Finding Strength

I loved how both stories revolved around women with abusive pasts. The men are big guys so the reaction between the women play a big part in the storyline. I liked how the past did affect the present. The characters did not just flip a switch and all the sudden be over their fears.

In Finding Strength, there are two short stories, both written by Annmarie McKenna, starring Aislinn and Christina. They are friends who work in a large security firm and are both on the run, from themselves and some pretty dangerous men in their lives. Two Sighted: In this short story, Aislinn Campbell is on the run from an abusive and controlling ex. She's been working at Turner Industries as the PA for Kyle Turner and is studiously trying to keep her head down. Kyle Turner has noticed her from the very beginning though. Being ex Special Forces and in the security business, he's got the access to delve deep into Aislinn's background and after learning of her abusive ex, does whatever he can to make her life a little safer. He knows she's got a set pattern of running away after about eight months and she's already been with him as his PA for six months. Time is running out for Kyle and after waiting as patiently as he can, he decides it's time to make her his. Kyle is very gentle and unassuming with Aislinn, while also being very much in control. He's sensitive to the fact Aislinn doesn't have good memories of men or their desires and introduces her slowly to him. He's not very dominant with her, he's very tender and I enjoyed that. Not every guy has to be a hair pulling sexual dominant in bed. There's a little subplot with the fact Aislinn is clairvoyant and can 'see' an attack on Kyle. Kyle is accepting of her talents and takes her warnings seriously, but it only increases his protectiveness towards her. The Strength Of Three: This story stars Christina, the friend of Aislinn. She's running from an abusive father and a brother whose turning into her worst nightmare. Christina is looking and hoping for a relationship but at the same time is afraid of men. Seeing a man drunk and tipsy reminds her too much of her father and his rages. TJ and Jon see Christina while hanging out at Turner Industries and know she's the one to complete them. They begin a slow campaign to get her used to the idea of them. They take their time but after an employee party, the men decide enough is enough and manage to coax Chris into spending the weekend with them, with helpful insistence from Aislinn. The men haven't even left the parking lot before they start their heated assault on Chris, overwhelm her with their kisses and caresses. Before Chris knows what's happening, she's enjoying every bit of their attentions and their gentle but unyielding determination. TJ is more dominant than Jon, and he shows her his mastery during one hot car ride. Jon has his turn next before all three of them adjourn to the bedroom. TJ and Jon are masterful but they are still very sensitive to Chris and her uncertainties. Just when things are going perfect, her family life comes screeching to the forefront, but this time she's got two loving, ex Special Forces by her side. With them with her, she's able to face a death in the family and her father and brother. I really like Annmari

~Two Sighted~ With an abusive ex-husband stalking her relentlessly, Aislinn has had to keep moving in order to stay out of his clutches. She never stays in one town more than one month, remaining as unattached as possible so that leaving is easier to bear. But when she takes a job at Turner Industries, staying isolated proves impossible as she finds herself irresistibly drawn to her employer, Kyle Turner III. Still, she avoids becoming involved with him past their working relationship - that is, until her clairvoyant abilities show her a fatal vision involving Kyle! Kyle knows all about Aislinn's past, in minute detail. Being ex-Special Forces and in the security industry, it is his business to know everything about the people close to him - especially pretty little personal assistants who distract him like no other woman can. He has no intention of letting Aislinn run again, not when he can protect her from her past and keep her close to him, where she belongs... I do not think Annmarie McKenna can do wrong with a story. I have loved every piece of her work I have read so far! Two Sighted was a pleasure both to read and to write a review for. It is books like this that make my job simple, and I wish they could all be this good. Kyle Turner III pushed every button I have, proving that this author knows just what women love in their heroes. In fact, if you could place orders for men that would exactly suit your needs, I would want McKenna's help placing the order since she seems to know what I want better than I do myself! Kyle is the epitome of the overprotective Alpha male who pursues the woman he loves with an unwavering focus and a sensitivity that belies his `he-man' status. Aislinn's fear and loneliness are palpable as she longs for those simple human comforts long denied her - a best friend, a phone call with her mother, a man to fall in love with, a home that is hers for longer than 8 months. Yet even in her determination to remain detached, we see that she can't help but care about those around her. While her abusive ex-husband may have stolen her sense of belonging, her hopes for a future, he hasn't robbed her of her empathy. While it might be easy to be jealous of the woman who captures the attentions of the hunky Kyle, no one could begrudge Aislinn for stealing his heart. I was impressed with Annmarie McKenna's very first novel, Blackmailed, and my admiration for her work grows with each new release. In Two Sighted, she effortlessly sets the stage for a sequel starring several of the supporting leaving her fans aching for it without leaving this book feeling unfinished in any way. I know I will be hungrily snapping up any new releases both in this series and from this author! ~The Strength of Three~ Having been raised in an abusive household, Christina has no interest in marriage or even a long-term relationship. Heck, it's been a while since she even had a short-term relationship. But that's all about to chang

This book contains the following two stories. 5 stars for THE STRENGTH OF THREE. TJ and Jon were former military and are currently partners in a security business. They like to share one woman and have had their eyes on Chris for months. She works in their company. She is drawn to both of them. Finally, she decides to give it a try and goes home with them after an office party. This is the beginning of love forever. The guys are super alphas. They cherish and over protect her. They control her for her own good and spank her when she puts herself in danger. It's over the top in the sense that guys like this don't exist, I don't think. I found myself laughing several times although it is not a comedy. It's hot, erotic sex among two males and one female. A subplot involves her abusive and alcoholic father and brother. Chris believes her father killed her mother by pushing her down the stairs. Sexual language: erotic and graphic. Number of sex scenes: six. Setting: current day U.S. Copyright: 2008. Genre: erotic contemporary romance. 4 stars for TWO SIGHTED. More of the same thing, good erotic fun. Former military, super alpha guy owns a security business. He has wanted his personal assistant for months, since she came to work for him. He finally gets her into his bed, "where she belongs," according to him. He cherishes her, protects her, and has a lot of sex with her. A subplot involves her abusive, stalking ex-husband. She never lives more than eight months in any one place because she is on the run from him. She is clairvoyant with occasional visions of the future. Sexual language: erotic and graphic. Number of sex scenes: five. Setting: current day U.S. Copyright: 2008. Genre: erotic contemporary romance. To date, I've read the following Annmarie McKenna books. 4 stars. Blackmailed. Copyrt 2006. Review Date 1/10/08. 4 stars. Look What Santa Brought (in anthology The Perfect Gift). Sequel to Blackmailed. Copyrt 2007. Review Date 8/19/08. 2 stars. Seeing Eye Mate. Copyrt 2006. Review Date 3/02/08. 4 stars. Checkmate. Sequel to Seeing Eye Mate. Copyrt 2007. Review Date 8/19/08. 4 stars. Fantasmagorical (in anthology Sins of Summer). Copyrt 2008. Review Date 8/19/08. 5 stars. The Strength of Three (in anthology Finding Strength). Copyrt 2008. Review Date 7/12/08. 4 stars. Two Sighted. (in anthology Finding Strength). Copyrt 2008. Review Date 7/12/08.