Title: Faint Heart
Author: Lizzie Ashworth
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: May 15, 2014
Rating: 4 Out of 5 Stars
Synopsis
Cara Carson only wants one thing, and it isn’t a man. Since the tragic death of her husband, she has focused on creating a business she could give herself to, a ‘marriage’ that will never leave her stunned in grief. Her recipes are perfected and the old house remodel is underway. But on this raw March morning, the contractor isn’t returning her calls, there’s a bulldozer mired in mud on the side lot, and the man operating it has managed to destroy the huge old willow tree she wanted saved. Furious, she charges across the mire to demand answers and finds her feet stuck and then her heart flailing after the bulldozer operator has to come carry her out.
Morgan Woods never believed in love. Until now, it’s been easy to take and leave women. This woman shouldn’t be any different, except something about her pouty pink lips and her blazing hazel eyes sails past all his defenses. His business-partner dad is sick and his businesses are struggling, but he never wants to let this woman out of his arms.
Can two broken people find a way to trust again? Or will their mistakes only add more layers to the scars already shrouding their hearts?
Robbie’s Review
Faint Heart by Lizzie Ashworth addresses a question that is frequently the basis of romantic fiction. Can two people who have suffered devastating losses in past relationships move forward and find happiness with each other? Cara Carson and Morgan Woods have both found love to be the great lie although for different reasons. Cara should be long past the anger stage of grief, yet she continues to feel such a sense of betrayal by the tragic loss of her husband that she has insulated herself against any serious connection with a man.
I know what you think, Danie, why hold back now? God knows you’ve said it enough. But I’m serious about not living through another experience like that. Yes, there are years left. Do you think I can go through those years with my heart out there again, exposed and waiting for another disaster like Rob? ~ Cara
Morgan, on the other hand, feels a different form of anger and betrayal…one that can only come from helplessly watching the one person who should love you no matter what walk away.
“I love you” was a promise to care, to pay attention, to remember special things like birthdays and favorite foods. To be there in the middle of the night. But that’s not how it turned out. Things happened and the love stopped. If you believed in love, looked for it, expected it, sooner or later when the reality settled in front of your eyes, the loss hurt so much you didn’t want to live. ~ Morgan
When these two hard cases continue to be thrown together because of Morgan’s father whom they both love, readers can rest assured the outcome will heat up the pages of this book.
How long will you wait? You think you can get what you want without working for it? I didn’t raise you to be faint hearted. ~ Dutch
Faint Heart is a book that will definitely appeal to HEA addicts. But the ending is not without its price. Morgan and Cara are two very endearing, but stubborn, characters who have to overcome a near disaster before they can accept their feelings for each other. They go through most of the book wanting to keep each other at arm’s length while still tearing each others clothes off. The first “date” between these two is one of my favorite parts of the book. Readers will empathize with Cara as she tries to talk herself into and out of what she wants, and with Morgan as he tries to field her mixed messages…indecision, desire, confusion, desire, panic, desire, …. This scene is so well-written and easily conveys the mixture of emotions the two characters are feeling. Cooks and gardeners will enjoy reading the author’s descriptions of Cara’s food and the plans she makes with Morgan as she designs the garden for her business. The story line is easy to follow and the steam is definitely 5 Plus! I think readers who love romance with a strong heroine and a satisfying outcome will find Faint Heart a great read.
It was the knowledge that she had survived. That she had pulled herself out of the devastation of losing Rob and made a new start on a life she could embrace and be proud of. More than anytime so far in her nearly thirty years, she felt like a real adult, a woman with power and competence that she could count on no matter what.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book directly from the author. I was not paid to read or review this book. All opinions are my own, and I was never influenced by anything or anyone.
Purchase Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
About the Author
I like to show a process in my stories where discovery or acknowledgment of sexual pleasure or desire is key to character development. Just like in real life. I believe sex can be a truly transformative experience.
Reading has been a passion in my life. My bachelor’s degree as well as some graduate work focused on writing. Marriage, children, and a career limited my writing time for many years, but I’m back to life on my own terms now. So look out–more sexy stories on the way!
Social Media: Website | Facebook | Amazon Author Page | Goodreads Author Page
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