#ARCBookReview and #Giveaway: Claimed by Love (Love in Bloom: The Ryders #2) by Melissa Foster

NEW RELEASE……..
Claimed by Love, Book #2 The Ryders

Family law attorney Gabriella Liakos has one true love, Elpitha Island, where she grew up and hopes someday to return. But Elpitha is in financial ruins, and Gabriella will do anything to keep it from falling into the wrong hands.

Duke Ryder is a savvy real estate investor set on making Elpitha into an exclusive resort. Unlike other investors, he’s not scared of purchasing a property where one family has roots so deep they practically reach the ocean floor…until he meets his beautiful, stubborn, and enticing tour host―the daughter of the owner of most of the island.

Gabriella sets out to dissuade Duke from purchasing Elpitha, but Duke has other ideas. He wants Gabriella and the island. Duke’s powerful seduction draws Gabriella in, but can a savvy investor who’s used to glamour and glitz, and a woman interested in preserving the culture she adores find a happily ever after together?

***

THE RYDERS are the newest addition to the LOVE IN BLOOM series by New York Times & USA Today bestselling and award-winning author Melissa Foster. This 5-book hot contemporary romance series features alpha male heroes and sexy, empowered women. They’re flawed, funny, passionate, and relatable to readers who enjoy new adult romance, contemporary romance, and women’s fiction. While each book may be read as a standalone, you might enjoy reading the entire Love in Bloom series (The Snow Sisters, The Bradens, The Remingtons, & Seaside Summers)

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

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I have enjoyed Melissa Foster’s books in general, some more and some less but entertaining they all are. When I heard about this one, Claimed by Love, I was eager to read it. The blurb is interesting and instantly intrigued me.

As is common with Foster’s books, in this book too there is a strong family element, a headstrong heroine and a charming albeit alpha hero. I enjoyed Gabriella’s passion for her island which is her home and her determination to save it from getting sold and in turn, save its authenticity at all costs. 

The island is beautifully sketched. I could visualize the small, quaint and cozy island away from the chaos of the city with its serene surroundings which made me want to visit it someday.

Although there is attraction between Gabriella and Duke, they both are fighting it so as to keep pleasure and business separate. While I like attraction at first glance, I just don’t like it when men form the basis of their attraction to be just the body and make it look like lust which happened here with Duke. It kind of made me uncomfortable and definitely not charmed towards him. However, after some chapters as his character developed more, I could understand him better but still the first impression was not good.

Gabriella’s family is boisterous, meddling and hopeless romantics. They fight a lot but despite all their heated altercations, they are devoted to each other and it was easy to see how much they loved each other. I got confused with their names because it seemed like all the males were named Niko which had me wondering who was who!

The story is straightforward but executed beautifully. There is passion, emotion, a little family drama and some blatant matchmaking efforts that had me laughing and enjoying.

The lack of conflict in the story does make a bit slow and had me feeling bored around the middle but then the author picks up pace and wrapped the story in a lovely finish.

Despite being part of a series, this book can be read as a standalone.

All in all, Claimed by Love is a straightforward and sweet romantic story with little drama that is a quick read. 3.5 out of 5 to it and recommended to all romance lovers.

I received an ARC from the author and the tour organizers and I am very thankful to them. The above review is my honest and unbiased opinion and in no way influenced.

Also available
Seized by Love, Book #1 The Ryders

YOU FELL IN love with Blue Ryder and Lizzie Barber in Seaside Summers, now follow their journey to find true love in SEIZED BY LOVE, the first book in the Ryder series.

Lizzie Barber runs a successful flower shop by day and secretly hosts the Naked Baker webcast at night to help pay for her younger sister’s education. To keep friends and family from finding out about her sexy secret, she’s put her social life on hold until her sister’s education is paid off and she can stop filming the webcast.

Blue Ryder fell hard for Lizzie Barber when he met her a year ago, and he hasn’t been able to get her off his mind since. Everything about the feisty little brunette, from her tight bod to her seductive smile, cuts straight to his heart. Though Lizzie has turned down every invitation he’s extended—Blue is not about to give up trying. 

Renovating Lizzie’s kitchen brings Blue further into Lizzie’s life, and the oven is not the only thing heating up. One night and one powerful kiss changes everything. But when Lizzie’s secret is revealed and the safe bubble she’s hidden in shatters, true love may not be enough to put the pieces back together.

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

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About the author

Melissa Foster is a New York Times & USA Today bestselling and award-winning author. She writes sexy and heartwarming contemporary romance, new adult romance (M/F, M/M, F/F), romantic suspense, thrillers, and historical fiction with emotionally compelling characters that stay with you long after you turn the last page. Melissa also co-writes the Love on Rockwell Island series with New York Times bestselling author Bella Andre. Melissa’s emotional journeys are lovingly erotic and always family oriented. 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. When she’s not writing, Melissa helps authors navigate the publishing industry through her author training programs on Fostering Success. 


Melissa has painted and donated several murals to The Hospital for Sick Children in Washington, DC. Her interests include her family, reading, writing, painting, friends, helping others see the positive side of life, and visiting Cape Cod.

Melissa is available to chat with book clubs and welcomes comments and emails from her readers. Visit Melissa at The World Literary Cafe
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ALSO AVAILABLE IN THE LOVE IN BLOOM SERIES…