Blog Tour + Review: Crushing on Love by Melissa Foster

Crushing on Love
Melissa Foster
(The Bradens at Peaceful Harbor)
Publication date: September 21st 2016
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

The Bradens are a series of stand alone novels that may also be enjoyed as part of the larger series.

“You can always rely on Melissa Foster to deliver a story that’s fresh, emotional and entertaining. Make sure you have all night, because once you start you won’t want to stop reading. Every book’s a winner!” NYT Bestselling Author Brenda Novak

“With her wonderful characters and resonating emotions, Melissa Foster is a must-read author!” New York Times Bestseller Julie Kenner

“Melissa Foster is synonymous with sexy, swoony, heartfelt romance!” New York Times Bestseller Lauren Blakely

In CRUSHING ON LOVE…
Steve Johnson is living his life’s passion watching over the Colorado Mountains as a ranger and wildlife consultant. But his peaceful life is upended when overzealous and insanely beautiful Shannon Braden flits back into his life after returning from a brief trip home to Maryland. He thought his attraction to her was under control—after all, she’s only in Colorado temporarily, and he doesn’t do casual affairs.

Shannon’s return to Colorado has as much to do with the game of cat and mouse she and Steve have been playing as it does the data she’s been hired to collect. But despite her efforts to explore the undeniable heat simmering between them, Steve’s intent on keeping his distance.

When a ranch abutting the national park goes up for sale, Steve will do whatever it takes to keep it from falling into the wrong hands. And when all his attempts fail, he’s left with no alternative but to follow Shannon’s guidance into the online world he abhors in order to raise the funds. The more time they spend together, the deeper their attraction becomes, and a game of cat and mouse turns into an unstoppable connection. But when Shannon’s assignment comes to an end, will it mean an end to them, too?
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The Bradens are part of the Love in Bloom big family romance collection. Characters from each sub-series appear in future books.

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My Review:

This is a delightful second chance romance where a past family feud and magnetic attraction vie for supremacy and resistance is tested to the limits. The hero is Steven Johnson, a ranger and wildlife consultant happily living in splendid isolation in his beloved Colorado Mountains. Well, he was living their happily until he started really missing Shannon Braden who had been for a quick visit to her home, interrupting her stay in the cabin next to his which was her base whilst carrying out research into wild foxed living in the area.

This is a heartwarming romance where knowing the heroine is only staying for a short time gives the couple the option of ignoring their mutual attraction or acting on it and making the most of their limited time together. In this case Steve is wary of acting on his feelings because of this and suspects only more heartbreak will ensue if they get closer. However his heart is hers and resistance is futile – especially as she’s certainly not as reticent about their relationship. Seeking additional ways to help raise the requisite funding and support to prevent developers purchasing and building on a ranch which abuts the national park has the couple working closely together and, as they get to know each other better, their attraction also grows. Will they save the ranch? Will their love find a way to bring them together? You’ll just have to read it yourself to find out what happens!

This is the first book in this series that I’ve read so I can definitely confirm that it works well as a standalone. The characters are well developed, there is plenty of angst and turmoil and the author brings the characters to life, making it easy to empathise and relate to them, their attitudes and behaviour. The plot has many twists and turns where you’re not quite sure how things will go – and sometimes what happens surprises you, making it a thoroughly engaging read and one I have no hesitation in highly recommending. I’ll definitely be looking out for more by this author in future, including other titles from this series!

Many thanks to the author, publisher and Xpresso Book Tours for gifting a copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

 

Author Bio:

Melissa writes sexy and heartwarming contemporary romance, new adult romance and women’s fiction with emotionally compelling characters that stay with you long after you turn the last page. Readers adore Melissa’s fun, flirty, and sinfully sexy, award-winning big family romance collection, LOVE IN BLOOM featuring the Snow Sisters, Bradens, Remingtons, Ryders, Seaside Summer, Harborside Nights, and the Wild Boys After Dark. Melissa’s emotional journeys are lovingly erotic and always family oriented. She is the founder of the World Literary Café. When she’s not writing, Melissa helps authors navigate the publishing industry through her author training programs on Fostering Success.

Melissa has painted and donated several murals to The Hospital for Sick Children in Washington, DC. Her interests include her family, reading, writing, painting, friends, helping others see the positive side of life, and visiting Cape Cod.

Melissa is available to chat with book clubs and welcomes comments and emails from her readers. Visit Melissa on social media or her personal website.

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