Running Away to Home by Rosemary Willhide
Published: October 3, 2014
Luminosity Publishing LLP
Pages: 282
Genre: Romantic Suspense
KKECReads Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I purchased this series on Amazon as a complete set, and I leave my review voluntarily.
Rosemary Willhide is an actress turned fitness instructor turned author of romantic suspense. She’s told stories and entertained people her entire life. Writing is her favorite because she doesn’t have to leave the house or put on pants! Plus, the voices in her head do what she says, for the most part! She lives in Las Vegas with her husband, Bill, and their adopted senior pooch, Brownie. She still teaches cycling classes. She claims they keep her sane-ish! If you pick up one of her books, you’re in for a ride full of suspense, humor, and page-turning drama. Also, there will be a rescue dog for some extra tail-wagging fun.
The twenty-four year old fitness instructor nearly faints when Hollywood heartthrob Derek Pierce comes to her spin class at an exclusive Las Vegas sports club.
There is an instant spark, an undeniable heat between them. But falling in love is not in her plan. Nia is a girl who sticks to the plan.
She moved to Las Vegas to escape her past, a past with secrets that still haunt her. A romantic entanglement with a celebrity like Derek will put both of them in danger. She doesn’t know if she will ever be safe, ever be free.
Then he looks at her with those gorgeous blue eyes, and is impossible to resist. Her world flips upside down.
Reader Advisory: Please be advised, the devastatingly handsome hero awakens our feisty heroine, she’s super horny, all the time!
“What happens in spin stays in spin.”
Nia is trying to start her life over after escaping an abusive marriage. Living in her best friend’s guest house, she teaches exercise classes at the neighborhood’s exclusive clubhouse. When she is scheduled for a private session, she never expected it to change everything.
This is my first glimpse at Rosemary Willhide, the romance writer. I only know Rosemary as the thriller author, so this was quite a different journey.
Nia was a likable character and embraced many of the traits survivors of DV exhibit. She was well-represented, and it was nice watching her blossom into a confident, strong woman after having so much darkness in her past.
Derek is a classic leading man, and he balanced Nia out well. Their chemistry was fast and intense. I enjoyed watching him become the partner Nia deserved.
Overall, I enjoyed the storyline. The plot moved quickly and kept me engaged. I enjoyed the side characters and found their banter added some comedic relief to the story at tense times.
My only real complaint is that Derek calls Nia “sweetie.” I was not too fond of it. I find “sweetie” condescending, but that is a me thing.
Like most romance novels, the passion ran high, and there were several steamy scenes. At least once a chapter. I wish we got more detail about Nia’s past, but what was shared was heavy.
I would have liked to hear more about Derek and his past, but I liked that the book mainly focused on Nia as the lead. Her transformation was spectacular.