Stolen Breath

Stolen Breath

"He had the power to break my heart, only I knew he wouldn’t because he was a good guy. Despite everything he showed the media, deep down he cared and loved with all of his heart. It now made sense as to why he reacted so badly when I even considered writing an article on the man beneath the helmet. He hadn’t been worried about ruining his image, he just didn’t want his love with Josie tarnished by media stories and gossip. It was admirable. Very few people in Zeke’s position kept things to themselves anymore. They lapped up all of the publicity they could, riding the media wave while they had their moment in the limelight to eke out every last penny. But not Zeke. He treasured her memory enough to keep it to himself and I respected him for his loyalty. It was clear from the emotion in his voice how much he thought of her."

Death comes to all at some time or another, but the concept is never truly understood. What is the deciding factor to who leaves this earth and at what time? Some die young, some die old. Hoddell captivates her readers with a heartfelt second chance romance. This story is insightful, compassionate and emotionally heart-wrenching. By reading the words that Hoddell writes in this third installment of the Chequered Flag Series, readers are able to comprehend the weaknesses and strengths through unimaginable love and loss.

What starts out as a one-night stand, quickly becomes more for Zeke and Nadine. Nadine, the beautiful sports reporter. Zeke, the famous professional racer in Formula One. Nadine has been assigned to shadow Zeke for a story on the man behind the helmet—but when Zeke lets her in and shares his past with her, can she keep it out of the paper? Both individuals find solace in each other’s company, but neither one of them realizes that they are falling until it is too late. After winning second place in a race, Zeke comes back to his and Nadine’s hotel to find an article on her laptop that lays everything out about what he has been trying so hard to keep hidden from the press about his past. Could Nadine really betray him? When she tries to explain herself, he shuts down. Everything fades away and all he knows is that Nadine is first and foremost a reporter. He gave his heart out and she broke him. Was it all just a lie to get a story?

Again, Hoddell seems to fluently understand the psychological aspect of her characters in this third installment. It is apparent that a great deal of research has been completed in order to make these characters credible or plausible in a balanced fashion. Zeke has made a reputation of being a lady’s man, bringing a different grid girl to his hotel room every night. It is unfathomable that he would have anything to hide until Nadine shows him that he can be challenged. The emotions that cultivate with this relationship come from a deep pain from his past, an understanding forms that was never there before. The author is very descriptive in her wording, allowing her characters to become extremely convincing. It would not be difficult to find sympathy for several of these characters along the way.

Not only does the author succeed in character development and originality, she has created an understanding for her readers of what an emotional breakdown and reconstruction consists of. It’s not easy! A loss so tragic is what binds both individuals together, but strength can prevail if you are willing. Due to the psychological insights and intensity of the story—Hoddell has a mesmerizing novel that will shed some light on what it takes to remember that love conquers all…and can be the strength to move forward in the darkest of days. If you are a reader of new adult and college as well as psychological fiction, this may interest you.

A copy of this book was provided to Turning Another Page by the author, but this in no way affects our honest opinion of the book or the review that has been written.