12th
May

Today I’m excited to participate in the Blog Tour of ‘Reckless Refuge’ by Catherine Cowles. This is a standalone novel and the fourth book in the Wrecked series. ‘Reckless Refuge’ was published on May 11th.

Reckless Refuge
Title: Reckless Refuge
ISBN: 9781951936013
Goodreads Rating: 4.84
There were shadows I was running from. Ones that haunted and taunted. Ones that made it so I had no choice but to disappear. I’d spent years hiding from the world. My little island haven, the only assurance of safety. It all changed the moment he showed up at my door. The hint of pain in his eyes told me that something haunted him, too. And I couldn’t help but be drawn closer. But finding the person I needed most came with risks I never expected. And when our ghosts find us again, neither of us may make it out this time.

I’ve been a Catherine Cowles fan for a while now, and I’ve read a lot of her books. Catherine’s books are always packed with emotions and suspense filled moments that keep me on the edge of my seat. So signing up for an ARC of ‘Reckless Refuge’ wasn’t really a question for me. And when I received my copy I started reading ASAP.

In ‘Reckless Refuge’ we read the story of Shay and Brody. Shay has had a very traumatic childhood. I mean you can’t even imagine the life she had. She is twenty three years old and is living and working as a caretaker for a privately owned island. Her past has left her unable to make friends and connect with other people even though she desperately want things to be different. But when Brody becomes the new owner of the island, he soon starts taking down all the walls Shay has built. Because Brody has had his own trauma that changed his life for good. But Shay’s walls have been there for a reason. And soon things are turning grim for the two.

This book was definitely something else! And I loved it from the moment I started reading, till the very last page. I seriously don’t know how Catherine Cowles comes up with these stories. I mean.. wow! Shay’s past is unimaginable. And I was super sad, angry and slightly fascinated by her past and her family dynamics.

Shay’s character was definitely my favorite. I just loved everything about her. I loved how tough she was and how hardworking. She lost everything as a kid, but she tried her best to make her life good for herself. Although Shay lived kind of like a hermit for a while, I was impressed by how she did manage to live her life.

And then Brody.. Well.. He was also a very fun character to read about. An artist who lost his muse. Sigh.. The romance between Shay and Brody was definitely very enjoyable and I enjoyed every minute of reading their story.

One of the best things of ‘Reckless Refuge’, except for the romance and the two main characters, was reading about some of the characters from the previous books in this series. I loved reading about their developing friendships. But no worries if you haven’t read the previous books.. It isn’t necessary at all.

‘Reckless Refuge’ was another great read. It had the perfect romantic angst combination I love in a book. And I for one can’t wait to read the next book in this series.

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Prologue

Shay

PAST

It burned. Everywhere and nowhere. Slices in my skin that made it feel as if hot lava had been poured into my flesh. I couldn’t count them, had lost track after the tenth. I tried to move, to somehow escape. Only my fingers twitched.

Sounds. Voices. Hovering above me. They were everywhere and yet nowhere. Pinpricks of light, like glimmering stars on the darkest night.

“Miss? Can you hear me?”

I managed a low moan. I only wanted the pain to stop. The agony tearing through my body. I craved a blanket of nothingness. An endless sea where I would cease to exist altogether.

“I’m an EMT. You’re safe. We’ve got you.”

“Hurts.” It was the only message I cared about getting across. This woman might have the power to lessen the burn.

A hand slipped into mine, blood sliding down my arm to bind us together, the liquid already growing tacky with the passage of time.

“I know. Just hold on.”

I didn’t want to hold on. I wanted to float away to a world where none of this was real. Where pain didn’t exist—only light and peace and relief.

“Can you tell us who did this to you?”

My eyes fluttered. My cracked lips parted. I could only manage two words.

“My brother.”

Check out my other reviews of books in the Wrecked Series:

    

Writer of words. Drinker of Diet Cokes. Lover of all things cute and furry, especially her dog. Catherine has had her nose in a book since the time she could read and finally decided to write down some of her own stories. When she’s not writing she can be found exploring her home state of Oregon, listening to true crime podcasts, or searching for her next book boyfriend.

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This Blog Tour was organized by Social Butterfly PR.