Please enjoy this tale of love, loss and the joys of rediscovering one’s own strength and ability love again.
Tracey’s ReviewNever thinking that she’d have to face such heartache and loss, Jade Ritter is doing her best to hold things together. In San Francisco on business, Shae MacCain arrives at just the right time, offering friendship and an escape from the heartbreak that Jade’s life has become. When the unthinkable happens, and Jade is left to pick up the pieces of her life, Shae moves on, and the support of her unique circle of friends is the only thing keeping her going. As one part of a couple, Jade has come to be defined as one half of a whole. Now that she’s on her own again, and after grieving the loss of that part of her life, her quest to rediscover all of the things that make her uniquely Jade will take her far outside of her comfort zone.
VALOROUS is the second book in the Affliction of Falling series by author Kristina Canady, and I have to say that I enjoyed it much more than the first book. While I didn’t dislike SCRUPULOUS, I would have liked to have seen more plot and character development, and Kristina has done a nice job with that in this second book.
Jade is an interesting character. It really is satisfying to see how stepping out on her own allows her to take back those parts of herself that define her womanhood and free her to be who she really is. Leaving behind all that is comfortable, and the people that make up one’s intimate circle, would be hard for anyone, and that Jade has the courage and fortitude to do it, even in the face of her own fear, made me appreciate her. Watching her learn that she doesn’t need anyone else to define her makes it that much more satisfying when she learns to accept that opening herself up again is a choice, and that, with the right person, she doesn’t have to put aside those rediscovered parts of herself.
I found myself very engaged with this book, and not wanting to put it aside, which is always the mark of a successful read for me. I enjoyed Jade’s journey of self-discovery, her relationship with Shae, and the interactions with her zany but lovable troupe of friends that support her no matter what, and easily give VALOROUS 4 stars. I have become invested in this group of characters, and look forward to reading more about them, because, between the lot of them, there is never a dull moment.
***ARC generously provided for an honest review.***
Raised California, Kristina moved to Colorado to pursue her education and fell in love with the area. After pushing through college class by class with a few scenic breaks in between, she finally graduated with the support of her family and friends.
After establishing her career in nursing, she felt something was missing. Her artistic side was calling so she started to pick up her writing and painting again. After a while, she found that her short story had grown into her first novel. Writing is a passion of hers and she feels the greatest achievement in her art is creating works that bring enjoyment to others.
She continues to reside in Colorado and is working on the next installment of an Affliction of Falling Novels.
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Award winning author Chris Cannon lives in Southern Illinois with her husband and her three dogs, Pete the shih tzu who sleeps on her desk while she writes, Molly the ever-shedding yellow lab, and Tyson the sandwich-stealing German Shepherd Beagle. She believes coffee is the Elixir of Life. Most evenings after work, you can find her sucking down caffeine and writing fire-breathing paranormal adventures and snarky contemporary romance.
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