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Shipwreck #1
Elusive
I didn’t set out to be a pirate.
Life for me was about surviving the ugliness that people knew existed but didn’t talk about.
I lived in hell.
Then I saw her.
I knew I couldn’t keep her, but for just a little while I had found heaven.
Eight years later, I can’t get her out of my head.
It is a mistake sailing to her island.
It is a mistake reaching out to her.
She doesn’t recognize me. Or maybe she does.
Closure, it is all I’m after.
Then my past comes back to haunt me.
She’s thrust into my ruthless world. An angel.
A romantic who has a journal that leads to a shipwreck and a lost treasure.
She wants to find the ending to a love story that is over two hundred years in the making.
I want to help her find it.
I didn’t set out to be a pirate.
I didn’t set out to fall in love with an angel.
I did both anyway.
Due to strong language and sexual content, this book is not intended for readers under the age of 18.
Life for me was about surviving the ugliness that people knew existed but didn’t talk about.
I lived in hell.
Then I saw her.
I knew I couldn’t keep her, but for just a little while I had found heaven.
Eight years later, I can’t get her out of my head.
It is a mistake sailing to her island.
It is a mistake reaching out to her.
She doesn’t recognize me. Or maybe she does.
Closure, it is all I’m after.
Then my past comes back to haunt me.
She’s thrust into my ruthless world. An angel.
A romantic who has a journal that leads to a shipwreck and a lost treasure.
She wants to find the ending to a love story that is over two hundred years in the making.
I want to help her find it.
I didn’t set out to be a pirate.
I didn’t set out to fall in love with an angel.
I did both anyway.
Due to strong language and sexual content, this book is not intended for readers under the age of 18.
312 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 21, 2017
99 people are currently reading
1386 people want to read
About the author
L.A. Fiore
31 books2,765 followersA top 11 Amazon Bestselling author, LA Fiore, wife, mom, identical twin, hybrid author, and extraterrestrial, is a fan of the fermented grape and a dabbler in storytelling. She believes in a happily ever after, but she likes to make her readers work for it. When she's not writing, she can usually be found in the garden or hanging on the deck with her family and friends. She lives in Bucks County, Pennsylvania with her husband, two kids and their four fur babies.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 187 reviews
August 3, 2020
3 Stars
Frankly, this was not what I'd expected. When I read the blurb, I was transfixed. When I started reading the book, I was transfixed. Because pirates.
And a unique story.
And a romantic, exotic setting.
And a passionate, nostalgic atmosphere.
And a mysterious, adventurous plot.
The first part of the book was every romantic's dream. From which I woke up suddenly and unexpectedly in the second part of the book. With a bad case of book hangover.
Who wrote the second part? Because it felt like it had been written by another person. Gone was the romantic, mysterious hero who swept me off my feet and in came a completely differentegotistical and unlikable hero. Gone was the romantic, adventurous girl and in came a different TSTL heroine. They took all their passion and scorching chemistry with them on their way out. All they left behind was a different, at times boring and implausible, plot.
Even the writing style seemed different. I mean, how many times do I have to read that the hero is hot? How many times over the course of several pages do I have to read about their ogling?
Overall, this was a solid read which started off fantastically but lost itsrum spark somewhere along the way.
Frankly, this was not what I'd expected. When I read the blurb, I was transfixed. When I started reading the book, I was transfixed. Because pirates.
And a unique story.
And a romantic, exotic setting.
And a passionate, nostalgic atmosphere.
And a mysterious, adventurous plot.
The first part of the book was every romantic's dream. From which I woke up suddenly and unexpectedly in the second part of the book. With a bad case of book hangover.
Who wrote the second part? Because it felt like it had been written by another person. Gone was the romantic, mysterious hero who swept me off my feet and in came a completely different
Even the writing style seemed different. I mean, how many times do I have to read that the hero is hot? How many times over the course of several pages do I have to read about their ogling?
- "I slowly slid my gaze down his body."
- "His gaze slid down my before returning to my face."
- "I eyed him from head to toe."
- "...my gaze to his. No, I moved it slowly up his while imagining him naked."
- "He stopped and slid his gaze slowly down my body. A trail of heat was left in the wake of his sensual perusal."
- "I allowed my eyes to linger a moment longer on what I wanted to say was his flat stomach, but my gaze was fixed on a spot lower."
- "Every inch of my body felt the heat of his gaze before he eventually returned his eyes to mine."
- "…the hardness of his expression as he moved his gaze down my body."
- "I had heard of men giving women long, heated studies up and down the body."
- "Every inch of my body felt the heat of his gaze before he eventually returned his eyes to mine."
- "She then took a step back and moved her eyes slowly down my body."
- "Her gaze moved down to my dick and lingered before sliding back up to my face."
- "His eyes moved down my body and goosebumps broke out on my skin."
Overall, this was a solid read which started off fantastically but lost its
July 24, 2017
*3.5 stars*
Layered and exhilarating, Elusive got and kept my interest from the very first page. That said, it was severely lacking in the romance aspect, leaning more toward being a mystery slash Ocean's Eleven caper (on sea).
Shannon's review Captures all the reasons why this story faltered.
It's definitely a well written story but, the mystery of the shipwreck and the search for it dominated while the romance was doled out in meager measures.
July 19, 2017
This review is going to be as spoiler free as I can possibly make it, going into this I really didn't know what I would be facing, but what I got exceeded all my expectations, the cover, the blurb, the author and then those teasers all piqued my interest and I couldn't wait to get my hands on this, it's so unique, nothing I have read even compares to this, or even comes close, it's not just a tale about a wayward Pirate, a hot pirate at that it is so much more than that. So if you're after something different to sink your teeth into that sticks out from the crowd then one click this come release day I highly recommend it.
ELUSIVE: is the first book in this modern day romance novel within the shipwreck series by LA Fiore
This kicks starts us off in the year 1999, where Willow has just celebrated another lonely year where her absentee parents are living a life similar to Indiana Jones, travelling the world on their hunts for the next lost treasures. Luckily for Willow she had the love of her Grandfather to guide her where needed. Like her parents the ocean had always held a fascination for her, the treasures it hides, the secrets it keeps, the lives it steals. She knew her calling in life would be exploring the ocean bottom just like her parents or even studying archaeology.
➼ Don't settle. Chase your dreams. Live, Love, be daring and reckless and most important be happy.
The same year we meet fourteen year old Kace living a life polar opposite to Willow, he doesn't have parents or a loving grandfather. Kace was shoved into the system at an early age after the death of his parents. Thinking life on the streets would be better to living in foster care for much longer sees him squatting under the Brooklyn Bridge, with two friends Snake and Einstein, Snake was more of a brother than a friend. This was the year where things changed for Kace and Snake.
2004 Summer break had Willow seeking her own lost treasure at sea before heading off to college to minor in anthropology. And Kade and Snake are slumming it in Manhattan, Kace worked at a local marina cleaning boats. On one such day he meets an old man who teaches kade to sail. And also offers some wisdom along the way.
➼ You've seen ugly, but there is beauty and if you ever find someone who makes your stomach twist and your palms sweat, someone who makes everything else just fade from existence, take her hand son, I promise you, you won't be sorry that you did.
He was in Kace's life for such a short span of time but what he did instill in Kace was the love of sailing, the freedom of the ocean and a father like love that Kace had never experienced. Kace takes to sailing like a duck to water and knows in his heart his calling in life is to be on the ocean. The same year Kace learn't a valid lesson, that everything comes at a cost. This had a profound impact on Kace's life and the direction it took him in.
➼ Guys like me didn't get dreams, we lived in nightmares.
2009 Willow finally graduates and i vacationing in Cancun where she meets a man that changes her life forever, and her him, a connection, a love so profound, two soul mates that were destined to meet. It was her hair he noticed first, but it wasn't until she turned around and it felt like he'd literally been hit in the gut. A fast and furious island connection, there one minute, gone the next. His parting gift an old journal that she'd had her eyes on in a bookshop. Which years later will have an impact on their lives. Learning he's a pirate and a thief should send warning bells but it has the opposite effect. Willow learns that not everything is black and white.
➼ There was enough humanity in me to know she would be better off if i stayed the hell away from her.
2011 Years go by where they both still think about their island fling, the craving, the needing, wanting that reconnection again..Will these star crossed lovers ever met again? To present day this is where I have to stop my review only because if i go any further it will divulge spoilers that need to be read fully to get the full impact and love I felt for these characters and storyline.
December 25, 2018
Oh. My. Gosh!
I want a pirate of my very own!! One
exactly
like Kace would be more than sufficient.
Kace was orphaned during his infancy and grew up knowing a life of struggle, poverty and hardship. He eventually found family when he became best friends with Snake at the tender age of 14. Having someone at his side didn’t necessarily make his life any easier. He was still vulnerable, still poor, still finding his meals out of the trash, but at least he was no longer alone. Time and circumstance and the serendipitous meeting of more lost boys created a crew and these men made the best pirates EVER!!
Willow came from an affluent two-parent household but she always came second to their love for hunting ancient artifacts. Her parents were famous treasure hunters (think Indiana Jones) and left her alone for the majority of her upbringing. She had a very loving grandfather, who encouraged her to follow her dreams and her heart, but loneliness was a constant companion, a dark shadow that literally haunted her every step.
Their lives change drastically after a chance encounter while Willow is vacationing in Cancun. Through her, Kace witnessed a new normal, one that he wanted to hold onto with both hands. Their connection was instantaneous and was proven to be stronger than time or distance. Willow was innocence, grace, goodness and mercy. Kace was brooding, dangerous and extremely sexy. They each fit like the missing half of the other’s soul.
With Elusive , the author gave us a story full of intrigue, suspense and adventure. She also gifted us with an epic love that spanned years. One chance meeting cemented a bond between Kace and Willow and lived within their souls forever. Even when they thought they would never see each other again their hearts refused to let go. It’s a story that makes me believe that dreams can come true, that there is always a reason to hope for a love of a lifetime. It’s a story that made the journey seem not only real, but absolutely worthwhile.
L.A. Fiore is a brilliant storyteller. She took a relatively undiscovered concept, at least in the romance world - pirates - and made it all her own. I’m sure other romance authors will one day write their own pirate stories, but I can promise you that they won’t have as profound an effect on me as this trailblazer did.
Release Date: July 21, 2017
Genre: Contemporary Romance
POV: Dual - 1st person
Heat: 4 out of 5
Type: Standalone - Book 1 of the Shipwreck series
Kace was orphaned during his infancy and grew up knowing a life of struggle, poverty and hardship. He eventually found family when he became best friends with Snake at the tender age of 14. Having someone at his side didn’t necessarily make his life any easier. He was still vulnerable, still poor, still finding his meals out of the trash, but at least he was no longer alone. Time and circumstance and the serendipitous meeting of more lost boys created a crew and these men made the best pirates EVER!!
Willow came from an affluent two-parent household but she always came second to their love for hunting ancient artifacts. Her parents were famous treasure hunters (think Indiana Jones) and left her alone for the majority of her upbringing. She had a very loving grandfather, who encouraged her to follow her dreams and her heart, but loneliness was a constant companion, a dark shadow that literally haunted her every step.
Their lives change drastically after a chance encounter while Willow is vacationing in Cancun. Through her, Kace witnessed a new normal, one that he wanted to hold onto with both hands. Their connection was instantaneous and was proven to be stronger than time or distance. Willow was innocence, grace, goodness and mercy. Kace was brooding, dangerous and extremely sexy. They each fit like the missing half of the other’s soul.
With Elusive , the author gave us a story full of intrigue, suspense and adventure. She also gifted us with an epic love that spanned years. One chance meeting cemented a bond between Kace and Willow and lived within their souls forever. Even when they thought they would never see each other again their hearts refused to let go. It’s a story that makes me believe that dreams can come true, that there is always a reason to hope for a love of a lifetime. It’s a story that made the journey seem not only real, but absolutely worthwhile.
L.A. Fiore is a brilliant storyteller. She took a relatively undiscovered concept, at least in the romance world - pirates - and made it all her own. I’m sure other romance authors will one day write their own pirate stories, but I can promise you that they won’t have as profound an effect on me as this trailblazer did.
Release Date: July 21, 2017
Genre: Contemporary Romance
POV: Dual - 1st person
Heat: 4 out of 5
Type: Standalone - Book 1 of the Shipwreck series
July 19, 2017
I’m going to be really honest and say that from the minute I heard the words pirate and lost treasure, I knew without a shadow of a doubt that I HAD to read this book. A modern day romance that gives you all of the feels while secretly wishing you were a part of the adventure yourself!! Elusive wasn’t your ordinary read. This was a journey into the unknown waters of finding a kind of love that people would be talking about for centuries later.
Seeing that this story is so deeply woven with complex characters, I’m going to keep this review extremely vague.
We’ve all wanted to find a kind of love that would knock us off our feet. You know the feeling: just one look and your breath gets stolen from you, the crackle of the electricity in the air just from being close to one another, and that gut instinct that tells you whether you like it or not, this person is going to change your life forever. Have you ever loved liked that?
“Don’t settle. Chase your dreams. Live, love, be daring and reckless and most important be happy.”
Looking for beauty beyond the surface has always been a fascination for Willow. She loves finding treasures and when it’s in your blood, there’s no stopping the hunt. But there’s something more than treasure that Willow really wants and little did she know that when she least expected it, that want came in the form of a man who she will never forget.
When I say that this story is going to take you on a journey, I mean it! From seeing the past lives of the characters and knowing what made them into who they were today, was executed brilliantly. Every decision that was made altered a part in their future and I loved how it was portrayed. These characters certainly didn’t have it easy and my heart ached for them in finding their happily ever after regardless of how they got it.
If you’re ready for something completely different and to be taken on a ride, then “Elusive” is the story for you.
July 6, 2017
Elusive is a contemporary, modern day romance. I struggled with this story and the evolution of the story from the first draft to the final manuscript is like night and day. I almost tossed in the towel a few times because I was having a hard time finding Noah's voice, but in the end I realized I needed to show how a boy on the streets in New York became the man and pirate he grows into. I am so glad I stuck with it because I absolutely adore Willow and Noah. Elusive is a love story within a love story, an adventure filled with murder, mayhem, lost treasure, deceit and love all wrapped around a super sexy romance. I hope if you read it, you experience it as if you are right there with the characters.
July 21, 2017
“Once upon a time someone called me a pirate.”
The prologue of this book sets the entire story in motion, but it's so powerful on its own that I just felt the need to address it. It sends you back, gives you a taste of history but also a glimpse into what the characters in this story are fighting for.
"I would find Isabella. I would tell their story, be their voice, share with the world their brief but touching love story."
Knowing absolutely nothing about this book, the blurb is so fantastic at drawing in a reader. The cover is gorgeous, and with promises of history, Pirates and treasure, what's not to like?
Now timeline wise, you see different events from different times in the main characters lives before they even meet. We glimpse at their childhood, their teen years, all the way into early adulthood before they even meet. Then we move farther into the present day when they're in their thirties. I liked seeing all of the stages and how they impacted the specific characters at certain times in their lives. Though I may be partial to Mr. Travers, he might be my favourite kind of person ever.
“A wise man told me once if I ever found someone who made my stomach twist and my palms sweat, someone who made everything else just fade from existence…that I should take her hand because I wouldn’t be sorry I did.” His hand tightened on mine. “I learned what love was from him, but I learned how it felt from you.”
There were a few small details that I caught on to which I thought were so interesting, and they're the underlying magic of fate or how the universe works. Willow could sense Noah around her or feel his presence, until a certain incident happened. Her outlook on this was quite intriguing, and the answer for it even more so. Noah's involvement, his lifestyle, and how it impacted this ideal was really cool.
Before I go any farther, I feel the need to express that I did really enjoy this book. I'll get into what my problems were to only rate it as three stars, but as a whole, I enjoyed the story. Ultimately, it comes down to the fact that this is a romance novel, and frankly, I didn't believe or like the romance between Willow and Noah very much.
There were small glimpses of romance or shall we say love that I just wanted to hold onto and believe, but then there would be contradicting actions or words from (mainly, but not always) the hero and I just didn't know what to think. I couldn't grasp this romance, I guess because it's not at all how I expected two people, supposedly in love, the act. I get it, he's a pirate and it's not your average story but throughout the entire book, I got very little idea or feeling from Noah to actually suggest he liked Willow more than just having sex with her. Small glimpses, yes, and I think I highlighted every one because let's be honest, there weren't many. He intended to still do horrible things to her even while 'loving' her. And she was going to let him because she 'loved' him back. Where did this love even come from? It was an infatuation from one day they shared eight years ago that Willow couldn't let go of, and it's suggested that Noah was the same. That turned to love before he even came back into her life. That's great for me, fine and dandy, if they then started again and grew from where they were before, but it didn't feel like that at all. I fully believe that she loved the guy from her past and transferred that onto the Noah she met in the present day. She even kept saying this herself! How she didn't know Noah, wasn't comfortable with his actions or his life but she wouldn't let him bend or change himself because she already loved him when he came back to her. How does this create a healthy relationship? I just have a really hard time buying the 'one day a long time ago I fell in love with him and I've been treasuring this memory for so long so that means I already love him now'. To me personally, that's not how a romance novel should be, and I think that's where my problems with the romance aspect come from. And, well, I get he's a pirate but show me that he actually feels something for this girl! It seemed superficial, and when he did have a few nice words, he would immediately go back and contradict everything the reader was just lead to believe. It confused me and kept me from getting attached to these two. I was merely reading about a treasure hunt with two people who liked to bang.
"I wanted to keep her, but she was never mine. She was just an elusive dream, a fucking beautiful dream. I slipped out as silently as I slipped in, but I left my damaged heart in that room with the angel who had claimed it."
Now on the flip side of this, the pirate aspect, the treasure hunt, the mystery behind what was happening to the yachts, that was all extremely well done, super exciting and so fresh and unique that it keeps the reader guessing. I never knew what to expect from this group or what might happen next. Though I think there were a couple of minor instances that could've been explained a little more, it was generally easy to follow along and keep up. I have no clue how the author would've come up with this plot but it's like nothing I've ever read before and that's always an exciting journey to take.
I can also really appreciate how it's not just one specific hunt that's happening, there're many different layers to the story. So sure, there's the love story between Alejandro and Isabella that's dissected. The research and dedication into trying to find the ship, what might be on board, piecing together what caused the ship to sink in the first place, etc. All of that could've made one story, but Fiore added so much more to add complexity, suspense, and mystery. But the way she does it, weaving all of these aspects into one singular story line, is practically genius.
“You got a little pirate in you woman. I like it.”
I've always loved reading LA Fiore books and by no means is Elusive the exception. Sure, I had some grievances over the who love story part of it, but I got over it and focused on remembering the rest of it that I loved.
*An ARC was received in exchange for an honest review.
October 9, 2017
Willow has spent her whole life coming second to her parents treasure hunting. The only constant in her life is her Grandad. When her parents flake on her graduation trip to Cancun, she decides to go by herself. She's living the motto her Grandad asked her too. "Live, love, be daring and reckless and most importantly be happy"
This is where she meets Noah. The impact of Noah was more than she has ever felt in her life, but she knows there is more to him. She sees his intensity, the dangerous glint in his eyes but she doesn't care. She's living the motto and jumping in with both feet.
What the author takes you on is an adventure of a lifetime. The story of these two individuals as they grow up and become the people shaped by circumstances beyond their control. I loved every adventure the author took us on with Noah and Willow together and separate.
I ached for both characters to have something good in their lives. I yearned for Willow to have someone finally put her first. The unconditional love she displayed was beautiful. The goodness in Noah even when he couldn't see it himself.
The places we get to read about would be an adventurers dream come true. The truth Willow sought about a long lost love torn apart hoping to bring them back together was beautiful and sad knowing she was seeking for such a love herself. I had no idea I'd be emotionally wrecked by this story. It was beautiful. It was fun. It left me wanting more. ARC provided by NetGalley.
This is where she meets Noah. The impact of Noah was more than she has ever felt in her life, but she knows there is more to him. She sees his intensity, the dangerous glint in his eyes but she doesn't care. She's living the motto and jumping in with both feet.
What the author takes you on is an adventure of a lifetime. The story of these two individuals as they grow up and become the people shaped by circumstances beyond their control. I loved every adventure the author took us on with Noah and Willow together and separate.
I ached for both characters to have something good in their lives. I yearned for Willow to have someone finally put her first. The unconditional love she displayed was beautiful. The goodness in Noah even when he couldn't see it himself.
The places we get to read about would be an adventurers dream come true. The truth Willow sought about a long lost love torn apart hoping to bring them back together was beautiful and sad knowing she was seeking for such a love herself. I had no idea I'd be emotionally wrecked by this story. It was beautiful. It was fun. It left me wanting more. ARC provided by NetGalley.
July 16, 2017
An absolute treasure trove of passion, romance, and adventure! There is romance and excitement with every turn of the page. There was absolutely NO WAY I was putting this baby down! Fiore has made one HELL of a first impression on me with the release of this majestic love story.
"She wouldn't be pulling me from the ugly; I would be pulling her into it. Guys like me didn't get dreams, we lived nightmares."
I'm going to tell you right now, this review has to be short and sweet, and you'll know why once you dive in. I can't risk giving anything away, so I'll just continue to tell you how much I enjoyed this contemporary, modern-day romance. I'm not giving you names or anything, just trust that ELUSIVE will take you on the RIDE of your LIFE!
I don't remember the last time I was so entranced with a love story. It's strange because when you're starting a book by an author you've never read before, you can be a bit leery of it. But at the end of page one, I was COMPLETELY enthralled. Fiore held me under her spell the whole way through, and to tell you the truth, I never wanted to escape this book, these characters, or the feeling that were dragged out of me all throughout.
"...baby you sealed your fate by kissing my scars. You're mine."
This author takes us on an epic journey, traveling around the world, searching for hidden treasures AND hidden love. This was masterfully written with so much passion, emotion, and adventure embedded into each and every page. If you like your romance with a side of action and adventure, look no further, because ELUSIVE should be your very next read. I can't tell you how excited I am to have found the work of L.A. Fiore. I can't wait to see what she's written in the past and I can't wait to see what EPIC-NESS she has planned for us in the future. If you are a fan of clandestine love and romantic suspense, ELUSIVE by L.A. Fiore is definitely the one for you!
"She wouldn't be pulling me from the ugly; I would be pulling her into it. Guys like me didn't get dreams, we lived nightmares."
I'm going to tell you right now, this review has to be short and sweet, and you'll know why once you dive in. I can't risk giving anything away, so I'll just continue to tell you how much I enjoyed this contemporary, modern-day romance. I'm not giving you names or anything, just trust that ELUSIVE will take you on the RIDE of your LIFE!
I don't remember the last time I was so entranced with a love story. It's strange because when you're starting a book by an author you've never read before, you can be a bit leery of it. But at the end of page one, I was COMPLETELY enthralled. Fiore held me under her spell the whole way through, and to tell you the truth, I never wanted to escape this book, these characters, or the feeling that were dragged out of me all throughout.
"...baby you sealed your fate by kissing my scars. You're mine."
This author takes us on an epic journey, traveling around the world, searching for hidden treasures AND hidden love. This was masterfully written with so much passion, emotion, and adventure embedded into each and every page. If you like your romance with a side of action and adventure, look no further, because ELUSIVE should be your very next read. I can't tell you how excited I am to have found the work of L.A. Fiore. I can't wait to see what she's written in the past and I can't wait to see what EPIC-NESS she has planned for us in the future. If you are a fan of clandestine love and romantic suspense, ELUSIVE by L.A. Fiore is definitely the one for you!
July 14, 2017
5+++++ I choose you stars
I was lucky to win a copy of this book in a competition on Alessandra Torre's FB page.
This book was amazing and thats a word I don't use often because it doesn't always describe what I really want to say about it and why it has had such an impact on me. It can also be a vastly over rated word but this book was exactly that - amazing from start to finish and I was in that book along with these characters.
A wonderful romantic story filled with suspense and plot with a difference.
I was lucky to win a copy of this book in a competition on Alessandra Torre's FB page.
This book was amazing and thats a word I don't use often because it doesn't always describe what I really want to say about it and why it has had such an impact on me. It can also be a vastly over rated word but this book was exactly that - amazing from start to finish and I was in that book along with these characters.
A wonderful romantic story filled with suspense and plot with a difference.
Want to read
July 11, 2017
Title: Elusive
Author: L.A. Fiore
Category: Romance
Series or Standalone: Standalone
POV: First Person, Dual PoV
Plot:
Characters:
Scorching Level:
HEA: Um...hello. Not telling.
June 30, 2017
My name is Lin and I'm obsessed with L.A. Fiore's words! There, I said it! The things that are going on this woman's brain can do magic, and what a fine magic it is...
I was so curious about this book that I begged L.A. for an early copy. I've never read about pirates and I just had to get my hands on this one. Yeah, it was so worth me begging.
This book is about Willow and Noah. Willow has a romantic little soul. Practically abandoned by her parents, who spend their time treasure hunting all over the world, she was raised by her grandfather. His museum was her home and all its relics, and the dreams she conjured about them, kept a lonely child from being completely alone. Her romantic heart believes in true love and she wants to "live the dream". On vacation celebrating her graduation from college, she meets Kace (Noah)—a man who sweeps her off her feet. He is charming, beautiful and...DANGEROUS. Kace has had a very sh*tty life. He was raised on the streets, with only one friend by his side. He knows how the rest of his life will play out and that a bright, romantic future is not in his cards.
One day. One special day, is all Willow and Kace have and all they are left with is a memory...the perfect memory. Or so they thought.
This story made my heart race more than once. W + N's journey to their second chance and the crazy road to get there blew my mind away. It was HOT, emotional, full of suspense and also, very romantic. Every word was like seeing a movie that you just can't stop watching. Seeing it on the big screen is a must! Fingers crossed for that to happen. It was amazing and I was hooked through every page. Every layer, every feeling, every event was written so perfectly that I felt like I was there with the characters. And Noah... Oh my... He's one of my favorite book-boyfriends - that's for sure.
I was so curious about this book that I begged L.A. for an early copy. I've never read about pirates and I just had to get my hands on this one. Yeah, it was so worth me begging.
This book is about Willow and Noah. Willow has a romantic little soul. Practically abandoned by her parents, who spend their time treasure hunting all over the world, she was raised by her grandfather. His museum was her home and all its relics, and the dreams she conjured about them, kept a lonely child from being completely alone. Her romantic heart believes in true love and she wants to "live the dream". On vacation celebrating her graduation from college, she meets Kace (Noah)—a man who sweeps her off her feet. He is charming, beautiful and...DANGEROUS. Kace has had a very sh*tty life. He was raised on the streets, with only one friend by his side. He knows how the rest of his life will play out and that a bright, romantic future is not in his cards.
One day. One special day, is all Willow and Kace have and all they are left with is a memory...the perfect memory. Or so they thought.
This story made my heart race more than once. W + N's journey to their second chance and the crazy road to get there blew my mind away. It was HOT, emotional, full of suspense and also, very romantic. Every word was like seeing a movie that you just can't stop watching. Seeing it on the big screen is a must! Fingers crossed for that to happen. It was amazing and I was hooked through every page. Every layer, every feeling, every event was written so perfectly that I felt like I was there with the characters. And Noah... Oh my... He's one of my favorite book-boyfriends - that's for sure.
July 6, 2017
I would give this book 10 stars if I could!
One of the most intriguing, interesting, brilliant concepts I have read in a LONG TIME.
It has all the summer fun you want in a sexy romance. With pirates, shipwrecks, mystery, suspense, treasure hunts... and more, oh my! L. A. Fiore takes something I have loved since child hood, a pirates tale, treasure, romance and adventure and turned it into so much more.
This book read like a movie... I seriously didn't want it to end... you won't either. The passion and love that is in the book will leave you swooning for weeks to come. When this book comes out, I hope you devour it like I did. L. A. Fiore, BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR!!!
I love your work, but this tops them ALL! You gave me all the feels. The suspense was off the charts. The love story within a story was brilliant. The mystery of how and why... GENIUS!!! Best book of the summer for sure!
One of the most intriguing, interesting, brilliant concepts I have read in a LONG TIME.
It has all the summer fun you want in a sexy romance. With pirates, shipwrecks, mystery, suspense, treasure hunts... and more, oh my! L. A. Fiore takes something I have loved since child hood, a pirates tale, treasure, romance and adventure and turned it into so much more.
This book read like a movie... I seriously didn't want it to end... you won't either. The passion and love that is in the book will leave you swooning for weeks to come. When this book comes out, I hope you devour it like I did. L. A. Fiore, BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR!!!
I love your work, but this tops them ALL! You gave me all the feels. The suspense was off the charts. The love story within a story was brilliant. The mystery of how and why... GENIUS!!! Best book of the summer for sure!
July 25, 2017
A modern-day pirate story is as rare as the treasures found deep on the sea floor these days. ‘Elusive’’s blurb doesn’t reveal that much, but it was enough to draw me into a book that I honestly thought I would have liked better. It’s my first L.A. Fiore book in any case, and I hadn’t a clue what to expect.
Much of the first half traces separate lives and timelines of the 2 protagonists and it was done well and believably enough for me to get into the brutal world that Noah/Kace had grown up in as opposed to the relatively sheltered life that Willow led. The journey after their meeting however, meandered through several other scenes which I assume continued to chart their separate development as individuals, right up to the point where they met again.
I wondered where the initial lack of focus on them as a couple was going to lead, and found it equally difficult to buy into their story when they finally met and came together for the second time. There was of course, the obvious parallel of an 18th century man’s love for his young wife that was drawn here, though I wasn’t as enthusiastic about Noach’s and Willow’s love story than I was with the action and the suspense that naturally come with treasure hunting and adventure diving.
That latter part, I enjoyed a lot more, and it was more the characterisation than the action, that I struggled with. Noah and Willow were, for the lack of a better word, hard to pin down, blowing hot and cold, rational and sometimes irrational as far as the crow flew.
Based only on an impulsive night 8 years ago—memories do fade and rose-tinting does come into play—Willow's infatuation somehow grew into love as she had added naive romanticism as a layer on top of it. In the present, Willow acknowledged herself that she’d built up a ‘pirate ideal’ in her head, then superimposed it onto the hardened man she saw later—a man who frankly, treated her callously in ways he only knew how to.
In fact, Noah’s affection for Willow seemed to have extended only to lust, and that selfish tinge of him putting money and his ragtag crew first didn’t convince me that he actually loved her as much as she’d loved him. But Willow—for all her naïveté—did have to grow up somehow, the hard way and I’m glad that Fiore charted her transformation more carefully than Noah.
In all, it’s a story of characters who definitely live unapologetically on the wrong side of the law—don’t read this if you want your men upright and full of integrity—and where amoral decisions rule. Most of all though, I had a hard time suspending my disbelief throughout and that pretty much summed the whole experience up for me.
Much of the first half traces separate lives and timelines of the 2 protagonists and it was done well and believably enough for me to get into the brutal world that Noah/Kace had grown up in as opposed to the relatively sheltered life that Willow led. The journey after their meeting however, meandered through several other scenes which I assume continued to chart their separate development as individuals, right up to the point where they met again.
I wondered where the initial lack of focus on them as a couple was going to lead, and found it equally difficult to buy into their story when they finally met and came together for the second time. There was of course, the obvious parallel of an 18th century man’s love for his young wife that was drawn here, though I wasn’t as enthusiastic about Noach’s and Willow’s love story than I was with the action and the suspense that naturally come with treasure hunting and adventure diving.
That latter part, I enjoyed a lot more, and it was more the characterisation than the action, that I struggled with. Noah and Willow were, for the lack of a better word, hard to pin down, blowing hot and cold, rational and sometimes irrational as far as the crow flew.
Based only on an impulsive night 8 years ago—memories do fade and rose-tinting does come into play—Willow's infatuation somehow grew into love as she had added naive romanticism as a layer on top of it. In the present, Willow acknowledged herself that she’d built up a ‘pirate ideal’ in her head, then superimposed it onto the hardened man she saw later—a man who frankly, treated her callously in ways he only knew how to.
In fact, Noah’s affection for Willow seemed to have extended only to lust, and that selfish tinge of him putting money and his ragtag crew first didn’t convince me that he actually loved her as much as she’d loved him. But Willow—for all her naïveté—did have to grow up somehow, the hard way and I’m glad that Fiore charted her transformation more carefully than Noah.
In all, it’s a story of characters who definitely live unapologetically on the wrong side of the law—don’t read this if you want your men upright and full of integrity—and where amoral decisions rule. Most of all though, I had a hard time suspending my disbelief throughout and that pretty much summed the whole experience up for me.
July 21, 2017
Book Review For: Elusive Book One of Shipwreck series by L.A. Fiore 'Elusive' by L.A. Fiore is Book One of the "Shipwreck" series . This is the story of Willow and Kace/Noah. This book tells their story from when they were younger and how they grew to the people of today. Kace adn Willow didn't meet until 2009 when Willow took her Graduation trip without her parents who are usually off chasing treasure. So Willow went a head with her plans to go this trip alone just has her grandfather would have encouraged her to do so. There she meets Kace who they have a instant connection with. Kace has had a hard life growing up on the streets with his buddy Snake. Trying to move forward with his life but still living in the harshness of his life he meets Willow. A girl that is innocent and good. When they meet again the next day they end up spending the day and night together. Willow shows Kace some good in the world that helps to soften his hardness some. But they don't see each other again until years later. Neither one forgot the other and relived that day over and over. This was a great 'Second Chance at Love" story, along with some emotional writing that swept you into their story. This also had some adventures in their story. Loved it! "My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read." https://www.amazon.com/gp/profile/A2H... https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/1... https://twitter.com/soapsrus68 https://www.facebook.com/RomanceBookR... http://sissymaereads.blogspot.com/ http://booklikes.com/blog https://romancebookreviewforyou.wordp... https://www.tumblr.com/blog/romancebo... https://plus.google.com/+SissyHicks
July 20, 2017
4.5 stars
I just knew I was going to like this book as soon as I read the synopsis. Modern day pirate stories are pretty rare in the indie romance world but I find them intriguing.
Willow has lead a very lonely life as the daughter of two famous treasure hunters. They were never around and always off seeking the next hunt. While she had the love of her grandfather the loneliness brought out the dreamer in her. One of her dreams is to have her own dive team someday. Willow is searching for the romanticism in the hunt and the stories behind them; not the wealth it could bring. This leads her to find the biggest treasure of her life winning the heart of Noah her bad boy pirate.
L.A. Fiore put great detail in this story and it really felt like you were reading an adventure on the high seas. The story takes you from the beginning of Noah’s life on the streets and tells you how he ends up a pirate. It also starts with learning a bit about Willow’s beginnings and her first encounter with Noah. It was one day that impacted them forever. Willow leaves that day with a wonderful memory and a journal. The journal tells the story of two star crossed lovers, a missing shipwreck, and a necklace. As you can imagine she absorbs the story and starts years of research trying to find the Isabella.
Noah and Willow were both great characters. Noah is what you would expect of a pirate. He is sexy, commanding, and he makes no apologies for the things he has to do. Willow is strong and brave and determined to get all she wants out of life. Too many people have disappointed her but she still jumps in with both feet and runs into adventure instead of away from it.
The twists and turns in the story were great and lots of villains to keep things interesting. I especially loved Noah’s crew and Willow’s best friend Zoe coming along for the adventure made things fun. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series. Well done!
* advance copy provided for a voluntary review*
I just knew I was going to like this book as soon as I read the synopsis. Modern day pirate stories are pretty rare in the indie romance world but I find them intriguing.
Willow has lead a very lonely life as the daughter of two famous treasure hunters. They were never around and always off seeking the next hunt. While she had the love of her grandfather the loneliness brought out the dreamer in her. One of her dreams is to have her own dive team someday. Willow is searching for the romanticism in the hunt and the stories behind them; not the wealth it could bring. This leads her to find the biggest treasure of her life winning the heart of Noah her bad boy pirate.
L.A. Fiore put great detail in this story and it really felt like you were reading an adventure on the high seas. The story takes you from the beginning of Noah’s life on the streets and tells you how he ends up a pirate. It also starts with learning a bit about Willow’s beginnings and her first encounter with Noah. It was one day that impacted them forever. Willow leaves that day with a wonderful memory and a journal. The journal tells the story of two star crossed lovers, a missing shipwreck, and a necklace. As you can imagine she absorbs the story and starts years of research trying to find the Isabella.
Noah and Willow were both great characters. Noah is what you would expect of a pirate. He is sexy, commanding, and he makes no apologies for the things he has to do. Willow is strong and brave and determined to get all she wants out of life. Too many people have disappointed her but she still jumps in with both feet and runs into adventure instead of away from it.
The twists and turns in the story were great and lots of villains to keep things interesting. I especially loved Noah’s crew and Willow’s best friend Zoe coming along for the adventure made things fun. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series. Well done!
* advance copy provided for a voluntary review*
July 23, 2017
4.5 stars....
I loved the book...so captivating...an excellent plotline,a fantastic character development and a very fast paced of telling a story....and soon very good secondary characters...
the chemistry between mainleads is fantastic.....
this book is absolutely good for those who are fan of adventure and coming age stories....
in short I totally enjoyed it...
now anxiously waiting for snake story and I would love him to be pair with Zoe (she is the best friend of the heroine in this book)..I totally loved her character....
I loved the book...so captivating...an excellent plotline,a fantastic character development and a very fast paced of telling a story....and soon very good secondary characters...
the chemistry between mainleads is fantastic.....
this book is absolutely good for those who are fan of adventure and coming age stories....
in short I totally enjoyed it...
now anxiously waiting for snake story and I would love him to be pair with Zoe (she is the best friend of the heroine in this book)..I totally loved her character....
June 11, 2017
This is LA's best work. I keep saying that. But each book she writes gets better and better.
Review to come!
Review to come!
July 21, 2017
When I decided to read Elusive by L.A. Fiore, I was not sure what to expect. This was billed as a modern day pirate contemporary romance. I have to say I am so happy I went in blind because the story we get was an unexpected journey that surpassed anything I was expecting!
I am not even sure where to begin, because I do not want to give anything away. This is one story you just have to experience. There was romance, adventure, desire, treasure and so much more. It was one wild and crazy ride!
Willow was left behind by her parents most of her life. They travelled the world hunting treasure. This left her with feelings of abandonment, however, her grandfather attempted to fill that void as much as he could. She grew up lonely, but with dreams of her future and love. After once again being forgotten by her parents, she goes on her first adventure and meets a man that changes everything.
Noah was so charming and sexy with Willow. But he was a dangerous man with a hard past. Having been raised on the streets and fighting for everything, he has not led a good life. With only one friend, he grew up hard and determined. His choices were few for where the future would lead him, but he fought for everything he had.
We are introduced to Willow and Noah through the years. Neither has had it easy, though their struggles are vastly different. After their encounter, Noah and Willow are left with only a memory of the perfect time they had together. And so the adventure begins. Will they find their way back to each other?
I was consumed with this story from start to finish. It was riveting. I have read several of LA Fiore previous books and have loved them, but this one blew my breath away. This story had it all, emotional, romance, suspense and so many adventures. This was a beautiful story of star-crossed lovers with a very unconventional journey, but one that will stay with you long after you are done. Bravo LA Fiore!
Reviewed for Sultry Sirens Book Blog.
Happy reading!
I am not even sure where to begin, because I do not want to give anything away. This is one story you just have to experience. There was romance, adventure, desire, treasure and so much more. It was one wild and crazy ride!
Willow was left behind by her parents most of her life. They travelled the world hunting treasure. This left her with feelings of abandonment, however, her grandfather attempted to fill that void as much as he could. She grew up lonely, but with dreams of her future and love. After once again being forgotten by her parents, she goes on her first adventure and meets a man that changes everything.
Noah was so charming and sexy with Willow. But he was a dangerous man with a hard past. Having been raised on the streets and fighting for everything, he has not led a good life. With only one friend, he grew up hard and determined. His choices were few for where the future would lead him, but he fought for everything he had.
We are introduced to Willow and Noah through the years. Neither has had it easy, though their struggles are vastly different. After their encounter, Noah and Willow are left with only a memory of the perfect time they had together. And so the adventure begins. Will they find their way back to each other?
I was consumed with this story from start to finish. It was riveting. I have read several of LA Fiore previous books and have loved them, but this one blew my breath away. This story had it all, emotional, romance, suspense and so many adventures. This was a beautiful story of star-crossed lovers with a very unconventional journey, but one that will stay with you long after you are done. Bravo LA Fiore!
Reviewed for Sultry Sirens Book Blog.
Happy reading!
July 21, 2017
'Elusive' by L.A. Fiore is Book One of the "Shipwreck" series . This is the story of Willow and Kace/Noah.
This book tells their story from when they were younger and how they grew to the people of today. Kace adn Willow didn't meet until 2009 when Willow took her Graduation trip without her parents who are usually off chasing treasure. So Willow went a head with her plans to go this trip alone just has her grandfather would have encouraged her to do so. There she meets Kace who they have a instant connection with.
Kace has had a hard life growing up on the streets with his buddy Snake. Trying to move forward with his life but still living in the harshness of his life he meets Willow. A girl that is innocent and good. When they meet again the next day they end up spending the day and night together.
Willow shows Kace some good in the world that helps to soften his hardness some. But they don't see each other again until years later. Neither one forgot the other and relived that day over and over.
This was a great 'Second Chance at Love" story, along with some emotional writing that swept you into their story. This also had some adventures in their story.
Loved it!
"My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read."
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This book tells their story from when they were younger and how they grew to the people of today. Kace adn Willow didn't meet until 2009 when Willow took her Graduation trip without her parents who are usually off chasing treasure. So Willow went a head with her plans to go this trip alone just has her grandfather would have encouraged her to do so. There she meets Kace who they have a instant connection with.
Kace has had a hard life growing up on the streets with his buddy Snake. Trying to move forward with his life but still living in the harshness of his life he meets Willow. A girl that is innocent and good. When they meet again the next day they end up spending the day and night together.
Willow shows Kace some good in the world that helps to soften his hardness some. But they don't see each other again until years later. Neither one forgot the other and relived that day over and over.
This was a great 'Second Chance at Love" story, along with some emotional writing that swept you into their story. This also had some adventures in their story.
Loved it!
"My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read."
https://www.amazon.com/gp/profile/A2H...
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/1...
https://twitter.com/soapsrus68
https://www.facebook.com/RomanceBookR...
http://sissymaereads.blogspot.com/
http://booklikes.com/blog
https://romancebookreviewforyou.wordp...
https://www.tumblr.com/blog/romancebo...
https://plus.google.com/+SissyHicks
dnf
July 22, 2017Sorry to say, I DNF'd at around 25% due to violence.
Lately, I've been branching out more to read a wider range of plots & tropes.
I really enjoyed the back stories of the H and h and also how they met.
I was upset about the H's actions. I've read some biker and mafia books but this story didn't sit well with me. I got out of bed & deleted this book. I think that others may be able to get through this-since this is fiction. Thank God. YMMV
Lately, I've been branching out more to read a wider range of plots & tropes.
I really enjoyed the back stories of the H and h and also how they met.
I was upset about the H's actions. I've read some biker and mafia books but this story didn't sit well with me. I got out of bed & deleted this book. I think that others may be able to get through this-since this is fiction. Thank God. YMMV
July 25, 2017
I fell in love with this story from the very beginning. This book is about friendship and brotherhood. It's about chasing your dreams, about choosing to survive and learning how to love... If you like your books to be jam packed with suspense, be fast paced, sizzling hot and addictive, then Elusive is the book for you. It packs a punch and takes you on an emotional rollercoaster that will keep you guessing right until the end. What a Perfect Summer Read!
Kace / Noah; jaded and ruthless but nonetheless one of the most fascinating, complex and three dimensional male characters I've read about in a long time. Definitely not your typical knight in shining armor, but loyal to a fault with those he loves and calls family. His past is a dark one that has left scars. There were times that I struggled with his actions but this is where the Author’s impeccable writing comes into play – I enjoy a book that challenges my preconceptions of what a ‘contemporary romance’ should be. Cliché romance stories are not for me and LA Fiore’s characters are anything but that. Noah is raw but so damn sexy and addictive. At the early stages of the book, we receive just enough information about his past that helps us create a sense of how it has affected his present. He is not a predictable character, and that is what kept me turning page after page. Definitely one of my favourite male leads of 2017.
Willow, our heroine, is nobody’s fool. I loved her – “I wished for someone to put me before his job, to love me madly and deeply and completely. I wished for someone to choose me”. This sentence killed me. It brought tears to my eyes as it hit so many nerves. I immediately latched onto that sentence and it stayed with me throughout the book. She is a woman who isn't afraid to go after what she wants. She wasn't expecting a modern-day pirate however! She is definitely a strong lead; real love means sacrifice, compassion, compromise and forgiveness and that is what Willow is all about.
The secondary characters…. Who do I start with? Snake, the twins, Zeke… Noah’s crew are fascinating! Zoe, the wacky best friend - I can’t wait to get my hands on her book! Each one has such a strong and unique character that comes to life as the book progresses. Let’s not forget about Grandad. He and Mr. Tuttleman and of course the museum are key elements to the story. Old Man Travers…. Such a small role but at the same time crucial. One of my favorite scenes is between young Kace and Old Man Travers; “People don’t appreciate the beauty of something as simple as holding someone’s hand…the link, even though they’re right there with you, the need to reach out, to touch, to be connected”. “He was the first person to show me the idea of love.” Wow…
With detailed and magnificently written prose throughout the book, the Author takes you on a magical adventure. This is such an original story that captured my imagination and kept me guessing until the very end. Combine that with magical settings, modern day sexy as sin pirates, a heroine with a backbone and sense of adventure as well as hot steamy romance and the result? One of the best summer reads of 2017!
L. A. Fiore
Kace / Noah; jaded and ruthless but nonetheless one of the most fascinating, complex and three dimensional male characters I've read about in a long time. Definitely not your typical knight in shining armor, but loyal to a fault with those he loves and calls family. His past is a dark one that has left scars. There were times that I struggled with his actions but this is where the Author’s impeccable writing comes into play – I enjoy a book that challenges my preconceptions of what a ‘contemporary romance’ should be. Cliché romance stories are not for me and LA Fiore’s characters are anything but that. Noah is raw but so damn sexy and addictive. At the early stages of the book, we receive just enough information about his past that helps us create a sense of how it has affected his present. He is not a predictable character, and that is what kept me turning page after page. Definitely one of my favourite male leads of 2017.
Willow, our heroine, is nobody’s fool. I loved her – “I wished for someone to put me before his job, to love me madly and deeply and completely. I wished for someone to choose me”. This sentence killed me. It brought tears to my eyes as it hit so many nerves. I immediately latched onto that sentence and it stayed with me throughout the book. She is a woman who isn't afraid to go after what she wants. She wasn't expecting a modern-day pirate however! She is definitely a strong lead; real love means sacrifice, compassion, compromise and forgiveness and that is what Willow is all about.
The secondary characters…. Who do I start with? Snake, the twins, Zeke… Noah’s crew are fascinating! Zoe, the wacky best friend - I can’t wait to get my hands on her book! Each one has such a strong and unique character that comes to life as the book progresses. Let’s not forget about Grandad. He and Mr. Tuttleman and of course the museum are key elements to the story. Old Man Travers…. Such a small role but at the same time crucial. One of my favorite scenes is between young Kace and Old Man Travers; “People don’t appreciate the beauty of something as simple as holding someone’s hand…the link, even though they’re right there with you, the need to reach out, to touch, to be connected”. “He was the first person to show me the idea of love.” Wow…
With detailed and magnificently written prose throughout the book, the Author takes you on a magical adventure. This is such an original story that captured my imagination and kept me guessing until the very end. Combine that with magical settings, modern day sexy as sin pirates, a heroine with a backbone and sense of adventure as well as hot steamy romance and the result? One of the best summer reads of 2017!
L. A. Fiore
July 17, 2017
So first off, I call dibs on Kace, I might be willing to share, but he's mines! He is one of those heroes that you see so many amazing levels to him that you can't help but love the good, and the bad, and when Kace is bad, he is sooo good at being bad.
I love Willow! She was real. She didn't whine, she didn't give ultimatums, she didn't complain. She had a backbone, and was strong and smart. Without giving to much away, her job/hobby/passion is AMAZING, her family...... well her Granddad was one of my favorite characters. I dare you to not love him.
All the secondary characters play such a huge role in this book. Needless to say; I am stoked for more books in this series. I loved them, but they also confused me. I know they all have amazing story's, and I can't wait to see their pasts and see them find the love and acceptance they deserve.
The plot weaved many aspects. We get 2 beautiful love story's, twisted into one amazing action filled plot, to not only find answers to some beautiful history, but also to find something beautiful and real with each other. The author threw me for a few curveballs that I didn't see coming but I enjoyed the ride. No spoilers but crap!!!!! (Hand clip!).
There are some darker aspects, not too detailed so I would call the dark medium. Filled with treasures, love, sharks, pirates, boats, and adventures of a lifetime. This book will hit your heart, make you smile, but you have to remember to breath normally, "I understand it can be scary and you you might be tempted to breath too fast,. The trick is to breathe as normally as possible" when you start to freak out!
Let me talk about the writing. It was amazing! There was the perfect mixture of dialogue and detail and well planned research. None of it was over done, and they balanced each other out. Told in duel POV it helps us readers connect with both characters on a deeper level.
Now, I am a total cover whore, and this cover?!?! Yes! Is is a beautiful cover! That's all; this cover rocks my socks!
So, while this review sucks, I can promise you, that this book doesn't. It's always the super amazing books that are soooo hard to review; and I will tell you; I want to just scream "READ THIS BOOK" as my review, and while it gets my point across, it doesn't do it justice.
Thank you LA Fiore, this book was everything I hoped it will be and far exceeded my expectations! ( not that I had any doubt, because let's face it, you rock!) now hurry up and get those fingers moving on the next book! I maybe not like Snakes (the reptile ) but I think for the next book.... I'll make an exception 😝
5(hundred?Million?) Stars #2OCCJD
I love Willow! She was real. She didn't whine, she didn't give ultimatums, she didn't complain. She had a backbone, and was strong and smart. Without giving to much away, her job/hobby/passion is AMAZING, her family...... well her Granddad was one of my favorite characters. I dare you to not love him.
All the secondary characters play such a huge role in this book. Needless to say; I am stoked for more books in this series. I loved them, but they also confused me. I know they all have amazing story's, and I can't wait to see their pasts and see them find the love and acceptance they deserve.
The plot weaved many aspects. We get 2 beautiful love story's, twisted into one amazing action filled plot, to not only find answers to some beautiful history, but also to find something beautiful and real with each other. The author threw me for a few curveballs that I didn't see coming but I enjoyed the ride. No spoilers but crap!!!!! (Hand clip!).
There are some darker aspects, not too detailed so I would call the dark medium. Filled with treasures, love, sharks, pirates, boats, and adventures of a lifetime. This book will hit your heart, make you smile, but you have to remember to breath normally, "I understand it can be scary and you you might be tempted to breath too fast,. The trick is to breathe as normally as possible" when you start to freak out!
Let me talk about the writing. It was amazing! There was the perfect mixture of dialogue and detail and well planned research. None of it was over done, and they balanced each other out. Told in duel POV it helps us readers connect with both characters on a deeper level.
Now, I am a total cover whore, and this cover?!?! Yes! Is is a beautiful cover! That's all; this cover rocks my socks!
So, while this review sucks, I can promise you, that this book doesn't. It's always the super amazing books that are soooo hard to review; and I will tell you; I want to just scream "READ THIS BOOK" as my review, and while it gets my point across, it doesn't do it justice.
Thank you LA Fiore, this book was everything I hoped it will be and far exceeded my expectations! ( not that I had any doubt, because let's face it, you rock!) now hurry up and get those fingers moving on the next book! I maybe not like Snakes (the reptile ) but I think for the next book.... I'll make an exception 😝
5(hundred?Million?) Stars #2OCCJD
July 26, 2017
-3,75-
The story of love, with a touch of crime.
I enjoyed reading, but I was surprised, especially since it was based on the story, not on eroticism and sex, as it is now popular.
The story of love, with a touch of crime.
I enjoyed reading, but I was surprised, especially since it was based on the story, not on eroticism and sex, as it is now popular.
July 12, 2017
You have to love a man who'll take care of his woman, and take care of his woman Noah does, “one of the other resorts has an incredible restaurant. I thought I’d feed you first.” Noah is a man who doesn't like to share what's his, “because she’s mine.” Noah’s fist connected with Hawk’s face and he went flying into the crowd." Holy wow! I'm in love with this book, the story takes you on a fun adventure and you feel that you, yourself are there with the characters. I can't wait for the next in the series.
August 16, 2017
4.5 stars for the action and suspense in this book - and a twist I didn't see coming. 2.5 stars for the romance - I wanted a little more chemistry between these characters. Overall, I settled on 3.5 stars.
July 21, 2017
This book is an absolute gem! I lived and breathed the story and am seriously sad it's over. Pirates, adventures and the ocean ... what's not to love? Major book hangover!
~~~
Wow, where do I even begin with this book? ELUSIVE by L.A. Fiore was all that I hoped for it to be and so much more! I mean – Pirates, adventures, treasure hunting and the ocean – what’s not to love? Blown away. Speechless. Yup, that pretty much sums it up. I lived and breathed this story and was devastated when there were no more pages for me to turn. And it’s not only this incredible unparalleled storyline that has me in awe and makes it so special to me. See, I’m a cover w##re (and proud), so it is usually either the cover or certain authors that grab my instant attraction – not so with this book. This time, the cover was not even revealed yet and as L.A. was new to me until this book, it was purely the synopsis that had me all excited and giddy for the story – once again: Treasure hunting with modern day pirates: Oh. My. Gawd. Then came the cover reveal – and I fell in love all over again! I mean, isn’t it stunning?!
This review will be on the shorter side, because I don’t want to take anything away from the pleasure of experiencing it for yourself as a whole: You will be as enthralled, enchanted and captivated by this rare and unique story as I was – still am.
Willow was practically abandoned by her parents, treasure hunting always was and always has been more important to them than their own daughter. It was her grandfather who raised her, his museum being her home, its relics keeping her company. She is a romantic at heart, dreaming of only once to be put first, to be chosen, while living after her granddad’s motto – to be daring and reckless. And that is she, with a man that sweeps her off her feet with not much more than a glance. One day and one night, just a few meagre hours. That’s all she has with her handsome, charming, intense and oh-so dangerous stranger, but it’s enough to create memories that will last her a lifetime – at least that’s what she thinks. Until her stranger barges into her life once again and literally pulls the ground from under her…
Willow’s pirate is jaded, shaped by the events he had to endure and witness. He had come to terms with the things he does, he needs to do to survive. He knows he is no good, but embraces who he is. Dark and dangerous as he is, there is still a kind heart lying underneath. It is this heart that instantly recognizes Willow as his soul mate, that demands him to act on that instant attraction … and to come back so many years later, even if it mars her with his brand of evil in the process.
My heart ached for both these characters so, so much. They deserved to finally find something good in their lives, be it being put first or finally seeing the goodness in himself that is still there. Their story was unconventional, unconditional and beautiful. A love so epic and profound that even after originally only having one night together, years apart mean nothing when they finally reconnect.
But it’s not only their love story you get with ELUSIVE, no. There is a second love story woven in between – one that only gradually is revealed as they are hunting for answers that a mysterious journal conjures up. And not to forget the dangers his, um, profession brings with it. There’s so much to discover with this book, it is an absolute treasure in itself!
Be prepared for the adventure of a lifetime, full of passion and romance, of friendship and kindness, but also of betrayal and spitefulness. It is storytelling at its best, with so many different facets and a concept in the romance genre that has been rarely used – yet. And while I ache for other stories full of pirates and mayhem, I feel myself shying away from picking them up, knowing I will only be disappointed after the bar has been set this inexplicably high. I’d rather wait for L.A. Fiore to give one of this crew’s pirates his own story.
Oh, and by the way, another way to show the impact this book had on me: It’s taken me two hours to come up and write this review, and still there is this terrible feeling in my gut that it doesn’t even scratch the surface…
One hell of a way to make a lasting first impression, L.A. Fiore!
~~~
Wow, where do I even begin with this book? ELUSIVE by L.A. Fiore was all that I hoped for it to be and so much more! I mean – Pirates, adventures, treasure hunting and the ocean – what’s not to love? Blown away. Speechless. Yup, that pretty much sums it up. I lived and breathed this story and was devastated when there were no more pages for me to turn. And it’s not only this incredible unparalleled storyline that has me in awe and makes it so special to me. See, I’m a cover w##re (and proud), so it is usually either the cover or certain authors that grab my instant attraction – not so with this book. This time, the cover was not even revealed yet and as L.A. was new to me until this book, it was purely the synopsis that had me all excited and giddy for the story – once again: Treasure hunting with modern day pirates: Oh. My. Gawd. Then came the cover reveal – and I fell in love all over again! I mean, isn’t it stunning?!
This review will be on the shorter side, because I don’t want to take anything away from the pleasure of experiencing it for yourself as a whole: You will be as enthralled, enchanted and captivated by this rare and unique story as I was – still am.
Willow was practically abandoned by her parents, treasure hunting always was and always has been more important to them than their own daughter. It was her grandfather who raised her, his museum being her home, its relics keeping her company. She is a romantic at heart, dreaming of only once to be put first, to be chosen, while living after her granddad’s motto – to be daring and reckless. And that is she, with a man that sweeps her off her feet with not much more than a glance. One day and one night, just a few meagre hours. That’s all she has with her handsome, charming, intense and oh-so dangerous stranger, but it’s enough to create memories that will last her a lifetime – at least that’s what she thinks. Until her stranger barges into her life once again and literally pulls the ground from under her…
Willow’s pirate is jaded, shaped by the events he had to endure and witness. He had come to terms with the things he does, he needs to do to survive. He knows he is no good, but embraces who he is. Dark and dangerous as he is, there is still a kind heart lying underneath. It is this heart that instantly recognizes Willow as his soul mate, that demands him to act on that instant attraction … and to come back so many years later, even if it mars her with his brand of evil in the process.
My heart ached for both these characters so, so much. They deserved to finally find something good in their lives, be it being put first or finally seeing the goodness in himself that is still there. Their story was unconventional, unconditional and beautiful. A love so epic and profound that even after originally only having one night together, years apart mean nothing when they finally reconnect.
But it’s not only their love story you get with ELUSIVE, no. There is a second love story woven in between – one that only gradually is revealed as they are hunting for answers that a mysterious journal conjures up. And not to forget the dangers his, um, profession brings with it. There’s so much to discover with this book, it is an absolute treasure in itself!
Be prepared for the adventure of a lifetime, full of passion and romance, of friendship and kindness, but also of betrayal and spitefulness. It is storytelling at its best, with so many different facets and a concept in the romance genre that has been rarely used – yet. And while I ache for other stories full of pirates and mayhem, I feel myself shying away from picking them up, knowing I will only be disappointed after the bar has been set this inexplicably high. I’d rather wait for L.A. Fiore to give one of this crew’s pirates his own story.
Oh, and by the way, another way to show the impact this book had on me: It’s taken me two hours to come up and write this review, and still there is this terrible feeling in my gut that it doesn’t even scratch the surface…
One hell of a way to make a lasting first impression, L.A. Fiore!
July 21, 2017
*I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
5 Stars!!!!!
OH MY GOSH! This book was sooooo good!!!
The writing: A freaking plus!
The story: AH-MAZING
The characters: so much YES!
I couldn't put this book down. I kept telling myself "just one more page." But then it'd lead me to reading the whole chapter. And then I just needed to finish it because I needed to know what was going to happen. This book had everything from passion to romance to excitement and suspense! It honestly had the perfect mix of everything!
Now, I wish I could scream and tell you just about everything, but duh, I can't. I seriously can't give anything away. Just the tiniest bit could spoil this epic book. And I obviously do not want to do that to the reader. You NEED to experience this story in all its greatness, trust.
"Around you I want things I have no right wanting. You make me weak."
The feels! Most of the book that's what I had, the feels. This love story and how L.A. wrote it was phenomenal! It was enthralling and beautiful and magical. Just thinking about it, my heart is getting all emotional. Ugh, I just loved it so much.
"...baby you just sealed your fate by kissing my scars. You’re mine."
'Elusive' takes you on such an adventure. From the very first page you are transported. Taken on a journey you don't ever want to end. If passion, romance and action is for you, then you need to read this book! Even if it's not, this book does not disappoint. Just read the book, please, just read it! Let this story take you places. Hop-on-up and sail away.
5 Stars!!!!!
OH MY GOSH! This book was sooooo good!!!
The writing: A freaking plus!
The story: AH-MAZING
The characters: so much YES!
I couldn't put this book down. I kept telling myself "just one more page." But then it'd lead me to reading the whole chapter. And then I just needed to finish it because I needed to know what was going to happen. This book had everything from passion to romance to excitement and suspense! It honestly had the perfect mix of everything!
Now, I wish I could scream and tell you just about everything, but duh, I can't. I seriously can't give anything away. Just the tiniest bit could spoil this epic book. And I obviously do not want to do that to the reader. You NEED to experience this story in all its greatness, trust.
"Around you I want things I have no right wanting. You make me weak."
The feels! Most of the book that's what I had, the feels. This love story and how L.A. wrote it was phenomenal! It was enthralling and beautiful and magical. Just thinking about it, my heart is getting all emotional. Ugh, I just loved it so much.
"...baby you just sealed your fate by kissing my scars. You’re mine."
'Elusive' takes you on such an adventure. From the very first page you are transported. Taken on a journey you don't ever want to end. If passion, romance and action is for you, then you need to read this book! Even if it's not, this book does not disappoint. Just read the book, please, just read it! Let this story take you places. Hop-on-up and sail away.
March 9, 2018
Elusive has absolutely everything you need in a book. I'm not even sure it can be classified. It has angst, drama, the plucky comedic best friend, a love story...what a love story. Let's not forget the kick ass historical mystery. Oh did I forget to mention the pirates! Freaking Pirates!
No none have peg legs but some don't have all their teeth...I might have been disappointed about the lack of "aye matey" or "land ho". Ok, I really wasn't at all.
I had a fantastic time reading this book. I will say that it seems slow in the beginning but please don't give up. Elusive is an adventure far more entertaining than a "choose your own adventure" from my youth.
Now to mention the tears...You know that I might be a bit emotional...I cried. Not going to sugar coat it. The wide array of emotions that their stories force you to confront is going to make it more real. BTW, the meaning and quote behind the title...sliced me to the bone.
So from one pirate enthusiast to another...("argh" not required) batten down the hatches...grab a glass...and dive in.
Reviewed for Sweet Spot Sisterhood
No none have peg legs but some don't have all their teeth...I might have been disappointed about the lack of "aye matey" or "land ho". Ok, I really wasn't at all.
I had a fantastic time reading this book. I will say that it seems slow in the beginning but please don't give up. Elusive is an adventure far more entertaining than a "choose your own adventure" from my youth.
Now to mention the tears...You know that I might be a bit emotional...I cried. Not going to sugar coat it. The wide array of emotions that their stories force you to confront is going to make it more real. BTW, the meaning and quote behind the title...sliced me to the bone.
So from one pirate enthusiast to another...("argh" not required) batten down the hatches...grab a glass...and dive in.
Reviewed for Sweet Spot Sisterhood
July 21, 2017
I’ve always associated pirates with historical romance, but L.A. Fiore brilliantly brings them into the present day with her innovative, sexy and thrilling Elusive. Kace was orphaned when he was a baby, and he’s been living on the streets of New York City since he was 14 years old. He’s seen and suffered unimaginable cruelties, but he’s persisted by working hard, fighting and scheming when necessary. He’s never had a family or felt loved, but he’s survived. Now, he’s left the city and is pursuing an existence on the sea as a modern-day pirate, stealing from the wealthy on cruise ships and private yachts. He meets Willow while she’s on vacation, and he falls head over heels in love at first sight.
Willow grew up with a privileged — but lonely — childhood. She experiences the same overwhelming feelings for Kace, and they share one blissful, life-altering night together, but he vanishes without a trace before she wakes the next morning. Neither can forget the other, and both stay connected to the sea while yearning for each other as years go by. Readers will be engrossed and on the edge of their seats in this fascinating and heartbreaking tale of survival, intrigue and love as Fiore expertly blends adventure with romance. Elusive is an unforgettable tale of true love and destiny on the high seas, and it should not be missed.
Recommendation appeared on USA Today’s Happy Ever After on July 20, 2017.
Willow grew up with a privileged — but lonely — childhood. She experiences the same overwhelming feelings for Kace, and they share one blissful, life-altering night together, but he vanishes without a trace before she wakes the next morning. Neither can forget the other, and both stay connected to the sea while yearning for each other as years go by. Readers will be engrossed and on the edge of their seats in this fascinating and heartbreaking tale of survival, intrigue and love as Fiore expertly blends adventure with romance. Elusive is an unforgettable tale of true love and destiny on the high seas, and it should not be missed.
Recommendation appeared on USA Today’s Happy Ever After on July 20, 2017.
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