Wednesday, January 31, 2018

TEMPTING LOVE BY KELLY ELLIOTT-REVIEW AND EXCERPT TOUR



Can a woman actually make you feel like you’re losing your damn mind? Yes. If she is Corina Miller. The only woman who has ever made me long for something more, and let me tell you, that has me all kinds of messed up. After months of ignoring my feelings, it’s clear to me I’ve fallen for those piercing blue eyes and sexy smile. But is it too late? Have I pushed her into the arms of someone else? Hell no am I letting that happen. I’m on a mission to win the heart of the only woman I’ve ever cared about—and the only thing standing in my way is one stubborn and pissed off Corina. I always did like a challenge. 



I have been hooked on this series from the very first book. I was ready for Mitchell and Corina's story and this didn't disappoint. This book was a bit more serious than I anticipated at times, but the love story unfolds beautifully. Tempting Love had me smiling and sighing in the end.

Corina Miller is a super sweet elementary school teacher and the best friend of a character from a previous book in this series, Paxton. She's funny, kind and loyal. There's a touch of innocence to her that I appreciated. She's a little different from the Parker women but she fits in with them perfectly.

I went into this book expecting to like Mitchell but not love him. He had a lot of things to prove to me (and Corina) in order for me to get on board with him. However, he absolutely lived up to the challenge. Mitchell grew up in this book for me. What I loved about it is that he grew up at his own pace. If I had started the book and Mitchell was in the beginning how he was in the end? I would have never believed it.

There is no denying that these two have a connection. It's just a matter of whether or not they're going to accept that connection and let it grow or not. I loved the progression here-from lovers, to not, to friends and more. It worked for these two. Once they finally reconnected? Holy wow, the steam meter was off the charts.

The supporting characters in this book were fun. I love the Parker clan and enjoy spending time with all of them. Now, there were some other characters I didn't love-I'm looking at you Lance lol, but they were all necessary for the storyline. They helped Mitchell and Corina see what they both wanted.

I enjoyed the writing of this book. I love the small town setting; I think Kelly Elliot nails what it's like living in a small town and having everyone know your business. The pacing worked for me as well. There was something that didn't get resolved for me in the book; it was something that just kind of got glossed over and I wanted a little more than a gloss over. Yes, I know that's vague but I don't want to spoil anything either. I truly enjoyed this installment in the Cowboys and Angels series and look forward to the next book in the series. I recommend this title!



I enjoyed this book, overall.

That said, there were a couple of places where I was more than a little irritated with Corina and the games she seemed determined to play with Mitchell. I get it. He ran and she is annoyed...BUT, and this matters to me, his emotions were genuine and hers were a "I am feeling this way, but I am not going to tell him as I want him to suffer a little" and, well, I struggled with this.

As a result, while I was able to believe in the relationship between Mitchell and Corina there were times where I really wasn't all that engaged with the heroine.

There were also times where I really enjoyed the characters and their story. I liked the connection they had, the belief that they were meant to be that Mitchell has was compelling. I loved that once he decided she was what he wanted, he was all in. This part worked and it went a long way to showing the reader (and Corina when she was willing to listen) that he was serious about their relationship.

I enjoyed the writing style of the author. I believed in the dialogue and I thought it was authentic. And, as annoyed as I was at Corina and what I saw as her intentional game=playing, I believed it. It was in character and I thought that was how she would act. So, oddly, while the personality trait did not exactly endear me to her, I did believe it. So, that is something...and I think the reason I was able to mostly ignore it.

I do recommend this title, and I did enjoy it overall.





I followed him, my hands shaking as I grew angrier by the second. “That’s it? You’re going to let me move out?”

Mitchell reached for his keys, then turned to me. “I can’t force you to stay here, Corina. If you’re unhappy, then yes, you should leave. Do I want you to? No, I don’t. I know I fucked up, but if you’re going to throw it in my face every goddamn chance you get, then you’re right, this won’t work.”

He headed to the stairs that led down to his front door. My heart raced, and I knew I couldn’t leave it like this. Closing my eyes, I called out to him. “Mitch! You never asked me to the Pecan Street Honky Tonk.”

Stopping, he looked back up at me. “What?”

I swallowed hard and took in a quick breath. “The dance, you never asked me. And well, Lane asked me.”

Sadness swept over his face. “What did you tell him?”

Wringing my hands together, I answered, “I haven’t responded…yet. I was waiting for you.”

Mitchell rushed back up the steps and stopped in front of me. I don’t think I’d ever felt my stomach dip like it did when he raced toward me. He cupped my face and leaned in. My chest rose and fell with each breath as I waited for him to speak. His touch sent a flurry of butterflies through my chest.

“Corina, will you go with me to the street dance next weekend?”

My teeth sank into my lip, and I watched as his eyes filled with lust.

“Yes.” I smiled and added, “But only as friends.”

The corner of his mouth rose into a sexy smirk. God, how I loved that smile of his. “It’s a date, then.”

“As friends,” I added.

He leaned down and pressed his lips to mine. Before I could even process his lips, they were gone and he was stepping back. “I’ll take it. For now.”

 

 

Kelly Elliott is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling contemporary romance author. Since finishing her bestselling Wanted series, Kelly continues to spread her wings while remaining true to her roots and giving readers stories rich with hot protective men, strong women and beautiful surroundings. Her bestselling works include, Wanted, Broken, Without You, and Unconditional Love, to name just a few. Kelly has been passionate about writing since she was fifteen. After years of filling journals with stories, she finally followed her dream and published her first novel, Wanted, in November of 2012. Kelly lives in central Texas with her husband, daughter, and two pups. When she’s not writing, Kelly enjoys reading and spending time with her family. She is down to earth and very in touch with her readers, both on social media and at signings. To find out more about Kelly and her books, you can find her through her website. www.kellyelliottauthor.com


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