Avon Impulse | October 20, 2015 | Contemporary Romance
Brightwater, book 3
★★★★★
SOURCE: TASTY BOOK TOURS
The third sexy and emotional novel in debut Avon author Lia Riley’s Brightwater series set in the mountains of Northern California
Sometimes the worst mistakes turn out to be the best…
Smoke jumper Wilder Kane once reveled in the rush from putting out dangerous wildfires. But after a tragic accident, he’s cut himself off from the world, refusing to leave his isolated cabin. When a headstrong beauty bursts in, Wilder finds himself craving the fire she ignites in him, but letting anyone near his darkness would be a mistake.
After her Hollywood life went up in smoke, Quinn Higsby decided to leave Tinseltown behind and returned to Brightwater to care for her ailing father. Spending her days in a small bookstore, her peaceful existence is up-ended by a fascinating but damaged man. Quinn is determined to not to be scared off by Wilder, not once she’s experienced the heat of his passions.
But when an arsonist targets the community and Wilder is accused, he must confront the ghosts of his past. Will his desire for Quinn flameout or will he be able to tame the wildness inside and rekindle a hope for their future?
{ about lia riley } .
Lia Riley writes offbeat New Adult and Contemporary Adult romance. After studying at the University of Montana-Missoula, she scoured the world armed only with a backpack, overconfidence and a terrible sense of direction. She counts shooting vodka with a Ukranian mechanic in Antarctica, sipping yerba mate with gauchos in Chile and swilling XXXX with stationhands in Outback Australia among her accomplishments.
A British literature fanatic at heart, Lia considers Mr. Darcy and Edward Rochester as her fictional boyfriends. Her very patient husband doesn't mind. Much. When not torturing heroes (because c'mon, who doesn't love a good tortured hero?), Lia herds unruly chickens, camps, beach combs, daydreams about future books, wades through a mile-high TBR pile and schemes yet another trip. Right now, Icelandic hot springs and Scottish castles sound mighty fine.
A British literature fanatic at heart, Lia considers Mr. Darcy and Edward Rochester as her fictional boyfriends. Her very patient husband doesn't mind. Much. When not torturing heroes (because c'mon, who doesn't love a good tortured hero?), Lia herds unruly chickens, camps, beach combs, daydreams about future books, wades through a mile-high TBR pile and schemes yet another trip. Right now, Icelandic hot springs and Scottish castles sound mighty fine.
{ excerpt } .
It had been a while since he’d been in the company of any woman who wasn’t a medical professional or intimately involved with his brothers. Also, as much as he didn’t want to admit it, he had a type and this forward, strong-looking woman fit it right down to that thick wavy brown hair pulled back at the nape of her long sexy neck.Necks were underrated female geography. He loved how they tasted when he kissed them there, how they smelled as he nuzzled.
Equally fascinating was her lush mouth, how the corner remained quirked on one side despite the natural pout, as if in perpetual secret amusement.
This woman was bright, spunky, and happy, despite her father’s miserable situation. His heart sank. He had nothing to offer someone like her, not when his whole world had burned to a cinder.
He shook himself inwardly, not moving a muscle. No point succumbing to the ugly truth, however true. Maybe he could pretend to be a normal guy for the night. Normal except for the scars, the missing leg, and the fact he hadn’t spoken to a living soul since Sawyer dropped off his groceries six days ago, and was tongue-tied around strangers at the best of times.
Shit.
What would Archer do? His younger brother was good with people, especially the ladies. He’d navigate this situation like a pro.
She gave him a tentative smile, probably because he was staring at her like a loon.
Compliments. Women like compliments.
“Your teeth are real white,” Wilder blurted. Goddamn it, the words hung over them like a comic strip balloon. He wished for a string to grab on to, so he could stuff the idiocy back into his mouth, swallow it down.
“Excuse me?” Her shoulders jerked as her lips clamped, clearly not anticipating the awkward flattery.
At least he hadn’t said how much he liked her neck. Yet.
Damn, this was a mistake. He wasn’t good with people. Didn’t like people. Didn’t need people.
{ review } .
Oh, Wilder... I have been waiting for you.
While LAST FIRST KISS was a great way to start the series, and Archer was quite the surprise in RIGHT WRONG GUY, I had been anticipating Wilder's story -- and I must say, I was not disappointed.
Granted... Archer did plant himself nicely in "Favorite Kane Brother" territory, but Wilder was no slouch.
I loved Wilder's vulnerability. I loved his smart mouth and unsure ways. I found him to be endearing and quite lovable, and my heart broke for him. But then there was Quinn and I have to say, paired with the other leading ladies in this series, she certainly surprised me. I loved her spunk and sass, and loved that she pushed Wilder to open up. She saw who he could be and fought for him to show her.
The pacing of the story bordered on 'quick', but the read definitely sucked me in so it wasn't something I a) paid attention to, or b) truly noticed. The suspense aspect was done well, too, helping push the story along.
Lia Riley is firmly becoming one of my go-to authors!
While LAST FIRST KISS was a great way to start the series, and Archer was quite the surprise in RIGHT WRONG GUY, I had been anticipating Wilder's story -- and I must say, I was not disappointed.
Granted... Archer did plant himself nicely in "Favorite Kane Brother" territory, but Wilder was no slouch.
I loved Wilder's vulnerability. I loved his smart mouth and unsure ways. I found him to be endearing and quite lovable, and my heart broke for him. But then there was Quinn and I have to say, paired with the other leading ladies in this series, she certainly surprised me. I loved her spunk and sass, and loved that she pushed Wilder to open up. She saw who he could be and fought for him to show her.
The pacing of the story bordered on 'quick', but the read definitely sucked me in so it wasn't something I a) paid attention to, or b) truly noticed. The suspense aspect was done well, too, helping push the story along.
Lia Riley is firmly becoming one of my go-to authors!
for other reviews & tour goodies,
{ giveaway } .
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