Review: 4 STARS! Bastian’s Storm, book 2.  Bastian’s past, present & future collide forcing him to fight in one last tournament!
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 06 20, 2014
“She needed me there, and she doesn’t need me here.  I just… exist beside her without anything to do.”This is the second book in the Surviving Raine series.  It also features Evan Arden from the Evan Arden trilogy.  It is not necessary to have read any prior books, but I highly recommend it:Book 1: Surviving RaineBook 2: Bastian’s StormIn Surviving Raine (book 1) captain Bastian Stark and student Raine Gayle ended up shipwrecked on an emergency raft.  Dire weather conditions, lack of food, water, alcohol and cigarettes put them on a collision course with disaster.  But a friendship was forged and soon a romance blossomed.  Both Bastian and Raine had trouble pasts that unfolded with story and linked them on more levels than either was prepared for.Bastian’s Storm (book 2) opens up to Bastian and Raine back in civilization, living in Miami.  They have settled into Raine attending College and Bastian spending his days missing her and the island, pretty much wallowing in self-pity.  He feels lost and lacking of a purpose causing strain on their relationship.  Yet it’s obvious the Bastain and Raine are soul mates.Soon Bastian’s past comes back to haunt them.  Caught up in a game with some powerful people he is forced to participate in one more tournament for his life and his future.  The cameras roll as Bastian and 5 other players, including Evan Arden, are dropped off in an arctic location to compete in a deadly game that can only have one winner – the last man standing!SEBASTIAN STARK AKA BASTIAN aka Daniel Greene: 29 years old/Ex-captain/Ex-tournament fighter/M.A. English Literature/dark hair/light blue eyes/alcoholic/6’3”.This is very much Bastian Stark aka Daniel Greene’s journey of self-discovery and purpose and… growing up!  Seven words to describe Bastian: Sarcastic, lost, immature, brooding, imposing, determined and protective.RAINE GAYLE: 20 years/College student/dark brown hair/dark brown eyes/5’2”.Seven words to describe Raine Gayle: Sweet, unassuming, loyal, patient, focused and private.Bastain’s Storm is a whirlwind of events and emotions as Bastian’s past, present and future collide.  Fans of Evan Arden will enjoy these two imposing heroes going head to head for an outcome that I did not expect, but sort of hoped for.  Story ends in a good place for Bastian and Raine, with the door left open for more of their story.Suspenseful and dangerous plot!  Excellent story-telling!  Brooding and moody, yet lovable hero!  LOL!  Patient and loving heroine!  What a journey!“If I had known then, I would have held her longer.No, if I had known, I never would have let go.”***Hero rating: 4 starsHeroine rating: 4 starsSexual tension rating: 4.5 starsSex scenes rating: 4.5 starsSex scenes frequency: 3.5 starsPlot rating: 4 starsDialogue rating: 4.5 starsStorytelling rating: 5 starsStory ending rating: N/ABook editing rating (5 = no edits spotted): N/A************************************************Overall rating: 4+ starsWould I recommend this series: Yes.Would I re-read this series: Maybe later.Would I read future books by this author: Yes.A gifted copy was provided to me by author/publisher in exchange for an honest review.