Family law attorney Gabriella Liakos has one true love, Elpitha Island,
where she grew up and hopes someday to return. But Elpitha is in financial
ruins, and Gabriella will do anything to keep it from falling into the wrong
hands.
Duke Ryder is a savvy real estate investor set on making Elpitha into an exclusive resort. Unlike other investors, he's not scared of purchasing a property where one family has roots so deep they practically reach the ocean floor...until he meets his beautiful, stubborn, and enticing tour host―the daughter of the owner of most of the island.
Gabriella sets out to dissuade Duke from purchasing Elpitha, but Duke has other ideas. He wants Gabriella and the island. Duke's powerful seduction draws Gabriella in, but can a savvy investor who's used to glamour and glitz, and a woman interested in preserving the culture she adores find a happily ever after together?
Book 2
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Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team
Duke Ryder is a savvy real estate investor set on making Elpitha into an exclusive resort. Unlike other investors, he's not scared of purchasing a property where one family has roots so deep they practically reach the ocean floor...until he meets his beautiful, stubborn, and enticing tour host―the daughter of the owner of most of the island.
Gabriella sets out to dissuade Duke from purchasing Elpitha, but Duke has other ideas. He wants Gabriella and the island. Duke's powerful seduction draws Gabriella in, but can a savvy investor who's used to glamour and glitz, and a woman interested in preserving the culture she adores find a happily ever after together?
Book 2
Buy Links
Amazon US ~ Amazon UK ~ Amazon Au ~ Amazon Ca
B&N ~ Google Play ~ iTunes ~ Kobo
Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team
Mary – ☆☆☆☆☆
Another Ryder brother has stolen my heart and I think Duke may just keep it. Duke Ryder is the older brother that thinks he will never get married and will always be the ladies’ man. He doesn't see any woman stealing his heart. Until he sees Gabriella, even though it is from a distance, he knows there is something different about her and he wants to learn everything about her. While Gabriella is back on the island she loves at her grandfather's request, she doesn't know why he didn't get his lawyers to handle the possible sale of the island. Because the island is something she loves and doesn't want to see it turned into another playground for tourists. When Duke and Gabriella finally meet, the sparks fly and neither of them know what to do because they have never felt this way before. She doesn't want to fall for him and then hate him for what might be with the sale of the island. While Duke realizes he will do anything for Gabriella, including changing the plans for the island just to prove his true feelings for her. Can they keep the island and potential sale from damaging their budding relationship? Will Gabriella let her worry push him away and lose the love of the only man she will ever want? Or will the island bring them together in the end?
I found Melissa Foster in the blog’s review group and have loved all of the stories I have read and have bought every story I come across (yes, they are on sale because she has a ton). Each story has a very sexy, possessive alpha male and a woman who knows how to handle them. I love how the series are tied together and I can't wait for more of this series, looks like Trish Ryder will be next. The only sister in the Ryder family.
Veronica – ☆☆☆
Duke comes to Elpitha Island with the intention of buying it from Gabriella's grandfather and redeveloping it. Gabriella is his guide for this first day on the island and they spend the day with each other. Elpitha Island is stunning. This beautiful island with its Greek and Southern US heritage was warm and charming and the place anyone would love to live. I could see why Gabriella loves it so much.
The timeline for this romance isn't very long, but the strength of Duke and Gabriella's attraction and feeling meant it didn't matter. There is plenty of heat between this couple and separating business and pleasure soon becomes an issue.
This story lacked conflict and, as a result, at times it was very slow moving, particularly around the middle, but it picks up towards the end with a lovely finish.
Overall this is a sweet romantic story with very little drama and a beautiful ending.
Mary Jo – ☆☆☆
The instant attraction between the two threatens Gabriella in a way she hasn't felt before. She feels hemmed in on all sides due to her grandfather selling the island she grew up on and now this investor making her feel things that she doesn't want to feel. She wants a simple life, home and family and now Duke is threatening her way of life.
A solid read with memorable characters and a positive storyline. The angst about renovating the island didn't really play a huge part in the storyline except to cause a few – I mean very few – riffs between Duke and Gabriella.
Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
4.5 steamy hot stars
Oh, why did I never get to meet my Duke? He is the absolutely perfect embodiment of a modern romantic hero, and Gabriella is definitely worthy of his affection. I love Ms. Foster's books – and this one is at least as good as all the others that I have read!
We are transported to a beautiful, though run down, island inhabited mainly by generations of Greek settlers. The descriptions are so vivid, that even I felt the loss when we had to return to New York, with all its noise, bustle and smells. The romance is delicious – the voyage of sexual discovery as exciting as their exploration of their emerging feelings. And as there are many other siblings, the Ryders are going to be heating up the pages for a long while yet – and I for one cannot wait.
What are you waiting for? Go turn off the heating, pour yourself a glass of something chilly and enjoy warming up from the inside out!
Also Available in the Love In Bloom: The Ryders Series
Book 1
Buy Links
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B&N ~ iTunes ~ Kobo
For reviews & more info, check out our stop on the Seized by Love Blog Tour.
Melissa Foster is New York Times & USA Today bestselling and award-winning author. She writes contemporary romance, new adult, contemporary women’s fiction, suspense, and historical fiction with emotionally compelling characters that stay with you long after you turn the last page. Her books have been recommended by USA Today's book blog, Hagerstown Magazine, The Patriot, and several other print venues. She is the founder of the World Literary Café and Fostering Success. When she's not writing, Melissa helps authors navigate the publishing industry through her author training programs on Fostering Success. Melissa has been published in Calgary’s Child Magazine, the Huffington Post, and Women Business Owners magazine.
Melissa hosts an Aspiring Authors contest for children and has painted and donated several murals to The Hospital for Sick Children in Washington, DC. Melissa lives in Maryland with her family.
Visit Melissa on social media. Melissa enjoys discussing her books with book clubs and reader groups, and welcomes an invitation to your event.
Connect with Melissa
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Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Claimed by Love (Love in Bloom: The Ryders #2) by Melissa Foster to read and review for this tour.
Great review! Thank you for hosting CLAIMED BY LOVE today!
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So many reviews! It feels like my birthday! Thank you all for taking the time to read and review. I appreciate it so much OXOXO
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