In the latest and last installment of the Loose Ends series we find Nicole and Gabriel living life amicably as friends. 

Nicole is a newly published author. She's in a loving and respectable relationship with her former flame Travis. Coming into her life at a time broken and at her lowest. With much understanding and offering nothing but unconditional love Travis helped Nicole to put herself back together. But what kind of love does a shoulder, loyalty and physical attraction blossom into?

Gabriel's got a hit album. He's about to start making videos. His band is toasting and drinking it up. Gabriel's living the good life right? Not exactly. He remains haunted by old memories of him and Nicole and their last conversation as a couple. Knowing that life offers no guarantees even with he keeps his head above the clouds. Gabriel hangs onto friendship with words spoken with an underlining meanings between the two. He hopes against hope for a possible future with Nicole. With her in mind he decides makes a big purchase seeing her in mind.

In reading this final chapter Mind Over Matter. I formed questions like:

Even though you love, want and need someone. Does loyalty out weigh unspoken promises made to another?

How much guilt can someone live with? If so, how does it change you as a person?

You have let go and still your full of pain. How do you keep walking straight towards the path laid out for you?

I enjoyed the pace of Mind Over Matters. The answers were not rushed as in life there are often not. Even armed with the right answers. It still can take the mind awhile to catch up with the heart. Feelings of loyalty will leave you with some of the worst kind of restraints. 

 

You shouldn't have to try so hard in a relationship. Why place such restraints on yourself for others? This book reads like freedom for the soul. Who cares how love shows up? Just so long as it does. Right?

My Heart Always Knew is a gripping tale about a girl in a relationship for all the wrong reasons. But, when approached by fate the more she gets. The she wants. Though afraid. Because fated skin is not only different. Their cultures are as well.

You can't judge a book by it's cover and then there are times you are required to reread because you have missed something. You've passed judgement to soon without a closer look.

Aubrey only knew love more often than not came with pain, disappointment and left her spinning in confusion. Leaving her to think with her head first and heart last. And like most, when presented with something positive you pick at it until you are gifted a negative. This gives you the excuse to run away.

Adam's strong, but not perfect and unlike most men. He's ready to take that leap, but he is still dealing internally with past demons set aside. At first sight Aubrey manages to breathe new breath into Adam's knowingly lonely life. He needs comfort in his soul and peace in his mind. Adam believes he's found it in Aubrey, Marissa and Gabby. A reason why he can smile.. His family.

In "Only Love" Raven and Victoria give different taste of love's addictions. How we often make excuses for negative love and run from the right kind. How twisted love can become. So much so, that you are willing to over look what's staring at you right before your eyes.

Twin boys born raised to endue. Hardened along the way learning the life of a Protezione. They were taught the 3 Pillars (Honor, Loyalty and Sacrifice) rules never meant to be broken.

One always down for fun. A natural born killer, who liked to burned purple leaves. Drank drinks that burn the chest. His smile and eyes offered promises of smooth conversation along with drunken kisses. He lived life like he was on a constant vacation, but he wasn't without his heart ships. Maybe this is why he lived on the edge constantly. If you lived your life high on a cloud of constant of happiness. How would you ever really taste sadness or remember your regrets?

The second blessed with the gift of genius. Talent endless, yet he's barely breathing. Yearning for a simple life of freedom giving him options. Blinded. His gaze is filled with red roses. Daily baths in love. Choosing not to look at the future he is destined for. He finds himself harshly force into the realization of what he is and forming stone walls along the way. Accepting the darkness. The submission of what he is to become. Believing himself soulless until he's presented with a gift of unexpected/fated love.

With the Serano Brothers SW Frank grants us a look into the many sacrifices our favorite enforcers made for their Mi Familia. Along the way she gives us a deeper look into their relationships with fathers, mother, uncles, aunts and lovers unlike before.

Alberti- He is my favorite out of the three brothers. It was nice to see the love and that he'd stand-up to anyone harming his sons.

Luzo- He ruled with an iron first, but underneath it all was the need to keep his family safe. Love.

Carlo/Sophie- They were no push-overs. They shared a love most couples never know in there life time. Carlo/Sophie made a wickedly powerful couple.

Ernesto- Loved all three of his boys beyond reason and raised them the only way he knew how. He was harder on Nico because he saw greatness being suppressed.

Lavina/Ariana- Lavina is his beginning. Loosing her, his first love plants the seed of savior in him. This ultimately leads him to his last, but fated love Ariana. He does for her what he couldn't for Lavina.

SW-Thank you for gifting us with The Serano Brothers. It was a wonderful touching back story to read. Selfishly I only wished it was longer.

In the second addition of the series "Hope For Him" we find Jackson and Carrington holding on, but still reeling with the ache of regret, fear, need and love. Both are still somewhat unsure about how to move on with or without each other.

Carrington's not ready for Jackson's shoulder. Not with dreams laced in old fear, crying and drowning in a river of her own tears. She hasn't recognized the darkness that still lives deep in. Carrington hasn't fully confronted it and it continues to hold her back. It keeps her out the blue sunshine she'd like to bath herself/son in. Will she realize, what she needs to face in order for her heart to really sing?

Jackson know's he made a mistake in holding back his feelings for Carrington to please his best friend Josh. But the aftermath of it all leaves behind a wealth of regret. Changing some for the better and leaving others stagnant. Soon Jackson takes on the role of her protector and best friend though love lies underneath it all. He's sees the shadows that live in her heart, but knows a separation is necessary. Still Jackson's willing to wait until she's really ready to bath herself in his offering of light.

Sydney brought out a roller coaster of emotions and I was very pleased with everyone. Book 2 was more than pleasing and I will be patiently waiting in vain for book 3.

Joshua- To obtain her heart he bordered the line of stalker. Wanting to be her spring and for her to be his summer, with the promise of many tomorrows.. Forever... But inside he's using her to hold on for dear-life. Making her his everything to keep from falling down an endless hole.

Carrington- From the start it's dramatic, but like a moth to a flame she allows herself to be drawn into it. Sucked in by mystery and addicted to the chemistry. She's unaware of his demons. His unsaid thirst for temptation. She ignores her brain and hearts words of doubt.

Sydney A. Michelle- I applaud your courage in writing "Hope For Her". You tackled many topics, but using young adults beautifully like..
Addictions
Suffering/Depression
Confusion
Fears
Temptation
Anger
Redemption
Secrets
Love
I had no problem making the connection with Carrington, Joshua or Jackson. Take a bow. There are so few romance authors straying away from the norm story lines. Your book was a refreshing read and I for one can'wait for the sequel.

Spinning...

 

Anarchy..High energy! A blow to the heart, touching my soul. I was caught off guard by her characters this go around.
Pain is what lies ahead for so many. Consequences of one's actions. I'm getting hype with every book wondering how it
all will eventually play out.