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Fighting For Love #2

Fighting Strong

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When Katie Lloyd finds out that her stepfather is dying, she’s determined to get to him, no matter what. Thwarted by transportation problems and challenged by bad weather, she ends up having to accept help from the one person she can’t imagine being trapped in a car with on a five-day road trip: Adam Pierce. He’s huge, muscled, arrogant and ferocious, and Katie and Adam have done nothing but argue since the moment they first laid eyes on each other. But desperate times call for desperate measures… and Katie is desperate.

Adam may admire Katie’s talent as a photographer, but she’s also the most frustrating and stubborn woman he’s ever met. When an accident reveals Katie’s shocking dark past to him, Adam changes from aggressor to protector. No matter what it takes, he’s resolved to get her home to face the man who made her childhood a living hell. And then, afterwards – if Katie will let him in and close – Adam wants to be there to help her pick up the pieces. In the bedroom and outside of it.

121 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 9, 2014

29 people are currently reading
198 people want to read

About the author

Marysol James

36 books252 followers
Marysol James was raised in a small town in Canada and is still a small-town girl at heart. She's a cancer survivor, cinnamon bun lover, and hardcore caffeine addict.

Marysol crosses genres in her writing, happily and enthusiastically. To date, she's published 30 steamy, sexy, slinky Contemporary Erotic Romances spread over five different series, including the Amazon and iBooks best selling 'Unseen Enemy', 'Dangerous Curves', and 'Road Devils MC' series. Her books incorporate action and adventure, suspense, military elements, and some surprising plot twists and turns.

Besides her romances, Marysol also writes crisp, clever, Contemporary Literature. It can be dark and provocative at times, and magical realism features heavily in her books. She loves moving between the worlds of magical realism and glorious romance, and she's grateful every day to be able to do both.

If you'd like to stay on top of her news, please visit her official author's website at www.marysoljames.com

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5 stars
119 (36%)
4 stars
107 (33%)
3 stars
79 (24%)
2 stars
14 (4%)
1 star
3 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
Profile Image for Janey.
478 reviews22 followers
March 19, 2016
I'm giving it three stars because it was too short!!, sweet story though, serious theme but handled well.
Profile Image for Stacey.
1,446 reviews1,126 followers
January 6, 2016
Short but packed with emotion...

This book is the second I have read by this author and luckily for me I picked it up for free. I liked it more than the first story because the Hero, Adam is a decent guy. He doesn't act like a douchebag and comes across as a genuinely nice and sweet guy.

When we first get to know Katie she comes across as dark, angry and hiding herself behind black clothes, goth makeup and a bad attitude. In this story we find out her reasons and they are not nice.

Adam and Katie start off not liking each other but Adam helps her out when she needs it and they start to get to know each other. Very slowly they learn about each other and it was very sweet. Not a lot of sexy times in this story but it was enough for me to see their connection.

This author has a bit of a weird (in my opinion) way of filling a room with characters and giving snippets of some of their thoughts. I found this a little hard to get used to. I also found it a little strange to get short segments of the couple from the first book. I would have been ok to see them together, but it was like they were still having their story told in this book.

My removal of one star is because this author loves her blokes to cry. I know it's mean of me, but I don't want my heroes to be vulnerable. I want them to stay the tough, muscled, tattooed fighter with a heart of gold...just not a sook.

A lot of emotions packed in to a relatively short story, packs quite a wallop.
Profile Image for Laura Hannaway.
946 reviews
September 23, 2014
This was really good. An extremely well written story about the aftermath of physical and sexual abuse and a thoroughly romantic love story as well.
Though it was understandable my only criticism is that the story focused almost exclusively on the heroine's back story whilst the hero's was glossed over to a large extent. Due to the story's subject matter this wasn't unexpected but none the less I would have liked to know more about him. For example is he close to his family he seems to like and respect them but that's not the same thing, he has twenty-two tattoos, why? Do they have meaning? Just information to flesh out his character and make him real.
Profile Image for Karen.
376 reviews2 followers
February 27, 2015
Just wow. I was skeptical about this book after book one fell flat but this book was so much better than I had hoped. Adam and Katie won me over. I knew there was a vicious back story on Katie but never knew it would have been that telling. Katie comes across as such a bitch to Adam and now that he’s tasked with helping her, he gets to know her better than anyone else. Adam is so patient and kind with Katie.


I like that although this is Adam and Katie’s story you still get a glimpse of Nick and Mia’s continuing story. This is really good storytelling. I’m looking forward to finishing this series.
Profile Image for Nicla.
416 reviews347 followers
March 29, 2015
4.5 stars

Surprised at how much I enjoyed this book. It was a quick and easy read with a extremely sweet alpha.

My only wish is that I would have read book 1 of the series first as the H & h meet in that book and also there is a lot referring to the previous couple from book 1.

Overall a great story that left wanting to read more by this author.

Note this book does deal with some heavy issues
Profile Image for Terri.
37 reviews1 follower
August 11, 2014
My favorite so far! Love Adam and want him for myself ;)
Profile Image for Jen_C.
1,112 reviews56 followers
August 21, 2017
3.25 - 3.5 stars.

I liked characters (except for at the very beginning) and liked the plot. I had a couple of the same issues as with the previous book (changing POV, religious cursing), but liked this one a little better than the last one in the series. Adam was really great - protective, gentle, understanding, faithful and patient.
Profile Image for RedEnigma94.
772 reviews17 followers
June 23, 2023
FIGHTING STRONG INDEED!💪🏾

Wow! Just wow! Marysol James' writing is amazing! Trauma like this--it could get tricky, but this author did a wonderful job! I have read a lot of books by Ms. James and she is talented in writing characters who have overcome severe emotional & physical trauma.

Seriously, this book had me in tears! My goodness, Katie! With the messed up childhood she had with that monster of a stepfather, I am in awe of Katie's strength and perseverance; the ways she found to cope with what he did to her--her photography gave her an outlet, a way to deal, to fight back.💪🏾

And Adam Pierce! He and Katie went from disliking each other to him being the perfect hero! He was so understanding and amazing! He became her rock and her strength. One reviewer said that they don't like the fact that Ms. James allows her heroes to cry, but let me tell you, because Adam broke down for Katie--it made me love him even more. I mean, seriously, you would have to be made of stone not to be affected by everything Katie survived! Darn it if that girl ain't a survivor!💪🏾Her brother went through some things as well, but it seems that Katie took most of the trauma being that she was the girl. My heart truly broke for her!😢

One thing: I was not pleased with Katie's mother.😩 I know it happens, IRL, but I just can't understand how she stayed with Katie's stepfather all those years knowing what he did to those kids. Her own daughter stopped speaking to her for 10 years!! 10 years!!--and she still refused to leave that man! Unacceptable! Let it be known that I've never been one to hold a grudge, but I just couldn't even feel anything for Katie's mother other than hurt & disappointment for what she allowed to happen to her kids; and she had the nerve to speak of forgiveness?!🙄

I'm so glad Katie and Adam found each other. Even with its seriousness, there was still some sexiness all up and through this story, and it was done quite impressively. A true testament to Katie's character is that she was even able to open up her heart to finding true love. Thanks, Ms. James for making me feel so deeply.
Profile Image for JJH--Judy.
1,097 reviews1 follower
January 15, 2016
Really liked it

4 1/2 stars. I really liked this one. It pulled me in a different direction emotionally than I expected. We first meet this couple in the previous book for this series that pretty much concludes that they do not like each other. Given that I already knew there was going to be major tension, I did like the way the relationship progresses--the circumstances made it seem more probable to me. I loved the way the h handled being confronted with her past, given the sensitivity of the subject, and how, even bough the relationship was progressing, it wasn't totally smooth sailing for the couple. On to the next one.
Profile Image for Lisa B. Lovely.
692 reviews1 follower
September 19, 2018
Whew! There is a lot going on in this book. There is some recounting of childhood physical/sexual abuse, not graphic, but it is definitely there. If this bothers you, or is a trigger for you, this may not be the book for you. I think it is handled very well, but I was not abused like that so it is difficult for me to judge.

Now on to the good stuff, Katie and Adam are fabulous characters, complex and convoluted and so at odds with each other. A fantastic story-line/plot and wonderful writing. I absolutely loved the personal growth and changes in perception that they each had. Catching up with where Nick and Mia are at and you've got a fabulous story. Great story Marysol James!
Profile Image for Toria Matthews.
416 reviews4 followers
January 17, 2022
First re-read (Jan 2022):
I forgot how much I adored this book. Mary app does an amazing job with the topics in this book. Katie is one of the strongest MC’s I’ve ever read. After all these years, I’m still head over heels in love with Adam. He was so protective and you could tell how much he loved Katie. You could feel their connection through the pages. Still one of my favorite books of all time😍
Profile Image for Bev .
2,241 reviews486 followers
January 30, 2015
This is another of MJ’s book that deals with a sensitive issue, and it’s done so well. I love the enemies to loves trope, watching their relationship evolve from wanting to rip each other’s heads off to being totally 100% gaga for each other. I also love that we get both POV’s so can experience this with them.

4.5 stars
Profile Image for Shirley.
673 reviews
December 24, 2015
4 -4.5 stars

Yet again another good read from MJ. This one is Adam and Katie who didn’t really get along in book one. When Katie needs him Adam totally steps up and I loved him, he was a real gentle giant. Katie has had a terrible childhood and she has to deal with some major issues from her past but Adam was with her every step of the way.
Profile Image for Lexie McLaughlin.
69 reviews
February 5, 2015
Great random Wednesday read

Good book. Very emotional. I love the connection to photography. I wish we heard more about the couple in the first book but this book was about the struggles and I think it will help people in the same situation.
Profile Image for Suzy  (readaholicmom).
1,069 reviews21 followers
July 17, 2015
This book was a fast read and it melted my heart with the tragedy that took place years ago but still shows signs of pain well into the future.
Profile Image for Jeana.
401 reviews
November 19, 2015
Full of different emotions. The unacceptable behavior from a father figure made me want to kick is ass.
Profile Image for Angela.
3,406 reviews33 followers
April 18, 2016
This is an awesome book & series! Ms. James truly knows how to draw you into her characters and stories, and love every minute of it!
Profile Image for Crista.
1,181 reviews1 follower
February 26, 2023
I read this book on one of those ‘pay per chapter’ apps.

So the two main characters don't like each other, but she needs a ride so he helps her out and they get together. That’s pretty much it.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews

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