STINGER (A Sign of Love Novel) by MIA SHERIDAN

Jenny:  Well Mia Sheridan certainly side swiped us with this one!  I have to say, Stinger took me somewhere completely unexpected!!! It was kind of like 3 books in one, it took me on a totally different path than I anticipated and I devoured every minute!!  We got so much packed into these pages and I was with Carson and Grace every step of the way.  This story packed a punch emotionally, passionately and evocatively. There were some parts that tore at my heart and others had me was swooning ‘til the cows come home.

“Never let go……”

Oh wow, every time I think of those words I will picture Carson Stinger…he of the gorgeous dimple and divine smile that would melt the knickers off a virgin! What about you G? Were you surprised at where this book took us at times?

Gitte: I have to say I was gobsmacked at how much was packed into Grace and Carson’s story, just when I thought it was going one way we’d suddenly fly into a completely different direction. I’d even go as far as to say I thought we got four books in one. This is very tricky territory but I thought Mia Sheridan dealt with it beautifully. Her superb writing took us on different stages of the characters journey. It certainly did pack a punch and Carson Stinger…for all that is lush, this guy is definitely new book boyfriend material!! Loved the passion, humour and emotional intensity as well as the self-development both characters possessed and strove to achieve.

“I’m tired of being safe all the time…” – Grace

Jenny:  In Stinger we meet Grace Hamilton who is in Vegas to attend a law conference. Grace is a play it by the book, a plan for everything and everything has a plan type girl who seems uptight and unmovable, a bit prudish and absolutely focused on her career, future husband…who she is yet to meet……and her 2.5 children, when they come along. Yep, she has it all sussed until she crosses paths with Carson Stinger.

‘I couldn’t look away from his body, his muscles flexing under his skin as he moved. He was exquisite.’ – Grace

Carson Stinger, Straight Male Performer (be still my beating heart….this man was drop dead gorgeous!), who is in Vegas attending an Adult Entertainment Expo.  To the uptight Grace, Carson appears to be quite shallow. Well after all, he’s a male porn star who trades off his looks and *cough cough* performance.

‘I guess I tried not to think about my fans too much because let’s be honest, they admired me for reasons that made me think it was better that I not shake their hands.’ – Carson

Okay, I’ll tell you now…..I’m completely gaga over this man. That smile! That dimple! That sex and sensuality that is Carson Stinger!

Everyone was given one gift or another– mine was a smile women creamed their panties over and a body to match.’ – Carson

Carson and Grace get to know more about each other after being trapped in a lift together. Some secrets are shared and they both start to scratch the surface and see beneath the exterior of one another. These revelations and ones that followed broke my heart. These two really were quite damaged by past experiences and, Carson especially and what we thought were two opposites at first glance, soon appear to have more in common than they would have expected.

One thing these two had in common immediately though was an unmistakable sexual attraction to one another and boy did these two burn up the pages.

“Lose control, baby. Just for a weekend. Let me take charge. I’ll take good care of you, I promise.” – Carson

Flpping heck, these two SIZZLED! The chemistry between them was in overload, don’t you think G?

Gitte: I actually loved the story of Grace and Carson. How it all began and unfolded. I loved the fact that there was a big gap of years where these characters grew and sorted their own lives out before possibly embarking on the resurrection of a relationship that was beaten and hindered by circumstance and perception. I became emotionally involved and kudos to Mia Sheridan for letting life happen and for staying away from the easy traps and formulas. Both characters shone as they went on their own individual paths of self-discoveries. There were some great messages in this story, some which everyone should take heed of as they question their paths. Truly loved it.

The attraction between Grace and Carson was so intense that I definitely felt every single emotion between them. They both had their own individual issues and emotional trauma which they had to work through, in order to enjoy life and change their paths to be all that they can be.

“Tell me why you’re so perfect Buttercup.” – Carson

“Why do you call me Buttercup?” – Grace

I have to say that this book was so far away from predictable as you can get on so many levels and that’s not only really refreshing but also surprising as it kind of worked for me. The ease with which it flowed was fab, so well written. My only concern was with how much was left to be resolved almost jam packed at the end. I felt it lost a tad of momentum in the middle, then suddenly it all took off again.

Overall though, I thoroughly enjoyed this story and I fell in love with both characters. Oh and as far as the chemistry and sexual tension went…..bloody hell!!! But these two amazing characters brought out the best in each other and showed strength and encouragement as well.

“I was going to experience everything I could and enjoy every minute of it. Life was wild. Carson was right. Or it could be, if you let it. I was going to let it….” – Grace

I have to say that I’ve loved every single book by this Author, this one is no exception. Her stories and characters are brilliant and everything you’d want….you get in spades! One-click Author no question!

Jenny:  Stinger the story was so much more and I could have never anticipated where this author took me. At one point the story took a very different turn and I was there, in the moment hanging by a thread.  It was sad and heartbreaking and to see Carson become so much more than the man he ever thought possible…well, he stole my heart.

‘Sometimes, you don’t even realise anything is wrong until someone comes along and changes you, and makes you want more.’ – Carson

I was barracking for these two all the way through and they would make their way back to one another and couldn’t give up on them. Not for a minute and I simply adored Grace.

‘It was like this girl had lived under a rock all her life and someone had finally lifted it to show her the sky.’ – Carson

I thought she was a beautiful heroine, with a kind heart and I connected to her immediately.  What these two brought out in one another, what they came to mean to one another just melted me. I adore Mia Sheridan’s writing and Stinger was no exception. It was beautiful, sad, moving, passionate, sexy, funny and emotional.  The dual POV’s flowed beautifully and never felt repetitive or bogged down.

“I remember every part of that weekend.” – Grace

I read it, I devoured it and I fell in love with this book. I loved Stinger the man and Stinger the story and would recommend it in a second!!

‘Maybe love was complicated, and yet the simplest thing in the whole world.’ – Carson

I’ll leave you now while I sneak off to Google the Backwards Cowgirl, The Garfield, The Flying Circus, The Butterfly, Table Lotus and Bended Knee…..Read the book…you’ll understand **wink, wink**….oh Carson…..