Winding Stairs Book Blog: Tour Stop: SPARK by Brooke Cumberland ~ Review/Giveaway

Title: Spark

Author: Brooke Cumberland

Hosted by: Book Enthusiast Promotions

Synopsis

After being saved by a firefighter, Velaney Wills meets Eric Reilley, who recently moved from Texas to Boston to work on the Boston Fire Department. Ironically, Eric lives below Velaney and with his devilish charm, and sweet accent, Velaney is finding him hard to resist.

Velaney grew up in what should've been the perfect childhood. Her father owns his own dental practice, and her mother a Pastor. She wasn't allowed to swear and never got into any trouble, however, her troubled and complicated past makes her build walls that she doesn't let down easily.

Eric is fascinated with the fact that Velaney can't swear. She uses filler words to express herself that he often finds hilarious. Velaney runs as her outlet - releasing the rage and anger she has built up inside her from a deep secret she's never told anyone except her lifelong best friend, and roommate, Carissa.

Eric and Velaney become running partners - only securing their obvious sexual tension between them. No matter how much Velaney pushes Eric away, he will always be there to save her.

Excerpt

Carissa catches up to me and holds my hand. We walk into the elevator and silently back into our apartment. She doesn't say anything, but she looks at me intently.

She swallows and asks, "Are you okay?"

"Of course. Why wouldn't I be?" I ask, knowing exactly why. I just didn't know she knew how I felt. Perhaps it was obvious—except to him.

"Honey, you can't pretend with me. I see sex written all over your hungry pussy. You have a thing for him. In fact, I think you have it bad. So bad, in fact, you don't even want to admit it." She's stern, looking me dead in the eyes.

"Ugh, fine!" I throw my hands in the air. "Why do I have to like him, Riss? He's a firefighter—a hot firefighter. Girls are probably all over him all the time. Firefighter—sexy...sweet...charming—and he has a frigging Texas accent! I mean, c'mon! I have no chance," I ramble, pacing back and forth in the living room. She's watching me, smirking as if she knows something I don't.

"Lane, you need to calm the fuck down. That boy down there, the one with the skank, has the fucking hot's for your ass. Only you're too blind to see it. That skank means nothing, anyway. I can tell." She smiles as if she's the queen of intuition.

"Oh, and how can you tell?" I ask, switching directions. "You know what, never mind, I don't want to know how you would know something like that."

"I can read people Lane, a-mazingly well."

"Whatever. It doesn't matter." I walk into my room and shut the door behind me. I crawl under my sheets, squeezing my eyes shut.

BUY LINKS

Amazon US / Amazon UK / Barnes & Noble

Review

I love the opening scene of this book – it immediately grabs your attention and doesn’t let go. The drama of Eric saving Velaney from a fire and the amusement of her scattered thoughts (laundry day, anyone?) is a hit from the start. I’m also a fan of the unauthorized apartment entrances that Eric makes – wish I knew a boy that would come to my place unannounced in the mornings to cook me breakfast when I was a single girl 

I have to admit to being confused by Eric’s “army of skanks” while he is pursuing Velaney – I would have kicked some butt over that!

I love the fact that Eric makes Velaney feel safe as she works through her issues… and I wish she were able to trust more in his strength so they could have avoided a lot of the drama that ensued because of her fear for him… The childhood trauma caused by her brother and ignored by her family seriously pissed me off! Any mother who reads this will not be able to understand how HER mother was able to ignore what was happening under her nose.

Can’t wait for book number two… but I’m sad that they weren’t able to resolve everything in this book! I give Spark 4 Stars!!

~Dee

About the author...

Brooke is a midwestern gal, from the cheese state of Wisconsin! Go Packers! She's a stay-at-home mom of three beautiful children (one daughter & two stepsons) and a black fury dog. She's studied psychology in college, and counseling and education in graduate school where she found her love for writing. Most days you can find her reading or writing, or just hanging out with her family! She loves movies, cooking, and shopping! She's addicted to Starbucks, Coach purses, and wearing yoga pants.

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