Love sometimes finds its way in surprising ways... Jaded Love by Jody Holford & Kara Leigh (Blog Tour Review, Interview, & Giveaway)

Jaded Love (Mending Hearts Series Book 2)Jaded Love
(Mending Hearts Series #2)
by Jody Holdford & Kara Leigh Miller
Adult Romantic Suspense, Christian
Paperback & ebook, 223 Pages
February 23rd 2016 by Anaiah Press, LLC

Summary

They can pretend they’re fine…

Moving to NYC is supposed to be the fresh start Kristy Andrews so desperately needs, but she can't seem to shake the after-effects of having been kidnapped last year.

Detective Jackson Reed never meant to kill an innocent man, but knowing that doesn’t change the guilt he lives with every single day.

But they can’t hide forever…

When Kirsty and Jackson meet, the connection is instantaneous, but neither is ready to open up about their pasts. Can love and trust conquer their demons?

In order to have a future, they’ll have to face their past…

When Kristy starts receiving threatening messages, her anxiety kicks into overdrive, but the last thing she wants is Jackson worrying about her.

Jackson may doubt his ability to return to active duty, but he has no doubts about his instincts concerning Kristy. Someone is trying to hurt her, and he refuses to let that happen, even if it means going back to work; something he wasn’t sure he’d do.

As the threats increase, Jackson shows Kristy that strength doesn’t mean facing her fears alone, and Kristy shows Jackson that forgiveness starts from within. Can they save each other before it’s too late? Or will the past come back to haunt them?

  
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Interview with the Authors

1. What do you like the most about writing romantic suspense?

JODY: I like the unfolding of the secondary story and how it impacts the love story. The outside pressures create a different kind of tension for the characters and I like sorting through how they respond to those issues and keep their relationship going.

KARA: My love of reading started with the Sweet Valley High series, and then, as I got older, Stephen King and James Patterson, so when I realized I could combine both the romance and the suspense / thriller aspects, I was hooked! What I love most about romantic suspense is the ability to throw the characters into some really tense, dangerous situations that will (hopefully) make them and their love stronger.

2. What was your favorite part of writing Jaded Love?

JODY: Besides finishing it? It’s always nice to write “The End”. But in this case, it was really nice to get to the end knowing we accomplished what we set out to do and that was not only elaborate on a world we’d already built, but bring closure to everything that happened to characters we cared about.

KARA: There was so much I loved about writing Jaded Love. For starters, the ability to write and collaborate with Jody again. That’s always so much fun! But my favorite part was figuring out and writing the dynamics involved with a couple in the early stages of their relationship who also find themselves in the same support group for very different reasons.

3. Did you do find anything interesting in your research for writing Jackson’s character as a police detective?

JODY: It’s not just like you see on television. One thing that surprised me when I talked to a couple of police officers was how many different options are available within this profession.

KARA: Yeah, I have to echo what Jody said. It’s easy to fall into the trap of watching a cop show and then translating the actions and/or “catch phrases” into book form. But that’s not very realistic. lol.

4. This is the second book in the Mending Hearts Series. Does it help to have read the first book or does this one stand on its own?

JODY: The book stands on its own but I think it’s always better (just for knowing the other characters and some backstory) to have read the others within a series. But there won’t be confusion if anyone hasn’t read Dangerous Love.

KARA: Jaded Love can definitely be read as a stand alone, but we highly recommend reading Dangerous Love first, just so you can get a deeper look into what happened to Kristy that led to her moving to NY and joining a support group. She talks about her ordeal, but isn’t it always better to be there, in the moment?

5. Were there differences/challenges/pros to writing a second-in-a-series book versus the first?

JODY: I think one of the challenges is related to question 4. You have to make sure that you aren’t relying on the audience having read the first. Kristy had to have her own story that was separate from Alessa and pieces of herself that had nothing to do with her friendship from the first book. In terms of writing, I think we were more comfortable with each other and the process.

KARA: Honestly, I think it was easier to write a second book. Because we’d already established the world; already had an idea of the issues Kristy would need to face / overcome; and we’d already written a book together so we were comfortable with each other.

6. What’s your favorite thing to do when you’re not reading or writing?

JODY: I’m addicted to several television shows (most of them police dramas :)). I love being with my family and friends. I like pretending I can draw.

KARA: I’m a garage sale junkie, so when the weather is nice, I’m out hunting for them and scouring for unexpected treasures! And I spend way too much time watching TV and movies. lol.
My Review

JADED LOVE was about two characters who didn't feel they were whole enough or in the right place to give love a shot. However, it seems that their instant attraction and connection with each other, as well as circumstances, have other plans. The suspense and romance built slowly over the story. I knew the way the story would go, but there were still a few twists. I really liked the characters, both Kristy and Jackson, but also Kristy's friends. Some of the dialogue was stilted or needed some additional editing and I would have liked the suspense ramped up even more, but otherwise it was a sweet and enjoyable read.

Content: Some violence, but clean.

Source: I received a complimentary copy for review from the publisher for the purposes of this tour, which did not affect my review in any way.


Other Books in the Series

Dangerous LoveDangerous Love
(Mending Hearts Series #1)
by Jody Holford & Kara Leigh Miller
Adult Romantic Suspense, Christian
Paperback & ebook, 294 Pages
March 3rd 2015 by Anaiah Romance

Summary

He’s fighting to forget his past while she struggles to remember hers...

Doctor Josh Parker lives with guilt about his wife’s death every day. He believes himself incapable of ever loving again, but when a mysterious woman arrives in the Emergency Room, brutally beaten and left for dead, he starts to feel something he hasn’t felt in far too long:
hope.

Alessandra Matthews has no memory of the events that led to her being hospitalized. Worse, she has no idea who hurt her or why. Although she’s uncertain of who she is, she is fully aware of one thing -- she’s falling for her doctor.

Sometimes, what you don’t know can kill you...

As Josh and Alessa work to solve the mystery surrounding her past, she soon realizes just how much danger she’s really in, but Josh refuses to let her face the darkness of her memories alone. With each of them struggling to put their pasts behind them, theirs is a DANGEROUS LOVE.

  
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About the Authors

Kara Leigh Miller

Kara lives in Upstate New York with her husband, three kids, three dogs, and three cats. When she's not busy writing romance novels, she's spending time with her family or attending one of her many writer’s groups. An active member of The Romance Writers of America and the CNY Writers Haven, Kara is also Managing Editor for Anaiah Press' Surge and Romance Imprints. She absolutely loves to hear from her fans and fellow authors, so feel free to drop her a line anytime!



Jody is a wife, mom, reader, and a writer. She is also a blogger and follower, a word twister, and a Gemini.


Tour Schedule

You can follow the tour HERE.

Tour-Wide Giveaway

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