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Steele Investigations #2
Emerald
Librarian's note: This is is an alternate cover edition for ASIN: B00CQFKSPY.
Jemma Calloway has a deep, dark secret. Growing up, her father was a monster who violated her in the worst possible ways. Her mother was a monster of a different variety – the kind that knows wrongs are being done but they do nothing to stop it. Jemma’s childhood was full of heartache and hurt at the hands of the two people who she should have been able to rely on to keep her safe and protected.
She made no friends because she was frightened of what her father might do to them. It all came to a head one day when Jemma was sixteen. If she thought things in her family home couldn’t get worse, she was wrong.
For Travis Steele, Jemma has been under his skin since the first time he seen her behind the counter at the boutique his sister owns with her best friend.
Long, black curly hair, beautiful body and her smile, when she shows it, could be described as nothing but glamorous. Travis knows Jemma is hiding something. A private pain he could never begin to imagine. Still, he makes it his mission to clear the darkness from her beautiful eyes so they only shine light.
After being hurt her whole life, after never being able to trust no one but herself, will Jemma lower her walls enough for Travis to get inside? Will Travis be able to pull her out from under her father’s control?
Jemma needs a safe haven and according to Travis, he’s it, but will he be able to convince Jemma?
Due to the nature of this book, it is recommended the reader be over 18 years of age.
Jemma Calloway has a deep, dark secret. Growing up, her father was a monster who violated her in the worst possible ways. Her mother was a monster of a different variety – the kind that knows wrongs are being done but they do nothing to stop it. Jemma’s childhood was full of heartache and hurt at the hands of the two people who she should have been able to rely on to keep her safe and protected.
She made no friends because she was frightened of what her father might do to them. It all came to a head one day when Jemma was sixteen. If she thought things in her family home couldn’t get worse, she was wrong.
For Travis Steele, Jemma has been under his skin since the first time he seen her behind the counter at the boutique his sister owns with her best friend.
Long, black curly hair, beautiful body and her smile, when she shows it, could be described as nothing but glamorous. Travis knows Jemma is hiding something. A private pain he could never begin to imagine. Still, he makes it his mission to clear the darkness from her beautiful eyes so they only shine light.
After being hurt her whole life, after never being able to trust no one but herself, will Jemma lower her walls enough for Travis to get inside? Will Travis be able to pull her out from under her father’s control?
Jemma needs a safe haven and according to Travis, he’s it, but will he be able to convince Jemma?
Due to the nature of this book, it is recommended the reader be over 18 years of age.
196 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 10, 2013
10 people are currently reading
495 people want to read
About the author
Kasey Millstead
47 books1,165 followersKasey Millstead is a wife and mother of four children. She lives in a picturesque location in country New South Wales, Australia.
Kasey is the author of the #1 bestselling Down Under Cowboy series. She is also the author of The Steele Investigations series, Fighting to Stay and Illicit Desire.
When she is not busy writing, racing around after her children and husband or trying to avoid doing housework, she enjoys nothing more than curling up with a good book and getting lost in the world of Happy Ever After.
You can contact Kasey on Facebook (www.facebook.com/authorkaseymillstead), on Twitter (@KaseyMillstead), via her website )www.kaseymillstead.com), or by email (kaseymillstead@gmail.com)
Kasey is the author of the #1 bestselling Down Under Cowboy series. She is also the author of The Steele Investigations series, Fighting to Stay and Illicit Desire.
When she is not busy writing, racing around after her children and husband or trying to avoid doing housework, she enjoys nothing more than curling up with a good book and getting lost in the world of Happy Ever After.
You can contact Kasey on Facebook (www.facebook.com/authorkaseymillstead), on Twitter (@KaseyMillstead), via her website )www.kaseymillstead.com), or by email (kaseymillstead@gmail.com)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
August 26, 2016
1.5 stars Only slightly less bad as the first one...
This one gets an extra half star because the baddie story was a little more thought out. Again, this was another bad rip off of KA's Rock Chick series.
Characters...Travis, age unknown, but over 25, 6´3, brown hair emerald green eyes, and dimples. Owns half of Steele Investigations with Elliot his brother (see my review of book one here...https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...) Travis is basically a composite of Hank, Luke, Knight and a little Eddie. He's not as arrogant, or annoying, or a man slut like his brother.
Jemma, age 22, 5´6, black hair with ringlets, blue/violet eyes. Has an inner voice, "selfish Jemma/rational Jemma". Works at Rae and Kami's store. Was sexually abused and had her virginity sold by her father. Jemma is basically a composite of Juls, Jett, Ava, and Sadie. Not as annoying as Rae from the first book. Her best friend is Tom, who is gay, and sounds an AWFUL LOT like Tod from the Rock Chick books...just saying.
So, the plot of this one was a bit better thought out. Hence it got half a star more. The guys come into the store and Travis asks Jemma when they are going to stop playing this game and asks her out. Since this is in the first couple pages, we are again at a loss because there is literally NO buildup to suggest they had an attraction all along, but OK. Jemma has been sexual abused by her father and doesn't date etc. She turns him down and he doesn't take NO for an answer. Situations from several Rock Chick books ensue.
At this point I'd just like to point out that if you are an author that is British, and want me to believe that your characters are American, and live in Denver ('cause Rock Chicks) you might want to avoid words like CUPPA, LOO, and KNICKERS. and SCOTCH FILLET (Apparently a rib eye to us non British peeps)
Ok, so back to the book. Apparently Jemma sends money to her father every month, so he doesn't sell her body. She is late a couple times, so after her first date with Travis he comes and punches her around. She of course tries to hide this from Travis (who BTW took her to his mother's house for brunch on the second date..cough Eddie cough) but of course he finds out and she tells him most everything. He sets Carl to digging up dirt on the guy, and away we go. Carl gets back to him and it comes out that he is the head of a pedophile ring. Travis convinces Jemma to go to the police and they basically capture the guy when he is coming after Jemma. It's wrapped up fairly quickly.
Quick side note, for some reason half way through the book Travis starts calling Jemma "mamma" Not sure why Travis the white boy started talking like a dude with a different ethnicity, but there ya go. Oh and he likes Lady Antebellum, and takes Jemma to a concert because he knows one of the guys. I think he lost his badass macho man status after that...
That's basically the book in a nutshell, but just for fun I made a little list of notes on this book and the Rock Chick books...enjoy!
*Travis has a red GMC pickup like Eddie.
*Kami, Tom and Rae all rush over with clothes, makeup etc, to get her ready for her first date!
*She kisses Travis and it causes a "Travis Trance" Umm HELLO sounds familiar (cough Luke/Ava cough)
*Travis touches his nose to Jemma's (again Luke)
*Jemma likes her chunky silver jewelry (hello Ava)
* Travis tells Jemma she is "cute, sassy, sexy" and to "stop being cute, sassy, sexy when he is being serious". (pretty much every KA book ever written includes those words)
*Travis also drives a camaro (cough Hawk cough)
*Travis is call a badass macho man (again every book KA has ever written)
So there ya go. There seems to be only two books in the series, so I guess my fun is over. How shall I amuse myself now...
This one gets an extra half star because the baddie story was a little more thought out. Again, this was another bad rip off of KA's Rock Chick series.
Characters...Travis, age unknown, but over 25, 6´3, brown hair emerald green eyes, and dimples. Owns half of Steele Investigations with Elliot his brother (see my review of book one here...https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...) Travis is basically a composite of Hank, Luke, Knight and a little Eddie. He's not as arrogant, or annoying, or a man slut like his brother.
Jemma, age 22, 5´6, black hair with ringlets, blue/violet eyes. Has an inner voice, "selfish Jemma/rational Jemma". Works at Rae and Kami's store. Was sexually abused and had her virginity sold by her father. Jemma is basically a composite of Juls, Jett, Ava, and Sadie. Not as annoying as Rae from the first book. Her best friend is Tom, who is gay, and sounds an AWFUL LOT like Tod from the Rock Chick books...just saying.
So, the plot of this one was a bit better thought out. Hence it got half a star more. The guys come into the store and Travis asks Jemma when they are going to stop playing this game and asks her out. Since this is in the first couple pages, we are again at a loss because there is literally NO buildup to suggest they had an attraction all along, but OK. Jemma has been sexual abused by her father and doesn't date etc. She turns him down and he doesn't take NO for an answer. Situations from several Rock Chick books ensue.
At this point I'd just like to point out that if you are an author that is British, and want me to believe that your characters are American, and live in Denver ('cause Rock Chicks) you might want to avoid words like CUPPA, LOO, and KNICKERS. and SCOTCH FILLET (Apparently a rib eye to us non British peeps)
Ok, so back to the book. Apparently Jemma sends money to her father every month, so he doesn't sell her body. She is late a couple times, so after her first date with Travis he comes and punches her around. She of course tries to hide this from Travis (who BTW took her to his mother's house for brunch on the second date..cough Eddie cough) but of course he finds out and she tells him most everything. He sets Carl to digging up dirt on the guy, and away we go. Carl gets back to him and it comes out that he is the head of a pedophile ring. Travis convinces Jemma to go to the police and they basically capture the guy when he is coming after Jemma. It's wrapped up fairly quickly.
Quick side note, for some reason half way through the book Travis starts calling Jemma "mamma" Not sure why Travis the white boy started talking like a dude with a different ethnicity, but there ya go. Oh and he likes Lady Antebellum, and takes Jemma to a concert because he knows one of the guys. I think he lost his badass macho man status after that...
That's basically the book in a nutshell, but just for fun I made a little list of notes on this book and the Rock Chick books...enjoy!
*Travis has a red GMC pickup like Eddie.
*Kami, Tom and Rae all rush over with clothes, makeup etc, to get her ready for her first date!
*She kisses Travis and it causes a "Travis Trance" Umm HELLO sounds familiar (cough Luke/Ava cough)
*Travis touches his nose to Jemma's (again Luke)
*Jemma likes her chunky silver jewelry (hello Ava)
* Travis tells Jemma she is "cute, sassy, sexy" and to "stop being cute, sassy, sexy when he is being serious". (pretty much every KA book ever written includes those words)
*Travis also drives a camaro (cough Hawk cough)
*Travis is call a badass macho man (again every book KA has ever written)
So there ya go. There seems to be only two books in the series, so I guess my fun is over. How shall I amuse myself now...
January 4, 2016
I'm wavering between a one star and two star rating so I'll stick with a 1.5 RATING to make things easy.
I hate to rip any book, I really do. Unfortunately, this book deserves it. While I've read and enjoyed several books that have been, in varying degrees, obviously inspired by Kristen Ashley's writing, this book was just a blatant rip off of KA's Rock Chick series. The author should be embarrassed. Not only was the story totally unoriginal and obviously copied but the editing was terrible. Missing punctuation, misspelled words, misused words... I'm disappointed to see an established author think it's okay to release this book. I'm my opinion if you have to "borrow" so many things from another writer, you don't really have the chops to call yourself an author.
Warning: Possible Triggers in this book (please check reviews carefully before reading if this may be an issue)
I hate to rip any book, I really do. Unfortunately, this book deserves it. While I've read and enjoyed several books that have been, in varying degrees, obviously inspired by Kristen Ashley's writing, this book was just a blatant rip off of KA's Rock Chick series. The author should be embarrassed. Not only was the story totally unoriginal and obviously copied but the editing was terrible. Missing punctuation, misspelled words, misused words... I'm disappointed to see an established author think it's okay to release this book. I'm my opinion if you have to "borrow" so many things from another writer, you don't really have the chops to call yourself an author.
Warning: Possible Triggers in this book (please check reviews carefully before reading if this may be an issue)
November 20, 2014
Reading this, a couple of things are apparent:
1. The author attended the Kristen Ashley School of Writing (the channeling of Kristen Ashley is intense). This isn't necessarily a bad thing, 'cause KA rocks.
2. Although the story takes place in Denver and all the characters are American (the heroine is originally a Texan), the author has to be British because words like knickers, loo, Oi and cuppa are used. Just checked it out and the author is actually Australian, but like I guessed, not American.
At least it's not like the Fifty Shades series where the answer to every situation was making tea (in Seattle, the coffee capital of the United States). I would actually be interested in visiting the tea section of a UK grocery store. It must be a lot larger than the ones in our US stores. I wonder if they actually have tea-specializing stores there, maybe they're as abundant as liquor stores.
Now, it's been emphasized that the hero is a "macho man," but I find it funny that he has "I Would Do Anything For Love" by Meatloaf and "From This Moment On" by Shania Twain on his iPod. Do you think he has any Sarah McLachlan and Celine Dion on there? Just sayin'.
Okay, I like this book and this author. With some editing it would be even better. But I find with self-published work that lack of editing doesn't bother me if the story is good. Which it was in this book. I may even go back and read the first book in the series.
The author made the effort to have an actual plot outside of the romance, so this was like a mini, more youthful (less depressing!) version of a Kristen Ashley book. And I live in a Denver suburb, so a book taking place in Denver is always a plus for me.
However, I don't think Denver cops can arrest and charge someone for crimes committed in Texas. In addition to jurisdiction issues, there is also statute of limitation problems. Definitely the FBI would be called in to take over when the crimes are spread over 3 states.
I can almost guarantee I'll be reading more of this author in the future.
1. The author attended the Kristen Ashley School of Writing (the channeling of Kristen Ashley is intense). This isn't necessarily a bad thing, 'cause KA rocks.
2. Although the story takes place in Denver and all the characters are American (the heroine is originally a Texan), the author has to be British because words like knickers, loo, Oi and cuppa are used. Just checked it out and the author is actually Australian, but like I guessed, not American.
At least it's not like the Fifty Shades series where the answer to every situation was making tea (in Seattle, the coffee capital of the United States). I would actually be interested in visiting the tea section of a UK grocery store. It must be a lot larger than the ones in our US stores. I wonder if they actually have tea-specializing stores there, maybe they're as abundant as liquor stores.
Now, it's been emphasized that the hero is a "macho man," but I find it funny that he has "I Would Do Anything For Love" by Meatloaf and "From This Moment On" by Shania Twain on his iPod. Do you think he has any Sarah McLachlan and Celine Dion on there? Just sayin'.
Okay, I like this book and this author. With some editing it would be even better. But I find with self-published work that lack of editing doesn't bother me if the story is good. Which it was in this book. I may even go back and read the first book in the series.
The author made the effort to have an actual plot outside of the romance, so this was like a mini, more youthful (less depressing!) version of a Kristen Ashley book. And I live in a Denver suburb, so a book taking place in Denver is always a plus for me.
However, I don't think Denver cops can arrest and charge someone for crimes committed in Texas. In addition to jurisdiction issues, there is also statute of limitation problems. Definitely the FBI would be called in to take over when the crimes are spread over 3 states.
I can almost guarantee I'll be reading more of this author in the future.
June 4, 2013
(WARNING: This novel is SUPER graphic in regards to sexual abuse to children and women).
Here we go....one of my favorite types or reads (excluding excerpt from above):
strong alpha who grunts responses: CHECK
damaged heroine who isn't annoying: CHECK
man that knows what he wants and doesn't waiver: CHECK
fun friends that add greatness to the story: CHECK
HOTTT SEX: (in high opera like singsong)CHECK MATEYYYY!
Whew this story had it all. If you love Kristen Ashley you will enjoy this read. The author writes ALOT like Kristen Ashley....you can tell she probably is as in love with her as we all are. Great read, totally recommend. Why not 5 stars you ask? Maybe it was too much like Kristen Ashley...I wanted it to get a little more dangerous, like my KA does..have a little more UMPHHH to it. I mean, I can't reiterate enough how much like KA this author writing style is, from the darlings, honeys, mamas and grunts....love it. Although our sweet heroine has been through enough so maybe that's why the author let her off the hook early enough and without too much more shit to go through. Can't be too upset about that.
I just love a good damsel in distress story.
Here we go....one of my favorite types or reads (excluding excerpt from above):
strong alpha who grunts responses: CHECK
damaged heroine who isn't annoying: CHECK
man that knows what he wants and doesn't waiver: CHECK
fun friends that add greatness to the story: CHECK
HOTTT SEX: (in high opera like singsong)CHECK MATEYYYY!
Whew this story had it all. If you love Kristen Ashley you will enjoy this read. The author writes ALOT like Kristen Ashley....you can tell she probably is as in love with her as we all are. Great read, totally recommend. Why not 5 stars you ask? Maybe it was too much like Kristen Ashley...I wanted it to get a little more dangerous, like my KA does..have a little more UMPHHH to it. I mean, I can't reiterate enough how much like KA this author writing style is, from the darlings, honeys, mamas and grunts....love it. Although our sweet heroine has been through enough so maybe that's why the author let her off the hook early enough and without too much more shit to go through. Can't be too upset about that.
I just love a good damsel in distress story.
May 16, 2013
It Just WOW, i like it :)
Travis so wonderful, hot guy with gentle nature, he is the one Jemma need for long long happy life after been through all most her childhood life.
aaaaarrrrkkkkhhh i just want to kick and kill her bastard father!
Travis so wonderful, hot guy with gentle nature, he is the one Jemma need for long long happy life after been through all most her childhood life.
aaaaarrrrkkkkhhh i just want to kick and kill her bastard father!
November 10, 2013
I enjoyed this book but I really wanted to like it more. It's a heart wrenching story of Jemma who's suffered at the hands of her parents, her father through abuse and her mother through neglect, even when she runs away she never fully escapes, she's never had a friend or been on a date or even had a drink. Things change with a job she loves, her first friends and first boyfriend Travis. I loved all the characters, I'm not including her parents in this obviously, what I didn't like was all the different Jemma's, rational Jemma, selfish Jemma, actual Jemma I also thought it should have been longer it went from first date to wow in no time at all which I know happens but I felt in his case especially it should have had maybe more about how he'd liked her for along while etc I know this is hinted at but it moved too quickly I think for him without this. Also him calling her mama it made me cringe every time I don't really know why and I'm assuming it's just me but It didn't sit right.
I did enjoy it and I cried and cried in places I think 3 1/2 stars would be fair rating but its well worth a read and the things that annoyed me might not bother you.
I did enjoy it and I cried and cried in places I think 3 1/2 stars would be fair rating but its well worth a read and the things that annoyed me might not bother you.
May 17, 2013
I just finished Emerald. This story was amazing! I don't know why no one is mentioning in their reviews the insanely horrific things that happened. I don't think this is your typical love story given those issues. I loved the characters - especially Travis. As far as saying that Kasey writes like Kristen Ashley - I couldn't think of a better compliment! No the book was not perfect - but the story was amazing and it made me feel so many different emotions as I read it. I look forward to reading more from Kasey!
August 9, 2013
I wanted to like this.... But really couldn't. It felt like she read Kristen Ashley and said "I want to be her!" She claims the book takes place in Denver CO, but uses british terms like snogging and bugger. I felt like too much time was spent on info that doesn't matter like details of washing faces and what she had for lunch than actual building of plot or relationships. I got to the end and felt like I mixed any climax of the book that wasn't sexual in nature. This book was better than the first, but I still walked away feeling let down.
January 21, 2020
Emerald
In Emerald a young woman finds first a friend and a new job and then a circle of friends plus a strong special sexy and sensitive guy. Abuse to young children is a difficult topic to include in a romance; author Kasey Millstead did an excellent job showing how the victims find it difficult to come forward and how these criminals impact the lives of their victims. I loved the romance too.
In Emerald a young woman finds first a friend and a new job and then a circle of friends plus a strong special sexy and sensitive guy. Abuse to young children is a difficult topic to include in a romance; author Kasey Millstead did an excellent job showing how the victims find it difficult to come forward and how these criminals impact the lives of their victims. I loved the romance too.
July 20, 2017
All of Me (Steele Investigations #2) 2017 re-write
May 31, 2013
Review of Emerald by Kasey Millstead
Book provided by author for honest review.
No spoiler review!
This is book two of the Steele Investigations series, I really enjoyed the storyline for Sapphire (book one). Kasey did a really good job creating characters that were easy to love… in Emerald she did not disappoint with the quality, personality, and strength she puts into her characters. The relationships between all of the characters are easy to follow and for the most part quite realistic. It’s refreshing to read a book that has the kind of people you would want to be friends with filling the pages. Kudos to Kasey for pulling this off in both books!
This book is full of emotional turmoil and deals with some pretty hard hitting issues that could be hard for some survivors to read. One thing I love about the way Kasey wrote the details of how Jemma deals with survival is that it is real. She doesn’t pull the punches, she doesn’t candy coat it so it’s easier to deal with, no, she leaves it raw and painful. You feel everything Jemma feels. I rarely find a character that I can connect with in a book… but this one I think a lot of people will understand and root for her to find her HEA.
Obviously, there is some serious man candy in this book… another Steele brother; Travis. He is rough around the edges, blunt, and has a drool worthy body. These Steele boys could use their own shelf for their BBFness. ;)
I was super happy to see my favorite characters from book one make appearances throughout book two.. I LOVE when an author is able to write in a way that the main characters in book one seamlessly slip into the supporting roles for the next books in the series. They don’t feel any less important than they did in book one, but it’s clear the focus is on the new characters. Perfection. I would give this book a solid 4 stars!
I would have given this book 4.5 stars, but having the story based in the States with a lot of references to things being incorrect swayed my rating a smidge. The story is strong, but it really needed to have the correct terms for things based on where the characters are from… had they been characters who MOVED to the States from abroad it would have been forgivable.. But not the case with this one. For example “shelf” instead of cabinet or counter. I know it’s nit-picky, but it takes away from the All-American feel of the characters and that takes away from the story to a degree.
Review by Mommy’s a Book (W)hore.
Book provided by author for honest review.
No spoiler review!
This is book two of the Steele Investigations series, I really enjoyed the storyline for Sapphire (book one). Kasey did a really good job creating characters that were easy to love… in Emerald she did not disappoint with the quality, personality, and strength she puts into her characters. The relationships between all of the characters are easy to follow and for the most part quite realistic. It’s refreshing to read a book that has the kind of people you would want to be friends with filling the pages. Kudos to Kasey for pulling this off in both books!
This book is full of emotional turmoil and deals with some pretty hard hitting issues that could be hard for some survivors to read. One thing I love about the way Kasey wrote the details of how Jemma deals with survival is that it is real. She doesn’t pull the punches, she doesn’t candy coat it so it’s easier to deal with, no, she leaves it raw and painful. You feel everything Jemma feels. I rarely find a character that I can connect with in a book… but this one I think a lot of people will understand and root for her to find her HEA.
Obviously, there is some serious man candy in this book… another Steele brother; Travis. He is rough around the edges, blunt, and has a drool worthy body. These Steele boys could use their own shelf for their BBFness. ;)
I was super happy to see my favorite characters from book one make appearances throughout book two.. I LOVE when an author is able to write in a way that the main characters in book one seamlessly slip into the supporting roles for the next books in the series. They don’t feel any less important than they did in book one, but it’s clear the focus is on the new characters. Perfection. I would give this book a solid 4 stars!
I would have given this book 4.5 stars, but having the story based in the States with a lot of references to things being incorrect swayed my rating a smidge. The story is strong, but it really needed to have the correct terms for things based on where the characters are from… had they been characters who MOVED to the States from abroad it would have been forgivable.. But not the case with this one. For example “shelf” instead of cabinet or counter. I know it’s nit-picky, but it takes away from the All-American feel of the characters and that takes away from the story to a degree.
Review by Mommy’s a Book (W)hore.
June 10, 2013
3 1/2 stars. I would have given this book a higher rating, but there were just too many typos. Literally every page had a typo and I found myself rereading passages because they didn't make sense. I also felt that other than Jemma, all of the other characters, including Travis were two dimensional. Although I didn't learn a lot about Travis, there was just something about him that made me like him. It could have been the fact that he immediately claimed Jemma as "his woman". He was so possessive of her and I'm a sucker for a possessive male lead. One thing I will say this book had over a lot of other books I've read is the fact that the male lead spoke like a guy. A lot of heroes whisper all kinds of sweet lines and I shake my head thinking, "yeah right, what man would say that?" Travis was simple and to the point and he was definitely all male. Jemma was a sorry soul. Her father had her mind so twisted, she couldn't live her life in peace, except when she was with Travis. He was the only thing that kept her grounded. At times, some of the monologue was repetitive, and again, a proof reader could have prevented this. I also felt this book was a combination of Fifty Shades with the angel/devil split personalities the heroine possessed and another book, Fighting for Flight with the sociopathic father who was willing to do ungodly things to his own child for financial gain. I wanted some kind of conflict between these two, but it was smoothe sailing throughout the whole book. There was no angst. They met, fell in love and stayed in love. The only conflict was with Jemma's father, but it literally started and concluded in one page. That storyline could have brought so much more to the book. All that being said, I really enjoyed the book. It may not have been perfect, but it kept me turning pages, and for me, that's what matters most.
July 18, 2013
This is a book of loneliness, physical & sexual abuse of a very, very young child until she is a women of 22yrs old. That is where this book starts. It starts with at 22yr old Jemma who goes to work and then goes straight home. When she gets this job she meets her first friend Tom who is a gay man. Threw her job she also becomes friends with her boss's Rea & Kammi.
This book tells the story of a woman who longs for a normal life. She longs for friends and love. But she pushes herself to keep a certain distance to keep her friends safe. Jemma's fear has kept her isolated. Isolated until Travis who Jemma secretly feels drawn to forces he way into her life and for the first time gives her hope. I especially loved the fact that with Jemma we not only got the real life Jemma but we also got her conscience and her bad girl who she refers to as Selfish Jemma who is the ultimate good time girl who is always trying to coax Jemma into having some fun. and we also get Rational Jemma who is always fighting with Selfish Jemma and trying to be the voice of reason. Sometime I just had to laugh out loud at Selfish & Rational Jemma. Though I will say Selfish Jemma was way more funny.
Travis is the ULTIMATE ALPHA!!. He is hotter than hell. Jemma's words on what she thinks of Travis "super-hot-badass-macho- man-extraordinaire" LOL. Yup, I totally agree. Jemma's thoughts on herself "private-reserved-closet-so-full-of-skeletons-it's-about-to-bust". I also agree with that. lol.
This book had me from page one. And it kept me their the whole time. It was good. At the end it had me wiping tears as they fell from my eyes. Totally loved it.
This book tells the story of a woman who longs for a normal life. She longs for friends and love. But she pushes herself to keep a certain distance to keep her friends safe. Jemma's fear has kept her isolated. Isolated until Travis who Jemma secretly feels drawn to forces he way into her life and for the first time gives her hope. I especially loved the fact that with Jemma we not only got the real life Jemma but we also got her conscience and her bad girl who she refers to as Selfish Jemma who is the ultimate good time girl who is always trying to coax Jemma into having some fun. and we also get Rational Jemma who is always fighting with Selfish Jemma and trying to be the voice of reason. Sometime I just had to laugh out loud at Selfish & Rational Jemma. Though I will say Selfish Jemma was way more funny.
Travis is the ULTIMATE ALPHA!!. He is hotter than hell. Jemma's words on what she thinks of Travis "super-hot-badass-macho- man-extraordinaire" LOL. Yup, I totally agree. Jemma's thoughts on herself "private-reserved-closet-so-full-of-skeletons-it's-about-to-bust". I also agree with that. lol.
This book had me from page one. And it kept me their the whole time. It was good. At the end it had me wiping tears as they fell from my eyes. Totally loved it.
August 15, 2013
2.5 stars, didn't want to just give it 2 but didn't want to give it a full 3 stars. The way Travis speaks reminds me of KA's heroes, which kind of is a good and bad way. Good because I like KA's heroes but bad since I was sort of comparing. The book needs an editor because of the grammatical errors.
The story is pretty interesting. Jemma has been abused since she was a child and finally gets away from her parents to start a new life but she is still tied to it and keeping secrets from her friends. Because of the abuse she she experienced, she's wary of forming relationships and afraid that her father will hurt them as he threatened. The things done to Jemma were horrific and at such a young age she was conditioned to keep quiet or anyone she told, friends, would suffer too. It explains why she kept things to herself especially if she was trained to 'keep private things private'. Travis is protective and possessive (not overly much though, for those possessive hero fans) and he does take care of Jemma once he finds out about her past. Sweet and protective. I think this is the first hero I've heard calling the heroine 'Mama'. The arrest at the end of the book was anticlimactic for me. I thought she'd be using that panic button since the author made a point to mention that Jemma kept it in her bra. I guess I wanted more action and having Travis get into a fight and save the day. I did like how the epilogue puts a nice ending to their HEA.
The story is pretty interesting. Jemma has been abused since she was a child and finally gets away from her parents to start a new life but she is still tied to it and keeping secrets from her friends. Because of the abuse she she experienced, she's wary of forming relationships and afraid that her father will hurt them as he threatened. The things done to Jemma were horrific and at such a young age she was conditioned to keep quiet or anyone she told, friends, would suffer too. It explains why she kept things to herself especially if she was trained to 'keep private things private'. Travis is protective and possessive (not overly much though, for those possessive hero fans) and he does take care of Jemma once he finds out about her past. Sweet and protective. I think this is the first hero I've heard calling the heroine 'Mama'. The arrest at the end of the book was anticlimactic for me. I thought she'd be using that panic button since the author made a point to mention that Jemma kept it in her bra. I guess I wanted more action and having Travis get into a fight and save the day. I did like how the epilogue puts a nice ending to their HEA.
May 16, 2013
Travis he had me at his first bossy command, "I sense Travis come up behind me before he talks. "Come to dinner with me tonight?" He's bossy reminds me of Kristen Ashley's men (Love all of them!) "Wasn't an offer. I'm taking you home. This way." He makes bossy look really cute though, "Babe, you better be here. I find people for a livin' and if I gotta come find you, it won't make me happy." Jemma's gay friend Tom is the s***, "dramatic?" Tom screeches. Do not be calling me dramatic. She's never been on a date. her first date is going to be with a hot bada** motherf***** named Travis. She doesn't call to give me the details, like how he asked her, why she said 'yes' when she told me the last time he asked her she said 'no' what made her change her mind. Yeesh!" Travis is protective, "do I look like a man who's going to let anything hurt you? Do I look like a man that would put my woman in danger?" I mean REALLY protective, "look, your mine now, Jemma. I take care of what's mine. That means I'll be takin' care 'a you. Your father is a weak piece of effin' s*** and I can assure you I'm in no danger. Now, neither are you." I really liked this book probably because it really does remind me of Kristen's books.
May 22, 2013
This was an Amazon freebie so I thought "what the heck, I'll give it a try". I have to tell you that I really enjoyed this book. The emotions and characters combined with the storyline had me in tears a couple of times. I will say that the discrepancies in the book had me a little irked. Definitely the grammar and editing needs to be done again as there are several places that the sentence structure needed improvement where words were missing or a typo was present. The other thing that didn't mesh for me was the story took place in Denver but you can tell the Author is not an American. With references to 'cuppa' amongst other things. Like I said, I enjoyed the story but I think this book could benefit from having someone proof read and make it more consistent. Having a fact checker would help as well (can crimes taking place in Texas be prosecuted in Denver if the criminal is apprehended in Denver?)
I enjoyed this book and I would recommend it to others but I feel obligated to mention typos and inconsistencies as I know my friends would notice. I will say that these things weren't so noticeable because I did enjoy the story. I think had the story not been so good then I would have been more irritated.
I enjoyed this book and I would recommend it to others but I feel obligated to mention typos and inconsistencies as I know my friends would notice. I will say that these things weren't so noticeable because I did enjoy the story. I think had the story not been so good then I would have been more irritated.
August 13, 2016
Warning: this book contains sensitive subject matter including sexual abuse of children, but does contain a HEA.
Jemma is a woman trying to outrun a past of anguish and torment. She has lived through and survived things some of will never be able to imagine. She has never entertained the idea of having a future to share with anyone. So when she meets Travis and he stirs emotions in her that she has never experienced before, it scares the daylights out of her. She in turn avoids him like he is a disease.
When Travis meets Jemma he can tell she has a past that isn't a pleasant one, but he has no idea of the load she is carrying. All he knows is somehow, her lack of a smile, and her being the total opposite of most every female he knows, makes him want to find a way to make her happy. Even though he has no clue how she has made such an impact on him with little to no words between them.
When Travis finds out that Jemma is in trouble, he makes it his personal goal to find out what is going on and to fix it for.
Will Jemma let Travis help her? Will she open up? Will she let herself explore these foreign emotions that Travis has stirred in her? Read this one and find out!!
Jemma is a woman trying to outrun a past of anguish and torment. She has lived through and survived things some of will never be able to imagine. She has never entertained the idea of having a future to share with anyone. So when she meets Travis and he stirs emotions in her that she has never experienced before, it scares the daylights out of her. She in turn avoids him like he is a disease.
When Travis meets Jemma he can tell she has a past that isn't a pleasant one, but he has no idea of the load she is carrying. All he knows is somehow, her lack of a smile, and her being the total opposite of most every female he knows, makes him want to find a way to make her happy. Even though he has no clue how she has made such an impact on him with little to no words between them.
When Travis finds out that Jemma is in trouble, he makes it his personal goal to find out what is going on and to fix it for.
Will Jemma let Travis help her? Will she open up? Will she let herself explore these foreign emotions that Travis has stirred in her? Read this one and find out!!
July 16, 2013
Maybe I am just way too much of a Kristen Ashley and Rock Chick fan, but I was pretty appalled by this book and how it was the same story as Rock Chick (but not even a fair comparison because Rock Chick is so great and this is at best mediocre). I will note that the main characters have different names. Instead of Lee and Indy, there is Elliott and Rae. But they have grown up knowing eachother and are just finally getting together. The Elliott has a brother, Travis and they own their own PI-Security Company in Denver, CO. And they have a sister, Kami. (Think Lee, Hank and Alli Nightingale). I noticed so many recognizable phrases from KA's books such as "Babe" a la Hawk (as a response for everything). Panty dropping smile. Cotton on. For fucks sake. Ill give you that. In the next book, Emerald, Travis even calls his woman, "Mama", like Eddie does in Rock Chick. Arrrgghhhh! And the list goes on and on. Bad enough the story was a direct parallel but then to be using all of the great KA language - it's just way too much.
July 22, 2013
A solid four star for me
I was recommended this book by a friend and I am glad I tried it. There are parts that I think were not as polished as they could be. I also got confused on the setting. I think this book is set in Denver, with the heroine growing up in Austin Texas. But for some reason her dialog ran British for me.
I also found the Hero is be a wierd mix of badass dude bordering on biker dude and someone who seems to have grown up with privilege. He seemed too rough around the edges
for me.
This is the second book in a series and I have not read book one - maybe if I did my issues would not be cause to mention.
I do want to make one caution - this book does deal with mature content and some readers may think of it as disturbing. The heroine has many events in her past that might be hard for some to read about. I would not say this book is depressing or dark. I found most characters to be fantastic and very supportive of their family of friends.
A more detailed review to follow
I was recommended this book by a friend and I am glad I tried it. There are parts that I think were not as polished as they could be. I also got confused on the setting. I think this book is set in Denver, with the heroine growing up in Austin Texas. But for some reason her dialog ran British for me.
I also found the Hero is be a wierd mix of badass dude bordering on biker dude and someone who seems to have grown up with privilege. He seemed too rough around the edges
for me.
This is the second book in a series and I have not read book one - maybe if I did my issues would not be cause to mention.
I do want to make one caution - this book does deal with mature content and some readers may think of it as disturbing. The heroine has many events in her past that might be hard for some to read about. I would not say this book is depressing or dark. I found most characters to be fantastic and very supportive of their family of friends.
A more detailed review to follow
September 24, 2013
Emerald By Kasey Millstead
4/5
This is Kasey’s second book.
WOW what a second book, I fell in love with the characters straight away, was so intrigued by Jemma from the very start, the mystery around her was well built up to a shocking discovery, Kasey handled Jemmas story with finesse and empathy, a real roller coaster of emotions I went through each and every one right along with her.
Travis is a man on a mission and that mission is to have Jemma as his, he patient and gentle with Jenma, and when she reveals her past, it just makes him love her more and makes him even more determined to not only make her his but to always protect her.
I loved this book I would have given 5/5 but where as I found Kasey’s first book was to long , I found this one to short , I would have like more details in the lead up to or after some scenes
4/5
This is Kasey’s second book.
WOW what a second book, I fell in love with the characters straight away, was so intrigued by Jemma from the very start, the mystery around her was well built up to a shocking discovery, Kasey handled Jemmas story with finesse and empathy, a real roller coaster of emotions I went through each and every one right along with her.
Travis is a man on a mission and that mission is to have Jemma as his, he patient and gentle with Jenma, and when she reveals her past, it just makes him love her more and makes him even more determined to not only make her his but to always protect her.
I loved this book I would have given 5/5 but where as I found Kasey’s first book was to long , I found this one to short , I would have like more details in the lead up to or after some scenes
May 17, 2013
I really liked this story and read it in one night. The author does a good job with the characters and developing them. The underlying issue in this story is awful and heart wrenching. I cannot imagine anyone surving such a horrific childhood. The reason I gave it three stars is the editing. I hope that the author takes this as constructive critism and re-releases the book making minor adjustments to the editing and some of the terminology that a native texan or Coloradian would use. I almost thought the characters were British at one point.
Like I said it is a good story line and a good read.
Like I said it is a good story line and a good read.
July 9, 2013
Ok I want to be really bad so Steele Investigations can come after me ooh lala. Yummy Travis and Jemma are a great couple. However I can not wrap my head around why such an outgoing person could let her father mess with her like Jemma sperm donor did. Yes Sperm donor because calling that thing a father is wrong!!! I do feel this strongly because Kasey writes this well. I love how Travis and Jemma work thur this issue but I think I would have killed him anyway. Hurry up Kasey I need the next book lol!!
Vicki B.
Vicki B.
May 19, 2019
Jemma has not had what we would consider a normal childhood. Because of this she has learned to keep to herself, and to blend in. However, this does not stop her ne co-workers from breaking down the barriers she has built up around herself. Along with her co-workers there is Travis, Travis is her bosses brother and he has decided Jemma is his. Along the way each and every one of these people wormed there way into her heart just as she has wormed her way into theirs. Travis helps her discover her she truly is, and just what it is like to be loved and cherished.
March 12, 2015
3.5 stars
Good story that kept me turning the pages. It was an insta-love kind of romance that had no drama between the couple. They only thing that didn't really work for me is the H & h especially Travis reminded me too much of Kristen Ashley's characters. But other than that I enjoyed it and will be definitely reading more books from Kasey Millstead.
Note: This book deals with some heavy issues
Good story that kept me turning the pages. It was an insta-love kind of romance that had no drama between the couple. They only thing that didn't really work for me is the H & h especially Travis reminded me too much of Kristen Ashley's characters. But other than that I enjoyed it and will be definitely reading more books from Kasey Millstead.
Note: This book deals with some heavy issues
February 5, 2017
I've always loved this book! I enjoyed it the first time I read this book and I was struggling to find something I wanted to read (I've been in a book funk!) I saw this book on my kindle and devoured it whilst getting my hair done! And it gave me all the feels that I remembered and I loved it all over again
January 17, 2015
Oh oh my god book 2 hot hot hot Travis Steele wants Jemma for his woman, but even though she likes him her past could get him hurt. There's heat passion family love pain sex abd tears and fun.
I could not put it down so good thank you Kasey you had me fall in love feel the pain laugh and cry.
GO READ NOW!!!!
I could not put it down so good thank you Kasey you had me fall in love feel the pain laugh and cry.
GO READ NOW!!!!
February 6, 2015
Yes I know I wasnt a fan of the first book but I owned both books and had to read this. I was pleasantly surprised as this was a much better example of this genre than the first.I still found the characters lacking in depth and development but this story had a much better background to it than the first.
July 4, 2015
Travis and Jemma
I absolutely loved this book, what jemma went through and how she persevered was a miracle. I enjoyed all her friends Tom, Rae, Kami, Will, Elliot. Grant and Judy were terrific parents. Last but not least Travis what a swoon-worthy man. This is what every man should strive to be like. So happy she got her HEA.
I absolutely loved this book, what jemma went through and how she persevered was a miracle. I enjoyed all her friends Tom, Rae, Kami, Will, Elliot. Grant and Judy were terrific parents. Last but not least Travis what a swoon-worthy man. This is what every man should strive to be like. So happy she got her HEA.
May 20, 2013
i enjoyed this story. It had characters that i felt connected with. I actually had to break out the tissues, which I feel happens when you really connect with a book. The book could've used a better editing, there were a few typos and letters missing.
May 18, 2013
Loved the characters and story. loved that ideas were worked thru vs just stated and nothing told about it... so much better then the 1st in the series. still very much like Kristen Ashley's writing style.
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