RomanceReader: Book Tour: "Healed by Love" by Melissa Foster

NEW BOOK RELEASE........
Book #1 The Bradens of Peaceful Harbor, Book #13 The Bradens series, Love in Bloom #25

Meet the Bradens of Peaceful Harbor and fall in love with Nate Braden & Jewel Fisher in Healed by Love.

Nate Braden has loved his best friend’s younger sister Jewel for as long as he can remember, but between their age difference and his respect for Rick, he’s always kept his feelings at bay. Now he’s back in Peaceful Harbor, and Jewel is no longer sixteen years old—but there’s an even bigger obstacle standing in his way. Nate and Rick joined the military together eight years earlier. Nate came home a hero, but Rick didn’t make it out alive.

THE BRADENS AT PEACEFUL HARBOR are one of the newest additions to the Braden series and the LOVE IN BLOOM family.

**CONTENT WARNING: Due to mature content, recommended for readers aged 18+**

My Review:

I have read a number of Melissa Foster books - stand alone as well as many of the Snow Sisters, Bradens, and Remingtons. I have loved most of the books she's written, but honestly, this book really touched me in a way the others haven't. There is so much that is so real about this book. The fact that both Nate and Jewel have been nursing feelings for each other for so long, and these feelings are wound around their feelings of loss and grief, gives this book a depth than others I've read haven't had.

"I'm not arrogant. I'm honest. I want you Jewel. I want to be inside you. I want you in my arms. I want to fall asleep wrapped around you and wake up beside you." his nostrils flared as the heated words left his lips. "I've done nothing but think about you for years. Every f-ing fantasy I've ever had involved you."

Despite not having a previous romantic relationship with Jewel, Nate's initial declarations of love for her feel so completely genuine from the very beginning. Nate is a wonderfully strong, yet sensitive character. His sense of humor sneaks out when he, or Jewel, least expects it, and it was a fun relief from what at times is a serious story. I think Melissa Foster hit it out of the park with her depiction of a soldier home from deployment, suffering survivor's guilt, and feeling an obligation towards those he believes harmed by the decisions he was forced to make.

When reading a book, I can often tell the direction a story is headed, or the motivations and fears of the characters, early on. This story was so well written, and I was so engrossed in the "here and now" that was happening with Nate and Jewel, that I didn't see or understand that Jewel's role in her family comes from a place of fear until Nate points it out to Jewel.

"I told you she wouldn't let us." Taylor slumped into a seat in one of the canoes." It's like the bus. No boats, no buses, and if we lived in Afghanistan, it would be no trucks, too."

"They're not scared, Jewel. Please don't project your fears on them. They'll resent you, and you're too good to them to deserve that."

I think I was as surprised as Jewel was to have this pointed out to her. I really enjoyed how Jewel is able to self-analyze herself and her situations at that point, and throughout the book as we hear her dealing with her stresses with "breathe. breathe. breathe." Taking care of her family has become such a routine with her, and her mother, that neither of them are unable to step back and realize that it's helping none of them to continue this family dynamic. And I LOVE how Jewel reveals her ultimate change in her circumstances to Nate near the end of the book! It is a really cute way that the reader is able to experience this revelation WITH the characters, rather than just hearing a conversation BETWEEN the characters.

As I mentioned above, this book touched me so much more than many I have read recently. I am so pleased I was able to read and review this book, and I cannot wait to get to know Nate's siblings better in upcoming books and peel back the onion of their lives in Peaceful Harbor.

Book available to buy from ...

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Melissa Foster is a New York Times & USA Today bestselling and award-winning author. She writes contemporary romance, new adult, contemporary women’s fiction, suspense, and historical fiction with emotionally compelling characters that stay with you long after you turn the last page. Her books have been recommended by USA Today’s book blog, Hagerstown Magazine, The Patriot, and several other print venues. She is the founder of the World Literary Café and Fostering Success. When she’s not writing, Melissa helps authors navigate the publishing industry through her author training programs on Fostering Success. Melissa has been published in Calgary’s Child Magazine, the Huffington Post, and Women Business Owners magazine.

Melissa hosts an Aspiring Authors contest for children and has painted and donated several murals to The Hospital for Sick Children in Washington, DC. Melissa lives in Maryland with her family.

Melissa is available to chat with book clubs and welcomes comments and emails from her readers. Visit Melissa at The World Literary Cafe or her personal website.Never miss a brand new release, special promotions or inside gossip again by simply signing up to receive your newsletter from Melissa.

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