Free Falling

Damaged Heroes #2

by Sandy James

Stranded in a Montana blizzard, workaholic attorney Ross Kennedy is rescued by the woman of his dreams—if only Laurie Miller, a psychologist with empathic abilities, can convince him that’s exactly who she is. A strong mutual attraction quickly develops, but as Ross struggles to open his heart to this fascinating woman, Laurie’s empathic gift seems to have vanished.

After the two return to Chicago, they endeavor to solve a mystery revolving around a Prohibition Era journal they discovered in Montana. But when a former boyfriend begins to stalk Laurie, Ross must become her protector as well as her lover.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Military Fiction, Suspense, Fiction, Romantic Suspense

320 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Sandy lives in a quiet suburb of Indianapolis and is a high school psychology teacher. She is published through Grand Central Forever Yours and Carina Press as well as indie-published. An Amazon #1 Bestseller many times, she has won numerous awards, including two HOLT Medallions.

Please visit her website at http://sandyjames.com for more information or find her on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/sandyjamesbooks)

Reviews

[Carol [Goodreads Addict] · Rating 4 out of 5]

Free Falling is book two in the Damaged Heroes series by Sandy James.

We first met Ross Kennedy in book one of this series as one of the attorney’s in charge of Seth’s inheritance. Ross was also romantically interested in Katie until Katie ended up with Seth. Ross has since thrown himself into his work. He thinks that Katie was the one for him and since he lost her, there is nothing else for him but work. His boss sees Ross’s work ethic as a heart attack waiting to happen. He needs some papers signed by an elusive client so he sends Ross off to Montana in search of Laurence Miller to get the documents signed and to also have some time away from the office.



Laurie Miller is a psychologist. She works at a free clinic and her work is so important to her. Laurie is special though. She possesses an empathic gift, one that allows her to be able to read the emotions of her clients which helps her to treat them. She also occasionally has strong intuitions about things. As of late, though, her empathic abilities have vanished. No matter how hard she tries, she can’t read anyone. Her best friend points out how hard she’s been working and the amount of stress involved. She convinces her to go to Montana to her family’s ranch for some much needed peace and quiet.

“She needed to shut people out for a while so she could recover the ability to let them back in.”



Laurie knew to prepare for the cold winter weather in Montana but a full blown blizzard comes in. A car has gone into the ditch near the ranch house and Laurie is the only person that can rescue the driver. Ross and Laurie spend their time together at the ranch getting to know one another. There is no electricity so Ross can’t work which is not easy for him. The chemistry is strong between these two but Ross has to let go of his ghosts before there can be any hope of moving on. Who better to help him do that than Laurie.



Once they are both back in Chicago they continue to see each other. Feelings are getting stronger between them. Because of Laurie’s abilities, she has never been able to get close to a man before. Even as her gift returns, she can’t read Ross, which is both a gift and a frustration. She can actually touch him, kiss him, without being overwhelmed with his emotions. But she has never had to try to figure out how someone else was feeling the old fashioned way.

“This woman was driving him to distraction in more ways than he could count. She angered him. She frustrated him. And she filled him with so much desire that he almost couldn’t stand it.”



As things are getting serious between Ross and Laurie, an ex-boyfriend of Laurie’s shows back up. It was a relationship that she knew wasn’t going to last but before she could break things off, he just disappeared from her life. Why is he back now? He keeps saying he wants to read an old journal that Ross and Laurie found dated back to the prohibition era but Laurie has no idea why it’s so important to him.



The thing I really liked about this book is that there are so many things going on simultaneously. First, we are getting Ross and Laurie’s story. After they found the journal and began reading it, then we are also getting the story of the people in the journal at the same time. Then there is Alex, the ex. This man is loony with a capital “L.” He has managed to keep his walls up whenever he was around Laurie so she didn’t know the evil rage that was inside of him. His rage is getting stronger, though, and it’s getting harder to keep it hidden.

I didn’t expect the whole suspense factor in this book. It’s so different than the first book. The ending had me on the edge of my seat gripping the chair. Ross and Laurie’s story was so sweet and I loved them both. So, you get a little bit of everything with this one and I really enjoyed it.

“The woman was all he could think about, all he wanted, and all he would ever need.”

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

My daughter won this book in the first reads giveaway.

This book was so much better than I thought it would be. I had to read a few chapters before I got completely hooked, but then as I finished each chapter, I just got sucked in more and more. By the time I was down to the last few chapters, I just couldn't put it down even though it was getting pretty late. I would now like to read the other three books in the series. If anyone would like to trade one of the others for this one, just send me a message.

FYI- this book may not be suitable for teens

another FYI- It is not necessary to read the first book in the series to understand and enjoy this one.

[Mary Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lost in the past

This was a wonderful historical and suspenseful story of the prohibition finding its way into modern history. Well written and exciting until the very end!

[S Knoll · Rating 5 out of 5]

The characters is this book are really interesting. You have Laurie, a psychic psychologist and Ross, the OCD lawyer. Them, along with all the other crazy side characters make this an interesting romance. It’s not a typical one with a treasure hunter/crime feel. It moved at a good pace, not too much fluff and not a dragging story. You get some action, romance and humor. Overall a good read.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ross Letting Go

Ross couldn't like anyone who inherited their wealth instead of earning it. Laurie showed him it's about what you do with it, not now you got it.

[Chanel · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars This book has an original theme with a current romance intersecting with an old love from the 1920s. I have to admit I didn’t figure out the location of the missing jewels.
For two workaholics that live pretty routine lives, Ross and Laurie, sure stepped out of their comfort zones. The story kept me entertained, though it could have been a couple chapters shorter.

[Becky Hedge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Free Falling

Excellent book. Highly recommend this book to everyone. Excellent story line kept your interest and attention making it hard to put down.

[AnneMarie Davee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love and Mystery ❤️💎❄️💙

I really enjoyed this love story inside of another romance. There’s a mystery within the intertwining love stories. Laurie and Ross have an interesting connection from the first moment they meet in a blizzard, to the end when they fulfill their destiny.

I loved the mysterious notes within the chapters. It made the book interesting and compelling. I loved how she’s an empathetic, and how that affects the story. An overall good book.

[saundrea robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really great book had to keep readingThere

There was love, mystery and murder. Lots of intrigue. And a kidnapping. Please read for yourself. I couldn’t put it down

[Ashlyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great romance! Stuck in a cabin during a blizzard? Check. Neither have got laid in a long time? Check. Both have had a bad go at past romance? Check. Our heroine is hiding something? You bet.
The love shows up pretty quickly but it is believable and sweet.
My only complaint is that the heroine has a big hang up on her weight "I'm a size fourteen in a size four world" again and again which can be annoying but if this is my only complaint then it is a dang good read.

[C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Page Turner

This was a very intriguing read. It keeps you turning pages and has a great character setup. Read during the stay safer at home orders of 2020 during the Corona Virus outbreak.

[gloria marquardt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Riveting.

The story, the mystery really got me caught up. The psychic ability displayed only added to the interest. New ideas and a great storyteller. Who could want more.

[Val Pearson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my gosh, where to begin with this book? Characters, we will start with the characters. I recently reviewed Murphy's Law which is book 1 in the Damaged Heroes series. Ross had been one of the characters in the first book which left me feeling that his character was just a bit too nice, safe, and maybe a bit too deeply infatuated with Katie. There weren't the sparks you would think when you thought of a romantic couple. So when Ross got his own book, I couldn't help but think, finally, I get to see what makes Ross who he is. I was stunned. Ross turned out to be a character who definitely had control issues, was a Type A personality and had a wide range of emotions that left me pleasantly surprised. To make a long story short, Ross turned out to be a dream hero! I fell in love with his character, humor and fierce protectiveness of Laurie. He was one to come to a snappy judgement but was slowly learning to look at situations in a different perspective. Laurie's character was so spunky, straightforward at times and humorous about eighty percent of the time (the other twenty percent she was too busy dealing with the action that was taking place in the book). Being a psychologist, she knew her self confidence issues were something she needed to deal with but out of habit, succumbed to regularly putting herself down. It would take a strong man to show Laurie just how beautiful and mesmerizing she really was. Having a gift of being able to read peoples emotions had hindered Laurie in the love department. She couldn't even kiss a man because she could read their deep emotional thoughts. It was just too much for her to handle. Ross and Laurie's characters were polar opposites with him being the type of person to need control at all times and Laurie's need to help everyone. These two characters complimented each other in a way that was unexpected and appealed to me. Alex was the ex-boyfriend who had left abruptly only to come back into Laurie's life a few months later. The drama he brings to Laurie's life is sure to put some stress on the relationship between Ross and Laurie, or will it only bring them closer? Shiela, Ross' secretary had me laughing so hard with her smart comments and spot on assessment when Ross did something wrong.

Now on to the plot of the book. Free Falling was an intense suspense read laced with a paranormal element that certainly brought a sense of intrigue to the story. A combination of two love stories that were intertwined throughout the book had me hooked. I loved how the clues were left along the way and I was kept on the edge of my seat trying to figure out the the answer to the mystery. The plot line was very well developed and the writing was so smooth it flowed flawlessly. I could feel the emotions of horror, anger and love from Ross as well the helplessness Laurie felt to keep the circumstances that were happening around her at bay.

This is the second book that Ms. James has written in this series and I have fallen in love with her writing style and ability to combine suspense with a breathtaking plot. I highly encourage you to read the entire series. Although Free Falling is book 2 in the series, it can definitely be read as a stand alone book, but I guarantee you that once you read one, you will want to read them all.

Murphy's Law - Damaged Heroes Book 1
Free Falling - Damaged Heroes Book 2
All the Right Reasons - Damaged Heroes Book 3

[Judith · Rating 5 out of 5]

The term "super novel" is often used to indicate a larger than normal sized novel, but I use it here to indicate that not only is this novel hefty sized but the story is a "super" story as well. Any reader who finished "Murphy's Law," the first novel in the "Damaged Heroes" series will know that the main man in this story, Ross Kennedy, got left out in the cold when Katie Murphy married her true love, Seth Remington. Now Ross is drowning his sorrows and his loneliness in hours and hours of legal briefs, contracts, wills, and such. A well-to-do Chicago attorney, Ross is well on his way to partner in his prestigious law firm and yet he is on the verge of a break-down in more ways than one. So his senior partner sends him to Montana to get a signature on legal papers for one of their clients as well as putting him in a remote area of the States in the hope that he can unwind a little. Caught in one of Montana's legendary blizzards and nearly buried in a car that was stuck in a ditch, Ross was near death when Laurie Miller happened to see the top of his car from her window and managed to get him out and into her house where she slowly brought him back to life. Not really knowing anything about him, she gave him her mother's maiden name as her own, and in a bazaar setting, their unusual relationship began. Dr. Laurie Miller would not ordinarily be at the ranch, but she, too, was suffering burn-out and had come for a couple of weeks of rest in the hope that her empathic gift could be regenerated. She had become so numb with weariness that she could no longer detect her patients' emotional state. She couldn't read Ross, either, but later on she realized that her mother, who was also an empath, couldn't read her dad, either. This is a wonderful love story between two people who almost always over-organized, over-analyzed, and overworked their lives and everyone around them. They were also both hampered, although in different ways. Ross was so closed off because of the damage done to his family of origin as well as his failed relationship with Katie Murphy, and Laurie was closed off as a self-protective device because getting too close to other people meant that her empathic sense was nearly always overwhelmed to the point of pain. Their story was complicated by personal prejudice, miscommunication, old relational baggage, personal lifestyle, and carefully hidden insecurities. Throw in a psychopath who is stalking Laurie and threatening the lives of the people she loves, and you have a complicated, compelling, riveting story that won't turn loose of the reader's mind, keeps one on the edge of the chair, and yet is massively entertaining. Ms James just keeps on producing these stories that involve such realistic characters and placing them within the context of a cast of secondary characters who are, themselves, wonderfully crafted and whose presence is not accidental. This novel is extensive enough that the reader can watch these two people work through some significant feelings, issues that are left over from the past, and vicariously experience their inner healing. Both these hide bound individuals learn what it means to do something that is not thought to death, that is a bit of impulse, but is still good for them both. In the case of Ross and Laurie, "free falling" was one of the best things they did. Don't miss this one. It's been out for a while, but still should be read and enjoyed by romance fiction fans.

[LynnMarie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lena’s Review

Ross Kennedy is heartbroken and a workaholic, something his executive assistant keeps reminding him repeatedly. He has no one to go to, so work is all he has until he meets Laurie. The plan was to get some guy named Laurence Miller to sign into a foundation, not to fall for the first woman he sees. Yet something about Laurie enchants him in a way like his ex never did. With Laurie he can be honest, fun and adventurous. She calls it free falling, something he has never heard of but likes it with Laurie. With Laurie he is something he has never been before and that is live for each day. His whole life has always been centered on work and a little free falling scares him. The love he has for Laurie is unlike anything he has felt before and this scares him. Can he prove to Laurie that he can free fall with her forever?

Laurie Miller is a woman who loves to work and pay bills. Not your usual damsel, but she likes working for a living unlike her family. Everybody thinks she should just stay at home and be pampered, but she has other things to do. Meeting Ross Kennedy and knowing who he is looking for just turns her life upside down. For the first time though she feels loved really loved in a way that no man has given her before. Her ex only wanted her for her money and Ross is different from his work ethics, his opinion on money, and most of all the deep love she feels for him. When she’s with him she is different and feels alive like she never felt before, which scares her. Can she convince Ross that her love for him is real and she wasn’t playing him along?

Free Falling is another hit by Sandy James and a favorite for this reviewer. I loved the way it started and ended with these two. Ross is a man who needs to just relax and Laurie is the woman just right for him. The story line between them was great and so fast-paced it hardly slowed down. What I liked the most was the love between them was so strong that, even when they denied it, you could tell it was all there. Loved it and it's definitely a book you have to ready by Sandy James.


5 Tea Cups and a Recommended Read!

[Andi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I want to “free fall” in my own life. This book was a fine read. I enjoyed the two main characters. They were complex people who learned to love. I especially liked laughing at appropriate moments during the book. I really got into the mystery in the journal entries. The story had realistic things happen, which is a definite plus with romance novels. The reading was substantial and a quick and enjoyable. I would recommend this book. I will be searching for the first one and I look forward to the next one.

The only thing I want to say was a downside to the book was the three “A” named characters until almost the middle of the book I had to keep going back to see who the bad guy was versus the good guys with the “A” name.

[Danielle Thorne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was delightful fun. I was intrigued to have a heroine who was an "Empath." Since this story was about her finding love despite having special abilities, I realized I needed to read more of the series to see her in action. After reading this, I definitely want to. Great hero and heroine inter-action with fleshed out characters that were unique and a fun change, from appearances to personalities. A nasty villain does a great turn as a psycho--always fun stuff. A wonderful mystery woven into the storyline moved the action forward; a real page turner, and I don't say that often because I read on a tiny screen on my i-phone. This is a great suspenseful romance that doesn't disappoint.

[Dara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to win this book from Goodreads. I am glad that I did. I now have another favorite author. I had never heard of Sandy James before so I didn't know what to expect. But, this book has a little bit of everything. There is romance, suspense, a little bit of paranormal, humor and conflict. There was actually a very good story being told. I liked all of the characters and the story made sense. I will now have to find the rest of the series to find out what happens to everybody. This is a world I want to get lost in for a while.

[Linda Isakson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a goodreads giveaway gift.

Review: Really liked this story! Since this book was from a Goodreads drawing I was unsure what to expect. But to my delight the book turned out to have a great story, exciting plot, and a very engaging writing style. I couldn't put it down! Am definitely looking forward to reading more of Sandy James' books!

[Lavada Dee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a long book, 304 pages. I thought it got off to a slow start about a 150 pages in it turned and took off. Lots of plot. The love scenes are later in the book but well done. You will come to know the characters, the secondary ones as well as the main ones.

[Julie Gansler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Prohibition mystery and psychological factors

Ms James keeps you guessing as her storyline brings an old mystery and an heiress who has an amazing psychic gift. Love is intertwined in both.

[Jeanie]

I REALLY HOPE I WIN THIS SO I CAN READ all the DAMAGED HEROES

[Coco.V]

🎁 FREE on Amazon today (6/11/2020)! 🎁

[Glenda Bettin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this book

[Ina Hess · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liked this book

[Rachel-RN · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5*
Better than the first book.
I liked that there's a lot happening; a rescue, mistaken identity, a stalker, a 2nd rescue, and a mystery. I have to admit the "mistaken identity" is one of my favorite tropes. Laurie and Ross do fall quickly, but it felt believable. I liked the 1920s style mystery. I liked Ross and Laurie's comprising. I liked Laurie rescue of Ross in the beginning. Laurie's ability was also a cool one.
What I didn't like/annoyed me: Laurie's stupidity. And her roommate's. The whole, we forget to lock out door! Or if we have to carry a key around we will lose it! Really?! Then, after the office gets ransacked, someone (walks right into) breaks into her home and does the same to her bedroom, and she gets pushed down the stairs; she STILL forgets to look the door? What?! And this leads to an event that later happens to Laurie and she needs to be rescued.
I also thought the ending was a bit rushed. I would have liked to read about Ross and Laurie arriving to the conclusion they did. Earlier in the book, I thought that was a viable solution to Laurie's issue (not the door locking; she's promised her parents she will take over the chair of her family's charitable Foundation when she turns 30). It would have been interesting to read about the "light bulb" moment.
Bruiser, Sheila, Deepika, and Andrew were all decent supporting characters.

Ripped Bodice Bingo: Free Space

[CI · Rating 2 out of 5]

Okay, several things I didn't like about this book.

Firstly, the one thing I didn't have any issues with is Laurie hiding who she was - if a person you are interested in states emphatically they hate everything about how 'your type' of people are raised, I would keep that quiet for as long as possible - at least until they have learnt more about you and can make an unbiased opinion.

However, the constant issues that Laurie seemed to have with her looks were annoying. She is tall, thus has larger feet and a larger size body than others. Nothing wrong with a size 14 - it isn't obese and she runs so it is a fit size 14. Despite having emphatic abilities and thus being able to tell when males found her attractive, she sometimes acts as though she is the ugliest person in the world with no background to suggest a good reason why. When she is hurt and has some facial bruising and stitches it is as though she is Frankenstein - enough already!

Plot was so-so, characters were either blah or annoying. In fact, the most enjoyable part were the snippets from a journal written during Chicago 1920's. I made it to 90% and then couldn't even be bothered to finish reading the big reveal.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Laurence “Laurie” Miller
Ross Kennedy

Laurie is a Psychologist who works at a local Mental Health Clinic for those who can’t afford care. She is also to be the next Chairman of the Miller Foundation, which she has been putting off because she doesn’t want to give up her patients. Ross is a successful, workaholic, Attorney at an important Chicago Law firm. Laurie and Ross meet when she is sent on vacation and goes to the family ranch in Montana and Ross is sent to find her and get her to sign the documents making her Chairman. When Ross is stranded with Laurie in a blizzard the chemistry takes over. Also, you have Alex the ex-boyfriend who is searching for a journal that he believes will tell him information for his thesis but it’s not just for his thesis he wants the journal, but for missing diamonds. This is a very good, fast reading book. The mystery of the diamonds is interesting. I liked both Ross and Laurie, both are strong characters and have to learn to compromise. Both Laurie and Ross grow emotionally in the book. I also like the supporting characters of Shelia and Bruiser. This was my first book by this author and I would definitely read more books by her, and in this series.

[Linda Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

What. A. Great. Read!! I was afraid I would not like this at all & almost didn’t go on after the sample but I am sure glad I read on! I’d been burnt by previous book reviews & was afraid to continue this one, but if you are on the fence—read this! I loved the characters. The story. The end—wow!! Laurie & Ross had the sweetest love story. Shelia & Bruiser were so much fun. Andrew & Deepika were cute. There was so much woven through the story that you were anxious to read more! (My only complaint was the use of the term of endearment “kitten”. Literally hated that, but that’s personal preference.) I wholeheartedly recommend this book!

[Carol Pearson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It's my first time reading a book from this author. But I will certainly follow this author from now on. A mystery, a romance, , and a little psychology, makes for a wonderful reading session. I stayed up half the night to finish this book.. I promise this one is a best seller. Great author. Keep writing. Romance and mystery go well together. I never believed in love at first sight. But Ross and Laurie did. So I guess it's

possible. Now I will download all the books in this series. I'm a voracious reader, so wish me happy reading.