I received this book for free from in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Risking It All
on September 12, 2012 and has 259 pages.
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Review source: The Writer’s Coffee Shop Publishing House
A passionate romance that’s more about relationships and friendship.
My Take
Oh, I like this. I don’t agree with the assessment that this is erotica so much as it’s passionate about relationships and Schmidt sucks us in and relates an excellent life lesson to be true to yourself.
It’s today with a flashback that introduces us to a major influence on Kennedy’s life. Memphis is the man who, through his own existence, gives Kennedy the courage to choose to follow her own path.
Schmidt does an amazing job of pushing and pulling on our emotions as she pokes and prods at Kennedy, Brooks, and Memphis. It’s obvious how Kennedy feels. She is, after all, the primary protagonist around whom it all revolves. Brooks is the foil around whom the push-me/pull-me revolves with it being obvious [to us] what the right path is. The question is if Kennedy has the strength to realize it. Memphis has his own issues related to his past.
It’s a delicate and fragile balance Schmidt is creating and I’m irritated with it because it’s so true to life. When you consider all the garbage we each haul around in our heads, the worries we harbor, the fears of rejection…well, it makes sense that both parties are terrified to make that plunge.
That said. All three of them behave badly. Why does Memphis think Kennedy can suddenly read his mind after all these years? As for Brooks. He is such a selfish egotist! I’d like to know what attracted him to Kennedy in the first place and Schmidt really doesn’t say. I’m most disappointed with Kennedy for being such a schmuck. I think Memphis was right. She was playing him, not consciously, but definitely hedging her bets. Why? Is she so desperate for a man in her bed that she’d accept these crumbs?
I get how difficult it is to tell someone, especially when he shows up as he does, but it’s not honest nor is it true.
Arghh, what is her problem? She knows what she wants. Christ, she’s known for years. Lord, Memphis is absolutely no help. Yes, he’s honest, but NO HELP!
God, this is such an emotional back-and-forth, and Memphis is right. He is so right. She is SUCH a weasel!
I guess if I can get so worked up over the emotional travails of this group, then Schmidt has done an amazing job of writing. I certainly pushed on, reading as fast as I could to find out what would happen next.
The Story
Schmidt introduces us to the triangle that is Kennedy, her boyfriend, and her best friend.
Brooks thinks a vacation directly across from the hospital is perfect while Kennedy has always wanted to travel and she is so envious of Memphis’ opportunities as a freelance photographer. When Memphis offers her the chance to go with him to Alaska, no question. She’s goin’!
Just before their trip, however, is the opening for her first solo art show and, oh, yeah, Memphis will definitely be in town for this. Which is more than she can say for her own boyfriend who will try to make it.
It’s this lack of caring that makes Kennedy ask that question of Memphis as well as Brooks’ reaction to her wanting him at the show’s opening, to her going off to Alaska with Memphis, that has her wondering.
That kiss has her wondering even more.
The Characters
Kennedy Monroe is a rebellious daughter who chooses to follow her heart to be an artist. It’s her best friend who encourages her to be true to herself. The self -proclaimed Casanova, Memphis Adams, who simply wants to be friends. Twelve years later, they’re still best friends and he’s a freelance photographer, mostly working for Hot Spots, a travel magazine. Hope and David Monroe are her parents and they wanted her to pursue a degree in criminology. Hope is ambivalent and David is an ass about her preferred career path. Only Memphis is her real support about her art.
Her boyfriend of two years is Ian Brooks, the head neurosurgeon at Vancouver General Hospital. Neither man likes the other.
Ryder Hennessy is an art collector and the owner of Strokes of Passion, a local art gallery where Kennedy is having her first solo show. The pregnant Vanessa, along with her husband Joseph, are among Kennedy’s friends. Tanner Bradley has built a new couples resort in Spruce Falls, Alaska. Alec Bell owns a number of businesses in Fairbanks; he’s warned Kennedy about Bradley.
The Cover and Title
The cover is so appropriate as this story is about passion — I do like the heart shape the flames form which frame the title! Flames of passion, yearning, and romance all at once.
The title is all too true, individually, Memphis and Kennedy are Risking It All.
Great review and summary. I am not a real fan of erotica but the drama of complex relarionships is very interesting 🙂
Well, that’s the odd thing about this story. The author claims it’s erotica, but I didn’t find any. Yes, there are sex scenes, but nothing any hotter than the usual romance type.