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From Kenya, With Love #3

Through the Storm

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The biggest risk she'll ever take...

Tessa Henning is no damsel. But she's definitely in distress. If her husband really is involved in the ivory trade, he'll come after her when he finds out what she's uncovered. Unfortunately, the only person who can help is Mac Walker. Stubborn, fiercely independent, danger-loving bush pilot Mac Walker--with whom she shares custody of their orphaned nephew. Though Mac's no knight in shining armor, he can keep her and their nephew safe in the Serengeti while they wait out this storm. But he can't protect Tessa from the strange weather brewing inside her, stirring up feelings for Mac she wishes she could ignore.

368 pages, Mass Market Paperback

Published April 19, 2016

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About the author

Rula Sinara

26 books435 followers
After a childhood enriched with exotic travels and adventures (both in books and real life), USA Today and Nationally Bestselling author Rula Sinara is now settled in rural Virginia with her husband, three kids and crazy but endearing pets. When she's not writing, she's busy attracting wildlife to her yard, watching romantic movies (despite male protests) or researching trees on her garden wish list.

She's a 2014 National Readers Choice Award winner and double finalist, a 2015 HOLT Medallion Award of Merit winner, a 2015 Golden Quill runner up and a 2015 Book Buyer's Best finalist.

Find out more or sign up for her newsletter at www.rulasinara.com or www.awritersrush.blogspot.com.

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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
Profile Image for Mandy.
1,036 reviews127 followers
June 10, 2016
I received Through the Storm in return for an honest review as part of the tour hosted by Prism Book Tours. Tessa has had a rough six months after the loss of her sister in a fatal plane crash, and taking on her teenage son hasn’t been easy. However, they never planned on her doing alone with the help of Mac her brother in law to help out. Mac has been busy trying to keep his business a float with all the big business’s moving in on his area.

When Tessa shows up one night on his doorstep claiming to be in town to visit but she has ulterior motives. She’s learned the man she’s married to is involved in the Ivory trade. Fearing the safety of Nick her nephew she heads into the Serengeti to stay with Mac till she can figure out what to do and maybe his connections can help her figure out the truth. Tessa and Mac have known each other a long time since high school but it was never anything more than siblings dating and eventually getting married. Now that they are spending all this time together it’s clear that Tessa got married for comfort not love. What will happen when she learns the truth about her husband? What about her feelings for Mac?

I like Tessa at first I wasn’t sure but she quickly grew on me as we started to see that she’s not just a socialite. She’s an interesting character willing to risk her own future to save that of her nephew, and she has a genuine heart willing to risk her marriage for the animals. Mac is perfect for her she just doesn’t see it right away but the more time they spend together the more they both start to see what’s right in front of them and has been for a while.

After reading the synopsis I knew I had to sign up as I’m a huge fan of Harlequin novels and this one is set in the heart of Africa. I admit I didn’t read the prior book in the series but each one is a standalone so that wasn’t an issue. I like the concept of going after Ivory traders it’s not something you see every day in a book and it’s a serious issue happening in Africa. I’m not a huge fan of love triangles but this isn’t bad it’s more a case of self-discovery and learning that the man she thought she loved isn’t the man she married. I enjoyed he author’s writing style the story just flows along smoothly a suspenseful mystery mixed with romance creating a captivating story. This is my first book by the author but after reading Through the Strom I know I need to check out her other books. Highly recommend for fans of suspenseful romance novels.
Profile Image for Sonya Heaney.
Author 5 books35 followers
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April 14, 2016
I liked this one. For me, no matter the subgenre, what makes a good romance are real issues that are tackled by someone who knows that they’re talking about. In this case, those real issues deal with Africa and the illegal ivory trade, and the book was written by someone who really knows her stuff and the places she has set it.

As a bonus, the characters and the dialogue were realistic and relevant.

Harlequin Heartwarming is an interesting line. I know when it was first launched I got a funny impression of it. It seemed to be Christian romance without the preaching, but what it turned out to be is a diverse line of books with interesting stories that often deal with real-world issues. The characters tend to be more realistic.

The difference is that these books have no sex.

It’s fantastic to have books set in more original places, and I’m really glad the publisher was interested in taking this series on. Romance readers need to be booted out of rural Texas occasionally, and learn the rest of us are people too, with lives and relationships and everything!

What kept me reading was the realism of the writing. I believed this story because I felt like I’d been transported to South Africa and to Kenya.

The story did become a teensy bit outlandish at the end, but then this is a book about an international and illegal trade. I was also wondering why at the start the heroine – who is only THIRTY – was described as developing wrinkles and having some grey hairs. She comes from a TERRIBLE genepool, poor woman!

I must say though, it’s deeply frustrating that while Harlequin claims to want diverse settings, they force American English on their South African characters the same way they do for their books set in Australia. With, for example, nappies becoming diapers and petrol becoming gas, I was wondering why everyone raised in South Africa spoke like they were from New York!

However, I am really glad I gave this one a chance. I have to remind myself to keep checking out this line, as it is showing much more promise and a much higher standard of writing than most of the other lines this publisher offers.


Review copy provided by NetGalley.

*I really do not like titles that are a play on ‘From Russia, With Love’. I wish the series has been called something different, but that is irrelevant to the actual book.*
Profile Image for Helen.
2,220 reviews12 followers
April 25, 2016
WOW what a moving emotional story I fell into this one from the start the setting is just glorious the characters are strong and so full of life and so easy to love.

Tessa Henning has always needed a bit of reassurance in her life her parents worked hard on a boat looking at survival of the animals and Tessa worried she was very close to her sister Maria. Maria married her childhood sweetheart Allen and Tessa had always had a kind of friendship with Allen's Brother Mac when they were teenagers but she was always wary of his daredevil ways that was not for her. Tessa married Brice Henning a very wealthy South African business man and lives a quiet life with him, but when tragedy strikes and her sister and brother in law are killed and Tessa and Mac are made joint guardians of their son Nick but this in turn will bring her closer to Mac is this what Tessa needs.

Mac Walker is a pilot working around The Serengeti taking travellers on sight seeing tours but also volunteering with animal rescue and helping with tracing herds and poachers he is still a stubborn and strong will male who does everything he can to save the wildlife of Africa but his business is not doing so well and when Tessa arrives on his doorstep with Nick this will make major changes in his life.

This is such a fabulous story of strength love and caring as together Tessa and Mac with so many friends uncover a major Ivory poaching ring, Tessa is so determined to help even if it ends her marriage but with the growing spark between her and Mac a re-kindled love from their teen years that neither had acknowledged then. Truly this one is going to bring you to tears and make you smile as MS Sinara makes you feel like you are in Africa and helping these characters save the animals and cheering Mac and Tessa on the other characters in this story play such a big part and as this is the third book in the From Kenya With Love series it was also great catching up with old friends. I highly recommend this story you will not be disappointed.
Profile Image for LAWonder10.
951 reviews739 followers
June 7, 2016
Tessa thought she loved her husband...Now, she is questioning that. Does she even know him? She begins questioning all her old feelings as she escapes her once secure life with her nephew.
Tessa's sister and Mac's brother were two people content with their lives without children. After a tragic airplane accident, they were left as duel guardians...What were their siblings thinking? Tessa despised Mac. He always tormented her as a youth and embarrassed her. Now he was a self-indulged bachelor - a pilot with his own small Tourist company. They had no room in their lives for children but they both loved their teenage nephew so they would somehow work it out.
This tale is about the transformation in four individual's lives as tragedy made it necessary. During this time, Tessa, also, suspected her husband was involved in criminal activity and needed her nephew to be safe with Mac...Mac wanted answers, Tessa wasn't ready to give at first.
This us also a story of friendship and loyalty...of adjustments.

There was never a moment the story dragged. Constant developments, which led to a profound climax, captivated the reader.

This was a clean, well-written book of mystery/suspense/romance/and new beginnings. The scenes were described in vivid detail and easily visualized. The characters appeared to be real. Book Cover and Title were well chosen.
This novel earned a Five Stars rating.
*This book was sent to me in exchange for an honest review, of which I have given.
Profile Image for Clare O'Beara.
Author 21 books335 followers
March 2, 2017
I thoroughly enjoyed this tale, which is a romantic adventure in modern Africa. A well-off young mother suddenly starts to suspect that her husband is involved in illegal ivory dealings. The ivory mafia will kill anyone who gets in their way. She can't take chances but takes off with her son and gets on the first bush plane out of Kenya.

As we can expect not all goes smoothly. We see various sides of modern life in the vast country; eco-tourism, a baby elephant rescue camp, plenty of danger. The veteran pilot is attractive but our heroine is still loyal to her husband, and she has no proof that he is a wrongdoer anyway. She won't jump into an ill-advised romance. Which man deserves her heart? Read it and find out as you will definitely enjoy the suspenseful ride. The issue of poached ivory is a huge one today with an elephant being killed every few minutes by heavily armed, organised poachers selling to wealthy dealers for the Asian market.

I downloaded a copy from Net Galley for an unbiased review.
Profile Image for Laurie.
253 reviews27 followers
December 7, 2016
Tessa Henning lives in a swanky villa in South Africa with her husband Brice and her 13-yr. old nephew, Nick. Tessa suspects that her husband is involved in the illegal ivory trade and desperately wants to expose him based on her suspicions. It's a dangerous undertaking; Brice is not one to be messed with, and if she doesn't handle it properly she could put not only her own life in peril, but her deceased sister's son Nick's life as well. Tessa decides that it's necessary to flee to Kenya where Nick's co-guardian and uncle, Mac Walker, lives and operates a small touring company, Air Walker Safaris. Tessa's intent is to leave Nick with Mac in Kenya while she seeks to substantiate her husband's guilt. Mac is unaware of this. Despite their dissimilar paths in life, as well as their opposing natures, Mac and Tessa will have to work in tandem to expose Brice while keeping themselves and Nick safe. Can they achieve it? Mac still feels the sting from Tessa's irrationally blaming him for her sister's death, and he views her as uppity and snooty, a gold digger of sorts, because of her decision to marry wealthy Brice. Tessa sees Mac as a thrill seeker and adventurer who didn't step up and take responsibility for his role as co-guardian to Nick, and has feelings of doubt in the trust department where Mac is concerned. Could there possibly be love in their future?

Through the Storm is book 3 in the From Kenya, With Love series, and I really enjoyed it. I love how Rula Sinara captures the landscape so beautifully and presents it to the reader in such a way that you can close your eyes and feel as though you've been transported to the African wilderness. Descriptions of the animals in the wild and their behaviors was equally fascinating and enlightening. There was intrigue, a blossoming romance and the camaraderie of congenial friends and family members that brought warmth to the story. An enjoyable read. I hope there will be a book 4 to look forward to.

Thank you Rula Sinara for providing me with a free copy of this book. My opinions of it are honest and solely my own.

Profile Image for Christy.
854 reviews35 followers
June 9, 2016
This review first appeared on my blog, Christy's Cozy Corners.

I just love the Harlequin Heartwarming line of books. I love that they are clean romance, and they contain amazing characters and interesting plots. They are romantic without having to be graphic. People actually fall in love without having to get intimate first. Imagine that! Through the Storm fits the clean romance bill perfectly.

The latest book in the From Kenya, With Love series, Through the Storm takes Tessa away from her home in South Africa when she begins to suspect that her husband, Brice, is involved in illegal ivory trade. Since she shares custody of her nephew with her late sister’s brother-in-law, Mac, Tessa takes Nick to Mac in hopes that Mac can keep Nick safe from anyone who may want to harm her family. When they arrive at Mac’s place in Kenya, he takes them on his helicopter to Camp Jamba. The camp becomes a safe haven for Tessa and Nick as they await news on Brice’s activities.

Characters from the previous books make an appearance in Through the Storm, and it is great to see how the story weaves them in. I love how developed the characters in this book are. They are not perfect and the love story is far from perfect. There is a lot of turmoil and complications, but in the end, Tessa finds out the truth and her heart is set free. You will love the descriptive writing and seeing how the plot develops.

If you are a fan of clean romance, you need to add the From Kenya, With Love books to your piles! I only read book 2 and 3, so I’ll be going back to read book 1 soon. I highly recommend this book!
Profile Image for Becky.
3,000 reviews121 followers
June 7, 2016
My first from this author, but definitely not my last!

I enjoyed reading Through the Storm--and now Kenya is added to my "places I want to go before I die" list. It sounds absolutely beautiful, if a bit intimidating...not quite the camping I'm used to ;)

Through the Storm's romance is a very slow build--for almost all of the book, Tessa's married to someone else, and both she and Mac are very cognizant of that fact (thank goodness!). The focus instead is on finding out just what (if anything) Tessa's husband is up to and trying to make a family of sorts for their nephew Nick, whom they both have custody of. I loved watching Nick open up to his aunt and uncle, and seeing him become more comfortable with his new life by getting to know Mac's extended "family". It's clear that many of the people Tessa and Nick meet in this story were from previous series books, but this one works fine as a standalone if you haven't read those other books yet.

They've already been added to my TBR, of course...and the pile continues to grow...

Overall this was a lovely read. Through the Storm is a heartwarming story about family, trust, and finding the life you were meant to live.

Rating: 4 stars / B+

I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.
934 reviews4 followers
July 4, 2016
Through The Storm a "From Kenya, With Love" series by Rula sinara. Tessa Henning is married to a bad man who is in killing elephants for the ivory. When Tessa finds out she will do anything to bring justice. Mac Walker is a bush pilot in Kenya. He has always liked Tessa but his life style wasn't for a woman, he thought. Mac and Tessa get custody of there nephew when his parents are killed in a plane crash. Come to find out Tessa's husband was involved in the plane crash happening. A lot goes on in this book. A good read.
Profile Image for Sophie (Blogger).
156 reviews8 followers
June 9, 2016
Through The Storm is thrilling from the first page, Tessa thinks her husband is involved in something that isn't legal but she has to prove it. Having taken in her nephew since her sister and brother in law died has been a big change in both of their lives. Tessa didn't realise the signs of her husband's secret conversations and deals until she overheard him on the phone, which makes her question how much she really knows him.
Mac is so focused on making his business a success that when his nephew needed a stable home, he said that he would be better suited with Tessa due to his situation. Now, several months later his business is struggling to survive the competition yet he remains positive even though it doesn't seem like it will be.
When Tessa takes off with her nephew to the Serengeti, so that she can figure out what is happening with her husband and come up with a plan. Although things don't go to plan as she starts to feel things for Mac, things a married woman shouldn't feel. Tessa is about to learn that sometimes a storm is so much more than just that, it is about the reasons and truth that the storm brings out.
My favourite character is Tessa, she is a strong character who has been through a lot with losing her sister and taking on her nephew. Her love and passion pushes her to be the best and to figure out the truth, so that her future will be a lot brighter than her present.
Through The Storm is a heartwarming story about family, secrets and how to battle your way through the storm. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves romance that warms your heart and makes you see the good side of the storm.
If I had to sum this book up in three words, they would be Hopeful, Memorable and Sweet.
Profile Image for Lissy Peace.
69 reviews2 followers
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July 27, 2016
This is the first book I've read by Rula Sinara. It is not your typical romance novel. I wouldn't even consider it a romance. It is a terrific story about saving our wild animals in the African lands of Kenya and Serengeti. As a proud supporter of VETPAWS, an organization that employs veterans to help protect the African wild from poachers and illegal safari hunters, I was thrilled to read a story where the good guys win. It's a heartbreaking story of how our world cares so little about the lives of the beautiful wild animals in Africa. Lead character Tessa has fallen under the spell of the luxurious lifestyle given to her by her husband Brice. She begins to see his business ventures dealing in illegal ivory. She takes two flash drives that belong to her husband and takes off. Years earlier, her sister and her husband were killed in a plane crash. As part of the will, Tessa shares custody of their son Nick. When faced with exposing her husband, Tessa takes Nick to her deceased brother-in-law brother while she sorts out her marital life. Mac, an independent helicopter pilot not only helps the various reserves and animal wild life refugee camps, but calls those that run them his family. Mac and Nick begin to bond as he shares his unique lifestyle. When Tessa reveals to Mac her true reason for "visiting", Mac jumps into action and quickly brings the authorities into the mix, sharing with them the flash drives that Tessa had. The story follows the case as Tessa realizes that she enjoys living in the wild in a deluxe cabin/tent without the luxurious surroundings she had called home.
Profile Image for Kate Vale.
Author 24 books75 followers
May 23, 2016
Set in Kenya near a wildlife refuge, Tessa Henning has doubts about her husband. Is he into the ivory trade that is killing the elephants? If so, how could he have hidden his illegalities from her? Is she now in danger, along with her nephew whose parents were lost in a recent plane crash?

Mac Walker also has custody of Nick. Perhaps the boy should stay with him while Tessa tries to find out what her husband is up to. But Tessa and Mac have never gotten along, even at their respective sibs' wedding. Why his brother and her sister made Tessa and Mac co-guardians of their son is unclear, but it forces them to work together to care for the teen.

Trouble is, Tessa gets impatient and refuses to wait for help when disaster strikes. Mac's quick thinking may not be enough to rescue her, even if it reveals her husband's real activities. And even if it does, what will that mean for Mac and Tessa, and for Nick, caught in the middle?
Profile Image for Lynn Brooks.
3,013 reviews30 followers
June 10, 2016
In this 3rd book in the From Kenya, With Love series, Rula Sinara brings us the story of a fractured family trying to unite for the good of their orphaned nephew, while investigating wrong doings and fighting attraction!

Tessa Henning flees her home and heads to the only person she can count on to help her when she stumbles across info making her think her husband is involved in the illegal ivory trade. She needs to keep her nephew safe while trying to find concrete evidence to take to the authorities.

Mac Walker shares custody of Nick with Tessa and will do anything to keep them safe. He helps her get in touch with some officials that can help her track down the evidence they need, and along the way they bond with Nick and get him to find some comfort after the loss of his parents, their siblings.

When all is said and done and Tessa’s husband is no longer in the picture, will Mac and Tessa finally admit to the feelings they’ve had for each other since they were teens themselves?
Profile Image for Melissa Morr.
189 reviews13 followers
June 11, 2016
Through the Storm was very touching heartwarming clean romance. This book had a little of everything I like in a book romance, some laughs, a few tears, family & little mystery. I love the characters Tessa & Mac they seemed to really dislike each other but in truth they had feelings for each other back in their teen years that neither let known, it was such a pleasure to watch their feelings re-ignite. I love how Mac & Tessa are there for their nephew Nick that both share guardianship after he lost his parents, & how he opens up to them. Through the Storm was a pleasure to read.

I received a free copy in exchange for my honest review!
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