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Harlequin Spotlight – A Man Like Him by Rachel Brimble – Review/Excerpt/Giveaway

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Rachel will be awarding a $25 Amazon GC to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour.  Make sure to leave an email addy and the tour link is at the bottom of the post.  Good Luck!

 

 

A Man Like Him

by Rachel Brimble

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BLURB:

 

Changing her life…again

 

After two years in hiding, Angela Taylor knows her independence is worth it. As long as she can escape her past, she has everything under control. Until a flash flood hits the park where she works, and hot Chris Forrester shows up the exact moment she needs a hero.

 

Chris proves he can save lives-and weaken a girl’s knees. But how can she make him understand that she’s off-limits, that getting close to her will endanger his life? Her happiness or his safety: it shouldn’t even be a choice.

 

Because when you love someone, you protect them, no matter the cost. At least, that’s what Angela keeps telling herself….

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

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Excerpt Two:

 

 

 

Their eyes locked and Chris’ gaze dropped to her mouth. It fell ajar and her tongue poked out to wet her bottom lip. He snatched his gaze back to the sky. They were in the middle of a disaster situation. They were reaching out to each other for support. Nothing more. Nothing less. So why the hell was his heart beating like a damn jackhammer?

 

He shielded his eyes against the sun and prayed to God she hadn’t seen his need to kiss her. He focused on the helicopters. “Damn it.”

 

She shifted beside him and he felt her gaze on him once more. “What is it?”

 

“They’re not going to be any help to the people stranded in the trees.”

 

“Of course–”

 

“Those vultures aren’t going to do a damn bit of good. Where are the rescue teams?”

 

“What are you talking about? What vultures?”

 

“Can’t you see?” He shot his arm toward the sky as frustration hummed along his nerve endings. “They’re TV helicopters. A fat lot of bloody help–”

 

“TV cameras? Oh, my God.”

 

Chris turned. Her face grew ashen and she swayed back on her heels, her eyes wide with terror. She gripped his forearm. “Help me. Don’t let them see me. You have to do something.”

 

“What? What are you talking about?”

 

“Chris, please. Help me.”

 

Without thinking, he pulled her into his arms and she buried her face into his chest. He brought one hand to the back of her head, the other to the small of her back and pulled her close. She fit the contours of his body like she was meant to be there.

 

He held her tight. “What is it? What’s wrong?”

 

She shook her head against his chest. “It’s over. It’s all over.”

 

The helicopters circled one more time and then flew away, disappearing over the horizon once more. “They’ve gone. Angela? Look at me. What is it?”

 

She pulled back and tears slipped over her lower lids and down her cheeks. “I’m dead. He’s coming. He’s coming and this time he’ll kill me.”

 

He gripped her forearms, adrenaline filling his blood on a protective wave. “Who will? What are you talking about?”

 

She closed her eyes. “My husband.”

 

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Review:

My lovely English Rose has done it again.  Wrote an emotional, powerful, yet uplifting story.  Its a story about a first chance at real, true love that’s not tainted, abusive or hateful.  A story about not giving up on a person and realizing that needing someone to protect you isn’t going to hurt you in the end.  It will only make you stronger.

This story starts off with a flooding scene that only Ms. Brimble could write since she actually experienced it in France a couple of years ago.  Gripping and intense in nature but you catch the human spirit too.

I will have to admit that to me after the flood, the book started to slow down a bit for me.  We are reintroduced to Chris’ sister Cat and she’s still a bad*ss!  I love her still and she is exceptional in this book.  As the police inspector for the town, Angela falls under her protection.  Their interactions are well written and interesting to read.  While she somewhat trusts Cat, Angela can’t seem to believe Chris.

Of course, this is the one tiny issue I had with the book.  It seemed like Ms, Brimble didn’t want Chris and Angela together at all.  All Angela would say to Chris is to stay away from me because he will kill you, too.  I got that, believe me I did but it brought the book down for me.  That said, once Chris got personally involved with Angela’s ex, the book really started rolling again.

This book deals with spousal abuse and Ms. Brimble treats it honestly, openly and deftly.  She doesn’t sugar coat what Angela has been through and the scars (emotionally, intellectually and physically) that someone goes through during the healing process.  In fact, about mid-way through the book, Angela decides to take her relationship with Chris to a whole new level and it was brilliantly written and sexy.  🙂

Overall, I loved A Man Like Him.  Ms. Brimble never disappoints in her storytelling, characterization and of course, her setting.  I loved Angela and Chris together and as individuals.  Both of them had to overcome personal obstacles to their HEA and the ending was perfect.

The secondary characters in the book were good, too.  I loved seeing Cat again and Angela’s sister, Eloise was…interesting.  Didn’t see that coming at all.  Of course, the ex was creepy and not knowing what was going to happen and when, left me at the edge of my seat.  Yes, their is a element of suspense in the book and it was just the right amount, too.

Again, Ms. Brimble has a hit on her hands and if you are looking for an emotional charged book about a heroine that takes control of her life once and for all…this books for you.

recommend-harlies265harliesHarlie-signature-button1

AUTHOR Bio and Links:new rachel brimble AuthorPic

 

Rachel lives with her husband and two young daughters in a small town near Bath in the UK.  After having several novels published by small US presses, she secured agent representation in 2011. In 2012, she sold two books to Harlequin Superromance. She also writes Victorian romance for Kensington–her debut was released in April 2013.

 

16 Marsden Place with Omnific Publishing is her first romantic comedy since 2010.

 

She has just signed a further three-book contract with Harlequin Superromance.

 

Rachel is a member of the Romantic Novelists Association and Romance Writers of America. When she isn’t writing, you’ll find Rachel with her head in a book or walking the beautiful English countryside with her family and beloved black Lab, Max. Her dream place to live is Bourton-on-the-Water in South West England…although she hopes a dream visit to Canada might just change her mind!

 

She likes nothing more than connecting and chatting with her readers and fellow romance writers. Rachel would love to hear from you!

 

Links:

 

Website:  http://rachelbrimble.com/

 

Blog:  http://rachelbrimble.blogspot.co.uk/

 

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/RachelBrimble

 

Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/pages/Rachel-Brimble/181873201887441?fref=ts

 

Buy Links:

 

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Man-Like-Harlequin-Superromance-ebook/dp/B00BNRHN6S

 

Barnes & Noble:  http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-man-like-him-rachel-brimble/1114668447?ean=9780373607938

 

Harlequin:  http://www.harlequin.com/author.html;jsessionid=0581216E9F356317B504382885C86C69?authorid=2370

 

 

 

14 thoughts on “Harlequin Spotlight – A Man Like Him by Rachel Brimble – Review/Excerpt/Giveaway

  1. Such a great review & it’s obvious you enjoyed A MAN LIKE HIM.

    marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

    1. Helllooo!!

      I’m hoping this message gets through! I’ve been trying all day but only certain messages are being accepted. I promise I’m not ignoring you 🙁
      Thank you so much everyone – I am having so much fun creating my own town with its own community! I hope and pray Harlequin want to keep Templeton Cove alive and thriving 😉

      Rachel x

  2. Harlie…Another great review. You are so thoughtful and thorough in your reviews. I can always count on your honest assessment.
    catherinelee100 at gmail dot com

  3. Wow!! SO glad you enjoyed A Man Like Him as much as my other books 🙂 I am busy editing the third book in my Harlequin Superromance series as I type. Thank you SO much!

    Rachel x

    1. I failed to mention the balconey scene with Chris and Jay. LMAO at that one. Cat’s still a bad*ss and I can’t wait for the next one.

      Harlie

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