Review of Falling for Sarah (Bodyguards of L.A. County #2) by Cate Beauman w/a rafflecopter giveaway! @CateBeauman

Falling for Sarah

by Cate Beauman

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

GENRE: Romantic Suspense

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

BLURB:

 

Widow Sarah Johnson struggled to pick up the pieces after her life was ripped apart. After two years of grieving, she’s found contentment in her thriving business as a photographer to Hollywood’s A-list and in raising her angel-faced daughter, Kylee… until bodyguard and long-time friend Ethan Cooke changes everything with a searing moonlight kiss.

Sarah’s world turns upside down as she struggles with her unexpected attraction to Ethan and the guilt of betraying her husband’s memory. But when blue roses and disturbing notes start appearing on her doorstep, she has no choice but to lean on Ethan as he fights to save her from a stalker that won’t stop until he has what he prizes most.

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

Exclusive Excerpt:

After the guests wandered off for champagne and appetizers, the wedding party practiced for the following day. Hunter and Ethan stood, waiting in the gazebo.

“Kylee, I want you to walk to Auntie Morgan’s mommy and wait for me, okay?”

“O-tay, Mama.” Kylee made her way down the imaginary aisle, holding her empty basket. Instead of stopping and standing with Ilene Taylor, she kept going.

Sarah stepped forward but stopped when Ethan shook his head and scooped her up. She started down the aisle next, glancing at Nicolette leaning against the wooden banister. Her temper flashed as the woman’s eyes narrowed in Kylee’s direction. Standing in her designated space, she took a deep breath. Nicolette wasn’t worth all this. Moments later, she snapped to attention when Morgan called her name, and she realized everyone was looking at her. “Yes? I’m sorry.”

“Now that we’ve finished with the run-through, you and Ethan are supposed to walk down the aisle for Hunter and me. It’s bad luck if we do it before tomorrow.”

“Yes, yes, of course.” She moved toward the would-be aisle where Ethan waited, still holding Kylee, and hooked her arm through his.

He nudged her gently in the side as they walked the length of the gazebo. “Where were you back there? Morgan called your name three times.”

She met his gaze as she felt the heat of embarrassment staining her cheeks. “I had something on my mind.”

“I hope you’re more focused tomorrow.” He smiled. “I don’t want to have to come drag you from your spot.” He nudged her again, sending her a wink.

Uncharacteristically irritated, she didn’t smile back. “I assure you Morgan will be my main focus tomorrow, as she should’ve been tonight.” When they stopped at the stairs, she removed her arm from his and made a grab for Kylee.

He turned to the side so she couldn’t take her. “I was kidding. What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. It’s getting late. I have to get Kylee her supper.” She moved forward, trying to take Kylee again.

Ethan evaded her for the second time, sending Kylee into giggles with the motion. “You’re upset because Kylee needs to eat? Try again.”

“I’m not upset about anything. I really don’t want to get into this right now.” She glanced over as Nicolette made a beeline in their direction. She wanted to avoid another encounter with her like she wanted to avoid the plague. “Your date’s looking for you. Now may I please have my daughter?” She closed the distance between them and plucked Kylee from his arms, not missing the surprise in his eyes.

“Sarah?”

She walked down the steps as quickly as her heels would allow, ignoring Ethan calling after her as she made her way to the function room. She would get Kylee her meal and head back to the bridal suite as soon as possible.

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

Holy shit!  Maybe I’ll breath next week.  No, maybe next month.  Yes, this book was THAT good.  Where has she been all my life?  Cate Beauman, that is.

Let me explain…romantic suspense is how I cut my teeth when I started reading romance.  Linda Howard, Karen Robards, Karen Rose, Andrea Kane, Julia Garwood and Sandra Brown are still my go-to authors when it comes to the sub-genre.  They are all auto-buy authors for me and now I can add Cate Beauman to the list.

Sarah is the kind of heroine that I just love in romantic suspense.  She’s smart, doesn’t “need” the hero to save her and above all is confident in herself and her relationships.  That said, Ms. Beauman puts a great spin on the friends to lovers trope that deals with babies, being deployed and death.  It’s sad but it quickly gives way to hope and love.

Ms. Beauman doesn’t skirt the issue of Sarah losing her husband and the father of Kylee.  Jake, Sarah’s husband, is always there in but the memory isn’t intrusive nor does Sarah languish because of it.  Jake is more of an issue with Hunter than anything.  Oh yes, Hunter is a childhood friend of Jake’s and let’s just say…he isn’t too happy when Sarah and Ethan get together at first.  I understood where he is coming from and his feelings are realistic.

Ethan, Ethan, Ethan.  Oh my…I really don’t know what to say about him except that he isn’t perfect and I can understand why at times he was wishy washy with Sarah.  Once you cross the line, there is no turning back.  Plus, I liked the added sidebar of his parent’s marriage and his serial dating and yes, it made sense.  In the end, though, he really did love Sarah with all of his heart.  Oh and we get a glimpse of his sister Wren, and I can’t wait to read her book.  😉

The journey for Sarah and Ethan is not easy.  I’ve never been more creeped out with the suspense element.  I’ve read it before but Ms. Beauman’s spin on it is breathtaking and creepy.  I love that in romantic suspense.  Kept me on my toes throughout.  The ending…dang, that’s just wrong.  He He!!!

Overall, I have found an author to stalk and read Hunter & Morgan’s story.  I realize that she has written 10 books in the series, so I have some catching up to do.

If you are looking for an edge of your seat romantic suspense with characters that are completely relatable and just plain lovable, read this book and series.  Plus, the villain is just plain AWESOME…creepy but well, you just need to read the book.

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

International bestselling author Cate Beauman is known for her full-length, action-packed romantic suspense series, The Bodyguards of L.A. County. Her novels have been nominated for the National Excellence in Romance Fiction Award, National Indie Excellence Award, Golden Quill Award, Writers Touch Award, and have been named Readers Favorite Five Star books. In 2015, JUSTICE FOR ABBY was selected as the Readers’ Favorite International Book Award Gold Medalist, while SAVING SOPHIE took the Silver Medal. SAVING SOPHIE was also selected as the 2015 Readers Crown Award winner for Romantic Suspense and FALLING FOR SARAH received the silver medal for the 2014 Readers’ Favorite Awards.

Cate makes her home in North Carolina with her husband, two boys, and their St. Bernards, Bear and Jack. Currently, Cate is working on Deceiving Bella, the eleventh novel in her popular Bodyguards series.

For information on Cate’s new releases, monthly giveaways, and upcoming events, sign up for her newsletter at: http://www.catebeauman.com/author/home.html#!newsletter-sign-up/c9td

Cate can be reached at www.catebeauman.comand www.facebook.com/catebeauman.

You can follow Cate on Twitter @CateBeauman

Contact Cate

Amazon Author Page

http://www.amazon.com/Cate-Beauman/e/B00A05KHVM/

Social links:

Twitter: @CateBeauman

www.catebeauman.com

www.facebook.com/CateBeauman

www.goodreads.com/catebeauman

Buy Now Links:

Amazon: http://bit.ly/FallingForSarahTourAMZ

Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/FallingForSarahTourBN

iBooks: http://bit.ly/FallingForSarahTouriBooks

Kobo: http://bit.ly/FallingForSarahTourKobo

Paperback: http://bit.ly/FallingForSarahTourPaperback

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

GIVEAWAY INFORMATION and RAFFLECOPTER CODE

Cate will be awarding a $25 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

a Rafflecopter giveaway