Blog Tour and Giveaway: Moving Forward: Erika Taylor

by - Wednesday, March 27, 2013


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Jesika Reynolds’ heart was left broken one year ago when her husband died, leaving her and her son alone in this world. Slowly, she started putting the pieces back together of her life. Knowing that she may never open herself up to love again. That was until the day Derek came into the picture.

Why does this gorgeous stranger seem to care so much, so suddenly?

Derek Jordan's charm drew her in with an instant connection, and familiarity that helps her feel at ease. Her heart is falling at his feet, but as their relationship grows, so does a secret from both of their pasts that neither saw coming. One by one, the threads slowly start to unravel.

Can their newly sought love stand up against the secrets that life is unlocking to their pasts? Or can they decide together that moving forward and forgetting the past is the only option for them to find true happiness?




Right from the prologue in Jake's POV, this book grabs you. Wham! It rips your heart out and also makes you wonder what his big secret was...

And then we meet Jesika. She's smart, sweet, and a single mom as she has lost her husband Jake. She has a supportive, funny best friend Mallory and a young son that keeps her occupied. She runs into Derek at her son's school and there seems to be an instant connection. Derek is a hot, swoony, firefighter, Drummer with a young daughter of his own. And this is not the first time he has noticed Jesika.

I'm done holding back, just because she probably isn't ready for any sort of relationship doesn't mean I can't get to know her. For some insane reason, I feel like I can help pull her the rest of way through. I can show her how to keep moving forward by just being there for her.

Their next meeting just continues the intense pull they have for each other and slowly we see a relationship develop naturally between them. They have a great rapport and have a supportive relationship. It all seems happy and near perfect. 

"There's so much I want to share with you Jesika, so much. If you'll just let me"

It's not that Derek brought me out of that depression I had found myself in, but he helped me pull myself the rest of the way out. he made me want to give this crazy thing we call life my full attention again. Take Chances, love a little, free fall, take a leap of faith, put yourself out there for the chance of getting it ripped to shreds. Put your heart on the line with  hopes that someone won't leave it there to wither away.

But there are secrets that Derek is keeping. We keep getting hints of it.  And eventually their pasts crash together and their seemingly happy life together takes a big hit. 

And then the story starts to become more involved. There are many layers to the story that are revealed. There are separations, miscommunications, and avoidance of issues. Parts of their pasts effect their present and future. But this couple is strong and has such similar needs and dreams. I really liked them together. Derek was so sweet, that at times I thought he was almost too perfect. But he was also protective, strong, and sexy. And he is a firefighter AND a drummer. That ups the sexiness factor up a couple of notches right there! And Jesika was understanding, caring,  and independent. They fit together perfectly and were exactly what each other needed for themselves and for their kids. They definitely had chemistry, passion, and a deep connection even though it took them awhile to get there.

She has changed me for a reason that I cannot explain. She has made me realize that sometimes things happens for a reason and not to push you back in life, but to move you forward to where you're truly meant to be. The pain that you endure for that time doesn't allow your mind to wrap around the idea of the bigger picture that life has in store for you.

This man has no clue how happy he makes me. How after all the bullshit I've been though and the terrible loss, he make me want more out of life,. Makes me want to keep moving forward. He shows me that no matter what shitty hand life throws your way, you can live again.

There are twists and turns, happiness and tragedy. This poor couple went through so much that you had to hope that they would truly get their happy ending. 

But there were a few times I was literally shaking my head thinking that their communication especially during critical times was very off. One time in particular, I literally wanted to hose them down and say stop the wild monkey sex and TALK right now! 


Sometimes things happen for a reason and perhaps fate really intervenes to bring people together. This was a story of letting go of the past, holding onto what is important, and moving forward. 


"Sometimes you have to take a step back to move forward."

I really loved her bestie Mallory and his brother lead singer, Seth. They are damaged, kindred spirits with commitment issues, but love to give. I am looking forward to their further story in No Going Back in Fall 2013. 

Everyone knows they have feelings for each other. Hell, they're probably both in love. Mallory will never admit it to him, because if she admits, he'll for sure push her away.  And Seth won't ever admit it, because he's just Seth. And he might never be able to put his heart and everything that comes along with it on the line again. 

And I thought it was great that there was a shout out to guys of Black Falcon from Michelle Valentine's books. I love it when my book boyfriends hang out together. 

Thanks to Erika Taylor for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review


Erika Taylor  Goodreads/Facebook/Blog/Twitter

Being born an "Army Brat", Erika Taylor has been residing in Oklahoma the last 10 years finally putting an end to the nomad tendencies she had grown accustomed to. She's a happily married woman who has 5 kids between her and her husband. She has an insane passion for music and embraces her Inner Groupie any chance she gets. It wasn't until the age of 29 that she realized she also had a hidden passion for reading; before then she claimed to have hated it. Six months after unlocking that deep desire she never knew she held, she turned the key to another chapter of her life which has become the desire to write. And the rest is still history in the making.


Tour hosted by The Book Avenue 
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