New Release Spotlight & Review: Claimed By Love by Melissa Foster.

Claimed By Love
Love in Bloom: The Ryders #2

By: Melissa Foster

Releasing March 23, 2016
World Literary Press


Claimed by Love

Love in Bloom,The Ryders

Family law attorney Gabriella Liakos has one true love, Elpitha Island, where she grew up and hopes someday to return. But Elpitha is in financial ruins, and Gabriella will do anything to keep it from falling into the wrong hands.

Duke Ryder is a savvy real estate investor set on making Elpitha into an exclusive resort. Unlike other investors, he's not scared of purchasing a property where one family has roots so deep they practically reach the ocean floor...until he meets his beautiful, stubborn, and enticing tour host―the daughter of the owner of most of the island.

Gabriella sets out to dissuade Duke from purchasing Elpitha, but Duke has other ideas. He wants Gabriella and the island. Duke's powerful seduction draws Gabriella in, but can a savvy investor who's used to glamour and glitz, and a woman interested in preserving the culture she adores find a happily ever after together?

I've read quite a few Melissa Foster books and I'm always impressed with the quality of her writing. Claimed By Love is no exception as we are introduced to Duke Ryder and Gabriella Liakos.

Duke Ryder is an investor and heading to Elpitha, South Carolina to evaluate the island and see if it's ripe to redevelop into an exclusive holiday resort for the rich. On arrival, he's instantly taken with the mix of Southern and Greek Mediterranean charm of the landscape, but even more so by the woman who'll be his tour guide.

Gabriella Liakos is a successful lawyer and back on the island where she grew up. Her grandfather has decided to sell the island and wants his granddaughter to assist in finding a suitable buyer. She's strongly against the sale and hopes to dissuade the investor who's coming to view. However, she didn't bargain on meeting a smokin' hot gentleman who won't stop until he gets what he wants...including her!

The timeline for the protagonists is short, yet this doesn't feel like an instant love story. Both Duke and Gabriella are immediately drawn to each other but have conflicting agendas – can they successfully separate business and pleasure? Gabriella is stubborn in her desire to not change and begin a relationship, whilst Duke is very persuasive and persistent. He knows what he wants and how to turn on the charm to get it! Duke is simply adorable and very patient. He uses his skills well to sweep Gabriella off her feet when he realises he's found the woman of his dreams.

The foundation of a successful relationship is trust and this is an integral part of why Gabriella and Duke's relationship moves quickly. Ms. Foster demonstrates that Duke is a competent negotiator, yet sincere with his words and promises. Gabriella is clever and no fool but correctly recognises Duke has a conscience about a sympathetic redevelopment of Elpitha. Their families is important to them both, with matchmaking relatives happy to give these smitten lovebirds a gentle push. The plot has hot and heavy scenes balanced with times for thoughtful reflection and humorous dialogue. We get a lovely insight into some Greek traditions and meet more of the Ryder clan.

The beauty of Ms. Foster's books is the cameo appearances of protagonists from the past and the introduction of new ones of the future. Claimed By Love is another such standalone.

4 stars

***arc generously received courtesy of World Literary Press via Tasty Book Tours***

Link to Follow Tour: Here

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Melissa Foster is a New York Times & USA Today bestselling and award-winning author. She writes contemporary romance, new adult, contemporary women’s fiction, suspense, and historical fiction with emotionally compelling characters that stay with you long after you turn the last page. Her books have been recommended by USA Today’s book blog, Hagerstown Magazine, The Patriot, and several other print venues. She is the founder of the World Literary Café and Fostering Success. When she’s not writing, Melissa helps authors navigate the publishing industry through her author training programs on Fostering Success. Melissa has been published in Calgary’s Child Magazine, the Huffington Post, and Women Business Owners magazine.

Melissa hosts an Aspiring Authors contest for children and has painted and donated several murals to The Hospital for Sick Children in Washington, DC. Melissa lives in Maryland with her family.

Visit Melissa on social media. Melissa enjoys discussing her books with book clubs and reader groups, and welcomes an invitation to your event.

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