Lost & Found

Blackwood Family #1

by Julia Blake

Sometimes, you have to lose everything
to find what’s important

Arianna Santorini has had a hard life. Abandoned by her husband and left alone to raise their child for six long years, she has learnt to make the best of things.

Then she meets Luke Blackwood and initially he seems perfect. Strong, kind, understanding and loving, he’s everything she could possibly want.

But Luke has a secret. He’s rich, very rich, and Arianna has a deep-seated prejudice against wealthy men, believing it turns them into men like her husband – manipulative, arrogant bullies. When she discovers the truth about Luke, her first response is to send him away and harden her heart to what might have been.

Then the worst thing that can happen to a parent, happens to Arianna. And the only person who can help her, is the one she’s vowed never to see again.

Genres: Romance

230 pages, Paperback

First published August 17, 2017

About the author

I was born and raised in the beautiful historic market town of Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk, where I live still with my kid, one crazy cat and a succession of even crazier lodgers. I'm a multi-genre author which basically means I write whatever story floats into my head and worry about what genre it fits into afterwards. So far, I have written in contemporary fiction, romantic suspense, YA fantasy, folklore fantasy, sci-fi, short stories, poetry, and even a fabulous steampunk retelling of the Snow White story.

I have been writing stories and poems since I could first pick up a pen, and I promise there are many more books in the pipeline. I write the kind of books that I like to read myself. Books I can escape into and that make me laugh, cry and really connect with the characters. I also like my books to have a very satisfying ending, where all is explained and no string is left untied, well, not unless I'm planning a sequel that is.

www.juliablakeauthor.co.uk
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Reviews

[Becky Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful! Edge-of-your-seat gripping, brilliantly written, a sublime heart-pounding read!

Lost & found, is best devoured quickly, in a few sittings, to really benefit from its perfect, fast paced, action packed rhythm. With a healthy dose of romance to soften and give it true depth...what more could you want?

Arianna, is a single mother, self sufficient, single minded, self guarded...but then she meets Luke, and her well organised life is thrown into a whirlwind, and she begins to let down her walls. He's handsome, tall, rugged, gorgeous, what woman wouldn't be seduced by his gentle nature?

But Luke has a secret. A secret that most other women would welcome, but, for Arianna, it's a secret of the worst kind, that due to her pig headed belief, she will not forgive. So Luke is banished from her life after a swift affair.

Then the unspeakable happens, the worse fear for any parent, but who can she turn to....

Julia Blake has an innate ability of creating intricate relationships between believable characters, with a sense of true emotional integrity. I always love her gentle description, never too much, but just enough to allow the reader to create their own vision of locations and settings. Allowing, the reader to fall in love with each character, no matter what their flaws.

Being a thriller, Lost & Found is a slight shift in genre for Julia Blake, but as it still contain her signature romance and complex relationships it's an obvious move and a welcome addition to her collection of books. I can't wait to read what's next.

[Rebecca Lange · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story with suspense and drama…

Wow, I didn’t know what to expect, but this was a great read with some intense and and suspenseful moments. Luke Blackwood is the perfect hunk of a man and a protective alpha male too. Loved it and I also appreciated the first chapter of the next book, giving the reader a glimpse of the next story.

[Abigail Shepherd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lost and Found starts off like a lighthearted romance. There's the usual love at first sight, crackling sexual tension and unhappy misunderstandings. To be honest, this isn't really my thing, but it was extremely well done and I enjoyed it much more than I would have expected.

Luke and Arianna are instantly likeable and I was rooting for them from the start. Also, there was some description but not too much, and the places really came alive. Where the book really got going for me though was after the kidnapping. From then on it was one thrill after another and I loved it. I especially want to read more about Isabella! I hope that's what the author has in store for us in the sequel.

All in all it was excellent read, with the slower pace of the beginning gradually building to a proper page turner that I finished in a few hours. I even got teary-eyed at the end. There's something in this book for most people, whether you're a lover of romance, action, or a little bit of both.

[Linda Lou · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Blackwood Family Saga
One man
Three wives
Six Children
One grandchild
Seven stories
One saga of epic proportions

Lost and Found is the first book in the Blackwood family saga. What I found compelling was the whole concept of such an intricate and overlapping of stories. Blake has seamlessly wove a family story together that will stay with you long after you read the last page and closed the book. There are no dropped stitches nor is there a cliffhanger. Lost and Found is Luke’s story.

Here’s the bare bones...
•Humorous
•Love and romance
•Edge of your seat action and intrigue
•Page turner (I couldn’t turn pages fast enough)
•Twisty
•Family
•One niggling question unanswered
•Everything I want in a book

I have read most of Blake’s books and all of them are top shelf. She has honed her craft well as it has a cutting edge with razor sharp humor, titillating without explicitness, crosses genres as well as the age spectrum with her fantasy stories. One more thing, Blake tends to give some of her characters cameo appearances in her other books...so keep an eye out! I found this intriguing and a bit quirky. I loved it!

Blake has quickly become one of my favorite go to authors.

[Author Dawnette Brenner · Rating 5 out of 5]

FANTASTIC!!!
Lost & Found, superbly written, overflowing with heartbreak, love, compassion, suspense and more suspense; leaving the reader, satisfied. I loved each and every character and hated the villains, all apropos for this Romatic Suspense Fiction Novel.

The author writes this love story, transforming your own emotions, as you journey through heart-wrenching dilemmas, dealing with family values, love and romance. The familial bonds are expertly woven to enhance connections between the characters, well done!

While reading 8 other books, this one took center stage, consuming my whole being, as I imagined Arianna's life & love for Luke; yearning for it, as if it were my own story.

I love Lucia, a free spirited independent, intelligent 7 year old. The way the author protects her is soothing to the maternal soul.

Review also will be listed here on: http://joshuacreed.weebly.com/reviews...

[Lindsey Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was everything that you could want. Action, drama and romance in spades. The story drew me in within the first couple of pages. The relationship between Luke and Arianna was beautifully written, and I found myself rooting for them the whole way through! Their love isn’t straight forward which makes for some gripping reading.
This is the first book that I have read by Julia and it certainly won’t be the last. Just brilliant!!

[T.L. Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eek, this book gets ever so exciting as the action kicks in!

Good amount of sizzle on the build up, as electricity sparks between the pair.

You can tell the author also writes poetry; there's a beauty to her phrasing. Very nicely written.

[Kastie Pavlik · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel made me smile and laugh, grip the pages and hold my breath, and cry, all while fighting off sleep for just. One. More. Page.

It's a romance that's light on the petting and heavy on the suspense, which sweeps you right through an actual plot (I generally don't read genre romance, but do enjoy stories with mystery, suspense, or supernatural elements). I empathize with Arianna, adore cute little Lucia, and Luke...woo...yep, he's the star of the book for a reason 🥵🤤, and definite book boyfriend material. I look forward to reading more of the Blackwood family saga. ;)

Notes by pages where I updated my reading status:
P. 42 hot and all smiles
P. 155 all smiles and then tears.
P. 182 agh! I don't want to stop, but I need to sleep...
(Btw: P.182 is a horrible place to stop! It's right in the middle of the climax, but my nightly medicine is sedating, so I didn't have a choice. 😅)

[Barbara Kellyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

If Julia Blake’s Blackwood Family saga was a Netflix series, I’d definitely be poised to binge the entire series in a weekend simply based on how good its first episode was – the intriguing Lost & Found has me hooked!

I intentionally went into Book One spoiler-free, not even reading the blurb so that I would delve into it without expectation of characters or plot, or even knowing where the story journey might take me. The payoff was being engrossed in a riveting, tension-filled romantic suspense that had me quite literally on the edge of my seat.

To set the tone and perspective, we are introduced to the wealthy but close-knit Blackwood Family’s complex history right from page one and from there, we meet Luke Blackwood, a heir with a heart of gold who has devoted his life to rescuing kidnapped children. One fateful day, Luke becomes acquainted with guarded Arianna through her precocious daughter, Lucia. While the pair are instantly attracted, Arianna attempts to protect her heart and maintain her distance for good reason. Still emotionally scarred by her tyrant ex who chose money over family, she is wary of men in general, and men of wealth in particular. Encouraged by her daughter’s adoration of Luke and the prodding of her best friend (and ex-SIL) to do something for herself by pursuing a relationship, Arianna begins to give in to her feelings and gradually opens herself to a new romance. Accidentally discovering that Luke is from a rich family shakes her faith in him, but once she is thrown into a serious crisis and imminent danger – she turns to him in desperation, only to realize the courage, determination and honour the man is truly made of.

Lost & Found gets an easy five stars from me. I was very impressed by Blake’s writing prowess, weaving together a strong plot with realistic dialogue, vivid scene setting, and above all, superb characters. A standing ovation especially for the strong women (and girl) of conviction, bravery and integrity who hold their own and are far from being damsels in distress – yet remain vulnerable enough to recognize love and to ask for and accept help from others. Bravo! I can’t wait to dive into Book Two.

[Kate Morley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lost & Found is an amazing mix of satisfying romance, and fast paced thrilling action and suspense. I found I could not read it fast enough! Although short, the author manages to not only weave a complex web of back story, romance scenes and nail biting suspense but also, build up the characters in such a way that you really FEEL what they're going through as the story continues. I loved the characters, and hated the villians which in a book that that took me 2 and a half hours to read is testament to the beautiful descriptive style of the author.
Loved it, and cannot wait for the next one!

[Julie Embleton · Rating 5 out of 5]

The charming Luke Blackwood has caught Arianna Santorini’s eye, but when she discovers he has the one thing she believes will destroy everything, she vows to never speak to him again. When terror strikes, Luke is the only person to whom she can turn, but can Arianna ignore her prejudice in order to save a life?

As the first instalment of the Blackwood Family Saga, Lost & Found is a fantastic start. I gobbled this up in just a few sittings, and with the fast pace, heart-pounding action and fascinating characters, I think most readers will find the same.

Blake never disappoints with her characters, and those we meet in this first book are no exception. Luke and Arianna make an interesting pairing. As a single mother, self-sufficient Arianna seeks control and privacy, so meeting Luke threatens her world of careful order. When she learns the truth Luke has hidden, she stubbornly refuses to consider any further communication with him, slamming the door on their budding relationship. But then the thriller aspect of this tale kicks in and Arianna soon finds herself relying solely on Luke to save the day. Tricky relationships are Blake’s forte, and thrown in with the ensuing action, it cooks up a romance with extra zing.

A great start to this saga. I’ll definitely be reading the next two books to find out more about this intriguing Blackwood family!

[Julia Blake · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lost and Found is a departure from my other contemporary novels - The Book of Eve and Becoming Lili. They were both more in-depth, longer (especially Lili), character-led novels, whereas Lost & Found is shorter, punchier and more plot led.

Lost and Found is also a clean romance, as is the whole of the Blackwood Family Saga. Oh, don't get me wrong, there is love and emotion, tenderness and intimacy, but, when it gets down to it, the bedroom door is firmly shut in our faces. I felt it would be refreshing, to have a series that wouldn't offend readers of a more sensitive nature, perhaps the slightly older reader who still enjoys the thrill of the chase, but not so much the actual devouring of the corpse.

Lost and Found is the first in a planned series of seven books about the Blackwood Family. Let me tell you about them, they are a wonderful, eccentric, rambling family. To quote Luke Blackwood, the hero of Lost and Found - "they might be a hotchpotch of exes, steps and halves, but, they're my family, and I love them" - and I love the Blackwoods.

Originally founded by George Blackwood, a legendary fighter of a man, he and his first wife, Celeste, built an empire together and had two children, Monica and Marcus. Eventually drifting apart, George fell immediately into another marriage with Marina, and for a while, it looked as though things were going his way. He and Marina also had two children, Luke and Susannah.

Heartbroken when this marriage also fell apart - Marina stating she loved him to pieces but couldn't bear the pace of his life and of always coming second to the business - the pair remained firm friends, united in their children's lives.

Alone, working too hard, the inevitable happened, and George was hospitalized following a heart attack. Regaining consciousness after surgery, the first thing he saw was the laughing green eyes of his Irish nurse, Siobhan. Two months later, the pair were married and, despite the thirty years age difference between them, were blissfully happy for ten years, during which time Siobhan bore him two children, a son Liam and a daughter Kristina (Kit).

The whole family was devastated though, when George, by then in his late sixties, suffered another heart attack and died, leaving behind three women who had all loved him passionately, six children, and one granddaughter, Megan, the child of his eldest child, Monica. He also left a very substantial fortune to be split evenly between them all, and a multi-millionaire business empire, now very ably managed by his eldest son, Marcus.

So, that's the state of affairs in clan Blackwood at the opening of the book. None of the children are yet married, with the exception of the eldest daughter, Monica, a real estate agent in New York. Marcus is a business tycoon: Luke owns ICRA - the International Child Recovery Agency: Susannah owns and runs a quirky little bookshop: Liam is a war photographer: and Kit is an opera singer. All are happy and settled in their lives, but none of them has really had much luck with love, until now. They are just one happy, tight-knit, loving, rambunctious family.

Arianna, on the other hand, is not as fortunate as clan Blackwood. An only child, both her parents died before her eighteenth birthday. Left alone, she was easy prey for the son of her father's Italian business contact, Roberto Santorini. He married her, and whisked her away to his home in Italy to live with him and his younger sister, Isabella, with whom Arianna quickly became best friends.

When Roberto is offered a senior position in Bank Italia's London branch, Arianna is thrilled to move back home. However, things begin to sour in her marriage when Roberto inherits his parent's fortune. Seeming to change overnight into a violent, manipulative, arrogant bully, Arianna is considering taking their baby, Lucia, and leaving, when the unthinkable happens. Roberto embezzles six million pounds from the bank and flees the country, leaving Arianna penniless, with a young child to support, under suspicion and besmirched with the stain of his actions.

Vowing never to trust a wealthy man again, believing it was the money that changed her husband's character, Arianna is totally alone - apart from the staunch support of Isabella - and has to make a new life for her and her young daughter, Lucia.

Now you know the back story of the characters in Lost and Found. This book is essentially Luke's story, although other members of the clan do appear, they will each have their own story to tell at a later date.

I really hope you love this book as much as I do, and look out for the other six books in the series which will be coming soon. As usual, I am grateful for each and every review I receive.

[Sherry Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

Julia Blake’s Lost and Found is Book 1 in her Blackwood Family Saga.
This book is a perfect summer read. Well, it is an exciting book whatever season, but the 4 books in the Blackwood Family Saga are on my summer TBR list and I’ve been looking forward to them. To me, Lost and Found felt like just the kind of summer read I would look for. It reads like going to an exciting movie, a movie that is both a love story and a thriller and pushes all the right buttons, gives you the right thrills and brings you to an exciting, edge of your seat ending, before you can relax and wonder what the next compelling sequel will offer. It is very entertaining.

I loved the four main characters, who were surprisingly well- developed in this 200 page fast-paced book. Ms. Blake can get a character down quickly and I love her dialogue and banter between characters, which enhances your understanding of them. The many other books I have read of Blake’s have been large books, but her skill allows her to accomplish character development in a shorter space as well. This is a different genre for her, but she handles it like a pro, like she’s written many of these fast-paced romantic thrillers before. Luke is the Blackwood family member featured in book one. The Blackwood family is complex. There have been three mothers and one Blackwood father, and so the grown Blackwood children are three sets of half brothers and sisters. The father, George, has died and Luke’s brother, Marcus, runs the multi-million dollar family business. Luke is Marcus’ half brother and he too is successful in his own business. He rescues children who have been kidnapped! He is handsome, kind, courageous, thoughtful and caring. You just love him. But he has never fallen truly in love till he meets Arianna and her daughter Lucia. Arianna has been abandoned by an abusive husband and left to raise her daughter on her own. She was going to leave him when he disappeared. She is proud and self sufficient, earning her own way by being a housekeeper and raising a most loved and wonderful daughter. Arianna is beautiful and kind, but also hurt and distrustful of men. Lucia is a charming, precocious and yet believable child and I was smitten with her instantly. Blake writes her very well. And then there is Isabella, Arianna’s sister-in-law, who hates her abusive brother and has always been a support to Arianna and Lucia and she plays an important role. She is a woman with mysteries of her own and you want to know more about her. The romance sparks from the beginning and Blake writes love-at-first-sight well. Then there are a lovers’ misunderstanding, quickly followed by a kidnapping and then ever-escalating threats to the main characters, culminating in a very nerve wracking and suspenseful conclusion. Yes! Just like a good summer movie! Next I’m on to Book two, Fixtures and Features, which stars Marcus, the oldest brother.

[Pauline Reid · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't put this down, I went overtime something shocking with my reading quota with Lost & Found, because it was so, so facinating and interesting. I totally enjoyed the banter, but not only the banter but the thoughts of both Luke and Ariana, both not letting on how they felt for each other in the beginning and I was totally memorized and totally invested in which I hoped was going to be the start of a memorable love affair. However I thought Isabella Santorini was a very dangerous woman and I totally agreed with Luke "a woman he would avoid playing poker with" . I certainly didn't like the way Isabella was using 7 year old Lucia. I could see nearing the halfway point that this could get very messy and complicated. I read on, kind of not wanting it to end, then it did get very messy and complicated indeed. Something had happened, but I can't tell you what it is, because that would spoil the story, all I can say is, I need soup!!
.
I loved the style of chapters used in this book. Yes, each was numbered, but to give it more of a personal feel of that chapter, Julia has included a quote used within that chapter, it gave you more of a heads up of what was ahead. I was all in favour of this little teaser. Julia is an expert at weaving complicated issues, intriguing characters with all sorts of dynamics of personalities all in one story that will never leave you bored. Highly entertaining.
.
Rating System
5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐


Recommendation
Genres are - Thriller - Suspense - Romance. A totally gripping fast paced action filled story which will have you glued to your sitting place (or lying if you read in bed).
.
Lost & Found
Julia Blake

I bought this as an ebook off Amazon.com

Paperback, 230 pages

Published July 2020 by Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
ISBN 9781974628520

[ThatReader · Rating 4 out of 5]

First I'd like to state this is not my usual genre. This is romance, and I am so not a fan of romance. But then again, there's romance and there's romance. This is a light, fast read, with a speedy pace, but not overly much, so you don't feel overwhelmed by how quickly everything seems to be happening, it's very well done, as the story unfolds in what feels like a very mild pace - but is not, it's fast and in your face suspense, where you just want to get to the next chapter to see what's coming. To me, the mark of a remarkable writer is when someone writes credible children, because writing children is just about the hardest thing to do - so easy to fall into the infantilising mode or making them sound like tiny adults. Lucia is a child, and feels like a child, I have to confess she was the one who hooked me straight away, right on the first chapter, wonderfully done. A thouroughly good read, and if you're into head over heels love at first sight, grab this. Really. Romance with a twist of suspense done right!

[Caroline Noe · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of a series of novels following the various eclectic members of the Blackwood family, Lost and Found centres on Luke, the owner of an agency that recovers kidnapped children, as he convalesces from a stab wound. Helping his sister by serving in her bookshop, he has a chance meeting with Arianna, a beauty shrouded in mystery, and her vivacious young daughter, Lucia. Quickly drawn into romance, the couple soon find that both have their secrets, some of which just might be dangerous.
This delightful romance is a swift, easy read that draws you in, making you care whether this charming, ready made family overcomes past and present trauma to get their happy ever after. As is the hallmark of a Blake narrative, it's filled with quirky, never quite what they seem characters, all of whom could carry their own story in this heartfelt and humourous tale.

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

What do you do when fate forces you to swallow your pride and do the very thing you swore you'd never do again? This is exactly what happens to Arianna Santorini when she meets Luke Blackwood, but it doesn't play out like you might think. Lost & Found by Julia Blake is fast-paced, exciting, and filled with strong, well-developed characters you enjoy spending time with. It truly was an emotional roller coaster that kept me guessing as the story unfolded. It's the type of book you carry with you everywhere, just so you can sneak a few pages in every chance you get. The writing is top-notch, the description is lovely, and every scene pulled its weight. I enjoyed every second of it, and I'm looking forward to reading book two in the series, Fixtures & Fittings.

[K.M. Allan · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Luke Blackwood crosses paths with Arianna Santorini and her daughter Lucia, he's quickly caught up in a kidnapping which sees Arianna's past make trouble for them all. Mostly character-driven at first, the book takes off toward the end when Arianna is forced to confront her ex-husband and the consequences change her life forever. There are some moments when the scenes hop so furiously between the different characters heads that it takes a second to realize whose point of view you're reading the sentence from, but other than that, it's an easy story to follow and I'm looking forward to seeing what's ahead in the other two books in the trilogy.

[Karen J. Mossman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book, a great thriller and a love story - the two things I love most in a book. I've never read this author before, but I certainly will be doing again as she has a great style of writing. I thought the book was winding up to a close - boy gets girl, with a happy ever after ending. But no! A lot more excitement is o come and a heart in the mouth moment - no spoilers here!

Not sure I quite got the significance of the ending but, it didn't matter, it's going to be a series and I for one can't wait!

[Linette Kasper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exciting, Enticing, and Enjoyable

Action, romance, thrills...what more could you ask for? This fast-paced novel had my attention from the get-go, with likable characters and a great storyline.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it, great story, I got so immersed in it and found it hard to put down. Some heart stopping moments with touch of romance and love. A really great read.

[Sharman Badgett-Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

A blend of romance and suspense

This romance is full of suspense, difficult to put down because of the characters, the action, and the passion. Recommended!

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Recovering kidnapped children can be a hazardous occupation, as Luke Blackwood found to his cost when he was stabbed during an otherwise successful mission. Now he’s convalescent, helping out his sister Susannah by working in her bookshop while she takes a much-needed break; how hard could that be? What he’s not expecting is the appearance of little Lucia Santorini, separated from her mother Arianna in a crowd. She’s a bright child, however, and her mother’s on the ball, equipping her daughter with the means to deal with just this situation; hence Lucia’s appearance in the shop, with a request for Luke to call Arianna on the number she provides.

What he’s also not expecting is to fall hook, line and sinker for Arianna when she appears, air of vulnerability in place alongside her anxiety for her daughter. It’s not long before they’ve formed a deepening relationship, but there are problems. Arianna’s in flight from abusive husband Roberto, who’s himself in flight from justice, having absconded to South America with the millions he embezzled from his employer, leaving Arianna with a young daughter to support as well as a heartfelt distrust of moneyed men.

And that’s where another problem comes in, because Luke isn’t just the shop assistant Arianna thinks he is, or even the child-finder of his day job. He’s a member of the Blackwood family, owners of a multi-million-dollar business, and filthy rich into the bargain—a fact which he withholds from his new love, who of course finds him out in the falsehood. Sparks fly, and it’s by no means certain that the lovers will repair the rift—and then an unexpected intervention occurs, and matters spiral out of control.

Lost and Found is a well-written romance, containing enough excitement to ramp up the tension and keep the pages turning. The characters are believable, inviting investment from readers and concern over the eventual outcome for them. The action never flags, and the outcome—you can find out for yourself. Recommended.

[Ian Hornett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve read a few of Julia Blake’s books now. The first one I bought was Erinsmore. I was intrigued when I found out she wrote across different genres so I read Black Ice and now this book, Lost and Found. It seems effortless the way she switches styles. I’ve enjoyed all of them and will certainly dip into more of her books and try her other genres.

Lost and Found had me interested from start to finish, mainly because of my empathy with the two main characters, Arianna and Luke. I so wanted them to put their pasts behind them and get together, but the author was never going to make it that straightforward! There had to be twists and turns and this is where the plot and characterisation merge so nicely in this book. Like all of us, they are moulded by their past, influenced by events and the people around them, all of which Blake manages so adeptly. The reader gets to understand what drives Arianna and Luke and why a simple match is going to be so hard. Then it suddenly gets even harder...!

Love interest, excitement, fantastic characters. And there are more Blackwood books in the series.

Pick it up and don’t put it down again until you finish!

[Ellen Read · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a page turner and a departure from other books by Julia Blake that I’d read, although Julia writes multi-genres. It’s a clean romance and starts out light-hearted until someone is kidnapped and from there it has one thrill after another.

I immediately liked the characters of Arianna and her daughter Lucia—seven years old and a real scene-stealer—and Luke. Also Isabella, who turns out to be a woman of mystery. Luke also has a secret he’s keeping from Arianna. I could see pain and betrayal ahead.

The story is nicely paced, building intensity to the end when it reaches an exciting conclusion.

I highly recommended Lost and Found. It has something for everyone.

I’m looking forward to reading the next book in the series.

[Cheryl Bannerman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lost and Found by Julia Blake was quite the drama. It had a little of everything inside — action, adventure, romance, and even suspense! What started out as a women’s inspirational soon turned into a military, spy-type action flick starring a dangerous fugitive and a skilled marksman with money and power, fighting on foreign soil during the rescue mission of their lives.

The relationship between the characters was so real and powerful that I felt every emotion tenfold. The relationship between the mother and daughter, between brothers, between sisters-in-law, and between a man and a woman. A man and a woman sheltering themselves from heartbreak for so long because of past hurt, that they almost missed out on true love. Hiding from the world, hiding their true identities, in order to protect their heart.

This book reminded me that there is a possibility of true love still out there, and to not be afraid to take a risk and open myself up to embrace it.

Thank you Julia Blake, for making me ‘feel’ again. I look forward to reading Fixtures and Fittings to see how the Blackwood story continues.

[Bruce Hanson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lost and Found is a romance thriller. If you like romance you will like the thrill of the ride as well. If you like thrillers, you will enjoy the relationship that develops throughout the book.

Arianna is a single mom whose husband abandoned her, leaving her with nothing except the task of raising their young daughter. Enter Luke, who is perfect...except for one secret.

When tragedy strikes, Arianna must decide to keep to her past beliefs or to temporarily push them aside in order to get the help she desperately needs.

The pace speeds up as the pages turn and keeps the reader engaged.

In the beginning of the book, the point of view switches back and forth between the two main characters giving an intriguing view of their thoughts and actions. Later in the book, the POV switches in places that sometimes can be a little distracting.

Regardless, I was drawn into the characters and particularly the quirky Blackwood family members who were included in this story. I am looking forward to reading the next instalment in the series, "Fixtures and Fittings" (which I already have), and meeting more members of the Blackwood family.

[J.A. Johnston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not only can you see the words blossoming into the love story that is Luke and Arianna, but you can visualize it too! Julia Blake has done a fantastic job at creating a visual story with words. Each character is brought to life, in a very British way (like this American really knows what this means!). There are many twists and turns in this love story which is centered around one thing, FAMILY. This is what drew me in deep! I know this is book 1 in a series of 4 of The Blackwood Family, but Isabella Santorini has a story that needs to be told (hint to you, Ms. Blake). Ready to dig into the next book!

[Bruce Spydar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Are you are lost over your reading choice? Then find this one … you won’t regret it.
I wasn’t quite sure whether this was my type of read at the outset but, as I’d recently enjoyed Black Ice from this author, I dived right in. And I’m so glad that I did, because it was a wonderful read.
The blurb gives you a great flavour of what to expect without spoiling what is a gripping romantic thriller. Lost & Found is also the perfect title, as it works at many levels, with all of the principal characters having something to lose and discover during the story.
And you’ll certainly lose nothing by reading this book. On the contrary, you will find a fabulous read with some delightful characters, and you might also discover an author with a range of other books to entice you.

[C.N. Jannain · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the moment I began reading I was hooked. I like this authors clear easy to read style. There were all the elements I like in a story and it kept moving at a good pace. I found myself staying up late to read more. It's a quick read but now I am ready for the sequel to this one Fixtures and Fittings, more of the Blackwood family story. This is an author I will continue to select. Highly recommend it.