Title: Hearts In Harmony (A Five Senses Novel Book #2)
Author: Gemma Brocato
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publish Date: May 5, 2014
Publisher: Lyrical an imprint of Kensington
Tour Organized by Literati Author Services
~Synopsis~
Pippa Sanders’ life is filled with songs of leaving, longing and loneliness. Since the death of her husband, her children have been her world. She’ll do anything to protect them, including encasing her heart in ice until they’re college age. She’s made a practice of shying away from any relationship that could break her heart when it ends. And it’s worked so far.
Clay Mathers has made a temporary move to Granite Pointe, Massachusetts to help with his mother’s Christmas tree farm while she recovers from a stroke. Although his long-range plans don’t include staying in the small town, a little female companionship during his short residency would be welcome. While on duty as sentry against protestors at a military funeral, he finds Pippa visiting her husband’s grave, and begins a campaign to make her into a friend–with benefits.
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Excerpt:
Dewey cast one last glare at Pippa, who shrank behind the man
standing protectively in front of her, before walking away. Neither Pippa nor
Clay moved until they saw Dewey jump in a nearby truck. He gunned the engine,
his tires squealing when he pulled onto the road and sped away.
“Oh, my God! Thank you. I’m so glad you were around. I don’t mind
telling you I was kind of nervous—”
The large man named Clay wheeled around, glaring at her. “Lady, I
don’t know what the hell you were thinking. It’s late, it’s getting dark, and
you just attended a funeral where a bunch of ass—idiots protested. When are you
women going to learn personal safety? Didn’t you see them standing over there,
just looking for someone to harass?” He blinked when the skies finally opened
up, fat raindrops splattering on them. His scowl deepened. “Shit, now it’s
starting to rain. Saving your butt means I have to ride my motorcycle home in
unsafe conditions. Sonofabitch!”
Her mouth had dropped open when he’d begun his rant. She blinked
as raindrops hit her face. Some saving this was turning out to be.
“Look,” she said, backing away, “it’s a cemetery. Most everyone
here is dead. I’ve been here plenty of times before, without any problems.”
Clay snorted. “Oh, you’ve been at a military funeral when the
fu—freakin’ Liberty Battalion protested, have you?”
“Well, no. This is the first time they’ve protested a funeral in
Granite Pointe.”
“I’ve stood guard for at least ten funerals since they became
active. Let me tell you, these are not nice people.” Clay brushed rain off his
face as he threw another disgusted look at her.
“Keep that in mind next time
you want to come out here alone. They’re on Homeland Security’s terrorist watch
list for a reason. A bunch of bubbas who wouldn’t think twice about using you
to further their agenda.” He released an explosive breath and pointed a lean,
elegant finger toward the road leading out of the cemetery. “Now, it’s time for
you to go too.”
Pippa, offended by his abrupt dismissal, glared back at him. “You
needn’t use that tone of voice.”
“I also didn’t need to interrupt my day to rescue your sorry ass.
But I did. Everyone has a right to free speech. I’m just exercising mine.”
Pippa opened her mouth to retort, when the irony of his words hit
her. Yes, he did have a right to speak his mind. It was a privilege her husband
had fought and died for. She just wished he wasn’t so crude about it.
He eyed her and crossed muscular arms over his powerful chest,
daring her to respond, obviously waiting for a chance to chastise her again for
her stupidity.
She swallowed the words she’d intended to use to put him in his
place and said, “You’re right. Thank you for helping me.”
Shock and confusion rippled across his strong face, and laughter
tickled the back of her throat. She’d managed to shut him up. The same way she
might have with one of her kids when they needed to listen to reason, but
couldn’t help themselves. It was a little fun to take the wind out of his sails
this way. She’d done it all her life with her three brothers and had seen the
same look of consternation floating on their faces.
But she’d never wanted her brothers to keep arguing with her. Not
the way she did right now. If this green-eyed hunk wanted to go another round
with her, she’d relish it—welcome it.
There was something about him…
My Review: 4 1/2 stars
Gemma did a fantastic job with this book. I loved every moment of it, including all the awkward ones. Pippa was a fabulous character, smart, caring, loyal to a fault, a great Mom and friend. She's also fiesty and doesn't take any crap from people, and stands up for what she believes is right. Clay was as ass initially and boy did he have a way of saying all the wrong things at just the wrong time. However, things just came out the wrong way, he didn't mean to be rude or crude. It just happened. I absolutely loved the story line in this book and how it showcased what happens to our military and their loved ones; the people who stand between them, like The Patriot Guard, and the hate mongers. But also the story between Clay and Pippa and the way their relationship evolved. I loved that Clay not only fell in love with Pippa, but with her kids as well. Reading that moment, when he realized it - that was awesome. I loved what Pippa's job was, and thought that was very cool and I could see how that would be helpful in many ways. There were a lot of misunderstandings and ups and downs in this book, but it was so worth the read. This is the first book that I've read by Gemma, so I'm going to have to go back and read her first book in this series to see what I missed out on. This was very well written and I loved the way the characters were not perfect, just people trying to do what was right for them and the ones they loved.
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About the Author
Gemma's favorite desk accessories for many years were a circular wooden token, better known as a 'round tuit,' and a slip of paper from a fortune cookie proclaiming her a lover of words; some day she'd write a book. All it took was a transfer to the United Kingdom, the lovely English springtime, and a huge dose of homesickness to write her first novel. Once it was completed and sent off with a kiss, even the rejections addressed to 'Dear Author' were gratifying.
After returning to America, she spent a number of years as a copywriter, dedicating her skills to making insurance and the agents who sell them sound sexy. Eventually, her full-time job as a writer interfered with her desire to be a writer full-time and she left the world of financial products behind to pursue an avocation as a romance author.
Her gamble paid off when she was a 2012 Finalist in the prestigious Golden Pen contest for Romantic Suspense and she received contracts for her first and second book.
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Giveaway
Good morning. Thank you for spotlighting Hearts in Harmony on your blog today. And thanks also to Literati Author Services for arranging it.
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