Claimed by Love

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.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Lovely

As usual, I LOVE another one of Melissa Foster's books! Duke + Gabriella=AMAZINGGG. Despite Duke having plans for the island he is purchasing, he respects Gabriella's feelings and wishes for her island that she loves so much. D + G have instant chemistry! As someone that is part Greek, I enjoyed reading (listening) to a book that includes the Greek heritage. I also enjoyed the southern twist as well! The narrator did an amazing job as usual, will definitely reccomend.

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.

Duke & Gabriella...passion from the start

Gabriella, a New York City attorney, grew up on the island of Elpitha, a small island off the coast of South Carolina. The island is a combination of her Greek heritage as well as her mother's southern upbringing. Due to her love of the island, her grandfather summons Gabriella to the island to be a tour guide to a real estate investor who plans to buy the island and turn it into an exclusive tourism destination. What she is not prepared for is Duke Ryder.

Duke Ryder, the real estate investor interest in Elpitha Island is not the typical "suit" Gabriella is expecting. Even though she is against her grandfather selling the island, she takes Duke on a tour of the island. What she is not ready for is the passion that builds between her and Duke. As Gabriella starts to share her favorite places on the island, Duke's plans about the island have changed and promises to take Gabriella's concerns seriously. Gabriella has to decide if she truly believes Duke will keep his promise and open her heart fully to him.

I loved Duke & Gabriella's story. The narrator was just ok.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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