Free Falling (Damaged Heroes) [ペーパーバック]

This book was my second book that I have read from the "Damaged Heroes" series. The characters rendered by the author are as almost of people that I have known or meet in my "Book of Life". They are as true, real and different as we all are. The events, feelings and acts put into fonts on a paper with such deep intensity that you can't escape of not living and feeling through yourself. Not to reveal the plot of the story, I was quiet surprised and taken by how it unfolded. I thank the Author for this wonderful story with lovely end. Easy to read (it will take you about two evenings) and is- as after a good movie, you will stay with the heroes of the story for some time and wonder: How are they doing? Did I say is-as after a good movie..? I do hope that one day this book will become a script for a "Free Falling". Wouldn't this be great?

3 and a 1/2 stars

Why I Read this Book: A few months ago I read Murphy's Law, the first book in this series, and I greatly enjoyed it. Ross was a secondary character in that book and didn't get the HEA he wanted. But that's okay because he gets his HEA in Free Falling. I should point out that even though this book is the second in this series, it can easily be read as a stand alone.

What I Liked: Free Falling is a romantic suspense read with a dash of a paranormal element mixed in. Laurie, the heroine, is an empath; she can psychically read the emotions of others. This is a perfect "gift" for Laurie to have since she's a psychologist. She truly loves what she does and she loves helping others. Laurie coming into Ross's life was a breath of fresh air for him. Ross is a good guy; a good guy who didn't get the girl in the last book. He needs a purpose in life, something other than completely pouring himself into the law firm he works at. I love how Ross and Laurie met and how there was a believable attraction from the start.

All lose ends were tied up by the end of the story. The epilogue was not what I had expected! I like the way things turned out. Also, the book is written in third person narrative, which worked well for this story. (You won't get overloaded on characters' thoughts or any over analyzing like you might find with a first person narrative.)

What I Didn't Like: I wasn't feeling the connection between the journal's story arc and the main story. I got confused at times by the information in the journal. It was hard for me to follow; the poems threw me off. (It should be noted that I am not a fan of poetry. If you are, you may not have this problem.) I had to leave it to the characters to figure out the mystery.

Ross and Laurie end up in Vegas and as a last minute decision, they get married. after knowing each other for a month. It felt a bit rushed and it wasn't thought out much between the two characters. I think it would have been better if they would have waited a bit. However, their sex life took a more realistic approach in regards to timing, especially given the certain circumstances that were present (that I don't want to give away).

I felt a pause at the 50% mark. It felt like a roller coaster ride - like when you're approaching the plateau and it feels like you're not going to have enough momentum to get over the crest - but once the story got over the crest, it came roaring down the track.

Overall Impression: Free Falling is a good read for when you're in the mood for romance and mystery. And if the Prohibition era interests you, you'll enjoy the second story arc. Even with the few issues I had with Free Falling, I still enjoyed reading it. I'm glad I read this book because I got what I wanted: a HEA for Ross. I am definitely looking forward to the next book in this series, All the Right Reasons, which features some new characters.

Lena's Review

Ross Kennedy is heartbroken and a workaholic, something his executive assistant keeps reminding him repeatedly. He has no one to go to, so work is all he has until he meets Laurie. The plan was to get some guy named Laurence Miller to sign into a foundation, not to fall for the first woman he sees. Yet something about Laurie enchants him in a way like his ex never did. With Laurie he can be honest, fun and adventurous. She calls it free falling, something he has never heard of but likes it with Laurie. With Laurie he is something he has never been before and that is live for each day. His whole life has always been centered on work and a little free falling scares him. The love he has for Laurie is unlike anything he has felt before and this scares him. Can he prove to Laurie that he can free fall with her forever?

Laurie Miller is a woman who loves to work and pay bills. Not your usual damsel, but she likes working for a living unlike her family. Everybody thinks she should just stay at home and be pampered, but she has other things to do. Meeting Ross Kennedy and knowing who he is looking for just turns her life upside down. For the first time though she feels loved really loved in a way that no man has given her before. Her ex only wanted her for her money and Ross is different from his work ethics, his opinion on money, and most of all the deep love she feels for him. When she's with him she is different and feels alive like she never felt before, which scares her. Can she convince Ross that her love for him is real and she wasn't playing him along?

Free Falling is another hit by Sandy James and a favorite for this reviewer. I loved the way it started and ended with these two. Ross is a man who needs to just relax and Laurie is the woman just right for him. The story line between them was great and so fast-paced it hardly slowed down. What I liked the most was the love between them was so strong that, even when they denied it, you could tell it was all there. Loved it and it's definitely a book you have to ready by Sandy James.

5 Tea Cups and a Recommended Read!