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Power of Love
This book was previously published
Joe is a lost soul.
When Joe is killed in the line of duty, the result of a blunder by his girlfriend Poppy, he ends up stuck between worlds, not quite in heaven, not quite in hell. Heaven is Poppy lying in his arms, hearing the sound of his name on her lips as he makes love to her again and again. Hell is the knowledge that to save Poppy, he must convince her to let him go.
Poppy is a soul lost.
Joe was Poppy’s heart, her soul, and since he died she’s lost it all, including her sanity. Everywhere she looks, he’s there—talking to her, touching her, sharing ice cream, showers and making love to her like there’s no tomorrow. But tomorrow does come, and letting go of Joe could destroy her.
Sometimes love lasts a lifetime. Sometimes love reaches beyond death. Sometimes…love lasts forever.
Joe is a lost soul.
When Joe is killed in the line of duty, the result of a blunder by his girlfriend Poppy, he ends up stuck between worlds, not quite in heaven, not quite in hell. Heaven is Poppy lying in his arms, hearing the sound of his name on her lips as he makes love to her again and again. Hell is the knowledge that to save Poppy, he must convince her to let him go.
Poppy is a soul lost.
Joe was Poppy’s heart, her soul, and since he died she’s lost it all, including her sanity. Everywhere she looks, he’s there—talking to her, touching her, sharing ice cream, showers and making love to her like there’s no tomorrow. But tomorrow does come, and letting go of Joe could destroy her.
Sometimes love lasts a lifetime. Sometimes love reaches beyond death. Sometimes…love lasts forever.
189 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2009
6 people are currently reading
114 people want to read
About the author
Barbara Elsborg
100 books1,679 followersBarbara Elsborg lives in Kent in the south of England. She always wanted to be a spy, but having confessed to everyone without them even resorting to torture, she decided it was not for her. Volcanology scorched her feet. A morbid fear of sharks put paid to marine biology. So instead, she spent several years successfully selling cyanide.
After dragging up two rotten, ungrateful children and frustrating her sexy, devoted, wonderful husband (who can now stop twisting her arm) she finally has time to conduct an affair with an electrifying plugged-in male, her laptop.
Her books feature quirky heroines and bad boys, and she hopes they are as much fun to read as they are to write.
After dragging up two rotten, ungrateful children and frustrating her sexy, devoted, wonderful husband (who can now stop twisting her arm) she finally has time to conduct an affair with an electrifying plugged-in male, her laptop.
Her books feature quirky heroines and bad boys, and she hopes they are as much fun to read as they are to write.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
May 27, 2022
It's been a long time since I read an established couple romance by Barbara Elsborg... Hey, I'm not sure I've ever read an established MF couple romance by Barbara Elsborg.
So, just a word to the wise, read with tissues. This one's a bit of a heartbreaker, but it all works out, I promise.
And if you think the boyfriend is a bit of a jerk at the beginning, please stick it out, all will be revealed shortly.
I enjoyed Poppy's character, but the real star of the show is Joe. This guy goes through one heck of an awakening, and his growth is wonderful to watch. Plus he's a real dynamo between the sheets, and nobody writes it better than Barbara Elsborg! A terrific little mystery as well.
So, just a word to the wise, read with tissues. This one's a bit of a heartbreaker, but it all works out, I promise.
And if you think the boyfriend is a bit of a jerk at the beginning, please stick it out, all will be revealed shortly.
I enjoyed Poppy's character, but the real star of the show is Joe. This guy goes through one heck of an awakening, and his growth is wonderful to watch. Plus he's a real dynamo between the sheets, and nobody writes it better than Barbara Elsborg! A terrific little mystery as well.
August 9, 2013
It's been a while since I read Miss Elsborg's work. And thank god I stumbled to this one!
Joe is dead. And it's Poppy's fault. Poppy keep seeing his angry vision of him, her own imagination, blaming her, until Joe showed up. The real Joe. Joe's soul stuck in between two worlds. In a way to finished his duty and went to heaven, he has to change his wing's color. And apparently, Poppy's the one who could help him.
One of the sweetest story I've ever read. Sweet and the eventual happy ending is making me eeeeep. :)))
Joe, I liked him so much despite all flaws he got. Even though he was holding his feeling and some sort of "playing" Poppy's heart, I still liked him. Because he treated her like princess. He's one Elsborg-y Hero. If you know what I mean.
Poppy, I also loved her. She's soo adorable and her statements, no matter how crappy it was, always made me laugh. Ha!
This book's one of Barbara Elsborg's cool work. It's good, the angst's just enough, the humor's amazing—even I understand it, and the storyline is one of a kind. At first I thought they'll be no happy ending but then again, it's Barbara, ladies and gentlemen! There will be happy ending. Just read it until the very last page. Trust me.
Joe is dead. And it's Poppy's fault. Poppy keep seeing his angry vision of him, her own imagination, blaming her, until Joe showed up. The real Joe. Joe's soul stuck in between two worlds. In a way to finished his duty and went to heaven, he has to change his wing's color. And apparently, Poppy's the one who could help him.
One of the sweetest story I've ever read. Sweet and the eventual happy ending is making me eeeeep. :)))
Joe, I liked him so much despite all flaws he got. Even though he was holding his feeling and some sort of "playing" Poppy's heart, I still liked him. Because he treated her like princess. He's one Elsborg-y Hero. If you know what I mean.
Poppy, I also loved her. She's soo adorable and her statements, no matter how crappy it was, always made me laugh. Ha!
This book's one of Barbara Elsborg's cool work. It's good, the angst's just enough, the humor's amazing—even I understand it, and the storyline is one of a kind. At first I thought they'll be no happy ending but then again, it's Barbara, ladies and gentlemen! There will be happy ending. Just read it until the very last page. Trust me.
January 30, 2012
♥✫•°˜”*°•✫♥TNT!♥✫•°˜”*°•✫♥
The power of four letters changes everything.
What started out rocky, soon became evident what the relationship between Joe and Poppy really signified.
The Power of Love is altogether a different kind of story and a very well orchestrated story about life and death.
Not only does the steaming hot scenes shoot you the sky and back, but also brought those indwelling feelings only true love can create.
A few favorite quotes/paragraphs (with bleeps to hide spoilers!): *Joe moved into a rapid, fast, pulsing movement, the friction winding her again. He changed the angle of his (BLEEPED) Poppy shuddered (BLEEEEEEEEEEPED)gripped him tightly. Aware in the periphery of her mind that she could no longer feel the bed beneath her, Poppy clung tighter to Joe. (##!%&$) they were floating! His wings were out and didn't appear to be moving but maybe that was because they were going so fast. Poppy felt the heat (BLEEEEEEPPPPED), it clicked into a higher gear. Her internal organs played musical chairs as her stomach leapt into her throat, her heart dropped into her stomach and her brain nestled firmly between her legs. They were in the air, hovering over the bed.*
AND THIS:
*Joe knew he'd found the answer. He'd had to let the dam burst and his soul escape to see how important she was to him. Joe held himself tense, waiting for some triumphant fanfare telling him he'd got it, but nothing happened.*
And then the ending . . . I thought I'd be left with disappointment, but then Ms. Elsborg throws in another twist and left my heart rejoycing!
The power of four letters changes everything.
What started out rocky, soon became evident what the relationship between Joe and Poppy really signified.
The Power of Love is altogether a different kind of story and a very well orchestrated story about life and death.
Not only does the steaming hot scenes shoot you the sky and back, but also brought those indwelling feelings only true love can create.
A few favorite quotes/paragraphs (with bleeps to hide spoilers!): *Joe moved into a rapid, fast, pulsing movement, the friction winding her again. He changed the angle of his (BLEEPED) Poppy shuddered (BLEEEEEEEEEEPED)gripped him tightly. Aware in the periphery of her mind that she could no longer feel the bed beneath her, Poppy clung tighter to Joe. (##!%&$) they were floating! His wings were out and didn't appear to be moving but maybe that was because they were going so fast. Poppy felt the heat (BLEEEEEEPPPPED), it clicked into a higher gear. Her internal organs played musical chairs as her stomach leapt into her throat, her heart dropped into her stomach and her brain nestled firmly between her legs. They were in the air, hovering over the bed.*
AND THIS:
*Joe knew he'd found the answer. He'd had to let the dam burst and his soul escape to see how important she was to him. Joe held himself tense, waiting for some triumphant fanfare telling him he'd got it, but nothing happened.*
And then the ending . . . I thought I'd be left with disappointment, but then Ms. Elsborg throws in another twist and left my heart rejoycing!
February 5, 2012
Got a box of tissues? Good... you're going to need it.
Don't get me wrong there was plenty of humor in this story to have me grinning from ear to ear, but a tragic love story always gets my tear ducts flowing.
After an unfortunate event took the life of Poppy's boyfriend, Joe, she lets her guilt consumer her to the point that she imagines he's still with her. When he actually shows up with a new set of wings she doesn't know whether she's finally gone off the deep end or if it's a miracle.
Wow, who would have thought angel sexin' could be so hot? The connection between Poppy and Joe, on a physical and emotional level, was so awesome that I thought my nook might burn up. Poppy's struggle with guilt over his death and Joe's battle with expressing his emotions make this such a wonderful story. The HEA was so amazing I even choked up a little at the end. It was just the thing I needed on a dreary, snowy day to bring a smile to my face :)
Don't get me wrong there was plenty of humor in this story to have me grinning from ear to ear, but a tragic love story always gets my tear ducts flowing.
After an unfortunate event took the life of Poppy's boyfriend, Joe, she lets her guilt consumer her to the point that she imagines he's still with her. When he actually shows up with a new set of wings she doesn't know whether she's finally gone off the deep end or if it's a miracle.
Wow, who would have thought angel sexin' could be so hot? The connection between Poppy and Joe, on a physical and emotional level, was so awesome that I thought my nook might burn up. Poppy's struggle with guilt over his death and Joe's battle with expressing his emotions make this such a wonderful story. The HEA was so amazing I even choked up a little at the end. It was just the thing I needed on a dreary, snowy day to bring a smile to my face :)
April 22, 2012
I enjoyed this story for the most part. Obviously from the blurb the hero is dead and the heroine is seeing him everywhere. This is the story of the two of them working out the guilt and blame that they each feel over his death. This part of the story worked really well for me.
The part that didn't work so well was that the story was erotica/romantica. The sex just got in the way here. You were right in the middle of a poignant scene when they were all 'we can't be together' then they'd stop for a bit of racy nookie. It just destroyed the angsty romantic mood. The sex scenes were good and well written. They just didn't seem to fit in with the pathos ridden story.
I might try some of this author's other works but I'm going to pick one where one of the characters is not dead. :-)
The part that didn't work so well was that the story was erotica/romantica. The sex just got in the way here. You were right in the middle of a poignant scene when they were all 'we can't be together' then they'd stop for a bit of racy nookie. It just destroyed the angsty romantic mood. The sex scenes were good and well written. They just didn't seem to fit in with the pathos ridden story.
I might try some of this author's other works but I'm going to pick one where one of the characters is not dead. :-)
October 2, 2010
This was such a lovely & heartbreaking (at times) love story, I loved it. Too bad about the unfortunate cover b'c I think it deserves better.
Yes, Elsborg is considered "romantica" (romance & erotica) but I found myself completely into the story of of Poppy & Joe. Their characters growing pains & love for one another.
If you read Elsborg you'll know that she writes long & graphic love scenes. I personally think she's pretty good at it, if not a bit redundant sometimes but overall, pretty hawt. However, I usually get so immersed in the characters themselves & plot, that it only enhances the connection (& growth between the 2 MC's)that the actual sex becomes secondary, esp. in this book.
I'll explain why, but there will be SPOILERS (I went into this story blind & think I liked it better that way).
Poppy & Joe are both cops, a botched job happens & Joe dies. In the aftermath, we find Poppy dealing w/the trauma of not being able to save Joe to the point where she hallucinates him. A vicious version of her ex who blames her for his death & torments her to the brink of insanity daily. She feels such intense guilt, shame & longing for him that she allows the specter to punish her in order to keep him in her life or matter how cruel she is being to herself & his memory.
Joe is dead & wakes an Angel called a Seeker. It's like Angel purgatory & in order for him to be be a full fledged Angel & get his wings to turn white, there is a key...something he must accomplish. Of course he seeks Polly & that's when we get to the meat of their relationship which I found more bittersweet upon each reveal about the couple & their past relationship.
I thought the idea of the Seekers themselves & how they live etc.. was truly clever & as usual Elsborg crafts a nice plot in spite of being so short. I find majority of her stuff engaging & believable & she doesn't just throw disjointed sex scenes in to fulfill a quota. She usually gives depth & allow you to understand the intense attraction & the growth between the 2 MC's who are falling (or already in) love. In short - it helps rather then distracts.
She also gives her characters depth & charm. She has a great sense of humor & although this book had more heart tugging moments then her usuals, I still had a few laughs out loud.
I recommend Elsborg for any romance fan (funny...I hadn't considered myself one) but one who doesn't mind sex in their books. This is adult erotica don't forget. I've read a lot of great series which run the gamut in genre - Paranormal/Fantasy being a favorite (Sookie Stackhouse series, Fever series, Kate Daniels series & Georgina Kincaid being some of my top faves) & a lot of crappy ones jumping on the Paranormal Romance bandwagon. I think Elsborg is different b'c she is more adult but actually one of the better writers I've read in the overall "romance" genre.
I really enjoyed the 2 Shoreham books but esp. the 2nd one; Something About Polly.
I have read her Trueblood series & have liked them as well, esp. the last book; Fight to Remember (I do think you need to read them in order though).
I've read a few others..Lucy in the Sky which was cute but I had put that one to the side for a bit before picking it up again etc..etc..
At the end of the day, I plan to read all of her stuff b'c I know I'll get happy endings, genuinely charming & funny characters, hot love scenes & a more than decent plot (& I have read some clunkers).
Yes, Elsborg is considered "romantica" (romance & erotica) but I found myself completely into the story of of Poppy & Joe. Their characters growing pains & love for one another.
If you read Elsborg you'll know that she writes long & graphic love scenes. I personally think she's pretty good at it, if not a bit redundant sometimes but overall, pretty hawt. However, I usually get so immersed in the characters themselves & plot, that it only enhances the connection (& growth between the 2 MC's)that the actual sex becomes secondary, esp. in this book.
I'll explain why, but there will be SPOILERS (I went into this story blind & think I liked it better that way).
Poppy & Joe are both cops, a botched job happens & Joe dies. In the aftermath, we find Poppy dealing w/the trauma of not being able to save Joe to the point where she hallucinates him. A vicious version of her ex who blames her for his death & torments her to the brink of insanity daily. She feels such intense guilt, shame & longing for him that she allows the specter to punish her in order to keep him in her life or matter how cruel she is being to herself & his memory.
Joe is dead & wakes an Angel called a Seeker. It's like Angel purgatory & in order for him to be be a full fledged Angel & get his wings to turn white, there is a key...something he must accomplish. Of course he seeks Polly & that's when we get to the meat of their relationship which I found more bittersweet upon each reveal about the couple & their past relationship.
I thought the idea of the Seekers themselves & how they live etc.. was truly clever & as usual Elsborg crafts a nice plot in spite of being so short. I find majority of her stuff engaging & believable & she doesn't just throw disjointed sex scenes in to fulfill a quota. She usually gives depth & allow you to understand the intense attraction & the growth between the 2 MC's who are falling (or already in) love. In short - it helps rather then distracts.
She also gives her characters depth & charm. She has a great sense of humor & although this book had more heart tugging moments then her usuals, I still had a few laughs out loud.
I recommend Elsborg for any romance fan (funny...I hadn't considered myself one) but one who doesn't mind sex in their books. This is adult erotica don't forget. I've read a lot of great series which run the gamut in genre - Paranormal/Fantasy being a favorite (Sookie Stackhouse series, Fever series, Kate Daniels series & Georgina Kincaid being some of my top faves) & a lot of crappy ones jumping on the Paranormal Romance bandwagon. I think Elsborg is different b'c she is more adult but actually one of the better writers I've read in the overall "romance" genre.
I really enjoyed the 2 Shoreham books but esp. the 2nd one; Something About Polly.
I have read her Trueblood series & have liked them as well, esp. the last book; Fight to Remember (I do think you need to read them in order though).
I've read a few others..Lucy in the Sky which was cute but I had put that one to the side for a bit before picking it up again etc..etc..
At the end of the day, I plan to read all of her stuff b'c I know I'll get happy endings, genuinely charming & funny characters, hot love scenes & a more than decent plot (& I have read some clunkers).
September 14, 2012
Ahhhh HEAVEN:)
And the saying goes..."Don't judge the book by its cover" Literally
My God what happened to the cover anyway haha, so much for writing 'don't judge...':)
The Case:Joe.....is DEAD
who killed him: his girlfriend Poppy... It was an Accident!
reason: Joe fell on a roof when there was an undercover operation..Poppy was trying to help him up but his hand slip away...
despite that Joe told her not to follow him while he was talking to the suspect ,and then the inevitable happen...the suspect shoot Joe on the shoulder when Poppy shout and pushed the suspect which pushed Joe...
With the guilt of the outcome, Poppy keeps hallucinating Joe everywhere she go...Joe's anger of what happened also becomes as if he was there always nagging Poppy..
when Joe woke up and sneeze, he thought he was only dreaming that he already has wings..Gray wings instead of white..his guide Desiree told him that he's a seeker and needs to earn white wings if he do the right thing that only him knows...
I think what makes the story more dept is the realization that Joe and Poppy will never ever have a future together..and that's what made me cry over and over...Joe haven't even said to Poppy that He LOVE her when he was alive what more when he's dead...
The Life and Death scenario of the story will hold you deeply that you will forget that anything will happen in the end...I was crying when Joe was gone when he said to Poppy that he love her and earn his white feathers...the end was a shock and truly Ms. Elborg done it again and use her magic power to make all things right...
Its a brilliantly written story that will make you laugh and cry:)
And the saying goes..."Don't judge the book by its cover" Literally
My God what happened to the cover anyway haha, so much for writing 'don't judge...':)
The Case:Joe.....is DEAD
who killed him: his girlfriend Poppy... It was an Accident!
reason: Joe fell on a roof when there was an undercover operation..Poppy was trying to help him up but his hand slip away...
despite that Joe told her not to follow him while he was talking to the suspect ,and then the inevitable happen...the suspect shoot Joe on the shoulder when Poppy shout and pushed the suspect which pushed Joe...
With the guilt of the outcome, Poppy keeps hallucinating Joe everywhere she go...Joe's anger of what happened also becomes as if he was there always nagging Poppy..
when Joe woke up and sneeze, he thought he was only dreaming that he already has wings..Gray wings instead of white..his guide Desiree told him that he's a seeker and needs to earn white wings if he do the right thing that only him knows...
I think what makes the story more dept is the realization that Joe and Poppy will never ever have a future together..and that's what made me cry over and over...Joe haven't even said to Poppy that He LOVE her when he was alive what more when he's dead...
The Life and Death scenario of the story will hold you deeply that you will forget that anything will happen in the end...I was crying when Joe was gone when he said to Poppy that he love her and earn his white feathers...the end was a shock and truly Ms. Elborg done it again and use her magic power to make all things right...
Its a brilliantly written story that will make you laugh and cry:)
July 7, 2012
Grab this book if you are looking for an amazing and unusual story. Once you read a novel by Barbara Elsborg you will be hooked as her stories have humor, sadness, romance and exciting plots. Power of Love is a definite must read and BE is an auto buy for me!!!!!!!!!!!
February 19, 2019
What a refreshing read, interesting plot and story line. Very loving and cute portrait of a young couple who are very much in love.
The paranormal twist is interesting. Dialogue is nice too.
Overall an engaging refreshing read.
The paranormal twist is interesting. Dialogue is nice too.
Overall an engaging refreshing read.
October 28, 2014
A wonderful read. The passion between Poppy and Joe is amazing and electric.......the sex scenes just sizzle and they're with a ghost! Joe dies and comes back as a seeker angel, meaning he needs to figure out what he left undone in his life to turn his wings white and become a real angel. Poppy blames herself for Joe's death as she accidently walked into his undercover police job and by a look gave it away. Leaving the bad guy no choice but to kill Joe and Poppy and her partner. While Joe is in an angel indused coma for 6 months recovering from his wounds, his angry spirit torments Poppy and she starts having accidents that could leave her dead. Once the real angel Joe appears to Poppy, they try to figure out what he needs to complete to become a real angel. Joe comes to realize what an amazing relationship he had with Poppy and how much he misses her but will he finally say those 3 magic words before the bad guy comes for Poppy? Such an amazing emotional read....did not have a dry eye left when I finished. A real tear jerker. Make sure you have a box of tissue handy....you will need it!!
January 1, 2014
Great premise - hot as hell and interesting. Felt it floundered a bit halfway through and there was tons of sex after sex after sex. Which is fine, but didn't always move the story forward. Very convenient but heart-warming conclusion.
September 1, 2012
Very sweet. I enjoyed this.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews