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True Heart #2

Straight from the Heart

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ASIN B072C7HZ36 moved to the more recent edition

This is Book Two of the True Heart Series.

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.

315 pages, ebook

First published May 27, 2017

80 people are currently reading
58 people want to read

About the author

Saxon Bennett

53 books180 followers
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.

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5 stars
109 (50%)
4 stars
68 (31%)
3 stars
29 (13%)
2 stars
7 (3%)
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2 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
Profile Image for C.
737 reviews78 followers
July 11, 2017
I actually liked this one...

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.
Profile Image for Loek Krancher.
1,042 reviews66 followers
November 30, 2018
Two thumbs up!

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.

Profile Image for Ted.
560 reviews89 followers
January 4, 2018
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.

Great ending by the way :)
Profile Image for Kath.
230 reviews
June 9, 2017
Awww

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.
Profile Image for susan.
416 reviews3 followers
January 3, 2018
Awwwesome

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.
247 reviews5 followers
June 4, 2017
Loved it

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!
Profile Image for K.
139 reviews2 followers
September 8, 2017
Outstanding

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.
1,149 reviews15 followers
June 10, 2017
I loved this book.

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.
410 reviews1 follower
November 15, 2018
OMG

As promised by the author, this book has a HEA.

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.

Millie and Bernie's affair was expected

153 reviews
June 20, 2017
Loved It

This book had my heart racing a couple of times. It rendered me to tears a couple of times. It made me laugh, too.

The characters are well developed and likeable. There isn't just one love story to enjoy, too. I eagerly await the next book in the series.
Profile Image for Kim.
683 reviews3 followers
July 7, 2018
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.
Profile Image for Heather Henkel.
1,404 reviews23 followers
May 30, 2017
Great story

I really enjoyed this second book in the series. I really freaking love Parker and wish there were more folks like her in the world!
Profile Image for Eugenia.
276 reviews15 followers
February 4, 2018
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.
816 reviews8 followers
April 30, 2021
Very good friends who help through the rough spots in life.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews

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