Love Of Her Lives

by Sharon Clare

Calum and Beth are soul mates who have lived many lives together until Beth decides to live a life on her own. Left behind in the Upper World, Calum sees a wrongful imprisonment in her future, so he bargains with Finn, an elven trickster to return to Earth, rescue Beth and reclaim her heart. Unfamiliar with the twenty-first century, he must determine who plots against her while playing Finn’s passion-provoking game.

Beth has no recollection of their lives together and didn’t ask this sexually-charged stranger to come to her aid. She is horrified to find her house ransacked and her life threatened. With a secret to keep, she takes the greatest risk of all—trusting Calum. Her life soon depends upon re-evaluating everything she thought normal. Their eternal bond will only be saved if Beth can rescue the man who spanned worlds to rescue her.

Genres: Romance, Paranormal, Paranormal Romance, Fantasy

100 pages, ebook

First published August 6, 2012

About the author

Those who don’t believe in magic will never find it. –Roald Dahl

I don’t remember the first time I said, “Let’s pretend ...” but life is definitely more fun when I start my day with those words.

I write romantic fiction with a little magic, a little suspense and a little humour. When you reach the end, I strive to leave you in a loving, happy place.
I’ve always lived in my head where making up stories was a guilty pleasure, but it wasn’t until I had my three children and went back to school for a degree in psychology and professional writing, that I understood writing a novel is a craft that can be learned. That’s when making up stories became a real life pleasure.

Life is full of difficult times, so it’s important to me to write stories where happiness ultimately triumphs. I help my characters overcome their demons, so they learn to love themselves before they open their hearts and receive the love everyone deserves.

I’ve always been fascinated by the idea there’s more to our world than we perceive. That’s why I created Finn, a mischievous, match-making elf from a world just a wee bit off Earth, who believes every time love is experienced, energy empowers our worlds. Good for Finn. Good for the us.

Find Finn playing games with humans and spreading the love in the match-maker series.

What readers are saying:

“There are two things I love most about Sharon Clare's writing and books: her strong ability to tell an imaginative and incredibly well-written tale and her love of the end-of-story twist.” –Terri, an Amazon reader

“Some authors possess a deft hand with adventure, others, mystery, and others, knee-buckling romance. Clare is a master of all three, weaving the elements together in an award-winning recipe guaranteed to make the mouth water.” –Sherry Isaac, award winning author

“Words that came to mind as I read it were sophisticated and polished. Ms. Clare's voice is lovely.” –Amy Dunn Caldwell

Reviews

[Terri Herman-Poncé · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to come right out and tell you I'm a pretty tough critic. It takes a lot to get me to sit up and pay attention to a book - and Love of Her Lives grabbed me from page one. Not only is Sharon Clare's writing experienced and clean and tantalizing, it's colorful, too. Not one page goes by without feeling drawn into the world she's created, and the reader comes out at the end of the book feeling satisfied and like they've just spent time with a very good friend. She knows her characters well and her passion for them shows on the page.

What sucked me in was the way Clare used past life theory as the backdrop for a modern romance. This story has it all - passion, love and suspense all rolled into one. Calum is the uber-hero, all strong muscle and soft heart and Beth is the perfect foil, and soul mate, for him. Of course, their journey isn't an easy one but it IS unique - and I won't tell you why because it'll spoil all the splendor for you. And then there's Finn -- a wonderful, playful and sometimes annoying (in a tongue in cheek kind of way) fifth wheel in Calum's and Beth's search for ever-lasting love. But Finn's never heartless. He's got something to prove as he prods Calum and pokes Clare toward their destiny.

If you love romance with a unique paranormal twist (and the ending DOES have a twist), this one's for you. You're missing out if you pass up Love of Her Lives.

[Cary Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love it when authors make me laugh, and Love of her Lives does not disappoint. The last author who made me laugh out loud was Janet Evanovich, and Sharon shares the same happy disregard for ‘normal.’ I also love being surprised by a story line, and again, I was not disappointed. From the opening chapter, Sharon Clare’s characters, Beth and Calum, are passionate, funny, realistic and full of tenderness toward one another. You can see their love, feel their love, and Sharon made me care about them. To be caught up in a story so quickly is rare, and a tribute to her masterful writing. Once the scene is set and her lead characters have been introduced, the humor kicks in big time. Within a very few pages my eyes and mouth were open wide, and I was asking myself –“She did what to her hero??? In a romance novel????” This has to be the most unique twist in all of romance writing! Never fear, Sharon carries the uniqueness, humor and wonderful love story right through to the end, with never a dull moment to be had. I wish I could read it again for the first time about once a week. How much brighter then, my days! Very clever. Very worth my while. Thank you, Sharon. Well done. This reviewer received an ARC from the author (with no monetary compensation) in return for an honest review.

[Jessica Aspen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love of Her Lives is a fun romance that ties in modern day dreamers with ancient Scots warriors. Add in a dose of fae trickery and you have a terrific romance. Sharon Clare has done a wonderful job with her ancient Scotsman, Callum. His accent and manner are wonderful combos of a man out of his time combined with a man who has been watching the modern world just enough to misunderstand how it works. Romantic and overbearing Callum is almost the perfect match for Clare’s heroine Beth, if he would only realize that his stubborn tendency to control her is the thing that has driven her away over the years.

His attempts to save her and to simultaneously win her love are set against the backdrop of the Canadian countryside. From Canada to Scotland Clare takes us on a wondrous journey, all masterminded by her fae trickster, Finn.

[Lynda Dickson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Calum is Bethia's spirit guide. Soulmates for a thousand years, the souls of Calum and Bethia are destined to live out their lives on earth in human form. They always find each other, but Bethia's risk-taking behavior constantly lands her in trouble, usually leading to her untimely demise.

In this lifetime, Calum retains his memory of their time together but Bethia (now Beth) does not. Calum is charged with breaking the cycle of Bethia's destructive behaviour . He must save her and make her fall in love with him, without exerting his will over her. The catch - once this happens, he will be taken away from her, until their next life together 67 years hence.

This book deftly combines the elements of romance, fantasy, adventure, thriller, and even comedy. Sharon Clare has created an elaborate fantasy world. She clearly demonstrates the difference in chronological times and worlds through the use of Calum's distinctive vocabulary and his unfamiliarity with modern technology, including motor cars, elevators, the mini-bar, telephones, and even zippers. On the run from drug dealers, the police, and a boyfriend she was about to break up with, Beth and Calum form an unlikely duo as they try to clear Beth's name and uncover the mystery of a buried treasure - with a little help from their elven friend, Finn.

As with all good romances, the hero and heroine fight a battle of wills and have a love-hate relationship. This is complicated by Beth's faint memories of their past lives, lives ruled by passion and lust, but not necessarily love. She is the love of his lives, but will the modern-day Beth reciprocate this time? Will Beth be able to resist Calum's warrior charm? Or will she succumb to their destiny once more? What will happen when reality catches up with them? And what will happen when the tables are suddenly turned? You'll just have to find out for yourself.

[Urve Tamberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

When beautiful and headstrong Bethia reconnects with handsome Calum after being separated for a century, their history of hundreds of years of love and lust collide in steamy passion and wild adventure in the twenty-first century.

Love of Her Lives delivers a sensuous romance, an action-filled plot that includes betrayal, kidnapping and murder, plus an unexpected twist at the end. Add to this a trickster elf named Finn who pulls the strings of the sexiest Scottish warrior since Mel Gibson played Braveheart. Calum is most definitely the sort of man that a woman could have a thousand years of sex with and still want more. This novel combines all these elements in a love story that transcends time.
Sharon Clare is a talented romance writer who can effortlessly make us believe in different worlds and times. She writes with elegance, and a conviction in the notion that passion can endure over centuries. Delicious sexy prose and imaginative details make Love of Her Lives a page turner.
 

[Carol Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I normally avoid paranormals, but when I won a copy of LOVE OF HER LIVES, I thought I'd at least read a few pages. By the time I had finished the prologue, Sharon Clare had me drawn into her story and perhaps even to a new genre. Her main characters, Calum and Beth, have a love that stands the test of time, even centuries, and never diminishes. That's not to say the two of them don't clash at times. Strong characters do that sometimes. The love scenes are lush and beautifully written. My heart thrummed right along with Beth's and there were occasions when I wished I could trade places with her for even a few minutes. Hey, it's a paranormal. Anything can happen, right? Ms.Clare wove in some heart-pounding suspense for those who like more than a fantastic love story. LOVE OF HER LIVES will not disappoint!

Note: I won a copy of this book. I received no money in exchange for my honest review.

[R.T. Wolfe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love of Her Lives is one of the most heart wrenching, encompassing and classy paranormal romance novels I’ve read in a long time. Clare writes with the passion of a first-time novelist and the expertise of a veteran author. I was pulled in and quite literally couldn’t stop reading. The characters are unique and their development throughout the story magnificent. The dabble of fantasy twined with the Scotland accent of the hero is mixed in with an addicting love that encompasses centuries. I need to go now and read it again…

A top-rate, must-read paranormal romance by a promising new author!

R.T. Wolfe
www.rtwolfe.com
Author of Black Creek Burning (Crimson Romance, September 2012)

[Gloria Richard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sharon Clare's debut novel snatched my interest from the first page through to the ending. Her world-building skills were faultless. I felt as if I was with the protagonist Bethia and hero Calum throughout their journey. This tale of a love that spanned centuries not only satisfied the writer's obligation to have their readers suspend reality, it created a sense that this type of love is real-life possible.

It hit all of the marks for pacing, lyrical voice, emotive scenes, building tension, and -- yes -- the heat and steam I love in a good romance. Readers of all romance genres will (IMHO) love the talent Clare displayed in her debut novel. Look for more good reads from this author.

[Deborah Cordes · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an imaginative story! From the gripping prologue to the beautifully romantic ending, Ms. Clare's novel never disappoints. I love her heroine and hero, Beth and Calum, not only because of their virtues and valor, but also because of their frailties and foibles. Her elf, Finn, is wonderful, not pat or dull, but truly a new and vibrant "soul" and a one-of-a-kind literary treasure. The twists and turns of plot will lead you on a merry chase, the attention to detail superb. I guarantee you will love this novel!

[Tasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is different from other books I have read before. Rich and tempting as any dessert, Clare’s prose carried me from heart-racing damsel-in-distress rescues to sizzling sex scenes to tender, bittersweet romance with a flick of her paranormally poised pen. Some authors possess a deft hand with adventure, others, mystery, and others, knee-buckling romance. Clare is a master of all three, weaving the elements together in an award-winning recipe guaranteed to make the mouth water.

[J.M. Filipowicz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Calum comes from the spirit world to save his soul mate Beth from wrongful imprisonment and to rekindle the passion of a thousand-year love. Clare's story is fun, imaginative and romantic. The paranormal element is believable and necessary without being overdone. And Calum, of course, is incredibly sexy.

[Lyra · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really fun and well written genre bending story. The author clearly loves these characters and a part of me hopes we haven't seen the last of them. Bethia and Colum share a thousand year love that doesn't always run smoothly, especially when the time space continuum interrupts them. Add in the trickster Finn and some dangerous characters and let the fun ensue.

[Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sharon Clare does a great job of building believable characters that we are invested in from the first chapter. This is really a love story for the ages; it will satisfy the traditional romance junkie as well as the paranormal fan. Clare has hit a home run her first time at bat! Well done.

[Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 1/2 star read!
Fascinated by the storyline of LOVE OF HER LIVES by Sharon Clare, I went into this expecting a wonderful story. I believe the story itself is wonderful, romantic and intriguing but reading this book was difficult. Calum is natural in his manner, speech, and concerns. The tricks that Finn plays on him made me laugh and endeared him to me but there were times when I had a hard time following exactly what was happening. I found Bethia annoying until the end when she finally came around to the truth and went in pursuit of Calum - that's as far as I will go with that because I don't want to be guilty of spoiling the story.

Overall, LOVE OF HER LIVES by Sharon Clare was a story idea that had such great potential but, in my opinion, failed because of poor wording, editing, and plotting. The action scenes would seem to just get going and then sputter out. The romance was good but I think it was drawn out too long to give me compassion for the pair. I was truly excited about reading this love story but was disappointed overall.

I wish I could more greatly recommend LOVE OF HER LIVES by Sharon Clare but since I always believe that there is a reader for every book, I believe that some readers might be enchanted by this story of a love that survives the ages and the belief that each of us has a soul mate to which we are inexplicably drawn life after life. This one, my dears, I leave up to you.

***eARC provided by author in exchange for an honest and unscripted review.

[M.J. Schiller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had heard very high praise from other authors about Sharon Clare's LOVE OF HER LIVES, so I really wanted to read it, but was afraid it couldn't live up to the hype. Oh, my! Did it ever live up to the hype! I LOVED this book! It really grabs your heartstrings because of the predicament the couple is in and your desire for them to be together. I mean, two people, whose love was strong enough to last through time, separated? That has to be rectified! I appreciate the unique premise, as well.

I loved the author's way with words, and I'll give you just a few examples. "She'd put Scotland and rain together and had been worried about showing up with no dazzle and too much drizzle." Such a cute line! And--"The breeze blew lightly across Calum's shoulders and skimmed his neck like tiny fish fins rousing him instantly to his feet." The reader knows exactly what that felt like with this description. Just one more, there are dozens I highlighted, "She looked into his eyes and found the kind of dependable blue she longed for after stormy skies." Isn't that beautiful? These are the lines that, as a writer, I read and say to myself, "Darn. I wish I'd wrote that!"

Besides the emotional pull, the physical interactions between the hero and heroine are described in such a way that they make you wish YOU had a Callum in your bed! Seriously hot, without it being too much about the physical aspects. And the ending was even better than the rest of the book! I will highly recommend this read and Sharon Clare has now become one of my favorite authors. I can't wait to read another from her!

[Elaine Cougler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love of Her Lives by Sharon Clare

From the first page of Love of Her Lives, Beth won me to her side with her independent spirit, beauty, and political involvement in her world. And the gorgeously ripped Calum who has loved her for a thousand years completes the man candy/reluctant lady experience. Oh, but the trickster, Finn, enjoys the amusement of manipulating Beth and Calum. He makes Calum impotent and sets him three challenges to be completed before he can regain his sexual prowess. As well, the pair must fight to clear Beth’s name in a murder/theft plot. Sensual images infuse the pages giving off their musky aromas as surely as any mood-setting candle, and drawing the reader into the heat of Calum’s slow but purposeful lovemaking as he struggles to make Beth remember him and their legendary love. This is a delightful tale which will reignite your belief in old-fashioned justice and eternal love.

[Brinda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sharon Clare has written a sexy romp with an old-fashioned Scotsman and one headstrong, stubborn woman. The sparks between these two, Calum and Beth, aren't new as they've been lovers in a previous life. Calem crosses the centuries with a little help from a mischievous fae. I loved the dialogue and chemistry between this couple. Beth's sharp tongue and wit keep it funny. I enjoyed her confused, inner dialogue. Clare gives us a great alpha hero with Calum. There are scenes when the romantic in me practically sighed.

Fans of Karen Marie Moning and Diana Gabaldon will love this paranormal by Sharon Clare. Clare's writing is lyrical and addictive. The characters of Calem and Beth are multi-dimensional and endearing. I'm looking forward to more from this author.

[Lola Karns · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutly loved this book. Sharon Clare deftly weaves a love story that transcends time and space as Bethia and Column renew their thousand year love in a contemporary setting. The story blends the fantastic with the realistic and a whole lot of sexy. The secondary character, Finn, provides a terrific sense of mischievous fun. I think Love of her Lives would appeal to fans of Outlander, light paranormal and those who enjoy humor along with their romance.

[Tara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this fantasy of passionate immortals passing through time over and over again, being both helped and hampered by a bored and powerful elf. You can't not pull for the hero and heroine, especially at the end when you understand their struggles so well yet have no idea if they'll be able to continue. Their hearts weren't the only ones racing.


I was provided an ARC by the author but that does not compel me to give anything other than an objective and unbiased opinion of the work.

[WiLoveBooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I immediately fell in love with the characters: the stubborn, independent woman and her fierce Highland protector. The story has a love that spans lifetimes, lots of steam, suspense, and a trickster elf who enjoys watching and interfering with humans, all told with a good dose of humor. Overall a fun and steamy read. Perfect for any lover of paranormal romance.

[Bob Bernas · Rating 5 out of 5]

i thoroughly enjoyed this book
it was a great whimsical love story with lots of action
it even had some steamy parts

[Leslie G. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A story worthy of five stars, with magical characters wrapped in a wickedly romantic plot. Loved it.

[Brenda Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good book

I don't read kind of books .but I'm glad I read this. Really good.I love happy endings.so happy for beth and the love of her life.if only there was a love like that.

[Anzhelika Marion-Camargo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this book a couple of years ago, and just re read it over the holidays! Loved it both times. I read Sharon's new book Trick Me Once and it made me want to read Love of Her Lives again. I was not disappointed.I honestly cannot remember when I had a desire to re read a romance book. Mostly I read a book then forget it, and never want to read it again. Love of Her lives had me gripped yet again. It is very unique and sensual. It has very interesting story line, and a surprise ending. I can totally see it made into a movie. I would go to watch it. I highly recommend this book!

[Patty · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting concept for a book-intertwining Fate folklore/magic, the idea of bonded souls and the ability to direct or affect destiny. I really enjoyed the playful banter in this novel. The characters and situations seem soooo relatable ( of course we can imagine being transported to a lovely isolated cabin in another reality...) I also appreciated the creative twists and use of fae magic as well as the dialogue with a Finn to give context to the story. In the end, all the pieces fit together which made me a happy, satisfied reader. I’m looking forward to another book by this author.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. I fell in love with the characters and wished it did not have to end so soon.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading this for book club Tuesday night :)