Those who enjoy intensely emotional books with a drool-worthy hero will be drawn to A Beautiful Purpose by Alicia Rae, the sixth book in Ms. Rae's The Beautiful Series. Keep reading to get a tantalizing taste of this sweet and sexy read, along with learning what books inspired Ms. Rae. You'll also get my impressions of this book and can learn even more about it by visiting the other blogs hosting this tour. Make sure to fill out the form below for the chance to win signed book set of the Beautiful Series and a $25 Victoria Secret GC too!
Top Ten Favorite Books That Inspired Me.......
-Fifty Shades of Gray – E.L. James
-Crossfire Series – Sylvia Day
-Twilight – Stephanie Meyer
-The Blackstone Affair – Raine Miller
-The Notebook – Nicholas Sparks
-With Me In Seattle – Kristen Proby
-The Sullivan Series – Bella Andre
-Delirium Trilogy – Lauren Oliver
-Divergent Series – Veronica Roth
-This Man Confessed – Jodi Ellen Malpus
From the moment Audrey Hampton walks into his life, he is drawn to her. Her beauty leaves him breathless and weak in the knees. She kindles a spark of hope deep within his soul, igniting a part of himself he feared was missing. Her never-ending compassion for others opens his heart in a way he never dreamed.
But Audrey is hiding wounds of her own. Returning to Lake Tahoe to care for her ill mother triggers painful childhood memories of her parents’ loveless marriage, reminding her there is no such thing as true love.
Will Blake’s resolve be powerful enough to open Audrey’s sealed heart? Or will Audrey fear the past and risk losing the man who could give her life anew found purpose?
Can two wounded souls become one?
EXCERPT:
I turned on my hip, snuck my arm under her waist, and pulled her under me while rising above her at the same time.
Her curvy full lips parted, and she gasped, breathing heavily. I bent down to cradle her face with my forearm, so I could brush her hair back with my free hand. “Spend the day with me, Audrey.”
“I can’t.” A crease formed in the center of her brows. “You know that, Blake.”
“Why?” I questioned, not pausing a beat. “Because you have things to do?” I shrugged. “Let’s do them.” I leaned in and brushed my lips against her lower one. “Because you need to take care of your mom?” I tenderly tugged on the supple skin. “Then, let’s go together.”
“Why are you doing this?” Her eyes glistened with moisture,looking as if she was going to cry. “You’re making it so much harder than it has to be.”
My lungs constricted at the sight of her despair, but I had to push, or she was never going to break those steel walls she guarded herself with.
“Because I love you, Audrey,” I said, meaning every word. “And a Marine never gives up.” I skimmed my lips against hers one more time before kissing her lightly, just enough to make her want more. Then, I drew back. “What do you say, Audrey?”
Her curvy full lips parted, and she gasped, breathing heavily. I bent down to cradle her face with my forearm, so I could brush her hair back with my free hand. “Spend the day with me, Audrey.”
“I can’t.” A crease formed in the center of her brows. “You know that, Blake.”
“Why?” I questioned, not pausing a beat. “Because you have things to do?” I shrugged. “Let’s do them.” I leaned in and brushed my lips against her lower one. “Because you need to take care of your mom?” I tenderly tugged on the supple skin. “Then, let’s go together.”
“Why are you doing this?” Her eyes glistened with moisture,looking as if she was going to cry. “You’re making it so much harder than it has to be.”
My lungs constricted at the sight of her despair, but I had to push, or she was never going to break those steel walls she guarded herself with.
“Because I love you, Audrey,” I said, meaning every word. “And a Marine never gives up.” I skimmed my lips against hers one more time before kissing her lightly, just enough to make her want more. Then, I drew back. “What do you say, Audrey?”
MY IMPRESSIONS OF THIS BOOK:
From start to finish Ms. Rae's Beautiful series has been an emotional rollercoaster ride for a small group of people who have found a sense of family amongst themselves. Each of the previous couples has struggled to find their HEA and subtly push their last single friends together in this story of forgiveness and not letting the past define you.
Audrey grew up in a house full of hate, indifference, and feelings of unworthiness. From a verbally demanding father to a mother who was emotionally and verbally abusive, Audrey no longer believes in love or HEA. She's been told since the day of her birth that she ruined their lives which made me ache for her. She's a loner who can only count on herself and her small group of friends. When her mother becomes terminally ill she returns home out of guilt, not love, and the hope that her mother will one day admit her love. Being around her mother is emotionally draining and depressing though so her introduction to Blake is a welcome respite from the misery that is her mother. Audrey is a truly good and strong-willed person who's been understandably hurt by her past. She tries to be a good daughter but still stands on her own two feet and made a life for herself. She needs and deserves the compassion Blake offers her but it will take a lot of effort and understanding on his part to get her to believe in that which she's never had.......unconditional love.
Blake is the quintessential hero who's returned home after serving in the military for eight years. He's at a crossroads and unsure of exactly where his life should go. Seeing Audrey and recognizing her pain brings out his protective instincts and gives him something else to focus on. He's suffering from what he's seen in war and is trying to put that behind him as he decides what he wants out of life. There were times Blake was almost too good to be true in his heartfelt words and deeds but you can't help but fall for him. He was unquestionable in his support of Audrey and gave her all the love and support that had been missing from her life. He fixed all her woes which gave her hope in him and his promises but still made for a rocky road to HEA as her mother's poison was pervasive. Blake knows what he wants and doesn't run from a fight. Once he knows what he wants out of life he'll do whatever it takes to get it....and in this case it's Audrey.
This was a powerful story about the effects of abuse on a person's psyche. Audrey is a strong woman but even she was left scarred. Blake's seen his share of emotional wounds and becomes the perfect confidant for Audrey in her healing. Theirs is a sweet yet super sexy journey to acceptance and forgiveness. Only through the power of love can they both move on together. This story is full of twists and turns, some believable with a few over-the-top, but it's always engaging. This story can be read on its own but with each book in the series so well-written you won't want to miss out on a single romantic moment. Ms. Rae has written an intensely emotional story that has readers believing in fairytales and Prince Charming and I highly recommend it to those looking for a story that pulls you along every step of the way.
My rating for this is a B+
Alicia Rae is a Contemporary Romance Author who lives in Dekalb, Illinois, with her husband and three beautiful boys. Alicia has a passion for reading all types of romance, writing to bring a story to life, and photography.
Thank you to my dear sister, Kels, who showed me a few years ago how much I truly missed reading. And to my loving husband, for not throwing away my Nook, and planting the seed of writing into my mind. I am forever grateful.
Readers, words cannot thank you enough for supporting me along this incredible journey. I hope you enjoy my novels as much as I do writing them. I thank each and every one of you.
Believe in yourself and follow your dreams…
Thank you to my dear sister, Kels, who showed me a few years ago how much I truly missed reading. And to my loving husband, for not throwing away my Nook, and planting the seed of writing into my mind. I am forever grateful.
Readers, words cannot thank you enough for supporting me along this incredible journey. I hope you enjoy my novels as much as I do writing them. I thank each and every one of you.
Believe in yourself and follow your dreams…
**********GIVEAWAY**********
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