Claimed by Love

Love in Bloom: The Ryders, Book 2

By: Melissa Foster

Narrated by: B.J. Harrison

Length: 9 hrs and 1 min

Publisher's Summary

Family law attorney Gabriella Liakos has one true love, Elpitha Island, where she grew up and hopes someday to return. But Elpitha is in financial ruins, and Gabriella will do anything to keep it from falling into the wrong hands.

Duke Ryder is a savvy real estate investor set on making Elpitha into an exclusive resort. Unlike other investors, he's not scared of purchasing a property where one family has roots so deep they practically reach the ocean floor...until he meets his beautiful, stubborn, and enticing tour host,the daughter of the owner of most of the island.

Gabriella sets out to dissuade Duke from purchasing Elpitha, but Duke has other ideas. He wants Gabriella and the island. Duke's powerful seduction draws Gabriella in, but can a savvy investor who's used to glamour and glitz, and a woman interested in preserving the culture she adores find a happily ever after together?

©2016 Melissa Foster (P)2017 Melissa Foster

Great story

This is the same great characters and writing we have come to know from Melissa Foster. Great plot- pleasant narration. Great read.

Sexy & Hot

I was introduced to Duke Ryder in previous books but we only got to know the business side of him and his love of family. Wow, Duke Ryder was so much more than I expected and I loved every bit of his character. Melissa Foster has truly created an amazing character in Duke Ryder but BJ Harrison truly brought him to life for me. Wow, Duke is even sexier than when I read in print.

Duke is working a deal to purchase a small island off of South Carolina. Gabriella is both an attorney and the granddaughter of the islands owner and is tasked with showing Duke around. While she knows in her head they need investors on the island, her heart does not want to see things change.

Gabriella fights her attraction to Duke as her feelings for the island and the business deal are filled with conflict. But Duke is persistent and is truly falling for her so promises he won't hurt her or the island. There is also conflict between Duke and his partners, Pierce and Emily Braden.

This book kept me wondering what would happen next. Would Gabriella be able to get beyond her feelings for the island? You will have to read this wonderful book to see what Duke is capable of. You won’t want the story to end. BJ Harrison is sublime when narrating a Melissa Foster 5 star romance

Love it!!!

I am a big fan of Melissa Foster and her writing. This book however started out slow for me. It starts out with Duke touring Elpitha Island with his beautiful Greek tour gide Gabriella. They meet friends and family along the tour and Duke learns about the history of the island and Gabriella ' s family.

Once the tour ends, the story really picks up and the book is hard to put down. You can't help but fall in love with Duke. It's a sweet story and nice to see characters from other books in the Love in Bloom series.

BJ Harrison is back a narrator and does a wonderful job. He really makes you feel like you are right there in the book a part of it all.

FANTASTIC!

I loved it! This book was a fantastic read! The narration was outstanding and gave the story that extra flair! It will keep you entertained! The author did an amazing job with the character builds and plot. I can't wait to read the next book in this series! I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

My Thoughts on Claimed by Love

Claimed by Love was a great story about love and family.

And of course I loved that Gabriella was Greek. I loved all the Greek tie ins. Greece is one of those bucket list wish I could visit places and I'm super fascinated by the culture.

I also really loved how much both these characters were family oriented.

Duke was such a well written character. He was kind and honest and trust worthy. All of these things combined with his loyalty to Gabriella made him pretty great to read about.

Gabriella was also pretty great. She was an independent and successful woman in her own right. But she was also really connected to her family and dedicated to her home. She had a few walls up when she first met Duke, but together the brought them down.

BJ Harrison continued to bring his usual excellence to this story. As usual I have no complaints about his narration.

Love Elpitha Island

Gabriella grew up on Elpitha Island, a place where everyone is your family. Duke is interested in purchasing the island from Gabriella's grandfather to put in a resort and to bring business back to the island. Gabriella is to be Duke's tour guide. From Duke and Gabriella's first meeting the sparks fly. Gabriella is afraid to leave her self fall for Duke, afraid he will change her home too much.
I am the biggest BJ Harrison fan. His voice brings the story to life. He makes listening to the audio version so enjoyable.

Fantastic

I’ve been a fan of this series for a long time and Melissa Foster’s books so I couldn’t wait to jump into this one it was so good! I enjoy Melissa’s writing so much and the right knitted characters she builds her worlds with. These 2 are a bit of a firey roller coaster ride that will keep you on your toes and captivated. So good! And the narration ....... wow

Epic love story

How do you separate your feelings for the land you love and the man you love when both are in direct competition?

Duke wants to invest in the island that Gabriella has called home all of her life. Ella is the lawyer responsible for negotiating the investment deal. How is she supposed to do what's right for the island when she doesn't know what that is? Is it building a resort and increasing the tourism or is it keeping the island the way it is? Change is hard. Will she be able to see what needs to be done and follow through without adversely affecting her relationship with Duke? So many questions ...

Will everyone be happy with the end result? Only time will tell.

The narration was incredible in this book. Mr. Harrison portrays the southern/greek combo with great enthusiasm. I especially enjoyed his rendition of Gabriella's grandfather. It was dead on for the role. I can't wait to see what happens with the island and the family dynamics and how life will change for everyone.

A great summer read!

As I listened to this audiobook, I came to realize that there was very little conflict in it, even though it seems like the conflict should have been substantial. Duke is wanting to develop the island that Gabriella's family owns and lives on. She really doesn't want that to happen. Seems big, right? Not really, because Duke rolls over right away and tells her he won't do anything (in bed and as far as the island is concerned), that she doesn't want to do. Conflict pretty much over.
This is the usual Melissa Foster book. All about attraction and then heading for the proposal. Her books are sweet, which B.J. Harrison's voice adds to, but they are also super hot. If not for the sex scenes, I would say her books are sweet, innocent romances...but then there IS the really hot sex. It's kind of a quandry. She also throws lots of family into her books, whether blood related or people who are just always there for each other.
I have listened to many of her books and really enjoy them, especially when I'm not in the mood for anything heavy or complicated. It's a good light, but let the hormones flow read!

Awesome!!!!

Claimed by Love by Melissa Foster is another excellent book in the series. I loved Duke and Gabriella's story. The imagery in this book is incredible. I loved all of the Greek things described. Sharing the heritage was very special. Business and love do not always mesh, but this story merged the two wonderfully. Duke's inner musings of picturing Gabriella pregnant were touching. I love how the author puts family as a priority in her books, along with writing loyal, endearing and trustworthy characters. The narration by BJ Harrison was spot on. He adds the right emotions and angst. The cameo appearances of other family (Ryder) members of Duke added to the book.

Beautiful, Island romance

Duke Ryder is a Real Estate Investor, used to getting the properties he wants and is not scared of family members who are reluctant to his ideas, that is until he meets the beautiful Gabriella Liakos. Gabriella's family is rooted in the island, and she sets about trying to put Duke off his ideas, but Duke is drawn to Gabriella. Can two different people, give in to the attraction and will the island work it's magic?

I love B J Harrison's voice. I find it very smooth and easy to listen too, before you know you're half way through.

Hot Hot Hot

What made the experience of listening to Claimed by Love the most enjoyable?

Listening to BJ Harrison, he a master at audible books and make this one just a enjoyable as all the others. There are so many different accents and a mixture of old and young characters, which he managed to portray very well

What was one of the most memorable moments of Claimed by Love?

There wasn't one particular moment that stuck out, but the interaction between Gabby and her best friend Addy had me smiling

Have you listened to any of B.J. Harrison’s other performances? How does this one compare?

This is definitely up there with the best of them

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No I listen to it as I am travelling to work, so it took about 7 days to listen.

Any additional comments?

Definitely a book to listen to even if you have read it