Stroking The Flame Within' Her Heart: A Maple Hills Novella

by Tay Mo'Nae

She was heartbroken and bitter. He was looking for a fresh start. When Amaya first meets Travis, she wasn’t looking to fall for him. Still hurt over her ex's betrayal she swears off love for good. Travis has only been in town a few months and his name was already a hot commodity. Ignoring all the women throwing themselves at him, he sets his sights on Amaya, determined to show her not every man will break her heart. What happens when a stubborn candle maker and an empathy fill musician collide? Amaya might learn that Travis was just what the doctor ordered.

94 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 6, 2021

About the author

Tay Mo'Nae is a 27-year-old Urban Romance author who pens about Black Love. She create stories to help her readers escape reality and create a movie in their head. She loves writing about characters that at least one reader can relate too.

With 50 books under her belt, Tay Mo'Nae hopes to gain at least one new reader with every release and have them connect to her characters and story in some way. If she would have to explain her writing she would say she loves "penning complicated characters that find a path to love".

Reviews

[Annette Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

**SPOILERS**

Stroking The Flame Within' Her Heart was a really sweet and endearing love story. Amaya and Travis have both suffered unimaginable heartbreak from their exes and are trying to move past it. Well, at least Travis is. Travis fell in love with a married woman and the affair blew up when her husband found out. A secret pregnancy where he was unsure if he was the father and coming to blows with the husband was enough to make Travis say "I'm done." To make a clean break, he moves to Maple Hills and opens a musical instrument store right next to Amaya's candle shop. Amaya was a different story. Walking in on her ex having sex in their bed with another woman not only broke her heart but, it broke her spirit. She immediately adopted the "men ain't shyt" mantra and became very bitter. But, her bitterness did not deter Travis at all. He was immediately smitten with Amaya's mean self and wanted to help her move past her heartache. Travis was just what she needed to bounce back and accept the love he was more than willing to give her. And, of course, the minute f*ckboy Trevor sees Amaya has finally moved on from him, he tries to come back sniffin' around but, Travis shut that down real quick. I loved that Amara, Khalil, and Bianca made an appearance. Y'all know I love catching up with my old faves. Stroking The Flame Within' Her Heart takes us on a journey of heartbreak and being able to find new love when you aren't looking. This was a really good book. I highly recommend it.

[Kitani · Rating 4 out of 5]

I definitely wasn't a fan of Amaya's in the beginning because of her attitude and bitterness. She wasted years of her life with a nobody and everything surrounding the breakup had her directing her anger at the wrong person. Travis truly was a catch and I hated what his ex almost caused to happen to him because she was ultimately being deceitful. Although life threw a wrench in his love life he remained the same regardless. Travis was serving nothing but truth to Amaya and I was glad once he finally stopped trying with her. Her bitterness almost left her missing out on a good thing. Trevor could've kicked rocks. Had the nerve to cheat and once realizing things wouldn't be how he expected and Amaya tried moving on he wanted closure. Boy please! I swear I wanted somebody to cuss Ms. Betty old, messy ass out. I was glad to get a glimpse of the others from in Maple Hills.

[ReadnliftwithShar · Rating 5 out of 5]

💕

Stroke the flame within her heart was a book about Amaya, a candle owner, getting over a bad break up with her ex of 10+ years. Travis is new to the area and owns a music store next door to Amaya. It was obvious that Travis was feeling Amaya but she was blinded by her past relationship and was just rude for no reason to Travis. I liked that Travis gave her a taste of her medicine and, “kept the same energy”. But when these two allowed themselves to act on their attraction, it was magical and so needed. I liked this story a lot.

[Shahtia Gay-hairston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stroking the Flame 🔥

I love this sweet little town you crafted. It seems like such a good place to live. Meeting Amaya at the stage of grief she was in was unique. Travis was just what she needed to bounce back completely. I am a reader who likes to see karma so I wish there was more to show Trevor realizing the error in his ways. I don’t want him to ride off into happiness even if Maya is completely healed!

[Toya Davis-Stokley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Miss Amaya really got on my nerves! I get it that you are hurt and angry, but all the effort she put forth being mean, could have been used helping her heal. Travis was a sweetheart! Always had something good to say, smiled and was kind to others. One would never know what he had gone through. Although Amaya was mean as hell to him, he still was drawn to her. After he was able to break through that tough barrier of hers, their genuine attraction came to the forefront. Being loved the correct way made all the difference for Amaya. Cute read. 👍👍👍

[Qiana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amaya is a candle maker and Travis has a music store, both have had their heart broken. They both are pouring their all in to their business' trying to forget the heartbreak they've endured. Amaya has Travis's interest piqued, there's just one catch, she hates his guts.

This is a cute enemies to lovers story. The storyline held my attention from the beginning to the end. I am in love with these Maple Hills stories!! I need more ASAP!!

[Tunnion Peters · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

Short and sweet. Travis was everything that My needed after being wronged by Trevor. I'm so glad he didn't give up on her they needed each other.

['The Book Queen' · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice and easy

I like a story that's nice and easy with minimal drama. This one filled the bill for an hour of delightfulness.

[Jacquie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️
A fast paced enjoyable read to start the new year. Overall the whole novella series is definitely super cute!

[Alvina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sparks

I liked Travis and Amaya's story. While I get Amaya was hurting, she was wrong to take it out on Travis. Once she saw the errors of her ways, she apologized and it was on😏.

Amaya's ex Trevor was such a coward. Then, for him to have the audacity to act as if Amaya moving on with Travis was beneath her and she was only dating him to get back at him...he had a lot of nerve. I'm glad she put him in his place and that Travis, even in the newness of their relationship, didn't have a problem stepping to Trevor as well.

I loved that Amaya made candles. She was a dope entrepreneur and even with all that had taken place, she was still doing great at her candle shop. I'm glad she let go of the hurt and pain and was open and honest with Travis. I like them together.

Travis was a good guy. I love a musician and not only does he play, he writes his own original music too. I'm glad that he didn't try to sleep with every girl who approached him, since he was the new guy and all the girls were flirting with him. He was taken by Amaya from the first encounter and I'm glad he was patient with her. I love how direct he was with Amaya and she took heed to his words so she'd be in the right headspace for them to move forward.

The whole situation with his ex, Viv was bizarre. I get trying to move on, yet she was still sleeping with her abusive husband and apparently stringing Travis along and almost cost him his life. She should've never brought him into her abusive situation and I'm glad he and Amaya told her to kick rocks. I was side-eyeing Travis mom for keeping up with his ex situation and relaying it to Travis, knowing he had moved on 🤨. Either way, I'm glad her and Amaya talked it out and she sees that she genuinely loves her son and there's no funny business going on.

I liked Leon and Tasha. I hope we get more on them if this series continues. Bianca and Emerald, Amaya's shop employees are cool too.

This was a good short read.

[Lizzy Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Travis & Amaya💕

Queen Tay Mo'Nae came through with this cute novella.

Maya picking up the pieces after a horrible breakup. She makes her candle business her life. It wasn't easy getting over her ex when the people in the small town they lived in continued to being up her ex and his new girl every time they saw her🙄😒.

Her ex Trevor was a f'boy for how he did her. He was even worst for coming with that fake closure apology, while trying to slick get her back while still in a relationship with his former side chick now girlfriend/bm🤡🙄😒.

Travis was amazing. No matter how guarded Anaya was he didn't let it keep him from pursuing her. That kiss was everything and it definitely defrosted the ice around her heart.

Short & Sweet💕

[Q. Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my second book from the Maple Hills series I have read and I am enjoying them. Amaya and Travis both suffered some serious broken hearts, but managed to find each other. It was an Insta burn romance that kept firing throughout the book. It seemed like Amaya was not feeling Travis initially, but deep down she was. I loved Travis caring personality and how he was there for Amaya.

I love this small town with young entrepreneurs that are doing what they loved. I am looking forward to the book in this series and to see who is going to find love next. Hopefully by the next book either Khalil and Amara or Amaya and Travis will be getting engaged, marrying, or starting a family.

[Call Me D-Love · Rating 3 out of 5]

Heartbreak and Recovery

The second book in the Maple Hills series. This story was about Amaya and Travis both who had come out of horrible previous relationship/situationships. What started off as rocky and bitterness became something amazing for them. One thing I’ve notice about this authors books are the endings are like abrupt dead ends. No epilogue just “that’s it”. Kind of weird because it’s confusing to know how the characters really end up. The book was okay but the names were confusing because she uses similar names like Amaya and Amira; Travis and Trevor. Overall It’s a decent short read.

[NubianJoí · Rating 3 out of 5]

Romanticize verses Reality

“Stroking The Flame Within’ Her Heart: A Maple Hills Novella” was a mediocre read. Foremost, why would you allow someone else’s choices affect your character⁉️Amaya lives in a fantasy world still romanticizing her projected future with Trevor (that didn’t manifest🤷🏾‍♀️)….and it’s obstructing reality of Travis. Nevertheless, she was annoying still pinning over an ex boyfriend that didn’t value her nor their relationship. …and ten years 🥴⁉️Be serious‼️Amaya (with the assistance of womanly & or fatherly wisdom) please recalibrate this timeline. Young men/men mature at a different pace than females. …moved on‼️

[ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

💘

To be bitter takes a lot of energy...and Amaya was beyond that...
In the store you get a look at forgiving getting over and then falling in love .He was a man clearing his head and moving on from his pass and looking forward to his future but he also saw Beauty were saving in her.The story takes us on a cute town journey Where they all know each other's names and love is apparently in the air for everybody but it's sweet it's cute it's a great read the author did really good and I definite will be reading more about the quaint little town .

[Geri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fresh, new kind of love

Amaya needed a break. When we met Amaya she is stuck in a place of grave heartache suffering from a terrible breakup from a man she thought she’d surely marry one day. She finally decides to let the pain, anger, and betrayal go and is blessed with the opportunity to get to know Travis, who has been checking for her since moving to Maple Hills. What ensues is a very promising love.

[Kristal Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The love she deserves

I enjoyed this short story and the chemistry between Travis and Amaya was felt off the page. Amaya was mad at the world following her last relationship and seemed to take that out on everybody, but Travis was persistent and just wanted to see her smile. I loved Travis because he was genuine and real about his intentions and feelings. I found Amaya relatable as well in how she handled her hurt feelings from her previous relationship.

[Taffany Hampton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing Read

Amaya and Travis deserved the happiness they provided one another. Trevor was a coward and didn't deserve to be in the same space as Amaya. Travis had gone through something similar, but he took the time to heal his heart. They deserved to love one another in peace and happiness. Excellent read.

[Deidra Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short and Sweet

This was the sweetest! I’m all for a happily ever after too! The ex was trash and so is the mistress/baby mama! I’m glad Amaya was able to shake the anger and hurt he caused! And as soon as a Real one, Trevor, popped up- she realized what she was missing all along! Loved it!

[Felicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it.

I thought she was a little too hung over the ex-boyfriend but I understand that she was hurt,and the ex-boyfriend was wrong for saying he needed closure and he nasty self had a lot of nerve. I am glad she gave Travis a try. Again I loved it

[Chantal Jimenez · Rating 5 out of 5]

🔥🔥

This was such a good book!! I love Travis & Amaya so much! I love how Travis took his time and didn’t give up on her because she was so broken. I love how the old crew was included. Please read you will not be disappointed!!

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great standalone

Cute love story Amaya had a broken heart so she closed her heart to love until she meets Travis and he makes her feel things she didn't think was ever going to happen again. But when your loved the right way feelings come out.❤

[Shamear Owens · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars

A must read standalone. I love the fact how Travis never gave up on Amaya and finally broke down the walls she had up. I feel like they both were what each other was missing. It’s always nice to see an appearance from characters from past maple hills stories.

[Nikita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Healing through letting go

Forgiveness is for yourself. Travis’ actions and words was what helped Maya understand that, helped her let go of the anger and hurt. It was beautiful to see their relationship grow when Maya finally let Travis in. This was a sweet and engaging read.

[Racquel Houston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes

Loved it. Sometimes you don't know that losing someone or something is a blessing in disguise. I'm glad Amaya was able to let go of the hurt and realized that she deserved more and that Travis was the one to show her that.

[Tawanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful

Short but sweet
Such a beautiful love story about to individuals hurt by their significant other one bitter the other strong enough for the both of them
Simply Beautiful

[Marsha Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great short story!

I enjoyed this short read. It is an eye opener for women to open their eyes about staying in relationships for a long period of time. Don’t allow bitterness to live in your head.

[Tommie Maxwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Flames Galore

A great short story. Both characters had some real issues to overcome.
Travis and Amya had different love issues, but the hurt was there for both of them. I am glad they found each other.

[Maia68 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short and Sweet

I love a good novella, especially when it meets all your expectations. I laughed, and was angry and was happy. The author painted a perfect picture of each character.

[Mayas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute

Travis for the win. He saw Amaya in a deeper way. He knew that anger came from a place, and when he got the full story, it was on from there.

They needed each other and built one another up. The past is just that, their past.