A Marine never says die.
Neither does his princess.
Battle lines are drawn when sheltered debutante Meridian Daly moves across the hall from grumpy veteran Marine Callan Brand. Situated a bit closer than advertised to 'crime alley', Meridian’s neighbor finds himself grudgingly guarding the pampered princess out of habit. But with her sharp wit and killer curves, he can’t help but surrender to temptation…
When their relationship evolves from casual courtship to something more, Callan finds that Meridian's already discovered his closely-guarded secret. But can he let go of his pride, and tell her the whole truth of who he is and what he’s done—in the name of honor and country?
As Callan’s scars start to reveal themselves, his life spirals beyond the careful control that's helped him survive—and kept those he cares about safe.
From him.
But this tough-in-a-tiara princess won't back down, even in Callan’s darkest hours. And Meridian just might prove to be more tenacious than a never-say-die Marine!
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ - Literary Titan
In J. Rose Black’s enchanting novel, Losing My Breath, readers are swept away on a delightful and unexpectedly heartwarming journey into the lives of two neighbors who couldn’t be more different. Fate, however, has a clever way of bringing them together. Callan, a stern and disciplined former Marine, is as rigid as they come. When he crosses paths with his spirited new neighbor, Meridian, who couldn’t be more his opposite and full of challenges, sparks fly–both literally and figuratively. What unfolds is a romantic dance of opposites attracting.
Black immerses readers in Callan’s world, allowing us to peek into his thoughts, which is nothing short of entertaining. I couldn’t help but chuckle and roll my eyes as Callan desperately attempted to maintain his tough exterior around the vivacious Meridian. Callan’s character, firmly rooted in the past and grappling with PTSD may, at times, exasperate us due to his stubborn ways. However, as Meridian gradually chips away at Callan’s rough exterior, we come to realize that beneath the tough facade lies a genuinely sweet and caring man. Meridian, in contrast, is charming and remarkably patient as she navigates Callan’s prickly personality with grace. Her persistence and refusal to give up on him make her character endearing, and her chemistry with Callan sizzles in the steamy romantic scenes that are nothing short of electric.
J. Rose Black’s writing is undeniably engaging; she has a knack for keeping readers glued to the pages until the end. Beyond the love story, the novel explores deeper themes of redemption and coming to terms with one’s past. It’s a plot twist that catches you off guard and adds a layer of complexity to the narrative that is both unexpected and deeply satisfying.
In Losing My Breath, J. Rose Black delivers a powerful and emotionally resonant story that will leave you breathless. It’s a tale of love, sacrifice, and the battle against one’s own demons, ultimately culminating in the discovery of hope and redemption. Whether you’re a fan of romance or suspense, this book is a must-read.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ by Rosie Malezer for Readers’ Favorite
In Losing My Breath by J Rose Black, former Marine Callan Brand was the eyes and ears of his building. He knew what to keep watch for and who to interrogate. When Meridian Daly moves into the building right across the hall from him, Callan tries hard not to engage with the new tenant who had walked through the rain with no umbrella. Soaking wet, Meridian introduces herself to Callan but he rudely retreats into his own apartment. At the building's gym, he gives advice on everything she is doing wrong in her workouts, much to her chagrin. But when a stalker colleague follows Meridian home and tries to rape her, Callan leaps into action and leaves the assailant beaten and bloodied in the hall. Meridian and Callan become inseparable from that moment, but Meridian wants a future with Callan whereas he only sees a bleak emptiness in his own. It soon becomes apparent to Meridian that the man she has fallen for suffers from PTSD. He'd been a sniper, had seen his own friend die, and lost his family while he was in combat. Meridian tells him she loves him but he cannot bring himself to say the words, convinced they will get her killed. Upon finding out Meridian is pregnant, he panics and flees to the cemetery.
It is very rare to read a love story that does not have a rinse-and-repeat cycle, but Losing My Breath is far from the normal romantic tale. Putting a washed-up war vet into the same circle as a picture-perfect beauty queen and shoving them into any sort of a future seems far-fetched. With one used to assuming the role of helper and the other having been used up by all the wrong men in her life, the humor quickly comes alive and keeps the reader engrossed in what will come next. This is definitely a love-and-hate marathon between the two until the war vet actually sees the daily struggle for the woman with the so-called perfect life. The moment his PTSD is seen for what it is, however, instead of her running for the hills, she is by his side every step of the way through the good and the bad. The reality within the pages of J Rose Black's perfectly penned novel shows that there is a light at the end of the darkest of days if you are willing to put in the effort to overcome them. I wholeheartedly recommend Losing My Breath to all readers who like their finer romance novels to coincide with both drama and mystery.
