Title: Finding Serenity
Series: Seeking Serenity series, Book #2
Author: Eden Butler
Genre: NA Contemporary Romance
Release Date: April 7, 2014
Tour Organized by: As the Pages Turn
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.
My review:
Finding Serenity is the second book in author Eden Butler’s Seeking Serenity Series and after reading, well, more like devouring, the first in the series I was so excited to read Mollie and Vaughn’s story and I loved it. Loved, loved, loved it.
Mollie Malone didn’t have what you’d call a normal childhood. There were no white picket fences or tea parties with pretty dresses. She grew up in the hard biker lifestyle without her mother and a dad who taught her the importance of knowing how to fight and to be able to save yourself out of any situation. Other girls may have hated it, but not Mollie. She loved her life. Sure it had been hard at times but she wouldn’t trade it for anything. She loved her dad…which made him landing in prison really tough for her. Still Mollie wouldn’t trade her life for another’s. She had made three great friends that were like sisters to her. Of course it was one of these friends that led her to meet Vaughn. The king of mixed signals and former Marine who she couldn’t stop thinking about no matter how hard she tried. Just Mollie’s luck that things in her life and enemies of her father would start to surface and she would end up relying on Vaughn for help and protection. There was no way she could get him out of her head now. Not being in his company day in and day out. Man, she was so screwed…
Vaughn Winchester knows very well that he should be staying away from Mollie. He knows he shouldn’t even be entertaining the notion of having any kind of relationship with her other than to make sure she was safe. But damn if he can’t help himself. Wanting any kind of relationship only brings him back to his past and reminds him of all the reasons he doesn’t deserve a second chance at love. He would do well to remind himself of that. Easier said than done. Especially when his latest mission includes being glued to Mollie’s side 24 hours a day until the threats can be identified and eliminated. Man, he was so screwed….
Each with their own wounded pasts; Vaughn and Mollie are thrown together with tensions mounting and emotions high. Will they be able to realize they deserve a bit of happiness in this dark time? The bigger question is, will they realize they can find that happiness in each other.
Well, Eden has done it again. This book was freaking amazing from start to finish. Mollie Malone is one of the toughest and most real and honest characters I’ve read in quite some time. She’s had a pretty rough life but has always made the best of things. Sure, she doesn’t really have a sunny disposition but that’s what makes her real. She is not one to sugar coat things. She says it like it is and on more than one occasion during this book her words were so very touching to me. The world isn’t a nice place a lot of the time and no one knows it better than Mollie. She’s smart mouthed, witty, sarcastic and tough but she is also the true meaning of loyal and loves big when she decides a person is worthy of it. I adore that girl. Vaughn is her perfect match in the sense that he’s also seen and been through his own share of hellish situations and reading them broke my heart. I totally understood why he was closed off and why he wanted to deny his growing feelings for Mollie. He’s the ultimate protector and wants nothing more than to keep Mollie safe. Of course the sparks fly when Mollie doesn’t believe she needs any help keeping safe and oh my, those sparks are amazingly hot. The tension between them is palpable and the attraction is undeniable. It’s push and pull at it’s best with Mollie and Vaughn. Of course adding to all of this is the suspense of the unidentified threat to Mollie and trying to figure out who is responsible. Eden wrote that aspect of the story beautifully and we were really kept guessing through the entire book.
Add to that more than a few twists and turns along the way and Finding Serenity was the total package for me.
Oh, and getting to see the whole gang again was the icing on the cake! Declan, Autumn, Sayo and the rest of the crew are always there to support Mollie and each other.
I will be adding this book to my list of recommendations to anyone who asks me what they should read next and will be anxiously awaiting to see what Eden has in store next!
Five Loves
Amazon UK:http://www.amazon.co.uk/Finding-Serenity-Seeking-Eden-Butler-ebook/dp/B00JIIUGB8
Barnes & Noble:http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/finding-serenity-eden-butler/1119126792
Kobo:http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/finding-serenity
Smashwords:https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/426704
GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20636475-finding-serenity
Giveaway:
Giveaway is international and ends at 11:59 PM CST 04/28/2014. Eden is offering up the following prizes:
(5) eBook copies of either Chasing Serenity, Behind the Pitch or Finding Serenity (Winner’s choice)
(1) Signed set of the series – Chasing Serenity, Behind the Pitch or Finding Serenity
Author Bio:
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.
Please send help.
Author Contact Info:
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/eden.butler.10
Twitter:https://twitter.com/EdenButler_
Blog:http://edenbutlerwrites.wordpress.com/
GoodReads:http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/21011324-eden-butler
Pinterest:http://www.pinterest.com/edenbutlerwrite/
Tumblr:http://edenbutlerwrites.tumblr.com/
The cover is BEAUTIFUL! This book definitely sounds like something I will love to read. Thank you for the giveaway!
Looks like a great read! Beautiful cover, too! Thanks for the giveaway 🙂