Collide

by C.L. Coons

Leah Bowen is her own worst enemy. Just when she believes she's chosen the right path for her life, she finds herself isolated, devastated, and alone in a new city, almost two-thousand miles away from the man she truly loves. But when Leah reaches rock bottom, with only her beloved jewelry company, Firefly, to cling to, she realizes that it's time to listen to her heart. Leah must fight for her life - literally - to escape her icy prison in Chicago and return to the warmth of the Phoenix desert, and to her one true love, Hayden Thompson.

388 pages, Paperback

First published November 13, 2009

About the author

CL Coons is a Canadian-born fashion writer, who has contributed to various publications including 944 Magazine, the New York Time's online property, About.com, and founded the online magazine, West48.com.
As a child, CL would write stories in crayon, on the underside of her grandmother's coffee table. While she got grounded for it on several occasions, both she and her family knew, it was her destiny.
CL currently resides in Phoenix, Arizona. She is married to the most wonderful man, Nick, and gets to listen to the most adorable pup in the world, Harley, snore all day as she writes her novels.
Find CL at:
Official Website: www.clcoons.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/clcoons
Twitter: www.twitter.com/clcoons

Reviews

[KelBel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who doesn't love hot men, fashion, and pancakes?! :) Oh, and Jackson can cook for me and call me "cupcake" anytime!

[Susie Deal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Collide is a new look at an old question, do I follow my head or my heart? Leah's decision takes her many places she regrets going, both physically and psychologically.

This book, both romantic and terrifying, is a heart-pumping ride to an amazing climax. Read it. You'll be glad you did.

p.s. I understand there will be a sequel. I can't wait.

[Terri Weeding · Rating 5 out of 5]

The perfect novel for young women today. Career vs. Love. Love vs. Love.
Hometown vs. Exciting New Destination. Sometimes you gotta make a choice. Leah is faced with a difficult one: hot man number one, her best friend; or hot man number two, handsome stranger who can make her career dreams come true. Lots of conflict, angst, dreamy clothes and accessories, passion, and a cliffhanger to boot!

[Llinton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cl Coons' debut novel is passionate and honest. It makes you laugh and cry and sometimes want to scream. She writes with an honesty that is refreshing and absolutely relatable.

[Laurel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Collide is a fast paced dramatic story about two people who can never quite be on the same page. Though best friends, Hayden and Leah are too afraid to admit that they are in love. So they keep their relationship at a status quo with lots of tension.

Enter one Mark Stevens who sweeps Leah off her feet and gives her everything she could possibly dream of--including a store for her jewelry line. Quite quickly, she trades her beloved Phoenix, Hayden, and all of her friends for a store, Mark, and Chicago. It's only when she's away and through the help of some good people in Chicago (LOVED Barry and Jackson!), does she begin to see Mark for who he truly is--although it's a little too late at that point.

The ending was well worth it. C.L. Coons definitely sets it all up for a sequel (which I cannot wait to read!). I was rooting for Hayden and wanting justice to come down swiftly on Mark--but I think I'll just have to wait for the next book. For a first novel, it's definitely a very well-developed story. There are lots of directions this story can go and I can't wait to read where Coons takes it.