I AM CANADIAN

Before I turned 35, I didn´t know how the snow looked like. I neither knew what the Maple Leaf nor the Raptors were. I never went to the CN Tower before, or tried a double-double from Tim Hortons. Yet, I am a Canadian.

Yes, I am a Canadian in heart and soul.

I am Canadian by conviction.

I am Canadian because I chose to be.

I am Canadian, even though I´ll always remember my adored tricolor flag.

This is the real beginning. This is when the dreams come true.

This is it. My home… The True North Strong and Free.

  

INSPIRATION

The other day, I was watching a T´V show. They were talking about inspiration. That, made me think about the amount of things, that are out there helping us to pop out our creativity: Stars, people, pictures, the sunset, the beach, songs, nature, and so on. For me, my inspiration usually comes from words. Better than that, it comes from written words.

So, here it is, some of the words that inspire me as a person and as a writer.

1.- Out of the night that covers me, black as the pit from pole to pole. I thanks whatever gods may be, for my unconquerable soul.  In the fell clutch of circumstance, I have not winced nor cried aloud. Under the bludgeoning of fate, my head is bloody, but unbowed.  Beyond this place of wrath and tears, looms but the horror of the shade  and yet, the menace of the years finds, and shall find me, unafraid.  It matters not how strait the gate, how charged with punishment the scroll.

I am the master of my fate - I am the captain of my soul.

Invictus, by William Ernest Henle

2.- I'd like to get away from earth awhile

And then come back to it and begin over.

May no fate willfully misunderstand me

And half grant what I wish and snatch me away

Not to return. Earth's the right place for love:

I don't know where it's likely to go better.

I'd like to go by climbing a birch tree,

And climb black branches up a snow-white trunk

Toward heaven, till the tree could bear no more,

But dipped its top and set me down again.

That would be good both going and coming back.

One could do worse than be a swinger of birches.

Birches, by Robert Frost

3.- All men have stars, but they are not the same things for different people. For some, who are travelers, the stars are guides. For others they are no more than little lights in the sky. For others, who are scholars, they are problems... But all these stars are silent. You-You alone will have stars as no one else has them... In one of the stars I shall be living. In one of them I shall be laughing. And so it will be as if all the stars will be laughing when you look at the sky at night. You, only you, will have stars that can laugh! And when your sorrow is comforted (time soothes all sorrows) you will be content that you have known me... You will always be my friend. You will want to laugh with me. And you will sometimes open your window, so, for that pleasure... It will be as if, in place of the stars, I had given you a great number of little bells that knew how to laugh” 

The little Prince, by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry 

Note: Image: Formentera Spain, 2015.

FIGHTING DIRTY

By: Lori Foster

Year: 2016

Genre: Romance. New Adult.

“With the life he's led and the muscles he's gained, Armie Jacobson isn't afraid of anything. Except maybe Merissa Colter's effect on him. It's not just that she's his best friend's little sister. Fact is, she deserves better. Women pursue him for one night of pleasure, and that's all he wants to offer. Until rescuing Merissa from a robbery leads to the most erotic encounter of his life.

Good girl meets bad boy. It's a story that rarely ends well. But Merissa is taking matters into her own hands. No matter how he views himself, the Armie she knows is brave, honorable and completely loyal. And as past demons and present-day danger collide, they're both about to learn what's truly worth fighting for…”

I entered to Lori Foster world books with Ultimate Series, and after read the first book of the series, I felt in love with all characters, but special with Armie. That didn´t change with the other books. On the contrary, I was so excited with Armie and Merissa story that I read in one day.

I love Lori Foster writing style, but in this book she went beyond expectation. Her signature was present in every page, and the elements that we are use to, were there too: The romance, the sexy scenes, the intensity of the dialogues, the funny moments, the suspense, the unexpected twist, and of course, we also have the gorgeous Alfa male protecting the beautiful lady.

 However, even when this story is similar to the others, also it is different in a good way. The writer portrayed a broken hero, a man with demons well hidden, with fears, a savior, who also need to be saved. Moreover, the author presents us a unique protagonist. A strong woman, who fights for the love of his life, who believes and supports him, who understands him more than he thinks. But also she is a woman with fears and insecurities, with pride but with the enough wit to ask for help or protection when she needs it. So yes, she is not a silly female main character, Merissa is the perfect match for our hero Armie.

Next to the romance, which made me sight and sobbed more than once, there are the display of affection among the others characters part of the series. The friendship, the loyalty, the commitment was emotionally overwhelming. Especially the relationship between Cannon and Armie a friendship without reservation, and that was absolutely effective.

On the other hand with have the narrative. Which was efficient, keeping the reader attention, asking for one more page. However, in some point has some flows issues, some repetitive sentence that there weren´t necessary, and some contradictions, that pulled me out of the story but just for a sec. nevertheless, those are small matters comparing with the whole value package represented in this captivated story.

Also, I would love to have more in the epilogue, maybe a glance into the future. I guess Foster trusted in our imagination, or better, maybe we´ll have a peek insight our favorites´ fighters’ life, in futures books. And that is other think I love about Lori Foster, how she keep our heroes connected through different books.

If you like romance, action, sexy steamy scenes and funny stories, this book has the perfect mixture just for you. This book is a stand alone, but, I recommend the reading of the entire series, you are going to love every page. And then go to another series by this author, all of them worth your time and your heart.

My rating: 4.5 stars.

Best Phrases:

“You own me stretch. For better or worse. Today and forever”

“He´s always been my brother, Cannon said. Now it´ll finally be legit”

“My whole life has been about you, Rissy. For so long, it seemed I could never have what I wanted the most”.

Note: Picture was taken from www.google.com