Romance Addict Book Blog: BLOG TOUR & REVIEW

Some secrets can destroy…

Bridgette Schaefer has been through more in her twenty-two years of life than most people survive in a lifetime. Finally, she can see the light at the end of the tunnel and control is within her grasp. With a fresh start ahead, there’s nothing but blank pages to be filled. Unfortunately, a lie by omission quickly weaves itself into a dangerous web of half-truths. As she battles between right and wrong, she discovers that sometimes there is only defeat when it comes to matters of desire.

While others can set you free…

Troy Sorano has one rule – no lies. Yet he’s spent years hiding behind a well-placed mask, forced to hide who he yearns to be. On the outside he’s confident, fun, and sexy-as-sin, but there’s so much more hidden within. When fate intervenes, he can’t help but wonder if Bridgette could be the one to accept him for who he is. As he struggles through his fear of rejection, he discovers he’s not the only one hiding the truth.

Can Bridgette and Troy find what is essential for their happiness before it’s too late?

I’m 95% sure that each book that LK Collins writes is better than the last. And I’m just gonna get this out of the way now, but Troy is MINE. He is seriously my book boyfriend end of the moment. I need him to become real life so he can tie me up and have his way with me. No… but really. I adore this series and LK’s writing. And I am definitely going to try to sell you on this book based on Troy alone. And, of course, there is no Troy without his other half, Bridgette.

“I…I won’t be able to stop. Trust me, I know my limits and what I can handle. You’re a drug I’ve never had and my body has been craving you. I need to take my time with you to satisfy us both. I’m not going to get you off in my car like some prick, especially not the first time. You’ll come in my bed, under my control, when I say you can. Understand?”

So, Bridgette is Alexa’s sister and Cara’s new roommate. And Troy is Abel’s fellow firefighter. Yes, I said firefighter *drools*. And although this book is basically the third in the series, they are all standalones. This is my favorite one. Bridgette isn’t happy with her current relationship. She finds herself getting closer and closer to Troy while sort of dating David. She denies her growing feelings for Troy, but their attraction is just too strong to deny. I seriously adored how they went from friends to lovers. Yes, the transition was a bit fast, but when you know, you know right? And how could you not fall for Troy? But, David doesn’t take their breakup well and it kind of adds suspense to the story line. Another bonus is that it brings out the sexy, protective side of Troy. I never trusted David—he gave me the creeps and I was definitely rooting for Troy from the very beginning.

“I never imagined I would find someone like her, someone who completes me and accepts every little fucked up piece of me. She’s given me the greatest gift in the world. I know that with her by my side I can survive anything. She is the most essential part of my world and I’m finally seeing the truth in how essential I am to hers. Life may not always be an easy road, but together we can overcome anything.”

The first half of the story is told in Bridgette’s POV and we get a nice setup of how they fall for each other. I really, really loved Bridgette. She never once made me roll my eyes in anger or irritation. These days, t’s surprisingly hard to find a heroine that doesn’t piss me off. I loved how much she cared for her family, and how strong she was. I would have loved to know more about her tattoos, but I felt like she was the perfect mix of Alexa and Cara. I really liked how she wholeheartedly accepted Troy once she admitted to herself that she was definitely in lust with him. And, even though I didn’t think it was possible, we saw her grow and mature even more by the end of the book.

“This is how our life’s gonna be. This is our life, and every day is what we make of it. I know each day is a gift and you better believe I’m going to make the most of every day I get with Bridge.”

Now we can get to the part where I claim Troy as much as I can without peeing on him to mark my territory. As I previously stated, Troy is a firefighter. And we get to see him in action (in more ways than one) in Essentialism. He’s actually super sweet and adorable. In the beginning, I felt like he had that little boy or Southern charm to him. But, then…we get to see Troy in his element. And he transitions from cute boy to sexy man really quick. He’s into kink and bonding, not dom/sub stuff, but just the right amount to turn a girl on *fans myself*. Don’t get me wrong, we still see the sweet side of Troy when it comes to Bridgette, but wow I love him in the bedroom. With rope. I loveddd how romantic he was and how he loved so passionately and fiercely. He can say the sweetest things and then turn around and say the dirtiest, hottest things. I definitely just need a Troy in my life.

“That’s one of the best things about the sun; it always comes back.”

“That’s true, it does. I promise I’ll always be your sun.”

“And I’ll be yours.”

Like the other two books, LK Collins has a way of transporting me to another world through her way with words. But, unlike the other two, I found myself falling in love with Bridgette, in love with Troy, and just in love with their love. The way LK portrays love in her books makes me seriously believe that there is such a thing and that I can find it one day. It’s amazing. Her characters are real, adorable, sexy, and so loveable. I just did not want this book to end. I want more Troy and Bridgette. Their chemistry is dynamite. The sex scenes were scorching hot and thank god there were plenty of them. I loved their banter, the way they loved each other, the way they teased each other, and the way they basically worshipped each other. I can’t help but love a couple who jumps through life’s hurdles together and love so fiercely. I can’t wait for the next installment in this series, but I doubt he can match my love for Troy.

“You have become my best friend and my reason for happiness. I know this might seem fast, but I love you. I can’t let another day go by without speaking the words to you. You have such a special place inside of my heart and it consumes all of me. You are what I have searched for my entire life.”

http://youtu.be/CAK0POpF3fE

LK Collins is first and foremost a devoted wife and mother. She loves music and has openly admitted that she’s addicted to it. Without the strength of the words from some of her favorite artists, what she does…would not be possible. She works the normal 9 to 5 like the rest of the world, but is fortunate that she’s allowed to listen to music for eight hours a day. When she gets home, she turns into Superwoman; juggling the crazy world of being an indie author, a mom, and a wife. Both her daughter and her husband share names with famous presidents. Her husband is referred to by her readers as “the Prez”, a name well deserved.

LK has had a passion for the worlds created by authors for as long as she can remember and with the support of the Prez, she has successfully self-published three titles in the Life. Destiny. Fate Series. While her books are erotica, they are also known for dramatic storylines that will keep the reader enthralled from page one. Not to mention that while she may write a series, each is a stand-alone novel offering the reader a happily ever after. No cliffhangers for this author!