Welcome to the Official Blog Tour for Finding Serenity, the second book to the Seeking Serenity series, by Eden Butler!
Genre:
New Adult Contemporary Romance
Series:
Seeking Serenity Series
Publish Date:
April 7, 2014
Synopsis:
Mollie Malone's mom skipped out on her. Her biker dad, always loose and easy with the law, still was able to make her feel loved, and to keep her safe. But thirteen years ago, when his luck finally ran out and he landed in prison, Mollie found herself a new family - a group of friends in the sleepy little college town of Cavanagh, Tennessee, where now they all attend the local university. These girls know about the rotten roots of her family tree but accept her anyway, and the bond between them is so strong and supportive that Mollie is finally able to see past graduation to a future that is bright and secure.
But sometimes the past doesn't stay buried.
Suddenly, inexplicably, there's a shadow behind every step Mollie takes. Someone is lurking in that shadow, threatening not only Mollie, but also the new family she has claimed for herself.
And it isn’t just the past that has Mollie’s life in upheaval. Hunky former Marine Vaughn Winchester - who Mollie really would like to get to know much better - thinks Mollie is just a kid; he's made it clear she wouldn't ever be able to understand the demons haunting him. But if that's what he believes, then why does he keep sticking his nose in her business? And if he thinks she’s such a kid, why does he keep trying to kiss her?
Vaughn’s mind games are frustrating, especially since Mollie knows enough about secrets to be convinced that there's something he isn’t telling her, something he's so far been able to keep hidden. But when that secret is revealed, Mollie is forced into a situation that tests her loyalty and threatens even her closest friendships - just when the shadow of her past returns, and she's going to need them the most.
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*Excerpt*
"Does it surprise you that someone could want me, Vaughn? You called me a
kid. You think I’m a kid. Even after you saw I wasn't, even after you said you were
wrong, deep down, you still think that.”
“No, I don’t.”
“You do. No matter what you say, what you tell me, you still see me as not
enough. Not near enough for you.” She turns around and he moves back, just a half
step. She looks nothing like a kid now and reason begins to settle back in his mind. He
needs to leave this room. He needs her to not move toward him the way she is. But he is paralyzed by the smell of her and the water dripping across her chest to disappear
beneath the towel. “Even with all the times you told me how badass I was, you still
think I’m untouchable, that I’m too young, too stupid for you.”
Is she crazy? Did she miss that part just seconds ago when he kissed her skin? “I
never said that. If I did, I didn't mean it.” Brilliant, yes. Beautiful, yes, but she’s not too
young and she sure as hell isn’t stupid. But the mission, it was the mission that had him pulling away from her, that had him restraining.
This was a mistake, being here, watching her without guarding his expression.
He knows she can see what he wanted. He knows she felt what he wanted just seconds
ago when that round, supple ass was leaning against him. But he has a job to do. He
has to protect her, to keep her safe. Everything hinges on her safety. If he can't do that,
then Mojo will pull out and all that Viv has worked for these past six months would be
for nothing. “I don’t think that, but you’re right. You are untouchable.”
“Because I’m a kid?”
“Because you’re off limits.” That settles it. That should, he thinks, make her
understand that no matter what he says or how badly he wants her, he can't touch her
again. Vaughn turns, the door just feet from him. He is almost there, just in reach of
the space he needs to force between them. She has to see reason. She has to understand that the mission is what matters, not what either of them wants.
“Vaughn?” There is something in her voice that is different. Determination
maybe? Certainty? Whatever it is, Mollie has never used that tone with him and he
knows it would be a mistake to turn around. His gut tells him that turning around
would disintegrate any hope of resistance. But her feet drag on the carpet and he can
feel the soft wisp of her breath against his neck and he is helpless. He manages a
glance, tells himself that is all he will allow her, but when he sees her face, sees how
calm she is, how confidently she sets her shoulders, he moves, comes to face her fully.
“I’m not a kid.” And then, she drops the towel.
“Fuck.” It is the only word that Vaughn can manage to utter. It is the only thing
to cross his mind as he watches that towel slip to the floor. Mollie stands before him
completely naked, her skin still red from the hot shower. “What are you doing to me?”
he asks her when he had better hold of his tongue.
“What you want.”
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*My Thoughts*
Note: This review contains no spoilers
Wow! Eden Butler did it again in this second novel in the Seeking Serenity series! I would have to say that reading Chasing Serenity must come first, the first book in the series, to get an intro to the characters in this second novel. This time, in Finding Serenity, it's Molly and Vaughn's love story. Just like the first book, Eden Butler has delivered another gripping and raw love story between two people from two different walks of life.
Mollie's life changed when her father was sent to prison and moved to Cavanaugh, Tennessee with her mother. Although her relationship with her mother is...eh, not so great, Mollie finds herself a group of friends that she calls family. Then, enters ex-Marine Vaughn into Mollie's life (introduced in Chasing Serenity), then their lives are in an upheaval as they dance around and deals with their own issues all the while their relationship grows. All the while Mollie and Vaughn is working on their blossoming romance, Layla and Donovan have at it at finding love as well. (Well, we know that we will have to have a novel for their story, too....right!?!)
Anyways, Mollie's got a past that's catching up to her and, being an ex-Marine, Vaughn has his trauma(s) to deal with makes this story all the more real and consuming. It had me completely immersed into their world! I have found that Eden Butler tends to write her male characters, especially in these love stories, as strong protector-type personalities...they have a need to protect their women...haha! Love it! Eden has this knack to write such strong personalities for her character, but yet, they are still vulnerable and real.
Without getting into it further without spoiling the novel...I really don't like spoilers... I will close with a "This is a must read book, just like the first book of the series and its novella!" Eden Butler has delivered another poignant and enthralling tale of love and triumph while overcoming and getting over the past and dealing with trauma(s).
My rating:
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**About the Author**
Eden Butler is an editor and writer of New Adult Romance and SciFi and Fantasy novels and the nine-times great-granddaughter of an honest-to-God English pirate. This could explain her affinity for rule breaking and rum. Her debut novel, a New Adult, Contemporary (no cliffie) Romance, Chasing Serenity launched in October 2013 and quickly became an Amazon bestseller.
When she’s not writing or wondering about her possibly Jack Sparrowesque ancestor, Eden edits, reads and spends way too much time watching rugby, Doctor Who and New Orleans Saints football.
She is currently living under teenage rule alongside her husband in southeast Louisiana.
Stay connected with Eden Butler
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***The Giveaway***
Giveaway is Open Internationally and ends at 11:59 PM CST 04/28/2014. Eden is offering up the following prizes:
Blog Tour Organized by
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