“Chasing the WILD Sparks”
By Ren Alexander
Review by Wendy Dawn
“The Reviews are in”:
An amusing read about two people so in love they can’t see strait. Hadley wants to be a wife and mother sooner than later. Finn has his own ideas about how marriage kills love. These two funny and warm characters make themselves miserable weather they are together or apart.
Their good friends try to steer them is a better direction and give them relationship advise. Some good, some bad…lots of humor and witty sarcasm.
“It’s always better to fly your own kite.”
I narrow my eyes in thought. “I think that’s the slogan for something.”
“Maxi pads, maybe?”
~Rod and Hadley talking about going to the kite festival
Finn does try to tell Hadley how he feels for a sportscaster he doesn’t articulate it well. She never really understands how important she is to him. She is hung up on how gorgeous his female fans, the Finnatics, are and not what he is telling her.
“I’m thinking that you’re my lucky charm. I want you wherever I am, by my side, even when it’s not possible. And right now, I’m thinking I’d rather be kissing you than arguing with you.”
~Finn to his ‘Becks’
Hadley feels like Finn’s dirty little secret. They have been together three years and he has yet to introduce her to any of his work colleagues or let his adoring fans know that he is taken. This causes a huge rift and almost the end for them.
Her friends, Morgan and Rod, know the lovers are crazy about each other however; they can’t get on the same page in their relationship or compromise for the other one.
“Why? He only wants back into your vagina!” Wow.
“Morgan!” Finn seethes.
“What? Are you going to say that’s a lie? You think of her as a dick cozy!”
~Morgan and Finn arguing about why he wants Hadley
These two, Hadley and Finn, have to be the hardest headed uncompromising characters you will ever read. They will draw you into their world and you can’t wait to see what happens next. Fighting and making up is how they solve things. At times, as a reader, you will root for one of them then the next time you will root for the opposite one.
Seeing glimpses into Finn’s perspective help know what he is thinking, if only he would talk to the woman he loves and tell her everything their forever could begin.
You will be ready to grab the next installment in the series as soon as you finish this novel. Becoming so involved in the characters lives and issues, you have to find out where all of this is going.
The Ratings*:
Hero: 4.5
Heroine: 4.5
Story/Plot/HEA: 4.25
*The rating system is based on 1-5, 5 being the best and 1 the worst.
Hero - The main male character of the story. Heroine - The main female character of the story. Story/Plot/HEA (Happy Ever After) - The over all story line and culmination of the main plot or theme.
“Daring the WILD Sparks”
By Ren Alexander
Review by Wendy Dawn
“The Reviews are in”:
Hadley Beckett and Finn Wilder are back and at it again. Ms. Alexander does not disappoint with the latest installment of our favorite fighting, loving and laughing couple. She just keeps getting better and the characters develop into real people with hilarious personalities before your eyes.
There is so much pressure for a Forever between the two lovers from family, friends and each other trying to push them to make a decision. Who will give in first, Finn or Hadley?
Finn performs an outrageous stunt for his TV News segment “The Wilder Side”, after Hadley dares him to show her how much he loves her. It says true love like nothing else ever could.
Nevertheless, you know what Hadley really wants, a marriage and a baby with Finn. They fuss and make up so many times over this is it will make you dizzy. Finn just wants her to live with him, he says it’s still a commitment and he needs her beside him. However, Finn Wilder has a secret, which he never tells Hadley unless she is asleep. As a reader, we are let in on his biggest secret! (Not spoiling it for you!)
“Yes. You are my home. That’s why I want you living with me. The only time I feel like I’m truly home is when I’m with you. It doesn’t even matter where we are.” He looks up at the lighthouse, squinting again. “This is home with you by my side.”
~Finn explaining why he wants Hadley to live with him so badly
During Easter Mass, Hadley has some major epiphanies. Some good, like finding a nickname for Finn. Some not so good, feeling like she is not good enough for him due to her spirituality or lack of religion.
As the first time they are together in a church so many issues come to light for Hadley. Just not the ones Finn thinks she has upset her.
“Sparks?”
I nod, but don’t elaborate. The flaming wick spitting fire reminded me of the feelings he kindled in my heart when we first met. Finn is like a roaring wildfire that has engulfed my life, but he’s also those small, unassuming, yet rebellious, sparks hat set my world ablaze in the first place.
~Hadley’s nickname for Finn explained
After the emotional roller coaster of Easter Weekend is behind the couple, you hope they move forward with their plans. Well you would be wrong. They are still the hardheaded people they were in book one. Although he has begun introducing her as his girlfriend and even acknowledged her on air is a step in the right direction. Three years hiding his private life causes some eyebrows to rise.
You may want to reach into the pages and shake both of them before the end of the book, especially when Finn begins talking to a female co-worker with his side of the latest argument.
Through his eyes, it seems like a limited insight that would give people the impression that Hadley is not concerned with his feelings and needs. This garners unwanted attention from the flirtatious co-worker, red flags goes up for Finn and he gets out of the situation. As a reader, you will be so mad at him for even opening up to this relationship vampire.
Meanwhile, Hadley is taking time to decide what she can actually give up for Finn and is she ready to do so just to be with him forever. All of this pressure and little sleep make her a very cranky girl.
“No, I’m not ragging it. When I am, you will be the first to know.” Right after I tell my terrified boyfriend, so he can throw a party to celebrate my bleeding. I wonder what kind of party favors he’d get for a party like that. Maxi pads and Midol?
~Hadley yelling at Rod when he accuses her of being grouchy due to that time of the month
With Hadley’s state of mind she asks Rod what he thinks is attractive about their office’s siren.
“I don’t know Women like her remind me of Christmas lights. They’re pretty to look at, even fun to twist into different configurations above your bed, but they’re a b*%ch to drag out of the house and a pain in the a** to get rid of. Plus, once the novelty of Christmas wears off, they’re passé. You want them out of your sight.”
~Rod explaining to Hadley his theory on high maintenance women like their co-worker Shasta
Will these two ever work out their issues? Do they know what compromise even means? Moreover, for a man who is so Catholic he is breaking all of his churches covenants, why?
Again, you and I both will be waiting with baited breath for the next installment of this WILD saga!
The Ratings*:
Hero: 4.5
Heroine: 4.75
Story/Plot/HEA: 4.25
*The rating system is based on 1-5, 5 being the best and 1 the worst.
Hero - The main male character of the story. Heroine - The main female character of the story. Story/Plot/HEA (Happy Ever After) - The over all story line and culmination of the main plot or theme.
