Steph Rizzo loves three things: her career as a firefighter, her girlfriend Rosa, and cooking. Not necessarily in that order. The only thing lacking in her life is trying to get her girlfriend to marry her. They have lived together for eleven years, but still Rosa can’t quite bring herself to say “I do.”
After Rosa’s parents died in a car accident, she grew up in a state home. At the age of eighteen she was on her own. She worked her way through college and eventually realized her dream of becoming a police officer. Now she has everything she’s ever wanted—a lover, a home, and a career. Until the night that she is shot while on duty. Then everything changes—her life, her job, and her relationship.
Steph is about to find out what the words “in sickness and in health” really mean.
Straight from the Heart is an emotionally charged novel exploring love, loss, and friendship.
Saxon Bennett is an admitted bibliophile and has the bookcases to prove it. Her favorite book is Harriet the Spy. She grew up among the pine trees of Washington where she learned to be a Keeper of Odd Knowledge with a special liking for new words - the queerer the better. She has a penchant for inspirational quotes - the more motivational the better. A serious aficionado of pie, she also drinks a lot of coffee and tea - especially when she’s writing, which she does every day. Saxon is a parent and a wife—two things she never thought she’d be - and she writes blogs about her family in the style of Erma Bombeck. In her next life she wants to be a professional snowboarder. She likes to grow flowers and tend to her pond. Jelly beans, gummy bears and licorice are her favorite candies. An avid walker with a goal to walk every street in her small town, she hits the pavement each morning. To keep herself limber, she does beginner yoga. She’d like to learn to meditate but her mind is as restless as a squirrel trapped in a box. As an amateur seamstress, she is endlessly trying to create the perfect butch purse. Her favorite quote is “Man plans, God laughs.” Saxon is the author of fifteen novels. Her book Family Affair won the Goldie for General Fiction in 2009. She won the Alice B. Reader Award for her body of work in 2012. Her second book in the Family Affair trilogy entitled Marching to a Different Accordion won a Golden Crown Literary Award for general fiction in 2012. Her book In the Unlikely Event is the final book in the Family Affair trilogy. All her books are available at Amazon and Bella Books in both print and electronic format. She has also written two books with her partner Layce Gardner and they are More than a Kiss and Crazy Little thing. Check them out on Amazon.
So I have not really clicked with these two authors' writings but I keep reading them for somd reason. But this one, I actalually liked. Don't get me wrong there were still little things that irked me a bit and some things I don't fully think were resolved or even close blto being resolved but regardless I did enjoy it. This is the second book in the series and is technically about Steph and Rosa. The jist of it is Rosa gets injured on the job and is pissed at everyone and wont let anyone help her but Parker. Which honestly made me mad and if I was Steph, would unbelievably hurt by some of her actions. Everything works out nicely in the end in a sense and it had a nice set up of new characters. You get more in depth read of Amy and Parker and even Susan and Tess's reoationships. If you're a fan you'll like this read. If you on the fence like I usually am, give this one a chance. I actually liked it.
A moving story of love, friendship, grief and healing. Full of laughter, tears and witty banter between the friends. The ending was heartwarming. Two thumbs up for this sequel.
Book 2 of 4 in the True Heart series. You could probably read it on it's own but I think there'd be some nuance missed in all the relationships in the series. And there's a lot!
All right, lemme see if I get the cast right. Amy and Parker, Steph and Rosa, Susan and Tess, Ruth, Mabel and Clara, Millie and Bernie. Without a doubt, Parker is my favorite. That's one person *more* than the L Word cast, lol. That's a lot of people!
Although 80 yr old Millie sitting in 'The Judge' (GTO) with her posse of Millie's Militia is pretty funny really. So Millie gets a close second. Lotta fun in this book surrounding some not so fun stuff for Rosa and Steph. Still quite entertaining.
Okay so this one was a perfect number 2, a beautiful story about what happens when life throws you lemons and how to work threw it. As always I had lots of laughs and even had a couple of swallows and you do not cry with a book moments. Looking forward to number 3.
Awesome book two....the characters make this book as much as the storyline does. I love Parker and her directness. I laughed so hard during many parts of this. I definitely recommend this book.
I really liked the first book in this series and was equally, if not more, pleased with this sequel. I fell in love with the whole cast of characters, especially Parker, and was happy to hear more about them. There were so many touching moments in this book that I want to go back and reread it. Parker struck me as the quiet hero in so many instances, touching everyone around her, anticipating their needs and stepping in to provide a fix or a solution often before a problem was realized. Her love, loyalty and devotion are admirable. I adore the fact that her mild Aspergers causes her to be so honest and clear in her interactions. I can't wait for the third installment!
I loved this book better than the first one. There was such variety of emotions. A lot of real life was brought out in this story. Rosa's fight after her injury, the stress on Steph. The realization of missing the one you love hit all of them. I love every character, they were very well developed. And there's so much more to their story. I can't wait for the next part in their journey.
Straight from the Heart is an excellent read. Great second book in the series. I love the details in all the characters lives and the details about the town of Fenton. I can't wait to read the next. ---Not a verified purchase because I read it with my Kindle Unlimited subscription. I appreciate the authors making their books available on KU.
Again a believable story for those who believe in love. Rosa a commitment phobe after suffering an unfortunate incident at work ended on a wheelchair. With love and patience all good things come to those who wait.
I am really digging the writing of the Gardner/Bennett team. Straight From the Heart had me crying, laughing, fuming, and waving my hands in the air. I love these characters, and can't wait to continue with this series.
Not much to say about this book. I think the author ran out of ideas about this group of women and just wrote anything. Definitely not as good as the first one or the second one in the series.