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

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.

Great story

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

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!

Great Read

Claimed by Love by Melissa Foster was a great read. I loved reading Duke and Gabriella’s story. Gabriella is an attorney who wants to see her favorite place, Elpitha Island, ruined by financial issues. Duke is a real estate investor looking to purchase a resort on Elpitha Island. I can’t wait to read more by Melissa Foster, this is a great series.

I love this series

I have become the biggest BJ Harrison and Melissa Foster Audiobook fan. There is nothing better than listening to BJ Harrison read me Melissa’s amazing story. The voice brings the story to life. I can hear the emotions that the characters are going through. Their stories come to live for me.

I listen while working out, cleaning the house, driving around, or pretty much anytime I can sneak more than 5 minutes for myself. It makes the time doing things I may not enjoy as much so much better.

Panty melting smile…. How can you not love a book that uses that to describe the hunky, sexy, and wonderful main character? I couldn’t pass up on reading Duke’s story when that is how Gabriella describes him. Who am I kidding? I couldn’t pass up reading Claimed by Love because it is written by the amazing Melissa Foster and is part of the Love in Bloom series.

In true Love in Bloom style, Duke and Gabriella have a true and real love. Their attraction is instantaneous but they have to work for it. It would have been easy to just fall in to bed and hope for the best but Duke is just too good of a guy for a quick lay with Gabriella. Gabriella is also a wonderful character. She calls out Duke on his intentions with the island, she holds tight to her beliefs and wants, and make Duke work to win her over for good. Together these two are absolutely on fire.

I also loved that other Love in Bloom characters make appearances in Claimed by Love. Pierce Braden (sigh), Emily, and of course those wonderful Ryder siblings all made appearances. This book can be read as part of the series, which I recommend, or it can be read as a standalone.

Duke & Gabby...Beautiful

OMG, where do I start? Melissa and BJ did it again...the writing and narration was amazing!

From the minute I started reading about Duke & Gabriella, I knew they would be hot and great together. Duke's fierce, loyal, and loving heart, and Gabriella's heart combined to make an amazing story.

Duke was called to buy the island she grew up on, where her family lives, with an idea of what they would be doing with the island. But, upon visiting and meeting Gabriella to show him around, he realizes that he has to curb his thought process on what they would actually do with the island. His love for Gabriella and the unexpected connection he felt with her and the island cause him to want to do something unique and better than what they originally had planned.

Sometimes the heart and business don't go together but, in some cases, such as this, it leads to something more beautiful and amazing then one could ever imagine!

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.

Awesome

This book is another wonderful one from Melissa Foster!! BJ Harrison did another amazing job with the narration. 
Duke Ryder meets Gabriella Liakos when he comes to the island of Elpitha as real estate investor. Gabriella doesn't want her beloved island sold. Duke has falls for hard. Her fear of what he will do with the island keeps her from giving him all of her love. What she doesn't know is that his love of faimly is just as deep as her love for her family. Family is very important to both of them.

Will a work trip change Dukes life forever??

Trust - can Gabriella trust Duke with her island but as we'll find out more importantly can she trust him with her heart. Duke always knew he would wait until he found the one and Gabriella is definitely his! Gabriella gives Duke a run for his money but it is wonderful to see Duke following his heart and keeping the essence of Elpitha Island even though it may go against his original plan. The love and importance of family is strewn throughout the story - I want Gabriella's grandpa to be my own. You'll love watching Duke fall.

BJ Harrison does a wonderful job of putting the emotion and angst that Gabriella is feeling in his narration of this wonderful novel. I particularly enjoyed the Greek that is used and the use of Gabriella's many nicknames.

Elpitha Island is the perfect place to go back in time and I would absolutely visit given the chance, especially once Duke is able to make some of his changes. you will not love the time you spend listening to Duke and Gabriella's story in Claimed by Love.

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