Blog tour: Breathless by Beverly Jenkins

Breathless by Beverly Jenkins

A strong-willed beauty finds herself in the arms of the handsome drifter from her past, in this second book in the sizzling series set in the Old West, from USA Today Bestselling Author Beverly Jenkins

As manager of one of the finest hotels in Arizona Territory, Portia Carmichael has respect and stability—qualities sorely missing from her harsh childhood. She refuses to jeopardize that by hitching herself to the wrong man. Suitors are plentiful, but none of them has ever looked quite as tempting as the family friend who just rode into town…and none has looked at her with such intensity and heat.

Duchess. That’s the nickname Kent Randolph gave Portia when she was a young girl. Now she’s a stunning, intelligent woman—and Kent has learned his share of hard lessons. After drifting through the West, he’s learned the value of a place to settle down, and in Portia’s arms he’s found that and more. But convincing her to trust him with her heart, not just her passion, will be the greatest challenge he’s known—and one he intends to win… 

My rating:

This was a bit of a different book for me, like I love my romances, but this was romance with a capital R and I ended up really liking it actually.

I can start by saying that I have not yet read the first book in the series, but this can definitly be read without it, I didn't feel as if I was missing a piece of information or anything. 

Portia and her sister Regan did not have an easy start, their mom a prostitute sent them off to live with their aunt and uncle, Eddy and Rhine. However life does get better after a rocky start where they have to flee Virginia city, they end up in Arizona and open a hotel. Portia enjoys her life as a manager at the hotel in Arizona, it's a stable life, one where she doesn't see the need for a man to make it better. 

Kent was there when Portia and her sister first came to Eddy and Rhine. He also fled Virginia with them, but after he leaves to take a different path. He ends up as a rancher as he has always wanted to be. Kent arrives in Arizona hoping that his old friend Rhine once again can offer him a job. When he first met Portia all those years ago she was a girl, not comfortable around men. Now he sees a woman. 

I really liked Portia and Kent's romance, almost like a second chance since they had met years ago. When they first met she wasn't in a good place and he was older (although not that much older) so at that point there is not a romance. However when they see eachother again after all those years both see that there is something there. They were so sweet and I really liked how their relationship evovled. You see them fall in love as they get to know eachother.

As a said, a romance with a capital R, I really enjoyed the storyline and the writing. The characters were great, headstrong Portia and sweeet Kent. Portia's sister Regan was so much fun, dreaming of romance and adventure- the opposite of her sister who was happy to run to the hotel. 

Overall a great book! 

Author: 

Beverly Jenkins is an African-American historical romance writer. She and her family live in southeastern Michigan. Born in Detroit, she graduated from Cass Technical High School and attended Michigan State University where she majored in Journalism and English Literature. 
Ms. Jenkins has written sixteen books to date and has received numerous awards for her works, including: the Detroit Free Press Book of the Year, three Waldenbooks Best Sellers Awards; two Career Achievement Awards from Romantic Times Magazine; a Golden Pen Award from the Black Writer’s Guild, and in 1999, Ms. Jenkins was voted one of the Top Fifty Favorite African-American writers of the 20th Century by AABLC, the nation’s largest on-line African-American book club. In May of 2002, Ms. Jenkins published her first historical novel for young adults, titled: Belle and the Beau. Her second YA, Josephine and the Soldier followed in 2003. 
Ms. Jenkins has been featured in many national publications, including the Wall Street Journal, People Magazine, Dallas Morning News and Vibe Magazine. She has lectured at such prestigious universities as Oberlin University; the University of Illinois; and the University of Michigan. She speaks widely on both romance and 19th century African-American history at libraries, schools and organizations including Romance Writers of America, and the Afro–American Historical and Genalogical Society. She is active in her church and community, and in November 2001 was a recipient of the YWCA Woman of Achievement Award. 
In February of 2004, Ms. Jenkins’ first contemporary novel of romantic suspense, The Edge of Midnight was released. Sexy/Dangerous, her fourth novel of romantic suspense will be in stores in November 2006. 

Website

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