I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy from the Author. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Storm of Ambition
by Lily Black
Series: Willowdale #2
Series Rating:
Published by LLC, Red Adept Publishing on January 7, 2020
Genres: Romantic Suspense
Pages: 250
Format: Kindle
Goodreads
BookBub
Get Your Copy at: Amazon, Book Depository
Also in this series: Storm of Attraction, Bliss in the Storm
Still reeling from her broken engagement with Aaron Farsee, Grace Meredes is content to live quietly and hide from the paparazzi. She’s abruptly yanked back into her father’s world when she receives a text from a blackmailer. Her family could be ruined unless she meets the blackmailer in Willowdale. The media reported that Grace dumped her fiancé because she didn’t want to deal with his war wounds and PTSD, so no one will believe that he was the one who cancelled the wedding. Unwilling to expose her private life again, Grace contrives a cover story for her visit to Willowdale, along with a fake name, to keep her dad’s nosy senatorial staff at bay.
When Aaron sees Grace standing at the counter of his auto shop, he dreads the drama that will surely follow. She claims she’s in town to help with the winter festival, but he has trouble believing her. Despite his skepticism he agrees to help her, since the proceeds benefit the veterans hospital. But he is determined not to do anything that might help her father.
When someone leaves a threatening message along with a knife in Grace’s cabin, Aaron’s protective instincts kick in. But he can’t save her from a danger she won’t admit is real. The double threat of the blackmailer and her father’s buried secrets soon leave Grace without anyone to trust but the man who broke her heart.
Storm of Ambition by Lily Black is a fantastic tale of secrets and blackmail, combined with how parents’ actions affect their children.
Will Grace chose to protect her father or love Aaron? And will Aaron forgive Grace for her perceived past transactions?
Grace
Grace’s father is a senator, and her life has been to serve his campaigns first. She is an accountant and former dancer, but mostly she is known for being Senator Mercedes’ daughter. Grace has had one love in her life, and Aaron called off the engagement without giving her a reason, which she could’ve handled if it hadn’t been for her father’s campaign and the media who blamed Grace for braking up with Aaron because of his possible disability.
Grace has always stood up for her father, even when she didn’t agree with his decisions. She never asked him questions about his choices, and he indeed never offered them up. So, when Grace is blackmailed, she decides to handle this mess herself and figure out what her father really did. Also, hopefully, she can fix the lousy PR with her and Aaron at the same time.
What I like about Grace is that she is strong and holds up well to the verbal attacks. She has this steadfast, regalness about her. Yet, Grace’s trust is tested by people that she just met, and Aaron. I wanted a happy ending for Grace from the beginning of the book. She is a relatable character with a perfect combination of strengths and weaknesses. I just wish her dad stayed on the pedestal she put him on.
Aaron
Aaron is a West Point graduate, who was wounded in combat. His family has been friends with Grace’s family for a long time, so they grew up together. He loves Grace but decides that if his leg has to be amputated, then he doesn’t want to brought out and showed off for her father’s political gain. So, breaking it off with Grace is the best possible thing.
Aaron has made it through his rehab and is doing better now. He is working as a mechanic, which is easy for an engineer. He dates a bit but no one seriously. Aaron didn’t pay attention to what the media was saying about Grace after their breakup, Aaron just didn’t want to deal with that whole mess anymore. He doesn’t agree with the Senator’s politics and doesn’t want anything to do with him, therefore no Grace either.
I like Aaron, and he felt real to me. His panic attacks seem realistic, and his goodness shone through. Aaron’s relationship with Sgt. Roberts is wonderfully sweet, even though I am sure they wouldn’t like that description. Aaron is a good guy, and you can tell that he and Grace still love each other, but communication is hard at times.
The Mystery
The mystery is who is the blackmailer, and what do they have on Grace and her father? I biggest question, though, was why? Why now? Why Grace and not her father directly? This person couldn’t have known that Grace would handle it on herself. Who could do these things to Grace and Deborah? So many questions.
I love a good mystery, and this one kept me guessing. I did figure out the culprit a few chapters before it was revealed. However, I had the motive wrong. And the reasons why I so did not see coming.
Five Stars
Romantic Suspense is one of my (many) favorite genres. The story moved fast, kept the clues and red herrings coming, build the characters, along with their relationships up, and is just an enjoyable read. Therefore, Storm of Ambition by Lily Black is getting five stars from me. I recommend this book to all you romantic suspense readers out there.
Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of Storm of Ambition by Lily Black.
Until the next time,
This Guest Review is for Baroness’ Book Trove.
About Lily Black
Lily Black believes in true love, but is also quite sure going after it is the scariest thing we’ll ever do! She explores this dynamic in her romantic suspense novels, which are set in the small imaginary town of Willowdale, where people dream big, love deeply, and kick butt if necessary. She has a black belt in Chung Do Kwan Tai Kwon Do, and has also trained in everything from judo to broadswords. She lives in North Carolina, where she divides her free time between the mountains and the sea, with her very patient and loving husband and their teen daughter.
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