WORTH THE RISK by Claudia Connor ~Double Review & Giveaway~
Worth
the Risk
The McKinney Brothers # 2
The McKinney Brothers # 2
By: Claudia Connor
Releasing Feb 3rd, 2015
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.
Buy Links
Claudia
Connor is a New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author
of heartfelt contemporary romance. Claudia attended Auburn University, where
she received her undergraduate and masters degrees in early childhood
education, and completed her studies in Sawbridgeworth, England. Always a lover
of happy endings, she enjoys movies, reading, and travel, but spends most of
her time typing out the love stories of the almost real people that live in her
head. Claudia lives near Memphis, Tennessee, with her husband and three
daughters.
Author Links
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Drastically
different from its predecessor, Worth the Fall, Worth the Risk is
a captivating, heart-wrenching read. Two
very damaged and scared hearts find a way to piece together, forming a whole.
Hannah,
an adult treated very much like a child by her older brothers, still struggles
to rebuild her life after a catastrophic and horrific abduction in her
childhood. She is trying to let go and move on with her life. Moving toward a
life without fear and uncertainty in her actions and decisions is, at times,
overwhelming and frustrating for Hannah. Her brothers, I feel, play a role in
keeping her from progressing in this process. Their love is so strong and
unwavering that it can be stifling and a constant reminder of the mistakes in
her adolescence.
Hannah
now calls a small horse ranch home. It is where she became alive again and
began to finally heal. When the owners surprise her with a letter stating
Hannah is now the owner upon their passing she is grateful and is fully committed
to continue their work and help children recovering and disabled. However, a
letter isn’t a will and the state now has a stake in the property.
Enter
in McKinney brother, Stephen. Voted most eligible millionaire bachelor and
noted playboy he is the most unlikely guy for Hannah to begin her dating life
with. For whatever reason, the cold and emotionally battered Stephen finds the
teary eyed girl in the grocery isle somehow alluring. He doesn’t see the scars
beneath her jeans and long sleeve shirt and Hannah has no idea of the scares
that cover his shredded heart.
Stunned
is the McKinney family when Stephen brings Hannah home for a family gathering
and even more stunned is Hannah’s brothers that she is willing to go. There is
just so much emotion and uncovered trauma these two need to learn and share
with each other. Add into that, the property war waging in the background,
Worth the Risk is simply unputdownable. I cried, laughed, and rallied for
Hannah. I commiserated and ached for Stephen, but when they came together it
was so healing, so right, so Worth the Risk.
I
can’t wait to read what Claudia Connor has in store for us next.
5
Sparkly Stars
T~
4.5 rating...
In Worth the Fall this author surprised me by writing a very successful romance that revolved around a widow with four kids and one on the way! I'm still in love with Matt... what a man. Yes, we do get to see him again in book two... along with all the kiddies!
In Worth the Risk she creates a love story that blooms from the midst of tragedy. And not just any tragedy... the very violent and disturbing kind. The kind that changes a person forever and takes away their ability to feel and trust again. The kind that makes you want revenge in the worst way.
Stephen is the survivor... living with the guilt of the violent death of his fiancée. He has spent many years driven by deep seeded anger and hatred. He hates what he has become and doesn't allow himself to get close to anyone. His comfort zone is his career and it has made him very successful and wealthy.
Hannah is the victim of violence... what happened to her was both disturbing and horrific. She has scars that run very deep both physically and mentally. She is heavily guarded by her brothers who are having difficulty trusting her safety to anyone but themselves. Her comfort zone is also her job which keeps her safely tucked away at Freedom Farm.
Somehow these two find something in each other that they feel is 'Worth the Risk' of finally stepping out of their comfort zones and reaching for something real. It would've been easy for both of them to stick with hiding out and continuing on with life as it was. But, they each found something in the other that compelled them to want change. Strength can be found in the most surprising places. This was a very tender love story that grows slowly and with care.
Hannah is a physical therapist and she helps kids with rehabilitation using horses. I loved her character a lot and how much compassion she had for the children. Children and animals are the best medicine for what ails you... they are honest and they love unconditionally. I loved the 'how to know if he's your boyfriend' advice... LOL.. from the mouths of babes... very amusing.
This book is just a bit on the darker side and it bears no resemblance to book one. So, if you're looking for more of the same... don't... this story has a completely different tone and will definitely tug on your emotions. There is a lot of tragedy and sadness in this book but it all ties up beautifully in the end with love prevailing above all other things. I was definitely impressed with Stephen and what he gave up for her... I think he learned that the things we value most are worth big sacrifices.
With the addition of Hannah's crew of brothers, there are now an ABUNDANCE of men, women and children in this series... so there is definitely plenty more to come! Definitely can't wait for more of the McKinney Brothers...
Thank you for hosting WORTH THE RISK today!!
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Delete(T~)
Beautiful review! Thank you!! <3
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