Finally Home (Home #4) by Ann Vaughn

I have to start by saying that Ann Vaughn has become a must read author for me.  I have loved all the books in her Home Series - and Finally Home was a beautiful ending for a man who has been haunted for years with the memories of his 12 hours in captivity while he was serving in the military.

 

Lainey and Mike saw each other for the first time when she was 17 at the Founder's Ball - but at the time he was too old for her, and he was getting to leave and serve his country.  But fate has a way of stirring up lives - and almost ten years later it's Mike who will be helping Lainey as she tries to stay safe from an ex-patient who has turned into a stalker.

 

Mike tries to keep his feelings for Lainey in check, but it's very difficult, because she has always been on his mind over the years.  He has kept a lot of his past to himself - his family not even knowing what happened while in captivity.  Lainey wants to help Mike heal, especially while they grow closer as Mike protects her from the stalker.  Mike just doesn't know how to let it all go - and trust her with all his demons.
 

 

And this is what I love about Ann Vaughn and her writing - you not only get the beautiful romance and love story, you also get some great bam-bam, and some serious grit.  Anne does not hold back from describing what happened to Mike in Captivity - and it will totally break your heart.  But sometimes getting the things off our chest, that torture us the most, and letting others take some the burden - is the best kind of therapy.

 

 

Finding Home by Ann Vaughn

 

Colt - he's definitely made the list of the best "book boyfriends".  He's really the whole package, caring, thoughtful, a family guy, alpha, determined - oh, and sexy as hell.  After seeing Sarah at lunch with her co-workers,  and hearing her laugh, he's hooked.  Lunch is his treat - flowers are delivered - and a returned email from Sarah to him - a date is set for that night. 

 

Sarah is wondering if she did the right thing by accepting dinner with Colt after just seeing him in the restaurant.  Sarah has lived a sheltered life, home schooled most of the time, and rarely going out in public - not to mention she hasn't really dated over the years.  She is used to keeping to herself since her adopted parents both died when she was 18.  But luckily, she decides to take the plunge and accepts Colt's dinner offer.

 

As their relationship continues - Colt learns more about Sarah's past and her adoption - and starts looking into who her birth parents are without Sarah knowing.  Sarah has been afraid to open the box that her adopted mother left for her after she died - she's not sure she wants to find out about her birth parents.  When Colt tells her what he finds in regards to her birth mother - Sarah has a fit - and kicks him out.

 

The story from here on out is filled with twists that I never even saw coming.  I really felt for Sarah as she struggled to face the reality of the life she should have had - and the one that was given to her, and that she believed in.  There were so many heart wrenching moments - I could barely put this book down, wanting to see how everything would play out.   I loved the complex storyline, and Colt and Sarah were perfect together.  Once again I have to say that I love Ann Vaughn's writing style - you will not be disappointed reading this book, a Five Star for sure!!! 

 

Long Way Home by Ann Vaughn

 

Shane McCanton and Tessa Kelly were childhood enemies. Everything was a contest to them and Tessa always seemed to show Shane that nice guys finished last. Things change, however, when hormones take over and Shane begins to see the perpetual thorn-in-his-side as more than just his childhood nemesis...

 

Tessa had never meant to set into motion events that led to their childhood rivalry, but once it started, she embraced it with gusto - until her world started to fall apart and she realized that Shane was the one constant in her life, her rock who would never leave her and help her find her Long Way Home..

I loved this story.  I loved how Shane and Tessa met in kindergarten – and she just knew he was the “one” – although his reply to their future was classic…

 

"You’re Nuts!”

 

I enjoyed the growth and changes in their relationship as they grew into teenagers – and finally discovered the feelings they had for each other.  It was always Shane for Tessa.  Even as they went their separate ways after college – they always held the love they had for each other deep in their hearts.

 

But there’s so much more involved in this book – it totally caught me off guard.  -without giving too much away of the story - some of the situations might be difficult for some people to read, but everything was handled in a careful manner.  Theirs wasn’t an all hearts and flowers relationship all the time – there were situations that happened, that were just too big to overcome – at least I believed so.

I really enjoy Ann Vaughn’s writing style.  I read her Christmas book and knew I just had to see what else she wrote – and I was in no means disappointed.  Now I’m off to read Finding Home – and can’t wait to see how this story plays out.