Spliced by Robin Leigh Miller
Publisher:
Ellora's Cave (December 9, 2011)
Genre:
Contemporary Erotica/Romance
Summary (Amazon.com):
For ten years, Avery Easton has quietly lusted after her twin brother’s best friend, Ridge Gates. When the cruel, cold hand of fate takes her brother’s life, Avery and Ridge turn to each other in grief and share a night of ecstasy. But mind-blowing sex with the man of her dreams can’t push away Avery’s reality.Violent and terrifying events have followed her brother’s body home and introduced Avery to another man…one who’s willing to give her everything she needs. And then there’s the secret she harbors that could tear her and Ridge apart even as it connects them for the rest of their lives.A promise on the battlefield led Ridge straight into the arms of the woman he knows he has no business being with, but can’t stay away from. If he fails to come to terms with his broken body and Avery’s revelations, he could lose her forever—if not to another man, then to the violence that brought Ridge and Avery together.
Where to Buy*:
Kindle | NOOK | Ellora's Cave | All Romance
More Info:
Author's Site | Book Site | Excerpt
My Review:
WARNING - The reading of this book will cause some side effects, including, but not limited to: crying, screaming (both in pain and pleasure), sighing, laughing, and, most importantly, the overwhelming need to sneak off for some “alone time” and take care of all the built up...tension Be warned—it's probably best not to read Spliced in public, unless you wish to be asked by random strangers why you are sweating, panting, and crossing your legs! (Not that I would know...)
Avery Easton has a secret—well, okay two. First, she has a special connection with her twin brother, Cale that allows her to feel what he's feeling, as well as send and receives simple thoughts. Her other secret? She's in love with Cale's best friend, Ridge—and has been for the last 10 years, though he doesn't seem to see it.
Ridge Gates is a grunt, a mere soldier fighting for his country. But as honorable as his job is, in his mind he will never be good enough for the one woman he wants—Avery. From the moment he met her, he's wanted her—and not just for a one-night stand either, which scares the hell out of him. But she's his buddy's sister, and therefore off limits, not to mention the fact that she deserves better. He would give anything to be good enough to claim her, but instead he keeps his distance.
That is until one night in Dover. After a mission goes south, leaving Ridge broken (mentally and physically) and Cale dead, Avery needs someone to turn to—and the only one she has is Ridge. Finally, after a decade of unfulfilled wanting, the two come together in a night of scorching passion, bringing each other the comfort they need as well as the pleasure they've desired.
Upon waking the next morning, Avery finds herself alone in the hotel room. Ridge, unable to deal with his nightmares from the day of the bombing—and his guilt over not being good enough for Avery—leaves during the night, even though the only thing he wants to do is stay with Avery and never let her go.
Avery can't deal with the loss; she's just buried her only family, her beloved brother, and now she's been pushed aside by the one man (she thought) she had in her life: Ridge. After the best sex in her life, nonetheless! A woman, no matter how strong she is, can only take so much, and this proves to be too much. She refuses to fall for Ridge again. She may love him, heart and soul, but until he can handle it and stay by her side when she needs him the most, she isn't going to put her heart on the line…Again. Nope, she may sleep with him (in the dressing room of a store, in the shower, against the wall...) but she won't beg him to stay.
As if their tangled emotional relationship wasn't enough to contend with, there is someone after Avery. They won't stop until they find what they think she has—and they want her dead when it's over. Can Ridge push past his personal demons and prove to himself, and Avary, that he can be there for her? Or will he push her away instead...and risk losing her…Forever.
Wow. I'm speechless—literally speechless. Spliced was, quite simply, one hell of a roller-coaster—and easily my favorite book of 2012. Maybe of all time—ever! Within the first few pages, I was hooked, and I couldn't walk away even if I had wanted to. And believe me: I didn't want to.
Spliced is pure perfection: steamy, emotional and gripping!
If you enjoy a steamy hot romance,
Spliced is the perfect book to reach for. The chemistry between Avery and Ridge was beautifully done—and so hot that the mere sparks from it will burn you! I have read a lot of explicit romance novels, but none have made me feel like this before. I was actually aching, wanting a Ridge of my own to walk through my door—right now, damn it! Thigh-clenching, sweaty, orgasmic bliss awaits you within the pages of this book! And yet, despite all the sex, the scenes never came off as cheap or pornographic. This was due to the connection and emotions pulsing through the hero and heroine, making it more than just sex.
Talk about an emotional ride—
Spliced had me crying within a few pages, along with a few sessions of tears later on. I felt like I was connected to this story, not merely reading about it. I was there with Ridge and Cale in Afghanistan; I was there with Ridge and Avery at the graveside, and I was there while they worked through their feelings for each other. My gut was tied in so many knots as I followed the heart-breaking story of Avery and Ridge's romance. It was messy, it was chaotic, it was intense—but it was so real, so tangible, that I kept looking around, waiting for Avery to walk through the room, head held high despite all the pain and problems she has to deal with. I hated how every time one of them was hurt I felt it too, felt my heart break alongside theirs. And yet I loved every minute of it, because it is a rare occasion when a book manages to illicit such a response from me. Congratulations, Robin—you not only manged to do this, you excelled at it!
This novel left me drained, physically and emotionally. And I mean that as a good thing! I literally had to take breaks every so often because the story and the characters were so real and griping that I would find myself feeling slightly sick from all the built up tension. But as soon as the feeling would go away, I'd quickly pick up my NOOK again, eager to find out what was going to happen next, how their relationship was going to turn out—where they'd consummate their love for each other at again...
5 STARS! Robin Leigh Miller, you have yourself a new fan for life! I'm still reeling from the emotional and passionate battle that
Spliced waged on me, and yet at the same time I can't wait to pick up more of your novels! I loved this book so much it's going on my favorites list for good, and I plan on re-reading it as soon as I come down from this virtual high that it has left me in. I hope that Officer Stone gets his own story, as I was sad to see him all alone (though I knew Ridge was the only one for Avery). There are not enough words in the dictionary to accurately capture my feelings on
Spliced, but I will say this: I've enjoyed countless books over the years. I've loved quite a few. But
Spliced may be the only one I have ever fallen for so hard, with my heart, soul, and body all tied up in the gut-wrenching story that is Avery and Ridge. Do yourself a favor and buy this book. Now! You won't regret it. But be prepared—grab a box of tissues, a pitcher of ice water, and a quiet corner. Then settle yourself in, because this is going to be one hell of a ride—and one that you won't want to take a rest from until the very end!
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Thanks to Night Owl Reviews, where I received this e-book for free in exchange for reviewing the book. (Free book does not equal biased review, however!) This review is the property of NOR.
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Don't forget that Robin will be here on the blog Feb 1st (for an interview) and Feb 2nd (guest post). Robin will also be giving away one copy of Spliced to a lucky reader! :D
Enjoy!
Until Next Time,
*TBQ's Book Palace is a member of both the Amazon and Barnes and Nobles affiliates program. By using the links provided to buy products from either website, I receive a very small percentage of the order. To read my full disclosure on the matter, please see this post!
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