Review- Redefining Us (A Reclusive Novel) by Harloe Rae

Title:  Redefining Us (A Reclusive Novel)

Author: Harloe Rae
Publication Date: May 28th 2017

Plot: In order to truly save him, I need to redefine us.

Xander Dixon was my best friend. 
Loyal and dependable. 
A brave warrior. 
A permanent presence in my life until that fateful day he boarded a plane headed overseas.

Xander’s unwelcome silence haunted me for three years…
Until he suddenly resurfaces. 
Blinded by misplaced fury.
Trapped in a pool of darkness.
Unable to escape the perpetual pain. 

Though it would be easy to walk away, I refuse to give up on him. 
I want to know his misery and torment, so I can rescue him.
Then Xander will finally be mine.

☆✮ My Review ✮☆

I thought this was going to be JUST a friends to lovers love story but was more than that. It included themes of unwavering love, family, and friendship.... the effects of that war has on a person.... and universal messages that encouraged those in need to seek help, get answers, and overcome.

Xander and Willow have been best friends since childhood and inseparable ever since. That this, until, Xander enlists in the army and cuts off all contact with Willow and everyone. Now three years later, and with the request from her mother and Xander's mother as a last resort, Willow is ready to have answers. What happened to her best friend? Why is he so detached, so hollow, so angry and bitter of a shell of man that she once knew? And does he reciprocate what's always been in her her heart?

As for Xander, the man with the world upon his shoulders. His world is black, haunted by the screams of his comrades, the musk of their blood, grime, and deaths. He's a man plagued with the evergoing question of why him but not them? He thinks he's a man beyond saving. Beyond redemption. But what do you do when the light to your bleak and desolate world comes in the form of the girl that has always been embedded deep within your heart and soul? Will she be what sheds him of his demons and saves him from destruction and himself? Or is he well past salvaging?

Over all, a great book debut with a tad bit abrupt ending.*sorry!* I think what I liked most was the simple complexity of the novel and that it centers on Willow and Xander rebuilding and reconnecting and coping with Xander's current condition. There isn't any great scheme of a plot here or annoying subplots--- just, an ordinary gal and an ordinary guy just trying to make due with what was thrown at them and live their lives...hopefully, with each other in it.*wink wink*

This was a lovely beginning for Harloe Rae. Can't wait to see what she has in store for the future and am honored that she had reached out and included me in her journey as a writer. Thank you!

My Rating:

♥♥♥♥

☆✮ Excerpt ✮☆

Prologue 

Pain. Debilitatingain is all I feel as I attempt to keep my emotions in check. Saying goodbye to my best friend was never a thought I entertained. Now it's my reality. “Wills.” His voice takes on a pleading tone as he stares into my tear filled eyes. “Please don’t make this harder for me than it already is.” He continues to look at me as the saltwater drips down my cheeks. “I’m sorry, X, but you have no idea how difficult life will be here without you.” I can’t catch my breath as the hysteria threatens to take over. I try to take deep inhales between puffs of pitiful exhales. He presses his forehead to mine and I don’t think he understands how much that involuntary, ingrained move means to me at that moment. Xander is one of the greats and I’m about to lose him. “Promise me,” I begin in a begging voice. “Swear to me that you’ll come back and everything will be the same.” “Willow Shae, I could never stay away from you longer than necessary, so you don’t even have to ask. But yes, I promise and swear I will be back as soon as possible to return to our regularly scheduled friendship.” With that remark, he has me cracking a smile. Even through the tears. Gosh, I will miss this man. “Will you write me? Does that sound cheesy? I see it in all the old time movies and I always wanted to say it.” Maybe it is the dreamy lilt to my voice that has his lips quirking into a smile. “Wills, I will write you every chance I get and I expect the same. Now, give me a hug that means everything you feel because I won’t see you for at least a year.” His eyebrows crease with that devastating blow, even though I’d heard that timeline before. I can tell he’s still very worried about how I’m feeling based on the telling nonverbal cues radiating off him. We embrace easily, like so many times before, yet this is different. His hands linger on my hips before settling on the middle of my back. His breath holds until he blows it slowly across my neck. His eyes find my gaze like he had more to say than his voice would allow. I indulge these rare affections and give a few curve balls of my own. “I’ll miss you every day, Xander. I will never go a single moment without a thought of you. Best friend or not, you mean more to me than any other person in this world. Please be careful. I will be waiting for you.” I pull away before he’s able to reply. I can’t stand to further delay this inevitable separation. Xander looks down at me once more before picking up his pack and hoisting it over his shoulder. Then he tosses out the toughest blow ever dealt. “When I am having a bad day, or we get into brutal battle, or a friend gets hurt, or… just something awful happens, I will think of your smile because it always makes me happy.” Then he turns and walks toward the airline gate. This was it. I have to tell him. It is now or never. As he passes through the threshold, I gain my courage. “Xander!” I scream. He turns around immediately and looks startled by my outburst. It’s then I realize he had planned to keep walking until I called out. I can’t lay out my heart then just watch him leave. Instead of telling him exactly how I feel, I blow him a kiss. Maybe for good luck or maybe for all the kisses I wish we had actually shared. He catches it and smiles. Then continues on his way. Xander is much braver than I am, he's an amazing man, and he will make our country proud. But my most forefront thought is worry that I will never get to tell him how much I love him.

☆✮ About the Author ✮☆

Harloe Rae is a new author and just released her debut romance novel, Redefining Us. The idea for this book has been building in her mind for years and she finally decided to let the story out. Harloe is married to an amazing man and they have an adorable little boy. Family is what makes her life worth living and she cherishes the special moments together. She is also passionate about horses, reading, blogging, and having fun! Interaction is really important to Harloe, so make sure to follow her pages and say hello!

Author's Links:

Website | Goodreads | Facebook  | Twitter

☆✮ Buy Link ✮☆

Release Day Blitz & Giveaway!- Redefining Us (A Reclusive Novel) by Harloe Rae

  

$0.99 or FREE with KindleUnlimited

Title:  Redefining Us (A Reclusive Novel)

Author: Harloe Rae
Publication Date: May 28th 2017

Plot: In order to truly save him, I need to redefine us.

Xander Dixon was my best friend. 
Loyal and dependable. 
A brave warrior. 
A permanent presence in my life until that fateful day he boarded a plane headed overseas.

Xander’s unwelcome silence haunted me for three years…
Until he suddenly resurfaces. 
Blinded by misplaced fury.
Trapped in a pool of darkness.
Unable to escape the perpetual pain. 

Though it would be easy to walk away, I refuse to give up on him. 
I want to know his misery and torment, so I can rescue him.
Then Xander will finally be mine.

☆✮ Excerpt ✮☆

Prologue
Pain. Debilitatingain is all I feel as I attempt to keep my emotions in check. Saying goodbye to my best friend was never a thought I entertained. Now it's my reality. “Wills.” His voice takes on a pleading tone as he stares into my tear filled eyes. “Please don’t make this harder for me than it already is.” He continues to look at me as the saltwater drips down my cheeks. “I’m sorry, X, but you have no idea how difficult life will be here without you.” I can’t catch my breath as the hysteria threatens to take over. I try to take deep inhales between puffs of pitiful exhales. He presses his forehead to mine and I don’t think he understands how much that involuntary, ingrained move means to me at that moment. Xander is one of the greats and I’m about to lose him. “Promise me,” I begin in a begging voice. “Swear to me that you’ll come back and everything will be the same.” “Willow Shae, I could never stay away from you longer than necessary, so you don’t even have to ask. But yes, I promise and swear I will be back as soon as possible to return to our regularly scheduled friendship.” With that remark, he has me cracking a smile. Even through the tears. Gosh, I will miss this man. “Will you write me? Does that sound cheesy? I see it in all the old time movies and I always wanted to say it.” Maybe it is the dreamy lilt to my voice that has his lips quirking into a smile. “Wills, I will write you every chance I get and I expect the same. Now, give me a hug that means everything you feel because I won’t see you for at least a year.” His eyebrows crease with that devastating blow, even though I’d heard that timeline before. I can tell he’s still very worried about how I’m feeling based on the telling nonverbal cues radiating off him. We embrace easily, like so many times before, yet this is different. His hands linger on my hips before settling on the middle of my back. His breath holds until he blows it slowly across my neck. His eyes find my gaze like he had more to say than his voice would allow. I indulge these rare affections and give a few curve balls of my own. “I’ll miss you every day, Xander. I will never go a single moment without a thought of you. Best friend or not, you mean more to me than any other person in this world. Please be careful. I will be waiting for you.” I pull away before he’s able to reply. I can’t stand to further delay this inevitable separation. Xander looks down at me once more before picking up his pack and hoisting it over his shoulder. Then he tosses out the toughest blow ever dealt. “When I am having a bad day, or we get into brutal battle, or a friend gets hurt, or… just something awful happens, I will think of your smile because it always makes me happy.” Then he turns and walks toward the airline gate. This was it. I have to tell him. It is now or never. As he passes through the threshold, I gain my courage. “Xander!” I scream. He turns around immediately and looks startled by my outburst. It’s then I realize he had planned to keep walking until I called out. I can’t lay out my heart then just watch him leave. Instead of telling him exactly how I feel, I blow him a kiss. Maybe for good luck or maybe for all the kisses I wish we had actually shared. He catches it and smiles. Then continues on his way. Xander is much braver than I am, he's an amazing man, and he will make our country proud. But my most forefront thought is worry that I will never get to tell him how much I love him.

☆✮ About the Author ✮☆

Harloe Rae is a new author and just released her debut romance novel, Redefining Us. The idea for this book has been building in her mind for years and she finally decided to let the story out. Harloe is married to an amazing man and they have an adorable little boy. Family is what makes her life worth living and she cherishes the special moments together. She is also passionate about horses, reading, blogging, and having fun! Interaction is really important to Harloe, so make sure to follow her pages and say hello!

Author's Links:

Website | Goodreads | Facebook  | Twitter

☆✮ Giveaway! ✮☆

2 x $25 Amazon Gift Cards

2 x $10 Amazon Gift Cards

2 x Signed Paperback of Redefining Us

a Rafflecopter giveaway

☆✮ Buy Link ✮☆

Sign up for Harloe's newsletter HERE!

Blog Tour Review - Twenty-Two (Assassins #11.5) by Toni Aleo

Title: Twenty-Two (Assassins #11.5)

Author: Toni Aleo

Publication Date: May 22nd 2017

Plot: When Lucas Brooks was traded to the Nashville Assassins over a decade ago, he was a brash, brawling hothead without an anchor.

Well, four kids and a smokin' hot wife will weigh you down real fast, but Lucas wouldn't change a minute of his happily ever after. 

During an epic, end-of-season quest for the Cup, changes appear on the horizon, and suddenly, there's a plot twist in Lucas's fairy tale. 

☆✮ My Review ✮☆

☆ I received an ARC via Ardent Rose PR in exchange for an honest review. Thank you! ☆

Oh my gosh!! More Lucas, Tate, Aiden, and three other little ones in tow!!

When it comes to the Assassins series, I've always preferred the original men and their gals. This includes Lucas, Shea, Tate, Erik and Philip. The rest of the hockey men, eh, they're okay. I have nothing against them, but these five men are what made me love this series in the first place.

While Lucas is my fourth favorite man (my favorites are still Shea and Erik!), I loved seeing him in this different light and seeing him consider his options now that many years have gone by and he is no long that spring chicken he once was. He loves hockey but he loves his family even more so it was a bittersweet feeling to see him put those two into pespective.

It was also cool to see little Aiden all grown up!! Ah, that poor kid with a man bun that everyone wanted to chop his hair! Haha. Aiden is still the best son you could ever dream of and more. But now with him dreaming of following the same steps of his father to hockey stardom, it was pretty crazy to think that this was that little boy from bk2 who's now grown up to be a young man. Ah, the memories!! Please Toni Aleo, consider making a Assassins' children spinoff please!!! I love these guys!! I can't get enough!

My Rating:

♥♥♥♥

☆✮ Excerpt ✮☆

Fallon held a half-eaten snow cone in one hand and her phone in the other with one earbud in as she watched Aiden rush down the ice, the puck under his control. He caught the defense on a change, somewhat of a breakaway, before he shot the puck hard toward the net, hitting the back of it with ease.
“Woot!” Audrey called from beside her.
“Yes!” Fallon fist-pumped as the girls stood by the glass, bouncing up and down in their way too big Brooks jerseys. Looking over to Asher, who was on his computer, she said, “Your brother scored.”
“Attaboy!” he called out, but he didn’t look up, which only made Fallon shake her head as she watched Aiden hug his teammates. “What’s the score on Daddy’s game?”
“Two-zip, Assassins,” she said as she waved her hand in the air when Aiden looked up at her, like he always did. Like he always had, and a part of her was excited about his future. But the other part just made her heart ache. When he was in college, would he be able to see her?
And in the NHL? Crap, she knew he wouldn’t be able to see her then.
“This is game four, right? They win, they go to round three?”
“Yes, baby. Emery! Get off there! Come eat this snow cone. It’s melting.”
Emery continued to climb on the rail of the bleachers as she looked up. “I don’t want it.”
“Then come get it and throw it away.”
She pouted. “I don’t want to.”
“Emery Elaine,” Fallon warned. “Get over here. Right now.”
“I want my daddy!”
“That’s new,” Audrey commented as Emery stomped up the stairs, her little brow
furrowed.
“That’s Emery, who has stayed close to her dad every moment he’s been home,” she muttered as Emery stopped in front of her. “Do you want that tail wore out?”
“No, ma’am.”
“Then what do you need to do?”
“Throw away the snow cone and watch my mouth?”
“Exactly,” she said, handing the snow cone to her trying child before looking down at her phone to see that the Assassins were on the penalty kill. They were probably playing the best hockey she had seen them play in her many years of supporting and loving the team. She was excited, but her gut was in a knot, not only for the Assassins but also for Aiden. Because across the rink, she could see the Bellevue representatives, watching her little boy with intent.
“Aiden is playing great,” Audrey said then, and Fallon nodded.
“I know, the best he’s ever played. Just like the Assassins.”
Audrey beamed. “We’ll close out tonight and then get a nice break before round three.
They need it.”
“They do.” Looking down at her phone, Fallon watched as the second period ended, and she let out a long sigh. One more period. Twenty more minutes, and if the Assassins could hold the Hawks, they’d move on to round three. She couldn’t believe it. This would be the first time the Assassins had swept anyone in the play-offs, and according to Facebook, Elli was coming out of her skin.

☆✮ About the Author ✮☆

My name is Toni Aleo and I’m a total dork.

I am a wife, mother of two and a bulldog, and also a hopeless romantic.

I am the biggest Shea Weber fan ever, and can be found during hockey season with my nose pressed against the Bridgestone Arena’s glass, watching my Nashville Predators play!

When my nose isn’t pressed against the glass, I enjoy going to my husband and son’s hockey games, my daughter’s dance competition, hanging with my best friends, taking pictures, scrapbooking, and reading the latest romance novel.

I have a slight Disney and Harry Potter obsession, I love things that sparkle, I love the color pink, I might have been a Disney Princess in a past life… probably Belle.

… and did I mention I love hockey?

Author's Links:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Tsu

☆✮ Buy Links ✮☆