Contemporary Romance published by Belmonte Publishing 14 Jan 22
I’ve been trying to keep my list of new-to-me authors going lately. So this is the first time I’ve read M.S. Parker. I didn’t realize this particular story is Book 9 of a series, but that doesn’t make any difference when it comes to Drake and Maggie. Most especially Drake. His part of the story is more emotional to me, though Maggie has her own issues to get through. I enjoyed getting to know both of these characters.
The beginning of this book is well done. Drake is once again celebrating his anniversary – alone since the death of his wife. There he spies a woman who looks exactly like his soulmate. So much so, he has to find out who she is. Once he discovers that, however, he has to know more. Little meetings here and there evolve into a rescue of Maggie when her abusive boyfriend goes too far on the street. Drake intervenes and the die is cast when it comes to these broken characters. Both of their stories are tragic and your heart breaks as you learn more and more about their pasts.
The middle portion of the story, though, gets bogged down when it comes to the physical part of their relationship. I like sex as much as the next woman, but this book takes it all to the next too-frequent level. Especially when you remember that Maggie has just come out of a sexually and physically abusive relationship. I know she needs to be in control, but Ms. Parker takes it a step or two much too far. Outside of the bedroom, I like Drake and Maggie together as they talk through everything, try to figure out if being together will work for them, along with a few other things. I’m always a huge proponent of talking things over and working out issues together. They do this quite well. They do sex well too, I just don’t need it going on every chapter when more depth in the characters would be so much better.
I also enjoyed the music backdrop of the New York Philharmonic, where Maggie is 2nd chair violinist. I’ve read a few other books lately that feature music in such a way and I find I like that concept a lot. All in all, I liked this first foray into Ms. Parker’s work. I will definitely be checking out all of the other Scottish Billionaires.
Grade: B+
Summary:
Sixteen years ago, I lost Belle, the love of my life, in a tragic car accident.
Devastated, I left Scotland to work in Uncle Ben’s brokerage firm in Manhattan. Dedicating my life to the job, I rose to the top of the ladder, next in line to head the billion-dollar company.
Belle, however, never left my heart.
Every year––on our anniversary––I dine at the restaurant where we first met.
And that’s when I saw her again…today!
She was three tables away—the spitting image of Belle from sixteen years ago. It couldn’t be a coincidence. It had to be fate or at least a sign.
Now, there’s only one thing on my mind; I must find out who she is.
When Drake Mac Gilleain lays eyes on Maggie McCrae, he believes he’s seeing the ghost of his late wife and decides to follow her.
Maggie has found her dream as a violinist in the New York Philharmonic, but her personal life is scared by a controlling and abusive boyfriend.
It leads to a violent argument on the sidewalk, but luckily, Drake sees the assault and saves Maggie.
Shaken but determined to rid herself of her boyfriend, Maggie stays with Drake while sorting out her situation, and an instant attraction ensues.
Drake is falling hard for Maggie, but as the truth comes out, how can Drake explain he stalked her for weeks because she reminds him of his late wife?
No excerpt available.
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