All the Right Reasons
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By: Sandy James | Other books by Sandy James Categories: Mainstream Romance, Contemporary, Women's Fiction Word Count: 113,271 Heat Level: STEAMY Published By: Siren-BookStrand, Inc.
[BookStrand Contemporary Romance] Siren-BookStrand celebrates the publication of our 700th title by giving you Sandy James' spectacular, award-winning ALL THE RIGHT REASONS [Damaged Heroes 3] as a FREE E-BOOK download!
Can love heal all wounds? Lucas Mitchell returned from Iraq a bitter, changed man, wracked with guilt over his friend's death. He buys an old mansion and deals with his injuries and grief by restoring his new home and rehabilitating retired racehorses.
Now Available! Damaged Heroes     178 Ratings Avg - 4.3
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 All the Right Reasons
Available in: Adobe Acrobat, Microsoft Reader, HTML, Mobipocket, EPUB Price: $0.00ISBN: 1606013548 |
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Professional Reviews
Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence Finalist for best 2010 Single Title Heart of Excellence Readers' Choice Finalist 2010 Winner More than Magic, Best Single Title Romance Mainstream Finalist in the Colorado Romance Writers Award of Excellence
5 TEA CUPS, RECOMMENDED READ: "Lucas Mitchell is back, but he’s a different person. When he left years ago he was a young man anxious to travel and fight for his country. Yet, like all wars, it changes a person—in Lucas’s case dramatically. Now back in the States, he is trying to lead a normal life. What he doesn’t need is a woman like Joy Kovacs turning his life upside down. Something about Joy makes him want to be alive again but his past comes back to haunt him. As a soldier he knows how to maintain control but whenever he’s near Joy he wants her like a bee finding their honey. Joy is like a breath of fresh air for him and in a way it scares him. The war not only changed him but has made him run away from the past. A past that he knows will never leave him until he faces it again. Can he be the man Joy needs in her life? Joy Kovacs is a gypsy, and because she is one, she must maintain tradition. Her father has already selected her betroth but she wants a life of her own. Working in the family restaurant she knows she can never find her real love but fate has made her mind for her. Meeting Lucas she feels that at last she has found her soul mate. She has dreams of him and knows he is the one fate has in store for her. The thing is, he is not a gypsy, but an outsider. Joy has never hurt her family before but something about Lucas makes her want to be with him more than anything. She knows that if she stays with Lucas she loses her loved ones. Yet Joy knows Lucas needs her more than ever to be alive again and find the peace he needs in his life. Can she just leave her family for a man she doesn’t know that much about except in dreams? Part 3 in the Damaged Heroes series is definitely one that will capture your heart. We lose many men in the war but Lucas Mitchell is a survivor who is dying inside each day. He has seen things in the war that have changed him dramatically. Now Sandy did a great job in creating a woman who is just what he needs in life and in his soul. I felt for Lucas for the pain he went through yet root for him in hoping he finds that peace again that he lost in life. The passion between them is bittersweet, yet tender in a way that Sandy did a beautiful job in creating between them. I loved how she brought in a culture that not many people know about, yet in a creative way that made it easier to understand. This is definitely a great book and I can’t wait for more of this series." -- Lena, Happily Ever After Reviews 5 HEARTS - Reviewer Top Pick: "Ms. James knows how to tell such an emotionally driven story and she just tears at your heart while allowing you to personally get to know Lucas and all the challenges he's facing since returning home from the war in Iraq. This author writes her stories from the heart and each one is compelling in its own way. Ms. James did a fabulous job in telling this story and I would highly recommend the Damaged Heroes series to other readers. This is the third book in the series and as I understand it, there will be another one on the way. I eagerly look forward to reading the next installment in this wonderfully written series. Well done, Ms. James!" -- Diana Coyle, Night Owl Romance 5 BLUE RIBBONS: "All the Right Reasons is the third book in Damaged Heroes series. Dan Patch Raceway and the characters from Murphy's Law are back as secondary characters, along with a whole set of new ones. As the series title suggests, Sandy James pens each of her main characters with adversities they must cope with. Lucas and Joy were so believable and likable. Joy's quirky carefree attitude, and Lucas's schooled cautious one were such a delightful contrast. I have had the wonderful opportunity to read all of her releases in the series. My only problem is deciding which one I'd pick if I had to choose a favorite. Sandy James is a truly talented author who does a magnificent job with creating works that touch the heart. Every time I pick up one of her novels, it's like stepping into spring time, warm and refreshing. I look forward to book four." -- Pamela Denise, Romance Junkies 5 KISSES, Recommended Read: "This is book three in the Damaged Heroes series and by far one of the best. You don't have to read them in order to get the scope of the story. I really loved how this is a stand alone story. When you want to believe in true love you really want to pick up All the Right Reasons it is truly a beautiful sweet read to remember." -- Tina, Two Lips Reviews 5 CUPS: "What an emotional story, filled with anger and bitterness, love and joy, heartache and pain, acceptance and trust. Lucas and Joy's story is all that. Ms. James takes you into the most intimate parts of her characters and shows you the real essence that makes them come to life, in turn capturing the reader's attention and holding on till the last word. This is a book that you will want to add to your bookshelf. This reader is ready to explore the other stories in the Damaged Hero Series." -- Matilda, Coffee Time Romance & More 5 HEARTS: "Sandy James has once again surpassed my expectations with this third book in the Damaged Heroes series. This was by far the best one I've read and I absolutely loved the others. The differences in these two main characters were so profound it seemed nothing could ever work out between them. Each of them came into their budding relationship with a myriad of circumstances which weighed heavily on any actions they might take. The two were emotionally involved long before their physical connection. When they came together, their encounters sizzled. James gave us this story in such a way that it moved quickly, was poignant and definitely a page turner. I didn't want to put it down. The storyline offered several shocking actions which kept me mesmerized. This is definitely James at her best. I highly recommend this book (and this series) to anyone who enjoys confrontation with an unlikely ending. You'll definitely be thrilled you read this book." -- Brenda Talley, The Romance Studio YOU GOTTA READ: "All the Right Reasons was a multilayered, emotionally gripping story of the guilt of a soldier, the love of family, and just trying find closure. All the Right Reasons is laced with humor and oh my gosh, you have got to read the bachelor party scene, I laughed so hard. Joy and Lucas are my favorite couple in this series so far. I know I say this after each and every book but the characters truly get better with each book. Ms. James has once again gone above and beyond and delivered an exceptional, well written, well rounded, touching love story with deep meaning. I can't recommend this book enough." -- Val, You Gotta Read Reviews Excerpt
“You really think that old mansion is more important to you than it is to me?” “Oh, yes,” she replied in a reverent whisper. As her gaze returned to him, he gave her a smug smile. “But my name is on the deed.” Joy turned, leaned back against the car next to him, and allowed herself to relax. It was obvious he wasn’t nearly as offended at her repeated intrusions as she thought he should be, but she reminded herself that he’d only seen the sketches of the house. Lucas didn’t know just how many there were of him. If he ever saw the collage on her living room wall, he’d have her arrested for stalking. “That’s just a technicality,” Joy finally said. “You got it because I didn’t know about the sheriff’s sale until it was too late.” His grin at the comment warmed her heart. He didn’t smile often. Not nearly enough. “Good thing,” Lucas said. “Otherwise you might’ve bid the price up and I couldn’t have bought it dirt cheap.” She shrugged, knowing that things always happened for a reason. “You were meant to have it, but that doesn’t mean I can forget a house as beautiful as that. So who are those men working on the barn?” “Just some friends of friends. They’re Amish. Building things is what they do best,” Lucas replied. “I needed to get the barn done quickly. They need donations for their new school.” “I’ve never seen a building go up so fast,” Joy said a bit breathless at the remembrance. “If I took a second to blink, I missed a wall being put up.” Lucas smiled again, and Joy saw the cheerfulness spread to his eyes. He was far too handsome to ignore. Not the usual built-like-a-brick-house sort of guy she admired, Lucas was obviously in need of a good meal or two. But his looks appealed to her. There was kindness in his face, touched by some lingering sadness. His russet hair was a bit too long as it framed his oval face, and he probably hadn’t used a razor in a couple of days, judging from the brown stubble on his cheeks and chin. Joy found that she simply liked watching him. He was a work of art only God could create. Her gypsy heart had already seen him in her dreams — seen him and her house. She knew what he would look like, what the house would look like. One day. “Like I said, it’s what they do best,” he commented as he shifted his weight between his feet, taking an at-ease stance. “What’s the draw to my house?” He pointed at her art supplies resting on the crowded backseat. “If you’ll excuse the pun.” She smiled back resisting the urge to trace the small cleft in his chin with her fingertips. “I can’t really explain it. It’s just...there. I wanted to enter a contest that was supposed to be artwork from locations in rural America, so... I went driving around. And there it was. It...it called to me.” Joy shook her head and waved her hand in dismissal. “I know it’s silly. You know, I never even entered the stupid contest.” “It’s not silly. Would you be surprised if I told you it called to me, too?” Lucas asked. “I don’t know. There’s just...just something about it. Plus I really wanted the privacy.” He rubbed the stubble on his chin as he smiled. “Of course, I didn’t know I’d have a pretty little trespasser.” She chose to ignore his cheeky remark. “It called you?” Joy asked, feeling a bit suspicious that he might be making fun of her. Just like her brothers. “Yeah. I used to run back here. The roads were great to train for cross-country. I saw that house almost every day for all four years of high school. Hell, I timed my runs by it. Then when I left for...” His train of thought came to an abrupt halt. Joy glanced up at him again. “Left for what?” Lucas suddenly appeared angry, and Joy was confused by the change in him. They’d been connecting, she was sure of it. Connecting in a way that was rare and special. Her nagyanya had told her it would happen just this way, exactly like this. With the intensity of a lightning strike, her mate would show himself. “Who are you?” Lucas finally asked as he turned his head and stared into her eyes. “I’m Jozsa. You’ve been waiting for me.” She held her breath, hoping he understood. A Romungro would realize without a word passing between them. But Lucas isn’t Romungro. Will he understand? His only response was the same intense stare. She was sure they were destined for something more than friendship, but it wasn’t as if she could simply come out and say it. People tended to be a bit suspicious of gypsies in general, even more so of their uncanny feelings about things. He broke their connection. As he glanced away, Joy watched the window to Lucas’s soul start to close. “Lucas? What’s wrong, Lucas?” When his gaze returned to meet hers, she immediately saw the pain. No, more than that. A torment. She felt an overwhelming need to heal him, so strong it was as if she had finally found a purpose to her world. “We both love the house. So now what?” Joy asked in a gentle, calming voice. His response surprised her. Not only could he understand what she had felt, but he felt it too. He might not be Hungarian, but his soul was gypsy. “Now, you go home. Go away, Jozsa. Don’t waste your time on me.” Hanging his head, he stared at the dusty road. No, Szivem. Oh, no, my love. I couldn’t if I wanted to. Her senses were speaking to her as clear as day. Joy moved to stand in front of him and picked up his right hand. Turning it over so she could look at his palm, she cradled his hand with her left and began to trace the lines and wrinkles of his skin with her right index finger. She concentrated as she moved her fingertip over his palm, and she felt the connection again. The touch might have seemed innocent, but she knew it wasn’t. Not for either of them. The contact sent shivers up her arm, and she noticed he trembled ever so slightly when she moved her finger across a line. Joy read his palm. “You have a long life line. Strong, too. See this little island? Where the line splits into two and then rejoins?” she asked as he stared at his own palm. He nodded his understanding. “It shows you were sick...or...or hurt.” When he knit his brows in irritation, she realized she had hit a painful subject so she moved on. “You’ll grow to be a very old man.” He gave her a scoffing laugh. Joy wasn’t deterred. “This is your heart line,” she said as she moved lightly over another crease with her fingertip. She liked the quiver she felt in his hand when she touched him. “See? It curves. That shows that you’re someone who feels things very deeply. That explains the pull of the house. You sense the ghosts.” “Ghosts? You’re kidding, right?” Joy shook her head, trying not to get too agitated at his skepticism. She would have to teach him her ways. “And your heart line ends under your second finger. See? That means...um... Never mind.” She quickly moved her fingertip to another wrinkled line. “This is your—” “It means I’m what?” Lucas interrupted. “C’mon, Jozsa. If you’re gonna do this, do it right. What does it mean?” She felt her face flush as she avoided eye contact again. “You’re a good lover.” Lucas’s laugh was like a gentle caress. “Well, for heaven’s sake, keep going. This palm reading stuff is more accurate than I thought.” Judging from the heat radiating from her cheeks, her face was still blushing as she read the rest of his palm. “See how long your index finger is? That means you’re a leader.” She held up her own hand. “See my ring finger? It’s long too. That’s why I’m an artist.” He smiled. “A very good one. You really believe this stuff?” Joy nodded vigorously as she continued to cradle his hand and traced another line across his palm. “Where’d you learn how to read palms?” “My grandmother taught me. I read palms at Gypsy...you know, the restaurant...for some of the customers. See this?” she asked as she pointed to another line. “This is your head line. See how it starts out connected to your life line then it splits away on its own?” When he nodded, she continued her interpretation. “It means family is important to you, but you have an independent streak.” “You know, you really haven’t said anything that’s horribly specific.” He grinned. “Except for that lover stuff. That was pretty spot on. But the rest could all apply to just about anyone.” “And it shows you’re skeptical of many things,” Joy said with a chuckle. She watched him as she traced his palm again to gauge his reaction. At least her words had brought some life back to his eyes. Without a thought, she lifted his hand and pressed a long, soft kiss to his palm. He smelled...wonderful. The unique male scent—fresh-cut wood and light cologne—wafted toward her, casting a spell around her. She could hear the quick hiss as he sucked in his breath when her lips brushed his skin. Oh yes, he feels it too. |
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CTRR Award: "What an emotional story, filled with anger and bitterness, love and joy, heartache and pain, acceptance and trust. Lucas and Joy's story is all that. Ms. James takes you into the most intimate parts of her characters and shows you the real essence that makes them come to life. In turn capturing the reader's attention and holding on till the last word. This is a book that you will want to add to your bookshelf. This reader is ready to explore the other stories in the Damaged Hero Series." -- Matilda, Coffee Time Romance Reviews
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