Naughty and Nice Book Blog: BLOG TOUR: BURN by BROOKE CUMBERLAND

Synopsis:

Just when Velaney thinks she is safe again…her worst nightmare comes back to haunt her.

Eric is dealing with his own insecurities as he tries to accept Velaney’s decision to help the enemy…can he get past it? Will they be there for each other in the end?

He struggles to step aside and trust Velaney...but will his past keep him from doing so? Can he let go in order to move forward?

Velaney and Eric had their fair share of ups and downs in SPARK…they love was undeniable and intense. Just when you think they could get their happily ever after…pasts collide and merge together…will they fight for what they want?

Or will their love crash and burn?

Brooke did a wonderful job with Burn. I was able to read this book while it was in the process of being written so I’ve had to reread some parts several times over, yet I never got tired of reading it. This story had me sitting at the edge of seat the entire time and let me tell you the twist and turns were completely unpredictable. I was not able to put this book down!

Velaney hasn’t had very much people to trust in her life. Aside from her best friend, Carissa, she has been pretty much alone. So when Eric first came waltzing into her life, she didn’t know how to react to him. He brought on feelings she has never felt before and didn’t know what to do with them. So what was she to do but push him away? However, when she finally realized she couldn’t live without him, she ran after him and got what she wanted.

Velaney and Eric have overcome a lot of obstacles to be together. In Spark, their relationship has been tested several times and they were able to find their way back to one another. In this book, there are many more obstacles that rest their relationship, putting it more at risk. Will they have enough faith to keep them together?

After reuniting with one another, Eric takes Velaney back with to his childhood home in Texas. Eric was always brought up with the loving family atmosphere. This brings some unknown feelings to Velaney since she has never experienced that kind of love from her family at all. Even though his family just met her, they welcome her with open arms. This is all a very overwhelming experience for her, but one she is happy to embrace. All the while she is with Eric at his family’s ranch, her nightmares are returning, and so is her paranoia of seeing her brother Aiden everywhere she turns. She feels as if he is watching her every move. It’s as if he is there stalking her. His control over her has reappeared and she doesn’t know how to shake the feeling.

When they both return home they try to return back to their normal lives. But being back home brings back old feelings for Eric. A secret from his past is haunting him every day. He feels the need to tell her, but it is so painful that it’s hard to relive over again. But since he doesn’t know how to tell her, he pushes her away instead. Velaney knows better than to walk away though, instead of letting him, she doesn’t push but rather wait until he is ready to talk. This small gesture makes him fall in love with her even more.

Velaney’s horrible mother bullies her into being the saving grace of their corrupt family. She makes Velaney feel that she needs to desperately save her brother and that she is the only one that could do that. As much Velaney hates her brother Aiden, her faith in God doesn’t allow her do that to him when she can be the one that could save him. This entire situation is one big f*ed up mess. It brings on a whole lot a problems for Velaney and Eric as well. Eric has already lost two people who he deeply cares about. He can’t even begin to imagine his life if he lost Velaney as well but Velaney won’t budge on her decision. She is determined to get this over with and be done with her family no matter the consequences.

Velaney blames herself for the situations that have occurred and instead of facing them, she runs from them to handle them herself. It’s the only way she know how to deal with them; alone. She needs to find herself again. She feels alone. She pushes everyone who truly cares about away from her. Carissa and Eric both love her and want what’s best for her. But how can you help someone who keeps pushing you away?

Will Velaney finally be able to seek help from those that love her? Or she continue to deal with her problems alone? How much can Eric take before he gives up on Velaney? Will Velaney continue to blame herself for putting herself in these situations? Will she ever break free from her family and not live in fear ever again? Can Velaney and Eric finally find happiness with each other?

There is a lot of push and pull between Eric and Velaney’s relationship, I mean a lot. I kind of had me wondering if they were ever going to be together or not. Velaney shows enormous strength in this book. It was great to see her grow and mature as well. The situations that she had to endure and live through, I do not wish upon anyone. But she able to push through every single one of them and continue with life with the help of Carissa and Eric. It was also amazing to see them grow as a couple. They both have never been in relationships before so they are experiencing this together. Without a doubt you see the connection that they share. But, boy, in the bedroom the physical connection is HOT I tell you! Eric had his own fair share of problems but I loved how he always put Velaney before himself. He always wanted to protect her and keep her safe. Carissa is the best friend every girl should have. She is simply amazing and is always there when you need her. Absolutely loved this book and can’t wait for more books by Brooke!

This review was done by Jennelyn.

I received an ARC of this book for my honest review.

Excerpt:

Eric

I can’t breathe. She’s been in surgery for too long. Something’s wrong. Why is she still in there? Why hasn’t anyone come out to update us?

I’m drowning in awful thoughts until Carissa starts shaking me.

“Dude, chill. She’s fine.”

“How do you know? I mean, you can’t be so sure.”

“I’m sure. It’s Velaney. She’s a fucking spitfire. She’s made it through much worse, trust me.”

So not the words I want to hear right now. I pace back and forth in the waiting area, driving myself out of my mind.

My mind goes back to when I saw Velaney in New Mexico—heart stopping. I for sure thought I was imagining things. My heart was shattered when she left me. I was empty. Numb. I agreed to come out to New Mexico because I secretly wished I wouldn’t come back. I wanted to die. I already felt dead without her.

I’m drowning in my sorrows when a hard slap across the face grabs my attention.

“What the hell was that?” I ask Carissa, holding my hand to my burning cheek.

“Snap out of it! She needs us during this time. This wasn’t easy for her. Hell, I still don’t understand her thought process, but it was her decision, and we are going to support her. Stop moping. Stop being a bitch.” Her voice is stern, and I can tell she’s completely serious.

“You didn’t have to slap me.”

“I know.” She grins. I rub my cheek until the burn fades, and I sit down. My hands are sweaty and my mouth is dry. God, I don’t know if I can do this…

“Listen,” Carissa begins, sitting next to me. “Velaney has taken care of herself for half her life. She’s tough. I know she may look fragile and weak, but she has really been through a lot.” She places her hand on my knee and I realize I’m shaking uncontrollably. “She’ll be all right. You just have to trust her. Ironically, she has great instincts.”

I smile back at her and say, “Thanks, Carissa.”

She shrugs nonchalantly. “Velaney is like a sister to me and if she insists on keeping you around, well, we might as well be on the same team.” She smiles back. “But don’t think for a second I won’t kick your pathetic little ass if you hurt her.”

“I don’t doubt that.” I lean in and give her a hug. It feels weird getting close to Carissa. She has higher walls up than Velaney does, somehow though, right now, she doesn’t seem as guarded.

Author Bio:

Brooke is a midwestern gal, from the cheese state of Wisconsin! Go Packers! She's a stay-at-home mom of three beautiful children (one daughter & two stepsons) and a black fury dog. She's studied psychology in college, and counseling and education in graduate school where she found her love for writing. Most days you can find her reading or writing, or just hanging out with her family! She loves movies, cooking, and shopping! She's addicted to Starbucks, Coach purses, and wearing yoga pants.

Social Links:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/brookecumberlandauthor

Twitter: @blcumberland

Goodreads Author: www.goodreads.com/brookecumberland

Goodreads Book Link: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18192580-burn

Website: www.brookecumberland.blogspot.com

Other:

http://www.amazon.com/Brooke-Cumberland/e/B00BUDCEFA/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1

Buy Links:

Kitchen Affairs Series:

Kitchen Affairs - http://amzn.to/13L9xew

Kitchen Scandals - http://amzn.to/16eKEZx