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Shades of Love #6
Unpredictable Love
He needs a woman to rescue him from his past. She needs a man to save her from the horrible things she’s done. Together, they might save each other...or get themselves killed.
Billionaire Tavish MacCraig survived Afghanistan as a POW. Despite being back home and working at his family’s worldwide renowned art gallery, Tavish feels shattered. Wracked by PTSD, Tavish’s days are bleak; his nights, living nightmares: and his heart, an empty shell. And no one can understand the torture and pain eating at his soul.
No one but painter Laetitia Galen.
Laetitia fled hell on earth when she was sixteen…at a very high price. She’s recently found peace and doesn’t want to disturb the false safety her small world gives her by falling for Tavish or accepting his gallery offer of an exclusive contract. Yet, she can’t resist the powerful and sizzling attraction that ignites between them.
But there is a man plotting a long-awaited revenge against Laetitia, and he will do whatever it takes to make her—and, incidentally, Tavish—pay for what she’s done. Before he kills them.
Tavish and Laetitia will discover falling in love is life's greatest risk!
Suspenseful and steamy, UNPREDICTABLE LOVE by USA Today bestselling author Cristiane Serruya is a thrilling contemporary romance novel in the tradition of Nora Roberts, Barbara Freethy, and Maya Banks!
Billionaire Tavish MacCraig survived Afghanistan as a POW. Despite being back home and working at his family’s worldwide renowned art gallery, Tavish feels shattered. Wracked by PTSD, Tavish’s days are bleak; his nights, living nightmares: and his heart, an empty shell. And no one can understand the torture and pain eating at his soul.
No one but painter Laetitia Galen.
Laetitia fled hell on earth when she was sixteen…at a very high price. She’s recently found peace and doesn’t want to disturb the false safety her small world gives her by falling for Tavish or accepting his gallery offer of an exclusive contract. Yet, she can’t resist the powerful and sizzling attraction that ignites between them.
But there is a man plotting a long-awaited revenge against Laetitia, and he will do whatever it takes to make her—and, incidentally, Tavish—pay for what she’s done. Before he kills them.
Tavish and Laetitia will discover falling in love is life's greatest risk!
Suspenseful and steamy, UNPREDICTABLE LOVE by USA Today bestselling author Cristiane Serruya is a thrilling contemporary romance novel in the tradition of Nora Roberts, Barbara Freethy, and Maya Banks!
494 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 21, 2016
38 people are currently reading
215 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
July 12, 2016
Tavish is a veteran and a war hero whose life has taken a dramatic turn after he was captured by the Taliban and was a POW for 6 months. He lost much more than just his sanity, he lost his girlfriend, his faith, and his happiness.
Laetitia is a woman who lost her childhood and teenage years, her innocence, but it has not taken away her sweetness and her belief in happiness, although an incident eight years prior makes her extra-careful.
Tavish's and Laetitia's lives are about to change dramatically when Tavish’s partner buys Laetitia’s paintings.
The characters are very well developed and ones I rooted for. The romance is hot and sweet, turbulent and complicated. The suspense is perfectly created and the unveiling of the secrets are so well done that I was kept being surprised.
Excellent reading!
Laetitia is a woman who lost her childhood and teenage years, her innocence, but it has not taken away her sweetness and her belief in happiness, although an incident eight years prior makes her extra-careful.
Tavish's and Laetitia's lives are about to change dramatically when Tavish’s partner buys Laetitia’s paintings.
The characters are very well developed and ones I rooted for. The romance is hot and sweet, turbulent and complicated. The suspense is perfectly created and the unveiling of the secrets are so well done that I was kept being surprised.
Excellent reading!
August 4, 2016
What could be a cliché romance turns out to be a heart wrenching, hot, thrilling story about two broken and resilient human beings.
We already knew Tavish from Trust Series (he is Alistair's brother). He came out as a great character (who will have female readers fainting at his feet) yet as I read Love Painted in Red with Beth, my wife, we found Laetitia to be an even greater character. A mix of a historical and contemporary heroine--with a touch of what? paranormal in her appearance?--Laetitia is throughly original!
We loved Sophia in Trust Series and we were expecting another powerful female lead.
Yet, Ms. Serruya gifted us with the unexpected. It's not that Laetitia is not powerful, she is, but she is so different from Sophia, such a refreshing woman, that we were surprised, in the best of the ways!
Delicate and fragile, Laetitia is the perfect counterpoint to strong, sulking Tavish.
The plot that could again have been another cliché (a broken veteran falls for a delicate woman who is going to save his soul) is a thrilling steamy romance with touches of suspense and splashes of grimly reality (Ms. Serruya always brings reality into her fiction and we love that about her books). Completely different and -- again! -- original, we were kept guessing, with all the twists and turns and revelations while came in unforeseen. When we thought we could not be surprised anymore, on the last pages -- BOOM! -- a line, a very simple dialogue line, indeed, brings a new light over all Laetitia's life doubts, and the surety it brings it's shocking and heart-breaking in itself.
spoiler, spoiler, spoiler!! don't read it if you want to be surprised:
This is a romance that will have you thinking without you even realizing it.
Ms. Serruya's style has always been unique and her writing superb, but she keeps getting better and better at each book and Beth and I are happy we have read Love Painted in Red!
The ending, which came after more than 420 pages, left us waiting for more and desiring the story hasn't finished!
A last word: the sex scenes.
Beth and I love reading Ms. Serruya's romance together! Do we need to say more? Yes, we do because it's not sex for sex, it is so much more. The scenes are not only hot and very well-written, but throughly entwined with new step on the story showing the growth the relationship between Laetitia and Tavish as they reach a new intimate level (and ours along!).
We do recommend this reading!
We already knew Tavish from Trust Series (he is Alistair's brother). He came out as a great character (who will have female readers fainting at his feet) yet as I read Love Painted in Red with Beth, my wife, we found Laetitia to be an even greater character. A mix of a historical and contemporary heroine--with a touch of what? paranormal in her appearance?--Laetitia is throughly original!
We loved Sophia in Trust Series and we were expecting another powerful female lead.
Yet, Ms. Serruya gifted us with the unexpected. It's not that Laetitia is not powerful, she is, but she is so different from Sophia, such a refreshing woman, that we were surprised, in the best of the ways!
Delicate and fragile, Laetitia is the perfect counterpoint to strong, sulking Tavish.
The plot that could again have been another cliché (a broken veteran falls for a delicate woman who is going to save his soul) is a thrilling steamy romance with touches of suspense and splashes of grimly reality (Ms. Serruya always brings reality into her fiction and we love that about her books). Completely different and -- again! -- original, we were kept guessing, with all the twists and turns and revelations while came in unforeseen. When we thought we could not be surprised anymore, on the last pages -- BOOM! -- a line, a very simple dialogue line, indeed, brings a new light over all Laetitia's life doubts, and the surety it brings it's shocking and heart-breaking in itself.
spoiler, spoiler, spoiler!! don't read it if you want to be surprised:
This is a romance that will have you thinking without you even realizing it.
Ms. Serruya's style has always been unique and her writing superb, but she keeps getting better and better at each book and Beth and I are happy we have read Love Painted in Red!
The ending, which came after more than 420 pages, left us waiting for more and desiring the story hasn't finished!
A last word: the sex scenes.
Beth and I love reading Ms. Serruya's romance together! Do we need to say more? Yes, we do because it's not sex for sex, it is so much more. The scenes are not only hot and very well-written, but throughly entwined with new step on the story showing the growth the relationship between Laetitia and Tavish as they reach a new intimate level (and ours along!).
We do recommend this reading!
February 20, 2019
This was not for me. I liked the blurb, but the purple prose and the almost fan-fic style made me cringe when I was not laughing at some of the phrases:
This is SO overdone, so ridiculously overblown and over described and so full of 'trying to be dramatic' moments that I got to the stage where I couldn't see how it could possibly get any more intense!
His skin was an exquisite shade of the lightest coppery-gold. His mane was made of the darkest midnight-black silky locks, which shimmered under the soft sun. Wind-blown strands brushing against his forehead and wraparound glasses did nothing to diminish the sharpness of the man.
...
The white-blonde hair delicately framed her heart-shaped face of creamy skin, where lively violet-blue eyes shone under light-brown arched eyebrows and velvety plum-coloured lips.
....
Tavish's eyes were a vivid colour, between turquoise and intense green, framed by absurdly thick, long ink-black lashes. His rugged face was made of hard angles and fierce planes: high cheekbones, a thin blade of a nose that was not so straight anymore, and a squared jaw. His feathered lashes and incongruous sensual lips gave an otherwise austere countenance a touch of the exotic.
......
There is of course, plenty of insta-lust. - wanting to rip off her dress and devour her breasts, take her directly to a room, her imagining him wearing nothing but a kilt, etc etc etc. And this is only 8% in and for the love of me I could not see how this level of emotion could be maintained for the next 92%c of the story!
There are the requisite moments of angst - although I was totally confused as to WHAT Tavish was angsting about! (There seemed to be several 'angsty events' in his past)
But the point where I finally caved in was this:
She made an elegant gesture with her slender fingers as if she didn't care. 'What is important for me is ... umm... the collective unconscious. That is why I carve the stencil for the paint to be layered on. Without us knowing, this collective unconscious controls and impacts the lives of the majority of people. It directs our everyday routine, so it's quite interesting to describe in my paintings the life of those who failed to live as they or others expected them to. The concept is not really that important to me.'
Oh And please. Why do writers fill their novels with names that make readers pause?
Laetitia, Aingeal, Tavish Uilleam. There are probably more, but I stopped reading.
This is SO overdone, so ridiculously overblown and over described and so full of 'trying to be dramatic' moments that I got to the stage where I couldn't see how it could possibly get any more intense!
His skin was an exquisite shade of the lightest coppery-gold. His mane was made of the darkest midnight-black silky locks, which shimmered under the soft sun. Wind-blown strands brushing against his forehead and wraparound glasses did nothing to diminish the sharpness of the man.
...
The white-blonde hair delicately framed her heart-shaped face of creamy skin, where lively violet-blue eyes shone under light-brown arched eyebrows and velvety plum-coloured lips.
....
Tavish's eyes were a vivid colour, between turquoise and intense green, framed by absurdly thick, long ink-black lashes. His rugged face was made of hard angles and fierce planes: high cheekbones, a thin blade of a nose that was not so straight anymore, and a squared jaw. His feathered lashes and incongruous sensual lips gave an otherwise austere countenance a touch of the exotic.
......
There is of course, plenty of insta-lust. - wanting to rip off her dress and devour her breasts, take her directly to a room, her imagining him wearing nothing but a kilt, etc etc etc. And this is only 8% in and for the love of me I could not see how this level of emotion could be maintained for the next 92%c of the story!
There are the requisite moments of angst - although I was totally confused as to WHAT Tavish was angsting about! (There seemed to be several 'angsty events' in his past)
But the point where I finally caved in was this:
She made an elegant gesture with her slender fingers as if she didn't care. 'What is important for me is ... umm... the collective unconscious. That is why I carve the stencil for the paint to be layered on. Without us knowing, this collective unconscious controls and impacts the lives of the majority of people. It directs our everyday routine, so it's quite interesting to describe in my paintings the life of those who failed to live as they or others expected them to. The concept is not really that important to me.'
Oh And please. Why do writers fill their novels with names that make readers pause?
Laetitia, Aingeal, Tavish Uilleam. There are probably more, but I stopped reading.
July 23, 2016
Great read: romantic and suspenseful plot, well-developed characters, hot sex scenes, flawless writing, and original touch.
What else could I ask? MORE!!
What else could I ask? MORE!!
June 16, 2016
I’m Ms. Serruya’s fan and—boy!—does she write.
Love Painted in Red tells the love story of two broken souls mixed perfectly with mystery and thriller. It’s a romance with suspense and drama painted with the right colors!
Tavish MacCraig, the billionaire hunk Highlander, was POW for 6 months in the hands of the Taliban while serving as a doctor in RAF. After returning to civil life, he forsakes his medical career and assumes a position on one of his family business. But the scars in his soul—and body—are such that in spite of being surrounded with beautiful things, he sees nothing but darkness.
I was waiting with high expectations for Tavish’s story, and Ms. Serruya didn’t disappoint. Tavish, who I have met in TRUST, is all I wanted and then some. Rich as Croesus, but simple in his life style (as simple as a billionaire can be); a hunk with six-feet-seven, broad shoulders and large chest; an indomitable will; a tortured soul, with such beautiful layers that only Ms. Serruya can pen.
Laetitia Galen! Oh. What a surprise. Laetitia is a mix of an eighteenth-century heroine + Sophia MacCraig. Fragile and delicate, sweet and quiet, she could have been one of those stupid female lead characters that I have seen lately. But in Ms. Serruya’s hands, Laetitia is not a mouse, but an elegant, intelligent woman, who have survived unexpected cruelty and still is strong enough not to submit to dominant men, or fall prey to sexual harassment.
Now, the plot is something else! It’s difficult to summarize—and praise it—with spoilers, but I can say I was surprised many times until the very end.
Ms. Serruya’s writing style is masterful.
I cannot recommend this book more!
Love Painted in Red tells the love story of two broken souls mixed perfectly with mystery and thriller. It’s a romance with suspense and drama painted with the right colors!
Tavish MacCraig, the billionaire hunk Highlander, was POW for 6 months in the hands of the Taliban while serving as a doctor in RAF. After returning to civil life, he forsakes his medical career and assumes a position on one of his family business. But the scars in his soul—and body—are such that in spite of being surrounded with beautiful things, he sees nothing but darkness.
I was waiting with high expectations for Tavish’s story, and Ms. Serruya didn’t disappoint. Tavish, who I have met in TRUST, is all I wanted and then some. Rich as Croesus, but simple in his life style (as simple as a billionaire can be); a hunk with six-feet-seven, broad shoulders and large chest; an indomitable will; a tortured soul, with such beautiful layers that only Ms. Serruya can pen.
Laetitia Galen! Oh. What a surprise. Laetitia is a mix of an eighteenth-century heroine + Sophia MacCraig. Fragile and delicate, sweet and quiet, she could have been one of those stupid female lead characters that I have seen lately. But in Ms. Serruya’s hands, Laetitia is not a mouse, but an elegant, intelligent woman, who have survived unexpected cruelty and still is strong enough not to submit to dominant men, or fall prey to sexual harassment.
Now, the plot is something else! It’s difficult to summarize—and praise it—with spoilers, but I can say I was surprised many times until the very end.
Ms. Serruya’s writing style is masterful.
I cannot recommend this book more!
January 2, 2017
It’s been a while since I’ve picked up a book and been compelled to forgo going out the whole Sunday and stay up half the night to finish it. And make that the first Sunday of the year, now you know how good is Love Painted in Red. But Ms. Serruya's books never fail to keep me awake for hours.
It sucked me in from the firsts pages and Tavish and Laetitia didn’t let me go until the last word.
Very well-written, with believable and original characters, original plot, with twists and turns galore, Love kept me turning the pages. I held my breath as their pasts began to unfold. I loved (and I hated) the why they are so hurt by their past tragedies and I am impressed by how the author has tackled such sensitive issues as PTDS, POWs, veterans, and human trafficking.
And the beautiful steamy sex scenes to top…OMG! Ms. Serruya has a way to write a sex scene that makes it so much more than sex. The scenes show the growth in the relationship and they are never gratuitous always linked to some important revelation.
Thank you for another great book, Ms. Serruya!!
It sucked me in from the firsts pages and Tavish and Laetitia didn’t let me go until the last word.
Very well-written, with believable and original characters, original plot, with twists and turns galore, Love kept me turning the pages. I held my breath as their pasts began to unfold. I loved (and I hated) the why they are so hurt by their past tragedies and I am impressed by how the author has tackled such sensitive issues as PTDS, POWs, veterans, and human trafficking.
And the beautiful steamy sex scenes to top…OMG! Ms. Serruya has a way to write a sex scene that makes it so much more than sex. The scenes show the growth in the relationship and they are never gratuitous always linked to some important revelation.
Thank you for another great book, Ms. Serruya!!
June 22, 2016
I read a lot of romance novels but rarely write reviews, however I felt inclined to write one for this book as it is so well written. I loved the story and it kept me enthralled right to the end. I also really liked the characters who were complex and interesting. I read this book after reading the Trust trilogy which is also excellent and I was pleasantly surprised to find Love Painted in Red just as good as those books. I would definitely recommend this book if you enjoy romance with some suspense.
July 4, 2016
Amazing book. I loved it!
February 20, 2019
Not an author - she plagiarizes from the works of true authors.
will-not-read
February 19, 2019http://www.courtneymilan.com/rambling...
Cristiane Serruya is a copyright infringer, a plagiarist, and an idiot.
#CopyPasteCris
Cristiane Serruya is a copyright infringer, a plagiarist, and an idiot.
#CopyPasteCris
November 1, 2016
Love Painted in Red sucked me in from the firsts pages and Tavish and Laetitia didn’t let me go until the last page.
Very well-written, with believable and original characters, original plot, with twists and turns galore, Love kept me turning the pages. I held my breath as their pasts began to unfold. I loved (and I hated) the why they are so hurt by their past tragedies. And the beautiful steamy sex scenes to top…OMG!
I loved this book!
Very well-written, with believable and original characters, original plot, with twists and turns galore, Love kept me turning the pages. I held my breath as their pasts began to unfold. I loved (and I hated) the why they are so hurt by their past tragedies. And the beautiful steamy sex scenes to top…OMG!
I loved this book!
February 25, 2019
Out of all the ones I've read so far this is the only one I don't like. It felt too long. Not a lot happens. I was disappointed by that. I was glad to see Laetitia get justice against those people from Ireland. They were horrible and needed to get what was coming to them. At least in the end Laetitia and Tavish were able to have their HEA.
August 2, 2016
I’ve been lucky enough to follow Ms. Serruya’s stories right from the very beginning, after I was a winner in a Goodreads giveaway of her first Trust novel. Now in the beginning I was very sceptical as to whether I would like the book, being as, at the time, it wasn’t really my genre. Well, what a surprise that turned out to be! I not only loved the first book, but loved the rest of the books in the series, and went on to read several other books with various themes in the genre. Wow, what an eye opener that turned out to be!
Anyway, getting back to where I am now, all I can say is that boy, she has done it again! Essentially a continuation of the Trust series, with all the same base characters that we’ve grown to love, just this time focused on that rather sullen and grumpy brother of Alistair’s – Tavish Uileam (that last name being pronounced similar to “William”, for anyone interested – just say it with more of a Scottish accent and you’ll get there). Of course, there is very much a reason for his attitude – the broken war hero, who has seen so many atrocities that his life is now devoted to an art gallery as a way of giving him some purpose and distracting him from the constant nightmares and flashbacks. Through his art connections in comes Laetitia, who just so happens to be the final salve needed for Tavish’s wounds.
The author’s writing has grown so much since I first read Trust: A New Beginning nearly three years ago. It’s been wonderful to see and this new instalment definitely doesn’t disappoint! But, even though this is a standalone, I’d definitely recommend starting at the beginning – it will make the excitement of reading this new story even better!
Final rating: ★★★★★ – Loved it/couldn't put it down
Anyway, getting back to where I am now, all I can say is that boy, she has done it again! Essentially a continuation of the Trust series, with all the same base characters that we’ve grown to love, just this time focused on that rather sullen and grumpy brother of Alistair’s – Tavish Uileam (that last name being pronounced similar to “William”, for anyone interested – just say it with more of a Scottish accent and you’ll get there). Of course, there is very much a reason for his attitude – the broken war hero, who has seen so many atrocities that his life is now devoted to an art gallery as a way of giving him some purpose and distracting him from the constant nightmares and flashbacks. Through his art connections in comes Laetitia, who just so happens to be the final salve needed for Tavish’s wounds.
The author’s writing has grown so much since I first read Trust: A New Beginning nearly three years ago. It’s been wonderful to see and this new instalment definitely doesn’t disappoint! But, even though this is a standalone, I’d definitely recommend starting at the beginning – it will make the excitement of reading this new story even better!
Final rating: ★★★★★ – Loved it/couldn't put it down
January 17, 2017
Tavish MacCraig is an ex-POW military vet, who has decided to run his family’s art gallery in London. Suffering from PTSD, Tavish has a difficult time coming to terms with life as it comes at him. When he meets the Irish painter, Laetitia Galen, who also has deep scars from her earlier life, both fall prey to a strong attraction between them. Nevertheless, neither is ready to give himself/herself up to this attraction. Laetitia tries to repel Tavish. Tavish becomes obsessed with Laetitia. This is their story of their intersected lives and actions, which may or not lead somewhere. Meanwhile, there is a sinister outsider lurking, with a long-time grudge, who only makes things more difficult for the pair.
This is a story of two lost souls, meeting and connecting and working to overcome the many, many obstacles, both real and imagined, between them. As the story progressed, I became more and more interesting in seeing how or if these two could ever break free of their demons and manage to build a solid relationship, while overcoming this ominous threat from outside. This is more than just a sweet romance between two resourceful, resilient souls. It is a testament to their power and the power of their attraction/relationship that can overcome obstacles thrust between them. The author’s style and writing is perfect for this match-up. It brings out the very best each character and situation has to offer. This is a book that will entice a romance lover as well as a lover of stories with “oomph” in them. I received this from the Kindle Scout Program to read and review.
This is a story of two lost souls, meeting and connecting and working to overcome the many, many obstacles, both real and imagined, between them. As the story progressed, I became more and more interesting in seeing how or if these two could ever break free of their demons and manage to build a solid relationship, while overcoming this ominous threat from outside. This is more than just a sweet romance between two resourceful, resilient souls. It is a testament to their power and the power of their attraction/relationship that can overcome obstacles thrust between them. The author’s style and writing is perfect for this match-up. It brings out the very best each character and situation has to offer. This is a book that will entice a romance lover as well as a lover of stories with “oomph” in them. I received this from the Kindle Scout Program to read and review.
April 13, 2018
I had received this book through Kindle scout, and the author was suggested by a friend. I've mixed feeling about the book, though the plot had quite potential, the suspense well handled, I was disappointed with the extra dose of eroticism & the lack of justice to the climax -- puzzles solved in the last few pages? It left me high and dry. I am a huge fan of Nora Roberts, and I thought the plot had all the ingredients to be a la Roberts. But, I think the book could have done away with a few chapters and eroticism, and been a little more crisp. A few loose ends, especially Alejandro (how does he become inside informant to the cult?, it's never explained). How does Latitiea loose her ear? Is it explained? Did I miss it? I don't think so. Overall I liked the story, but not how it was treated.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 19, 2016
What can I say? Another stupendous romance from Cristiane Serruya.
It has it all: a well-written, beautiful story with original plot, great character development, hot sex scenes, and that touch of suspense and action so peculiar to Ms. Serruya, that especially at the end, made LPinR a page-flipping exciting book!!
I loved Laetitia's story! And I became a huge fan of Tavish Uilleam, too - what a hunk! He might have taken Alistair Connor's and Ethan's places in my heart.
I was also very, very impressed with the way she tackled such delicate issues, like: POWs, veterans, and human trafficking. But I shouldn't have been, she is masterful at dealing with such issues.
I love all Ms. Serruya's books, but this one is my favorite so far. Hmm... probably until she releases the next! :-)
Go, run, buy it and fall in love with Tavish & Laetitia.
It has it all: a well-written, beautiful story with original plot, great character development, hot sex scenes, and that touch of suspense and action so peculiar to Ms. Serruya, that especially at the end, made LPinR a page-flipping exciting book!!
I loved Laetitia's story! And I became a huge fan of Tavish Uilleam, too - what a hunk! He might have taken Alistair Connor's and Ethan's places in my heart.
I was also very, very impressed with the way she tackled such delicate issues, like: POWs, veterans, and human trafficking. But I shouldn't have been, she is masterful at dealing with such issues.
I love all Ms. Serruya's books, but this one is my favorite so far. Hmm... probably until she releases the next! :-)
Go, run, buy it and fall in love with Tavish & Laetitia.
November 10, 2016
First off, I have to say what an eye-catching and fantastic cover this book has. The writing in this novel is just as red-hot and steamy as the cover implies. Tavish and Laetitia are two tortured souls, who have both suffered unspeakable tragedies. Will they find the strength to move beyond their troubled pasts and find healing solace in each other's arms? Grab a copy of this Kindle Scout winner to read their twisty tale.
February 22, 2017
I thought it would never end
I wanted to stop reading this at 12%, but powered through. I wish I hadn't. This was a chore to read. It was disjointed, lacked character development, and never really explained several key aspects of the story.
I cannot understand any 5-star reviews being given to this dreck.
I wanted to stop reading this at 12%, but powered through. I wish I hadn't. This was a chore to read. It was disjointed, lacked character development, and never really explained several key aspects of the story.
I cannot understand any 5-star reviews being given to this dreck.
August 12, 2016
3.5 Stars.
August 2, 2016
I loved this book! the characters are great. I was hooked in 4 pages and it kept me hooked all the way to the end. I love all her books and would highly recommend them all
January 12, 2017
Another great romance by Cristiane Serruya.
I am totally in love with Tavish and Laetitia's original story!
I am totally in love with Tavish and Laetitia's original story!
July 10, 2018
I absolutely love, love, love this book. It is different than most romances. It is real, gutsy, raw, dynamic, emotional, shocking, touching, sensitive, frightening and full of love, respect, romance. It is also full of fear and danger. This is the sequel to "Shaded Love" the story of Eva Marie's new born unnamed daughter. Eva May Camden had died in childbirth. Her daughter remained in the clutches of the cult. She grew up without a name. She was bullied and shamed constantly because she had what the cult people said was a freakish deformity. Her ears were pointy like an elf. Everyone called her a freak. She grew up shamed, humiliated, emotionally, physically and spiritually abused. However when she was sixteen and after some horrific events, she escaped. Someone helped her. She was on the run for eight years. She constantly had to keep looking over her shoulder for fear someone from the cult would come after her. She found a job as a maid for a Baron. While working there, she painted and would let the painting be shown at a local gallery. At the time she adopted the name of Laetitia Galen. Her art was discovered by a partner of MacCraig brothers who owned the famed Blue Dot Gallery in London. It is the best place for new artists to be discovered.. When Tavish MacCraig saw one of Laetitia paintings and was in awe of the raw power of it. It spoke to him on a level that made him convinced that he must meet the artist himself. His brother Alistair, agreed to let him handle the negotiations of the contract. Tavish went to meet Laetitia and when he set eyes on her, he was smitten. He was enthralled by her and was attracted in a way that he had not felt in a very long time. He's been dealing with his demons and PTSD which caused him to live in a dark place. But when he met Laetitia he saw a ray of sunshine enter his soul. Laetitia was skittish and leery of new people. It took some time for her and Tavish to establish a rapport. Laetitia was attracted to Tavish but she was frightened by these new feelings and was not use to being around a man with a strong presence and a strong personality. He at times caused an emotional flashback for Laetitia. She however was trying to deal with it as best as she could. Eventually she did sign the contract and thus began in earnest their professional and personal relationship. But not all was well at the cult. Geoffrey and Andrew were out for revenge against Laetitia for escaping them after shocking events. Tavish knew Laetitia was keeping secrets of her past hidden. He could tell from her eyes that sometimes she would be fearful, sad or wistful. He was determined to be patient with her and hoping eventually she would learn to trust him. He would show her that he could be trusted. Oddly he was feeling things he thought dead in his heart and sometimes he would feel things that he never felt before. Both he and Laetitia were going through a confusing time. Somehow it brought them closer together. They had a lot of serious baggage from their past to overcome if they ever wanted a future together. The book chronicles their journey of self discovery. But it came with a high cost of revealing and bearing one soul. This was extremely painful and scary for both of them. The cult leaders, Geoffrey and Andrew were not giving up the hunt for Laetitia and began putting pressure on the people involved in searching for her. The danger was just beginning. Secrets would be brought out in the open. Mysteries would be solved. Lives would be threatened. There would be betrayals from the very people they knew. There would be familial bonding and emotional strength provided. Friends and family would come together as one to fight for Tavish and Laetitia safety. Tavish keeping his family and Laetitia safe from his PTSD episodes. Laetitia using her defense mechanism of pushing people away so she would not have to deal with her past. Together fighting for survival of their lives and fledgling love. This is an exciting book to read. It took several hours to pour threw it. It constantly held my attention page after page. The character were well described and had fighting personalities. The plot and subplots provided many twists and turns in the story. There was nothing dull about this book. I highly recommend it.
July 22, 2018
Reading and reviewing this as part of the two-part book, yet it is exactly the same, so will post my review here, too.
*Kindly received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.*
I last read this book near exactly two years ago, and it took me exactly the same amount of days to read as it did this updated version! But that is probably as far as coincidences go with this book, as for as much as time has passed and the book has been updated somewhat, it appears that my opinion of this book has altered slightly in the rereading, too.
Of course, I still enjoyed it, immensely! And I was wowed just as much as I was previously. But there are little things that I noticed more this time than I did the last. And this time, I had read the prequel directly before, so I had a direct link into the continued story. Although, I will still say that it is best to read this book first, before the prequel, so you have a better understanding as you go through.
Here we find two damaged souls, both suffering from PTSD in different forms due to their different harrowing experiences. Yet it is that scarring that enables each to see a kindred spirit in the other. And, as the story goes on, and it becomes more obvious how the past of each has affected their present, so they adapt even more and start to heal together.
This is a very intelligent story. It goes in-depth into how much extremely harrowing experiences can change you and leave immense scarring, both physical and psychological. How people adapt and change to that over time. How triggers, even minor ones, can cause a person with such mental scarring to temporarily relive moments of their past and act out upon them. Although, considering all this, if one were to be highly critical, I do believe that Laetitia’s willingness to experiment is out of character with someone who has been through her trauma. Yet, she has a strong character, and, depending on the circumstances moving forward, some do recover better than others. She has learnt to live for herself, taught herself how to be a person in a modern world. She doesn’t fit in, but still is able to find her place nonetheless. She doesn’t have Tavish’s access to wealth and high-level medical personnel that that wealth open doors to, but she has used her art as a way of self-healing, which isn’t at all unusual.
This book gives you intelligent discussions on subjects most people don’t think about, from art, to war, to abuse. At every turn, there is much thought that goes into the background detailing. Names of artists I’ve never even heard of, names of alcoholic drinks that I’ve never even drunk (apart from the whisky! ;) ). It is a book that is painted in detail.
My only disappointment was that we didn’t get to see enough of Laetitia’s best friend, Elizabeth (only once, I believe), or that Laetitia didn’t get to speak with Johansen. I can understand why Johansen did what he did, but they could have reconciled in some way, especially as he was interested in her art. Elizabeth, herself, could also make for an interesting spin-off, but we didn’t really get to know enough about her.
All in all, it was definitely an interesting reread, and still remains a brilliant story! Despite any faults, it is still ranked amongst one of the best.
Final rating: ★★★★☆ – Really liked
*Kindly received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.*
I last read this book near exactly two years ago, and it took me exactly the same amount of days to read as it did this updated version! But that is probably as far as coincidences go with this book, as for as much as time has passed and the book has been updated somewhat, it appears that my opinion of this book has altered slightly in the rereading, too.
Of course, I still enjoyed it, immensely! And I was wowed just as much as I was previously. But there are little things that I noticed more this time than I did the last. And this time, I had read the prequel directly before, so I had a direct link into the continued story. Although, I will still say that it is best to read this book first, before the prequel, so you have a better understanding as you go through.
Here we find two damaged souls, both suffering from PTSD in different forms due to their different harrowing experiences. Yet it is that scarring that enables each to see a kindred spirit in the other. And, as the story goes on, and it becomes more obvious how the past of each has affected their present, so they adapt even more and start to heal together.
This is a very intelligent story. It goes in-depth into how much extremely harrowing experiences can change you and leave immense scarring, both physical and psychological. How people adapt and change to that over time. How triggers, even minor ones, can cause a person with such mental scarring to temporarily relive moments of their past and act out upon them. Although, considering all this, if one were to be highly critical, I do believe that Laetitia’s willingness to experiment is out of character with someone who has been through her trauma. Yet, she has a strong character, and, depending on the circumstances moving forward, some do recover better than others. She has learnt to live for herself, taught herself how to be a person in a modern world. She doesn’t fit in, but still is able to find her place nonetheless. She doesn’t have Tavish’s access to wealth and high-level medical personnel that that wealth open doors to, but she has used her art as a way of self-healing, which isn’t at all unusual.
This book gives you intelligent discussions on subjects most people don’t think about, from art, to war, to abuse. At every turn, there is much thought that goes into the background detailing. Names of artists I’ve never even heard of, names of alcoholic drinks that I’ve never even drunk (apart from the whisky! ;) ). It is a book that is painted in detail.
My only disappointment was that we didn’t get to see enough of Laetitia’s best friend, Elizabeth (only once, I believe), or that Laetitia didn’t get to speak with Johansen. I can understand why Johansen did what he did, but they could have reconciled in some way, especially as he was interested in her art. Elizabeth, herself, could also make for an interesting spin-off, but we didn’t really get to know enough about her.
All in all, it was definitely an interesting reread, and still remains a brilliant story! Despite any faults, it is still ranked amongst one of the best.
Final rating: ★★★★☆ – Really liked
July 2, 2018
I was given an ARC of the SHADES OF LOVE bundle, which included the prequel, SHADED LOVE as well as the book, UNPREDICTABLE LOVE.
Two damaged people find solace, refuge and love in one another.
Where do I start? This book is phenomenal! We begin with a prequel, SHADED LOVE, to the main story, UNPREDICTABLE LOVE. The prequel ends sadly with a cliffhanger which comes to full fruition in UNPREDICTABLE LOVE. The suspense in this book is palpable. The reader can feel it coming to an ominous end…all the separate parts in the book converge for what may be a fireworks-ending.
Eva is a wealthy teenager in love with an older man and pregnant with his baby. Her father turns her out when he finds that Eva and “Blue” have run off to Ireland to marry. What will happen? OMG, this is just the beginning of an epic love story. Shift several years later and we find a young girl with no name (but called “freak” by the leader of the cult) discovering how difficult life can be. What follows is the most fascinating story with so many pieces. Like I said they converge in the end and it may take a few chapters to get the rhythm but you’ll be amazed. Tavish and Laetitia have some very scintillating moments together. (One of my favorite scenes: chapter 15, when Tavish arrives for dinner with Laetitia!) This is such a well-written, suspenseful, heart-wrenching, fist-pump worthy story. I highly recommend it. I volunteered to review an ARC of this book. This is definitely a book I’ll remember for a while…
Two damaged people find solace, refuge and love in one another.
Where do I start? This book is phenomenal! We begin with a prequel, SHADED LOVE, to the main story, UNPREDICTABLE LOVE. The prequel ends sadly with a cliffhanger which comes to full fruition in UNPREDICTABLE LOVE. The suspense in this book is palpable. The reader can feel it coming to an ominous end…all the separate parts in the book converge for what may be a fireworks-ending.
Eva is a wealthy teenager in love with an older man and pregnant with his baby. Her father turns her out when he finds that Eva and “Blue” have run off to Ireland to marry. What will happen? OMG, this is just the beginning of an epic love story. Shift several years later and we find a young girl with no name (but called “freak” by the leader of the cult) discovering how difficult life can be. What follows is the most fascinating story with so many pieces. Like I said they converge in the end and it may take a few chapters to get the rhythm but you’ll be amazed. Tavish and Laetitia have some very scintillating moments together. (One of my favorite scenes: chapter 15, when Tavish arrives for dinner with Laetitia!) This is such a well-written, suspenseful, heart-wrenching, fist-pump worthy story. I highly recommend it. I volunteered to review an ARC of this book. This is definitely a book I’ll remember for a while…
January 17, 2019
Unpredictable Love is more than the normal romance. It's full of so many emotions, it's hard to know where to start. Laetitia has struggled to build a new life and identity. With her artistic talent and incredible beauty she attracts the attention of Tavish MacGraig, a veteran who's partner purchases Laetitia's paintings. Now their lives are about to change completely. We get to enjoy these two from getting to know each other to the fierce love they find. There are many things going on with this couple. Tavish deals with PTSD and Serruya shows us his tragic past in Afghanistan, with realism. Laetitia is an interesting character. She is hesitant, yet passionate, sometimes lack confidence and others is full of self confidence. She is fearful for her life, and is waiting for her past to literally catch up with her. It's an amazing journey these two are on. Definitely listen to Shades of Love first to get Laetitia's backstory. It will grab you, suck you in and make you listen to this jewel of a book,
Andy Creswell is nothing short of amazing. His voice is soft yet commanding. I love his accent and find his narration soothing to my ears yet so captivating I cannot stop listening. Penny Scott-Andrews is perfect as Laetitia. SHe has an edginess to her voice that gives the character that independent streak, and a vulnerability to make Tavish melt. It's a wonderfully done duet narration.
Andy Creswell is nothing short of amazing. His voice is soft yet commanding. I love his accent and find his narration soothing to my ears yet so captivating I cannot stop listening. Penny Scott-Andrews is perfect as Laetitia. SHe has an edginess to her voice that gives the character that independent streak, and a vulnerability to make Tavish melt. It's a wonderfully done duet narration.
September 4, 2018
Laetitia was a child that grew up in a Monastery and was treated very badly but she never knew why or what she had done. She tried to keep to herself as much as possible and learn to live the best she could under very bad circumstances. Until one day she fled from that horrible place to try to have the best normal life she could. She realized after meeting Tavish Uilleam that her life was just getting by once he started to try to date her and not back off and even offering her an Art deal at his company the Blue Dot, and loving her the way she always wanted.
What I enjoyed most about Love Painted in Red was watching two broken souls get together and find in each other what they always wanted and what they need in a partner. Watching his family be wearly about her and her back ground but how they welcomed her with open arms, how Tavish was always there when she needed support. Watching how Laetitia wanted Tavish but was afraid she would break him while he was feeling the same emotion.
This book is a long read, and it has a ton of heart wrenching moments that will leave you on the edge of your seat wondering if Laetitia and Tavish will make it together or if her past is going to catch up to her first and ruin everything. Laetitia was living pretty secluded until she wasnt then the phone calls started. If you like stories like this, then Love Painted in Red is a must!
What I enjoyed most about Love Painted in Red was watching two broken souls get together and find in each other what they always wanted and what they need in a partner. Watching his family be wearly about her and her back ground but how they welcomed her with open arms, how Tavish was always there when she needed support. Watching how Laetitia wanted Tavish but was afraid she would break him while he was feeling the same emotion.
This book is a long read, and it has a ton of heart wrenching moments that will leave you on the edge of your seat wondering if Laetitia and Tavish will make it together or if her past is going to catch up to her first and ruin everything. Laetitia was living pretty secluded until she wasnt then the phone calls started. If you like stories like this, then Love Painted in Red is a must!
November 18, 2018
Magnificent Story! Wow! Fantastic story, so well written! This story is a gem and Cristiane Serruya has a beautiful imagination and an exceptional writing. Tavish and Laetitia's story is breathtaking and I feel privileged to have listened to their story. Both have a horrible past and both are lost souls. Their chemistry is undeniable and the love scenes are beautifully written. This story has it all: romantic, sexy, hot, twisted, mysterious and suspenseful. The ending is beautiful. You can listen to this story as a standalone, but I highly recommend you listen to Shades of Love Novella before. The narration was wonderful. This was my first listen to Andy Cresswell and Penny Scott-Andrews. They done an amazing job with the narration and they bring to life this story in a wonderful way. I enjoyed my listening and I totally recommend this audiobook. I can't wait to listen to the next book in the Series. I received this free review copy audiobook at my request and I have voluntarily left this review.
July 6, 2018
* I have volunteered to share my review and all the opinions are 100% my own *
This is the story of Tavish MacCraig who is back working his family art gallery after surviving Afghanistan as a POW. His nights are full of nightmares until he meets Laetitia Galen.
Then there is painter Laetitia Galen who is now just starting to get past the hell she went through at sixteen and another incident she went through eight years ago makes her extra careful, so when she accepts Tavish’s offer of a gallery contract, she can’t seem to also resist the attraction to him.
This is a perfectly hot and sweet romance with plenty of suspense and secrets that will find you with twists and turns at every point.
Great story by Christiane Serruya and look forward to her next instalment.
This is the story of Tavish MacCraig who is back working his family art gallery after surviving Afghanistan as a POW. His nights are full of nightmares until he meets Laetitia Galen.
Then there is painter Laetitia Galen who is now just starting to get past the hell she went through at sixteen and another incident she went through eight years ago makes her extra careful, so when she accepts Tavish’s offer of a gallery contract, she can’t seem to also resist the attraction to him.
This is a perfectly hot and sweet romance with plenty of suspense and secrets that will find you with twists and turns at every point.
Great story by Christiane Serruya and look forward to her next instalment.
July 20, 2018
What a wonderful series. I originally read Shaded Love, the prequel to Unpredictable Love, some time ago and although I really enjoyed it, it also left me wanting more. Well, now I'm completely satisfied. This is truly a great book. Tavish and Laetitia make such a lovely couple, but with broken pasts. We have already learned about Tavish's war experiences in previous books. Laetitia is running from a horrific childhood and Tavish is desperate to catch her. Their love scenes are so beautifully erotic. This can be read totally as a standalone, but I recommend reading the entire series, simply because it is just fabulous.
July 11, 2018
What an amazing story. This poor girl had been raised in horrific circumstances but was still sweet. She was unnamed as her father was a horrible man. She was disciplined on a regular basis for very small infractions. One night after another horrible experience, she runs away. 8 years later, she meets Tavis and they slowly start a relationship. He is a recovering POW and has many issues. I couldn't put this book down. I had to know what happened. When the whole story came out for both of them, it was appalling but it showed how brave they both were. Good book
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