Review: Heart Stealer by Sophia Knightly

HEART STEALER Buy Links:

Amazon US:  https://bit.ly/2EMqcfp

Amazon UK:  https://amzn.to/2q4icMw

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Nook - https://bit.ly/2JeexEJ

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HEART STEALER

Blurb:

On a fateful wintry night, things aren't merry and bright…until a hero comes along. 

Once an incurable romantic, Ivy Parker knows it's all a fairytale after being burned too many times before. After all, every man in her life has failed her. The jilted bridal shop owner is resigned to spending Christmas alone.

But when a dangerous fire leaves her without a place to live, everything changes for Ivy. Suddenly a gorgeous, silver-eyed hero comes along and restores her faith in men. Living in close quarters with her strong protector, she can't deny her desire for him.  

Brilliant inventor Stone Tremayne avoids the public eye. He leaves the spotlight for his fame hungry movie star twin. Working straight through Christmas is all that is on Stone’s holiday list. But on his first meet-up date with Ivy, his anonymity is destroyed when he rescues her from a blazing fire. The fire isn't all that heats up this holiday season as Stone is captivated by Ivy’s radiant beauty and innate kindness.

But can two shattered souls find the magic of Christmas before the New Year brings another crushing heartbreak?

With over 7,000 ratings and great reviews across her alpha male romance titles on Amazon, Goodreads and other retailers, Sophia Knightly is sure to keep you turning the pages. 

HEARTTHROB SERIES - Each book is a standalone.
Heart Raider, Book 1 - Nick and Ronnie
Heart Melter, Book 2 - Ian and Natasha
Heart Tamer, Book 3 - Alec and Kate
Heart Hunter, Book 4 - Cameron and Evie
Heart Tempter, Book 4 - Leo and Teddy
Heart Stealer, Book 6 - Stone and Ivy

Write to her at: sophiaknightly@gmail.com
Follow her on Twitter @SophiaKnightly
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Visit her website at: http://www.sophiaknightly.net
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SOPHIA KNIGHTLY BIO:

New York Times & USA Today bestselling author, Sophia Knightly cooks up hot romance and delicious humor in her sexy contemporary romances that pair hot, alpha heroes with strong, smart women and throw them on an exciting emotional journey. Traditionally published by St. Martin's Press, Kensington, and Samhain Publishing, her popular Tropical Heat Series and Heartthrob Series have consistently been on multiple bestselling lists.

Sophia loves writing books that end with a sigh and a smile. In addition to traveling, foodie adventures, and the arts in all forms, one of her favorite pastimes is simply watching people--especially those in love!

Book Excerpt 

Chapter One

           

Thinking about tonight’s meet-up date was making Ivy Parker twitchy. She kinda wished she hadn’t agreed to it, but it was too late to back out now. Plus, she’d already decided to turn over a new leaf with men. No more getting swept away by powerful men who stole her heart…and eventually betrayed her trust.

She was looking for a strong, honorable man, but did men like that even exist? After a self-imposed break, she was dipping her toe into dating again. She’d agreed to tonight’s date with Stone because his warm, down-to-earth communication had been different from any guy she’d met on an online dating site.

Would he live up to her expectations? She’d find out tonight…

Ivy paced the sitting room of the bridal boutique she co-owned and barely noticed the whimsical Christmas décor her assistant, Valentina, had labored over turning the shop into a dreamy winter wonderland.

Stopping in front of the shimmering silver, gold and ivory Christmas tree, she stared at a glass filigree heart ornament with a pang of longing. She had thought she’d be spending Christmas with Damien, but everything had gone south in October when she’d broken up with him—on her birthday of all days. 

Her self-confidence had taken a nosedive and her diminishing opinion of men had deteriorated further. Was there any man she could trust?

Swallowing a morose little sigh, she turned away from the reminder that she hadn’t bought a little fresh pine tree for her apartment yet. It probably wouldn’t be happening this year anyway, which was a good thing because in her current mood, it would have been decked in black.

She walked over and straightened the gossamer veil on a storefront mannequin draped in a luxurious cream satin gown. Satisfied that the tiara and veil looked just right, her gaze swept the room, admiring how everything glowed beneath the crystal chandeliers hanging from the pale gray-beamed ceiling. Beaded tiaras and accessories glistened in tall glass armoires and beautiful jewelry sparkled in the glass display cases on either side of the sitting room.

Outside, twinkly lights lined the arched storefront windows inviting passersby to come inside. She watched people rushing to the subway stop to avoid the steady downpour of snowflakes. Soon glossy heaps of white would cover the trees and ground outside the little shop.

There was nothing like freshly fallen, clean snow. The beauty of it always filled her with awe. Tomorrow would be another story once it began to turn gray. Good thing the snow plows would be out later tonight to clean the streets. Manhattanites loved to walk everywhere.

She still couldn’t believe that she was now part owner of this charming boutique, and that it had all worked out to everyone’s benefit. When the founders of the boutique, her sister, Evie, and Evie’s best friend, Kate, had each married a Scotsman within the past few years and moved to Scotland, they’d needed a fulltime partner in New York to oversee the day-to-day operations and marketing of their shop. That’s when they’d invited Ivy to become a third partner.

Housed in a 19^th century Queen Anne style brownstone, Kate and Evie’s Bridal Boutique had one of the most beautiful storefronts in the Upper East Side of Manhattan. Ivy lived in the alcove apartment above the shop thanks to Evie, who bought the three-story townhouse after she married the Scottish whisky tycoon, Cameron Hunter. Older by eight years, Evie had always taken care of Ivy and she was eternally grateful for it, especially since their mother had died when they were little.

She loved the bridal shop, but what she didn’t love was how forlorn she’d been feeling since her breakup with Damien. Being around giddy brides-to-be only made it worse. She had tried everything to snap out of it—getting together with girlfriends, volunteering her time at the food bank, meditation and yoga, but she still battled loneliness.

It wasn’t that she missed her ex-boyfriend all that much. Mostly, she missed the romance and being part of a couple. Now that she knew the truth about Damien, she knew she was better off without him.

 She was still trying to wrap her head around the delusion of the Damien she thought she knew and the reality of who he was—a lying, cheating narcissist. She had broken up with him immediately when she found out about his other life, but the memory of his deception was still raw.

It was two weeks before Christmas, their slowest time of year, but that didn’t stop women from coming in to browse—young women like Ivy who dreamed of a romantic proposal at Christmas. Well, that wasn’t going to happen any time soon for Ivy.

She pushed her slumped shoulders back and straightened her spine. The last thing she wanted this Friday night was to wallow in self-pity, especially before a date. She should be looking forward to it, not dragging her feet.

No more thinking about Damien. Christmas had always been her favorite holiday, and she wanted to feel the magic again.

At Evie’s urging, Ivy had joined Encounter, an online dating site geared to empowering women. At first, she’d stalled, which was out of character for her. She was usually impulsive to a fault, but a mixture of dread and distrust of men had plagued her since her breakup in early October. Once she started communicating on Encounter, she liked how it allowed her to be in control. If a guy swiped right on her, it was up to her to initiate communication or swipe left.

Tonight, she was taking the plunge on her first online meet-up date, and if she didn’t hurry up, she’d be late – not a good start.

            Ivy sprinted up the circular staircase at the back of the shop. Her apartment was on the third floor, above the working second floor, which housed the fabrics, trims and accessories, two fitting rooms and an area where the seamstresses worked. If she hurried, she’d have enough time to freshen up before her date. But just as her foot hit the second floor, her phone dinged with a text message from Stone, her pending online date:

            Hey, it’s elbow to elbow here. I just snagged a spot for us at the bar. Waiting for a table.

Shoot, he was fifteen minutes early. No time for primping before meeting. They’d been communicating for weeks, but she’d wanted to get to know him better before committing to a date. She didn’t like to divulge too much about herself on the dating app. The world was filled with too many liars like Damien.

Ivy mentally shook herself and jumped off the negative train. Who knew? Stone just might be her new man. She loved the sound of his name. Stone. It sounded solid, strong, secure…sexy. She hoped he would be all of those things.

With that possibility in mind, she drew a cleansing breath. It was time for new beginnings.

Smoothing her wavy locks aside with one hand, she texted back:

            Thanks! On my way. See you soon. 

Heart Stealer By Sophia Knightly

Review by Heidi Lynn's Book Reviews

First, I want to thank Sophia Knightly for providing me with this book so I can bring you this review.

Heart Stealer by Sophia Knightly stole my heart in so many ways. Infact, I would say this by far is my favorite book that I have read of hers. The book is classified under being a Christmas book so you will get to feel the warmth and the joy of the giving season. But there are some pretty awesome storylines intertwined that make you smile ear to ear.

The title of the book is called Heart Stealer. So, it is fitting that the graphic designer makes the cover a kiss stealer. Get my joke?! But seriously It is perfect for the cover of the book!

ne thing I love is when authors think outside of the box for character names, story ideas or give them interesting career paths. It shows they really put some hard work and effort to create a one of a kind story. A story that will stay with the reader after the story is done. Sophia is one of those authors.

In this book Sophie picked some unique authors names. I absolutely loved the name Stone (as I was a Stone fan from General Hospital), Ivy, Stryker, Evie, etc.

Heart Stealer has a little bit for everyone. Christmas, meeting off a dating app, celeb twins, a fire, budding relationship, backstabbing, being a hero, etc.

This book would make a cute movie on the Hallmark Channel.