Tag Archives: Kelly Moran

All of Me by Kelly Moran – a Review

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All of Me by Kelly Moran – a Review

 

All of MeAmazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / BAM / The Book Depository

Description:
For ten months, bestselling novelist Alec Winston hasn’t been able to type a single word, and he’s coming dangerously close to breaching his publishing contract. An invitation from his brother to spend the summer in Wilmington Beach might be just the thing to blast through his writer’s block. Yet Alec discovers more than a spark of inspiration on the sunny sands. He meets an amber-eyed muse who makes him think about much more than books . . .

Faith Armstrong has finally gathered the courage to leave her past behind and accepted a job as a private tutor, hoping for a fresh start on the North Carolina coast. This is the home she’s always longed for—not just a place, but a state of mind. She’s felt invisible her whole life, so the host of new friends and the attention of a sexy author have her head spinning.

But Alec has a secret that could prove this isn’t the life Faith dreamed of after all . .


Review:

All of Me by Kelly Moran is the second book in her Covington Cove series. Alec Winston is our hero, as he returns to Covington Cove to attend his brother Jake and Lacey’s Wedding. Mia and Cole, our heroes in the first book are already married. This is certainly a family affair, and turns into another wonderful romance. The best part of Covington Cove is being able to spend time with the Covington’s.

Alex is a world famous author, who writes horror stories. By the time he arrives in Covington Cove for the wedding, he is in the midst of a long writers block. With the pressure high, that could threaten his career, Alex is not in a good frame of mind.

Faith Armstrong is our heroine, and she arrives around the same time to work with Ginny, who is Mia’s sister, and who has downs syndrome. Ginny lives with Mia and Cole, and it is Mia who hires Faith to help her, since Faith was the one who took care of Ginny at the home she was in before.

On his first night, when he is walking the beach, Alec sees Faith staring quietly out to the ocean. As each day passes, he becomes more and more intrigued by Faith. She is sweet, kind, and very caring with Ginny. But Alec can also see her shyness, and her reactions when people show interest in her.

What follows is a slow to build romance between two people who have strong issues that will create hardships in any possible long term relationship. Faith lost her sister years before, and has lived in an environment of her family being distant and showing no expressions of love. This has left Faith feeling inadequate and not deserving of a better live. She slowly comes out of her shell, especially because of Mia and Lacey, who befriend her and invite her to all the family gatherings. She senses for the first time in her life, since her sister died, what it’s like to have friends and be surrounded by a loving environment.

Besides his writers block, Alec has not allowed himself to commit to any woman, due to a terrible tragedy years before. He finds himself falling for Faith, and in the time he spends with her, she helps him slowly come out of his writers block. Will Alec find a way to get past his past, which is still ongoing, to commit to Faith.

This is a wonderful fun story, but it is also an emotional read; especially when we feel Faith’s pain, and her fear of opening herself to others. Not to mention when we learn more about Alec’s predicament, though I personally did not agree with him willing to give up his happiness for a lost cause.

Kelly Moran has written another heartwarming story, a great addition to her Covington Cove series.   If you enjoy a sweet romance, small town atmosphere, great secondary characters, and a wonderful couple, then All of Me is the perfect read for you.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

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Return to Me by Kelly Moran – a Review

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Return to Me by Kelly Moran – a Review

 

Return to MeAmazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / The Book Depository / BAM

Description:
With every beat of the heart comes a memory of what could have been…

Ten years ago, Cole Covington was just another rich kid who got everything he wanted—including young and trusting Mia Galdon. Then one night everything changed, and two hearts were shattered. Cole buried his guilt in the military, where love was just part of the past. Now Cole has come back home, emotionally damaged, guarded, and unprepared for what’s waiting for him…

At the urging of Cole’s sister, Mia has returned to the Covington family’s coastal home in Wilmington as a private nurse to help Cole recover. With her uncertain personal life at a crossroad, Mia doesn’t have the luxury of saying no to the job. And she soon finds out that the attraction is still alive. So are memories of betrayal. But Mia will discover more than the power of resilience. She’ll discover a secret Cole has held for years, one that will force them to confront the past and give new meaning to letting go, forgiveness, and a future worth fighting for.

 

Review:

Return to Me by Kelly Moran is the 1st book in her new Covington Cove series. I decided to read this book, as I usually enjoy these sweet romances in small towns, as well as being family oriented. I am so glad I did, as Return to Me was a fantastic read, and much more than a just sweet romance.

Our heroes in this story are Mia Galdon and Cole Covington. They were young lovers 10 years before, but they were on the different sides of the track. Mia was the daughter of the Covington maid, and Cole was the younger son of the wealthy and powerful Covingtons. Though they were in love, Cole shattered Mia’s heart without an explanation. Cole eventually joins the military, to get away from his guilt and his parents. In the present time, Cole is now emotionally, and physically damaged by the war, and has become a recluse in the family home he bought. He refuses to see anyone, with only the housekeeper to help him.

Lacey Covington is Cole’s sister, and in her desperation, she reaches out to Mia, even though it’s been 10 years. Mia is a nurse, who is currently looking for a job, and her financial situation is getting difficult, since she takes care of her sister, Ginny, who as downs syndrome. Lacey begs her to come to Covington Cove to become his caretaker and help Cole. Mia wants nothing to do with Cole, but because Lacey makes her an offer she can’t refuse, paying in full Ginny’s tuition at the home she has been staying in, Mia accepts.

Without giving out spoilers, what follows is a wonderful emotional heartwarming story of two people that must get past the damaging memories of the past, the betrayals, and move to the equally damaging present of war, tragedy, and emotional turmoil. But most important, Mia must find a way to get Cole out of his war terrors, and bring him back to his health. Cole has always loved Mia, will he tell her the truth of why he broke up with her? Can Mia trust her heart to Cole again? Will Mia be able to come face to face with Cole’s parents, who treated her like trash?

Kelly Moran has created some wonderful characters; Mia was a fabulous heroine, who was smart, savvy, funny, dedicated and strong; Cole made a fabulous hero, as he not only was a hunk, but his love for Mia tugged on our hearts; Lacey, was a wonderful sister to Cole, and turned out to be a super friend to Mia. I can’t wait to find what is in store for Lacey in the next Covington Cove book. Return to Me is a wonderful story that blends a sweet romance, family dynamics, healing, with heart wrenching emotions throughout, which will stay with you for a while. Great book by Kelly Moran that is not to be missed.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

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Ghost of a Promise by Kelly Moran – a Review

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Ghost of a Promise by Kelly Moran – a Review

 

Ghost of a PromiseAmazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / BAM

Description:
It might be love…but will they survive the night?

The ghosts of her family’s estate on the coast of Maine never troubled Ava Trumble. When she finally inherits the historic mansion, however, there’s a small string attached: Ava has exactly one year to solve a 200-year-old mystery of a missing girl, or lose her family’s home…

The lead investigator for paranormal TV show Phantoms, Jackson Granger, is prepared for any metaphysical encounter—until now. It’s not just the uncanny sense of “coming home” or even his reaction to the fiery redhead who seems to consume his every waking thought. No, it’s that the ghosts are using Jackson and Ava’s attraction to play out a centuries-old tragedy. Heartbreak. Loss. Overwhelming passion. Now Jackson and Ava must determine if they’re sharing something real…or if they’ve been possessed by a love that never died.

 

Review:
“Don’t be angry with me when they read the will, Ava. It’s time to figure it out. Time for a change.”

Ominous enough? Ava inherits her Great Aunt Lois’ infamous mansion and before she can do with it whatever her heart desires, namely convert it into a B&B, she must solve a two centuries old murder that took place at the estate. What exactly makes it infamous? Curses and ghosts of the lethal variety. If Ava should fail, the inheritance goes to the local historical society as a landmark or worse, a museum. How’s that for motivation? Ghost of a Promise by Kelly Moran was more, so much more, than I expected.

So…who you gonna call? I can hear your singsong chorus/response, thank you! 😉 Phantoms, of course. A hit TV paranormal show that investigates and, purges clean, anything that goes bump in the night. As if that wasn’t helpful enough, Ava must work in close contact, enduring the British accent of, host and lead investigator, Jackson. Oh, the horror! 😀

When Ava and Jackson first meet, déjà vu inexplicably hits them both and that’s only the beginning of a series of fantastical events. The death in question, the murder of Sarah Kerrick, has a “frail connection” to Jackson, but he won’t divulge his lineage unless prodded. Would doors suddenly banging shut, completely unprovoked, be some sort of prompt?!

Having Jackson here may just rile the spirits enough to get your answer.

The story says Sarah fell in love with Peter Trumble, Ava’s ancestor, and theirs was a love to resemble Romeo and Juliet. Perhaps those rumblings (wounds) are trying to seep through…and into Jackson and Ava? Before long, the spirits speak through action — when Jackson and Ava are delving into romantic action. Whether it’s to convey a message or decipher the killer, the animosity is designated at Jackson, supporting the wicked theory that “men especially were targeted and had a record of shortened life spans”. But that niggling, eerie sense of familiarity, despite just meeting, pervades their minds…their memories. It feels symbiotic!

The seduction was steamy and written excellently. Jackson is HOT and swoon-worthy!!! They are a charged, galvanized pair; a fiery, palpable, must-touch-you or stop breathing force. An unrelenting passion that keeps you reading well past lunacy (it’s a time, you know it is). As a fan of paranormal shows, Ms. Moran nailed the investigative tools and vocabulary to extract amazing visuals. My heartbeat raced and I got goose bumps, often, when reading (hearing!) gruff, pounding footsteps or engaging ghostly anomalies. And with like precision, I was assailed by the repeated references to a lavender scent (though undeniably soothing and I happen to be mad for it). Personally, an early Star Wars reference (gets me every time), superhero consideration/conversation during the get-to-know-you stage, and even a nod to their common stature was comforting (some say it represents mutual respect). Two miniscule irks were Ava’s beleaguered resistance (steely resolve, that girl) and the lack of italics or bold font or capitalization to identify spectral communication/POV. Perhaps it’s included in the final publishing? I can only hope.

Having said that, I loved the writing and flow of her storyline, the intriguing subject matters, the ill-fated love story, a precious parallel love story, and the answer we all longed to discover! I tell you: Ghost of a Promise was a thrilling, chilling, compelling, heartrending story. It will no doubt enchant you.  

Reviewed by Carmen

Copy provided by Publisher

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