Review: Blaze of Winter

Blaze of Winter (Star Harbor #2)

by Elisabeth Barrett 

Blurb:

Winter heats up in this hot new Star Harbor romance, as another sexy Grayson brother, a wickedly handsome writer, plots his happily ever after with a sweet stranger.

Frustrated with her job in Boston, social worker Avery Newbridge welcomes the opportunity to reassess her life when family asks her to help manage the Star Harbor Inn. Trying to figure out her future is overwhelming enough, but she doesn't count on distraction in the form of one Theo Grayson, the gorgeous, green-eyed author who she knows is trouble from the moment he saunters into the inn.

 Not only does he have a talent for writing swashbuckling adventures, but Theo also has a soft spot for big-hearted damsels in distress, especially a woman who’s great at helping everyone—except herself. Avery’s demons challenge him, but for desire this hot, he isn't backing down. With every kiss and heated whisper Theo promises her his heart . . . if only Avery is willing to open up and accept it.

Review:

This was the first story I've ever read by Ms. Barrett and I can definitely say I will be looking forward to future releases by this author and am awaiting the next in this series with baited breath.   Blaze of Winter was the second book in the Star Harbor series about the Grayson brothers.   Set on the beautiful wintry Coast of Massachusetts, this story is rich in imagery detail and makes me really wish I lived somewhere I could play in the snow and snuggle up with my man and a mug of hot chocolate. 

Theo, aka T. R. Grayson, is a slightly disillusioned author, returning home from San Francisco hoping to find the edge he’s lost so he can write another best seller.   Living on his brother’s houseboat with two of his brothers isn't really helping his writing or mindset much.  At the suggestion of one of his family friends, Theo decides to move into the local inn instead and there he comes face-to-face with Avery Newbridge and suddenly things are looking up for Theo.  

Avery is in Star harbor helping her Aunt Kate manage her inn while Kate deals with chemo and regains her strength after a battle with cancer.   She’s perfectly happy hiding out in the small town, the only place she’s felt at home since her own mother passed away.  Working the inn, Avery is surprised when handsome Theo arrives looking for a room and throws her for a loop.  She is instantly and insanely attracted to him and that worries her more than it should.  After a tragedy with one of her clients leaves her doubting her choice of profession, she’s not willing to open herself up to the hurt of any new relationships, but especially not to a man.  She sets out to resist Theo’s advance with all she has, but Theo is proving to be such a damn nice guy that he task is just impossible.

Theo is determined to make Avery give him a chance and doggedly pursues her until she finally caves.  They begin a tenuous relationship, with Avery still fighting him her growing feelings for Theo.  But Theo is starting to realize his relationship with Avery is more than just a fling.  Being with her is making him feel alive again, his writing had vastly improved and he’s looking at his life with new eyes.  But strange things are beginning to happen in their small town.   During Theo’s nighttime research trips he’s seen mysterious lights in little known areas of the bay, meanwhile Avery and her Aunt have been hearing odd, ghostly noises late at night in the inn.

Experiencing the passion between Theo and Avery is nothing short of amazing.   Theo realizes quickly that he doesn't just feel lust for Avery anymore, his heart is fully involved and he loves her, screwed up personality and all.   Heat and Passion are definitely to be found throughout this entire story.  But there is also an innate sweetness to their desire that makes the reader really wish Theo could be cloned so we could all have one for ourselves. 

When the mystery is finally solved, I was left feeling a little out of the loop, since I hadn't read the first book in the series, but the author does a pretty good job of filling in the blanks enough that we aren't totally lost.   Ultimately, this story was worth every moment or pain and angst that the author puts you through to get Theo and Avery to come to terms with themselves and each other.   I am looking forward to the next Grayson brother falling in love and reading all about his fall.

Rating: 4 stars

Rose Rating: