Moonbeams over Atlanta welcomes new author Rosalind Abel! Just a note that this was supposed to be a release day review (Published 6/20/2017), but Real Life got the better of me and I finished the book and review later than I wanted. Oops. Luckily, Rosalind was VERY understanding. 🙂

The Blurb:

Confident businessman Joel Rhodes sees the small California town of Lavender Shores as nothing more than a business transaction and a final stepping-stone to the position he’s been working towards his entire life. It was supposed to be nothing more than one night in town to close the deal, and sleeping with one of the local men, no matter how gorgeous, meant nothing more than a few hours of fun.

Andrew Kelly is perfectly content with the life he has in his hometown.  So much so, that the only thing missing is someone to share it with. Going to bed with a tourist was never meant to be the answer to his dreams, just a beautiful distraction. He could get back to looking for Mr. Right the next day.

Both Andrew and Joel’s worlds are turned upside down when a few hours of pleasure gets extended to a couple of days.  Even that shouldn’t be a big deal. You can’t fall in love in such a short time, that isn’t how it works.  However, if destinies collide, a few short days may be all it takes to find your soul mate. Even so, when secrets and motivations get tangled, destiny may do nothing more than leave two hearts in pieces.

The Review:

Rosalind provided a copy for an honest review. Thank you.

4.5 Stars

I was given the blurb which hooked me enough to want to read this story–the start of a new series. Normally, I summarize blurbs in my reviews but I’m not going to this time because you need to see it. The cover was great as well, and I love Lavender the plant, so 2 for 2. After reading this book, I can’t wait for the next one: The Garden, that released July 25th.

Rosalind is very descriptive of Lavender Shores to the point that I could smell the lavender that gave the town the name, taste the food that Andrew and Joel would consume, hear the dialog between the characters, and feel the love that blossoms between them. It’s a slow heat with several points of angst. I could see the conflict coming and it reminded me a bit of seeing a train wreck coming and not being able to do anything bout it. While I love the story, the details, and love these two men have, the “wreckage” did delay finishing the read because I had to stop halfway, when I saw it coming.

Nothing wrong with the angst but there is a reason I don’t do Soap Operas because the obvious conflict that will break the main characters apart is going to happen. Perhaps I’m a bit too empathic, even if it’s only words on a page, but I felt the hurt, pain, and agony of indecision Andrew, and to an extent Joel, felt when the secrets Joel had were revealed later in the book. There is an HEA and the underlying conflict resolves, but to get there, you have to gird yourself and muscle through. It’s well worth the read even if figuring out what is coming fairly early on may stop you. Like other authors I read, you really can’t pass this up, especially if you like angsty stories. It is a contradiction of deep thought and light humor that blends together in a really great story.

There is not a lot of sex between the MCs, but it works with the story. The relationships are the focus but there are some hot scenes when described. Normally, I don’t do half stars in my star reviews either, but for this one, I have to make an exception. Overall, I give The Palisade 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Eloreen Moon

Book Links:

Amazon | Goodreads

About the Author:

Rosalind Abel grew up tending chickens along side her sweet and faithful Chow, Lord Elgin. While her fantasy of writing novels was born during her teen years, she never would have dreamed she’d one day publish steamy romances about gorgeous men. However, sometimes life turns out better than planned.

In between crafting scorching sex scenes and helping her men find their soul mate, Rosalind enjoys cooking, collecting toys, and making the best damn scrapbooks in the world (this claim hasn’t been proven, but she’s willing to put good money on it).
She adores MM Romance and the power it has to sweep the reader away into worlds filled with passion, steam, and love. Rosalind also enjoys her collection of plot bunnies, and welcomes new fuzzy ones in her home all the time, so feel free to send any adorable ones her way.

Amazon author page: http://amzn.to/2qoiuLC

Facebook Author page: http://bit.ly/2rH8C4o

Rosalind Abel Website:  http://www.rosalindabel.com

Lavender Shores Website:  http://www.lavendershores.com

Twitter: http://twitter.com/rosalind_abel

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/rosalindabelauthor/ (Rosalind Abel Author)