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Review of Book of Love by Constance Bretes w/a $10 GC giveaway!





Genre: Contemporary Romance / Romantic Suspense



A librarian, a mechanic, and a psychotic ex. What could go wrong?

When her marriage came to a devastating end, Janice Meyers moved to Montana to try to escape her past and get a fresh start. She’s sworn off men, but she didn’t anticipate meeting Chris.

After the death of his wife, Chris Jamisen focused all his time and energy on running his auto repair shop and raising his children. He’s not looking for love, and when he first meets Janice, the town’s new librarian, he never imagines they might embark on a relationship. Sure, he’ll admit he finds the smart, sexy blonde attractive, but the frustrating woman expects miracles from him. Her vehicle is practically beyond repair, but she insists he has to keep it running.

As Chris gets to know Janice, he begins to develop feelings for her, but he’s reluctant to pursue a relationship. He’s Native American, and he worries about the complications of a biracial relationship. He’s experienced prejudice first hand, so he knows how difficult it can be.

When Janice’s ex-husband shows up seeking revenge, things could reach a horrible end. Will Chris save Janice in time? And will he and Janice be able to set aside their painful pasts and give their relationship a chance?

Content Warning: contains some sexual content
  ~Excerpt~


Janice had butterflies in her stomach as five o’clock came and Chris arrived at the library.

“Hi, Chris,” Janice said.

“Hello. What’s this all about?” he asked pensively.

“I wanted to take you downstairs to the basement and show you something,” she said.

They walked down the stairs, Chris following Janice. When she turned on the light a rat slithered across the floor, and she let out a shriek. Chris looked around the room.

“We have all these books here,” Janice said. She lifted one of the old books and opened it to the pages and within where some were eaten away. “The vermin and bugs have been attacking these, and in some cases, the books have disintegrated. See here? This is a book about Colstrip back in the 1800s and we can’t even open the book to read it because it has totally disintegrated inside. Some of these books are real gems. This is one of a first edition, Samuel Clemens, do you know of him?”

“No.”

“His pen name is Mark Twain. He wrote Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer.”

“Oh,” Chris replied.

“Look at his book. It’s totally destroyed, and it would have been worth a lot of money now, if it had survived.”

Janice went over to the ladder and stepped up on it to show Chris the books on the top shelf. The ladder gave way, and she came crashing down. Chris caught her before she fell to the floor.

“Are you okay?” he asked, concern in his tone.

“Um, yeah, I think so.” She put her feet on the floor and turned, facing Chris, her breasts against his chest. His arms were around her waist, holding her tightly. His breath mingled with hers, and he was looking down at her lips.

Oh, she wanted him to kiss her. Please, please kiss me. The sweet, intoxicating musk of his body overwhelmed her. He bent slightly toward her, and his lips touched hers softly. She kissed him back, lingering, savoring every moment. She felt the kiss all the way through her body as she put her arms around him. A loud rustling noise broke their kiss with a start.

Chris looked around and saw that there were rats in the corner rattling paper. He turned back to her. “Are we finished here?”

“Yes, I think we are.” Janice hoped she had convinced him that there was work to be done in the basement.

When they went upstairs, he turned around and asked her huskily, “What was the purpose of our little meeting, Janice?”

Janice thought about how she should answer the question then said, “I submitted the request to the mayor’s office for several things, and I heard that you would probably be the one person that would oppose spending any money for the project I’m suggesting, so I wanted to show you the benefit of my proposal and the problems we are faced with currently.”

Chris had a gentle smile on his face as he looked at her. “Good persuasion, Janice. Does that include the kiss too?”

Janice looked down at her feet, embarrassed. “No, the kiss was not part of the persuasion. At least, not on my part.”

review
I’m going to come out and say it now…BUY THIS BOOK!  It’s such a sweet story between two unlikely people who have a lot of baggage between them.  But still can overcome it.  Adored, loved and sighed when I finished this book.  This is my second book from Ms. Bretes and it won’t be my last.
This is a story about second chances at love and the emotional issues that come with it.  Not to mention that Ms. Bretes touches on some subject matter that might trigger some things with readers but well worth the read.  She doesn’t shy away from the way the Sioux are treated still in Montana or abusive relationships.  Let me warn you though on the abusive, it’s not pretty and it’s not sugar-coated in the least.  It’s necessary to understand what Janice endured before in her marriage.
What Ms. Bretes didn’t do with Janice is make her helpless and afraid.  Oh no, she is strong and smart.  Almost too smart for her own good.  Another thing that I liked about Janice was the good that she brought to the library.  Another aspect of the story that was heavily researched and at the same time interesting.  Oh and I had a money dance at my wedding and loved it.  😉
If I had a critic it was the stubbornness of Chris at times.  I could understand his feeling being treated as a second class citizen as a Sioux and as well as his wife.  But he made up for it when it came to his family.  His interactions with his adult children and his sister…emotional but at times humourous too.  Especially with Alexis.  You can feel the love and concern that Chris has for him.
Again, the climax of the book I was not expecting.  Sure I expected something, just not what Ms. Bretes wrote and it was brilliant.  A bit scary but again, necessary for the final growth of Janice and Chris and their relationship.  Don’t skip this book.  I loved it and read it in one day (with kid interruptions and a football game).  You won’t be sorry.
5harlies
recommend-harlies- new

Buy Links:    Beachwalk Press     Amazon     Barnes & Noble
~About the Author~



Constance Bretes is an author of contemporary romance and suspense. Her romance books are often set in different parts of the country, but her favorite site is Montana. She’s married to her best friend and resides in Michigan with him and a houseful of cats. When she’s not at her regular 8-to-5 job, she can be found writing, researching, and spending time with her husband.

Author Links: Site    Facebook   Twitter

~Giveaway~


Constance is giving away a $10.00 Amazon or Barnes & Noble GC (winner choice) during her tour.
For a chance to win please fill out the rafflecopter below.

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