Embracing the Change (River Rain 6) by Kristen Ashley-review & excerpt

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date

That Kiss…

Gorgeous New York socialite, Nora Ellington has been waiting a very long time for her happily ever after.

So long, she’s given up on it and has decided, even though she’s the plus-one friend without benefits to a man she’s head over heels in love with, an HEA will forever be out of her reach.

Handsome billionaire Jamie Oakley thought he’d had two happily ever afters in his life. However, neither lasted long, and both ended in tragedy. He’s not about to try it again or put his children through the trauma Jamie has learned from experience undoubtedly will come their way.

And he’s made this decision even if the woman who’s become his constant companion is a woman he loves straight to his soul….and wants with everything that is him.

But then, one night, Jamie loses control and kisses Nora.

He can’t go there.

She can’t go on without it.

They’ll never be the same.

Or will they?

•••••••••

REVIEW:  EMBRACING THE CHANGE is the sixth instalment in Kristen Ashley’s contemporary, adult RIVER RAIN romance series. This is socialite and heiress Nora Ellington, and billionaire Jamie Oakley’s story line. EMBRACING THE CHANGE should not be read as a stand alone as many of the references, and previous story line couples figure prominently throughout the current time line. Jamie is the father of Judge Oakley (Chasing Serenity), and Nora is best friends with Mika (Making the Match)

NOTE: Due to the nature of the story line premise, there may be mild triggers for more sensitive readers.

Told from first person perspective (Nora), and omniscient third person (Jamie) EMBRACING THE CHANGE follows several years in the life of our story line couple. Jamie Oakley has loved and lost twice, both relationships ending tragically but he gained a daughter and a son. Nora Ellington, heiress and socialite’s only marriage was fraught with deceit and betrayal but her three, now adult children, are the light of her life. Throughout the years, Nora has rescued and aided Jamie as his world began to spiral but now it was their turn together to form a union between their two families, and everything it entailed.

The world building follows several pathways including all of Nora and Jamie’s adult children scheming to get their parents together. From an yacht excursion to a new grandchild, to blackmail, family secrets and the past refusing to let go, Jamie and Nora must weather the storm together, in an effort to finally find peace and their own happily ever after.

The relationship between Nora and Jamie had been building for several years but both had been married (Jamie twice), and although not necessarily happy, but happy for now. Nora is the quintessential socialite, almost an over the top caricature of wealth and money (calling everyone ‘darling’), designer labels and the ultimate friendship with a support group of four gay men known as the G-force.Jamie is a businessman whose own family tree deviates between the branches, and in this, our hero must contend with the reality of what was, and what may never be. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate.

There is a large ensemble cast of energetic and charismatic secondary and supporting characters including Jamie’s son Judge (Chloe) and daughter Dru; Nora’s children Allegra and Darryn, Nico and Felice, Valentine and Archie; Nora’s ex Roland Castellini, as well as several cameos and mentions of previous story line couples and characters.

EMBRACING THE CHANGE is a story of secrets and lies, betrayal and vengeance, greed and jealousy, family and friendships, relationships and love. The character driven premise is dramatic and thought-provoking; the romance is seductive and fated; the character are dynamic, sassy and determined.

Reading Order and Previous reviews
After the Climb
Chasing Serenity
Taking the Leap
Making the Match
Fighting the Pull

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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Kristen Ashley was born in Gary, Indiana, USA. She nearly killed her mother and herself making it into the world, seeing as she had the umbilical cord wrapped around her neck (already attempting to accessorise and she hadn’t taken her first breath!).

Kristen grew up in Brownsburg, Indiana but has lived in Denver, Colorado and the West Country of England. Thus she has been blessed to have friends and family around the globe. Her posse is loopy (to say the least) but loopy is good when you want to write.

Kristen was raised in a house with a large and multi-generational family. They lived on a very small farm in a small town in the heartland and existed amongst the strains of Glenn Miller, The Everly Brothers, REO Speedwagon and Whitesnake (and the wardrobes that matched).

Needless to say, growing up in a house full of music, clothes and love was a good way to grow up.

And as she keeps growing up, it keeps getting better.