Mountain Haven

Mountain Mayhem #1

by Dawn Love

They say when life hands you lemons, make lemonade.

But for Lexi Lane, life didn't hand her those lemons. Instead, they were hurled from a grenade launcher. It's been almost five years since her world detonated around her, and she's moved on from that sour time in her life - or so she thinks. Hiding out in the mountains of West Virginia has given her the solitude she's needed to survive, but surviving is all she's done. When a stranger crashes into her life, will she finally be able to open herself to feel again? To love again?

Michael "Blaze" Blaisure has devoted his life to righting some of the wrongs in the world. Part of a covert military unit, he has traveled from country to country and seen the pits of hell first-hand. After witnessing more death and despair than his heart and soul could take, he makes the decision to change directions and choose a new path. But will that path lead to acceptance and forgiveness for his part in tragedy and death?

All it takes is a mountain, a storm, and the hand of fate to open their eyes to new horizons. But when danger appears, will it separate them, or bring them closer than ever?

Content/Trigger Warnings: Mountain Haven is meant for adults and contains explicit and graphic sexual scenes and language; themes of grief, death, infant loss, loss of fertility; mental illness, PTSD, depression, agoraphobia; violence; stalking; attempted kidnapping; and disturbing imagery.

Genres: Romance, Forced Proximity

265 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 1, 2022

About the author

Dawn Love was born in Mayfield, Kentucky, and spent the first twenty-six years of her life there. Always a creative person and an avid reader, she began writing stories for her own entertainment as a teen, and her love of writing continued to grow into adulthood. She now resides on her 50-acre farm on the Delmarva Peninsula. A mother of two, she spends her free time creating the characters and stories of her fantasies. She also writes an internationally read Blog where she gives her readers a glimpse into the craziness of her day-to-day life, her mind, and all that the world throws her way.

Reviews

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Small-town Romace/ Forced Proximity

Check your trigger warnings ⚠️

Lexi has had a troubled pass with a lot of loss. Blaze has bad PTSD from his time spent in the military. These two meet when Blaze has an accident forcing the two to share a house for a few days. They have a connection to each other that helps them both heal. This book has pain, trauma and healing along with plot twist.

[Kelly Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Surviving! It doesn’t matter what each of us are going through, we all have our stories and each of us are just trying to survive. Lexi and Blaze come from two completely different backgrounds, both with their own struggles and their own ways of dealing with them. Both looking for a place to escape and somehow finding themselves by finding each other. A raging storm on a mountain brings these two together. Right from the beginning the chemistry is just there. I do believe in a sort of “love at first sight” because sometimes we see someone and just know that it works. These two, even though they are battling their own demons, end up finding each other and helping each other more than either of them knows.
This story is a slow burn. There is a lot that each of them have to dig through just to let loose with the other for even one night. However, there are some bad vibes going that ultimately present a crazy curve ball with the story. One, actually a couple, that I had no clue were coming. Just when I thought they loved and could move on, they lost. And then I thought things were cooling off, BAM! The crazy hits us! This was a slow burn, with the perfect amount of steaminess, and a very suspenseful plotline. Definitely a page turner. Sometimes one person can make you believe in love again and this story is a true testament to that!

[Double T's book buddies · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first time reading this author and she did an amazing job with this story. Lexi had the world at her fingertips with her singing career, until tragedy struck not once, but twice in her life and that's when she decided to escape life and built her Mountain Haven. Blaze had just been discharged from the military life and was looking for his own Mountain Haven, and was driving up to Lexi's home when he wrecked his vehicle and she came to his rescue. Lexi has a neighbor, David that was always willing to assist her when needed, but once Blaze met him, his gut was telling him something else. A few twist and turns throughout and some wild discoveries at the end. A MUST READ & PAGE TURNER. Happy Reading.

[Kristi Schatz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book. Lexi had a wonderful life and a aspiring career in music and then tragedy happens. Not once but twice in a short period of time. She secluded herself in the mountains. Becomes a self sufficient women. Blaze an ex military special forces has endured terrible situations in his career. Searching for a life in the mountains to find some peace and self healing, crosses paths with Lexi. Both needing to find something out of life besides loss. They discover they are going through the same feelings just different circumstances. There is loss, friends, learning to love, spice, and even suspense in this book. Can't wait for the next one!

[Sayde · Rating 2 out of 5]

Going to preface this review with the fact that I don’t think this book was for me..
I struggled to connect with the main characters and overall felt like they lacked dimension. Though words on paper described an intense connection between the fmc & mmc, I didn’t sense it.
The authors style of writing was almost whimsical, not at all ideal for trying for suspense.. I wanted so bad to love this but I got the ick one too many times. Seriously did every single male need to make comments in this woman’s beauty?? We get it shes pretty & all men, even the married ones are mesmerized.
I can understand why other readers may really enjoy this book just unfortunately I am not them..

[Chasity Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great

Lexi was Once well on her way to being a huge singer but now after tragedy struck she's living on a mountain hiding away from her past life. Michael aka blaze is a former special forces trying to get over the loss he endured. They meet when Blaze crashes on the mountain near her home. Fate decided these two broken soles needed each other. But with danger in the wings can they be together?

[Colleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an entertaining and suspenseful mountain man, close proximity romance book that holds your attention captive from beginning to end. The storyline is intriguing and dramatic as the elements unfold. The characters are well written with depth to their personalities and steamy chemistry together. I enjoyed this book.

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

[Narelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lexi and Michael (Blaze) both have past traumas in their lives to deal with. This first part of their story mentions some quite heavy topics (usually briefly in passing, not detailed). It builds their relationship, giving detail on their traumas and how they are processing them. A steamy and loving read between the artistic recluse and the ex-military man.

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

[Ariana Beach · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book is such a great book to read. it does have some triggers, but it is so well written. Lexis story was strong and it really pulls you in. You really start to invest yourself into her story and want her to have what she wants by the end of the book. I cant wait to see what more there is to come from this author.

[Allan Berry · Rating 5 out of 5]

just wow!

This story was AMAZING! There was so much suspense, and lots of feely feels! Also some great spicy times! The plot twist was wild! And I loved how the two MCs both had their own healing to do and they found each other at just the right time! Great pacing and a great read!

[Cherie Alvaro · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW this is one of the better books I've read this year! The book is well written with great characters. I enjoyed the storyline, finding it had the right amount of steaminess and drama! I'm excited for book two in this series!.

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

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took a bit to get used to how the POVs switched because sometimes there was a space to show a switch, but sometimes it just switched. Otherwise, I really enjoyed the story. I love some trauma for characters, so this book was right up my alley. Watching them grow, heal, and fall for one another was an enjoyable ride.

[Brenda Hojonski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lexi and Blaze meet when Blaze crashes his truck in a snow storm. In their forced proximity, they explore their attraction to each other. After four months of being apart, they reunite, but their is someone stalking her. Good suspense story and steamy scenes.

[JC · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dawn Love has a way of wrapping you into the lives of her characters. She gives the background and it grows and is intertwined with the story throughout the book. This book has a stalker and when you think you know what is happening, you don't.

[April Berry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story was AMAZING! There was so much suspense, and lots of feely feels! Also some great spicy times! The plot twist was wild! And I loved how the two MCs both had their own healing to do and they found each other at just the right time! Great pacing and a great read!

[Samantha Crowther · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was so close to a DNF. I gave it three stars because the end of chapter 8 was a fun little plot twist. And I did not expect that ending. I had some things pegged but all in all, it was a fun journey towards the end.

[Nora · Rating 4 out of 5]

lovedd this one. took it with me everywhere i could squeeze in time to finish reading it. the thriller plot twist was unexpected but much enjoyed! only downfall is this was written in 3rd person and thats not my favorite to read. however glad i gave it a chance !

[Arlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow...certainly a different perspective

This was steamy and spicy without being completely over the top. There is more, much more, to learn and be revealed.

You are one hell of a good writer!!!!

[Tiffanie Emans · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved reading this book! The relationship was just down right amazing between Blaze and Lexi. This book is worth the read! For me this book was hard to put down!

[Ellice · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a great mix of romance and suspense. Wasn’t expecting the little twist at the end.

[Bree S · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5, cute love story with a bit of mystery/action. you feel for the characters but i just didn’t really feel it

[Kesha Love · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is crazy emotional action packed very well recommended just make sure you read the trigger warning first can’t wait for the second book Lexi and blazes story part two can’t wait

[justareader · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the story of Lexi and Blaze. Two people who have been through emotional (and physical) hell and back. There's instant attraction, almost insta-love, angst, turmoil, emotional backstories for both the hero and the heroine, a great secondary character (Sheriff) and an emotional and turbulent reconciling of said angst. Blaze was atypical in that he realized he needed help and took the necessary steps on his own to do so and was in touch with his emotions, while also being "sexy and intelligent and very alpha." As the story unfolded, Lexi grew from apathy and just existing to wanting another chance at love and reawakening [to life and love and possibilities].

The book ended on a "happy for now" with opportunities for future books based off Lexi and Blaze and other characters introduced (the flirting deputy anyone?). I can somehow see a flashback book for the sheriff and how he met his wife and came to be in the great state of WV. While there was some resolution to the underlying angst (okay troubles plaguing Lexi/Blaze), it would be interesting to know if there were other victims and if so, how their families or the investigating LEOs/private detectives would become a part of the series or how Lexi's former career could be re-invented/revived to meet her current needs and the characters developed from that trope.

[Coco.V]

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