Stormy

by Tina Gayle

A widower, a divorcee, co-workers, lovers...a future together...marriage?

Consoling each other for years over each other’s misfortune, Karen and Daniel turn a friendship into a weekend of unbridled red-hot passion. The heat between them leads to thoughts of a future together. That is…

Until children, an ex-husband, an unexpected heart-attack, a conniving trophy-wife, guilt, and personal choices come between them. Will the heat of their passion let them break from the past and move into the future?

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance

101 pages, ebook

First published October 15, 2014

About the author

Have a number of books published and working to write more.

My current series is the Executive Wives' Club about four women who have lost their husbands in a terrible car wreck. The last book CEO's Widow came out Oct. 8, 2015.

I'm married to a wonderful man and have two awesome boys.

Love to travel and have been to almost every state in the union. Miss the northeast mostly.

Reviews

[Claudia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a nice read with nice charactes but due to the length it did not have enough time to really go into depth of character or storyline. there was so much more we could have seen about or felt with this characters because there was definitely enough material in it.

This is a pity as I liked the writing of the author and this will not be the last book I read from this author. but the next one will be a full length novel as otherwise it is not really satisfying

something bothered me though and I tried to ignore it but could not ... in this book, they never use any form of protection which really irritated me.

but if you can get over that, it is all in all a nice, hot read

[Jen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Note: This ARC was provided by Romance Beckons via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Okay. Let me begin by saying that I wish I could fall in love with every book I read and that I could write glowing reviews each and every time. As an avid reader, I can appreciate the effort writers put into the books the create, and as a reviewer, I want to be able to encourage writers, especially new ones, to keep going after their dream and to keep writing. The fact is, not every book is a book I'm going to squee over and having to write a less than enthusiastic review pains me more than you can imagine because I honestly try to find something positive to write about, but the bottom line is: I need to be honest. So, here we go...

The premise of the "Stormy" was actually quite promising since reading the synopsis is what got me to click "Request" on NetGalley. Here we have two adults, one a widower and the other a divorcee. They worked together while both were still married to their respective spouses and then became friends, lending support when needed. They both realize that they want to take their relationship to the next level but neither is sure if the other wants the same thing.

Sounds interesting, yes? I love second chance romances and complications in getting to the happily ever after are always a good thing since those often help the lead characters figure out if they're truly meant to be together. The thing is, the complications in this book were either fleeting or came out of left field for me. It's difficult to go into detail because I don't want to spoil the book for any readers who want to check it out for themselves. Let's just say that the fleeting complication was never fully explored and the one that came out of left field felt more like paranoia on the part of the female lead character than anything else.

There wasn't much character development and while I understand that they were friends prior to becoming lovers, everything felt rushed. I get that this is a short book and I've read novellas that are even shorter but I want some sort of build up because having that anticipation is what makes you want to keep turning the pages in a book. The lead characters were on fast forward from the beginning of the book 'til the end. It didn't feel like it was even about them being in love with each other all this time but more of pent-up lust and a need for companionship that was driving them on.

I know that the book I received was an ARC and may or may not be an uncorrected proof but if this is ready for publication, it needs to be looked over for editing issues. There were problems with grammar, word usage, and spelling. There's also a part in the book that jumped from one scene to the next without a much needed marker or gap in the formatting of the paragraphs to let the reader know that there was going to be a scene change.

"Stormy" wasn't a terrible book. Like I said, the synopsis was promising. I just felt it was lacking in certain aspects and I was left wanting. This just wasn't for me. I'm going to have to give this two stars. Sorry. :(

[Patty McKenna Van Hulle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Karen is divorced from her cheating ex & is all about her colleges aged kids, but she can't get out of the FRIEND ZONE with the yummy widowed Daniel Slater. Daniel lost his wife in a car accident & is ex employee/BF Karen helped him to survive the grief, but he is so sick of this never ending FRIEND ZONE they seem to be stuck in. So it's off to a weekend at his cabin, with a stormy Texas night, an angry Karen because he won't answer his cell, a quick shower, a wet welcome, a sexy towel removal & HELLO release the sexual KRAKEN! With a dominant moves, undies scorching, some serious knee bending, really happy girlie parts & semi to hard to granite, but their weekend slams to a halt when her ex is hospitalized, adults kids falling apart, the 20 year younger new trophy wife is useless & goodbye KRAKEN & HELLO glorious motherhood! Can Daniel get the girl with all this really world crap? Will Karen keep their relationship in the PULL THE FIRE ALARM ZONE? What is up with adult kids thinking mom doesn't want or need a life?

I have 6 words that are my favorite words to wrote in a review, are you ready my romance peeps! I JUST DISCOVERED ANOTHER AWESOME AUTHOR & please Ms. Gayle take a bow because you just blow up my romance world! I have 2 favorite heroines, an a$$ kicking one & wallflower! Karen was a wallflower with her needs, but she was hardwired to being second to her kids everything & I am so glad she DEMANDED some sexually relief! Daniel was a devastated widow, but he totally healed with Karen's TLC, plus he was a total sex-on-a-yummy-stick! Mow I am all about humor & UNDIE SCORCHING & Ms. Gayle didn't disappoint with a kooky characters, bickering hospital moments & having some good all American exploding, imploding & volcanic PLEASURE ERUPTIONS! Ms. Gayle turned up my book COSMO with vajayjay happy moments, a kick a$$ mom, a hero who knows how to ride his cowgirl, messy family interruptions & 2 crazy adults thinking with their lust driven hearts! So I can't give Ms. Gayle anything less than my top score of 5 fingers up & 10 toes & a shouting out to my romance peeps, I AM TINA GAYLE'S NEWEST FAN & you should be, too!

NetGalley ARC given for my honest review.

[Tina J · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stormy by Tina Gayle

Release Date: October 15, 2014

*** Provided by NetGalley in exchange for an HONEST review. ***

The car accident that took Sharon's life left Daniel Slater a widow with no kids and no close family. Devastated and heartbroken, he sought friendship and platonic solace and comfort in Karen. After two years, he finally screwed up enough courage to invite her to his cabin for a weekend getaway.
Married for over twenty years within the high-society circle and now divorced from the cheating bastard, Karen just wanted a new life, free of all the fancy trappings and social leaches. She accepts the invitation from Daniel to get out of Dallas for a weekend at his cabin only to receive a phone call the following morning that sends her back to the city.
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In this novella, you meet an older couple than what most are written about lately. Age is never confirmed except in that she's been married for over twenty years then divorced for another two and has two adult children.
Karen and Daniel have more than a decade of history together from being co-workers, friends, confidantes, supporters of one another while she divorced and he grieved. Their sexual chemistry is stable, with only the slightest hint of some more erotic play. The secondary characters are well-written. The plot is a bit flat, but okay. The story really is too short to build a more solid base for characters and plot; instead, relying heavily on the past which is referred to briefly now and again. The whole story takes place over a weekend. The characters are faced with a minor conflict which resolves in a satisfactory manner. They get their HEA, but the other characters are left in a sort-of limbo. You are left wondering about Carl's recovery and addition as well as Jillian's upcoming wedding.
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Why I chose this book:
When I'd read the synopsis, it intrigued me. But, I'd envisioned a more emotionally deep read.
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Overall Rating: 3.4

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stormy by Tina Gayle has the story of friends who become much more when the go away together. Karen has given up on pretty much everything when her husband of twenty years divorced her. She does have her freedom and a life of her own choosing now. Daniel’s life had changed too but not because his wife found someone better, his wife died. He was barely able to cope. Karen had become his world. Her and her kids. Now Karen finds herself wanting more than friendship from Daniel, but she doesn’t want to screw up the great friendship they have going.
This book should come with a warning label…very hot!! Will scorch you as you read it. Whew these two have chemistry that is off the charts. I liked the ease of friends turning up the heat to hotter than sin lovers. The characters are really meant for each other. When you want a hot love story that just makes you want to read more this is the one to pick up. Friends really do make the best lovers.

Five Shooting Stars!!

[Lorraine Leatham · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 of 5 stars!

Review by Lorraine Helgeson Leatham of Rainey Day Book Reviews

I loved this story - this is a definite five star! It speaks to me because I am around the age of the main characters. They aren't characters that are young and just starting out. They are professionals who have older children. He's a widower, she's a divorcee, once co-workers, who become lovers but can they have a future together...or even marriage?

They have been consoling one another for years. They have become best friends. Karen and Daniel turn years of friendship into a weekend of passion. Then the rest of the world comes crashing down around them...

Children, an ex-husband, the ex-husband's unexpected heart-attack, a conniving trophy-wife, guilt, and personal choices come between them. Find out if they are strong enough to start a life together.

[Jessica Alcazar · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC provided via NetGalley by Romance Beckons for an honest review.

I enjoyed the story, but overall it had some problems for me. I couldn't tell you the first thing about our H and h. Not on a personal level. I dont even think I know what they did for a living LOL. So character development needed some help. Because of that point, I take issue with the shortness of the story. The way this particular story read, it needed more in order for me to understand the H and h. Outside of THAT, I really liked the actual plot/story line. It held your attention, the sex was hot, and I read it in one sitting. And props for the title, because 'Stormy' definitely defines these two's relationship!

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great read! I enjoyed that the characters were older and had some life experience. Many of us now have gone through divorces or know someone who has had a life changing event.

Karen and Daniel had worked together and been friends for awhile before they both began to wonder “what if”. Well, Daniel took care of that when Karen arrived at his house for a weekend visit!

Since they had been friends before they were comfortable and able to read each other well knowing when to slow things down or to finally let go of the past and take a big leap. Although Daniel did have a bit of trouble being patient at times which ultimately got him exactly what he wanted.

NetGalley ARC

[Tamra LeValley · Rating 1 out of 5]

NetGalley Free Book

Daniel and Karen have lives that have ups and downs. During one of their down times they seek each other out and help one another overcome the tragedies of their lives. Both have lost their significant others and now seek out that connection with each other. Can this work out in the long run?

A mixed bag for me. I loved the authors writing style but felt nothing for the plot or the characters. It needed more depth. This book felt weak. I sensed the characters were only two dimensional and the story line was indicative of the normal life of two hurt people coming together. There was no thrill.

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

What happens when two people who have been close for the past two years....finally get together on a stormy night?

Daniel and Karen have been through quite a bit. Through it all they have been friends. Over time though feelings have grown but neither have made a move to express how they feel in fear of what the results could be. Between divorce, death, a heart attack, pregnancy, fears, and children...their journey is full of road blocks.

Stormy properly explains their journey. I really liked it. It was quick, the sex was hot, and the story held your attention.

[Yvette89 · Rating 2 out of 5]

Copy provided through Netgalley.
2.5 stars
This a tale of an older couple who get a chance at a new beginning and a new love. Danial is is widower and Katen is a divorced mother of two grown kids. They've known each other for 10 years. But the story takes place over one weekend. A lot happens in a short period of time. You a quick glance a the characters but not enough to make me like that. After 2 years of being divorced, Karen has second thoughts? I think this would have been better as a longer story.

[Yvonne Daniels · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great read and I connected with the characters from page one. It was how I like the books I read hot and steamy. I know it was a short story that being said it was the only thing I didn't like I wanted to keep reading Daniel and Karen's story. I would recommend this book to all the Fans that love a romantic story. Tina Gayle is now a author that will be on my must read list. This is a very enjoyable short story my wish would be that there be more parts to the story.

[Jennifer Tabler · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. It was short but sweet. I think a book before this one would of made a pretty good book. It had some hot sex scenes. One thing I didn't like is that I couldn't make a description in my head about the 2 main characters. I didn't know what they looked like, how old they were and what they did for a living. Overall pretty good book

[Denise Koopman · Rating 4 out of 5]

If this book is already on Good Reads I could not find it, but it was an awesome story. I think the daughter was a little spoiled brat and I would tell her straight up what is what. The son was awesome. But that daughter and the ex wife?... Oh man I would tell them where to get off at. My opinion if it happened to me. It was a good little romantic read.

[loves 2 read romance · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley. This is a short faced past romance. Daniel and Karen have known each other for years he has been a boss, friend, and now lover. Karen has helped him deal with grief while she has had her share as well. This is not a bad story but I Lmost feel as if it aS very rushed and that parts are missing.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice, fast pace HOT and sexy - great story for a quick read - just what I wanted to read on this stormy Sunday afternoon :)

We didn't know the full history of Karen and Daniel, but we saw they had 10 years of working together, a friendship that bloomed into feelings and feelings that turned into love -

Both of them had a past, but both of them want each other for their future :)

[Lynette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Copy provided by NetGalley for an honest review.

A short and sweet steamy romance. I enjoyed the characters Karen and Daniel who were long time friends that took it to the next level, lovers.

A very well written story. Would like to see their story continued in a future book.

[Katherine Yearwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stormy was a fast pace read. Tina Gayle wrote characters that where believable. Daniel is the kind of man that every women thinks of having for a friend and lover. This is my first Tina Gayle book but definitely won’t be the last!

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this. I was totally fine with the quick development from friends to lovers considering the 10 year friendship. Liked all the characters. Nothing objectionable at all. Nothing rocking my socks. Plot ran thin at times.

[Ella Albweitel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the base of the book but I would have liked more details at the end. I wokd like to see if they got married,if her kids accepted him. Unless this is a series I think some parts are missing.

[Stacie Marquart · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It was a quick read.

[Julie Barrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stormy by Tina Gayle
Book starts out with Karen and she's arrived at his house one snowy night but hadn't been able to reach him by phone.
Daniel is surprised to find her in his home after leaving the bathroom and they find they have much in common-having held it all in for too long.
Hot steamy sex scenes. They each had lost their spouses and are overcoming their grief.
Story also follows the children and how they assume Karen will show up at the hospital with her ex's heart attack although he's got a new woman in his life.
He was her boss, now he's her lover. Gets a bit confusing as the other families come into play with their lives.
Like all the turmoil that goes with the story as the people are the older age and not much drama as 20s couples.
Received this review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.

[Kristy Dean-Veen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good short story

This story only took about an hour and a half to read. It was very detailed and you could connect to the characters and the events. I could read this story again as well as others by this author.
Overview. Karen and Daniel have been friends for years since they worked together. But two years ago, Daniel lost his wife to an accident. Karen's marriage was on the rocks and she files for divorce thinking he was cheating on her too. The two form a bond that took their friendship to a different level. Daniel decides he wants more and so does Karen. Just as they hit the lovers level, her daughter calls saying their dad was admitted to the hospital to a heart attack. Now she is tossing the past and the present together and trying to decide what she wants to do about the future with Daniel. But her son and daughter tell her that they except Daniel. So Daniel and Karen have a decision to make.

[Yvonne Daniels · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great read and I connected with the characters from page one. It was how I like the books I read hot and steamy. I know it was a short story that being said it was the only thing I didn't like I wanted to keep reading Daniel and Karen's story. I would recommend this book to all the Fans that love a romantic story. Tina Gayle is now a author that will be on my must read list. This is a very enjoyable short story my wish would be that there be more parts to the story.