Coming January 2014
Synopsis:
Free-spirited artist Harper McGee is happy to go wherever the wind takes her…until her flight pattern sends her back to Brentsville, New York for her beloved grandmother funeral. Harper’s grief turns to shock, however, when she discovers her grandmother has named her sole proprietor of her candy shop, Luscious. But she has no intention of being anchored to one place, and anyway, she doesn’t know the first thing about running a kitchen or a business. Selling Luscious is the only viable option— until the shop catches fire due to old wiring. Fixing the damage requires major work, and if Harper wants to put it on the market, she needs major help.
Thrill-seeking firefighter Aaron Fisher has never walked away from a challenge or a friend. So when a fellow firefighter is hurt on a call and can’t complete a side job for his contracting company, Aaron’s quick to jump in. He’s done plenty of fix ‘er ups for his buddy in the past, and despite his silver spoon upbringing and his no-holds-barred attitude, swinging a hammer suits Aaron just fine. That is, until he discovers the client is the same impetuous woman he forcibly dragged from the flames of Brentsville’s local candy shop.
The more time Harper and Aaron spend at Luscious, the hotter their attraction burns, daring them both to shed their tough outer layers to reveal the tender desires beneath. But when a buyer makes Harper the offer of a lifetime, she must choose between roots and wings. Can two people who live in the moment learn to see past the moment, or will Aaron and Harper always live their lives pushing the line?
My review:
Pushing The Line is the latest in author Kimberly Kincaid’s Line Novella Series, a series that I love and always look forward to reading more of. Well, this was no exception. As a matter of fact, this novella is in a tie for my first place in the series. I loved it!
Harper McGee has only had two constants in her life….her grandmother and her grandmother’s candy store, Luscious. You could say that Harper lived by the saying “a rolling stone gathers no moss”. Unfortunately Harper’s whole life changes when her grandmother suddenly passes away. Never one to stay in one place for long, Harper is beyond shocked when her grandmother’s will reveals she is now the owner of Luscious. Her grandmother knew her so well, and knew she never put down any sort of roots. Why on earth would she have left the store to her? The answer to that question would have to wait when a fire rips through the candy store kitchen and effectively puts Harper in Brentsville until the repairs are completed and she can get the store up for sale. Funny how things work out sometimes though. This whole situation puts Harper working side by side the handsome firefighter/construction guru Aaron Fisher and before long Harper realizes that staying here in this town may not be such a bad thing after all.
The last thing firefighter Aaron Fisher thought he’d be doing when he got the call that there was a fire at Luscious was wrestling with a damsel in distress. Ok, so maybe he wasn’t exactly wresting, but he did have to physically drag her out after she insisted on grabbing one last thing from the flaming kitchen. He had no idea until his buddy’s construction company got the call to head up the renovations that the damsel in distress is actually the late owner’s granddaughter, and now the new owner. His friend had gotten hurt in the fire so it was now his responsibility to get this job done. He has no idea when he agrees to this job that the renovations aren’t just within the kitchen….Harper is in need of some emotional renovations and like the fire ravaged kitchen, Aaron is just the guy for the job.
The items being built between Harper and Aaron aren’t just new floors and drywall…there’s an undeniable connection that just keeps getting stronger with each day they spend working together. In the end, will what they’ve built be enough to keep Harper in this town…and with Aaron?
I was so excited for this story. We met Aaron earlier on the series and I have been waiting for his story since that first intro. Well, it was worth the wait. Aaron is self assured and confident in his abilities as a firefighter, in construction and as a man. He lives life to the fullest and loves with that same intensity. He is loyal, understanding and has a big heart. Not to mention, tall, dark, adorably dimpled and handsome! He’s got sex appeal to spare but without being cocky. A delicious combo, indeed. Harper is a tough nut to crack but when she finally starts to open up she is just as amazing as Aaron. She’s had a tough life and losing the only thing that mattered to her really hit hard. Her honestly from the very start was really refreshing and admirable. She is a really well rounded character with her equal measures of strength and vulnerabilities. The connection between Aaron and Harper was fast, furious and oh so fantastic. The way they just “got” each other was a treat to read. I also loved seeing the characters form the rest of the series hanging out in Mac’s and enjoying one another’s company. The joking and laughter between all of them warmed my heart and had me smiling from ear to ear.
One of Kimberly’s many talents is her ability to make characters so real to the reader. Just an example is that Aaron and Harper both have tattoos and their reasons for getting the designs they have are very personal and hold a special meaning. That character facet alone gave so much more depth to Harper and Aaron and really added to the story as a whole. It’s very easy to fall in love with these characters and that is a gift that I thank Kimberly for.
As always, I will be eagerly awaiting Kimberly’s next release and what she has in store for us. Thank you for another fantastic and enjoyable story!
Five Loves
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