Running from the pain of her broken marriage, Jenny Connors packs all of her dreams away and moves to a city far from her Midwestern home. Wanting only to make a new life, she’s unaware that a journey of a lifetime is waiting for her in Mobile, Alabama. Successful in the legal arena, Marcus Sinclair is a man bound by honor and driven by guilt. No longer expecting life to give him any more than what he has, he accepts his role in an empty marriage with his beautiful but cold wife, Ann. Clayton Chandler, Mobile’s golden boy from a prominent Southern family also has set his eyes on Jennifer and is determined to have her no matter the cost to others. When tragedy strikes, Marcus and Jennifer must ask themselves what they’re willing to sacrifice in order to have a life together? Torn by his loyalty to his vows and his love for Jennifer, Marcus is tossed into an emotional maelstrom when he’s forced to make a heartbreaking decision. With Every Breath is a story of choices and heartbreak, of sins and redemption but most of all, it’s a story about the power of love.
This is a Suspense, Tragedy, and Drama all rolled in to one awesome story. This book is a stand alone, even though I would love to read what the future holds for all the characters. I recommend this book for adults only, he does have some sexy scenes. This is a page turner, I could not put it down. This book touches every possible emotion, especially hope. I have never wished so hard for a character as I did for Jennifer. And Marcus is one true gentleman, he tries to do what is right even if it goes against every fiber of his being. I was pulled between hate and sympathy for Ann, I think sympathy won out. I simply love how the ocean is portrayed as a place of healing, I so agree.
This is the story about second chances, renewed love, and letting go of the past. Jennifer Connors has decided to make a new life for herself, she moves to find solitude. After dealing with a bitter divorce, she is left emotionally drained, and a new atmosphere is just what she needs. She makes new friends and life is good. On a date with her new girl friend she ends up meeting Marcus Sinclair, she never realized her whole world was about to change. What does her future have in store for her?
Marcus Sinclair is a true gentleman. He has stayed in an unhappy marriage for far to long and feels he will never love again. Upon meeting Jennifer he once again feels a spark, one that has been missing in his life for years. They become fast friends, even if there is more feelings, neither will cross the line being he is married. When the time is right he decides to go forward with the long overdue divorce. But at what cost?
Just when Jennifer and Marcus have settled into their private relationship. Situations occur and their new love is pushed to the limit, only to have them come back stronger. Just as they start to get back on track, tragedy hits and sometimes we are forced to make decisions we really do not agree with. Selfishness and anger can get the best of people at times, and that is where hope come in.
Favorite passages: "The Waves lap at my feet as I walk along the water's edge, the surf pools in my footprints; being quickly erased as the waves take them back into the Atlantic. " "A dream that no longer has a chance to come true; never the less, one I can't set free." <3 "It was at that moment, I knew with heartbreaking clarity, what he had come to say was going to tear my world apart." "The sky was gray and overcast, a shade of charcoal slate that would forever remind me of sadness." "He not only wore it on his lips but it shone in those blue eyes of his." "It was difficult to witness her raw pain."<3 "I grab the best seller I was reading and headed to the park nearby." "She humorously calls them "frog-drowners", joke or not, the term was correct to my way of thinking." "She had a brightness about her, like a magnet I was drawn in, wanting to be a part of her glow." "Like Gone With the Wind, I was waiting for Rhett to step from the crowd with Scarlett on is arm, smiling at my nonsense."<3 "Butterflies lifted their wings to soar lazily around us as we walk slowly, savoring out time together." "I leave my heart with you for it's no use to me without you." "I'm sure it is, you romantic old fool."
I was honored by an ARC of With Every Breath, J. Kaye Smith's debut novel. Having already read her Bellini Series, I had every expectation that this one would be good. And again, she does not disappoint.
Marcus and Jennifer are fascinating. With Jennifer seeking healing from a lingering hurt from betrayal and Marcus trying to cope with an empty marriage, they find each other. Brought together innocently and initially resisting the pull between then, they slowly but surely come to the realization that, with each other, they will find healing and a love that can't be denied. Along the way they encounter intrigue, rise above petty gossip, and overcome whatever obstacle is thrown their way. Yes, it's HEA but the journey to get there is well worth the immersion into their story.
The secondary characters are also very enjoyable and each one is distinct. Actually, and even if he wasn't there all the time, I liked Rob's playfulness and his steadfast friendship very much.
With Every Breath is a stand-alone and is no way related to the author's 3-book Bellini Series. But dive into this one and let the story take you away. It's sweet and touching, at times melancholy but endearing all the way. This, the first of her fruitful, romantic mind, will leave you sighing.
I am a fan of J. Kaye Smith. Always will be. And I will always look forward to her next undoubtedly marvelous book.