Up and coming author Barbara Longley introduces us to Perfect, Indiana in the first book of her Love from the Heartland Series. Watch for the release in October!
Author: Barbara Longley
What does the author say?
Author: Barbara Longley
Publisher: Montlake Romance
What does the author say?
Noah Langford narrowly survived the roadside bombing in Iraq that killed five of his men and took his leg, leaving him haunted by flashbacks and riddled with guilt. When his stepbrother Matt dies in a car accident, the loss feels like the final blow to Noah’s shattered soul. But then he learns about the girlfriend and baby Matt abandoned years earlier, and suddenly Noah has a new mission…
Ceejay Lovejoy was nineteen and pregnant when her boyfriend walked out, disappearing from her life just like her parents had. Since that day, Ceejay has devoted herself to giving her daughter a better life, avoiding any man who could threaten that security—until the day Noah Langford shows up on her doorstep. His gentle spirit has an unexpected effect on Ceejay’s guarded heart, tempting her to take one last chance on love. But when a painful secret comes to light, it threatens to break the fragile bond growing between them…and to destroy a love powerful enough to heal them both.
My review:
First off, this review is an admitted step away from my normal reads that tend to be on the racy side (AKA Sexy Romance and Erotic Romance not to be confused with Erotica or Porn). Barbara Longley is an up and coming author that has introduced me to Scotland with a paranormal twist and now to Perfect Indiana in her new contemporary romance. The first book in Longley's Love from the Heartland series leads us to the peaceful residence in the town of Perfect, Indiana - the idyllic post-civil war town nestled on the banks of the Ohio River.
What's not to love about the slow pace of small town country living besides everyone knowing your life history. Add to that fact, your family was a founding family so you can't turn around without bumping into your relations. That is exactly the way Ceejay Lovejoy sees her life -- stuck, belonging nowhere, going nowhere and alone. She has spent her life working to get out.
Then Noah Langford enters the picture. A former soldier who has commanded troops, watched his men die and come home with more than a wounded spirit who is unsure of his life only to have his younger stepbrother die a senseless death - killed by a drunk driver. It's Noah's job to pick up the pieces for his stepmother and go through Matt's condo. Noah had no idea that he truly would be sorting out the pieces of his somewhat forlorn stepbrother's life. He's headed to Perfect, Indiana to see how bad his stepbrother messed up and maybe, just maybe, put things to right.
Ceejay and Noah have sparks...not always positive. What are they to do when they don't realize they need each other to heal. Ceejay offers solitude and understanding for Noah's PTSD. While Noah offers strength and support for Ceejay to face what she's spent a lifetime runnning from -- her life, her family. We watch them both take mis-steps and do the inevitable open mouth and insert foot. You cringe because you know what was meant but it just didn't come out right for these two. You just yearn to step in and help them out...exactly what more than one person in Perfect would like to do for them both! What's not to love as you watch their story unfold.
Barbara Longley not only creates a happily ever after in this contemporary romance with Ceejay and Noah but provides us with amazing supporting characters that provide both depth and purpose. Not a single character is introduced in a "mere throw-away" manner. You truly get to know the entire town.
My one wish for future books in the series? A deeper look into the effects of our veteran's coming home to deal with PTSD. We get a quick introduction but I'm keeping my fingers crossed that we will get to hear more about the steps Noah took in the VA BEFORE he came home and started his journey to find Ceejay. This issue is prevalent now than ever before and every author that tackles this issue as soldiers move into personal relationships should be thanked for their efforts to get misperceptions and real life experiences out in the open.
Disclosure: This book was advance reader copy from the author. No other payment, beyond receipt of the ARC, was recieved by me in exchange for this review. There was no obligations to write a positive review. All opinions expressed herein are the blog authors. These opinions may not necessarily agree with the author, publisher, publicists or other readers of this blog. This disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255, Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
