Samhain Publishing

Steve’s Story, Book 2 in the Circle of Friends series, released in print at the beginning of the month.

Now I confess, this book has received many mixed reviews. I’ve had readers who loved it to nth degree, who could not stop raving about it, and I’ve had readers who hated it so much, some could not even finish the book.

Which got me thinking how this might happen. Why would one book appeal to some readers and yet repel others? Truthfully? I’m not sure. But having given the reviews for Steve’s Story a lot of thought, I think I’ve figured it out.

Steve’s Story isn’t a fun ride from beginning to end. Yep, there are some funny lines and a couple of entertaining scenes, and yep, the sex is scorching. But underneath all of that lies a book steeped in reality. Yes, it is a romance, but it does not take place in a fantasy world. It stays true to the facts. And while the ending is a happy one, it’s also a terribly sad one. (Heck, I sobbed finishing the last chapter.)

While writing the warning in the blurb I made a big mistake. I focused on the sex instead of the story. The result? The warning makes the book sound like a sexy romp. Yes – it’s sexy and hot as hell. But it’s no romp. So I have taken the liberty here of rewriting the warning…

This is how it reads on the back cover:

Warning: This book might just make you cry, but it’ll make you smile as well. The story will probably get you all hot and bothered too. It contains naughty activities in the car, sex on the kitchen counter (and up against the wall), a quickie in the garden, a little experimenting with scarves – oh, and some hot loving in the bedroom.

This is how I now believe it should read:

Warning: The book is pretty sad. It’s also realistic and may not be everybody’s cup of tea. If you’re looking for a light-hearted, fun romance – this isn’t it. Yep, there’s a happy ending (helloooo? I write romance), but it’s certainly not your classic “And they lived happily ever after”.
If you’re looking for a hero who knows where his heart lies and refuses to give up on his heroine – no matter what obstacles they face – then this is the book for you!

So, you may love it or you may hate it, but until you’ve read it, you’ll never know.

STEVE’S STORY: THE BLURB

When love is threatened by truth, every moment counts…

Circle of Friends, Book 2

Steve Sommers is having a gut-wrenching week. His fiancée has left him, the woman who broke his heart is back in town – and they’re all gathered at the bedside of his best friend, who’s in a coma. The emotional ties between them are strained to the breaking point. Like it or not, it’s up to Steve to find the strength and compassion to support the four of them through the toughest ordeal of their lives.

In the midst of the turmoil and trauma, passion unexpectedly flares anew between Steve and the woman he loves. Suddenly the future he’d believed lost lies within his reach. But she still carries the secret that once tore them apart, and determined to protect Steve from the truth, she fights their rekindled relationship every step of the way.

Now the fragile bond they’ve developed hangs in the balance, threatened by a reality that love may not be strong enough to overcome…

Warning: REFER TO ABOVE.

Jess