Back to Your Love by Kianna Alexander – Review, Spotlight, Excerpt & Giveaway

Back to Your Love by Kianna Alexander – Review, Spotlight, Excerpt & Giveaway

 

Back to Your Love
Brothers of TDT series – Book #1
by Kianna Alexander
Release Date: April 4, 2017

Back to Your Love

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Description:
What would you give for a second chance?

Xavier Whitted has a lot on his plate. As a hardworking businessman, mentor to troubled teens, and aspiring politician in his Southern hometown, the daily demands never let up. A weekend at the beach for his best friend’s wedding is exactly what he needs. What he doesn’t need is to run into the woman who broke his heart ten years ago.

Imani Grant is more beautiful, confident and intelligent than ever, and their connection is still sizzling. But Imani harbors a secret that could destroy both their blossoming careers. She knows she has to keep her distance, but Xavier is determined to win back her heart–consequences be damned.


Review:

Back to Your Love by Kianna Alexander is the first book in her new Brothers of TDT series. This was a nice sweet second chance romance.  Imani Grant was once again attending one of her friend’s wedding, knowing she was probably the last one left not married.  While at the wedding, she sees Xavier Whitted, her high school sweetheart, whom she has not seen in 10 years, when he broke her heart.  Imani does not want anything to do with Xavier, but he is determined to win her back.  Xavier knows he hurt Imani, but he was just out of high school, and she was going away to college. But now both are successful; her being a doctor of dermatology and he running for a council seat. 

With pressure from friends and family, Imani realizes that she still has feelings for Xavier, and finds it difficult to ignore his charming and persistent courtship.  However, Imani has a secret that she has hidden from everyone, including her mother.  Only her cousin knows the truth of what happened years ago, that is hidden by a gag order.  When Imani finds herself falling in love again with Xavier she fears telling him the truth, worrying that she will harm his chances to win the election, as well as her concern that he wouldn’t understand.

They both had a lot of chemistry and we knew they belonged together.  Another very nice aspect to this second chance romance was the secondary characters.   Imani’s cousin was a great addition, as she was fun and loyal to her.   Xavier’s college buddies were awesome, and I look forward to seeing their stories in the future. 

As the romance heats up, when it begins to look like our couple will find happiness, all hell breaks loose threatening their relationship.  Will Xavier forgive Imani for hiding things from him?  Will Imani survive another heart break with Xavier?

As much as I did enjoy their romance, there were a few things that did annoy me.   After 10 years of no contact with Imani, Xavier was a bit too glib in thinking he will win Imani back.  When her place was ransacked, he was quick to get mad that she thought it was one of his kids (he helped young kids in need), which turned out to be true. He also jumped to the conclusion as to her secret when it was revealed, and I thought he behaved badly and unfairly. 

However, with all that said, there was a happy ending.  I loved when Xavier’s friends went behind his back to convince Imani to give Xavier another chance.   The epilogue was also very well done.  If you enjoy sweet romances, second chances and a great supporting cast, I suggest you read Back to Your Love.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

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excerpt

 

Xavier stepped to the glass door and swung it open. “After you, Imani.”
She stepped outside, and immediately lamented the loss of air conditioning. The air was thick with the heat and humidity customary for early summer in North Carolina. The tart aroma of the salty waters lying just beyond the hotel property permeated the air. Lush tropical plants filled the small courtyard, some blooming with bright-colored flowers. In the center of it all, three stepping stones led to a wrought iron bench positioned among the leaves and vines.
He sat, patted the empty space next to him. “Come sit with me. I won’t bite unless you ask me to.”
The sexy wink he threw her made her traitorous nipples pebble again beneath her dress. Ignoring her body’s reaction as best she could, she eased into the spot.
Gently, he draped his arm around her bare shoulders.
The feel of his touch radiated through her, the growing warmth inside her far exceeding the temperature of the sultry June night. Being in his arms again didn’t feel foreign, the way it should have after so many years. His touch felt as natural and familiar as her own heartbeat. She noticed the rapid pace of her breathing, and wondered if he noticed it as well.
The low timbre of his voice broke the silence. “If I’m making you uncomfortable, just say so. That’s the last thing I want to do, baby.”
So he had picked up on her nervousness. She shook her head. While her mind told her not to let him get behind her defenses, her heart didn’t want him to withdraw his touch. Instead, she answered him, but kept her eyes directed at her lap. “No. It’s all right.”
“If you say so. I brought you out here to talk, so let’s talk. What have you been up to these last ten years, other than growing more beautiful?”
She felt the smile creep over her face at the smoothly-delivered compliment. “Let’s see. I did undergrad in biology at Spelman, then med school at Meharry, then my dermatology certification—”
“Whoa. Are you telling me all you’ve been doing for the last decade is being a student?”
She shrugged. “I guess so. But I had a goal in mind, and hard work and lots of school were the only ways to reach it.”
That drew a low, rumbling chuckle from him. “I can’t say I’m surprised, you always were intelligent and determined. I’m glad to see you’re accomplishing your goals.”
She took a chance and raised her gaze to his. His rich, dark eyes held the same sincerity she’d detected in his words. “Thank you, Xavier. I appreciate that.”
A silent moment passed between them, their gazes connecting.
When his scrutiny became too intense, she broke the silence. “So, uh, what have you been up to? I heard from Mama that you’re doing a lot of good work in the community.”
A broad smile spread across his face. “I’m glad to know Ma Alma speaks of me so highly. When I’m not in the office handling the books for my clients, I volunteer at a youth center in the old neighborhood, and I do a little work at Second Harvest Food Bank from time to time. I’m no saint, but I do what I can for the community.”
Listening to him talk about his good works in such a modest way, she realized he still had a wonderful heart. In the few weeks she’d been home, her mother had gone on and on about Xavier’s activism. As an all-star athlete and scholar in high school, he could have chosen any career path he’d wanted. But instead of taking some high-paying, high-profile position, he’d chosen to make a modest living so that he could give back to the community that had nurtured him as a child. Yes, Xavier Whitted was a rare bird, and if the look in his eyes were any indication, he was ready to build a nest.
There, beneath his searching gaze, she could feel her very soul opening up. Once upon a time, she’d been certain she’d marry this man. Now, she felt like an inexperienced adolescent. No matter how she tried, she couldn’t look away from him.
The heartbreak she’d suffered at Xavier’s hands had colored her perception of men. He’d been her first love, and had shown her a first glimpse of real pain. Maybe she should thank him for that, because it had allowed her to focus on her goals, rather than be consumed by chasing after a suitable mate.
“Imani, I’m going to kiss you. Is that all right?”
She heard his soft words, and even as her brain yelled at her to back away before she lost her heart to him a second time, no words would come. All she could manage was to look into the endless pools of his eyes.
An instant later, his lips touched hers. The sweetness of his kiss and the buttery softness of his lips made her eyes shut. Her body overtook her brain once again, and she pressed herself closer to him. He pulled her close, surrounding her with his strong arms, and she loved it, God help her. The kiss deepened, and as his skilled tongue stroked against the interior of her mouth, she felt her insides melting down into her shoes like hot wax.

 

theauthorKianna_Alexander-Headshot

Like any good Southern belle, Kianna Alexander wears many hats: loving wife, doting mama, advice-dispensing sister, and gabbing girlfriend. She’s a voracious reader, history nerd and craft fanatic. Kianna lives in North Carolina with her husband, two kids, and a collection of well-loved vintage 80’s Barbie dolls.

Social Networking Links

Website:http://authorkiannaalexander.com/
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/KiannaWrites/
Twitter: @KiannaWrites
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3029237.Kianna_Alexander

To Buy: http://authorkiannaalexander.com/books/

 

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