Love was my weakness.
In the light of the truth, no one can hide.
Derek had ignited a spark inside of my heart, a hope for a love I never expected to find. However, our connection lacked the substance it needed to burn. Weakened with resentment, our relationship crumbled under deception, slowly dissolving into ash.
I had sacrificed myself for him and paid the price.
By the time Brandon entered into my life, the longing in my heart had turned cold. But fate was not done with me. His crystal blue eyes and fluid touch revived a wish that had been frozen in time. He gave me hope once again.
Hope is a dangerous thing, especially when you dare to dream.
**WARNING: This book contains adult content and drug use.
Review:
I am a huge fan of this author’s writing. Liquid & Ash is more adult than her earlier books and I loved every emotional moment. Penelope is at a bad place in her life, having found out that her husband has not been honest with her, and feeling emotionally and financially stranded. She is afraid of ending up exactly where her mother did, abandoned and alone. Penny had given up everything to be with her husband and now she is basically adrift.
Her marriage is not what she thought it was. Penny feels as though drugs are her only relief from the stress of her life. She knows she is wasting her talents but she feels trapped. Then she meets sexy bartender/model Brandon and WOW!! These two have fantastic chemistry but Penny is more shut down than ever. How can she trust another man?
“He possessed me,and I knew it was dangerous,but I just didn’t care”.
Brandon has not had it easy and he. too, is untrusting. What I love about this author’s books is that they are about ordinary people, who have real lives and real jobs and real struggles. It is a very refreshing change of pace. Penny and Brandon both struggle with their emotional baggage but Penny really puts her heart on the line and is finally completely honest with Brandon. There’s a lot of drama here with the side characters and all in all, Liquid & Ash is a very fast-paced, very enjoyable story with very engaging characters and just the right amount of angst thrown in.
This is a wonderful story about realizing your full potential and living up to it. It is not always an easy read but E.M Abel is a very talented writer who ultimately delivers a very hopeful and optimists story. Enjoy!
Favorite quote:
“Love is liquid. It never dies. It never goes away. Sometimes it just changes direction. And,sometimes,if it’s strong enough….” It can make time stand still.”
(ARC provided by the author in return for an honest review.)
Now, a Navy wife with two small children of her own, she still loves being creative and most of all translating her stories into novels. E.M. Abel, now referred to as E or Em by her friends and readers, can often be found with her headphones on jamming out to punk rock, in a chair getting tattooed or cooking dinner for her kids and attending gymnastics practice. No matter what she’s doing in her life, she’s always sure to do it her way.
