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Bourbon & Blood #1
Bennett
Mia Darcy plays by the rules, and her Daddy, Samuel, for better or worse has made them all. She takes care of her ailing mother, she manages PR for the family’s distillery, Fire Creek. And every day she quietly resents the fact that he stepped in and kept her from being with the one man she loved… a man who still lives there in their small town of Fontaine, Kentucky and who haunts her every minute of the day, waking or asleep.
Bennett Hayes has loved Mia his whole life, and for one brief moment, when they were young and full of hope, it seemed like even the long history of bad blood between their families wasn’t enough to keep them apart. But he’d been wrong. Mia never showed the night they were supposed to run away together and when he confronted her about it, she broke his heart.
But fate and circumstance throw them together again and the fire that raged between them at eighteen is even hotter now. The burn is inevitable. But there are forces at play, people on the periphery of their lives whose agenda goes far beyond just keeping them apart… they will stop at nothing to keep their secrets, even if it means murder.
Bennett Hayes has loved Mia his whole life, and for one brief moment, when they were young and full of hope, it seemed like even the long history of bad blood between their families wasn’t enough to keep them apart. But he’d been wrong. Mia never showed the night they were supposed to run away together and when he confronted her about it, she broke his heart.
But fate and circumstance throw them together again and the fire that raged between them at eighteen is even hotter now. The burn is inevitable. But there are forces at play, people on the periphery of their lives whose agenda goes far beyond just keeping them apart… they will stop at nothing to keep their secrets, even if it means murder.
276 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 27, 2015
291 people are currently reading
1044 people want to read
About the author
Chasity Bowlin
142 books523 followersUSA Today Best Selling author and Winner of the 2019 Romance Through the Ages Award for Georgian/Regency Romance, Chasity Bowlin is the author multiple bestselling historical romance novels, both independently and with Dragonblade Publishing. She lives in central Kentucky with her husband and their menagerie of animals. She loves writing, loves traveling and enjoys incorporating tidbits of her actual vacations into her books. She is an avid Anglophile, loving all things British, but specifically all things Regency.
Growing up in Tennessee, spending as much time as possible with her doting grandparents, soap operas were a part of her daily existence, followed by back to back episodes of Scooby Doo. Her path to becoming a romance novelist was set when, rather than simply have her Barbie dolls cruise around in a pink convertible, they time traveled, hosted lavish dinner parties and one even had an evil twin locked in the attic.
Growing up in Tennessee, spending as much time as possible with her doting grandparents, soap operas were a part of her daily existence, followed by back to back episodes of Scooby Doo. Her path to becoming a romance novelist was set when, rather than simply have her Barbie dolls cruise around in a pink convertible, they time traveled, hosted lavish dinner parties and one even had an evil twin locked in the attic.
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November 23, 2016
FREE on Amazon US today (11/22/2016)
Stand-alone book 1.
BLURB:
Mia Darcy plays by the rules, and her Daddy, Samuel, for better or worse has made them all. She takes care of her ailing mother, she manages PR for the family’s distillery, Fire Creek. And every day she quietly resents the fact that he stepped in and kept her from being with the one man she loved… a man who still lives there in their small town of Fontaine, Kentucky and who haunts her every minute of the day, waking or asleep.
Bennett Hayes has loved Mia his whole life, and for one brief moment, when they were young and full of hope, it seemed like even the long history of bad blood between their families wasn’t enough to keep them apart. But he’d been wrong. Mia never showed the night they were supposed to run away together and when he confronted her about it, she broke his heart.
But fate and circumstance throw them together again and the fire that raged between them at eighteen is even hotter now. The burn is inevitable. But there are forces at play, people on the periphery of their lives whose agenda goes far beyond just keeping them apart… they want Mia dead and will stop at nothing to make that happen.
FREE: https://www.amazon.com/Bennett-Bourbo...
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March 10, 2016
This book was good, not great but enjoyable. I was enthralled because I just wanted to know the big secret already! I thought I had it figured out, for the most part I did but once everything was released I felt cheated.
Mia and Bennett were high school lovers that were forbidden to be together. On the night Mia is supposed to runaway with Bennett she never shows. It destroys Bennett and he's left broken. 10 years later and the town is still talking about them. As fate would have it someone tries to kill Mia and Bennett is there to rescue her. This brings them back together even though Mia still won't explain why she left him, or why now she's still listening to her father. Her father is a total tool and got of easy.
I liked Bennett but often got mad at him because to me, Mia didn't seem worth the trouble. However, once everything came out and I realized she did everything to protect Bennett I liked her and wanted them to work. I guess I just wanted the secret to blow me away.
It's a fast read, a lot of secrets still need to be unfolded but it sets you up for the book. I'm hoping everything gets answered. All characters were likable except Mia's dad but he's out of the picture for now.
I'm actually hoping the girl who tried to kill Mia gets a story. I'm interested in why she did what she did and what it was like with her crazy mom.
Mia and Bennett were high school lovers that were forbidden to be together. On the night Mia is supposed to runaway with Bennett she never shows. It destroys Bennett and he's left broken. 10 years later and the town is still talking about them. As fate would have it someone tries to kill Mia and Bennett is there to rescue her. This brings them back together even though Mia still won't explain why she left him, or why now she's still listening to her father. Her father is a total tool and got of easy.
I liked Bennett but often got mad at him because to me, Mia didn't seem worth the trouble. However, once everything came out and I realized she did everything to protect Bennett I liked her and wanted them to work. I guess I just wanted the secret to blow me away.
It's a fast read, a lot of secrets still need to be unfolded but it sets you up for the book. I'm hoping everything gets answered. All characters were likable except Mia's dad but he's out of the picture for now.
I'm actually hoping the girl who tried to kill Mia gets a story. I'm interested in why she did what she did and what it was like with her crazy mom.
May 5, 2016
It was a good story but I didn't like that Bennett professes to always loving Mia yet he was in a serious (enough so that he asked the OW to marry him) relationship while they were separated. That just killed the whole star crossed lovers thing. Especially since the big reveal as to why Mia left him was a pretty huge freaking deal.
I absolutely didn't like that Bennett was resentful towards Mia for leaving him but he was able to date andprobably most likely definitely (because I seriously doubt he hasn't slept with the woman he planned to marry!) had sex with others while Mia never got over him and literally he was her first and only everything . It just sucked all the way around.
So even though the story was good, the romance was not my cup of tea.
I absolutely didn't like that Bennett was resentful towards Mia for leaving him but he was able to date and
So even though the story was good, the romance was not my cup of tea.
January 11, 2016
I was dying for an ARC of this book and was thrilled when Ms. Donavan offered one. I've been a huge fan of hers for years. Her writing is engaging, her characters always strong, and the steam just rolls off the pages in her novels. Bennett is no exception.
What didn't I love about this book? The plot is unique. Even after reading constantly for years, I haven't read this one yet! The setting is laid out so that you feel like you're there. The banter is funny and smart and you just want to be friends with the characters. Except Bennett. We'll need to be a little more. *sighs*
Such a well-crafted book, I could gush forever. It was everything I hope it to be and more!
Congrats on executing an amazing book, Ms. Donavan! Bennett is your best work to date!
What didn't I love about this book? The plot is unique. Even after reading constantly for years, I haven't read this one yet! The setting is laid out so that you feel like you're there. The banter is funny and smart and you just want to be friends with the characters. Except Bennett. We'll need to be a little more. *sighs*
Such a well-crafted book, I could gush forever. It was everything I hope it to be and more!
Congrats on executing an amazing book, Ms. Donavan! Bennett is your best work to date!
nope-not-celibate-aftr-seeing-h
October 15, 2016Note for me: H is not celibate during separation, asked OW to marry him.
January 14, 2016
This was my first foray into the Seraphina Donavan world, and I'm glad I'm not missing out anymore, as I really enjoyed Bennett. Mia Darcy plays by the rules set by her evil father. She takes care of her sick mother, and manages her family's distillery Fire Lake. It doesn't leave much time for her to live her own life, and she's quietly resentful that she had to give up the one man she loved more than life itself. Bennett Hayes has loved Mia his whole life, and he really thought that all the bad blood between their families wouldn't keep them apart. But Mia never showed up the night they were supposed to run away, and it broke his heart. Years later, fate stepped in, and the connection is no less powerful. With all of the people trying to keep them apart, will Mia and Bennett finally have a happily ever after before it's too late?
I have to be honest, it took me a bit to figure out what's going on. Once I did, I never looked back as I devoured the rest of the story. The character development is good, with a well written story line filled with suspense and mystery that flows well. The twists and turns came out of left field, keeping me on my toes throughout the book. Sizzling hot sexy scenes were hot flash worthy, with some well placed humor that had me laughing hard. When Mia finally snapped, I will say that I felt her pain physically, and my eyes leaked a tiny bit. There's no cliff hanger ending, more like it's left open ended, and I'm fully invested in reading the rest of this series. I happily highly recommend!
I have to be honest, it took me a bit to figure out what's going on. Once I did, I never looked back as I devoured the rest of the story. The character development is good, with a well written story line filled with suspense and mystery that flows well. The twists and turns came out of left field, keeping me on my toes throughout the book. Sizzling hot sexy scenes were hot flash worthy, with some well placed humor that had me laughing hard. When Mia finally snapped, I will say that I felt her pain physically, and my eyes leaked a tiny bit. There's no cliff hanger ending, more like it's left open ended, and I'm fully invested in reading the rest of this series. I happily highly recommend!
January 20, 2016
2 Stars
This book has all the makings of a good story. Forbidden love, evil family member, protective older brother, a family secret, and a contract for a hit. However while this story has a lot of ingredients for a great storyline, I'm afraid it just didn't come together for me.
Mia Darcy and Bennett Hayes were high school sweethearts but their families were not exactly thrilled with their love affair. On the night they were to run away together, Mia doesn't show up. Bennett never gets an answer as to why and tries to move on with his life. Cut to today, Mia is running her family's bourbon company and trying to keep her philandering father from running the company into the ground. She is also taking care of her mother, who has been in a vegetative state for many years. On her way home one night, she is forced off the road and she is sent into the cold river. Just as the water is going to overtake her, she is pulled to safety by Bennett. The couple then begins rekindling their relationship while trying to figure out who tried to have Mia killed.
There are so many characters in this book and I had an extremely hard time keeping them straight. Also, the entire plot and resolution of the mystery was very confusing. I found myself having to go back and reread parts and still couldn't follow it half the time.
I'm sure other people will enjoy this book, but unfortunately it was just not for me.
~ Renee
This book has all the makings of a good story. Forbidden love, evil family member, protective older brother, a family secret, and a contract for a hit. However while this story has a lot of ingredients for a great storyline, I'm afraid it just didn't come together for me.
Mia Darcy and Bennett Hayes were high school sweethearts but their families were not exactly thrilled with their love affair. On the night they were to run away together, Mia doesn't show up. Bennett never gets an answer as to why and tries to move on with his life. Cut to today, Mia is running her family's bourbon company and trying to keep her philandering father from running the company into the ground. She is also taking care of her mother, who has been in a vegetative state for many years. On her way home one night, she is forced off the road and she is sent into the cold river. Just as the water is going to overtake her, she is pulled to safety by Bennett. The couple then begins rekindling their relationship while trying to figure out who tried to have Mia killed.
There are so many characters in this book and I had an extremely hard time keeping them straight. Also, the entire plot and resolution of the mystery was very confusing. I found myself having to go back and reread parts and still couldn't follow it half the time.
I'm sure other people will enjoy this book, but unfortunately it was just not for me.
~ Renee
January 14, 2016
4.5 stars
I soooo needed this book! I was starting to loose faith that I would never find a book that will leave me thinking and wanting more of it! But this book did just that!
I could not stop reading this book! I had to keep reading to find out what was going to happen next!
I felt the longing and hurt that Mia caused Bennett all those years ago. I felt the pressure Mia had on her shoulders by keeping a secret for so many years.
And I felt the love and attraction that both Mia and Bennett had for each other.
This book had just the right amount of suspense for me and it unfolded at a nice pace.
All the drama in this book was really good and not over the top.
Mia's character was kind of hard for me to get into.
All the back and forth Mia was doing with Bennett was getting to me. I mean come on. Why not open up to him and let him know it all! Why hurt him the way she did. I understand why she did what she did. But to me it just seemed like she could have made it work.
Bennett was a stand up guy. He loved Mia so much that he was willing to put aside everything and move on and just be with her. He was willing to take whatever she was willing to give him.
They both never gave up on each other. It just sucked that so much time past before they could really be with each other.
I think I'm hooked on this series.
I can't wait to read Clayton's story! I so want him to get his HEA!
*ARC provided for an honest review*
(This same review is on my blog Goodreads account.)
I soooo needed this book! I was starting to loose faith that I would never find a book that will leave me thinking and wanting more of it! But this book did just that!
I could not stop reading this book! I had to keep reading to find out what was going to happen next!
I felt the longing and hurt that Mia caused Bennett all those years ago. I felt the pressure Mia had on her shoulders by keeping a secret for so many years.
And I felt the love and attraction that both Mia and Bennett had for each other.
This book had just the right amount of suspense for me and it unfolded at a nice pace.
All the drama in this book was really good and not over the top.
Mia's character was kind of hard for me to get into.
All the back and forth Mia was doing with Bennett was getting to me. I mean come on. Why not open up to him and let him know it all! Why hurt him the way she did. I understand why she did what she did. But to me it just seemed like she could have made it work.
Bennett was a stand up guy. He loved Mia so much that he was willing to put aside everything and move on and just be with her. He was willing to take whatever she was willing to give him.
They both never gave up on each other. It just sucked that so much time past before they could really be with each other.
I think I'm hooked on this series.
I can't wait to read Clayton's story! I so want him to get his HEA!
*ARC provided for an honest review*
(This same review is on my blog Goodreads account.)
January 22, 2016
This was a incredible read! I can't wait to see what comes next in this series! It's full of love, drama and oh so many other feelings.
Forced to live without her one and only love and blamed for her mother's terrible accident Mia is living a half life she's surviving but not actually living. Working in her family's bourbon distillery and caring for her mother is about all she can manage mentally and physically. She loves her brothers and doesn't mind working with them and teasing them every chance she gets. However the man she calls father is a cold cruel and manipulative bastard who is so selfish that he almost lost the family business before her and her brothers came to the rescue.
Bennett forced out of her life by her family and the guilt she's living with has never stopped loving the girl who walked away from him years ago. When her life is threatened he can't help but be by her side and try to figure out what's going on. His heart won't let go and he battles with himself while trying to keep his distance from the girl who will always have his heart and soul.
Forced to live without her one and only love and blamed for her mother's terrible accident Mia is living a half life she's surviving but not actually living. Working in her family's bourbon distillery and caring for her mother is about all she can manage mentally and physically. She loves her brothers and doesn't mind working with them and teasing them every chance she gets. However the man she calls father is a cold cruel and manipulative bastard who is so selfish that he almost lost the family business before her and her brothers came to the rescue.
Bennett forced out of her life by her family and the guilt she's living with has never stopped loving the girl who walked away from him years ago. When her life is threatened he can't help but be by her side and try to figure out what's going on. His heart won't let go and he battles with himself while trying to keep his distance from the girl who will always have his heart and soul.
January 19, 2016
This book was absolutely amazing. It was so refreshing to read a book that was different from what is main stream right now.
Bennett has loved the same girl for over a decade. No matter what he does he cannot stop loving her. She is his world. But years ago she stood him up and he never did find out why. Every time he sees her it still guts him and he has no clue how to stop it. Though if he ever gets the chance he will take her back and make her his.
Mia has lived with the manipulation of her father for years. He has told lie after lie that has piled guilt onto her shoulders. She is living in a prison of his making. Soon things will change though as all the lies and manipulation is brought into the light. Mia may finally have the chance to be with the man she has always loved and makes her happy.
Read this book!! It is amazing and soo worth it.
Bennett has loved the same girl for over a decade. No matter what he does he cannot stop loving her. She is his world. But years ago she stood him up and he never did find out why. Every time he sees her it still guts him and he has no clue how to stop it. Though if he ever gets the chance he will take her back and make her his.
Mia has lived with the manipulation of her father for years. He has told lie after lie that has piled guilt onto her shoulders. She is living in a prison of his making. Soon things will change though as all the lies and manipulation is brought into the light. Mia may finally have the chance to be with the man she has always loved and makes her happy.
Read this book!! It is amazing and soo worth it.
March 11, 2016
I loved this book! It's my first book by Seraphina Donavan and it will not be my last. Second chance romance is one of my favorite genre's. Bennett Hayes and Mia Darcey have been in love since high school but on the night they were to runaway and get married Mia didn't show up and it's been ten years of heart ache for both of them. Ten years of loneliness and regrets has taken its toll on Mia but guilt is the heaviest weight of all. Bennett and Mia are thrown back together and are just as hot for eachother as ever but what will happen when it's over again.
This book has hot sex, great romance and a clever plot twist. I can't wait to read Clayton's book.
This book has hot sex, great romance and a clever plot twist. I can't wait to read Clayton's book.
January 20, 2016
KY LOVE
Being in KY you've grew up with bourbon and feuds being part of the culture. This is an epic romance with both included. The author did a spectacular job of creating a world I was part of. I was hooked from the start and feel in love with Bennett at once. This is going to be an amazing series.
Being in KY you've grew up with bourbon and feuds being part of the culture. This is an epic romance with both included. The author did a spectacular job of creating a world I was part of. I was hooked from the start and feel in love with Bennett at once. This is going to be an amazing series.
January 28, 2016
There's no I in Darcy or in Team!
They need to fire Samuel & all his illicit affairs, & get him out of the business ,Bennet & Mia love each other, even after 10 yrs of trying to forget, he has to do his job, pull his weight or leave!
They need to fire Samuel & all his illicit affairs, & get him out of the business ,Bennet & Mia love each other, even after 10 yrs of trying to forget, he has to do his job, pull his weight or leave!
January 14, 2016
This book is great!! Seraphina Donavan did a wonderful job. I did not want to stop the whole time I was reading. I got upset when I did have to stop to go to class. I can not wait for book 2!!
Want to read
November 13, 2017Free On Kindle: 11/12/2017:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01...
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01...
February 8, 2017
Three and a half stars.
Although this is listed as the first book in the series it felt like I had missed something because the reader gets thrown right into the action without much information.
The Darcy family own a distillery called Fire Creek which makes bourbon. The patriarch Samuel is a selfish womaniser who has drained the company dry (unintentional pun) to fund his lifestyle. His three children Clayton, Mia and Quentin have clubbed together to buy a majority in the distillery but Samuel is still causing trouble with his get-rich-quick schemes and his 'relationship' with Erica the Assistant VP of marketing for Fire Creek. Clayton is in the middle of getting a divorce from his wife, Annalee. As well as working full time at the distillery, Mia also cares for her mother who is in some form of coma following a car accident over a decade ago, Mia meets all the costs of her mother's care herself.
As the novel opens Mia and Erica have a argument over Erica's suggestions for making money and Clayton asks Mia if she is happy, and why she and Bennett Hayes never married. He calls them Fontaine's very own star crossed lovers. There are generations of bad blood between the Darcy family and the Hayes family, Mia and Bennett dated at school until Mia's mother's crash. Since then the two of them have avoided each other as much as possible.
Shortly after running into each other in the local store Mia is involved in a car accident from which Bennett rescues her. When Mia confides in Bennett that she was pushed off the road deliberately Bennett feels compelled to investigate and realises that his feelings haven't changed.
Writing down a short synopsis makes it sound like a romantic-suspense, but this felt much more like an episode of Dallas or even J.R. Ward's new series The Bourbon Kings. Mia's father is clearly blackmailing her into looking after her mother, Clayton's separation from a wife he adores seems strange and everything is set in the claustrophobic atmosphere of a small town.
Whilst I liked the writing and thought this was a very good Kindle freebie I thought the resolution of the mystery around Mia and Samuel was cleared up all too quickly. This book was clearly written as part of a series and so there are lots of unanswered questions about the Darcy and Hayes families.
Although this is listed as the first book in the series it felt like I had missed something because the reader gets thrown right into the action without much information.
The Darcy family own a distillery called Fire Creek which makes bourbon. The patriarch Samuel is a selfish womaniser who has drained the company dry (unintentional pun) to fund his lifestyle. His three children Clayton, Mia and Quentin have clubbed together to buy a majority in the distillery but Samuel is still causing trouble with his get-rich-quick schemes and his 'relationship' with Erica the Assistant VP of marketing for Fire Creek. Clayton is in the middle of getting a divorce from his wife, Annalee. As well as working full time at the distillery, Mia also cares for her mother who is in some form of coma following a car accident over a decade ago, Mia meets all the costs of her mother's care herself.
As the novel opens Mia and Erica have a argument over Erica's suggestions for making money and Clayton asks Mia if she is happy, and why she and Bennett Hayes never married. He calls them Fontaine's very own star crossed lovers. There are generations of bad blood between the Darcy family and the Hayes family, Mia and Bennett dated at school until Mia's mother's crash. Since then the two of them have avoided each other as much as possible.
Shortly after running into each other in the local store Mia is involved in a car accident from which Bennett rescues her. When Mia confides in Bennett that she was pushed off the road deliberately Bennett feels compelled to investigate and realises that his feelings haven't changed.
Writing down a short synopsis makes it sound like a romantic-suspense, but this felt much more like an episode of Dallas or even J.R. Ward's new series The Bourbon Kings. Mia's father is clearly blackmailing her into looking after her mother, Clayton's separation from a wife he adores seems strange and everything is set in the claustrophobic atmosphere of a small town.
Whilst I liked the writing and thought this was a very good Kindle freebie I thought the resolution of the mystery around Mia and Samuel was cleared up all too quickly. This book was clearly written as part of a series and so there are lots of unanswered questions about the Darcy and Hayes families.
January 14, 2016
4.5 stars
I soooo needed this book! I was starting to loose faith that I would never find a book that will leave me thinking and wanting more of it! But this book did just that!
I could not stop reading this book! I had to keep reading to find out what was going to happen next!
I felt the longing and hurt that Mia caused Bennett all those years ago. I felt the pressure Mia had on her shoulders by keeping a secret for so many years.
And I felt the love and attraction that both Mia and Bennett had for each other.
This book had just the right amount of suspense for me and it unfolded at a nice pace.
All the drama in this book was really good and not over the top.
Mia's character was kind of hard for me to get into.
All the back and forth Mia was doing with Bennett was getting to me. I mean come on. Why not open up to him and let him know it all! Why hurt him the way she did. I understand why she did what she did. But to me it just seemed like she could have made it work.
Bennett was a stand up guy. He loved Mia so much that he was willing to put aside everything and move on and just be with her. He was willing to take whatever she was willing to give him.
They both never gave up on each other. It just sucked that so much time past before they could really be with each other.
I think I'm hooked on this series.
I can't wait to read Clayton's story! I so want him to get his HEA!
*ARC provided for an honest review*
-Michelle
I soooo needed this book! I was starting to loose faith that I would never find a book that will leave me thinking and wanting more of it! But this book did just that!
I could not stop reading this book! I had to keep reading to find out what was going to happen next!
I felt the longing and hurt that Mia caused Bennett all those years ago. I felt the pressure Mia had on her shoulders by keeping a secret for so many years.
And I felt the love and attraction that both Mia and Bennett had for each other.
This book had just the right amount of suspense for me and it unfolded at a nice pace.
All the drama in this book was really good and not over the top.
Mia's character was kind of hard for me to get into.
All the back and forth Mia was doing with Bennett was getting to me. I mean come on. Why not open up to him and let him know it all! Why hurt him the way she did. I understand why she did what she did. But to me it just seemed like she could have made it work.
Bennett was a stand up guy. He loved Mia so much that he was willing to put aside everything and move on and just be with her. He was willing to take whatever she was willing to give him.
They both never gave up on each other. It just sucked that so much time past before they could really be with each other.
I think I'm hooked on this series.
I can't wait to read Clayton's story! I so want him to get his HEA!
*ARC provided for an honest review*
-Michelle
May 2, 2016
I'm a huge fan of the sort of sweeping saga that I feel Ms. Donovan's series is destined to become. She has done a solid job of introducing and establishing the central characters and conflict in this new-style Romeo and Juliet sort of modern-day romance. To set it in the trendy world of bourbon distilleries was what set it apart from the typical star-crossed lovers plot for me. It's a tough thing to concoct a romance heroine who is admirable, someone a reader wishes to become, while keeping her full of sass and vinegar and Mia Darcy is that perfectly balanced main character in Bennett. The eponymous Mr. Bennett Hayes is loveable, strong, and dreamy, exactly as he should be but something about him is more compelling than the millions of other Hot Hero options--and that is where the strength of the storytelling and the story teller lie in this opening novel. The book is cliche-free and, while we all know that these two are going to get their act together, despite her lame, fake-protective father and their collective passel of hard-headed siblings destined for their own books--the path to the happily ever after feels realistic to me which made it that much more enjoyable.
January 14, 2016
Bennett & Bourbon
*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review***
I have always been a fan of Seraphina's writing and having the chance to review Bennett I was excited. Have you guys seen the delicious cover with the mouth watering Stu!!! Anyhoo let get back to the book, Mia is a woman who does anything she can for her family even if she ends up sacrificing the one man (Bennett) who holds her heart. Fortunately a chance encounter with dangerous roads and an unknown vehicle leads to Mia's and Bennett's reunion which only proves that no matter what the heart want what it wants. This books blows me away you have explosive chemistry, intriguing characters (hint hint I need to know more about), suspense and writing so flawlessly executed that it will leave you begging for more. Well done Seraphina, I can't wait to see what's next for the Darcy family.
*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review***
I have always been a fan of Seraphina's writing and having the chance to review Bennett I was excited. Have you guys seen the delicious cover with the mouth watering Stu!!! Anyhoo let get back to the book, Mia is a woman who does anything she can for her family even if she ends up sacrificing the one man (Bennett) who holds her heart. Fortunately a chance encounter with dangerous roads and an unknown vehicle leads to Mia's and Bennett's reunion which only proves that no matter what the heart want what it wants. This books blows me away you have explosive chemistry, intriguing characters (hint hint I need to know more about), suspense and writing so flawlessly executed that it will leave you begging for more. Well done Seraphina, I can't wait to see what's next for the Darcy family.
January 4, 2016
Bennett has loved the same girl for a decade, she's loved him right back. A family feud has kept them apart and now she needs his protection. Can Bennett put the past behind and save her before its too late?
This book is a bit different from what I normally read but I really enjoyed it. This is a story of second chance love, from the beginning your routing for Bennett and Mia to get there happy ever after. The author does a great job of keep you on the edge of your seat and leaves you wanting more. A great book and I can't wait to read more of this series.
**Reviewed for Sweet and Spicy Reads-ARC provided for honest review **
This book is a bit different from what I normally read but I really enjoyed it. This is a story of second chance love, from the beginning your routing for Bennett and Mia to get there happy ever after. The author does a great job of keep you on the edge of your seat and leaves you wanting more. A great book and I can't wait to read more of this series.
**Reviewed for Sweet and Spicy Reads-ARC provided for honest review **
January 11, 2016
Five Amazing Stars! Mia has been in love with Bennett but she can not be with him. Her father keeps telling so many lies that keep her from leaving. Bennett has loved Mia for what seems like forever. He will wait for her no matter what. Will they be able to get their second chance? This is great story and you will fall in love with the characters. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, it is a must read.
I received this book as an ARC for an honest review. This book was read and reviewed by Annamaria for Alpha Book Club.
I received this book as an ARC for an honest review. This book was read and reviewed by Annamaria for Alpha Book Club.
March 2, 2016
Love!!
Seraphina is wonderful!! I loved the interplay between Mia and Bennett. Their love lasts through time. I can't wait to see what happens next with them. Family is forever but sometimes you need to divorce them. You'll understand after you read Bennett. And believe me you need to read it!!
Seraphina is wonderful!! I loved the interplay between Mia and Bennett. Their love lasts through time. I can't wait to see what happens next with them. Family is forever but sometimes you need to divorce them. You'll understand after you read Bennett. And believe me you need to read it!!
October 21, 2016
The only negative I have for this book, and it was enough to knock down the rating to 3 stars, was this:
I am so very weary of villains that are so completely evil, that they are over the top. I want my villains to be just bad enough to provide a little conflict, if the book requires it, but no so much that they defy believability.
Almost evil = A-OK!
Meaner than hell=Too Far
I am so very weary of villains that are so completely evil, that they are over the top. I want my villains to be just bad enough to provide a little conflict, if the book requires it, but no so much that they defy believability.
Almost evil = A-OK!
Meaner than hell=Too Far
December 28, 2015
Holy smokes. I had the pleasure of getting an ARC for an honest review. Oh sweet Bennett. What a great book and a great beginning for a series that I cannot wait to read more of. Seraphina has incredible power with words and I loved Mia and Bennett.
April 6, 2016
I received this book as an exchange of an honest review.
Bennett is the guy that every woman dreams of, and Mia suffered for a long time denying her love for him. I loved how they managed to put Samuel in his place and finally have peace to live their love.
Beautiful story!
Bennett is the guy that every woman dreams of, and Mia suffered for a long time denying her love for him. I loved how they managed to put Samuel in his place and finally have peace to live their love.
Beautiful story!
December 20, 2016
Currently free on Amazon
first read of Seraphina Donavan and I think we are going to become firm friends. Straight onto next book in series.
first read of Seraphina Donavan and I think we are going to become firm friends. Straight onto next book in series.
Want to read
November 23, 2023🎁 FREE on Amazon & on Apple iBooks today (12/3/2022)! 🎁
January 22, 2018
Good read
Enjoyed the storyline. Well written and edited. My opinion is the extra chapter should have been included early in the story.
Enjoyed the storyline. Well written and edited. My opinion is the extra chapter should have been included early in the story.
October 26, 2017
Didn't finish after page 44. This may be an okay story for some but it's just a bit too generic and straightforward for me. I liked it okay at first but when the author used the perspective of the bad guy in one of the chapters to tell us what was going on from their perspective, it lost a lot of credibility to me. I'm not sure why authors do this as no truly successful story ever has this element. Plus, why give away your secrets by telling us what the bad guy is doing and thinking? It takes away the mystery. I mean, she can show us what the bad guy is doing or I guess it's even fine if she even tells us some of what the bad guy is planning but just at least use a more creative way for us to find out rather than switching to their perspective randomly in order to do it. So because of that, I'm not as intrigued by what happened to Mia or what will happen to Mia because the author gives a lot of it away. Plus, the love story is just too full of Bennett and Mias repeated monologuing about how much they still think about/want/love eachother and how they just can't have eachother. So Because this is written in dual point of view (except when the random bad guys perspective chimes in), I have to hear this repetitive lamenting not once but twice-once during Bennetts chapter, then again during Mias chapter, then repeat over and over. Because both of these characters are thinking the same thing about each other and the author makes sure we know it. And the author really didn't do any character building, story building or layering. It's just all very superficial and expected. She really needed to reach deeper. Give the story some depth. Maybe make the conversations between the characters more interesting. Or just something. I don't see any chemistry between the love interests at all besides them saying that they can't forget the other. So when they kiss for the first time I'm not really invested in their romance story. It just isn't done well. It feels clumsy. So it could be a good book if the author would maybe go back through and spend a bit more time on the different elements she has so far that I've read, take out the perspective of the bad guy and take out 3/4 of both Bennett and Mia telling us they still love eachother but can't have one another. Let us see their chemistry naturally. Let them interact more without the repeated inner monologuing in the way weighing down the story. And then once they become more and more entangled in each other's lives again, then start showing us their sexual tension and their mutual love for one another. Then have them give in to their chemistry after it's been built between them. As it is just knowing that they have a history and that they still want eachother isn't enough to make me feel that they really want eachother.
November 8, 2017
Bennett tells a second chance love story of Mia Darcy and Bennett Hayes and the interference by her father, Samuel and a long history of trouble between the two families. The Darcy's own Fire Creek Distillery and generations back their ancestors broke the partnership agreement of the founders of the business with the Hayes family loosing their interest in the partnership.
Samuel controls Mia with lies about something that she never did to keep her away from Bennett and to guilt her into taking care of her comatose mother and work at the distillery. An auto accident that turns out to attempted murder, an old affair of Samuel and an old friend of his wife and a chance encounter with the home where Mia lives with her mother leads to new information about what happened the night of Mia's mother's accident and the Hayes help the Darcy youngest generation the information to make some new beginnings and changes.
I loved the suspense. The romance was bitter but very sweet. The main characters were troubled but still loved each other and stuck together and when it counted protected each other. The mystery was surprising and full of secrets to make Bennett an enjoyable story.
Samuel controls Mia with lies about something that she never did to keep her away from Bennett and to guilt her into taking care of her comatose mother and work at the distillery. An auto accident that turns out to attempted murder, an old affair of Samuel and an old friend of his wife and a chance encounter with the home where Mia lives with her mother leads to new information about what happened the night of Mia's mother's accident and the Hayes help the Darcy youngest generation the information to make some new beginnings and changes.
I loved the suspense. The romance was bitter but very sweet. The main characters were troubled but still loved each other and stuck together and when it counted protected each other. The mystery was surprising and full of secrets to make Bennett an enjoyable story.
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