Saturday 6 July 2013

Review and giveaway - A Fire That Burns - Kirsty-Anne Still



© Janeane ✰    ARC received for honest review

Blurb
“Six years on and you’re still as in love with me as you were when you left. You never stopped loving me, you never could. You didn’t leave because you didn’t love me.”


After running from the truth for six years of her life, Austin Pearson decides it’s time to come home to life in Point Arena. What she finds is broken relationships and broken hearts and the same love that consumed her years ago. 

When confronted with the love of her life, Austin has to decide between giving in, giving up or hiding all over again. 

Will Tyler Armstrong be enough to crack the secrets that drove the woman he loved away when they were nineteen or are they destined to love other people? What happens when he finds himself living everyday with Austin and realising that feelings he thought had diminished flame up and take a hold of his life? What happens when fires burn brighter than ever and the secrets of the past come tumbling out?

Is love enough to get them through what life has in store for them?



Excerpt

“Well,” Tyler said as he sauntered up to Austin. He hadn’t even noticed her, his mom had pointed her out to him. It was the first time he had seen her after all the hubbub of her return. “Aren’t you a sight for sore eyes?”


Austin looked up at Tyler and she felt her restraint disappear. She smiled and then looked away, “Right back atcha.” 


She hadn’t changed one bit, Tyler thought. Sure she was curvaceous now, gorgeously so and her hair was longer and a darker shade of blonde than before, her lips were still plump and kissable and her eyes still managed to capture him with one look, but regardless of the changes to her physically she was still the same old Austin. He couldn’t deny that all the sexual tension and chemistry that had helped to build their relationship was still there – untouched by the years. He acknowledged his weakness to her immediately and knew he didn’t stand a fighting chance.


Taking a seat next to her, he huffed a laugh, “So what brings you back?”


Shrugging, Austin looked down at the drink, “You do not want to know, believe me.”


“It’s been six long years, Austin, I think I deserve some sort of explanation,” Tyler started and leaned forward to look up at her. He gave her a smirk and a quick teasing wag of his eyebrow, “That or a proper welcome back.” He sat back as she looked at him in shock, “You pick.”


Feeling a constriction in her chest, Austin remained placid for a moment. It didn’t matter how much she tried to allow this to be okay, she just couldn’t do it anymore. She looked at him and felt her heart skip an all knowing beat. She tried to smile, but faltered, “I’m really sorry, Tyler, but I can’t do this.” She then got up and left, not a goodbye to anyone. She just put her cup down on the kitchen work top as she fled the back yard and headed for the front door for her quick exit.


Growling as the familiar scent of Austin surrounded him, he exchanged looks with Tom and got up and bolted after her. He was determined to get an explanation out of her. Six years of trying with Tom had failed so he went for the origin itself.


“You don’t get to walk away from me again,” Tyler shouted out to stop her as he left through the front door, following Austin’s footsteps. “Not after six years.”
 


Review

One month out from her wedding to her childhood sweetheart Tyler, Austin does a runner during the night, leaving only a note for her fiancé saying ‘I’m sorry.’


6 years later, she returns unannounced to her small hometown.

Things do not go as planned.

Her mother disowns her, her siblings (except one) are so mad at her they don’t want to welcome her back.  And Tyler, the love of her life she returned home for - is engaged – to the one woman Austin despises – Natasha (hiss!)

Everyone expects her to run away again, but she sticks to her guns and stays – much to everyone, especially Natasha’s – disgust.

The sexual tension between Austin and Tyler is palpable.  She still loves him, and always will.  Tyler does not want to lover her, has tried to move on – but he can’t.

The scenes between Austin and Tyler are written so well, so much emotion, my heart broke for both of them.  They are soul mates who cannot be together.

I admit, I did a little of this






Natasha was always on the outside of Austin and Tyler’s relationship, waiting for her chance. With Austin’s return, she can see the attraction between Austin and Tyler is still there, can see she might lose Tyler and will do anything and everything to keep her man.
And boy, she does.  No holds barred.  No. Matter. What.

I wanted to do this to Natasha - over and over.  And on occasion to Tyler as well.
 


Is love enough, or will Austin and Tyler be parted forever?


Heartache, lies and deception, love and hate – this book has it all.

I found it very well written, and felt that I was in the story with the characters.  It drew me in from the beginning, and read it in one sitting.

But be aware – major, major cliffhanger!!! 

I look forward to reading more from this author in the future.

Rating:  4/5 stars
 
Author Bio


I’ve lived actually quite a boring life- LOL – I’m only twenty-two and did all the things a normal person my age has done. I’ve grown up in a family with two brothers and my mum and always feel like I have to match up to them with my successes in life! 

After finishing at school, I went to University to become a teacher. That never happened! In my second year I realised I didn’t want to be a teacher, but still wanted to work closely with children. In my final year, I finally wanted to take my writing further, but I had to be realistic and so have worked as a nanny as well as kept a steady job in a shop for nearly three years. 

Took me until I was like 19 to find out I could actually write, took my until last year to realise I had a talent actually worth pursuing and all because I stumbled across fanfiction! Apparently that website is a godsend!