Family law attorney Gabriella Liakos has one true love, Elpitha Island, where she grew up and hopes someday to return. But Elpitha is in financial ruins, and Gabriella will do anything to keep it from falling into the wrong hands.
Duke Ryder is a savvy real estate investor set on making Elpitha into an exclusive resort. Unlike other investors, he’s not scared of purchasing a property where one family has roots so deep they practically reach the ocean floor…until he meets his beautiful, stubborn, and enticing tour host―the daughter of the owner of most of the island.
Gabriella sets out to dissuade Duke from purchasing Elpitha, but Duke has other ideas. He wants Gabriella and the island. Duke’s powerful seduction draws Gabriella in, but can a savvy investor who’s used to glamour and glitz, and a woman interested in preserving the culture she adores find a happily ever after together?
***
THE RYDERS are the newest addition to the LOVE IN BLOOM series by New York Times & USA Today bestselling and award-winning author Melissa Foster. This 5-book hot contemporary romance series features alpha male heroes and sexy, empowered women. They’re flawed, funny, passionate, and relatable to readers who enjoy new adult romance, contemporary romance, and women’s fiction. While each book may be read as a standalone, you might enjoy reading the entire Love in Bloom series (The Snow Sisters, The Bradens, The Remingtons, & Seaside Summers)
**CONTENT WARNING: Due to mature content, recommended for readers aged 18+**
If you have been following my reviews, you would have figured by now that I am a huge fan of Melissa Foster. I have not read everything she has written (I will be rectifying that slip up very soon), but those that I had the opportunity to read I enjoyed. Although I must admit there were one or two that just didn’t not do it for me. In spite of this, the moment I hear she has another book coming out I am excited to get by hands on it.
One of the things that stand out in each of her books that I have read thus far is that her stories are generally centered around the bonds of family and friendships. One may think that based on this that all her stories are probably the same, but this is not the case. They are unique in their own right and Claimed by Love is no different.
Ms. Foster grabs her readers’ attention by focusing her stories on real life situations. Her characters are so intense that one cannot help but to either love them or be annoyed by them. It’s these emotions that Duke and Gabriella elicited from me.
Duke Ryder is most women dream guy. (swooning) He is the embodiment of a true alpha male. He is smart, confident, sexy, protective and compassionate. He is the type of man who loves unconditionally and is not afraid to express how he feels. There were moments I was envious of Gabriella. He treated her with respect and he put her needs above his. The man had it going on.
My feelings for Gabriella was mixed. I admired her passion and drive. It was evident that she valued family and she loved the island that she grew up on. However, I was annoyed by her shortsightedness. For someone who is supposed to be smart, she failed to see what Duke was offering her. Both in terms of how he felt about her and what he could do for her island which was going through an economic slump. It was clear she was afraid to embrace change. I guess when you look at it, that is how most of us are.
From the moment, Duke and Gabriella met the chemistry between them was evident. They initially tried to fight it because of their business dealings, but to no avail. I guess the heart want what it wants. Gabriella’s family saw the chemistry and was not subtle in their matchmaking attempts. Although their romance developed quickly they were able to gain insight into what made the other tick.
Claimed by Love is a story that demonstrates the power of trust in any relationship. Gabriella’s lack of trust would have probably derailed the relationship between her and Duke. Thank goodness for Duke’s patience. It also demonstrated the strength of love and the changes it brings forth.
Bottom Line:This was another wonderful story by Melissa Foster and am I can’t wait to see what next she has to offer.
“You can always rely on Melissa Foster to deliver a story that’s fresh, emotional and entertaining. Make sure you have all night, because once you start you won’t want to stop reading. Every book’s a winner!” ―New York Times Bestselling Author Brenda Novak
Also available
Seized by Love, Book #1 The Ryders
YOU FELL IN love with Blue Ryder and Lizzie Barber in Seaside Summers, now follow their journey to find true love in SEIZED BY LOVE, the first book in the Ryder series.
Lizzie Barber runs a successful flower shop by day and secretly hosts the Naked Baker webcast at night to help pay for her younger sister’s education. To keep friends and family from finding out about her sexy secret, she’s put her social life on hold until her sister’s education is paid off and she can stop filming the webcast.
Blue Ryder fell hard for Lizzie Barber when he met her a year ago, and he hasn’t been able to get her off his mind since. Everything about the feisty little brunette, from her tight bod to her seductive smile, cuts straight to his heart. Though Lizzie has turned down every invitation he’s extended—Blue is not about to give up trying.
Renovating Lizzie’s kitchen brings Blue further into Lizzie’s life, and the oven is not the only thing heating up. One night and one powerful kiss changes everything. But when Lizzie’s secret is revealed and the safe bubble she’s hidden in shatters, true love may not be enough to put the pieces back together.
**CONTENT WARNING: Due to mature content, recommended for readers aged 18+**
Melissa Foster is a New York Times & USA Today bestselling and award-winning author. She writes sexy and heartwarming contemporary romance, new adult romance (M/F, M/M, F/F), romantic suspense, thrillers, and historical fiction with emotionally compelling characters that stay with you long after you turn the last page. Melissa’s emotional journeys are lovingly erotic and always family oriented. Her books have been recommended by USA Today’s book blog, Hagerstown Magazine, The Patriot, and several other print venues. She is the founder of the World Literary Café. When she’s not writing, Melissa helps authors navigate the publishing industry through her author training programs on Fostering Success.
Melissa has painted and donated several murals to The Hospital for Sick Children in Washington, DC. Her interests include her family, reading, writing, painting, friends, helping others see the positive side of life, and visiting Cape Cod.
Melissa is available to chat with book clubs and welcomes comments and emails from her readers. Visit Melissa at The World Literary Cafe
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Nadene's addiction to reading began at an early age, when a family friend gifted her a copy of Wuthering Heights. From that moment she was never without a book.She will read anything as long the material is compelling enough to hold her attention. She gained many experiences through the pages of the books she had the opportunity to read.She created this blog to share her love of books with like minded individuals hopes that in sharing reviews of the books read visitors to the blog will discover their next addictive read. When not reading, Nadene enjoys cooking, listening to music and watching television.
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Put that jealousy away girl, Duke is taken! 😉
LOL! Yeah the good ones are always taken whether real or fantasy.