GOING HARD (Steele Ridge #2) by Kelsey Browning-a review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date October 11, 2016

Slick sports agent Griffin Steele is living the highlife in Los Angeles, far from the shadow of the North Carolina mountains where he grew up. But when his hometown falls on hard times and needs his help, Grif reluctantly agrees to commute between coasts. He never expects the lush scenery, in the form of pretty tomboy Carlie Beth Parrish, to be such a temptation.

After an impetuous one-night stand with Grif Steele fifteen years ago, hardworking blacksmith Carlie Beth has tried to make a living and raise her daughter in the hometown she loves. Then, too-sexy-for-his-Rolex Grif blows back into town like the perfect storm, making Carlie feel less like a thirty-something mom and more like an infatuated teenager.

When a stalker targets Carlie Beth, Grif can’t help but step in to protect her. But once he discovers the fourteen-year-old secret she’s been keeping from him, will he embrace the truth or will he turn his back on Steele Ridge and Carlie Beth forever?

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REVIEW: GOING HARD by Kelsey Browning is the first full length (second installment) in the multi authored contemporary, adult STEELE RIDGE erotic, romance series focusing on the Steele brothers (Griffin, Britt, Reid and Jonah) and their sister Evie, of Canyon Ridge (soon to be known as Steele Ridge) North Carolina. This is sports agent Griffin (Grif) Steele, and blacksmith Carlie Beth Parrish’s story line. There is a prequel novella (October 2016) introducing the Steele family on their return to Canyon Ridge to celebrate their mother’s birthday only to realize that Canyon Ridge is bankrupt and fallen into financial ruin.

Told from several third person points of view GOING HARD focuses on the purchase of Canyon Ridge, North Carolina by Jonah Steele (aka baby billionaire), and the appointment of his brother Griffin as the new city manager. But Griffin isn’t interested in his brother’s newest acquisition when a lucrative career as a sports agent sits waiting for him back in sunny California. Seeing Carlie Beth Parrish, a one-night stand from fifteen years earlier, stirs up old memories and a new revelation that Carlie has kept secret from Griffin and his family for over fourteen years. What ensues is the rebuilding relationship between Griffin and Carlie, and Griffin’s struggle to accept his new fate and direction in life. Meanwhile someone is targeting the people closest to Carlie Beth Parrish and the common denominator is Carly Beth herself.

Carly Beth Parrish is a little rough around the edges with issues of low self esteem centering on her less than feminine persona; she is a blacksmith with an artistic flare that has caught the attention of more than one resident of Canyon Ridge. Griffin Steele is a successful sports agent whose clients are rich and in need of personal direction. Griffin’s return to his home town comes with some preconceived notions from both the residents and the man himself.

The relationship between Carlie Beth and Griffin is a rekindling friendship that builds into something more. When Carlie Beth’s secret is revealed Griffin’s already fragile ability to trust is once again tested bringing with it too many memories of a dark time in his past-Griffin must choose between his life and career in California, or settle down with his family in North Carolina. The $ex scenes are intimate and intense. The sexual chemistry is palpable and hot.

The world building focuses on the Steele brother’s relationship, their bonds, and the family dynamic, as well as the rebuilding of a town bordering on financial failure.

GOING HARD is an intriguing and suspense filled story line focusing on jealousy and betrayal; second chances; secrets and forgiveness; letting go of the past and moving towards a new future. The premise is enjoyable; the characters are colorful, charismatic and passionate; the romance is seductive and fated. GOING HARD looks at family and friendships, heartbreak and betrayal in the small town, soon to be renamed, Steele Ridge, North Carolina.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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STEELE RIDGE: The Beginning
by Kelsey Browning, Tracy Devlyn and Adrienne Giordianno

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date October 2016

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PREQUEL

Four Determined Brothers ~ One Broken Town ~ A Mountain of Secrets

The Steele brothers have a problem.

A big one.

In his own way, each is slowly dying inside.

Grif is jaded.

Reid is unsettled.

Britt is restless.

Jonah is bored.

But what none of them realize is their loyalty to their hometown will force them to decide between the life they each thought they wanted and a love they can’t live without.

In The Beginning, the Steele brothers go all-in to save their small-town from bankruptcy, and readers will catch their first glimpse of Grif and Carlie Beth, Reid and Brynne, and Britt and Miranda. And let’s not forget the baby brother billionaire, Jonah, who has secrets of his own.

The Beginning is a 10,000-word prequel to the Steele Ridge series, including full-length titles Going Hard, Living Fast, and Loving Deep.

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REVIEW: STEELE RIDGE: The Beginning is a short story that introduces the Steele brothers -Grif, Reid, Britt and Jonah- along with their sisters Evie and Mickie, and their return to Canyon Ridge, North Carolina. Like many introductory novellas (and short stories) we get a quick glimpse into the Steele brother’s dynamics and the women they left behind.

Canyon Ridge, North Carolina is a dying town; near bankrupt and on the verge of financial ruin when someone sets fire to the albatross of a community center. Enter the four Steele brothers who have returned to their home town to celebrate their mother’s sixtieth birthday. What ensues is the search for the person responsible for the fire, and each of the brother’s reflection on what was and what they left behind.

STEELE RIDGE is a very quick read that reveals some of the personal background information as it pertains to each of the brothers; their father’s lack of presence in their mother’s life; and a sister who may or may not be the black sheep of the family.

NOTE: Reading STEELE RIDGE The Beginning is not necessary to understand the premise of the series.

Own a copy

Reviewed by Sandy