Taken by Love (The Bradens at Trusty, Colorado #1) by Melissa Foster | A Book Review

Yes, this book is as hot as the cover. Parental guidance is advised. This is  for 18 years old and above. Taken by Love is a story of Luke Braden and Daisy Honey. It is set in Trusty, Colorado. A laid back farm and ranch town where gossip is the major past time but the people are also forgiving and have a strong sense of community.

This book described a typical small town setting. Almost everybody knows anyone and gossip spread around like wildfire. Where the story of your life can be the normal topic of dinner conversations. 

So far, of all the books of Melissa Foster that I have read, this one seemed to be the closest to real life. It mirrored a typical life in a small town.  It also mentioned about bullying and mean girls in high school. This book explained how a very smart and successful person can still be haunted by her insecure past. It made her doubt what she has accomplished and what she can do. This just exposed how scars from getting bullied can become a big part of a person. The experience was buried deep within but would only take a very light reminder to make it float back to the surface. This story is also an example that high school is not the end of the world. There is a totally whole new universe out there and those popular people in high school who thought they own the world, will be proven wrong.

I gave this book 4/5 stars. I wish this book was for young adults. There is a very good lesson to be learned here. Bullying is a menace. We have to keep educating people until it gets through their thick skull. I was bullied too in grade school that is why I can relate to books about this subject. I praise authors who make it an effort to talk about this giant white elephant that is not only an issue in the US but all over the world. Bullying has nothing to do with culture, it has to do with each individual person and what is happening at home. Most bullies are often ignored or spoiled at home. They lashed out at people they can boss around in school to assert some sort of control in their life.

We have silly parades and gossip that runs thick as rivers. But to those who really know Trusty, they realize that this small town is also known for forgiveness, and community.

- Melissa Foster, Taken by Love -

Other books by Melissa Foster:

Game of Love (The Remingtons #1)

Seized by Love: Luke Ryder (The Ryders #1)

Seized by Love: Blue Ryder (The Ryders # 1) by Melissa Foster | A Book Review

I read this one about two months ago and was not able to post a review right away. More pressing reviews had to be done first. Better late than never.

Seized by Love is the first of The Ryder Family stories by Melissa Foster. This is still part of the Love in Bloom series. Though this is part of a series, this can be read alone. This is the story of Luke Ryder and Lizzie Barber.

This is not my first Melissa Foster book, I have read her other books before. I have reviewed one about two months ago. Anyone familiar with Melissa Foster's writing, can expect a steamy romance with family issues involved. Strong, passionate, successful and ripped men. Sexy and smart women who can hold their own. This book holds all of these characteristics. The story is unique on its own. 

This was a really interesting story. I was impressed as to how the author shaped Lizzie's character. Her background and what she does during the day and at night for a living. It was very uncommon. Those things give more flavor to the love story. My only concern was I can't understand why her other business can't sustain her financial needs. I do get that she has to help her sister. I just thought that Lizzie's character was so overly selfless. I was suspicious. I mean, if you don't enjoy what you're doing, then stop it. I guess, aside from the fact that it was lucrative, in some way, she was getting something out of it. I think she got some kind of high from it. She can be another version of herself which she can't be in real life. 

Blue was being a typical guy. How a guy usually reacts when he found out that his girlfriend was hiding something. He was torn between accepting Lizzie and being repulsed at the same time. In the end, he realized his love for her is far greater.

When I looked at it, it was very clever of Lizzie to come up with this scheme and she had made a good business out of it. I just wished the deal at the end went through but it didn't.

I gave this book 4/5 cup cakes. I think the secret identity of Lizzie made the story work. It was very well-crafted. 

I got this e-book copy as a freebie when I signed up for the author's newsletter.

Thank you again, Melissa Foster.

Other books by Melissa Foster:

Game of Love (The Remingtons #1)
Taken by Love (The Bradens at Trusty, Colorado #1)

Game of Love (The Remingtons #1) by Melissa Foster | A Book Review

If you have read Melissa Foster before, I am sure you know that her books are hot. Yes, drop it like it hot! Her books are hot and steamy romances with very unique stories. Her characters also are always ripped hot men and sexy talented ladies. 

Game of Love is part of the Love in Bloom Series. This is The Remingtons Book One. Of all the books of Melissa Foster that I have read so far, this is my favorite. Not a lot of hot and steamy sex like all the others but enough. I am no expert. But I think here, it has more emphasis on the story and the development of the characters. And I think, I really liked how this is done. 

This is how the story goes. Dex Remington is a game developer and he reconnected with his teenage best friend Ellie Parker. Ellie grew up in foster care and has trust and other issues. Running away from Washington from an ex-boyfriend who she thought was married, she went back to New York and incidentally bumped into Dex on her first night back in the city. From there, no matter what she does, she can no longer get away from Dex. And Dex turns out to be her savior, again.

Did I say I really liked this book? I did. I did like it. One very obvious and silly reason is because just looking at the title reminds me right away of what the story is. Game of Love, the guy was a gamer. That easy. Unlike the other books of Foster, I have to try to recall what the story was and maybe read the summary to recall it. So, the recall factor is really a thing for me. Silly, right? But I love to be able to remember the stories I read right out the bat just by looking at the titles. So, it's kind of a downer if the title is really far from what the book is. Anyway, as I said, the story is not overflowing with sex scenes and is more focused on the development of Ellie and Dex's characters. And I know that I just repeated myself. Their story is not that unique but it has its own appeal. They were best friends and Ellie had a habit of leaving Dex without a peep, without saying goodbye. Dex has been hurt twice by Ellie for being abandoned and left hung out to dry. But he can't still seem to leave Ellie alone. He still wants to be a part of her life. 

Like all books of Foster, the story ended well but it seemed like there is still more to the story of Dex and Ellie. I want to find out. I appreciate how Ellie finally decided to make good and strong choices for herself and her relationship with Dex. Well, after Dex sort of gave her an ultimatum. 

I gave the book four stars.

Other books by Melissa Foster:

Seized by Love: Blue Ryder (The Ryders #1)

Taken by Love (The Bradens at Trusty, Colorado #1)