Iris Before The Storm

by S.L. Vaden

In the time of outlaws and bounty hunters, an unlikely hero is thrown into a love triangle no one expected.

When a doctor and bounty hunter feel a magnetic pull toward one another, both fight the desire building inside them, pushing their feelings deep inside.

A gang boss becomes even more obsessed with the beautiful woman; she struggles with the past that haunts her and tries to protect those she loves in the present.

The love triangles dreams start to intertwine as reality becomes skewed when passions grow.

Iris sees the storm before her that carries the burdens that weighs her down. All she can do is weather through the turbulence of life.

Genres: Westerns, Historical Fiction

450 pages, Paperback

First published January 16, 2019

About the author

S.L. Vaden started writing short stories when she learned how to write and read. Taking inspiration from nature, and the world around her. Growing up on a small farm she learned how to take care of the land she lived on and to not take this world for granted. In the back of her mind S.L. Vaden had always hoped to become an author, never really telling her dream of becoming one to those around her, in fear the dream would be shattered. When S.L. Vaden moved from a rural town in NC to a larger city in San Diego, her imagination took flight. As she started a new job in a new city she started writing.

S.L. Vaden writes in three genres. First is high fantasy. Her first series: The Legend of Zelkova: Elementum and Umbras that will expand into its own literary universe. The first and second installments are now available on amazon. The third installment is in the works.

She also writes dark romance. These use strong language and intimate scenes that cannot be found in her fantasy novels. These books tend to be an outlet for pain she feels and to shine a light on depression and other invisible illness in an adventurous way.

Her poem book, Poems through the years just came out and will soon be on audible.

S.L. Vaden invites you to come and take a look within the worlds that she has created. You might be surprised at what you find there.

Reviews

[Melanie Haynes]

This book is phenomenal in so many ways. The story line keeps you engrossed to a point of not wanting to put it down for a second. It has something for every reader in it and completely submerges you into the story line. You really do feel like you are part of the book. There is at least 1 character in the book that you can related to on a personal level as they are so diverse in everything. I cannot recommend this book enough. It is definitely not for younger readers so I would say 15-16 for the youngest age but adult readers will definitely enjoy it. If you are looking for a way to get lost and a book that you will enjoy reading multiple times then this one is a win.

[KL Cassanello]

Iris works for a secret government agency, searching for outlaws, helping to solve crimes. Garrett is the small-town doctor who falls in love with her. Every time she loves someone, Rune finds and kills them. So regardless of her feelings, she has to let Garrett go. This is certainly not a typical old west romance. It's a different story, and a little out of my usual comfort zone, but quite an enjoyable book. The characters are different, there's a good amount of action.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Vicky Calzo]

Good story! Was a slow start, but once it got going, it was a whirlwind! I loved how the author used the main character's turmoil as an analogy for the battles a person suffering from depression goes through. Loved the ending. Won't say too much here for fear of giving the story away. All I can say is read it for yourself! It's good!

[Mackenzie]

Choppy writing and repetitive plot.

[Reggie]

Iris was a black ops operator before that was ‘a thing’. In the days of horses, stage coaches and rustlers, Iris is an assassin/bounty hunter for an unknown government agency. Being one of the deadliest assassins comes with a price...Iris suffers with guilt and depression for each soul that she’s forced to take. Then she meets Garrett, a small town doctor, and the chemistry and spiritual connection that they share is like none other. With a crazed, obsessed madman after her, and threatening those that she loves, Iris must leave them behind. Will Iris and Garrett find their way back to each other before the darkness takes over Iris’s soul?
Great story with a bad@$$ heroine. Highly recommend this book.
I accepted a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Shifty Bugger]

Loved the book, the story was well written and the characters were intriguing. Once I started I could not get enough, from the start till the end I was engrossed I was even on the edge of my seat with twists and turns, lust and passion, strength. Do yourself a favor and buy the book you want be disappointed.
Thank you for allowing me to review your book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Fatima A.]

Loved this story and it's array of characters. Iris had so many facets to her personality. Every twist and turn to the story had me eager to know what was going to happen next. The portrayal of the villain made him someone you truly wanted to hate. The other characters were amazing with their quirky and unique personalities and I enjoyed seeing the intertwining of their relationships. Would really recommend this book!

[Marissa]

Goodreads Kindle Copy Win

This is a story of a beautiful woman living in a world of outlaws and bounty hunters. It is not safe period in time as she must endure many hardships along the way. What she will do to protect the people she loves and at what price will she end up paying?

[Kayla Mabe]

Great book! Not a typical romance novel, there is a little of everything. Great character development and the relationships feel very real. The
action scenes are very fluid and fit perfectly into the narrative and the dreams play a very unique role in the story. Overall a great book!

[Joanna]

It's a captivating story about a brave, independent woman facing her demons and fears. Totally recommending this book.

[Judy Masker]

Hard to read and follow. Strange people. Strange story would not purchase it.

[Mary]

The Storm

Iris was an avenger. Garret, a doctor. Their lives were very different yet intertwined. They came together in each other's dreams and vowed to never part.

[Mary]

good book. I will read more by this author.

[Deni]

I like it so much that I read it a couple of times! If you get the chance to read this book don't pass it up.

[Melinda M]

Iris Before The Storm by S.L. Vaden is a black ops story set in the west with a heroine. It is well written and keeps your interest. S. L. Vaden is a new author to me and one that I will look forward to reading again.

[Jennifir Huston]

Iris Before the Storm is tempestuous love story with a heroine instead of a hero. It is refreshing to see women's fiction by women with a female protagonist. I walk to the train station and it was a great time to listen to the book. Many times I would sit in my car so I could keep listening. I enjoyed this story of love, growth, and discovery.

[Heather]

Great read. Different insight on how our mind processes things and how true love can help win in the end.

[Marbea Logan]

This book was so endearing to me. It hit on a personal level that left me speechless at times and crying at others. I don't believe I've ever read a book that was in this time frame and appealed to me so much and made me so interested in every page and every chapter. Iris's struggle and her life just was so genuine and it was so heartfelt and so strong, but also had so much pain and devastation that it just enveloped her being 24/7. The fact that a family could actually be accumulated under the worst pressures in life that you have is one of the greatest joys in the world to know that type of love. I also acknowledged that the author made a great plea to people suffering from depression at the end of the book and it was one of the most beautiful things I've read when it comes to knowing that a person that deals with severe depression as I do has that type of support system with them to help them heal. It does not happen over days and months it happens over years most times. This book had a journey that I was not expecting to go on and the characters just drew me in and made me just feel like I was a part of their group, their family, their struggles, their journey, and everything that included into making this book a great book. Well written and thoroughly thought out of. I would recommend anybody to read this book because it is there for you and every way and it delves deep into the psyche about the things that always embodies our soul, our body and our minds on a daily basis. Not to mention they had a lot of action in it too. And a bad woman that can just do about anything that any man would dare in that time thinks about doing.