ROCKY GROUND (Crimson Point #4) by Kaylea Cross-Review & Excerpt tour

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date March 26, 2019

She’s been hurt too many times…

Single mom Tiana Fitzgerald has sworn off all romantic relationships to protect herself and her daughter. Her track record is disastrous and she’s done getting hurt. But a certain sexy Scotsman in Crimson Point has other ideas, and somehow manages to sneak past her defenses at every turn. As the hits keep coming and her life implodes, she begins to see he’s unlike any man she’s ever known. Now he’s become the greatest threat to her heart, because there’s no possible future for them. Not when he’s leaving the country in a few weeks. And when her worst fears are realized, she must risk everything by placing her trust in in his hands.

He’s determined to capture her heart.

Scotsman Aidan MacIntyre never saw the fiery, beautiful Tiana coming. The prickly redhead has gotten under his skin as badly as he wants to get under hers. But she’s determined to keep walls between them. Luckily the former Royal Marine doesn’t know how to give up. Someone from her past wants to hurt her, but Aidan will stand between her and any threat. He’ll stop at nothing to protect her and the little girl who have completely stolen his heart—and fight for them to have a future together.

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REVIEW:  ROCKY GROUND is the fourth and final instalment in Kaylea Cross’ contemporary, adult CRIMSON romantic suspense series focusing on the people of Crimson Point, Oregon, and a group of former Special Forces soldiers. This is single mom and nurses aide Tiana Fitzgerald, and retired Royal Marine, Scotsman Aidan MacIntyre’s story line. ROCKY GROUND can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

Told from several third person perspectives including Tiana and Aidan ROCKY GROUND follows several intersecting paths including the building but acrimonious relationship between single mom and nurses aide Tiana Fitzgerald, and retired Royal Marine, Scotsman Aidan MacIntyre. Tiana Fitzgerald has the worst luck when it comes to men. A series of failed relationships found our heroine unable to look beyond the DNA of any man including the man with whom she will fall in love. When her eight year old, daughter’s father seeks visitation rights, Tiana isn’t sure she is ready to give up or give in to a man who hasn’t been around for a very long time. Enter Aidan MacIntyre, retired Royal Marine, and the man with whom Tiana will fall in love. What ensues is growing romance and relationship between Tiana and Aidan; an earthquake that places everyone in danger; and the escape and return of a man whose very existence threatens Tiana, and the daughter she loves.

Aidan MacIntyre’s time in the USA is nearing an end as his work visa is about to expire. Falling in love with Tiana Fitzgerald and her daughter Ella meant walking away with a broken heart but protecting Tiana and Ella became a full-time job when past came looking for vengeance and more. Tiana Fitzgerald is overly cautious about exposing her daughter to another man. Past relationships have led to life-threatening scenarios, relationships with men who were dangerous and wrong.

The relationship between Tiana and Aidan struggles in the face of Tiana’s inability to trust, judging all men based on prior experience. Aidan has lusted after Tiana Fitzgerald but the clock is ticking on his time in America. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate, without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

There is a large ensemble cast of energetic secondary and supporting characters including Sierra and Beckett (Fractured Honor #1), Noah and Poppy (Buried Lies #2) and Jase and Molly (Shattered Vows #3) as well as Tiana’s ex Evan, her aunt Lizzie, and Aidan’s mother and sister back in Scotland.

The world building continues to focus on the friendships and relationships of the former Special Forces soldiers: their growing families, their love and support, and their ability to protect the people they love.

ROCKY GROUND is a story of betrayal, vengeance, trust and love. The premise is intriguing and suspense filled; the romance is captivating and seductive; the characters are dynamic and colorful. ROCKY GROUND is an impassioned, engaging and spicy tale from Kaylea Cross.

Reading Order and previous reviews
Fractured Honor
Buried Lies
Shattered Vows

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

The molten hunger in his eyes sent a torrent of heat rushing through her body even as her old fears bubbled to the surface again. “Aidan…” she murmured, dropping her gaze to his chest.
She’d done it. Given her unspoken consent. Now her heart was trying to pound its way out of her chest.
His hand came up to stroke her hair away from her face. She leaned into his touch, craving more. Craving this wonderful, incredible man that for some reason wanted her in spite of all her imperfections.
Her heart beat an erratic rhythm against her ribs. She’d never experienced anything like this before. Not with this level of intensity. This was…something she’d only read about before. Was it because of everything they’d gone through together? Because she’d relied on him for survival?
His fingers stroked against her scalp in a drugging caress that had her eyelids drooping. “What are you so afraid of?”
She looked up at him again. God, he was beautiful. And strong. And brave.
He was also going to rip her heart out when he left.
It wasn’t easy to voice her insecurities aloud, but she felt comfortable with him. Close to him in a way she’d never felt with another man. “Of making another mistake. Of getting my heart broken again,” she whispered.
He cupped the side of her face to run his thumb over her cheekbone. “I’ll not hurt you, lass.”
Her insides squeezed at the tenderness in his voice, the yearning in his eyes. No, he wouldn’t hurt her intentionally. “But you’re leaving soon. In another few weeks.” That was going to leave a scar, no matter how gently the cut was made.
“Aye,” he agreed, his gaze locked with hers. “But I’m here now.”
His words reverberated in the deepest recesses of her heart. He was right here in front of her, and he wanted her.
Any other arguments she had stored up vanished in the space of a single heartbeat. Before she could think herself out of it, she gave free rein to the need pulsing inside her, took his face in her hands and pulled him down to her waiting lips.

 

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Kaylea Cross writes edge-of-your-seat military romantic suspense. Her work has won many awards and has been nominated for both the Daphne du Maurier and the National Readers’ Choice Awards. A Registered Massage Therapist by trade, Kaylea is also an avid gardener, artist, Civil War buff, Special Ops aficionado, belly dance enthusiast and former nationally-carded softball pitcher. She lives in Vancouver, BC with her husband and family.

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