Been In Love With You

by Tina Martin

A mini, cliffhanger series full of suspense, family drama, love and heartbreak...

Elias (Eli) Leaumont, a New Orleans police officer, is secretly in love with the woman who saved his life. The woman who has been his best friend for four years, Natalie (Allie) Romain.

Natalie thinks the world of Elias. He's special to her and no one can get under her skin like he can. She loves him dearly, as a friend, and made it clear to him, years ago, that she would never date a cop. However, they spend so much time together, most people already think they are a couple.

Then there's the way Elias looks at her...

What Natalie doesn't know is, Elias considers her much more than just a friend. He considers her HIS. But when he thinks she's interested in his brother, Solomon, his behavior becomes erratic and obsessive. And then there's the emotional and physical damage he sustained from being shot while on duty, four years ago.

* * *

The 'Mine By Default' Mini-Series is a cliffhanger series. Each book will be a continuation or a 'new episode'. For the best reading experience, you will need to read this series in order.

Book 1 - Been In Love With You
Book 2 - When Hearts Cry
Book 3 - You Belong To Me
Book 4 - When I Call You Mine
Book 5 - Who Do You Love?
Book 6 - Forever Mine

Genres: Romance

70 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 5, 2015

About the author

TINA MARTIN is a talented, romantic suspense fiction writer and the author of over 95 titles. She enjoys Hallmark movies, running and traveling. (PLEASE NOTE: There are multiple authors with this name on Goodreads. If you're following me, look for my logo!)

Amazon: amazon.com/author/tinamartin
Instagram: instagram.com/tinamartinauthor
Facebook: facebook.com/tinamartinauthor

Her books are listed below:

Discover other books by Tina Martin!

Christenbury Hills:
Thankful
Snow in Love With You

The Alexander Series:
The Millionaire’s Arranged Marriage

Tell Me Series:
*This is a continuation series that must be read in order.
Tell Me: The Prelude
Tell Me You Love Me
Tell Me You Want Me

The Love of Elias Series:
*This is a continuation series that must be read in order.
Been in Love With You
When Hearts Cry
You Belong To Me
When I Call You Mine
Who Do You Love
Forever Mine

The Accidental Series:
*This is a continuation series that must be read in order.
Accidental Deception
Accidental Heartbreak
Accidental Lovers
Accidental Vows

DePaul & Company Series:
*This is a continuation series that must be read in order.
Rude Boss
Rude Boss 2
Rude Boss Special Edition w/sprayed edges

The Boardwalk Bakery Romance Series:
*This is a continuation series that must be read in order.
Baked With Love
Baked With Love 2
Baked With Love 3

St. Claire Series:
Royal
Ramsey
Romulus
Regal
Magnus
Monty
Major
Zander
Zavier
Zimyra
Jeremiah

St. Claire Life Series:
Honeymoon With a St. Claire (Follow up to Monty)
Just Being Us (The Prequel to Zander)
Keep That Same Energy (Follow up to Zander)

St. Claire Women Series:
Gemma
Gianna

An Unlikely Love Series:
When I Needed You
When You Needed Me
Flicker: An Ahmalee + Cain Update
Flame: An Ahmalee + Cain Update

Seasons of Love Series:
Hot Chocolate: A Winter Novella
Spring Break: A Spring Novella

The Marriage Chronicles:
*This is a continuation series that must be read in order.
Life’s A Beach
Falling Out
War, Then Love

The Blackstone Family Series:
*All books in this series are standalone novels and are full, complete stories.
Read them in any order.
Evenings With Bryson
Leaving Barringer
Forever Us: Barringer and Calista Blackstone
The Things Everson Lost
Candy’s Corporate Crush

The Champion Brothers Series:
*All books in this series are standalone novels and are full, complete stories.
Read them in any order.
His Paradise Wife
When A Champion Wants You
The Best Thing He Never Knew He Needed
Wives And Champions
The Way Champions Love
His By Spring
A Champion’s Proposal
The Convenient Husband
At The Right Time

A Lennox in Love Series:
*All books in this series are standalone novellas and are full, complete stories.
Read them in any order.
Claiming You
Making You My Business
Wishing That I Was Yours
Caught in the Storm with a Lennox
Before You Say I Do
Winter Wonder
Winter Wedding
The Weekend
One Day You’ll Be Mine

Dying to Love Her (Ava & Andre):
Dying To Love Her
Dying To Love Her 2
Dying To Love Her 3
Destination Romance – Prequel to Dying to Love Her

The Dare and Deja Chronicles:
Reception Romance
Long Distance Troubles
Back to the Valley
Into Forever

Back To Love Short Stories:
Marriage Quarrel in Quarantine
Countdown to You
Offsides: A Superbowl Party Second Chance Romance
Crushed
Summer Interrupted

Non-Series Titles:
*Individual standalone books that are not part of a series.
Wasn’t Supposed To Love Her
What Wifey Wants (Follow-up to Wasn’t Supposed To Love Her)
Man of Her Dreams
Bae Watch
How To Love Me
For Ruby (Follow-up to How To Love Me)
Weekend Fiancé
Snowed in at Shenandoah Valley
Mr. Tall, Dark & Unavailable (Baes of Juneteenth)
Brushstrokes and Love Notes
The Inheritance
Or Forever Hold Your Peace
This Time Next Year
You Were Made for Me
Let Me
Let Me Special Edition w/sprayed edges + bonus chapter
Secrets

Reviews

['The Book Queen' · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh my goodness

I read this book a few years ago and had forgotten some of the details. Elias needs a huge hug... Oh my goodness.

[Shone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh My Goodness

I enjoyed this story, the gentleman sitting next to me on the airplane, kept asking if I was alright. He stated that has to be an interesting book. As I finished with tears in my eyes, he stated I need the name of the book I have a sister who I think will enjoy. I pulled up the series he gifted to his sister.

[BeLinda P. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being Truthful

The story of Elias and Natalie confirms that sometimes we are too close to see the truth or at least we deny the truth. They both knew deep in their hearts the reality of their feelings but kept trying to rationalize that their closeness was only friendship. Navigating those feelings became a dependency on both of their parts. The truth was ticking.

[Cherie l brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a sweet friendship between Elias Leumont, and Natalie. Natalie and Elias are best best friends and she loves and enjoys their relationship as is. She’s put limits on the friendship bec of Elias’ job. As long as he’s in that line of work, she only wants to be his BFF.

[Sharon Dorival · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant

The illusion of drinking alcohol to numb one's
pain is a far cry from relief. Hope Elias realizes soon enough that would help because opening up to others about his feelings is the secure way to love.

[Ang · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sadness

This story touched my soul. I've never experienced a suicidal ( I hope I never do) person to my knowledge. I felt their pain as well. On to book two to find out what happened.

[Mariann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Why couldn’t the ending have been different you just didn’t have the heart to bring Eli back from the depths of depression. So very sad and selfish for Natalie to have to live with his death on her conscience. Such a sad story to read with a good story line.

[Candice Square · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow

Well…I’m speechless. Good story and very engaging. While I know Eli was hurting, the load on Natalie was a lot. I’m excited to read the next part.

[C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Been in Love with You was a fantastic read. The main characters were fun, energetic, and relatable. I loved their connection and their relationship until red flags appeared. Elias was a bit of a pistol even before he picked up the gun. I loved how the author dealt with two broken souls, wrapped their lives in a pretty bow, blew them into tiny pieces, and then delved deep into their emotional wounds.

I loved every minute until the book abruptly ended. Ms. Martin has a brilliant pen and mind. I adore the author’s writing, sense of clean romance, and how she paints vivid scenes. However, I prefer books that finish with a tidy ending. This is a beautiful story to read, just know that you will be left hanging until you buy the next book in her series.

Updated notes. It's been a few weeks, and I haven't been able to get this book out of my mind. I felt like Elias was a loose cannon, a borderline stalker, and prone to domestic violence. I love that Tina Martin deals with deeply moving issues and realistic trauma and is not afraid to make the reader think, but I could also see how this book could be triggering.

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartbreaking.. Soul gripping..

Wow! This book had me in tears. The connection between Elias and Natalie was incredible and undeniable. I just hate that they both had outside factors stopping them from being together. They both need healing in two different areas. But the cliffhanger was wrong. My heart left my chest.. ugh! Can’t wait to see how this series ends!

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Booklover

This book was sad,good hearted, pulled at your heart string. Friendship is a powerful tool if you let it be you shouldn't let know one have that kind of power over your life but God. Can't wait to find out how it ended. another great book by this author kept me interested.

[Edrenia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wow

This book was ok kinda weird but ok glad it was free. Wouldn't paid any money for it glad it was free.

[Debra Outlaw · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heartbreaker

I don't know if I will like this book until I read number 2. I will save my judgement until then.