Love Burns

Z

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~ Reviews for the Book ~

★★★★★ A key part of the story besides the romance between Dave and Olivia is the enduring friendships of the rest of the characters who gather every year for their summer vacation. I love seeing the whole group together again, the banter, the friendships and the obvious love and affection they have for each other. I hope there will be several more stories for this group of friends. Overall I found this to be a lovely story with a steamy yet tender romance. Maria Rose

★★★★★ Ms. James does a fantastic job of making both their personal struggles and their struggles together as a couple tangible. This book evokes emotion, pulling her readers into the story. You can’t help but hurt for both Olivia and Dave. I was so happy they were able to find each other again, and that their strength together was able to overcome almost insurmountable odds. I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed this book. I think Ms. James gave us a deep and profound plot line. Her characters were phenomenally well written and I was incredibly impressed with the quality of this book.  5 stars for an fantastic book! – Sirena, Swoonworthy Books

★★★★ LOVE BURNS was a good honest look at how even two damaged people who are wavering can find their way together. LOVE BURNS has a steamy attraction that slowly builds into a trusting relationship that they had to fight for. Although this is book 3 in The River series I had no problem reading LOVE BURNS as a standalone story. LOVE BURNS is a well written enjoyable contemporary romance with enough steam and drama to keep the pages turning. Happy Reading! Monica Reeds, Monlatable Reviews

★★★★ What I loved so much about Love Burns is that it is a true love story. Dave and Olivia obviously have feelings for one another, but they don’t get their happy ending right away. They both must adjust to the new and unexpected paths their lives are on, which is something Babette James does with ease.  Love Burns is filled with lifelong friendships, love, and way too much family; pretty much the perfect recipe for a quality adult romance. Natasha Jackson, Readers’ Favorite Reviews

James developed strong major characters and uses realistic minor characters to enhance the plot line. I recommend LOVE BURNS to readers who like a realistic love story with very sexy love scenes. Jackie McMurray, The Book Breeze, May 2015

“A beautiful story about getting back on your feet when life knocks you down. Cocktails and Books

“This is a sweet romance with pockets of steamy encounters that will leave one feeling satisfied in the long run. M.P. Ceja, InD’Tale Magazine

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~ Excerpt ~

“Come here.” Dave held out his hand. “You’ll need your back done.”

Olivia handed him the sunscreen bottle and knelt. He lightly kissed her nape before drizzling the lotion over her back. He smoothed both hands along her spine to the cleft of her bottom and to her hips, gliding, sliding, over waist, ribs, shoulders, and neck, turning the simple sunscreen application into a sensual massage. Her sigh escaped as a dreamy groan.

“Turn around.” His low, husky voice drew a deep shiver through her core.

She shifted around, and her mouth dried at his simmering gaze.

He squeezed more lotion onto his fingertips. “Shut your eyes.”

Bright sunlight glowed through her closed eyelids. Cool touches of lotion brushed her face and throat, and she shivered under his delicate touch.

“Keep your eyes shut.”

She heard him shift on the blanket. His fingertips traced her face, trailed down her throat, and his breath whispered over her face, the scent of apple warning how close his lips were to hers. More gentle sweeps followed, ever lower, to the curves of her breasts.

His lips brushed hers and he dusted kisses across her cheek and jaw, and the tip of her nose, which made her giggle. His warm hand cupped her breast and, at the rough graze of his thumb, she shivered, nervous, yet greedy for more. As he drifted more lazy kisses lower, his thumb played a mesmerizing rhythm, setting her pulse to anxious dancing.

Stop, let him play. This is what you’ve craved: to play, to be wanted, to feel.

Carefully following the rules had brought her heartbreak. Breaking the rules couldn’t be any worse. Right?

The world spun for a second as he rolled Olivia under him.

She gasped and blinked, startled, but intrigued. Yes, she trusted he’d honor a no, but all she could think was oh, yes.

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~ Song List ~

I love to listen to music as I write. In Love Burns, my hero Dave Knight is also a musician. So here’s some of the music that inspired me ~
Classical Gas
Bad Love
Right Place Wrong Time
Caminar Solo: Walking Alone
Broken Road
Over My Head
Aerial Boundaries

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The mark of a successful man is one that has spent an entire day
on the bank of a river without feeling guilty about it.
~Author Unknown

Come fall in love at the river

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