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Lost Love

Cowboys and Angels #1

By: Kelly Elliott

Releasing June 26th, 2017

Self-Published

In Lost Love (Cowboys & Angels #1) by Kelly Elliott, Steed Parker lost the love of his life ten years ago, and since then has been pining for Paxton Monroe ever since, even though he now has a daughter with a woman that never wanted a child and tried to use her as a bargaining chip. Yet, now he's back in Texas and determined to make things right. Will Steed be able to win Paxton back, or is what he did in the past too painful for her to be able to give them a second chance?

What an absolutely captivating, emotionally-stirring, fast-paced read Ms. Elliott has delivered in this first book of her Cowboys and Angels series, encompassing the second chance romance trope, two main characters that have never stopped loving each other, a heroine that needs to find a way to let go of the hurt from the past, and a hero determined to do whatever it takes to earn her forgiveness. The way this story started had me feeling sorry for the hero, as he's done something really bad that makes it hard for him to feel nothing but guilt and loathing for himself. How could he have done what he did to the heroine? Will she ever be able to forgive him?

As for the dialogue, it was intense due to the mistake the hero made to make the heroine loathe him when they come face-to-face for the first time in this story and have his mother disappointed with him when she learns the truth. It was also a story where readers will likely need a box of tissues within reach to handle the emotional pull the heroine's point-of-view brings to this story, as she deals with how much the hero hurt her in the past, the fact that the hero has a child with someone else, and whether she can forgive him for what he did. Something that isn't easy for her. However, there were some wonderful light-hearted moments that had me enchanted by the main and secondary characters, because it doesn't matter how long Steed has been away from his family. He and his siblings are very close and would do anything for each other and I loved how they helped him win back Payton.

Both the main characters were compelling, and I loved how their relationship progressed throughout this story, as Payton comes to terms with Steed being back. It was hard not to sympathize with her because of what Steed did, but I liked her strength and bravery and how she managed to open up to Steed about the past, which helped her to heal even more than she already has. I also liked how accepting she was of Steed's daughter and the growing bond they share, because the young girl wants a woman to love her like a mother should. Then there's the heroine's kind and caring side that illustrates how good of a teacher she is. Certainly, she adores her students.

While the hero, he's confident, cocky and determined to do everything in his power to win Payton back. It's not easy, especially when he has so much to make up for, but I loved everything he does to show her how much he still loves her. There's a memory lane moment and new experiences that had me loving the hero even more than I already did, especially the moments when the hero takes the heroine by surprise with his romantic gestures and determination to make Payton his again. However, what I liked most about the hero was how good of a father he was and how determined he was to give his daughter the happiness she deserves; one where she's loved and doesn't have to deal with her witch of a mother anymore.

Overall, Ms. Elliott has penned a marvelous read in this book where the chemistry between the main characters was powerful due to their history and the heroine's dislike towards the hero in the beginning; the romance scorching due to the hero's dirty talk; and the ending was perfect due to the hero's surprise and the happiness that has brought him and Payton full circle and given them the second chance at love, family and happiness that they're meant to have together. I would recommend Lost Love by Kelly Elliott, if you enjoy second chance romances, the enemy to lovers trope, or books by authors Sawyer Bennett, Samanthe Beck, Kendall Ryan or AL Jackson.

BLURB

Moving back home to my parents’ cattle ranch in Texas was the last thing I thought I’d be doing.

But, here I stand … in front of my high school girlfriend. A beautiful, confident woman has replaced the young girl I once knew and loved. Hell. I’m still in love with her.

Yep. Paxton Monroe was my first love and the one girl in town who now hated my guts. So much so, Paxton swore her revenge on me if it took her until the day she died. The last words she spoke to me were a vow to cut my dick off and shove it down my throat.

The fight between my heart, my head, and last, but certainly not least, my dick starts tonight. Because all I can think about is how I want to be buried so deep inside Paxton she won’t remember how I broke her heart, or how I left her when she needed me the most.

But who will win? My heart is too broken to listen to my head. And my dick, yeah it’s not listening to anything or anyone. Not until it gets what it wants and what it wants is Paxton Monroe.

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“Whatcha doing?” I nearly jumped out of my skin as I spun around and clutched at my chest.

“Jesus, Amelia! Why would you sneak up on me like that?” She tried to hide her smile and failed. Lifting her brows, she glanced past my shoulder. “Were you watching Steed and Chloe?”

My cheeks heated. “What? No! Are they here? I haven’t seen them. Why would you say that?”

When her eyes moved back to mine, I knew she saw right through my blunder of lies. “Uh-huh. I know I was little when you and Steed dated, so we really don’t know each other all that well.” She smiled. “But I can already tell you’re a terrible liar, Paxton.”

I dropped my head then peeked up at her. “I wasn’t spying.”

Amelia held up her hands. “I didn’t say you were.”

Chewing on my lip, I sighed. “Okay. I was spying. I’m lost, Amelia.”

With a soft sympathetic grin, she glanced at her brother. “So is he, Paxton. His eyes are so sad. Earlier this morning we all had breakfast together as a family and both Mom and I noticed it.”

“The family was all together?” I asked.

She nodded with a grin. “The boys have been working the ranch the last two days so they’re all staying at the house. It’s been nice having Steed home again. Dad’s thrilled he’s back and digging deeper into the business side of the ranch. The idea of having another son run day-to-day operations has him all kinds of happy.”

Guilt hit me square in the chest. It was my fault he left. I told him to leave. He left his family and stayed away because of me. “I’m so sorry he left town,” I said.

“Paxton, you didn’t keep him away all those years. That was his decision. A poor one, but his nonetheless.”

I shrugged. Turning, I glanced back at Steed and Chloe. “He’s such a good father.” The sadness in my voice caused Amelia to put her hand on my shoulder and gave it a squeeze.

Kelly Elliott is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling contemporary romance author. Since finishing her bestselling Wanted series, Kelly continues to spread her wings while remaining true to her roots and giving readers stories rich with hot protective men, strong women and beautiful surroundings. Her bestselling works include, Wanted, Broken, Without You, and Unconditional Love, to name just a few. Kelly has been passionate about writing since she was fifteen. After years of filling journals with stories, she finally followed her dream and published her first novel, Wanted, in November of 2012. Kelly lives in central Texas with her husband, daughter, and two pups. When she’s not writing, Kelly enjoys reading and spending time with her family. She is down to earth and very in touch with her readers, both on social media and at signings. To find out more about Kelly and her books, you can find her through her website. www.kellyelliottauthor.com