he's sending me a message.

"How did you know where to find me?" I ask, as we approach his car.

"Carissa called me in a panic saying you were lost and that your phone lost connection. She begged me to get the whole fire department out here." He chuckles as he recalls their conversation. "I told her I'd find you just fine." He smiles, and opens the passenger car door for me. "And it looks like I did."

I smile back, getting in the car. I feel dumb...absolutely dumb. First, I get lost in the woods, and then he comes to my rescue...again. And now I'm so sexually frustrated, I can't even make words come out. How is he doing this to me?

Brooke is a midwestern gal, from the cheese state of Wisconsin! Go Packers! She's a stay-at-home mom of three beautiful children (one daughter & two stepsons) and a black fury dog. She's studied psychology in college, and counseling and education in graduate school where she found her love for writing. Most days you can find her reading or writing, or just hanging out with her family! She loves movies, cooking, and shopping! She's addicted to Starbucks, Coach purses, and wearing yoga pants.