Review: Nine Words, His last words, there were only Nine.
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 04 29, 2014
Absolutely loved this book.  I loved the characters and I loved the dialogue.  I loved how it got right into the story & then it never stopped.  I loved the alpha male that Sampson (Sam) was and I loved the transformation of Kia from an why abused wife to a confident woman.  This story had a lot going on with twists and turns and old friends and new friends and support and sadness.Although Kia went from an abusive husband to a totally alpha controlling male the men were so different.  So much different.  Sam cared, he wouldn't hurt her like she had been hurt and the story goes through that process of how she was frightened of him and how he earned her trust and got her through her fear.  Although most women would shy away from a controlling man after being with someone abusive I kind of liked the way her handled his control and how he used it.  It was very loving and gentle.At about the 90% mark the book made me cry.  I love a book that can do that do me.  Kia needed something from Sam that Sam couldn't give her.  She needed all of him and he was only willing to share what he could.  Sam had been through some pretty tough life situations and he had his reasons that he couldn't share with her and they weren't because he was protecting himself, he was protecting her.Overall, Sam was a beautiful thoughtful man but then he was also an ass at times, definitely alpha but always adding his gentle and thoughtful side as well.  I loved the way he controlled Kia, taught her how beautiful she was because she didn't know from years of abuse at the hands of her first husband.  He taught her to believe that she was beautiful. The passion they both possessed was off the charts hot. He taught her how to open up to him but not allowing himself to open up to her and only giving part of him and receiving all of her.The many alpha male characters in this book made it very steamy.  Loved the military men.  So in control.Some of my favorite lessons in this book:“I see it, Kia, and I get this is gonna take effort. But what I’m sensin’ is, you don’t notice I’m makin’ that effort. Don’t f up, baby, and, out of habit, reinforce your shields to hold back a threat that doesn’t exist. You get me?”"In a healthy relationship, you're allowed to get pissed and in my face.  "F", I need you to do that so I know what buttons not to push, where I can't go and avoid those places.  And I'll do the same for you.  It's part of learning how to take care of each other.""Just a bit of friendly advice, you want one (girlfriend), you might want to stop calling us pieces of a**.""You got one life, never use it just to breathe.""You can't take it all Sam, and give me only what you want me to have.  You cannot have all of me and only give me part of you."Sometimes home wasn't where you grew up,.  Home was where you were meant to be."You've all but destroyed me but you didn't lift a hand to me to do it.""Burn us into your brain, baby.  Every second, every breath, burn us into your brain.""You cannot leave me.  You can't.  I can't live without you."This was so good I read it twice.Oh, and the dog...Memphis, he was adorable and the way the author wrote him and his mannerisms into the book was excellent.  She didn't miss a beat with the dog and I loved it.  The way that Kia was afraid to give attention to the dog because her abusive husband would take it out on her if the dog showed favoritism, then after he died, how she was able to show the dog how much she loved him.  Memphis was such a nice addition to the story that added so much in terms of seeing Sam's personality.There were some minor imperfections with the editing which made it difficult at times because it stopped the flow.Excellent Book....."Nine Words.  His last words.  There were only nine"‘Love you, man. Tell my wife I love her.’”OMG - it was beautiful.