Release Reviews: Waiting on the Rain: Claudia Connor
Claudia Connor
Being blind doesn’t hold Ava Bennet back in the least. With her work, her shopping, and public transportation within walking distance, she’s totally at home in the big city. But she’s not in the city now. Temporarily back in her small home town to help her father has her struggling in a big way.
Luke Walker is done running from his troubled past. Finally home after years in the military, he’s ready to make amends with his family and set down some roots. But adapting to civilian life is much harder than he ever expected.
She has no intention of sticking around. He has no plans to run again. All they have is one month together. Will it be enough for Luke to prove he’s everything Ava needs—in light, in darkness, and most importantly, even in the rain?
Luke Walker has been in the military since he was seventeen years old. He took off to escape home and has not been back much in twenty years. But now he is retired and home for Zach's wedding, and to regroup and get to know his family again. He has always felt like he was on the outside. He is the more quiet, loner type and the distance kept him even more isolated from them. He has seen a lot and been through some difficult things and has to work through it and figure out his future. He is helping his sister Hannah with building a cabin and accessories for her special needs camp and finding some fulfillment in the work.
Ava Bennet is a hometown girl who now lives in New York City and works as an interpreter at the UN. She is beautiful, sweet, sassy, and blind since birth. But she is also adaptable, intelligent, and fiercely independent, and brave. She loves to try new things and challenge herself. And she is currently taking riding lessons at the camp.
One look at a wedding got Luke's attention and her personality pulled him in. The more time they spend together, the more complicated it gets. They both have some personal issues that have put them on guard with relationships. Ava especially has some insecurities and fears about being rejected. And she thinks her life is more independent in the city, while Luke is starting to think that maybe staying home is the right place for him. Throw in some nosy families and a few dramatic events and it just gets more challenging.
This is a sweet, passionate, and beautiful story about trust, acceptance, and unconditional love. I felt like the author did a wonderful job describing the challenges and adaptions for differently-abled people. Even though Ava did not have true sight, she could see to the heart and soul of Luke like no other. She was also determined not to be held back because of it. And although Luke was protective at times, he also understood Ava's need to be independent and not coddled. He was such an intense and swoony hero, and I loved them together.
They never expected to find each other or get attached, but they could not stop it even when they tried. But are they brave enough to take a shot in the dark and see if they can find the light in the future together?
I have missed being in this world. It brings back the Walker brothers and their spouses, and some of the McKinneys too so we get to see how everyone is doing. I am excited for Dallas' story next as he has been undercover and gone for a long time too.
Ava Bennet is a hometown girl who now lives in New York City and works as an interpreter at the UN. She is beautiful, sweet, sassy, and blind since birth. But she is also adaptable, intelligent, and fiercely independent, and brave. She loves to try new things and challenge herself. And she is currently taking riding lessons at the camp.
One look at a wedding got Luke's attention and her personality pulled him in. The more time they spend together, the more complicated it gets. They both have some personal issues that have put them on guard with relationships. Ava especially has some insecurities and fears about being rejected. And she thinks her life is more independent in the city, while Luke is starting to think that maybe staying home is the right place for him. Throw in some nosy families and a few dramatic events and it just gets more challenging.
This is a sweet, passionate, and beautiful story about trust, acceptance, and unconditional love. I felt like the author did a wonderful job describing the challenges and adaptions for differently-abled people. Even though Ava did not have true sight, she could see to the heart and soul of Luke like no other. She was also determined not to be held back because of it. And although Luke was protective at times, he also understood Ava's need to be independent and not coddled. He was such an intense and swoony hero, and I loved them together.
They never expected to find each other or get attached, but they could not stop it even when they tried. But are they brave enough to take a shot in the dark and see if they can find the light in the future together?
I have missed being in this world. It brings back the Walker brothers and their spouses, and some of the McKinneys too so we get to see how everyone is doing. I am excited for Dallas' story next as he has been undercover and gone for a long time too.
Ava Bennett may be blind, but she hasn’t let that stop her from living her life on her terms. Leaving her small town behind for life in the big city, she learned how to get around and keep busy amid the bustling streets and chaos of city life. When her father needs help back home though, she takes some time off work to be there to help out, forgetting just how different small town life is when you can’t see.
Luke Walker is home after spending years in the military. He left home in a rush and spent as little time back during the intervening years. He feels a little adrift now though, not sure where he wants to settle permanently, nor what he wants to do with his life after service, but he knows he wants to make things better between him and his family. He keeps busy helping Hannah with construction on her camp, anything to be able to work hard enough to fill his time and catch what little sleep he can at night.
They never expected to start something - she doesn’t intend to stay, and he isn’t interested in leaving again so soon. But the more time they spend together the more they see each other. I loved watching them form a bond. Ava is still hurt from her previous marriage and didn’t figure on finding anyone new - one broken heart was enough for her. Luke was still finding his footing in civilian life, feeling like he family didn’t quite get him. Though she didn’t have vision, she saw him more clearly than many had in his recent memory.
This was a sweet, swoony story of forgiveness, new beginnings, and overcoming challenges. I loved how Ava found a place at Hannah’s and how her experiences helped Hannah to make her camp experience even better for the children she planned on serving. I loved watching Luke’s return to his family as he opened up for the first time since childhood.
Returning to the world of the Walkers and the McKinney’s was a great journey. I love this extended family and seeing where the established couples (pretty much the rest of the siblings) are now was fun. It has been a while since the last book was released, but returning to the world was smooth and easy. I look forward to another installment with Dallas’s return from undercover work!
The McKinney/Walker series is a spin off of the McKinney Brothers series and characters do cross over.
They meet on a beach. . . . Abby Davis isn’t wearing a skimpy bikini or sipping umbrella drinks, not when she’s busy chasing around four little ones. And Matt McKinney isn’t looking for fun—he’s a Navy SEAL, a grown man with a long list of missions . . . and fallen brothers.
They only have a week. . . . Abby has brought her children to this beach to start over, to give them the enjoyable memories they deserve. Matt’s been sidelined by a combat injury, and haunted by the best friend he lost and the promise he made: to remain a SEAL—focused and dedicated. This leaves no time for what he’s always wanted: a family.
But a week is all it takes. . . . Matt opens her heart while Abby soothes his soul. And though they plan to say good-bye when the week is over, something magical happens on that beach, something neither can forget. Something utterly, completely worth falling for.
After The Fall
Millionaire playboy Stephen McKinney could use a little coaching himself. Five years ago he encountered his most horrible nightmare—and the nightmare won. No matter what he achieves, nothing can make up for that awful night . . . or so he believes.
Both desperate for a second chance . . . Stephen is used to getting what he wants. And he wants Hannah. So when she turns him down, he’s intrigued. What he doesn’t know is that her secrets will lead him to a place he never wanted to go again . . . to a side of himself he’s tried to forget . . . a side that would scare Hannah away from ever loving him. Now his only chance to win her trust is to bare his soul, risking everything he tried so hard to protect.
After The Fall
(A Collection of Matt and Abby short stories)
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Do you need more Matt McKinney and family in your life??? Here's your chance! I have compiled a collection of SHORT STORIES featuring Matt, Abby, and all the kids. Think of it as WORTH THE FALL Part 2! There is NO full plot to the entire collection. These are meant to be read individually, as very short, quick and fun reads. Enjoy!
When a McKinney brother falls in love, powerful emotion and overwhelming desire are never far behind.
Two hearts locked away . . . Hannah Walker spends her days coaching children through injury and trauma, one therapeutic horseback ride at a time. She knows all too well how violence can change a child and leave scars that never heal. It’s easy for her to relate to the kids; what isn’t easy is the thought of facing her own harrowing past.
Millionaire playboy Stephen McKinney could use a little coaching himself. Five years ago he encountered his most horrible nightmare—and the nightmare won. No matter what he achieves, nothing can make up for that awful night . . . or so he believes.
Both desperate for a second chance . . . Stephen is used to getting what he wants. And he wants Hannah. So when she turns him down, he’s intrigued. What he doesn’t know is that her secrets will lead him to a place he never wanted to go again . . . to a side of himself he’s tried to forget . . . a side that would scare Hannah away from ever loving him. Now his only chance to win her trust is to bare his soul, risking everything he tried so hard to protect.
Worth it All
Our 4.5 star reviews
She’s fighting for control. . . . Paige Roberts learned to fend for herself growing up. Now she’s doing everything possible to give her daughter, Casey, the stability she never had. But when the vivacious five-year-old decides she’s done wearing her prosthesis, Paige faces her toughest challenge yet: trusting a handsome, brooding stranger who simply wants to help.
He’s struggling to connect. . . . JT McKinney lost more than his leg in a car accident that stole his dreams of pro football. Eight years later, he's made a new life for himself far away from his old one. His business is developing cutting-edge prosthetics and he’s more than happy to turn his attention to machines instead of people. Still, he can’t shake the feeling that something’s missing.
Will they take a chance on love? . . . When JT gets the chance to help Paige’s daughter, he takes it. He never planned on the two of them tearing down his walls or teaching him to believe in himself again. Paige might not believe in happily ever afters, but JT wants more than anything to be her prince. They’ll both have to let go of the past if they want a future.
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Our 4.5 star reviews
He doesn't know how he's lived without her, but he knows he doesn't want to anymore.
Nick Walker found his one and only when he was just nineteen.
Found her.
Loved her.
Lost her.
Now this FBI Special Agent will do anything to win her back.
Nick Walker thought nothing could destroy what he had with Mia. He certainly never thought he would be the one to destroy it. But when his sister was taken, even getting her back couldn't save him. She was his responsibility. He was supposed to protect her. And he'd failed.
Now ten years later, Mia James is in Special Agent Nick Walker’s path once again and this time he’s determined to shed the weight of guilt and finally claim the future that was always meant to be theirs.
But it won’t be easy. Mia’s heart was shattered by Nick and now, just when she’d pieced it back together, it’s been broken again, bringing their past to the surface, including her own secret about that day everything went wrong.
Waiting For You
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Our 4 star reviews
When ER nurse Nora Sellers is hurt in a hospital scuffle, firefighter Zach Walker blames himself. Blaming himself is nothing new. He’s been blaming himself for years for the trauma his baby sister endured as a teenager. Though with his happy–go–lucky attitude no one would know it. He’s good at his job, he’s a good brother, and a good friend, but Zach decided long ago he wasn’t husband and father material.
Even so, when Zach learns Nora is a single mother with a house that needs his help, he can’t walk away. After a few days with Nora and her ten month old son, he knows he doesn’t want to.
But Nora’s wary. She learned at a young age that the only person she can count on is herself. Now with a baby, a job, and a fixer–upper house, the last thing Nora wants is a sexy firefighter, making her heart flutter. But Zach is more than what he seems, and the more she gets to know him the harder he is to resist.
She’s been brave all her life. Can she be brave one more time and take a chance of a lifetime with her heart?
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