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Elemental Harmony #2
Water and Fire
Aiden Flanagan has spent his entire life fighting who and what he is. After losing control of the power within him one time too many, Aiden flees to his parents’ vacation home on Nantucket to lock himself away as punishment and to protect the people he cares about. Getting nowhere on his own, Aiden fears he’ll never have enough control to join the world again—and perhaps he doesn’t deserve to—until an act of kindness brings Murphy Mizuuchi into his life.
Though still grieving the loss of his partner, Murphy’s own gifts won’t allow him to ignore the strongest projector he’s ever encountered or deny the beautiful soul behind Aiden’s drama. Drawing on his own recovery, his empathy, and years of practicing meditation, he shows Aiden not only how to find a safe outlet for who he is, but to value his abilities.
But Murphy isn’t the only one drawn to Aiden’s fire. Someone from his past followed Aiden to the island, and it will take both Murphy's and Aidan’s powers to protect him from a man who won’t stop until he takes all Aiden has.
Though still grieving the loss of his partner, Murphy’s own gifts won’t allow him to ignore the strongest projector he’s ever encountered or deny the beautiful soul behind Aiden’s drama. Drawing on his own recovery, his empathy, and years of practicing meditation, he shows Aiden not only how to find a safe outlet for who he is, but to value his abilities.
But Murphy isn’t the only one drawn to Aiden’s fire. Someone from his past followed Aiden to the island, and it will take both Murphy's and Aidan’s powers to protect him from a man who won’t stop until he takes all Aiden has.
239 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 30, 2015
1 person is currently reading
43 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
April 5, 2015
Rowan McAllister has become one of my go-for-comfort authors. Her writing, stories, and characters just click with me. Duly noted, there are some stories that fail to entertain me much, but luckily this is not one of them. In fact, I definitely loved this one better than the predecessor in the series, Air and Earth.
Ever since the end of Air and Earth , I have been waiting for Aiden’s story. For anyone who have not read that book … well, Aiden is Adam’s ex (Adam is one of the MCs in Air and Earth ). In that book, Aiden is written as someone with fiery temper; his relationship with Adam practically ‘decorated’ with fights because Aiden often loses control of his emotion. He is not abusive, not at all, but Aiden is clearly quite a drama king – and sometimes he can seem to be quite whiny towards Adam’s attention.
Having said that, I never thought of Aiden as annoying. I knew with fire as element, there’s so much more to Aiden than his temper. I wanted to know more about him. I wanted to know what kind of person would be able to soothe Aiden. I knew that the person will have water element (the title, duh!) but I wanted to know his characteristics.
I must say that a 37-year-old half-Irish half-Japanese guy, who spent the last five years of his life practically being a hermit after the death of his partner, was TOTALLY not the guy I had in mind!! I wasn’t expecting someone quite older than Aiden, to be honest. But I guess this is why I am not an author! *laugh*. Because seriously, Murphy and Aiden just FIT like a glove.
Murphy is an empath, so he can ‘read’ Aiden’s really well. There is nothing that Aiden can hide from him – which helps pushing Aiden to deal with his gift. Over the years, Aiden tries very hard to control his emotion, because losing control will end up with his fire exploding, so to speak. But with Murphy there, he learn to acknowledge it. I loved the scene where Murphy tried to help Aiden to meditate, by picturing water pool or grounded earth, and I thought, “Heck, Murphy, it won’t work. Aiden is fire!” Of course it failed and I got a good laugh out of it.
It doesn’t mean that Murphy is the only one ‘giving’ here, because Aiden’s fire actually sparks the live back in Murphy’s life. Especially since he has been alone for the past several years. Aiden makes Murphy feel alive, needed, and had a new direction in life. I liked that despite the age gap, it didn’t become a big issue for too long. There is no “you’re better with someone your own age” bullsh*t. Murphy realizes he can help Aiden and vice versa.
I just loved reading about them together!! There is a believable progress of their relationship; it doesn’t feel as instant as the first book. And I needed to shout my loving for the scene of Murphy and Aiden’s sex *grin*. Let’s just say that there was a switch in top/bottom position (someone is feeling a bit jealous!), and I thought it was pretty hot ^_^
By the way, the threat that comes against the gifted people is more prominent here. Bob (the villain from book #1) returned with someone else more menacing, more dangerous. This particular plot is not concluded yet, which makes me wonder if Ms. McAllister plans to have another book to tie up everything.
The ARC is provided by the publisher for an exchange of fair and honest review. No high rating is required for any ARC received.
Ever since the end of Air and Earth , I have been waiting for Aiden’s story. For anyone who have not read that book … well, Aiden is Adam’s ex (Adam is one of the MCs in Air and Earth ). In that book, Aiden is written as someone with fiery temper; his relationship with Adam practically ‘decorated’ with fights because Aiden often loses control of his emotion. He is not abusive, not at all, but Aiden is clearly quite a drama king – and sometimes he can seem to be quite whiny towards Adam’s attention.
Having said that, I never thought of Aiden as annoying. I knew with fire as element, there’s so much more to Aiden than his temper. I wanted to know more about him. I wanted to know what kind of person would be able to soothe Aiden. I knew that the person will have water element (the title, duh!) but I wanted to know his characteristics.
I must say that a 37-year-old half-Irish half-Japanese guy, who spent the last five years of his life practically being a hermit after the death of his partner, was TOTALLY not the guy I had in mind!! I wasn’t expecting someone quite older than Aiden, to be honest. But I guess this is why I am not an author! *laugh*. Because seriously, Murphy and Aiden just FIT like a glove.
Murphy is an empath, so he can ‘read’ Aiden’s really well. There is nothing that Aiden can hide from him – which helps pushing Aiden to deal with his gift. Over the years, Aiden tries very hard to control his emotion, because losing control will end up with his fire exploding, so to speak. But with Murphy there, he learn to acknowledge it. I loved the scene where Murphy tried to help Aiden to meditate, by picturing water pool or grounded earth, and I thought, “Heck, Murphy, it won’t work. Aiden is fire!” Of course it failed and I got a good laugh out of it.
It doesn’t mean that Murphy is the only one ‘giving’ here, because Aiden’s fire actually sparks the live back in Murphy’s life. Especially since he has been alone for the past several years. Aiden makes Murphy feel alive, needed, and had a new direction in life. I liked that despite the age gap, it didn’t become a big issue for too long. There is no “you’re better with someone your own age” bullsh*t. Murphy realizes he can help Aiden and vice versa.
I just loved reading about them together!! There is a believable progress of their relationship; it doesn’t feel as instant as the first book. And I needed to shout my loving for the scene of Murphy and Aiden’s sex *grin*. Let’s just say that there was a switch in top/bottom position (someone is feeling a bit jealous!), and I thought it was pretty hot ^_^
By the way, the threat that comes against the gifted people is more prominent here. Bob (the villain from book #1) returned with someone else more menacing, more dangerous. This particular plot is not concluded yet, which makes me wonder if Ms. McAllister plans to have another book to tie up everything.
The ARC is provided by the publisher for an exchange of fair and honest review. No high rating is required for any ARC received.
Read
June 13, 2016DNF @40%
March 11, 2022
This one certainly had more story than book one, and it kept my interest.
Aiden was a little harder to warm to, and honestly I never saw what Murphy saw in him. Again it all seemed more sexual than emotional.
I was also disappointed at the end. I was expecting the big meet up to at least talk about their gifts but nope just a long apology and a maybe one day opening.
Overall this could of been a really good two book series but it left too many questions unanswered, especially about Richard who is clearly left with a way back if there is ever a third book.
Overall better than book one but still disappointing.
Aiden was a little harder to warm to, and honestly I never saw what Murphy saw in him. Again it all seemed more sexual than emotional.
I was also disappointed at the end. I was expecting the big meet up to at least talk about their gifts but nope just a long apology and a maybe one day opening.
Overall this could of been a really good two book series but it left too many questions unanswered, especially about Richard who is clearly left with a way back if there is ever a third book.
Overall better than book one but still disappointing.
June 16, 2020
3.5 stars
March 28, 2015
After the fiasco with his ex-boyfriend, the gun and the fire, Aiden Flanagan quickly made his getaway, all the way to his family home on Nantucket Island. He spends almost a month in seclusion, scared to be around another person for fear of what the fire inside him will do the next time he loses control. He doesn’t know who or what he is anymore, has no idea how to control his emotions and at first the seclusion helps. A bon fire on the beach with a group of rowdy college kids brings Aiden right into the path of Murphy Mizuuchi though, and all thoughts of a lonely existence are consumed by the older man’s piercing blue eyes, his knowing glare.
Murphy has also been living under a rock for a while now. After losing his partner five years ago, Murphy fears getting close to another man that way, he doesn’t want to tarnish what they shared. But there is something about the energy the red head that has moved in next door exudes that calls to Murphy. As an empath, Murphy can sense the emotions of everyone around him, and he has learned to hone that ability to a point, but Aiden breaks down his barriers and all but slaps him in the face with his various emotions. Guilt, anger and confusion are but a glimpse of what Aiden projects. He also permeates the air around him with want and need, he wants to get closer to Murphy, Aiden needs to feel his touch.
For the first time in a long time, maybe ever, Aiden feels wanted. He can be himself with Murphy, tell the man all his secrets and he doesn’t run and hide. He can also open up his ability and not hurt Murphy. But there is an evil that disguises itself as good, and that evil is lurking in the shadows on the island, watching and waiting for the opportunity to consume Aiden and his gift.
This story picks up where the first story, Air and Earth, left off with Aiden fleeing from Adam’s farm after the disastrous fire that landed Jay in a coma. Throughout the story Aiden is at war with himself, no matter how close he and Murphy become there is the constant weight on Aiden’s shoulders over what he did to Adam. And then there is the mysterious Richard, the man that makes Murphy’s skin crawl, the stranger that keeps popping up everywhere Aiden goes on the island. So all the while Murphy and Aiden are falling love and sharing their deepest, darkest secrets with each other, there is that constant hesitancy over what happened with Adam, how Aiden couldn’t control it. The stranger, the storm, the unknown and the passion all come to a head in the end and the whole time I was reading I couldn’t help but wonder how Aiden and Murphy would weather the storm. Can these two broken souls help heal each other?
Once I picked up this book, I could not put it down, I literally devoured it in a matter of hours. The push and pull between Aiden and Murphy was amazing. Where one is weak the other shows strength, and each one of their unique abilities seemed to compliment each other. Murphy’s skill as an empath prohibits Aiden from curling up inside his emotions and wallowing in self pitty, because Murphy can read him like a book. And where Aiden has had difficulty in the past sustaining a relationship because of his erratic behavior and his inability to control the fire in his personality, Murphy doesn’t feel the burn. They are literally yin and yang.
I’m hoping this is going to be a trilogy, now that McAllister has introduced the four elements and one sneaky skin crawling bastard got away, there has to be a show down. I cannot wait to see how the fantastic four will come together and learn to trust one another, work together as a team and cohesively use their gifts. Jay, Air… Adam, Earth… Murphy, Water… Aiden, Fire. And I absolutely love how McAllister gave each character a feature that fit with their ability. Jay is pale and whimsical, like air. Adam is large, brooding and muscular with his darker features. His closest friend until the fire was the tree, Gaia, everything about Adam screams earth, trees. Murphy has those bluer than blue eyes like the ocean, and Aiden’s flaming red hair that match his personality and fire ability are a perfect reflection. Their descriptions and personalities blend flawlessly with their part in the story, and the world is described with vivid details and scenery.
A must read for fans of paranormal romances, elemental magic, passionate romances and just an overall very well written story.
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *
Murphy has also been living under a rock for a while now. After losing his partner five years ago, Murphy fears getting close to another man that way, he doesn’t want to tarnish what they shared. But there is something about the energy the red head that has moved in next door exudes that calls to Murphy. As an empath, Murphy can sense the emotions of everyone around him, and he has learned to hone that ability to a point, but Aiden breaks down his barriers and all but slaps him in the face with his various emotions. Guilt, anger and confusion are but a glimpse of what Aiden projects. He also permeates the air around him with want and need, he wants to get closer to Murphy, Aiden needs to feel his touch.
For the first time in a long time, maybe ever, Aiden feels wanted. He can be himself with Murphy, tell the man all his secrets and he doesn’t run and hide. He can also open up his ability and not hurt Murphy. But there is an evil that disguises itself as good, and that evil is lurking in the shadows on the island, watching and waiting for the opportunity to consume Aiden and his gift.
This story picks up where the first story, Air and Earth, left off with Aiden fleeing from Adam’s farm after the disastrous fire that landed Jay in a coma. Throughout the story Aiden is at war with himself, no matter how close he and Murphy become there is the constant weight on Aiden’s shoulders over what he did to Adam. And then there is the mysterious Richard, the man that makes Murphy’s skin crawl, the stranger that keeps popping up everywhere Aiden goes on the island. So all the while Murphy and Aiden are falling love and sharing their deepest, darkest secrets with each other, there is that constant hesitancy over what happened with Adam, how Aiden couldn’t control it. The stranger, the storm, the unknown and the passion all come to a head in the end and the whole time I was reading I couldn’t help but wonder how Aiden and Murphy would weather the storm. Can these two broken souls help heal each other?
Once I picked up this book, I could not put it down, I literally devoured it in a matter of hours. The push and pull between Aiden and Murphy was amazing. Where one is weak the other shows strength, and each one of their unique abilities seemed to compliment each other. Murphy’s skill as an empath prohibits Aiden from curling up inside his emotions and wallowing in self pitty, because Murphy can read him like a book. And where Aiden has had difficulty in the past sustaining a relationship because of his erratic behavior and his inability to control the fire in his personality, Murphy doesn’t feel the burn. They are literally yin and yang.
I’m hoping this is going to be a trilogy, now that McAllister has introduced the four elements and one sneaky skin crawling bastard got away, there has to be a show down. I cannot wait to see how the fantastic four will come together and learn to trust one another, work together as a team and cohesively use their gifts. Jay, Air… Adam, Earth… Murphy, Water… Aiden, Fire. And I absolutely love how McAllister gave each character a feature that fit with their ability. Jay is pale and whimsical, like air. Adam is large, brooding and muscular with his darker features. His closest friend until the fire was the tree, Gaia, everything about Adam screams earth, trees. Murphy has those bluer than blue eyes like the ocean, and Aiden’s flaming red hair that match his personality and fire ability are a perfect reflection. Their descriptions and personalities blend flawlessly with their part in the story, and the world is described with vivid details and scenery.
A must read for fans of paranormal romances, elemental magic, passionate romances and just an overall very well written story.
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *
April 23, 2015
Review can be read at It's About The Book
Aiden has made some Serious Mistakes. Thankfully, no one died, but it actually was a close call. Aiden is going to make himself a Better Person. He’s doing a lot of wallowing in misery, but he’s going to assume that’s part of the process of becoming better. Okay, one night at a party is not going to destroy the Better Person plan. Aiden accepts an impromptu invitation from an attractive guy. The party doesn’t really end well. As it turns out they were trespassing and stole some property and destroyed it. Aiden rescues what he can from the bonfire. Murphy is heartbroken over the loss of his bench. Granted, it was just a thing, but he’ll never be able to have a new thing with his late lover, Felix, so losing anything from their time together simply confirms the loss of Felix. When the young redhead shows up with a charred plank from the bench Murphy doesn’t handle it well. Aiden wants to understand but being yelled at by his neighbor didn’t help his mood. Aiden spends the night on the beach as his Better Person plan includes not burning down his parent’s beach house.
Murphy realizes he was a jerk. He also realizes he can feel every single one of the overwhelming emotions the young redhead is projecting. Wow! The guy is miserable! Murphy sets out to help him. Aiden and Murphy don’t become immediate friends. It takes a while before they fully trust each other. Actually, it takes a while before they fully trust themselves to show the other who they really are. Then the creepy guy from the coffee shop makes his move.
After reading Air and Earth I knew I wanted to read Aiden’s story. There had to be more to him. And there was! Aiden was kind of a selfish jerk, and he did make some life threatening mistakes, but his motivations were more complex than simple greed or attention seeking. Aiden doesn’t do well on his own, which sort of made his whole Better Person plan a big fail, but he does learn what tactics he can use to help himself. After some slightly comedic trial and error. Aiden turned out to be a compelling character. He was significantly more complex and interesting than he appeared at first blush.
I really liked that both Aiden and Murphy had regrets. As a recovering alcoholic Murphy’s regrets were older, but still there. Sometimes life is about moving on from mistakes you can’t fix no matter how much you really want to. “I’m sorry,” doesn’t always fix things. I liked that Murphy was able to help Aiden with this. A lot of Aiden’s character really screamed the need to have someone come help him. He so desperately needed guidance. Their age disparity worked well. Murphy came across like someone who has already made mistakes and is less likely to become ruffled whereas Aiden had no clue how to handle anything and lost his cool at the slightest provocation.
This was a good sequel. I found I liked it better than the first. We finally know what Bob was up to. I certainly wouldn’t be against another installment in this series, especially as Richard was never found. I’d also like to see what happens when all four men and Lola end up in a room together ’cause you know she’s spirit. Okay, maybe that shouldn’t happen inside a room, but I want to read it.
Aiden has made some Serious Mistakes. Thankfully, no one died, but it actually was a close call. Aiden is going to make himself a Better Person. He’s doing a lot of wallowing in misery, but he’s going to assume that’s part of the process of becoming better. Okay, one night at a party is not going to destroy the Better Person plan. Aiden accepts an impromptu invitation from an attractive guy. The party doesn’t really end well. As it turns out they were trespassing and stole some property and destroyed it. Aiden rescues what he can from the bonfire. Murphy is heartbroken over the loss of his bench. Granted, it was just a thing, but he’ll never be able to have a new thing with his late lover, Felix, so losing anything from their time together simply confirms the loss of Felix. When the young redhead shows up with a charred plank from the bench Murphy doesn’t handle it well. Aiden wants to understand but being yelled at by his neighbor didn’t help his mood. Aiden spends the night on the beach as his Better Person plan includes not burning down his parent’s beach house.
Murphy realizes he was a jerk. He also realizes he can feel every single one of the overwhelming emotions the young redhead is projecting. Wow! The guy is miserable! Murphy sets out to help him. Aiden and Murphy don’t become immediate friends. It takes a while before they fully trust each other. Actually, it takes a while before they fully trust themselves to show the other who they really are. Then the creepy guy from the coffee shop makes his move.
After reading Air and Earth I knew I wanted to read Aiden’s story. There had to be more to him. And there was! Aiden was kind of a selfish jerk, and he did make some life threatening mistakes, but his motivations were more complex than simple greed or attention seeking. Aiden doesn’t do well on his own, which sort of made his whole Better Person plan a big fail, but he does learn what tactics he can use to help himself. After some slightly comedic trial and error. Aiden turned out to be a compelling character. He was significantly more complex and interesting than he appeared at first blush.
I really liked that both Aiden and Murphy had regrets. As a recovering alcoholic Murphy’s regrets were older, but still there. Sometimes life is about moving on from mistakes you can’t fix no matter how much you really want to. “I’m sorry,” doesn’t always fix things. I liked that Murphy was able to help Aiden with this. A lot of Aiden’s character really screamed the need to have someone come help him. He so desperately needed guidance. Their age disparity worked well. Murphy came across like someone who has already made mistakes and is less likely to become ruffled whereas Aiden had no clue how to handle anything and lost his cool at the slightest provocation.
This was a good sequel. I found I liked it better than the first. We finally know what Bob was up to. I certainly wouldn’t be against another installment in this series, especially as Richard was never found. I’d also like to see what happens when all four men and Lola end up in a room together ’cause you know she’s spirit. Okay, maybe that shouldn’t happen inside a room, but I want to read it.
August 20, 2015
This book is the second in a series but can absolutely be a stand-alone novel.
If you read book one, you remember that Aiden was the firey ex of Adam’s that caused so much strife between him and Jay. (If you were like me – you didn’t like him much at all! Which is why it took me forever to get around to reading this!)
We find Aiden right after he’s run away from something tragic – something to do with Adam and Jay. He’s in his head a lot and it’s a mess in there. He keeps fighting and fighting the fire that lives within him and he also wants and needs someone to help keep him grounded but he’s determined not to be all clingy like he was with Adam and scare the next potential lover away.
Aiden goes to a party on the beach near his parents house, severely depressed, and meets some guys at a bonfire. A few hours/beers later and there is an older man, clearly distressed out on the beach with them – upset about the fire. Aiden sees some initials carved in old wood and rescues the wood from the fire to bring to the upset man – Murphy – and is initially rebuffed.
Murphy has his own story to tell. He’s a widower – we never did find out how he became one – and is an empath (and something to do with water). He literally feels all of Aiden’s emotions like he’s yelling them and it psychically hurts. Normally Murphy can shield from such a thing, but with Aiden he can’t.
What follows next is the two men learning about one another and helping Aiden with his “gift”. They don’t deny their instant attraction for long and it turns out that Murphy really helps ground Aiden.
Everything looks to be moving in the right direction when suddenly there is a mysterious “bad” guy in town making Murphy jealous and Aiden uncomfortable. Then there’s a storm, a kidnapping, a rescue and some closure.
**
Phew! This book was a roller coaster. Reading Aiden’s thought process is a bit like living in his brain and is energetically exhausting. Poor guy! But that is where Rowan McAllister did such an excellent job, giving us this manic, frightened character and having it bleed out on the pages in such an amazing way.
Murphy is far more solid and serene and that comes through so well. But… he’s got that side of him that feels too much and has to be hidden. Aiden shows him the benefit of letting that side out now and again.
I was captivated by this story and read it quickly but was a bit disappointed by the end. I am hoping it’s a set up for book three because both sets of MCs really, really need to come together like the Fantastic Four and somehow vanquish the evil Richard! I can see the set up so I’m hoping I’m right!
I would also love to see both couples later in their relationship and having mastered their respective skills.
I did however find it super cute that Adam and Jay were blushing while discussing their whereabouts during the latest storm. Tee hee!
All in all it was a wonderful book and I really hope we see the next book soon!
6 of 5 stars
If you read book one, you remember that Aiden was the firey ex of Adam’s that caused so much strife between him and Jay. (If you were like me – you didn’t like him much at all! Which is why it took me forever to get around to reading this!)
We find Aiden right after he’s run away from something tragic – something to do with Adam and Jay. He’s in his head a lot and it’s a mess in there. He keeps fighting and fighting the fire that lives within him and he also wants and needs someone to help keep him grounded but he’s determined not to be all clingy like he was with Adam and scare the next potential lover away.
Aiden goes to a party on the beach near his parents house, severely depressed, and meets some guys at a bonfire. A few hours/beers later and there is an older man, clearly distressed out on the beach with them – upset about the fire. Aiden sees some initials carved in old wood and rescues the wood from the fire to bring to the upset man – Murphy – and is initially rebuffed.
Murphy has his own story to tell. He’s a widower – we never did find out how he became one – and is an empath (and something to do with water). He literally feels all of Aiden’s emotions like he’s yelling them and it psychically hurts. Normally Murphy can shield from such a thing, but with Aiden he can’t.
What follows next is the two men learning about one another and helping Aiden with his “gift”. They don’t deny their instant attraction for long and it turns out that Murphy really helps ground Aiden.
Everything looks to be moving in the right direction when suddenly there is a mysterious “bad” guy in town making Murphy jealous and Aiden uncomfortable. Then there’s a storm, a kidnapping, a rescue and some closure.
**
Phew! This book was a roller coaster. Reading Aiden’s thought process is a bit like living in his brain and is energetically exhausting. Poor guy! But that is where Rowan McAllister did such an excellent job, giving us this manic, frightened character and having it bleed out on the pages in such an amazing way.
Murphy is far more solid and serene and that comes through so well. But… he’s got that side of him that feels too much and has to be hidden. Aiden shows him the benefit of letting that side out now and again.
I was captivated by this story and read it quickly but was a bit disappointed by the end. I am hoping it’s a set up for book three because both sets of MCs really, really need to come together like the Fantastic Four and somehow vanquish the evil Richard! I can see the set up so I’m hoping I’m right!
I would also love to see both couples later in their relationship and having mastered their respective skills.
I did however find it super cute that Adam and Jay were blushing while discussing their whereabouts during the latest storm. Tee hee!
All in all it was a wonderful book and I really hope we see the next book soon!
6 of 5 stars
July 17, 2016
2.5 stars
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