BOOK REVIEW ~ AS TEARS GO BY -- LYDIA MICHAELS

Title: As Tears Go By (McCullough Mountain, Book Six)
Author: Lydia Michaels
Publisher: Secret Cravings
Format: ARC eBook
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: November 18, 2014


ARC provided by author for honest review







Sometimes love speaks without a word and throws the world into color.

Braydon McCullough has spent his life searching for the perfect woman. When a shy beauty propositions him, he assumes he’s found her. Blindsided by their chemistry, his life takes a bewildering turn when she vanishes as quickly as she appeared.

Becca Stevens can’t afford to take risks, but when persuaded by friends to commemorate her divorce by approaching a gorgeous stranger in a bar, common sense abandons her. After an unforgettable night of passion, she panics, running back to her methodical life, promising never to be so reckless again. That is until her Braydon unexpectedly tracks her down.

Braydon’s unwelcome persistence is a complication to Becca’s already challenging life. As a single mother of a son living with autism, she has no room for personal affairs. Braydon’s determination tempts to show Becca how vibrant life can be if she’d only dare to dream again.

Award winning author, Lydia Michaels, writes all forms of hot romance. She presses the bounds of love and surprises readers just when they assume they have her stories figured out. From Amish vampyres, to wild Irishmen, to broken heroes, and heroines no man can match, Lydia takes readers on an emotional journey of the heart, mind, and soul with every story she pens. Her books are intellectual, erotic, haunting, always centered on love.Lydia Michaels loves to hear from readers! She can be found of Facebook or contacted by email at Lydia@LydiaMichaels.org

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I cannot rave enough about how much I love the McCullough men. Lydia Michaels has created a series I have grown quite fond of and knowing it is reaching its conclusion has me a bit sad. 

Okay, truth? I'm totally devastated. 

That being said, As Tears Go By is an emotional read dealing with heart breaking issues. Something Michaels has done throughout the McCullough Mountain series. She knows how to tug at your heartstrings and sucks you inside her world--a world where family loyalties  and romance shine. 

Braydon McCullough has had his heart broken once. His girlfriend, Sammy, ended up marrying his older brother, Colin. His search for finding that perfect someone has left him alone in the big city and wanting what others in his family has found. He wants a woman who will choose him above all others and, until then, he plays the field like any typical male would do. 

Becca Stevens is just coming off a failed, ten-year marriage.  The ink on the divorce papers is barely even dry. Her best friend and boss convinces her she needs to approach the sexy man sitting across the bar and have a one night stand. 

Not looking for a relationship, she approaches Braydon McCullough. And they share one night of hot,sweaty sex that leaves both unprepared for what follows.

As Tears Go By is a tale of forgotten dreams, broken vows, and inner strength. One of the core themes I loved in this story revolves around Becca. She is a single mother struggling to take care of her son, who is autistic. Being a parent is soul-draining, emotionally harrowing at times, and the most thankless job on the planet. But having to raise a child with autism has a trillion different issues-ones that Becca has met, and surpassed, with each turn. Her entire world centers on her son and there is no time for a relationship in her life. 

Braydon is amazed by Becca's strength, her love and devotion to her child, and the passion hidden deep inside a woman afraid to follow her dreams. He wants to give her everything. Be the man her husband failed to be. And more importantly, Braydon wants Becca to choose him over the man who originally claimed her as his wife. But fears and the past continue to plague Becca's heart and threaten to break the delicate connection the new lovers share. 

Be prepared to experience an emotional journey as you read As Tears Go By. It has all the components of an addicting series: laughter, love, and a sizzling chemistry between the hero and heroine.  

Favorite moments:

"Special like you like him a lot or special like he has an IEP?"

"What would a kid be doing with a bomb?"

"Not an IED, you ass. An IEP. An individualized Education Program." 

"I'm sorry," Carla said, leaning close, but keeping her eyes on Kelly. "My vagina's in some sort of spasm right now. I couldn't quite make out your words." 

"Smurf sex is when you fuck until you're blue in the face." 

"Why are you trying so hard?"

"Why are you waiting for us to fail?" His shoulders drew up tight. He shook his head. "I guess I thought trying was what people did when they cared. I've never experienced so much opposition in my life."