We are excited with author Kathyrn Andrews release of book #2 in the Hale Brothers Series. STARLESS NIGHTS is now available.
Title: Starless Nights (Hale Brothers #2)
Author: Kathryn Andrews
Release Date: 10 November 2014
Purchase Links
Amazon US
Blurb
Beau Hale
She said that she was my best friend and then one day she wasn’t. Every day I live with the visible scars, but it’s the invisible ones that hurt the most. They are a constant reminder of everything I’ve lost as well as all the things that I’ll never have. I should be over this by now, it’s been years, but I can’t escape the memories that haunt me. Everyone around me is moving on with their life, so now I need to do the same. Tennis brought me to Columbia University, and I am quickly proving that I will not let anyone defeat me, past or present. I am in control now. Life has taught me the hard way to remember that. But after all this time, I’m still searching for an answer to the one question that is constantly burning in the back of my mind…why?
Leila Starling
He said that he was my best friend, and then one day he wasn’t. It took one moment to change my entire life. What I thought I knew became a lie and nothing was ever the same. Slowly, I picked up the pieces and focused on what I could control…me. I live in New York City and attend one of the world’s most prestigious fashion and design schools. Day after day, I am getting closer and closer to making my dreams come true. I did this all on my own and no one can ever take it from me. I know my future is bright, even if my heart is destined to stay in the dark. The dull ache that still lingers is my daily reminder to rely on no one but myself. Although, after all this time, I still can’t help but wonder…why?
Excerpt
Sweat drips from my hair, over my forehead, and down the side of my face. I’m in the zone and nothing is going to pull me out of it. I toss the ball high to serve and watch in slow motion as it flies over the net and Nate responds. His feet are quick but mine are quicker. The muscles in my arms are tense. They’re coiled so tight, just waiting to strike. Over and over the ball comes at me. Its speed has to be close to one hundred and fifty miles an hour and all I can think is the faster the better! Tennis has always been my escape. My brother Drew swims and over the last few years, I’ve noticed that Matt has picked up running but for me . . . I need the impact to release the frustration, anger, and heartache that I am consumed with. Dad was smart to put me in tennis. Although, I would not, and will not ever hit a person, hitting a little yellow ball brings me great relief.
My Review
(by Trish)
5 COMPELLING, EMOTIONAL STAR BRIGHT STARS
Starlight, star bright, first star I see tonight, I wish I may, I wish I
might have this wish I wish tonight…
Kathryn Andrews you truly blow me away every time. Beau’s story is beautiful, heartbreaking,
frustrating, and so, so emotional. Do
you know how much I love Beau?
I was captivated by Beau and Leila from the minute I picked up the
book. It drew me in and left me
breathless time and time again. The
angst, frustration, misunderstanding, betrayal, lies and hurt they both endured
really was heartbreaking. My eyes
glistened almost all the time. I felt so
much for both Beau and Leila. Their
emotions became mine.
Kathryn you really have a way with words. I was totally consumed into this storyline,
these characters, this time in their lives.
This story broke my heart and shattered it into a million pieces before
getting to the end. Thank God for HEA’s,
because I don’t think I would have survived if there wasn’t a HEA.
Incidents from their past changes the course of their lives. The lives of two best friends who loved each
other, but were young and influenced by others.
Lack of communication can break you.
It can shatter the bond you have with the one you love from past to
present.
Beau was introduced to us in Drops of Rain. One of Drew’s younger brothers. On the surface he is carefree, fun and
everyone’s friend. But deep down he
suffers. The pain he carries with him is
harrowing. He’s hurt, beaten and bruised
by an abusive father.
In the present day he is tormented by these past demons he carries with
him, as well as the loss of Leila and the fact that she is back in his life. His nightmares are real, they haunt him still
today.
Leila was also introduced to us in Drops of Rain. Ali’s best friend, she is kind, loving,
loyal, sensual and beautiful inside and out.
All she ever wanted was for Beau to see her. To love him and be there for him.
She is confused about why they are so distant. How they became that way. She thought she was over him. She thought she was stronger.
Leila
My eyes fill with tears. Tears
for a love that I’ve had for him for so long and tears for a love that has
never been returned. I thought I was
doing better. I thought I was getting
over him. Nope. One glance from those beautiful hazel eyes
and I am right back there again, being consumed by him.
The dual POV put everything into perspective. I loved knowing what the other was thinking
and doing at the same time. It felt so
real and in the moment.
Beau
What do I say to her? Does she
want me to say anything at all? She’s so
close to where I live. Am I supposed to
stop in and see her now? Does she even
want me to stop in? It’s been a year, we
aren’t even friends. We haven’t been for
a long time. Do I want to be friends
with her? I know in the end, she will
hurt me like she always does.
I adored this emotional rollercoaster of two young souls who were
childhood best friends and who have misunderstood each other for years but
carry a deep love for one another that they haven’t been able to express fully.
Their love was so strong, that it was so frustrating that they could not
see it in each other. Too many years of
misunderstandings of one blaming the other for something.
Leila left Beau and shattered his heart.
Beau left Leila and shattered her heart.
I felt their pain every single time.
My heart was pounding in my chest for the hurt they were going
through. I wanted to jump right in there
and yell at both of them to really see each other, speak to each other, love
each other.
He had loved her unconditionally from the moment he met her when he was
8. Leila also loved Beau unconditionally. He was the only one for her. But they were never able to express
that. The each thought the other should
have known.
Leila was and is Beau’s Northern Star – stargazing held a special place
in both their hearts as it was something they shared together and still both do
as it reminds them of each other.
Part of the frustration and angst between them was they each blamed the
other for what happened in the past without really knowing the truth. There are so many underlying factors in this
drama filled storyline that it will have you on the edge of you seat wanting to
know more. Wanting to push Beau and
Leila together.
There are so many Whys in this story.
Why didn’t Beau fight harder for Leila?
Why didn’t Leila talk to Beau and say goodbye before she left?
Beau & Leila
My eyes are had and fierce as they bore into her. “You win Leila. You’ve wanted to be rid of me for so long,
well you just got your wish.”
I continue to stare at her but my words have dried up. I’m shaking, my eyes have filled with tears,
and a lump has formed in the back of my throat.
I know the minute I walk away from her, the tears will fall. She just broke my heart.
“Please, Beau…. I’m so sorry.” She lets out in a sob and takes another
step toward me. Tears are now pouring
down her face and her arms wrap around her stomach.
“It doesn’t matter Leila. I never
did.” With that, I push past her, grab
my bag, walk out the door, down the stairs and into the snow.
The love they have for each other is so raw and real
but so mistaken by each of them. They
can’t see how much it is there – their past is in the way – they have hurt each
other so much that they just can’t see past that.
But when the drama that filled their pasts comes back
with a BANG they both realize they made mistakes. And when they finally do talk, discover the
lies from their past – it was heartbreaking all over again as well as beautiful
seeing them understand the truth.
recognize their mistakes.
Beau & Leila
She’s studying my face, searching for something, but
I’m not sure what. Eventually she blinks
and then swallows.
“I hurt you,” her voice is so grief-stricken it makes
my chest ache.
“Yes, and I hurt you.”
She needs to know that she’s not alone in this.
“It’s not the same.
I know deep down you deserve so much better, but …. I can’t and,” her
eyes lock on to mine, “I won’t let you go.”
Hearing her say that she’s not letting me go, I’m
rewarded with a warmth that is soul deep.
I’ve only ever wanted her to want me.
This makes me so happy I’m flying high.
“Yes, it is the same.
And just so we are clear, you do deserve me and I’m not letting you go
either.”
She inhales sharply and her eyes grow a little bigger.
Silence hangs between us. She’s watching me and I’m watching her. Her big blue eyes sparkle and then she leans
into me and tucks her head in my neck. I
warp my arms around her and just hold her.
I want to hold her forever.
Will they survive the past coming back?
Will they be able to handle the truth from the past?
Can they forgive each other?
Kathryn’s writing is flawless and effortless. It will engage you from start to finish. You really will not put this book down. I couldn’t.
It kept drawing me in. And when I
wasn’t reading it, I was thinking of Beau and Leila. This is a beautiful, frustrating love story
of loss, betrayal, truth, growth, love and finding your soul mate. I was completely consumed in them.
Congratulations Kathryn Andrews on a truly beautiful,
stunning and amazing story. Thank you
for bringing us Beau and Leila. I am so
excited to get Matt’s story next.
Author Links
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