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One to Leave

(One to Hold #5)

Tia Louise (Goodreads Author)

4.30 · Rating details · 821 ratings · 137 reviews

(Stuart & Mariska)

Some demons can't be shaken off.
Some wounds won't heal.

Until a pair of hazel eyes knocks you on your ass, and you realize it's time to stop running.

WARNING: Adult Contemporary Romance: Due to strong language and elements of erotic romance, this book is not intended for readers under the age of 18. (M/F) #SexyCowboys

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Published December 29th 2014 by TLM Productions

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4.30 ·

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· 821 ratings · 137 reviews

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Dec 11, 2014 Pam rated it really liked it

Shelves: 4, fucked-up-n-broken, soldiers-n-uniforms, arc, cowboys-n-country-luvin, steamy-hawt

4.5 dream-of-me stars

BUY LINKS Amazon iTunes Kobo Nook Play ARe

"Be sure to thank you soul for wanting my broken one."

Stuart William Knight

Deep in my heart, I knew he belonged to me, but that wounded warrior wasn't letting anyone in. He had his plans and for whatever reason, they didn't allow room for love.

Stuart is was a Marines lifer, but two years of escaping the pain and nightmares that the job brought him left him with an even bigger problem. Retired and broken, he has to fight t ...more

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Dec 14, 2014 Lana ❇✾Dirty Girl Romance❇✾ rated it really liked it

Shelves: part-of-a-series, continuing-plot, contemporary-romance

4 Wounded Warrior Stars

Stuart Knight had locked his heart up tight, but I was determined to break in and steal it.

Let me start by saying that even though the synopsis says it this book can be read as a standalone, and technically it can be, I wouldn't recommend it. Although each book focuses on a different couple throughout this series, there's still a whole lot of character and story development that continues through each book that would be lost on you if you read it on it's own. I started ...more

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Dec 17, 2014 MELISSA *Mel Reader* rated it really liked it

Shelves: arcs

4.5 "You're Mine" Stars!
(ARC provided by author)

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Stuart Knight aka Captain Asshat :)) is a 36 yr. old marine whose career was cut short when he was forced to retire after being injured in a grenade blast. After years of active duty, and working for a private security company overseas, Stuart returns to the U.S. to work at Alexander-Knight, a company he started with his best friend & partner Derek. They served together in the marines, and Derek is like a brother to him. He moves into Derek's ...more

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Dec 19, 2014 .Karéz. rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2014, standalone, most-loved-in-series, arc-s, series, panties-soaked

4 Stars!

-- One to Leave is a part of the series, yet it can be read as a standalone. Although, I suggest. you read the whole series!

Stuart Knight. He's marine. His whole life is focused on being loyal to his country - He was born to serve and protect. That's all there to Stuart.. until one day on a battle field he got pretty injured - He would been forced to retire. Which left him wounded physically and emotionally.

Personally, I enjoy reading about characters who are damaged, who buries their p ...more

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Jun 23, 2015 Wendy'sThoughts rated it really liked it

Recommends it for: Tia Louise Fans, Romance

4 Sometimes We are Fated that Way Stars * * * *

My addition for Tia Louise's Alpha Men continues and with this entry... brooding, tortured, protective, self-sacrificing Stuart is front and center. This is a man who wanted to live up to the image of his father... but not be his father in practice. The man was a Marine lifer, which is what Stuart feels is his calling...but as a Marine for life... he saw his father away from his mother... not there when he was needed...time and time again. So he wi ...more

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Dec 11, 2014 Kelli C ~ Jack Sawyer's Heart rated it really liked it

Shelves: fab-writing, male-pov, steamy-read, angst, series, erotica, arc, kick-ass-female, favorites, v-card-intact

4.25 Never Leave Stars!

So Ms. Tia Louise has done it to me again. She has held me captive in her One to Hold Series thus devouring a book in one sitting! This series has had amazing heat with just the right amount angst. While each book is standalone, she continues to build on the established relationships and never leaves the others behind! (thank you for that epilogue!) I will freely admit that Derek and Melissa still continue to rule this series for me, but here she brings about a new approac ...more

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Nov 04, 2014 Claire Robinson rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: shit-hot-series

4 - "All of this... it's a lot to take in." Stars!

I love this series, and I love Tia Louise's writing of it. Each and every character brings a little something to the mix that the others do not have and as a whole, you have a wonderfully entertaining and eclectic mix of people, all of which you fall a little in love with as their stories are told, and the series as a whole progresses.

"So much has happened, and not enough."

It is pretty safe to say I will never get bored of reading each of the epi ...more

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Oct 08, 2014 Tia Louise rated it it was amazing · (Review from the author)

ONE TO LEAVE is LIVE:
Amazon: http://smarturl.it/OTLvAA
iTunes: http://smarturl.it/OTLviB
Kobo: http://smarturl.it/OTLvK
Google Play: http://smarturl.it/OTLvGP
ARe: http://smarturl.it/OTLvAR
Nook: http://smarturl.it/OTLvBN

***Don't miss the EXCLUSIVE EXCERPT here: https://www.goodreads.com/author_blog...

Hope you love this damaged, angry, sexy, dominant alpha--shew! Mariska sure does~ ;) <3

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Dec 22, 2014 Michelle rated it it was amazing

Shelves: contemporary, cowboy, contemporary-romance, favorite-authors, 2014, series, arc, loved-it, favorite-couples, hot-read

ARC provided by author in exchange of honest review.

Do love at first sight exist? If you met a stranger in passing and felt an instant magnetic pull to him, would you be willing to drop everything and stand in his doorstep? They say love can make you do crazy things so how far would you go? And in Tia Louise’s 5th installment, One to Leave, be prepared for one magical romantic and unforgettable read. In this beautiful, touching, and riveting story of two strangers who are drawn to one another ...more

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Jan 01, 2015 Duchess Nicole rated it really liked it

Shelves: needs-more-hype, dirty-talk, genre-contemp-romance, self-contained, hero-is-an-alpha, yee-haw-cowboy, highly-rated, 4-star-read, read-in-2015, ssssssmoking-hot

I love angry heroes. I love tough guys. I love alpha males. Oh, and cowboys....love those too. So yeah...I loved Stuart. He's got one hell of a background and I couldn't help but feel the need to hug him and hold him and make everything better.

Tia Louise channeled her inner romantic suspense author with the opening scene of the book. She brought us to a war zone, where two friends and comrades are fighting for their lives. Stuart is a career Marine...his work is his life, and he feels like he's I love angry heroes. I love tough guys. I love alpha males. Oh, and cowboys....love those too. So yeah...I loved Stuart. He's got one hell of a background and I couldn't help but feel the need to hug him and hold him and make everything better.

Tia Louise channeled her inner romantic suspense author with the opening scene of the book. She brought us to a war zone, where two friends and comrades are fighting for their lives. Stuart is a career Marine...his work is his life, and he feels like he's doing what he's been put on earth to do. So when an injury brings him down and he can't do his job, it's easy to numb the physical pain. Now addicted to the pills that took the edge off, Stuart tries grasping for sobriety while still hurting...both physically and emotionally. On his way out to his uncle's ranch, he has a chance encounter with Mariska, and their connection is instant and powerful. But Stuart is on a mission, and starting a relationship with a gorgeous gypsy woman isn't in his plans.

Mariska's dreams become filled with fear and pain. Though she's never actually been in the middle of gunfire, the realistic nature of her nightmares leads her to believe that they are a reality for someone. And she can't seem to get the haunted eyes of the beautiful but haggard Marine out of her head. Led by an intuition she can't help but listen to and helped by his friends and family, Mariska follows Stuart out to the cabin where he has isolated himself.

Stuart is under the impression that Mariska is a friend of a friend and that their meeting is coincidence. As her presence eases something inside him, and he begins to feel something stronger than the gnawing pain of his past, Stuart's lonesome nature begins to change and he begins to fall for the dark haired woman with healing hands.

As with the other book by Tia Louise that I've read, I feel like these characters are easy to connect with. There is a bit of a mystical element, what with Mariska's dreams sort of leading her to Stuart, but the author doesn't hit you over the head with it. For me, the focal point of the story is Stuart's demons. And I love that she doesn't shy away from making his pain pill addiction a present problem. Usually, if an author goes there, they make is something part of their character's shameful past. But this isn't shameful. Stuart is only human. And his problems don't make him any less of a man. In fact, his determination and superhuman effort to overcome adversity makes him a bigger hero in my eyes.

The fact that this story highlights the importance of human touch and compassion is what made me love it. Yes, it's a love story. But it wasn't cheesy romance. People need a loving touch. They need compassion, and they need someone to give them tough love sometimes. Stuart's uncle is awesome for being the stoic, quiet voice of reason and for allowing Stuart to have a place of solace. His brother, even though there is bad blood between them, must love him an awful lot, and I loved that he was just there for Stuart, regardless of whether Stuart wanted him there. His best friend and commanding officer upended his life to help his buddy out. What a great group to have around you in a time of need!

The setting was perfect and I was surprised and pleased that the simple pleasures in life were highlighted. I get annoyed when an author goes over the top honky tonk just because their story has a cowboy in it. Not the case here. Yes, there are horses and cattle and a ranch, but the focus wasn't on yee-hawing. It was on the peace and quiet, the hard work, the isolation of a ranch. It was big open skies and ice-cold swimming holes and a campfire.

I have to mention the sex just because it was so smoking hot. Mariska's got that healing touch, and it opened the door to other kinds of touches. Knowing that Stuart was already a frustrated tough guy, I'm not sure why I was so surprised at how intense and bossy he was in bed. This was a good thing. A very, very, very good thing. When he tells Mariska to "take it off," I swear I very nearly stood up and started stripping. So. Hot.

This was a well balanced romance with super sexy times and a focus on family, friends, and healing. It shows how versatile this author can be within her contemporary genre. Wonderfully done. I highly recommend this book and this author.

Copy provided for review ...more

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Dec 17, 2014 Michelle rated it it was amazing

Shelves: arc, bad-boys, hot-men, alpha-male, series

ARC kindly provided by the author, in exchange for an honest review .

so happy i got this book i ve enjoyed the series so far the men r hot an sexy an the women r great the stories have been so good
this book was stuart an mariska i was dyin 2 know more about stuart we hadnt seen a lot of him just heard about him an got a lil bit of him in the last book at the end an there was chemistry between mariska an stuart then but stuart was in a bad place an he was in the beginnin of this book he as been ...more

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Dec 15, 2014 Debra marked it as to-read

Shelves: arc-or-netgalley, 2014-release

**ARC kindly provided by the author in exchange for an honest review**

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Dec 14, 2014 Anna rated it really liked it

Shelves: marine, ass-kicking, it-s-complicated, angsty, kiss-him-or-slap-him, hottest-story-ever

Holly Hotness...there is nothing better that one angry Marine.

Meet Stuart, the Captain Asshat.

After years of active duty, one severe contusion and a few doses of medications too much he has a choice to make that is about to change his life forever.

Devastated by the turn of events and constant pain he takes as some of us may say the coward way out and gets away to hide his struggle and deal with the repercussions of drug withdrawal symptoms.

Here comes the "but":
He did not predict that one pair o ...more

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Dec 21, 2014 Cristina rated it did not like it

Shelves: disappointed, no-thank-you, star-rating-1, wtf, annoying_heroine, kill-me, confusing, military, oh_hell_no, couldnt_finish

Stand-alone? Forget it. The way this book is written is so confusing. Every character gets multiple POVs, some more than others. In fact, the book starts off with Nikki, a one-night stand of Stuart. But there is more...Stuart's best friend, Derek, gets a chapter, also Stuart's brother, Patrick, and don't forget Stuart's uncle. (There are more female POVs too). Because of this, it was hard for me to really get to know the lead characters. Plus I found their romance a little unbelievable.Then ther ...more

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Dec 11, 2014 Angela rated it it was amazing

Shelves: series, emotional-roller-coaster, rocking-read, arc, erotic-romance, hunky-military-alphas, hea, cowboys

One To Leave = Stuart and Mariska = hot, hot, hot!!!

It's book 5 and this series continues to go from strength to strength. After loving Kenny and Slayde's story so much I was worried that Stuart and Mariska's story may pale into insignificance but I needn't have worried, Stuart was ready to lift my expectations!

I swear Tia's writing gets hotter and hotter and some of the scenes *phew* were extremely spicy. I was on the fence about calling Tia an erotic romance writer before, choosing instead to ...more

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Oct 26, 2014 Holly rated it it was amazing

Shelves: cowboy-hotties, kindle, arc, autographed-books-i-own

Ok Seriously, who doesn't love a hot, sexy cowboy??! Add to that the fact that he is a dark brooding military man and you have automatic deliciousness!!!!

One to Leave is book five in this wonderful sexy series!! Those of you that know me know that Derek Alexander is my ULTIMATE BOOK BOYFRIEND and the moment I met Derek I was instantly in love with the OTH Series and all of the sexy men that have come with it, as well as their amazing women!

I say all that to say Stuart is one sexy, brooding cowb ...more

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Dec 14, 2014 Shayna rated it it was amazing

Shelves: cowboy-love, sexy-alphas, contemporary, arc-review

The BEST One To Hold novel to date! Stuart not only broke my heart, but carefully mended it back together. This Marine turned Cowboy is battling more than one addiction. And one of them holds the power to break his heart and damage his soul.

Tia Louise knows just what buttons to push when it comes to this series. I came in late in the game in her One To Hold series, but I am finally caught up, and I gotta say, she raises the bar with each new addition. I've been craving Stuart's story for as lon The BEST One To Hold novel to date! Stuart not only broke my heart, but carefully mended it back together. This Marine turned Cowboy is battling more than one addiction. And one of them holds the power to break his heart and damage his soul.

Tia Louise knows just what buttons to push when it comes to this series. I came in late in the game in her One To Hold series, but I am finally caught up, and I gotta say, she raises the bar with each new addition. I've been craving Stuart's story for as long as I can remember, and to finally have my hands on it is bitter-sweet. This sexy, stubborn, protective cowboy made me swoon with every word that came out of his mouth. He is a broken man, and you just want to reach inside the book and console him, heal him, protect his heart. Mariska is the missing piece to his damaged soul. She is PERFECT for him, so PERFECT, that I was cheering her on every step of the way. The fact that these two met each other at a glance, but the connection was instant, so visceral, so demanding that they couldn't get each other out of their heads, was such a beautiful thing.

Stuart conquered one addiction, just to be drawn into another. Mariska was an addiction he didn't want to beat, an addiction he wanted to bow down to, an addiction that he would gladly let kill him, if it meant he got just one taste. It's so intense, surreal, and it still gives me the goosebumps every time I think of their chemistry. Spanking, pulling hair, sexy growls, and hearty demands, just gives you a little taste as to what this sexy man is capable of.

A man looking for redemption finds the one thing that makes him feel alive again, makes his heart beat again, lets him imagine a life without demons, darkness, and regret. Mariska is his light, and he will bask in it as long as she lets him.

ONE TO LEAVE can be read as a standalone, but boy are you missing out if you don't instantly pick up the rest of this series! You will not regret it!

*Gifted copy provided by the author in exchange for an honest review* ...more

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Oct 15, 2014 Ilona rated it it was amazing

Heart Stopping! Page Turning! Burning Passion!
Utterly mind blowing, One to Leave is the latest release from Tia Louise-It is steamy, electrifying, and heart wrenching. One to Leave is written in several points of view giving the reader deeper sights in each of the characters which we love.

Stuart is a broken man who is as edgy as he is gorgeous with a deep yearning and determination to get back to his life mission of protecting his country. Stuart spends time at his uncles trying to fight an int ...more

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Jan 08, 2015 Jennifer LaFon - Book Bitches Blog rated it it was amazing

*Review copy received from the author for an honest review*

4.5 “captain asshat” Stars!

Ok, so I am a little mad at myself. Mad that I haven’t stayed up to date on this series!! I have a lot of catching up to do. Oh, and by the way…I am totally in love with Stuart. Hehe :) So, I read the first book in this series many, many moons ago, and then life got in the way. Now here I am picking up the 5TH book and loving it.

“Sometimes it takes more courage to give up one dream for a new one.”

Stuart is rou ...more

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Dec 18, 2014 BooksandBeyondFiftyShades rated it it was amazing

**5 STAR REVIEW & PRE-ORDER NOW**

One to Leave (One to Hold #5)
by Tia Louise

Amazon: http://smarturl.it/OTLvAA--
PRE-ORDER (SE BELOW FOR MORE)
RELEASE DEC 29

(Stuart & Mariska)

And the Story continues, Stuart a damaged yet struggling marine with the dedication he lives for. Is fighting the Demons of his past. A horrific scene in combat, put everything in his life on hold.
Mariska a gypsy free spirit with a heart of gold, who believed in life and the beyond. A hippy at heart, but she would ris ...more

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Nov 14, 2014 Jenny Brightman Harris rated it it was amazing

I received this book as an ARC for an honest review. This is Stuart's Story at the end of One to Love we get a hint of something going on with Stuart but until this book we don't fully understand it. In the first book One to Hold we find out the Derek has a partner that works out in the field instead of in the office. This partner is Stuart they started the security company together after something happened that brought them both back from their military service oversea's.

In One to Leave we fin ...more

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Jan 15, 2015 Beatriz Perez rated it it was amazing

And Tia has another winner!!

One more time I'm blown away with Tia Louise's story writing. This series gets better and better and better!! When we met Stuart in the last book in this series, I knew I was going to love him. And I was not disappointed. One minute I wanted to hug Stuart, the next I wanted to kick him in the balls. I loved this story!!

Mariska is very free spirited. She knows what she wants, and she goes after it. And after setting her eyes in Stuart, she couldn't deny the connectio ...more

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Dec 23, 2014 Melissa Jones rated it it was amazing

One To Leave is another great addition to one of my favorite series by Tia Louise who is one of my favorite authors!

I've been anxious to read the story of Stuart and Mariska ever since getting a little glimpse of them at the end of One To Love and this book is everything I'd hoped it would be. Stuart is one Hot marine/cowboy (a delicious combination) that has dedicated his life to the service never thinking twice about love until injuries, pain, and addiction put an end to his military career. ...more

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Dec 02, 2014 Michele McMullen rated it it was amazing

I must say that I truly love this series that Tia brings to us!

Stuart Knight is a troubled man. He has served his country as a marine and has certainly seen his share of tragedy and humanity at it's worst.
The fight for freedom has left him a constant battle within himself. He needs to get away and try to heal. He feels that he is broken and he may need more help than he thinks and it may come from the strangest place.
Mariska Heron is a beautiful, sensitive caring women. The day she crosses paths ...more

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Feb 18, 2015 Aleatha Romig rated it it was amazing

Shelves: spanking, suspensful, not-dark, soft-erotic, consensual, romance

A cowboy setting and a man with deep secrets...what could be sexier?

This review is from: One to Leave (One to Hold Book 5)

It's no secret I'm a fan of this series. I love all the characters. They're all so complex with their own individual stories. One to Leave was no exception. Stuart has issues that only the love of the right woman can help heal. The rustic cowboy setting is super sexy and as always I love the banter and friendships that evolve! 5 stars for the entire ONE TO HOLD series!!! Don ...more

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Dec 20, 2014 Monika Adams rated it it was amazing

So Love the writing style Ms Louis has. Her characters seem to catch your imagine and your breath by their actions & looks. The story is fresh with just enough angst to make you go WHF??? If you Love Cowboys, Stuart is your man and Mariska is just the little minx to help him heal from his demons.
I was given an ARC but I am so willing to pay for these books! and I am looking forward to any and all books Ms Louis writes

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Dec 31, 2014 Karen rated it it was amazing

Shelves: all-time-favorites

Loved it! So bummed that I have to wait till spring for book 6, after devouring the first five books in about a week.

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Jan 05, 2015 Annette rated it it was amazing

Loved it tooooooo much!!!

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Oct 25, 2014 Rebecca rated it it was amazing

I'm a huge fan of Tia Louise's One to Hold series. All of her heroes and heroines are strong and resilient; they fight for what they want every step of the way, and they never allow anyone or anything to stand in their way. Derek and Melissa, Patrick and Elaine, and Slayde and Kenny have all had to work through their pasts and overcome present obstacles in order to be together, and they've all done it because they knew they didn't have a choice - their lives are far better and mean more now that I'm a huge fan of Tia Louise's One to Hold series. All of her heroes and heroines are strong and resilient; they fight for what they want every step of the way, and they never allow anyone or anything to stand in their way. Derek and Melissa, Patrick and Elaine, and Slayde and Kenny have all had to work through their pasts and overcome present obstacles in order to be together, and they've all done it because they knew they didn't have a choice - their lives are far better and mean more now that they've found their other half.

As much as I've loved every single one of the stories before One to Leave, I knew going in to Stuart Knight's story that it was going to leave a mark on me more than the others have. There's something about the Wounded Warrior or Captain Asshat as he's so endearingly called that made me want to wrap my arms around him and never let him go since his scene with Kenny in One to Love.

Stuart's this tough, controlled man who right now has no control over his life because his addiction and his memories have commanded his every move. He's lost his honor and his self respect, but he refuses to be another casualty of war, so he's doing what he needs to do to get back to the desert and redeem himself in the eyes of his country and himself. Stuart's life has always centered around his duty to his country, leaving him little time for anything else, especially love. He has always set a clear path in his life - one that focuses on being a Marine and defending the helpless. But at this time, Stuart is the one in need of assistance, but he has to be willing to accept the help and admit he has a problem, which isn't easy for this independent solider.

Mariska Heron felt an undeniable connection to Stuart in their one brief encounter; in fact, she felt so strongly about her need to help him that she hops on a plane and heads into a situation that she knows nothing about. Even when it seems Stuart's path is not headed towards her, Mariska can't help but want to be near him and ease his pain. She's a calming presence to Stuart, and he finds that he's just as desperate to be near the light that she exudes regardless of his claim of having no room for love.

But in order for Stuart to realize that it's okay to change paths and try something new, he's going to have to face the darkness that surrounds him and find a way through it without feeling like he is less a man because he can no longer be the solider he once was. The fight on the battlefield may be where he wants to be, but the fight for his life, his sanity, and his self worth is a hell of a lot more important; he just has to be willing to let other people in and see that a woman can be an asset instead of a liability.

Stuart and Mariska's attraction may have been instantaneous, but in order for anything to develop beyond a physical relationship, they're both going to have to fight against every preconceived notion that Stuart has had in terms of what it means to be a man. It's not going to be a battle easily won, but it's clear that Mariska wants to be claimed by Stuart, so she'll do whatever it takes to make that happen - even if it means walking away and giving him the opportunity to decide which battle he's willing to fight for.

I absolutely adored One to Leave. I'll admit, though, in the beginning of the story, I was cursing Tia Louise out a bit with Stuart's interaction with Nikki, but Tia quickly put my fears at bay. For as much of an ass Stuart is, Tia provides the insights readers need to understand his attitude and his single minded objective. He's an honorable man and that is clearly shown throughout the course of the text. I loved Mariska. She's such a kind hearted soul who tries to see the best in everyone. She's feisty and spirited and she takes risks and lets her heart lead her. She's exactly what Stuart needs and deep down he knows that and that's exactly why she scares the hell out of him.

Tia Louise's One to Hold series just keeps getting better and better, which is exactly what I would expect to occur as she delves deeper into her characters' psyches and shapes and molds her characters into revealing who they truly are. There's still a lot more of these characters' stories to tell and I can't wait to see where Tia takes them as the series continues.

A complimentary copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 poison apples (The Fairest of All Book Reviews) ...more

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Nov 28, 2014 Livia rated it really liked it

Recommends it for: Fans of steamy contemporary romances, multiple POVs

Recommended to Livia by: Already a fan of the series

Shelves: arcs-aka-advanced-reader-copy, kindle-or-kindle-app-reads, contemporary-romances, tia-louise-disc-2014, multiple-povs

"Sometimes it takes more courage to give up one dream for a new one." ~ Mariska

Minor spoilers alert!!!

Another sexy, feel good contemporary romance in the One To Hold series! I liked how author, Tia Louise mixed in some humor and plenty of steamy scenes to balance out the more serious issues of Stuart’s secret addiction to pain meds, his identity crisis and his steadfast reluctance to commit to a romantic relationship. In addition to Mariska and Stuart's POVs, this novel also features multiple "Sometimes it takes more courage to give up one dream for a new one." ~ Mariska

Minor spoilers alert!!!

Another sexy, feel good contemporary romance in the One To Hold series! I liked how author, Tia Louise mixed in some humor and plenty of steamy scenes to balance out the more serious issues of Stuart’s secret addiction to pain meds, his identity crisis and his steadfast reluctance to commit to a romantic relationship. In addition to Mariska and Stuart's POVs, this novel also features multiple POVs from a few of the series returning characters like Derek, Patrick, Elaine and even Nikki.

'My lips moved to her cheek, and I held myself over her. "Stuart wouldn't be lost if he had this." Derek
Derek’s concern for his business partner and former Marine buddy, Stuart Knight was touching and sincere. I loved how Melissa understood his need to go after his friend and offer his support.

'Stuart Knight had locked his heart up tight, but I was determined to break in and steal it.' Mariska
I found Mariska’s quirky, passionate, vibrant, youthful and determined personality quite charming. She trusts her instincts about Stuart and follows him to his uncle’s ranch after a brief introduction and a disturbingly psychic dream. Their connection is immediate, but Stuart stubbornly fights against it. They give in to their attraction quickly and fall into a very passionate but tempestuous relationship.

I loved the discussion that Stuart’s uncle Bill and Mariska had about how long it can take to break a colt because it was analogous to Mariska and Stuart’s stormy relationship. Bill gives her wonderful encouragement at the end of their conversation.

‘I pictured Stuart like one of those wild horses, running free, refusing to take shelter, being injured…
Bill pushed away from the fence and turned to me. “I’ve been watching this phenomenon for years. It takes patience, a gentle hand, and a lot of love.”
I squinted up at him. “Patience is the hardest part.”
“Yep.” He looked past me at the horizon. “But I think you’ve got what it takes.”

'I had no strategy for Mariska. She intoxicated me like nothing I’d ever experienced.' Stuart
I liked Stuart’s quick desire to protect and possess Mariska despite his misgivings about not wanting to have emotional ties or someone back home who’d expect letters. He had his plan for kicking his addiction to pain medication. Fighting the push and pull of his attraction to Mariska was entirely another matter.

“Time passes, situations change. Mom never expected Dad to be killed, but it happened. Now she’s looking at a new path.” His hazel eyes cut to mine. “You’ve got to see when it’s time to change paths, start something new.” Patrick
I love Patrick’s advice to Stuart. It gets him to think about how being with Mariska actually made him feel happy for the first time since he left the military, that she could be the someone new he could serve and protect.

“You loved me when I wasn’t strong enough to love myself, let alone you.”
“I had no choice,” I smiled, kissing him back. “I saw you and my soul came to life inside me. All the reason no one was ever good enough made sense. They weren’t you.”
Stuart finally gets his head out of his bum and embraces his feelings for Mariska and just in time for his brother, Patrick’s wedding.

Be sure to read the epilogue from Elaine’s POV and the bonus chapter from Patrick’s POV at the end. I loved Patrick's reaction to Elaine's fashion show. And their wedding vows were so perfectly matched.
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About Tia Louise

Tia Louise

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Tia Louise is the USA Today best-selling, award-winning author of 20 sexy romance and romantic suspense novels.

After being a teacher, a book editor, a journalist, and finally a magazine editor, she started writing love stories and never stopped.

Louise lives in the Midwest with her trophy husband, two teenage geniuses, and one grumpy cat.

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