Not every love story has a happy ending. Some just change your life.
Liz Atwater’s happily ever after is torn from her and she’s living her worst nightmare. Everything changed the instant her husband, Jack, was murdered. She is now forced to pick up the shattered pieces of her life as she faces the daunting task of raising three young children alone.
A world away in Hollywood, actor Reynolds Carter is recovering from the humiliation of his girlfriend’s cheating scandal. The public affair forces him to admit that he wants his life to be meaningful, not just front page gossip and headlines in the tabloids.
Reynolds finds his purpose in memorializing the story of Jack Atwater, whose life ambition was to bring attention to people with disabilities who were living in institutions. As Reynolds takes on the challenge of this new project, his world collides with that of Liz. They never expected their professional relationship to evolve into friendship, or love, but that’s exactly what happens.
Unfortunately, life is never simple. Faced with complications from family, friends, and work colleagues, Liz and Reynolds are left to decide whether two people from such different worlds can find happiness together. Can they get past the pain, fear, and guilt to risk their hearts to love again? If so, would it be worth it?
Not every love story is just a happy ending. Some completely change your life.
Past Heaven
by Laura Ward
Series:
n/a
Genre:
Contemporary Romance
Publisher:
Independent
Publication Date:
January 26, 2015
Past Heaven is the story of Liz, a woman who is married to the love of her life, Jack. Jack is one of those people that others aspire to be. He’s a hero to many for his work to bring change to the system of institutionalizing people with special needs. Not everyone is happy with his work and when one of them decides to kill him, Liz’s whole life changes forever.
The murder of Jack in front of Liz was horrific. As a stay at home mom of three young sons, she has to come up with a way to support her family. Meanwhile, out in Los Angeles, the most famous actor in the world is having a big life change when his ultra famous and beautiful actress girlfriend admits to cheating. He breaks up with her and then goes across country to visit his parents. While there he decides to change his life and get a new passion. After seeing a story about Jack on the news, he decides to make a movie about Jack’s life and get Liz to write the screenplay with him.
Liz was a good character as a loving wife and mother. When she lost Jack, her life would have stopped had she not had her children. It’s been ten months, but she is still grief stricken and only holds it together for her children. When Reyn shows up at her door one morning, she sees the answer to her immediate problem of supporting her children. She also gets to meet the real Reyn, and not the one people think he is. Reyn was even a better character for me. He’s truly a good man, and he wants more out of his life than Hollywood. Liz’s best friend Cindy was perfect as the best friend, ferocious in her protecting instincts toward Liz, and is also as loud and funny as Liz is quiet and reserved. And the three children absolutely stole my heart before this read was over. The villain of this story ended up being Reyn’s ex-girlfriend, other than the murderer of course.
The story turned into a beautiful romance, one that Liz wanted to deny, but in the end really couldn’t. Add in the ex-girlfriend that won’t leave the couple alone, and Liz’s continuing grief, and this story ended up being a well rounded story for me. It was a page turner that kept me reading one night until dawn, as I had to know how it was going to end. And this book certainly was one that gives the readers all the “feels”. I enjoyed the whole thing, and would recommend it to adult contemporary romance readers.
The review copy of this title was purchased by the reviewer.
ABOUT LAURA WARD
Laura Ward’s debut novel, NOT YET, is a Top 100 Amazon Bestseller. Laura lives in Maryland with her loud and very loving three children and husband. She married her college sweetheart and is endlessly grateful for the support he has given her through all their years together, and especially toward her goal of writing books. When not picking up toy trucks, driving to lacrosse practice, or checking spelling homework, Laura is writing or reading romance novels.
AUTHOR LINKS
