THE PALISADE (Lavender Shores #1) by ROSALIND ABEL

Standalone in Series – Sweet MM Romance

SYNOPSIS
Confident businessman Joel Rhodes sees the small California town of Lavender Shores as nothing more than a business opportunity and a final stepping stone to the position he’s been working toward his entire life. It was supposed to be just one night in town to close the deal, and sleeping with one of the local men, no matter how gorgeous, meant nothing more than a few hours of fun.

Andrew Kelly is perfectly content with the life he has in his hometown. So much so that the only thing missing is someone to share it with. Going to bed with a tourist was never meant to be the answer to his dreams, just a beautiful distraction. He could get back to looking for Mr. Right the next day.

Both Andrew’s and Joel’s worlds are turned upside down when a few hours of pleasure get extended to a couple of days. Even that shouldn’t have been a big deal. You can’t fall in love in that amount of time. That isn’t how it works. However, if destinies collide, a few short days may be all it takes to find your soul mate. Even so, when secrets and motivations get tangled, fate may do nothing more than leave two hearts in pieces.

PALISADE is available to purchase below

Reviewed by Jenny & Gitte

“Make sure, when your dreams finally start to come true, you notice. Don’t’ let it pass without noticing. Most people do.”

That’s it! We’re packing our bags and moving to the glorious town of Lavender Shores to spend time with the warm hearted, quirky, sweet witty and rich characters so lovingly created by Rosalind Abel, in The Palisades. Oh and get ready Regina, because we plan on gate crashing your Tuesday night Boozy Bookclub! That sounds like our kind of night!

The Palisade was the first book in the Lavender Shore Series by Rosalind Abel and if this is an indication of what to expect, we’re ready for more! More of the stunning surroundings, more of the sweetness and more of the very steamy sex! These guys both sweetened AND burned up the pages!

Rosalind Abel reached deep into our imaginations, so vividly creating a life in Lavender Shores that made us feel as though we were right there with Joel as he took in his first taste of Lavender Shores. Admiring the scenery, getting acquainted with the locals, basking in The Palisades setting….oh boy, this place sounds like heaven…we could visualise the lavender swaying in the breeze!

This really was the sweetest of sweet escape. Yes it was insta love, but it’s a love we felt. We believed the soulmate connection between Joel and Andrew, no question. We’re not big fans of insta love because it doesn’t always work; that connection, that intensity of feelings, we much prefer a slow build, but in this case, we absolutely felt it between Joel and Andrew. It was beautiful, magical, passionate and fraught with the anticipation of knowing it would be tested.

‘Even when I came, I refused to break the kiss, crying out into his mouth, and then crashing onto him as he pulled me close.’

Joel Rhodes, is the 35 year old successful businessman, visiting Lavender Shores with an agenda, and dealing with the hopeless task of trying to please his overbearing father. He’s confident, handsome, charismatic, and underneath the façade he’s quite vulnerable, hurt and conflicted.

‘He looked into my eyes, and I saw the forever. Past the heat and lust. I saw forever.’

Andrew Kelly has lived in Lavender Shores all his 33 years. The town is in his blood. He loves it dearly and would never leave. This man was so sensitive and so kind. We took him (and Joel) into our hearts immediately, also falling in love with Andrew’s quirky family. They were so entertaining, especially his Dad, who had us in fits and his relationship with his son saw our hearts bursting.

“I’ve been told something’s wrong with me my whole life because I love my town so much.”

At first the connection between Andrew and Joel is physical. A crackling chemistry igniting which saw them heating up the sheets in record time, but there was so much more between these two men. Joel and Andrew began to enjoy days of carefree bliss, hot and heavy sex and a connection that sees their feelings catapult into deep emotions causing them to realise they may have a future. However, Joel is hiding secrets that could spell the end of their heady feelings.

‘I wanted…a home. Someone to come home to, to build a life with, to fall asleep at night and wake up next to. Someone to make love with, fight with, cry with, sit and watch stupid television with. I wanted him.’

The Palisades was the perfect mix of fun, frivolity, emotion and drama. Nothing felt overdone, it was, in all regards, one of those pleasantly beautiful, smile inducing reads. The type you happily give yourselves over to, enjoying every moment spent with fictional friends you can’t wait to return to. ‘Til next time, save a wine for us Regina, because we’ll be seeing you again in Lavender Shores!

Rosalind Abel is a Pen Name for Brandon Witt
TBB RECOMMENDATION – BRANDON WITT’S THE SHATTERED DOOR
Click the picture below for our review

SYNOPSIS

After a tortured childhood and years of soul-searching, Brooke Morrison has finally settled into a comfortable life. While his sexuality prohibits him from practicing his degree in youth ministry in a church setting, he’s found a fulfilling job as a youth counselor at a residential treatment facility in Colorado. He falls in love, marries the man of his dreams, and makes peace with God. He’s happy.

Then his buried past drags him back to the Ozarks.

The life Brooke has worked so hard to build is crumbling in his hands in the face of painful memories and past abuse, and his confidence is withering. In El Dorado Springs, where his nightmares come to life, Brooke desperately seeks closure life doesn’t offer. Brooke must find value in himself, in his marriage, and in the world around him—and create the hope and perseverance to keep his past from swallowing him whole.

THE SHATTERED DOOR is available to purchase below
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