Review: Hearts in Harmony delivers HEA big time!!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 05 5, 2014
I found a new author who writes snappy contemporary stories.  Hearts in Harmony is the second story in the Five Senses series by author Gemma Brocato.  This is not my normal read since it’s a contemporary, and I’m a historical fan.  But, I love the author’s voice and the characters she’s created in this series.  Set in Granite Pointe, Massachusetts, the series focuses on a tightly knit Kerrigan family.  It’s a terrific series, full of great characters with a plot that hums along nicely.A widow and mother of twins named Pippa Sanders’ is visiting the grave of her late husband after attending a military funeral.  Finding herself at the cemetery after dark, she’s threatened by a Liberty Battalion protester named Dewey.  Our hero, Clay Mathers happens to be assigned to keep an eye out on the radical group.  He comes to Pippa’s rescue and dispatches the protestor with ease.After delivering a brisk lecture on the foolishness of visiting the cemetery alone, Clay starts to see the attractive widow as a possible friend with benefits.  Clay’s not looking for anything long-term, as his real purpose in town is to help his mother recuperate from a stroke.Pippa is cautious about getting involved as she struggles to raise her children as a single parent.  But the need for companionship is strong so Pippa can’t see the harm if she and Clay are discrete.  Perfect set up for a wonderful and heartfelt romance!The author has a terrific voice and makes her characters come alive on the page.  Clay is a laugh out loud wonderful hero.  He has no qualms using colorful language to make a point (much to Pippa’s dismay!).  For instance, Clay wants Pippa to understand that Dewey is not someone to reason with, and he’s not shy in telling it like it is:“I think that [Dewey] is riding the Bipolar Express with stops scheduled at drunk, disorderly and devious.”Even though he’s rough, Clay’s has a heart of gold.  He invites Pippa’s twins to his mom’s farm and takes the opportunity for a little alone time with the lovely Pippa.  While passionately kissing, Clay and Pippa are interrupted by her children.  Clay delivers a scowl that causes trouble between the couple.  In typical Clay fashion, he explains how much he likes her children but while kissing had different priorities:“But I wanted to jam my tongue down your throat more than I wanted to play gentleman farmer with them.”Clay had me from the get go.  He is fun, sexy and a wonderfully developed character.  Don’t get me wrong.  I love Pippa too, but Clay seals the deal for me.  He had me laughing out loud at these devilishly delicious ‘Clayisms’ sprinkled throughout this smart and sexy story.I enjoyed reading Hearts and Harmony.  Can’t wait for the next to be released in the series.