October 2022 Book of the Month Giveaway
November 20, 2022 07:50 PM Posted by juliannadouglas
During the month of October, I read four full-length novels, a novelette, and two short stories. The majority of them were very good, some receiving five stars from me, but only one full-length book did. It’s from a relatively new favorite author of mine and it’s the fourth book in a serialized romance series that follows the same couple throughout as they navigate Brianna finding healing for the horrific abuse and human trafficking she was subjected to with the help of Stephan, the Dom who saved her from that life. This book opens about two months after the events of the previous book in which Stephan was placed under investigation by the FBI for buying Brianna’s freedom from the man who enslaved her, which led to Brianna selflessly leaving him to help protect him. Ever since, she’s been living with her childhood friend, Cal, and his girlfriend, Jade. Right from the opening pages, it’s obvious that both Brianna and Stephan are miserable without the other, but they have no choice but to remain apart until Stephan is no longer under FBI scrutiny and the media frenzy has died down. After making a deal with Cal, Brianna finally agrees to see a therapist, which in Stephan’s absence, helps her to continue to make progress in putting her life back together. Although terrified of facing her abuser in court, she’s willing to do so if it will help clear Stephan’s name and keep him out of jail. It’s not until about a quarter of the way into the book that Stephan and Brianna are able to finally see each other in person again, but not long after, a misunderstanding about Stephan’s ex staying with him stirs up a bit of trouble. Eventually, though, all is forgiven and circumstances change, making it possible for them to reunite for real. However, after spending time with family and friends over the holidays, the specter of her abuser’s trial hangs heavy over Brianna’s head, when it looks like she’ll have no choice but to testify or possibly see him walk.
Overall, I was very impressed with how far Brianna has come since her early days with Stephan and how much farther she progressed in this book. She may still be outwardly quiet and fearful of certain things, but she has an inner strength that would be easy for outsiders to miss. I’m so glad that she has Stephan who sees all of that and never fails to compliment her on it even though she often doesn’t feel strong and that she has been able to make friends who also support her as she weathers through the turmoil in this chapter of their story. Stephan is an amazing dreamboat as always. He may be a Dom but he’s also a sweet, teddy bear who’s kind, gentle, and patient. I especially love how he cares for Brianna and would do anything to protect her, but at the same time, he allows her to make her own decisions. Even if he doesn’t like or agree with them, he respects them and her, frequently offering her praise and encouragement. I always come away from reading one of these book with no doubt that Stephan’s love and belief in Brianna is in large part responsible for her making such strides in her recovery. I’ve adored Stephan and Brianna together since the beginning. They have such a beautiful relationship built on, not just love, but also mutual trust and respect. I’ve had no doubts about their rightness for one another, and with each one of the books in this series that certainty only grows stronger. I was happy to see resolution to both Brianna’s relationship with her father and with the greater story arc concerning her ex-slave master. I can honestly say that he got what was coming to him. That being the case, this volume wrapped up nicely with no cliffhanger ending like the previous books. Once again, I was blown away by this installment of the series. That’s why I’m naming Sherri Hayes’s Trust as my October Book of the Month. If you enjoy a dominant hero with a sweet side paired with a deeply tortured heroine gradually finding healing for her trauma, then you should definitely give this book a try. Keep reading to learn how you can win a copy for your own library.
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Cover Blurb- Brianna is lost for the fourth time in her life. The first life-altering event occurred when her mother died. The second was when she was kidnapped at the age of seventeen and forced to be a slave. She would never forget those ten months. |
This book contains BDSM themes and past abuse and is intended for mature audiences.
If you haven’t read this wonderful series yet, and would like to get a head start, the first book, Slave, is available for free in ebook from all major book retailers.
Amazon | B & N | Kobo | iBooks | Google
Since the book is part of a serialized series that really needs to be read from the beginning, I’m willing to substitute either the first or second book, both of which are wonderful in their own right, if the winner would prefer.
Read my complete review of Trust.
Giveaway
If you would like to win a copy of Trust 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 offers 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.
Categories: Book of the Month, Giveaways
Tags: Sherri Hayes
