Blog Tour Stop!- Within Temptation (Sons of Temptation #1) by Tanya Holmes

Title:  Within Temptation (Sons of Temptation #1)
Author:  Tanya Holmes
Genre: Romantic Mystery/Romantic Suspense. This is not erotica or romantica. This is a romance centered around a murder mystery.

Heat Factor: 3 out of 5 -- The sexual tension is high, and the burn is slow. Sex is character-driven, rather than plot-driven.
Publication Date: May 12th 2014 by Virtual Acquisitions
Goodreads URL: HERE
Plot:   Love, betrayal and murder in a small town.

Twelve years after her mother's murder, Shannon Bradford fears she may have helped convict an innocent man. Even worse, her prominent family may have had something to do with it. Desperate for answers, she seeks help from the one person least likely to give it. Her best friend and childhood crush, Trace Dawson. The man she sent to prison. 

Serving hard time for murder has left Trace angry and bitter. As far as he's concerned, digging into the past won't replace the years he's lost or erase the hell he's lived. Now that he's free, Shannon Bradford tops his list of bad memories. But he never counted on falling in love. 

Set in a sleepy little town during the dead of winter, this award-winning romance novel is a tale of one woman's quest for truth and a man's struggle to forgive….


"MEMORIES flooded my mind, of the quiet riot he was, of the secret crush I’d had on him, and the extraordinary friendship we’d shared so many years ago. As fast as those images came, others replaced them. I was thrust back to the crime scene, back to Mother’s corpse and the shirtless eighteen-year-old roaring obscenities while Sheriff Gray and a deputy dragged him away in handcuffs." --Within Temptation (May 12, 2014)

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This story is the first in a trilogy of standalone contemporary romance novels in the 'Sons of Temptation' series.

☆✮ My Review ✮☆

Within Temptation was an intriguing read filled with mystery, suspense, love, imminent obstacles, healing, forgiving, and forging your own destiny.

12 years ago, Shannon Bradford's mother was murdered and her best friend/crush was sent away for murder. Now almost a decade later, things still don't add up and her only hope to solving this mystery is to go to the person she had convicted, Trace Dawson... only, he wants nothing to do with her. Period.

Bitter and confused with the betrayal of Shannon, Trace just wants to forget and restart.

But, with Shannon's persistence, they start to investigate the events of what led up to her mother's death.

Can they figure out who the true murderer is? And when trouble comes looking for them, how will things plan out? Especially, when feelings develop and love is in bloom?

Read and you will find out!

My thoughts: Wow, this was such a diverse and complex read!! I loved every moment of it as it kept me guessing, on my toes, and gave a sprinkle of romance in it.

Ms. Holmes does a fantastic job in portraying the intricacy of this plot and the characters that from the moment you start it, you will not be able to put it down!! I know I didn't!! It was very engaging!!

A very well thought out and written debut!! I will definitely be on the lookout for more from this author!!

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!!*

My Rating:

-Overall : 9

-Plot : 9

-Writing : 9

-Characters : 9

-Cover : 9

☆✮ Excerpt ✮☆

No more than two minutes could have passed, two of the most terrifying minutes I’d ever had. The left side of my face was numb with cold. My lips and hands ached too. I couldn’t seem to make anything move.

The details came in pieces. How I’d almost been run over. How a stranger shoved me to safety just before a Jeep playing target practice could send me flying.

Then as if someone had flipped a switch, sensory explosions filled the void. Horns blared. Somebody screamed. A baby was crying. And the wind howled while sounds burst forth in a crush of voices.

“I swear the brakes locked!” a teenage boy yelled. “She ain’t dead, is she? Oh, jeez. Daddy’s gonna kill me!”

“Don’t just stand there. Call 911!” a girl shrieked.

A cell phone chimed and someone started pressing numbers.

Next, an old man with a rough-and-ready voice said, “Pushed her out the way just in time. Another second and—”

“Is she dead or not?” the teenager demanded again.

While this was going on, I sat up, taking my time to ensure I was in one piece. Except for a sore hip, a bump on the head, and a scraped knee, I was fine. A woman standing nearby helped me, and as I got to my feet, realization dawned.

Trace Dawson had tried to save me.

I fought to see past the crowd into the parking lot, spotting him instantly. He’d just struggled to his feet and was staring right at me, his chin dripping blood. The people scurrying about and the cars streaming through the slush faded. Nothing but the two of us existed.

Memories flooded my mind, of the quiet riot he was, of the secret crush I’d had on him, and the extraordinary friendship we’d shared so many years ago. As fast as those images came, others replaced them.

I was thrust back to the crime scene, back to Mother’s corpse and the shirtless eighteen-year-old roaring obscenities while Sheriff Gray and a deputy dragged him away in handcuffs.

Trace Dawson the man glared at me now, and his eyes were hard and accusing, eyes brimming with fire and ice. A chill wind rumbled past him, but he stood as still as a statue. Only his eyes moved while he looked me up and down with agonizing thoroughness. The rage. The pain. It was all there.

“Trace?” I whispered.

In chilling silence, he walked away without so much as a glance over his shoulder.

☆✮ About The Author ✮☆

 

Tanya Holmes is a former Romance Writers of America Golden Heart finalist, a recipient of the Maggie Award, the MICA Award, as well as Overall Winner of the Sandy Haddad Award and a two-time finalist and one-time winner of The Emily (Best of the Best). She's happily married with children and loves reading, writing and a good cup of coffee---but not necessarily in that order. Her debut novel, Within Temptation is due out on May 12, 2014.

Author Links:

Facebook | Amazon Author Page | Website | Tracemore Dawson on Twitter | Goodreads | Twitter

☆✮ Buy Links ✮☆

Amazon US 

Amazon UK

☆✮ Giveaway! ✮☆

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