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Running on Empty: (Book #1 Mending Hearts Series)
S Y N O P S I S
I had the perfect life.
Beautiful and loving husband.
Three gorgeous little girls.
Successful career.
The only thing missing was the white picket fence. I really wanted that fence.
Three years ago, I lost that life. I lost my husband. And I lost myself. But, eventually, I found my way through the darkness. I’ve made peace with my new life. I have my girls, and that’s all that matters. They are my world. I have no illusions of ever falling in love again or getting whisked away on a white horse.
But then he came back into my life. On a freakin’ motorcycle.
There’s no way I’ll let him turn my life completely upside down. Absolutely no way.
The question is…
How long can I keep pretending that I’m happy with my life being right-side up?
Review:
I knew from the other reviews I had seen on this book that I was going to enjoy it......Running On Empty is a heart-felt, emotional story about loss and second chances. There is not alot of steam factor which I usually tend to enjoy in my books, even though this was missing for me, I still was not disappointed. Sometimes it's a nice change to read a story that is not all sexed up, but instead touches your heart and makes you cherish your loved ones and not take for granted the time you have with them. Keep the tissues handy ladies! 4 stars
Alex was married to her high school sweetheart Derek, but after a unfortunate accident takes him away, Alex is widowed and left to raise 3 small girls. 3 girls who are hilarious, a handful, and steal the show in this book. Alex gets up every day and takes care of her responsibilities but she is just on auto-pilot, a shell of her former self......she is running on empty. She has a awesome best friend Harlow, and even Derek's parents to help her, but she still just can't shake the sadness that Derek's death has brought into her life.
“I look at my tired eyes and pale face. I pull the skin down under m eyes to examine the red blood vessels that seem to have taken over. I think I used to be pretty, at some point…but that seems so long ago. Lately, I’m the frumpy mom that I always told myself I’d never become. I mean sure, I dress decently enough for work. But I just look (and feel) so tired. Run down”
Blake was Alex's best friend growing up, but he got left behind when Derek came into the picture . Blake and Alex have a long history together and he loves Alex. When he comes back to town they rekindle their friendship and Blake gives Alex the time she needs to heal, but waits for a chance to show Alex how he truly feels about her. Alex has her guard up and is not going to make things easy for Blake. Alex needs to decide if she is going to let Blake in, or let her girls see her live her life unhappy and alone.
"You’ll never have your happy ending unless you’re brave enough to open the book and start your story."
L.B. is a wonderful storyteller. Running On Empty is a beautiful story about friendship, love, and slowly letting down your walls to get the second chance at the life you deserve. If your looking for a sweet story, to pull at your heart-stings, make you teary eyed in parts and laugh in others, then leave you with the warm and fuzzies at the end, this book is for you!
Running On Empty Teaser
The drive to Mr. and Mrs. Morgan’s house is a familiar one. And it’s a good thing it is, because I’m finding it extremely hard to concentrate on where I’m actually driving at the moment. I am, however, breaking down every possible scenario that could happen when I knock on that door. Good news is, as each and every scenario plays out in my head, they all end in one of two ways. He either speaks to me or he doesn’t.
That’s a 50% success rate. Not bad when considering my actions last evening…that and those many years I spent dismissing Blake entirely.
Memories begin to flood my mind as I drive up to the red brick two story house I spent so much time at while growing up.
…Blake and I climbing the huge oak tree in the front of his house to get to the tree fort we built together when we were seven years old.
…Both of us playing hide-and-seek in the garden by the side of his house with me yelling at him for cheating...there’s no way he could count to one hundred that fast.
…The time we made a bike ramp and tried to jump the fence…definitely not one of our best moments. I find myself grinning widely at that memory. Mainly because Blake couldn’t make the jump, ruined his bike, and had to ride his sister’s very pink Barbie bike until he learned his lesson (as his parents put it). I tortured him with that one for years.
Parking my car in the drive, I look at the front door and breathe a heavy sigh. I glance down at my hands as I remove them from the steering wheel – they’re slightly trembling. I shake them in an effort to get rid of the obvious nervous energy and wipe my sweaty palms on my jeans. I run my hair over my ponytail to smooth any fly-aways and exit the car. Looking down while straightening my “Goonies Never Say Die” t-shirt, another memory surfaces.
Blake and I used to make homemade t-shirts all the time together. Mine were always way better than his, of course, but at least he tried. My favorite one of his was this army green, G.I Joe “Knowing is Half the Battle” t-shirt. He wore it all the time. So much so that the iron on letters started falling off and it eventually read “Koin is alf Bat.” God, I would laugh every time he would wear it. I think that’s why he wore it so much.
I look back at my hands. They are still shaking. It seems that even with the comfort of old memories running through my mind, I still can’t shake off my nerves. Making my way to the front door, I mentally chastise my anxiety. “This is ridiculous, Alex. You’re a grown woman. Act like it,” I mutter while walking up the porch steps. I note there’s only a motorcycle parked in the driveway, which bodes well in my favor. This is going to be difficult enough without having a parental audience.
Approaching the door, I raise my fist to knock, pausing for another second to take in a cleansing breath. Breathing out, I say a prayer and knock loudly.
I hear his heavy footsteps coming towards the door, followed by the sound of the deadbolt unlocking. I watch nervously as the handle turns, but when I look up, I’m completely unprepared for what is standing directly in front of my face.
As the door flies open, so does my mouth. Blake is standing in front of me, shirtless, wearing only his red and navy plaid pajama bottoms, bare feet on the floor. His light brown hair is all over the place, but incredibly sexy as it falls messily over his forehead and flips out from behind his ears. One look at this man’s stomach renders me momentarily speechless, and I have to fight to keep myself from running my hands over every single hardened ridge of his abs. So instead, I place my hands over my open mouth and start giggling like a ten year old little girl.
Mid-giggle, I notice the door starting to close. I quickly jump into action. I immediately put my foot in the doorjamb and my hands on the door, using all of my weight to keep him from being able to close it – a trick he taught me by the way.
Shaking his head at me through the opening that I’m desperately trying to maintain, Blake emphatically states, “Nope. Mmm-mm, Alex. It’s too early for this right now. Go home.”
Recovery: (Book #1.5 Mending Hearts Series) - Novella (145 pages)
S Y N O P S I S
I have the perfect life.
I’ve finally found my happy ending.
I fought through the loss of one husband, lucky enough to be given a second chance at a lifetime of happiness. Settling into our new lives, however, may not be as easy as it seems.
What really happens after the fairytale ending? What happens after the prince rescues the princess? After he sweeps her off her feet and carries her off into the sunset? Do they truly live happily ever after?
Well…
This is our story.
Review
LOVED IT! This cute little novella gives us the perfect glimpse as to what is going on in Blake and Alex's life. L.B. did a wonderful job and I read Recovery straight through! Recovery was about compromise, family, happiness, and true love. 4 stars.
I don't even want to fall into the plot with you because I don't want to give spoilers but Alex and Blake are still an amazing couple and still very much in love. They have obstacles to overcome just as any new couple does and there are many surprises in store for them on their journey to true happiness.
Be prepared to fall in love with these characters all over again....Blake is just absolutely the PERFECT man (ending scene with Blake absolutely PRICELESS) and the girls will most definitely put a smile on your face and steal your heart. I laughed, swooned, and yes, I'm not ashamed to admit I shed a tear or two.
L.B. Simmons is a graduate of Texas A&M University and holds a degree in Biomedical Science. She has been a practicing Chemist for the last 11 years. She lives with her husband and three daughters in Texas and writes every chance she gets.
Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads – Email lbsimmons33@gmail.com
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