Book: Bonfires
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Cover Artist: Anne Cain
Publication date: March 24, 2017
Length: 280 pages
Reviewed by Erin
Synopsis
Ten years ago Sheriff’s Deputy Aaron George lost his wife and moved to Colton, hoping growing up in a small town would be better for his children. He’s gotten to know his community, including Mr. Larkin, the bouncy, funny science teacher. But when Larx is dragged unwillingly into administration, he stops coaching the track team and starts running alone. Aaron—who thought life began and ended with his kids—is distracted by a glistening chest and a principal running on a dangerous road.
Larx has been living for his kids too—and for his students at Colton High. He’s not ready to be charmed by Aaron, but when they start running together, he comes to appreciate the deputy’s steadiness, humor, and complete understanding of Larx’s priorities. Children first, job second, his own interests a sad last.
It only takes one kiss for two men approaching fifty to start acting like teenagers in love, even amid all the responsibilities they shoulder. Then an act of violence puts their burgeoning relationship on hold. The adult responsibilities they’ve embraced are now instrumental in keeping their town from exploding. When things come to a head, they realize their newly forged family might be what keeps the world from spinning out of control.
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Review
For anyone
who's an Amy Lane fan, and by this I mean it should be everyone, a new
release is a cause for celebration. Whether it's an angst filled book
that's guaranteed to rip your heart to shreds or something so fluffy
there are birds and hearts floating about your head, Amy Lane always
delivers a book that will be memorable. Her new release, Bonfires, is a
masterful combination of romance and drama with a smidge of mystery
thrown in that pretty much promises to vault this one way to the top of
your favorite of Amy Lane's books.
What
you can expect from Bonfires is a story about real people. I'm talking
faults, foibles, imperfections, and everything else. Aaron and Larx are
men in their mid forties looking fifty in the face. I have to say this
was the aspect of the book that had me most excited. I'm a huge YA and
New Adult fan, like hard core. I love reading about young people finding
out who they are and the journeys they take on their way to picking the
path that's right for them. I like reading about twenty and thirty
somethings who have found their groove and maybe have a few bumps in the
road as relationships come and go and things change. But what really
piques my interest is characters like Aaron and Larx. Men with families
and histories and real life experiences that made them into the
intriguing people they are and how they've put their own needs on hold
while they've taken care of their families. Aaron and Larx are just so
genuine and authentic that I fell in love with both of them immediately.
These are men who know who they are and what they want so there are no
games between them, just lots of frank discussion and open honesty.
There's a bit of fumbling which was just so endearing and they still
have those fluttery butterfly feelings of falling in love and the
excitement of a new romance while dealing with their families and jobs
as a sheriff and a principal. Both Aaron and Larx have demanding careers
and have years worth of experience juggling the complexities of their
lives.
As
with any Amy Lane book, besides the main characters Aaron and Larx,
there is a plethora of secondary characters that,as always, add so much
to the overall story. Their kids--Christiana,and Kirby, Kellan and
Isaiah who are two of Larx's students, Larx's best friend, Yoshi, and
Aaron's boss, Eamon, all play a major role throughout the book. Not to
mention the evil people, of which there are a few, help round out
everything and give the story depth. There's are sexy scenes, though not
too many, so that the focus is on the relationship, but that doesn't
mean these two aren't intense and inordinately sexy. Because they are.
Amy
Lane has written one hell of a story here, people. Bonfires is full of
things and issues that make this book so realistic. The current chaotic
and hateful political climate is very present, as well as bullying in
schools and homophobia also play a big role throughout the book. You
might think with topics such as these as well as a focus on families and
how sometimes those you love most can hurt you the worst, that this
book would be one long ride on the angst train. You'd be wrong. Never
fear, Amy has plenty of light moments as well as some achingly tender
and romantic ones. Throw in the mystery (which was done well and didn't
take away anything from the romance) and you've got all the elements to
make Bonfires an enjoyable and entertaining book from start to finish.
This book is bound to be an Amy Lane classic. Don't miss this one, guys.
You need Bonfires in your life.
Giveaway
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Dreamspinner Press GC!
Contest ends March 31st!
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As we reach the end of the month many of my anticipated books are on my kindle. Funnily enough Bonfires was the most recent.
ReplyDeleteMy birthday ! Lol no....i am looking forward to submitting another book
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