Page Princess: REACHING RACHEL by L.L. Collins

Title: REACHING RACHEL

Author: L.L. Collins

Series: Living Again

Publish Date: 01.18.14

Publisher: L.L. Collins

Category /Genre: Contemporary Romance

Recommended for: 18+ due to violence and sexual content

Grammar/editing: ungraded – book received as an unedited ARC / errors excused

Received from: L.L. Collins (in exchange for an honest review)

Tour by: Sinful Thoughts Author Promotions

Add to Goodreads: Reaching Rachel

Date completed: 01.27.14

Description from the publisher:

Rachel has always been seen as a wild child, never committing or settling down. She wants it that way, so that no one ever finds out the truth. Deep down, she is crushed over something that happened years ago that resulted in losing the only man she ever loved. Then she meets someone who tries to convince her that she’s ready to commit again. But some things are not what they seem. Realizing too late that she’s in over her head, and with her life on the line, she comes face to face with her past in a way she never thought possible.

Devin was in love once, and it destroyed him, making him swear off love forever. After a promotion and subsequent move unexpectedly brings him into the middle of her dangerous situation, he must come face to face with his past and to the woman who broke him into pieces. But she needs help. Desperately. And maybe, just maybe, he didn't know the real truth of their past. Can he help her survive the terrible ordeal she's been through, and during it all, can he safeguard his heart from her? Or will the truth of the pain that has kept them apart show him that he can't live without her after all?

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*** NOTE: this excerpt is for 18+ only ****

“I’m safe,” Devin whispered into her ear, and she shivered. She wasn’t sure exactly which meaning he meant by saying that, but she’d take all of them. She knew he was. She had never felt safer in her life. Turning her head, she met his eager lips, and they hungrily sucked on each other’s lips and tongues as he pushed himself gently inside her. She gasped into his mouth as she felt the pressure of him inside her, and he stilled. Using her feet to pull him back towards her, he resumed without saying a word. Their kisses matched the rhythm of his pulses. Rachel’s head was reeling. It was so different, even though the action was the same. With him, everything was like seeing it, feeling it, for the first time. Her body started quivering, close to release already.

He broke their kiss to suckle her neck, then turned her quickly so she was on top, straddling him while he was still inside her. She smiled at him, loving him for giving her the control. “Rachel.” His hands caressed her breasts, then he used one to touch her where they were joined, causing her to throw her head back and groan in satisfaction. The man just knew exactly what to do. “I need you….I…” Devin closed his eyes, shifting his hands to her hips so he could rock her back and forth. She understood what he needed, because she needed it too. She began moving on top of him, the feeling of fullness stretching her, teasing her with sensation.

He continued to rock her hips with his hands as he watched her, his eyes wide. Her hair was loose and falling around her face, as he loved it. They locked eyes as she moved up and down, teasing him. They both knew what they wanted, and they were ready. She increased her pace, moving faster and harder. She leaned over so her face was even with his as they moved furiously together, both racing for the feeling they were craving. He removed his hands from her hips and used them to frame her face, kissing her deeply as her body began shuddering over him.

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This is the second book in the Living Again series. It will stand alone and they do not have to be read in order. Five years ago, Rachel made a horrible mistake and Devin drove away leaving them both heartbroken and alone. Five years later, Rachel is known as tough, independent woman who does not allow anyone to get close. She buries her feelings in the pursuit of men without commitment. On the anniversary of the day that Devin left, she meets Justin. She decides to give him a chance, but is soon in over her head. On the lowest day of her life, she is reunited with Devin. Can they rebuild their happily ever after?

Devastation, self-preservation, hope – lather, rinse, repeat. Right from the beginning, I wanted Devin to return. I mean, come on – a hot cop with tattoos and a motorcycle. Who wouldn’t want that? But when years have passed, it’s time to move on. Right? Right. Enter Justin. What started out as a one-night stand, grew and escalated. Justin had a plan and when they started dating, I wanted Justin to be the man to heal Rachel. Then his true colors began to show and I was terrified. When Rachel was tormented, I too felt tormented. And that’s just the first third of the book! This book trashed me emotionally and I wouldn’t have missed it for anything. I hope there will be more coming from Ms. Collins.

Other books in the Living Again series: