When a heartbreaking event in wartime leaves a man with scars inside and out he's left reeling with a heart closed off to the world until the day he's reunited with the one girl he's always wanted. Keep reading to get a tempting glimpse of Finding Heart by Tiffani Lynn, with its sensual romance full of conflict and past hurts weighing on the future. You'll also get my impressions of this exhilarating tale, and learn even more about it by visiting the other sites hosting this tour, then add it to your bookshelf. In honor of this second installment in the Colorado Veterans series make sure to fill out the form for the chance to win a print copy of this book and a $20 Amazon GC too!
Marina Rossi is a tornado of personal chaos, always stumbling into trouble no matter how hard she tries not to. After being scarred by her family and placed into foster care as a teenager, she finds solace with Jasen until he’s moved to a new home. Because of all she’s endured, her biggest fear is being alone and her only goal in life is to create a loving family.
Jasen “Dex” Dexter aged out of the foster care system and dove straight into a career as a sniper in the Army. After nine years of service his platoon was ambushed, forever changing the course of his life. Now a police officer, Dex is known for being patient, calculated and methodical. He enjoys the solitude his life provides and wants to keep it that way.
Dex’s perfectly arranged life is turned on its head when he encounters Marina in a compromising situation. Even after twelve years apart it only takes them seconds to recognize one another. As Marina faces more trouble than one woman should, Dex feels his orderly life slipping away. While he tries to sort out his conflicted feelings, Marina becomes the target of a crazed stalker. If Dex doesn’t make a decision, it might be too late for both of them.
Jasen “Dex” Dexter aged out of the foster care system and dove straight into a career as a sniper in the Army. After nine years of service his platoon was ambushed, forever changing the course of his life. Now a police officer, Dex is known for being patient, calculated and methodical. He enjoys the solitude his life provides and wants to keep it that way.
Dex’s perfectly arranged life is turned on its head when he encounters Marina in a compromising situation. Even after twelve years apart it only takes them seconds to recognize one another. As Marina faces more trouble than one woman should, Dex feels his orderly life slipping away. While he tries to sort out his conflicted feelings, Marina becomes the target of a crazed stalker. If Dex doesn’t make a decision, it might be too late for both of them.
EXCERPT:
When I slip into the driver’s seat of my car, I turn to her and ask, “Where are we going?"
She glances back from looking out the window and says, “I’d just like a pizza. There’s a place at the mall that serves it by the slice. Angling her head to look back out the window, she returns to her quiet state and I sit, confused.
“Why the hell would we eat pizza by the slice at the mall?"
“I’m obviously not dressed to go out anywhere else. I’m okay with that. If it’s not what you want, I can order a pizza there and you can go grab something else."
My chest squeezes tight as I register the quiet, dead tone of her voice. It’s so unlike her.
“Mari. We aren’t going to the damn mall."
“Dex…never mind. I’ll see you when you come home.” Before I can respond, her door is open and she’s out of the car, closing the door quicker than I can even yell her name. What the hell!
Jumping out of the car I follow her. It only takes me a few steps to reach her since she still isn’t moving comfortably yet and my legs are so much longer than hers. I grip her shoulder to get her attention, knowing I can’t grab her and pin her against a wall like I want to.
“What?” she yells as she spins back around, and as soon as I see her eyes, I understand the hurt she’s feeling and I’m gutted because I know it’s my fault.
“Mari, why are you going back inside?” I’m finally thankful she can’t keep quiet or keep a thought to herself.
“Mari, why are you going back inside?” I’m finally thankful she can’t keep quiet or keep a thought to herself.
“I feel like driving somewhere for dinner with you is like walking to the executioner willingly. The way you looked at me when you saw me tonight tells me all I need to know. I don’t need to go to dinner to have you tell me you know it’s not going to work. I knew that already, though I’m dumb enough to keep coming back for more. But damn it, Dex! Stop putting me in a position to make the wrong choice. It’s not fair to me. I’ll always fall for the sweet that comes in the dead of night when you don’t have to see who you’re screwing. I’ll always be wild and unconventional and you’ll always be straight-laced and controlled."
“Mari, that’s not what’s going on."
“Yeah, it is. You don’t want to admit it because you know I need saving, which is your forte. You’re also lonely for some female attention and I’m right under your nose, but it’s not me you want. Not even close. I never want my man to look at me like I’m the dirt on his shoe when I spent time tricking myself out to spend an evening with him. If you don’t look at me like I’m the most beautiful thing you’ve ever seen and feel it deep in your bones then I’m not the one for you."
“Mari--"
Holding up a hand to stop me, she continues, “Different choices. That’s what everyone keeps saying to me. I’m listening but it’s more than that for me. I want so much more for you. I want you to have everything you deserve. I know where you came from, what and whom you came from and I want a better life for you. I want you to have the whole package. You deserve to have the most beautiful woman in the room, the one you don’t have to re-dress before you leave the house. Just leave it alone, Dex. Get something to eat without me and leave it alone."
She doesn’t give me a chance to talk, she turns on her heel to walk away and anger explodes like fireworks in my head. “Mari!” I yell and the echo is so loud as it bounces off the apartment buildings that surround us, that she pauses and turns to me with wide eyes.
She doesn’t give me a chance to talk, she turns on her heel to walk away and anger explodes like fireworks in my head. “Mari!” I yell and the echo is so loud as it bounces off the apartment buildings that surround us, that she pauses and turns to me with wide eyes.
MY IMPRESSIONS OF THIS BOOK:
When two former foster care kids unexpectedly find one another again fireworks, heartbreak, and danger are the result in this engaging romance. Bruised hearts and fears of loneliness abound as these two very different people find an unlikely connection that takes readers on a roller coaster ride of emotions that kept me fully immersed in this tale from start to finish. By the turn of the final page I'm wore out by all the conflict that came before but immensely satisfied by their hard-fought conclusion.
After the death of his grandmother Jasen Dexter found himself in the foster care system where, amongst all the bad things and feelings of being unloved, he found a lone bright spot in the beautiful and kind-hearted Marina Rossi. Their friendship, one based on his admiration from afar and his need to protect, changed both of their lives irrevocably as fate put them on very different paths that ultimately brought them together again as adults. His path was one full of loss, obligation, and a body left scarred inside and out by a lone tragedy during wartime. The loss of his best friend hardened his heart, compartamentalized his life, and turned him a bit cold except when it concerned those few he called family. Seeing Mari again flips a switch in him, puts him and his emotions on edge, as he desperately tries to keep up with her while trying to keep her safe from a stalker. Leading him on a merry chase as she stumbles from one mess to another leaves him frustrated but wanting her nonetheless. Through all her chaos and his frustrations I liked Dex. The once gangly young man became a hardened warrior, a man you could count on to do what's right. Dex is a loyal and honorable man, a man who's a protector, but it's clear he doesn't like chaos. Mari's nothing but chaos though and it had him acting out with harsh words when she needed tenderness most. He was a bit judgmental early on but time, and words of wisdom from an endearing homeless man, had him listening to his heart more and his mind less in scenes of heartfelt groveling that propelled this story to its satisfying end.
Mari's life was full of one horrible event after another as her childhood was steeped in drugs and abuse. Being in foster care meant being on guard from those preying on her beauty as well as the unrelenting uncertainty and her desperation to be loved. For most adults this kind of childhood would've hardened them but Mari's too kind-hearted and loyal to allow her self-preservation to kick in which leads her from one compromising position to another. In support of friends she was often left holding the bag as poor decisions led her astray but still endeared her to me. She's a bit of a wild child, in look and dress, which is the complete opposite to Dex's seriousness. She's a ball of energy, throwing herself headlong into living, without thinking about consequences. Her heart is pure but when it comes to her emotional well-being she's a mess. She's a bit needy, always worrying about how others see her, and it shows how low her self-esteem is. She often jumped to conclusions in interpreting his demeanor, always assuming the worse, and running away in dangerous and melodramatic tears. Her childhood abuse left her fearful of the dark and unable to sleep alone which bound her and Dex together all those years ago and puts them in close quarters once again to ignite their long-simmering connection in scorching encounters. Despite all the chaos surrounding her, all her juvenile acts and decisions, you can't help but like her. She always sees the good in everything, always picks herself up after falling down, and this positivity is infectious and brings out a softer side to Dex that made them an immensely appealing couple.
This was an exhilarating tale full of conflicting emotions, scorching encounters, as well as a bit of suspense. It's a bit gritty too in displaying all the evils in the world from drugs, to assault, to men who are truly creepy in looks and deeds. Through everything Mari always wore a smile and it slowly worked through Dex's defenses. As his rigidness fell away he became more dependent on the feelings she aroused in him. She gave him a glimpse of something he never knew he wanted...a family. Their being together changed him for the better, but Mari never really changed. From start to finish she continued to be a bit of a mess, which was a bit frustrating, but I learned to accept her just as Dex did as when you love someone you love everything about them warts and all. These two opposites became an endearing couple as scorching encounters led to heartfelt talks. Seeing their relationship ten years later in the epilogue was heartwarming and made for an even more satisfying HEA. Surrounding this intriguing couple was an equally likable cast of secondary characters. Some are old friends we saw in the previous installment of this series while others gave readers new insight into Dex's psyche. It all added up to a sense of family for two people who've been longing for this very thing and further immersed me in this tale. Despite my occasional frustrations with Mari I still found myself rooting for her and Dex, caught up in their trials and tribulations, and hanging on for dear life as Mari stumbled through life with Dex catching her every time. All-in-all this is an immensely appealing romance full of heart and soul that had me blushing, cheering, and breathless for what comes next.
After the death of his grandmother Jasen Dexter found himself in the foster care system where, amongst all the bad things and feelings of being unloved, he found a lone bright spot in the beautiful and kind-hearted Marina Rossi. Their friendship, one based on his admiration from afar and his need to protect, changed both of their lives irrevocably as fate put them on very different paths that ultimately brought them together again as adults. His path was one full of loss, obligation, and a body left scarred inside and out by a lone tragedy during wartime. The loss of his best friend hardened his heart, compartamentalized his life, and turned him a bit cold except when it concerned those few he called family. Seeing Mari again flips a switch in him, puts him and his emotions on edge, as he desperately tries to keep up with her while trying to keep her safe from a stalker. Leading him on a merry chase as she stumbles from one mess to another leaves him frustrated but wanting her nonetheless. Through all her chaos and his frustrations I liked Dex. The once gangly young man became a hardened warrior, a man you could count on to do what's right. Dex is a loyal and honorable man, a man who's a protector, but it's clear he doesn't like chaos. Mari's nothing but chaos though and it had him acting out with harsh words when she needed tenderness most. He was a bit judgmental early on but time, and words of wisdom from an endearing homeless man, had him listening to his heart more and his mind less in scenes of heartfelt groveling that propelled this story to its satisfying end.
Mari's life was full of one horrible event after another as her childhood was steeped in drugs and abuse. Being in foster care meant being on guard from those preying on her beauty as well as the unrelenting uncertainty and her desperation to be loved. For most adults this kind of childhood would've hardened them but Mari's too kind-hearted and loyal to allow her self-preservation to kick in which leads her from one compromising position to another. In support of friends she was often left holding the bag as poor decisions led her astray but still endeared her to me. She's a bit of a wild child, in look and dress, which is the complete opposite to Dex's seriousness. She's a ball of energy, throwing herself headlong into living, without thinking about consequences. Her heart is pure but when it comes to her emotional well-being she's a mess. She's a bit needy, always worrying about how others see her, and it shows how low her self-esteem is. She often jumped to conclusions in interpreting his demeanor, always assuming the worse, and running away in dangerous and melodramatic tears. Her childhood abuse left her fearful of the dark and unable to sleep alone which bound her and Dex together all those years ago and puts them in close quarters once again to ignite their long-simmering connection in scorching encounters. Despite all the chaos surrounding her, all her juvenile acts and decisions, you can't help but like her. She always sees the good in everything, always picks herself up after falling down, and this positivity is infectious and brings out a softer side to Dex that made them an immensely appealing couple.
This was an exhilarating tale full of conflicting emotions, scorching encounters, as well as a bit of suspense. It's a bit gritty too in displaying all the evils in the world from drugs, to assault, to men who are truly creepy in looks and deeds. Through everything Mari always wore a smile and it slowly worked through Dex's defenses. As his rigidness fell away he became more dependent on the feelings she aroused in him. She gave him a glimpse of something he never knew he wanted...a family. Their being together changed him for the better, but Mari never really changed. From start to finish she continued to be a bit of a mess, which was a bit frustrating, but I learned to accept her just as Dex did as when you love someone you love everything about them warts and all. These two opposites became an endearing couple as scorching encounters led to heartfelt talks. Seeing their relationship ten years later in the epilogue was heartwarming and made for an even more satisfying HEA. Surrounding this intriguing couple was an equally likable cast of secondary characters. Some are old friends we saw in the previous installment of this series while others gave readers new insight into Dex's psyche. It all added up to a sense of family for two people who've been longing for this very thing and further immersed me in this tale. Despite my occasional frustrations with Mari I still found myself rooting for her and Dex, caught up in their trials and tribulations, and hanging on for dear life as Mari stumbled through life with Dex catching her every time. All-in-all this is an immensely appealing romance full of heart and soul that had me blushing, cheering, and breathless for what comes next.
My rating for this is an B+
*I got this book from the author for review in exchange for my honest opinion.
THE PREVIOUS INSTALLMENT IN THE COLORADO VETERANS SERIES...
FINDING PURPOSE
Once upon a time, when Quincy Hannigan needed saving, he was there to hold her hand. Years have passed since she was that weak, broken girl; instead, a strong, intelligent woman stands in her place. She’s making the world a better place one arrest at a time and has everything she’s always wanted—except Judson Rivers.
When Judson’s father died suddenly, he dropped out of college and became a Navy SEAL. He left everything from his old life behind, including the girl he loved, but never told—Quincy. After ten years, Judson’s military career ends abruptly when the vehicle he’s in runs over an IED. He has his hands full learning to live with one leg, PTSD and a civilian life he wasn’t ready to return to.
Judson and Quincy are reunited when their mentor dies. Once Quincy realizes the depth of his pain, she knows it’s her turn to be the savior. Years of pent-up passion are unleashed, but it may be too late if Judson can’t crawl out of hell. Quincy has every intention of healing this wounded warrior before his demons are the ones who determine his fate.
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AUTHOR INFO:
Tiffani currently resides in Florida with her husband, three daughters and chunky yellow lab. She graduated from the University of Maryland with a degree in social science and spent five years working for Hospice. When she's not writing or taxiing her children around she enjoys reading and attending concerts. Tiffani is also a crazed fan of the Tampa Bay Lightning, Tampa Bay Rays, and the 2016 World Series Champion Chicago Cubs.
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