Title: Limitless Love
Series: Lotus House Novel: Book 4
Author: Audrey Carlan
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Blurb:
“I’m a good person. At least I try to be. After my husband left me, I picked up the pieces of my broken heart and tried to move on. One shattered piece at a time.
Just when I thought things were looking up, that I had suffered enough at the hands of fate, my past came back with nothing to lose and a blade that cut…deep.
Figuratively and physically scarred, I had nothing left to hold on to. That’s when Clayton Hart entered my world. With his blue eyes, spikey blond hair, and a body packed with muscles, I never stood a chance.
Clayton pushed his way into my life, my bed, and my heart, proving that only the truest love can be limitless.”
Thoughts:
King Clay stakes his claim—to his princess Moe, his Queen Lily, to his Kingdom. “’S’wat I said.”
When Moe’s “family” rallies to her aid after a brutal knife attack, Clayton Hart come face to face with his demons. Unlike a year ago when he got close to Moe, got spooked and ran, this time he couldn’t run. Clayton needed to step up, be a man and face his demons, even if their reminders came in a pint-size package.
Excerpt:
I grabbed Mia’s wrist. Who has Lily?”
“Uh, we had to move quick, and I was with a friend when Mila called,” Atlas answered while rubbing at the back of his neck.
“A friend?” I queried.
“Yeah, Clay.”
“Clayton Hart has my daughter?” I was unable to mask the shock in my voice.
Atlas looked down and away sheepishly. “He’s reputable.”
“That may be, but he’s never met her. Wasn’t she scared?” My goodness, my poor baby with a man she’d never met as her aunt and uncle left her to see her mom in the hospital. This was so messed up.
“Nope. It was the weirdest thing. I introduced her, and they stood in front of one another, squaring off, and then she grabbed his hand and asked if he liked secret gardens.”
I closed my eyes.
“What can I say? Lily’s easy to love.” Atlas shrugged.
Excerpt:
“Clay, you’re da king and I’m da queen, ’kay?” Lily plopped a plastic crown on my head. I blinked and sat silently until she spun around, put her hands on her hips, and frowned. “You’re ’posed to say ’kay.”
“Uh, okay?” This was some fucked-up shit. How I got conned into taking care of Monet’s daughter, the one I absolutely did not want to even meet after finding out about her last year, was jacked. I wanted Monet back then. With her sexy body, flowing black hair, and unique features, I was all in with one glance. And we hit it off right away too. Until I found out she had a child. Then all bets were off. The last thing I needed was to be roped into a situation like I’d had with Stacey. Hell, no. That bitch did a number on me. One I’d spent years getting over.
Did I want children? Hell, yeah. Always had. I just didn’t know how to fix that piece in me that died after Stacey’s lies and betrayal. And yet there I sat, taking care of the child of the woman I’d brushed off, a plastic crown on my head, pretending to be a king.
A brilliant smile adorned Lily’s face while she assessed me. Hell if I couldn’t ward off the arrow that pierced straight through my gut. I rubbed at the tender spot, not understanding the new feeling. Lily hummed and danced around her room. She had a wand in one hand that she fluttered in the air sporadically. For the life of me, I had no clue what the heck she was doing, but she seemed very serious about her dance, so I didn’t ask.
“King Clay…” she started.
“My name is Clayton, sweetie.” Shit. I’d given her a nickname already. I clenched my teeth and focused on the kid. Damn, she was cute. Just like her mother.
“’S’wat I said. Clay.” She frowned and bopped me on one shoulder and then the other, blasting me into attention.
“Ouch!” I laughed and grabbed hold of her weapon.
“Dat’s mine! I have to protect you with my spell!” Her voice rose excitedly.
I couldn’t help but chuckle and nod. “Okay, okay. Just do it softer.” I used a low tone. Keep her happy while her mom dealt with whatever had gone down. Only thing I heard was that Monet was in the hospital and Atlas needed me to look after Lily while they checked it out.
She smiled and did it again, this time with less force. “You are now ’tected by the power of the Secret Garden Land!”
“What do I need to be protected from?” I asked, getting into the pretend game.
“Monsters.”
I widened my eyes for effect, which she seemed to enjoy. “There are monsters in the garden?”
She snort-huffed. “No, silly. I’ve ’tected the Secret Garden Land. You’re safe now, even when you leave my room!” Her corresponding smile and the pride that puffed her chest up was something to behold.
“Why would you protect me?” I asked softly, that uneasy feeling in my gut growing with each playful smile she bestowed.
Lily pursed her lips. “B’cuz I like you, and you like my mom.”
I jerked my head back. What the…? “Now what would make you think that, sweetie?” I tickled her side, thinking it was the thing to do in that moment. Deflect. Deflect. Deflect. What was that thing Trent was saying about kids always knowing when something was up with people? They were like natural little private investigators.
Lily howled with laughter and jumped back. “You looked at her pictures on the walls a lot and smiled. You like her.” Lily’s tone was matter-of-fact and more confident than I would have expected from a small child.
Observant little bugger. I did do that while checking out the house. When Atlas left, he asked me to drive Lily home and get her situated because they didn’t know when they would be back. I took that time to take a gander at the beautiful woman I’d been attracted to last year.
“Well, your mommy is very pretty.”
She nodded vigorously. “The prettiest princess in the whole world.” “And what about you?” I petted the top of her black hair, surprised at how soft it was. Lily was quite possibly the cutest little girl I’d ever seen. Not that I’d been exposed to that many kids. Only my buddy Trent’s son, William. I’d’ve bet this kid could be on the cover of those parenting magazines. She took a lot after her mother’s Asian side, but the unique blue eyes and lighter skin must have at least partly been from her father. My guess? A white guy with blue eyes. Probably the douchebag ex-husband.
Those pretty eyes of hers focused so intently on me I swore she could see right through to my guarded and tarnished soul. And just like a truly honest and forthright kid, she responded to my statement with one of her own.
“I’m the queen, don’t ya know.”
Thoughts (continued):
As a therapist Dr. Monet Holland knew the trauma she’d experienced at the hands of her ex-husband Kyle was just the start. There was much healing to be done, not just physically but mentally as well. Always a strong, independent woman, the self-doubt and even guilt that niggled in the back of her mind now, was sure to surface. She could power through it. She’d be fine. She had her friends, her only family, there to support her. And there was Lily of course.
Clay once walked away, now his stutter steps were getting more certain and decidedly pointed in the right direction. He wouldn’t falter now. Clay knew a good woman when he saw one. He wanted to be there for her. He wanted to protect her.
Written in dual POVs, “Limitless Love” has strong lead characters. Even though they falter sometimes and are cautiously guarding their hearts, they are both searching for the one, learning to take a chance on love.
But while love appears to be blossoming in the Holland household and healing taking place, others conspire to take another stab at finishing the job they started. He’s still out there, waiting watching.
“Limitless Love” is without a doubt my favorite of this series, perhaps of everything she’s written. There’s an HEA of course, strong characters and friendships, the steamy sex we’ve become accustomed to in her writing and I just love the suspense in this story. Like the others in the Lotus House series, Audrey’s writing is therapeutic. At least it was for me. The reader gets more than a good story. The journey is relatable, but the message well, Audrey says it best in the opening pages in her note to the reader.
She writes, “I hope Limitless Love teaches you more about your heart chakra, the best way to open it and prevent it from being closed, and how to experience each day keeping love and kindness at the forefront of your mind.”
Grade: A+++
