March 2018 Book of the Month Giveaway

April 13, 2018 07:18 PM Posted by juliannadouglas

I had only one five-star romance read in March, but it was a book I’d been looking forward to trying for the past several years. I’m happy to say that it definitely didn’t disappoint. It was actually a novella, so being on the shorter side, the plot is a pretty simple one of two people who become stranded in an elevator together and form a connection, leading to an unexpected attraction and plenty of luscious steam. I felt like this couple fit together perfectly, so in spite of it’s short length, I loved their story.

Makenna is a forensic accountant, tired from a crappy day, who is rushing to make the elevator, while Caden is an EMT in the same building on personal business. He plays the gentleman, holding the elevator door for her. Neither get a good look at the other before the lights go out and the elevator stops, leaving them stranded together in the dark for several hours. Due to a past trauma, Caden is claustrophobic and afraid of the dark, but he finds Makenna’s voice soothing to his anxious psyche. As a result, they pass the time getting to know one another, leading to an instant but deep connection.

I loved both characters. Caden is rather rough-looking on the outside, but inside he’s a big teddy bear. He’s very kind and gentle with a soft heart, but at the same time, he can be very sexy and passionate. One of the things I adored most about him is that he doesn’t take their shared attraction for granted and use it as an excuse to push himself on Makenna. He still asks permission to touch her and checks in with her periodically to make sure she’s still on board. Caden is exactly the kind of guy I’d love to wrap up in my arms and love on just like Makenna did. For her part, Makenna is a little awkward and slightly lacking in confidence, but she’s filled with empathy and compassion for Caden, especially after they start sharing more personal details about their lives. She’s simply a kind, caring woman who provides a comforting presence during Caden’s panic attacks and isn’t afraid to show him what a great guy he is.

I think one of the things I enjoyed most about this story is the idea of getting to know someone without the preconceived notions of their appearance getting in the way. I think if more people were able to become acquainted in darkness, perhaps we might not be so quick to judge. Stories like this that take place over such a short time frame often aren’t as believable to me, but I felt a deep emotional connection between Caden and Makenna that made me totally believe in their rapidly burgeoning feelings. There are no unrealistic declarations of love, but the way these two treat each other is indicative of those types of emotions. Their interactions are sweet and tender, as well as hot and sexy.  Even if I didn’t know that there was a sequel to the book, I’d have no trouble believing they were going to be together for a long time. This novella was a pure romantic indulgence, and I can’t wait to read this couple’s follow-up story. That’s why I’m naming Laura Kaye’s Hearts in Darkness as my March Book of the Month. If you enjoy contemporary romance with a damaged hero, a sweet heroine who supports him, and intimate scenes are deliciously sensual, then you should definitely give this book a try. Keep reading to learn how you can win a copy for your own library.

Cover Blurb- Two strangers… Makenna James thinks her day can't get any worse, until she finds herself stranded in a pitch-black elevator with a complete stranger. Distracted by a phone call, the pin-striped accountant catches only a glimpse of a dragon tattoo on his hand before the lights go out. Four hours… Caden Grayson is amused when a harried redhead dashes into his elevator fumbling her bags and cell phone. His amusement turns to panic when the power fails. Despite his piercings, tats, and vicious scar, he's terrified of the dark and confined spaces. Now, he's trapped in his own worst nightmare.

One pitch-black elevator…

To fight fear, they must reach out and open up. With no preconceived notions based on looks to hold them back, they discover just how much they have in common. In the warming darkness, attraction grows and sparks fly, but will they feel the same when the lights come back on?

Read my complete review of Hearts in Darkness.

Giveaway
If you would like to win a copy of Hearts in Darkness to see how wonderful it is for yourself, just enter the Rafflecopter giveaway below. One lucky winner will receive their choice of an eBook or print copy of the book. If the winner chooses an eBook, I will gift it to them via the eBook retailer of their choice (Amazon or B & N). If the winner chooses a print copy, I will have it mailed directly to them via Amazon. Good luck!

International Entrants: You are welcome to enter my contest, but please note that not all eBooks are available in all countries due to copyright restrictions. If this is the case, Amazon does offer an option to trade for a gift card (I'm not sure about B & N). If you choose print, I can mail it to you via the Amazon website that services your country, pending availability and cost. Otherwise I will mail it to you via U. S. Amazon's standard international shipping, but it may take up to 6-8 weeks to arrive, and I may not have the capability of tracking the package.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Categories: Book of the Month, Giveaways

Tags: Laura Kaye