I looooved this story. But then again, what does KA do that I don't love? She has a formula that works and she manages to keep it fresh by inventing great plots, supporting characters and vivid backdrops for her stories.
This is the publihser's summary:
"After making a bad decision when she was very young, Kia Clementine finds herself in hell. Then, suddenly, within the time it takes for a shotgun to blast, her hell changes. Completely. Then out-of-the-blue she sees Sampson Cooper, her celebrity crush. A man the whole world knows is decent. A man the world knows is loyal. A man the world knows is good. All of these very unlike her now dead husband. He’s sitting at a table right next to hers. And she catches his eye. Terrified of the interest Sam shows in her, Kia finds the courage to go out with him. Not long after, she shares her dark secrets and Sam shares that he’ll stop at nothing to gain her trust. As Sam leads Kia to heaven, Kia realizes that Sam is living his own hell. But although he gives her beauty and she gives him everything, he withholds his trust. Even with all the beauty Sam shows her, Kia wants it all. But Sam forces Kia to make a heartbreaking decision and only she can decide. It’s all or nothing."
So, Sam and Kia are a love at first sight couple. KA doesn't do these often, but when she does she makes it beautiful and believable. They are both JUST what the other needs at JUST the right time.
Sam is a honorable, caring, over protective, possessive, bad ass Alpha. Kia has been beaten down, but is making the most of her turd blossom (somehow out of a pile of crap, she got a beautiful gift) and is focusing on getting her life back together. She and Sam meet and from the instant they start talking, they are inseparable. Sam is an internationally famous former athlete who seems to have trouble opening up. But, he doesn't have any trouble stepping up when Kia needs him and doing whatever he has to do to make her safe. Their whirlwind romance gets started in Europe and when they return to the USA, keep building.
However, Sam's unwillingness to open up is a real problem for Kia...especially since she has opened up completely to him. So when she has to decide if what he is giving is enough, it leads to moments fraught with sadness and heartbreak for the reader. But Sam, what a guy, he really gives Kia something to think about. He tells her
"You walked into that dining room, baby, and you know, the minute I saw you...I knew it was you...And it hit me then that was what my life would be like if I lived the whole of it with you. And I knew I couldn't live without you...You cannot leave me. You can't. I can't live without you." .
SWOOOOOON! I mean the romance in this story is off the charts. Sam's love for Kia is breathtaking and it makes you want to feel that yourself. That is the beauty of KA. She knows how to write emotions that basically rip into you and sweep you away. Heaven and Hell is currently a stand alone. But on her blog, KA has promised to write Luci and Hap's story, too.
The supporting cast of characters are awesome. Kia has a great family and so does Sam. They have awesome, supportive friends, too. We see cameo's of Tanner Layne from "Golden Trail" and Cal from "At Peace" (Both from the 'Burg Series) and Lee Nightingale from "Rock Chick". I love that about KA books. If you really read them all you always get to see glimpses of your old favorites.
