Reading Write Now: Ignite by Tessa Teevan with Giveaway

Title: Ignite (#1, Explosive Series)

Author: Tessa Teevan

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Release Date: October 30, 2013

Hosted By: Love Between the Sheets

Synopsis

After nearly a year and a half of grieving the loss of her husband, twenty-seven year old Alexa Sullivan Tate is headed back to her hometown after a decade of being away. She has no idea her high school crush, Jace McAllister, the guy who stole her heart the same night that he broke it, is more than ready to pick up the pieces.

Jace has spent the last ten years in the Army defusing bomb after bomb, trying to forget the girl who ignited all his passions. Little does he know that the spark still exists.

Ten years ago they had smoldering chemistry, but the spark between them now might light a fuse that leads to an explosion even Jace can't stop. Not that he wants to. If only Alexa can get past her guilt and trust her heart again.

But how do you put it all on the line when you've already lost everything once before?

*While this is a series, each book will be standalone with spinoff characters.*

Excerpt

Jace has me pressed up against the side of his car, his hands cupping both sides of my face. Looking into my eyes, he leans in, stopping just inches from my lips. I think he’s about to kiss me when he speaks instead.

“I told you I’d come back.”

A smile breaks out on my face when he closes the space between us, pressing his lips against mine. His kiss is soft and slow to begin with, but I’ve been aching for his touch for weeks, so I slide my hands up his t shirt, letting out a soft moan when I make contact with his skin. At the sound, his kiss hardens, and his tongue is against my lips, begging for entrance. They part immediately, allowing his tongue to collide with mine and our kisses turn frantic as we try to make up for lost time. His hands move to the small of my back before he slips them under my shirt and he traces small circles over my skin, causing me to shiver. My hands move over his taut abs as I make my way up his muscular chest. My thumb grazes his nipple, and he groans, breaking our kiss.

“Fuck, I’ve missed you,” he says in a husky voice, wrapping his arms around me in a tight embrace. My head leans against his hard chest, where I can hear his heart pounding. Smiling silently to myself, I’m secretly thankful that he still seems to be as affected by me as I am by him.

Kota's Review

What can I say about Tessa Teevan’s debut novel, Ignite? The synopsis paints a great picture of this story, and its hard to say too much without giving the story away.

Ignite is the story of Alexa and Jace and while it is set in the present, there is much reminiscing of their high school relationship. Alexa and Jace were best friends in High School, both with deep feelings for each other but never acting on those feelings, or being aware they were reciprocated.

Their last night together in High School changes everything and then Jace ships off to join the Army. Yes girls, a hot alpha soldier with a heart of gold… just imagine!

Time is not a friend of Jace and Alexa, and with time, life moves on…

So here we are ten years later, and a lot of things have occurred to both Jace and Alexa that have changed them. Alexa is grieving her husband’s death, and Jace has never truly gotten over his first love, and is ten years into his army career, so has seen and experienced some horribly traumatic things.

Tessa Teevan has created characters with depth and emotions that allow you to connect with them on every level, so when Jace and Alexa reconnect, you are cheering for them with everything possible!

The secondary characters in this story, whilst some are meddlesome, are a great supporting cast. We get to know Alexa’s sister Sierra and her husband Jeremy, and there is also Brady, Knox, not to mention Alexa’s parents, Jace’s parents… and the very cute and sassy 4 year old Ava. These characters add a wonderful dimension to Alexa and Jace’s story. And if it was not for the meddling of Sierra, the story as it unfolds may have been substantially different.

Oh and Brady – every girl needs a Best Friend like Brady – one who says it like it is, and makes you spit your alcohol all over yourself while you pick your chin up off the floor – because you can’t believe he said that!

Jace is a wonderful man, he is honourable, committed, wears his heart (when it comes to Alexa) on his sleeve and is open and compassionate. He is also a man’s man, who is built, cut and oh so sexy!

Once Jace and Alexa reconnect the story takes us on their journey over the coming year, the pace is believeable and the challenges seem very real. This story is articulately told, it is paced very well, with enough detail and emotion for you to go along for the ride. For a debut novel, I am very impressed with Tessa’s storytelling and look forward very much to seeing her grow as an author, particular with Knox’s story – who towards the end I was hoping I would learn more about..

I have to say – for all of the things I liked about this story, I think I was disappointed with how sweet it was (if that’s possible?). It is a wonderful love story, with a HEA, but for me – I just wish it had more angst, or drama! Whilst there was drama, it was not intense enough for me, and ultimately it was still sweet!

That said – I am going to rate Ignite 4 ½ hearts – it’s a beautiful story, beautifully told (with some minor typos – which hopefully will be picked up before publishing). Congrats Tessa on a enjoyable story – I can’t wait to see where you take the Explosive Series.

4 1/2 hearts for Ignite

About the Author

I'm a twenty six year old book junkie who is also obsessed with sports. Bengals, Buckeyes, Reds are my teams! I work for the government during the day, hang out with Air National Guard on the weekends, and am married to a guy 15 inches taller than me. We're quite the pair! We currently live right outside of Dayton, OH with our two cats.

I've been reading since I was a kid. My mom was a librarian, so it was a given. Heck, she even made sure we watched Wishbone instead of the Smurfs. In 2011 when I graduated from college, my mom bought me a Nook, and then in the summer of 2012 I found this amazing site called Goodreads. I was introduced to so many amazing indie/self-published authors. After reading almost 400 books that year, my husband gave me the push to finally sit down and write my own. It was a rocky start, but over time the words started flowing and I couldn't get Jace and Lexi out of my head.

If I’m not writing or looking through tons of photos of hot men, all in the name of research, then you can probably find me curled up with my Kindle, ignoring the rest of the world. I love my sports almost as much as I love my books. My other obsessions include red wine, hot men, country music, and all things Grace Potter.

I LOVE to hear from readers, so please feel free to contact via any social media site listed below.