Blog Tour of Healed by Love by Melissa Foster -- REVIEW

Title: Healed By Love: The Bradens at Peaceful Harbor # 1 (The Bradens #13)

Author: Melissa Foster

Release Date: June 11, 2015

Publication Date: World Literary Press
Source: ARC Given by Author and Tour Organizer

ARA'S NOTE: 

This is not the first time I've read a story about a war hero suffering from survivor's guilt. It's also not my first time to read one wherein the male lead is in love with his best friend's younger sister. But it's my first time to read about a war hero suffering from survivor's guilt because he feels responsible for the death of his bestfriend who also happens to be the older brother of the woman he's madly in love with. Whew! Talk about complicated. By the way, I am not taking PTSD or any other conditions that some people go through lightly, and I have very high respect to those who have served our nations, no matter what country we are from or in. 

SYNOPSIS: 

The Bradens at Peaceful Harbor are the newest addition to the award-winning Braden series and the Love in Bloom family, joining the Snow Sisters, the Bradens, the Remingtons, & Seaside Summers, (Voted BEST BOOK SERIES by Supportive Business Moms, UK).

Fall in love with Nate Braden & Jewel Fisher in Healed by Love.

Nate Braden has loved his best friend’s younger sister Jewel for as long as he can remember, but between their age difference and his respect for Rick, he’s always kept his feelings at bay. Now he’s back in Peaceful Harbor, and Jewel is no longer sixteen years old—but there’s an even bigger obstacle standing in his way. Nate and Rick joined the military together eight years earlier. Nate came home a hero, but Rick didn’t make it out alive.

IMPORTANT LINKS:

Link to Follow Tour: http://www.tastybooktours.com/2015/04/healed-by-love-bradens-at-peaceful.html 

Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24779180-healed-by-love?from_search=true 

Goodreads Series Link: https://www.goodreads.com/series/114969-love-in-bloom-the-bradens 

CHARACTER BACKGROUND: 

Nate Braden is a charming, considerate, and loyal person. He grew up in a complete and amazing family, and he considers the Fisher's his extended family. Problem is, he's always been in love with his best bud's little sister, and this love is what drove him to survive in tours. He was changed by war, like everyone who experiences it; he is now more protective, jealous, responsible, and burdened. 

Jewel Fisher is afraid. She's afraid to let her siblings do things that might lead to them being in danger, she's afraid to do things for herself, and she's afraid to move forward. All she wanted to do is make sure her family is doing great and that they would be away from harm, but it's biting her in the butt. Now she just wants to be with Nate, if only he would let her in. 

TO LOVE: 

Nate is carrying such a heavy burden because he feels responsible for the death of Rick, his best friend. He wants to help out the family he has left, but he's very afraid that they would hate him once they find out what happened. He also feels guilty towards Rick because he's been madly in love with his sister since they were younger and he's terrified that he would be disrespecting Rick -- dead or alive -- by acting on it. What am I leading up to? In spite of all this, he still manages to be a sweet, funny, and normal (at least on the outside) man. 

Jewel and Nate's chemistry is wonderful. They're both very attractive people who are under the impression that they've been keeping their feelings for each other hidden well, well in fact, the entire town knows that they're madly in love with one another. It's actually really charming, especially the New Year's Eve kiss that they shared. 

The characters in the books were believable and interesting. Even the angst of Jewel's siblings were very real, albeit annoying and shallow. I also think Rick is such an important part of the story, though we didn't get to "see" him, but he's such a wonderful man. 

TO BLEH: 

Patrick's attitude was just a liiiiiittle too much. I'm just sensitive about topics like this, I guess. The teenage angst, you know? But that didn't affect me much overall, so let's just forget I said anything. 

SUMMARY: 

Healed by Love talks about learning to let go, moving on, and forgiving other people as well as yourself. It's inspirational without being too heavy, though I have to admit that I did cry at a certain scene: Nate and Jewel were reading a letter Rick wrote their mom. I won't give any more details, but it's truly heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time. I give it 5 stars, and I'll be sure to read the following installments. 

BUY LINKS: 

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Healed-Love-Bloom-Bradens-ebook/dp/B00UYD7J7K/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1428106860&sr=1-1&keywords=healed+by+love 

B&N:  http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/healed-by-love-melissa-foster/1121489300?ean=2940151229784 

iTunes:  https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/healed-by-love/id978675980?mt=11 

Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/healed-by-love-love-in-bloom-the-bradens 

Publisher: http://www.melissafoster.com/books/healed-love/ 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: 

Melissa Foster is a New York Times & USA Today bestselling and award-winning author. She writes contemporary romance, new adult, contemporary women’s fiction, suspense, and historical fiction with emotionally compelling characters that stay with you long after you turn the last page. Her books have been recommended by USA Today’s book blog, Hagerstown Magazine, The Patriot, and several other print venues. She is the founder of the World Literary Café and Fostering Success. When she’s not writing, Melissa helps authors navigate the publishing industry through her author training programs on  Fostering Success. Melissa has been published in Calgary’s Child Magazine, the Huffington Post, and Women Business Owners magazine. 

Melissa hosts an Aspiring Authors contest for children and has painted and donated several murals to The Hospital for Sick Children in Washington, DC. Melissa lives in Maryland with her family.

Visit Melissa on social media. Melissa enjoys discussing her books with book clubs and reader groups, and welcomes an invitation to your event.

AUTHOR LINKS: 

Website:  http://www.melissafoster.com/ 

Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/MelissaFosterAuthor 

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/Melissa_Foster 

GoodReads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3023973.Melissa_Foster 

GIVEAWAY!!

Rafflecopter Giveaway (Two Winners will receive a Love in Bloom/Bradens Series Ebook of their Choosing)

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TOUR ORGANIZED BY: