Review: Travis & Quinn for the win!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 09 16, 2013
"He broke me. He took every piece of me I had left, and he smashed it apart. Nothing fits properly any more. I was too damaged for someone like Travis--broken, missing pieces that would never be found, and put back together in a way that never quite fit properly."I came across this quote and it totally reminded me of my first impression of Quinn. I think it describes her perfectly..."I'm beautifully broken, perfectly imperfect, beautiful in my flaws. All together, I am a beautiful disaster."~Author UnknownEvery day seemed to become a new torment for Quinn, her past the proverbial monster under the bed. The history of this character has left her so shattered that she battles her inner demons on a daily basis to overcome her struggles of reservation and wariness, feelings of unworthiness, anxiety, fear, and haunting memories that have caused her to shut down. It was simply breathtaking watching her flourish under Travis's gentle and loving but firm affections and personality. The heroine is beyond broken, her earlier years full of violence and tragedy. The anguish Quinn has survived would be unimaginable to most people. Simply put, Quinn is not just a survivor she is an inspiration. I'll admit, I am biased when it comes to Quinn, as a beta reader, I had a front row seat that allowed me the opportunity to connect on personal basis with this character. I loved being able to observe her changes as she blossomed and developed with depth and maturity."Courage is fighting fear head on, baby. As long as you have that, you'll get through."This quote is a favorite of mine. I think it is the true definition of Give Me Strength. While GMS was packed with action and suspense, the underlying tone of the story lies more towards the faith, courage, and strength Quinn had to find within herself and others. Her story isn't always an easy one, it is sometimes heart wrenching and brutal. However, the heroine rises above her past to shine through all that. Her journey towards self-discovery is inspiring."Travis was light and safety, beauty and passion, laughter and love...and hope. Travis was everything."Travis came out of nowhere; I swear I had no real desire to get to know him. His character in Give Me Love was fun, but he didn't really hold my interest. Well, I guess Travis showed me because that man grabbed on to my heart and refused to let go, even a little bit. I quickly fell head over heels for this alpha male, with a heart of gold and patience to match. I adored the fact that while he was slow to open up, he was the type of man to assist those he deemed weaker than himself, even if it was at his own expense. Travis wasn't just sexy and naughty with a bit of an edge, his character held a depth I haven't seen in a long time. I loved that he stayed to true to who he was. The hero didn't need to be an arrogant controlling ass to get his point across (not that I don't mind those types occasionally), without any room to doubt his actions he proved to Quinn how important and special she was to him...repeatedly. In his eyes, she wasn't unworthy or damaged. She was anything but. Travis is a perfect balance for Quinn, since she is so skittish and wary, anything more forceful and dominate would have been over the top."I don't know who I am, Travis. I don't think I've ever known.""I know who you are.""Please tell me.""You're a survivor, and on the inside that makes you more beautiful than you could possibly imagine. Do you think I want perfect? No one is ever that. Perfect is for people who don't know how to be real."Travis is Quinn's first foray after years of closing herself off to the world. I was intrigued and captivated by their emotional and physical chemistry, even though it was more of a quiet chemistry compared to Evie and Jared's, it still packed a punch. It still held an edge of intensity. Travis has a way with words that reached out and wrapped Quinn up in a warm protective blanket. He never allowed her to falter or feel alone. I loved this about him, his protective nature gave her the freedom to find her own footing. Travis wasn't just Quinn's light at the end of the tunnel she was also his. Quinn gave Travis that something special he was missing in his life, his reason to wake up in the morning, someone to treasure and love. Their love provided them a protective shield, allowing Travis and Quinn the needed peace and security to get through anything thrown at them. Their relationship has become one of my favorites.One of my favorite things about a series is the reoccurring characters and the roles they play. I know without a doubt that when I sit down and open a book in the Give Me series, I will always have fun with this bunch. Therefore, when I am given tid bits into their lives, I totally eat it up; these juicy teasers make me yearn for their journey, their happily ever after. Which brings me to Mac and Jake...um, can I just say the sparks between these two flew off the pages. Whatever in the world is going on between them seems to be heating up to a boil; it's only a matter of time before that kettle blows! There is no denying their interactions are scene-stealers. Mac and Jake always seem to find a way to snag my sole attention when they are in a room together (UNLESS Casey is in it). I'm not sure if my anticipation will hold out for another two books or so, especially if Kate keeps building up the tension and chemistry between them.I also found myself growing more fond of Henry. It seemed as though readers were granted a deeper look into his character this time around. I am placing a bet that he is going to be one tough cookie to crack. That man may seem light and lovable, however, I think looks can be deceiving and he is going to take us all by surprise, revealing some dark secrets that he keeps close to his chest.I swear each time I get a sneak peek into the mystery of Casey my heart shatters. All I want to do is hug him (well OK that isn't all I want to do, but still...). Underneath his boy next-door personality and sexy as hell exterior lies a dangerous man full of layers and secrets that leaves the reader yearning to be the one who unravels them. He never fails to make my insides melt and my heart skip a beat. I promise Casey will leave you just as captivated, breathless, and begging for more, as he did me."No, Travis. You don't get it. What it's like for people like us to have trust shattered like that."As much as I LOVED Travis, I am a true Casey girl. I'd be lying if I didn't admit to not so patiently waiting for his book to release, is it January yet? In the meantime, I will just enjoy Travis...all over again.I think it is safe to say, that I am a definite fan of one Kate McCarthy. It seems as though she has always had a place on my must-reads shelf, and it is hard to believe, Give Me Strength is her second book published to date. I absolutely adore this series, and I see growth in her writing with each book she publishes. The Give Me series is an engaging and well-developed series that provides us with action packed twists and turns, captivating romances, and entertaining quirky characters.Thank you, Kate McCarthy, for the opportunity to beta and review an ARC of Give Me Strength in exchange for my honest opinion.