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Stewart Realty #1-3

Stewart Realty Anthology: The Jack and Sara Trilogy

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Stewart Realty: Life in the House Lane

Love is an easy word to use, a hard one to demonstrate, and sometimes impossible to trust.

The Stewart Realty series is a sweeping epic, encompassing many years in the lives of two people who know how to love with their bodies, how to please and get pleasure, to control and be controlled. When it comes to the deeper meaning of the one word they both need, backgrounds and personalities get in the way. While their physical connection sizzles they somehow manage to continuously disappoint one another on an emotional level.

Jack Gordon has it all—money, success, a string of women—but also a deep longing for something more. When he thinks he finds it with Sara Jane Thornton, his world is never the same again. Sara releases a side of himself he considered buried out of frustration and unhappiness. Sara soon learns that she must trust him implicitly, something she cannot do, no matter how many times she tries...and he fails.

With a rich cast of secondary characters, including a young man who presents a near-perfect foil to Jack's intensity, and who falls hard for Sara, The Stewart Realty series is a saga with an emphasis on contemporary life with a healthy dose of realistic eroticism. A tale of modern, busy, driven people seeking the ever-elusive and highly coveted combination—a friend, lover and trusted companion who will be there for the long haul.

Start at the beginning, with the Jack and Sara Trilogy, now for the first time ever in a print anthology. The Stewart Realty series is a best seller in family saga and urban fiction categories. See for yourself what the buzz is all about.

528 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 1, 2014

1 person is currently reading
125 people want to read

About the author

Liz Crowe

100 books1,231 followers

Liz Crowe is a Kentucky native and graduate of the University of Louisville living in South Carolina. She's spent her time as a three-continent expat trailing spouse, mom of three, real estate agent, brewery owner and bar manager, and is currently a digital marketing and fundraising consultant, in addition to being an award-winning author.

The Liz Crowe backlist has something for any reader seeking complex storylines with humor and complete casts of characters that will delight and linger in the imagination long after the book is finished.

Her favorite things to do when she’s not scrolling social media for cute animal videos is walk her dogs, cuddle her cats, and watch her favorite sports teams while scrolling social media for cute animal videos.

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5 stars
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
Profile Image for DJ Sakata.
3,305 reviews1,779 followers
April 11, 2015
Favorite Quotes:


Floor Time:

“She hated the game he had played with her this morning, hated his easy use of the word ‘baby’ around her, and absolutely despised how much she wanted to hear it again.”

“What I know right now is that there is something about you, Sara Thornton, that has me spinning in circles. It pisses me…”

“I’ve been on my own long enough that I buy myself flowers, make my own pancake breakfasts, and am more than a little emotionally constipated.”


Sweat Equity:

“You should never measure your happiness by what your friends and family think.”


“I love him. I hate him. I can’t live without him. I have a goddamned hole in my chest all day, every day.”

“You are a crucial, functioning part of me, always will be. But I get it. I’m a shit. I won’t deny it. But I’ll never, ever be happy or complete without you.”


Closing Costs:


“He left, but the word ‘mine’ beat a new pulse in his heart.”


“She laughed, and when she lifted her face to his, kissing her seemed like the most perfect thing to do, ever.”

“So she sat alone, most nights, staring out the window, pondering her squandered opportunities.”


My Review:


My first Liz Crowe experience, now I see what all the fuss is about. She has mad skills! But she broke my heart with these characters. The protagonists were well matched, but couldn't get it right - both being stubborn, selfish, and immature. They shared undeniable chemistry that scared them in to acting irrationally and thoughtlessly, and while being wildly successful in their careers, both are badly damaged and painfully stupid about relationships. When they argued, it squeezed my heart. When they fought - I was devastated. Both characters are a hot mess yet, likable and fully fleshed out… I felt I knew them as if they are living and breathing entities. The story line and writing are witty, clever, insightful, deliciously steamy, and mesmerizing with a push/pull dynamic. I suffered a book hang-over reading through this series due to the fact that I can’t seem to put my kindle down… there are constant twists and turns and I just can’t wait to see what storm is brewing next. Ms. Crowe keeps things popping.

After so many near misses, misunderstandings, missed opportunities, misconceptions, miscommunication, missteps, mistakes, and misfires; the dramatic and emotional build up to the smash ending of this series had me actually trembling with tension. I enjoyed Closing Costs far more than book two, Sweat Equity, and as much or more than book one, Floor Time. Once the smoke finally cleared, I had the urge to quickly close down my kindle before they found themselves in yet another fight – then smiled at myself once I realized how silly that was. Liz Crowe has major writing chops, the story sucked me in and held me, frustrated me, and kept me hostage in a state of anxious anticipation, yet I was unable to stop as surely resolution was coming soon for this couple who couldn’t get out of their own way. This smart and well written series of complicated and interesting characters, neatly contained with 528 pages, has nearly killed me… while whetting my appetite for more. Although, for my own heart health, I do feel the need to take a breath and read something light and breezy next, in hopes of purging the over-abundance of angst from my system.
Profile Image for Elizabeth (Perusing Princesses).
731 reviews35 followers
December 15, 2014
OMFG... this Trilogy about made me insane!!
Brilliantly written... soooooo well written.. every emotion I experienced was at a DEFCON level 1!!
I wanted to hand hold all the characters, love and hug them... and at the same time I wanted to cause them severe bodily harm!!
There were SEVERAL moments.. i had to put this series down.. walk away.. and get a hold of myself... I have never met a more stubborn set of characters that just needed to accept happiness and love and live HEA!!
But I had to run back to the story... unable to stop reading! I just had to see where Liz's beautifully twisted mind was going to take me... knowing I would love and scream during the journey!
This is a very real life decade journey, not just between Jack and Sara... but with EVERYONE in this book!!
Well Played Liz Crowe... well played...
Profile Image for Heidi Ryan.
309 reviews12 followers
January 9, 2015
Ok, so this anthology covers three of the books in this series. They are Floor Time, Sweat Equity, and Closing costs. It is about 528 pages that mainly focus on two characters, and it covers about 10 or so years. I foiund the characters very well rounded. They have a ton of spunk, independence, and sex appeal. The only thing I found lacking was the fact that these very intelligent realtors seem to lack some common sense. But, I found myself compelled to see it through, so that has to mean something. Even now, I cannot figure out if the characters got to me, or if I was annoyed, and more stubborn then they are. I can find a book high on the rating scale, yet not find myself in love with the characters of a story. I think it says something that one can be frustrated by a story and realize that that can only happen if it was written well enough to elicit that kind of response.
Jack Gordon is a super successful realtor and a self confessed womanizer. He has a natural ability of a Dom, and he has had his heart handed to him in the past. Every woman desires him, and some won't take no. He is starting to get older, but he keeps his playboy's ways.
Sara Thornton is a very successful realtor as well. She is beautiful, and after opening her heart to a man, she finds out he is getting married. Swearing to not be in that position again, she flexes her independent muscles and buckles down. She was one of the few that did not drool on Jack.
When things get going, a slip up on Sara's part finds her having sex with Jack in the hallway of her office. After this encounter, both of them find themselves taking a big look at their lives and realizing that they might want more in life. The huge problem for these two is that they have pasts and they are horrible at communication. They are also very skitterish, quickly seeing the worst in every situation. They are a train wreck together, yet they love each other more than anything in the world. Their biggest problems stem from the fact that any time they have sex, a monster fight seems to follow. Neither will give an inch, and they blow everything out of proportion at every opportunity. I got whiplash from the dozen or so times they went back and forth. Throw in another love interest, a kid, and a decade, and you get their relationship from hades. It is kind of like a train wreck, you just have to watch it all. If you want to see what not to do in relationships, this book is the holy grail. It is an entertaining journey to follow, and the twist at the end is worth the price of admission. This is not your hearts and flowers kind of book. It is raw and painful, and everyone pays. Kind of a nice break.
Profile Image for Cynthia.
2,097 reviews22 followers
February 23, 2015
Jake and Sarah’s story was one emotional roller-coaster ride with lots of dram, cheating, misunderstandings, pain, sorrow, hurt, anger, pain along with love, happiness, peace and so much more. I came to love and dislike all the characters in this book more than once. I felt everyone needed to grow up and be adults. They played with too many different people and to many emotions with tons of misunderstandings. Everyone knew who they wanted to be with but no one wanted to work at it to make their lives better. It was too easy to move on to the next person but they always came back to each other.

Jake couldn’t make up his mind what lifestyle he wanted to live and if Sarah was ready for it. He moved around women like most people change underwear. At first I liked him a lot and than I thought he was a jerk but came to really like him at the end.

Sarah I really like to begin with and then she just became a woman I could not stand with her it’s all about me. She made Jack pay for things that were out of his control and she really need to grow up and decide what and who she really wanted. She changed men as much as Jake changed women. She ended up expecting not knowing who the father was. Would not let them find out in return she kept both in her life and they could not move on.

Craig I dearly loved and was sorry he got mixed up in this whole mess. I was glad to see he finally got his life together with a woman he could love.

This is not your fantasy love story so if that is what you are expecting this isn’t the book for you. Liz gives you a normal today characters with normal today issues. By normal I mean messed up people with missed up issues just as a lot of the world is. Which doesn’t make this a bad read but a more normal one. I have known a few Jake and Sarah’s in my lifetime, I chose not to keep them in my life since they are just out to make so many people unhappy with their on and off again relationships. I was glad to see this ended in a happy normal way. The ending is wonderful and we do find out who the father is but I was sure he was even though at times I questioned myself.

The author gives you a story like no other and keeps you guessing. I was glad I had read it but not sure I want to re read it again. I wanted to slap a few silly, would have like to pulled out a few hair and bang a few heads together. Love is never easy in our world as Liz shows it isn’t easy in this series but she brings it all together in the end in a way that the reader is happy. One book at a time it is a 4 star read together in a series it is a 5 star read for me.
Profile Image for Gloria Herrera for As You Wish Reviews.
2,181 reviews63 followers
February 7, 2015
Two strong characters, stubborn, driven and independent are the main ingredient in this epic story. These first three installments of the Stewart Realty series deals with Jack and Sara's dove-tailing love affair.

Reading these stories, I had to conclude that, just like in real life, these memorable characters have an intolerant, childish side they have not been able to curtail or out grow when they first fall in love.

Jack is searching for someone who will love him unconditionally. He has delved into the Dom/sub scene and is hoping the right submissive will be able to provide him what he needs. His overwhelming desire is for someone to NEED him and provide him with that unconditional love he never experienced growing up. Sex has been a poor substitute for this yearning he has to connect. Although he has enjoyed the many, many, many women he has seduced, as he has grown older and wiser, he has had to admit to himself they have only left him empty. All trysts except the one with Sara. She holds the key to his spiritual and physical completion. Without her, something is missing from his life.

Sara has battled a domineering, cheating father as she grew up. She was never able to comprehend how her beautiful, smart mother put up with this for so many years and stuck to him. This has shaped her into the woman she is now -- independent, self assured, and unwilling to become a doormat to any man. Her attraction and deepening love for Jack is a study in how two very similar characters can both be attracted and absolutely repudiate each other. Sex is the salve they use to ease their pain, but it is not enough to hold them together when neither one is willing to bend a little.

Be prepared for a complex and bumpy ride. This is life, aggravation, attraction, commitment, loyalty, exasperation and finally comprehension -- just like some of us experience our lives.
Profile Image for Kina.
155 reviews1 follower
March 12, 2015
This book was given to me by paranormal romance and authors that rock in return for an honest review

I give this book 5 fangs ( I really loved it and can't wait to read the next one)

I thoroughly enjoyed following beautiful, strong, stubborn and sexy Sara and handsome, dominant, controlling and sexy as sin Jack through there crazy romance.
I read through this trilogy in 2 days I couldn't put it down and although at times Jack infuriated me as he time and time again proved how immature and commitment phobic he was. While Sara drove me mad with her constant need to fight and push jack away as she can't seem to figure out what the heck she wants.
Even with all there issues I was routing for them to figure it out. This was not a simple romance but a journey, with a couple of real estate agents that have sparks flying and incredible sex but can't seem to get their emotional baggage under control enough to actually have a functional relationship.

Through breakups and makeups, meeting other people, falling in and out of love, family heartache all traversing through a decade long whirlwind of relationships and finding out what your not willing to live without.

Just as a little extra the secondary characters in this book were amazing I was completely caught up in their stories and thrilled to find out that they each have their own book so I can read all about them.
I recommend this book for romance fans but know there is very hot soft core BDSM and male on male sex.

Profile Image for The Romance Reviews (Carole).
56 reviews45 followers
May 6, 2015
A Successful Transaction

What is better than a story written by Liz Crowe? How about an entire trilogy featuring the chaotic relationship between Jack Gordon and Sara Thornton?

In THE STEWART REALTY ANTHOLOGY, Crowe proves once again that she can deliver top notch characters seeped in passion and desire. Caught up in a tumultuous relationship, the two main characters have to weather plenty of hard times. Fortunately for the reader, the entire saga in available in this anthology.

As with her other books, the author is exceptionally skilled at character development. Jack and Sara at the beginning of the story are much different than the ones who finish it. There is always plenty of emotion packed into the storyline. For the reader, there are no guaranteed happy endings, but the author always likes to throw in a few unexpected twists and turns.

This is what I would describe as a "meaty" read, one that requires a significant chunk of time for proper enjoyment. It is definitely worth the effort.

Review copy provided via Reading Alley in exchange for an honest review.

Reviewed by Rachel's Willful Thoughts
for The Romance Reviews
Profile Image for SiKReviews.
1,325 reviews5 followers
July 12, 2015
Review copy provided via Reading Alley in exchange for an honest review.

A thorough look of love from beginning to forever.

I will admit, this series is frustrating. Misunderstandings and miscommunications are abundant, which made reading a tad difficult. So, I would really only give this anthology 3.5 Stars. I am glad this anthology was the first 3 in the series because I was able to push through and get into the story of Jack and Sara.

I found myself able to get distracted from reading. I had to calm down from the frustrations that these two very stubborn characters caused. They seem not to be able to stay together for long. But when they are together, things get hot. They love each other and that is very evident from the beginning. They never stop loving each other, which is the saving grace of this saga. It is truly a struggle to get them to their HEA, but in the end it is a ride worth reading.

I did have tears shed at certain points. If you get through the frustration, the story is sweet and you wish they would just get together!
Profile Image for Perusing Princesses.
529 reviews15 followers
December 15, 2014
OMFG... this Trilogy about made me insane!!
Brilliantly written... soooooo well written.. every emotion I experienced was at a DEFCON level 1!!
I wanted to hand hold all the characters, love and hug them... and at the same time I wanted to cause them severe bodily harm!!
There were SEVERAL moments.. i had to put this series down.. walk away.. and get a hold of myself... I have never met a more stubborn set of characters that just needed to accept happiness and love and live HEA!!
But I had to run back to the story... unable to stop reading! I just had to see where Liz's beautifully twisted mind was going to take me... knowing I would love and scream during the journey!
This is a very real life decade journey, not just between Jack and Sara... but with EVERYONE in this book!!
Well Played Liz Crowe... well played...
Profile Image for Perusing Princesses.
529 reviews15 followers
March 19, 2015
OMFG... this Trilogy about made me insane!!
Brilliantly written... soooooo well written.. every emotion I experienced was at a DEFCON level 1!!
I wanted to hand hold all the characters, love and hug them... and at the same time I wanted to cause them severe bodily harm!!
There were SEVERAL moments.. i had to put this series down.. walk away.. and get a hold of myself... I have never met a more stubborn set of characters that just needed to accept happiness and love and live HEA!!
But I had to run back to the story... unable to stop reading! I just had to see where Liz's beautifully twisted mind was going to take me... knowing I would love and scream during the journey!
This is a very real life decade journey, not just between Jack and Sara... but with EVERYONE in this book!!
Well Played Liz Crowe... well played...
Profile Image for Roxie's Reviews.
1,156 reviews23 followers
July 13, 2014
This Is a fascinating box set. It is a story of two very stubborn people that have a very rocky relationship. This story pulls you in it is so well wrote. As you read this book it feels like you are watching a movie. Jack and Sara love each other but keep driving each other crazy!. This book makes you laugh , cry and scream at the characters lol. You will find you do not want to put this book down as you witness the lives of the characters unfold before your eyes. Can Jack and Sara find happiness before they destroy each other and the ones around them?. You will just have to read this book to find out !. Liz Crowe is a Incredible writer. I would give this book 10 -Stars if I could :).
Profile Image for Lorraine Harvey.
145 reviews12 followers
January 18, 2015
I read all three books together and I'm glad I did as I loved that one ran into the next and the next. I got a bit frustrated with these books but in a good way, as just when I thought all was peachy, the story would change. I liked that as it wasn't a predictable story. Sara was slightly annoying but I enjoyed reading all about her, her family and friends and her past. I must admit, I now how a little book crush on Jack, he is a really loveable character and the saucy sex scenes are hot! They definitely have chemistry between each other. I enjoyed the third book the most as it included a lot of the other characters that had been mentioned but not really written about in great details.
Profile Image for Lindsey Armstrong.
68 reviews3 followers
January 31, 2015
This story totally drove me crazy! There was several times I just wanted to scream and throw my iPad at the wall. Jack & Sara drove me nuts. When they were together they were all hot sex and couldn't get enough of each other, but in the end they always ended in a fight. There was several moments that had me very sad and crying a little, but I won't say what I don't want to ruin the story for you. I was glad this was all three books together cause if not I would of had a nervous break down waiting for the next book so I could finish the story. This was the first book that I have read by Liz Crowe and I look forward to reading more by this author.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews

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