A Lost Touch of Bliss Book

The heroines time is running out. With her elderly mothers health failing and her brother set to marry a woman who makes it clear that the heroine will not be welcome in her home, the heroine must find a way to escape. This reason and only this reason induces her to do the unthinkable and accept the heroes offer. Their past relationship and the betrayal and heartache that followed are painful for the heroine to remember but the prospect of earning herself an Italian villa when she removes a ghost from the hero's castle is something she can handle. As long as she remains strong and determined to not only close herself off emotionally. But just seeing him again is like the world crashing down upon her and her air being stripped from her body. The fact that he obviously cares nothing for her is plain to see. He acts like nothing fazes him, that her presence is nothing but an inconvenience. His eyes are cold and hard and his face gives away nothing of what he may be feelings or thinking. If only she knew how hard it is to have her in his home perhaps the satisfaction would help ease some of her ache. The heroes focus and dedication to duty and responsibility has ruled his life. It's why he turned from the woman who makes him feel alive. It's why he must see that she rids his home of this ghost and is gone as quickly as possible. It's why he must remain emotionless towards her until that day comes. Too bad nothing is ever that easy. The chemistry between them has never been an issue. The intense all-consuming need they feel for each other is clear and honest as it is unwise. It's the fact that this lust and this craving can bring nothing but pain to both of them. The tension between them is palpable and gets harder and harder to resist with each passing day. And while their bodies may succumb to the power of desire, nothing is truly solved between them. The heroine is still grieving the loss of her daughter caused by the hero's abandonment. She still feels betrayed and heartbroken by his ruthlessness and his ability to turn his back on the one woman who loved his above all others in favor of a woman with wealth. While the heroine begins searching for the ghost, discovering the spirits story of heartbreak and loss so closely match that of the heroines story, she struggles to understand why the hero can't let himself be free of his tightly ridged control. The pain the hero feels every time he sees tears in this womans eyes is like a knife to the heart. Every time she is hurt or frightened or talking about escaping to Italy, the clawing need to comfort her, to keep her close is almost overwhelming. He the hero is not a man gifted with the freedom of choice. He needs to stay in control else everything fall apart around him. What he doesn't know and what he'll soon find out is that everything is already crumbling around him and the heroine, the one thing he loves, will be lost to him forever if he doesn't wake up and allow himself to be vulnerable.

I absolutely adored this book. I truly felt the pain and the sense of hopelessness existing between these two characters. The heroine. Wow. Strong, self-reliant. Growing up with a man like her father, a man who was harsh and unloving has developed her into a woman who does not rely on others. She closes herself off from the idea that any man is to be trusted. This belief was only solidified by the hero's betrayal. But even though she was crushed when he left her, her whole world destroyed and her heart left angry and broken, she still loves him passionately. Though its painful to be around him and to live with the belief that he doesn't care for her in return let alone love her, she still finds herself seeking him out. Her struggle to understand not only the heroes motives but her own conflicting and tormented emotions was beautiful to read. The hero was also an amazing character. Well, amazingly stubborn and totally blind and ignorant but wonderful. The funny thing was that no matter how he tried to seclude himself from having any emotions, his love for the heroine was stupidly obvious to every single person in that castle. Except for the heroine herself. He spent the entire book telling himself that no future could exist for them but his ever action spoke of his devotion. His words were what got in the way. He offered no words or kindness let alone love and when asked he vehemently denied having any feelings for her. But he knew he loved her. He knew it and he restricted himself from acting on them. I found their story of pain and betrayal to be tragic but preventable. If only they were strong enough to be vulnerable then perhaps their happy ending could have come a whole lot sooner. Still, I was enraptured with this story. Quite lovely.