Title: Return to Poughkeepsie
Author: Debra Anastasia
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Beckett Taylor is a murderer. His calling, his craft are
destruction and intimidation—whether he wants it that way now or not. He
left Poughkeepsie to keep his brothers safe, to keep Eve safe. Set up
with happy lives to live, they’re better off without him, right?But all his willpower crumbles when he hears his brother Blake’s frantic voice on the phone. An unknown enemy has moved in on his old territory, and Livia’s been taken. In an instant, Beckett knows it will take an attack only he and Eve can execute to bring her back. All his self-imposed embargoes are torn to shreds, perhaps along with the new man he’s struggled to become.
“Brother, call Eve. I’ll be there soon.”
In
this emotional and action-packed sequel to Poughkeepsie, Debra
Anastasia conjures a tale of love at its most raw and ragged. With
Beckett and Eve, how could we expect anything less? But even when it’s
messy, not magical, true love perseveres. Real love finds a way—for
better or for worse until death does part.
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| 5 STARS |
All I can say is WOW - this story is chock full of action and there is never a dull moment. Continuing the original story line from “Poughkeepsie”, with added characters and plots, “Return to Poughkeepsie” is a riveting tale. Caught my full attention from the first line to the last word.
Blake and Olivia
I enjoyed taking a glimpse into Blake and Livia’s marriage and their beautiful family. Livia's focus now are her children, but she always finds the time for husband, passion and romance. Their love is true and became stronger over the years. Blake’s character is vastly different than the man were first introduced to. Well, he is still the sexy, green eyed hunk I fell in loved with from the moment he appeared on the train station platform. However, Blake evolved into a strong-willed man whose main focus is providing for and protecting his family. He is a career musician. He no longer fears the sun, he basks in it. He is a perfect lover to his wife, a loving father to his children and always loyal to his brothers. Blake proves his ultimate strength when the unimaginable happens and Livia’s life is threatened, setting panic and fear into all of their lives. Blake conquers his fears, proving he is a brave man and a true hero.
Emme and Baby Kellan
Cole and Kyle
Cole and Kyle, although madly in love with each other, have fallen on difficult times. Trying to start a family has not come easy, and these two have suffered such emotional pain. My heart goes out to them, fertility issues can absolutely test the strength of a marriage. But Cole, forever faithful to his belief in God, manages to hold their bond together and prevents Kyle from totally falling apart. Hope is on the horizon for them, that is Cole’s prayer, and he will stop at nothing to make it their reality.
Beckette “Beck” and Eve
Beck, a man without a home. Exiled from his beloved Poughkeepsie and living life as a fugitive. Beck is forced to roam and plant new roots in Maryland. His only true companion now is a dog named Gandhi. Beck starts his life anew as an average man earning an honest living while vowing to become a better man worthy of Eve’s heart. It take five long years for Beck to return home, but he is a changed man. Summoned back to help his brothers in need, Beck reluctantly turns back to his old ways. But, his character is more human & less nefarious. He has changed for the better & worthy to reclaim his girl.
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“I love you, Eve...I want to make love to you, without pain, I want to make love to you, the woman I just watched dreaming...I want to build things for you, give you a reason to be soft. Give you a reason not to reach for a fucking gun when you open your eyes.”
“...I’m not worth your heart yet, but I’m gonna be. Eve, the next time you see me, I’m going to be a man worth it.”
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Beckett’s course personality shines through brilliantly. He is hysterical - the phrases that come out of his mouth crack me up.
“Arm yourself to the teeth of your balls.”
“No way, oh cadaverous one. Get your own monster bitch. She’s with me till the end.”
“Pinch your fucking nipples or I’ll cut them off.”
Beck, he has got a poetic way with words.
Eve, by far, was my favorite character is the story.
I love a badass, tough girl who takes no shit and stands up for herself. That’s Eve, a no-nonsense woman who is totally fearless. Her character becomes darker and more lethal in this story. Life becomes nothing more than surviving one heart ache after another. She has endured years sadness and loneliness without Beck, and has grown more ferocious towards those she considers her enemies. And her list of adversaries is long. I admire her tenacity and her sense of vigilante justice. This girl has balls.
When these two lovers mate, it is brutal, primal and animalistic. An erotic display of two alphas battling for supremacy. Their love making is absolutely barbaric and intense....involving biting, strangling, scratching, pushing, clawing, pulling - the aftermath looking like a crime scene...yowsa! It takes most of the book for Eve and Beck to get their groove on, but it is worth the wait.
We are introduced to some new characters...
Ryan
A good cop haunted by the demons from his past (a road which leads back to Beckett) and tortured by a crazy ass girlfriend who is driving him insane. He makes the mistake of falling for Eve, but that doesn’t quite work out for him. Poor guy is plagued by bad luck in all areas in his life - personal and professional. I hope to see more Ryan in the next installment, or perhaps get his own book with a happily ever after included.
Maryellen
What an insane bitch. Maryellen is a conniving, wicked witch who created bedlam in Livia, Eve, Blake, Dr. Hartt, Ryan and Beckett’s lives - turning their world upside down. Everything she touches turned to shit and she left only devastation in her wake. She's a Botox filled venomous viper and I longed to see her painful demise. Being set on Eve’s sights...I was not disappointed with the results of her downfall.
Debra Anastasia’s “Return to Poughkeepsie” is a well written, meticulously detailed story involving some of my favorite storybook characters. I loved catching up with the happenings of their lives while having some laughs, enjoying sizzling erotic scenes, and bitting my nails during the tense, dark moments. Although there is no major cliff-hanger, there are definitely loose ends to tie up. I look forward to what is store in the upcoming sequel.
Debra Anastasia
Debra AnastasiaDebra Anastasia is busy, just like every other mom. There's dinner, the dogs, the kids, and their homework. The laundry pile turns into a big, heaping monster. When the clothes finally make it into the washer, it gets unbalanced and puts on an elaborate show before it cuts out. This crazy job that never ends is her first love and her crowning achievement.
Her writing started a decent handful of years ago when along with the dogs, cat, kids, and husband, the voices of characters started whispering stories in Debra's ear. Insomnia was the gateway for the plots that wouldn't give up, wouldn't let go. In the shower, a twist would take hold and--dripping and frenzied--she'd find somewhere, anywhere to write it down.
Debra grew up in New York and got a bachelor's degree in political science at SUNY New Paltz. At the start of her marriage, she moved to southern Maryland with her husband. She still doesn't trust crabs and all their legs, though everyone else in her family thinks they're delicious. Her favorite hobbies include knitting, painting furniture and wall murals, and slapping clowns.
