Blog Tour and Giveaway: Burn by Brooke Cumberland

Synopsis:

Just when Velaney thinks she is safe again…her worst nightmare comes back to haunt her. Eric is dealing with his own insecurities as he tries to accept Velaney’s decision to help the enemy…can he get past it? Will they be there for each other in the end? He struggles to step aside and trust Velaney...but will his past keep him from doing so? Can he let go in order to move forward? Velaney and Eric had their fair share of ups and downs in SPARK…they love was undeniable and intense. Just when you think they could get their happily ever after…pasts collide and merge together…will they fight for what they want? Or will their love crash and burn?

Excerpt:
Running had become my crutch, my therapy, for dealing with the life I was handed. It was always my emotional outlet, but maybe it wasn’t enough. What if it would never be enough?
Eric lets go of me as he fiddles with his keys. Just as he turns to unlock the door, two large arms wrap around me and grip me tight against their chest. I fight against it, waiting for Eric to come to my rescue. After all, that was basically the evidence of our relationship.
“Eric!” I squeal as I’m shocked to see him standing there as I am being assaulted.
“Use what you know!” he shouts back, not giving any assistance.
What the hell? Why isn’t he moving?
Anger rises through me as I allow pain and hurt to feed my actions. As I elbow jab him in the gut, I quickly spin around and wrap my arms around his neck, pulling him into me as I knee him in the groin.
He was hurt enough to where I could run away, but something inside me—something that has needed to come out for a long time—fuels the power to keep going at him.
I kick him in the gut as he goes down on the asphalt. I hear him groan as he clenches his stomach tighter. I lower to my knees and give him a good ole nose jab. He yells out, now holding his nose. I watch as blood streaks down his face and onto his hands.
But it’s not good enough. I punch him once more in the chest for good measure, giving him what he deserves. I feel…uplifted, fearless, and powerful. For once, I’m giving him what he deserves—what he’s done to me emotionally for years.
“Velaney! Good god, what are you doin’? Stop!” Eric is screaming at me. His screams finally break through to me as I watch over the man lying in front of me. Eric pulls me up and shakes me, but my eyes are glossed over. I freeze as I realize that I just imagined beating the crap out of Aiden…using that man as a human punching bag.
“Dude, what the fuck?” I hear the other guy moaning as he crawls his way over. Eric releases one hand from me as he reaches for him, pulling him to his feet.
“Chad, I’m so sorry. I didn’t know she’d react this way.”
“Damn, she has a fighter’s stance when she’s not expecting it.” I can hear the amusement in his tone as if he’s both surprised and proud.
I hear them exchange a few more words, but I feel so light-headed, I don’t make out what they’re saying. I don’t know what just happened to me—why I had an out-of-body experience. That’s what it was, right? What else would it be?
“What the hell was that?” I finally yell as I come back to my senses. “You scared the living crap out of me.”
“I’m sorry, I just wanted to see your reaction when you weren’t expecting it,” Chad replies softly. I push past him and climb into Eric’s truck.
I watch as Eric pats Chad on the shoulder before he swings the driver’s side door open and gets in. I’m infuriated, yet euphoric at the same time. I’m impressed, yet scared of the way I reacted. Perhaps it was all the built up rage of seeing Aiden…even if I only imagined him being there.
“I’m sorry,” Eric mumbles as he inserts the truck key. He lets it idol as he looks down.
“I don’t know what came over me.”
“It was your instincts kicking in, it’s okay.”
“I imagined it was Aiden. I…I just imploded on Chad.”

His face softens as he reaches for my hand. I meet him half way and link my fingers with his. We don’t speak. We just sit in silence.

Tabby's Review:

Burn picks up right where Spark left off, and the lingering emotions pick right back up as well. Brooke will take you through a journey of emotions while reading Burn, you will laugh, cry, get mad, and fall in love even more with the characters.

I was instantly drawn back in from the very first line, and Burn didn't let me go until it dropped me on the other side an emotional wreck...what kind of emotional wreck I will not tell you. Brooke makes you get a sense of comfort then BAM rips it from you when she throws a huge twist in, not to mention the heartaches. By heartaches I mean rip your heart out and have you an ugly crying mess, heartaches.

Laney goes through a crippling loss without Eric. Before you freak out, no Eric doesn't leave her to deal with this by herself, Laney is being her stubborn self and pushes him away. Whew, now that I got that out lets continue. The whole time Eric never gives up on her, he fights for her, staying faithful to her through everything. We learn what Eric is keeping from Laney, and it is so sad, the pain and sorrow he feels all the time, even though he tries not to show it. Finally, we get to see Laney uncover some family secrets and confront the Ice Queen herself (that's what I call her mom). Oh my Lanta! The stuff we find out and the dramatic end to the confrontation will leave you speechless or stammering one of the two.

I was a wrech while reading Burn, I cried and I mean cried! I was chest heaving sobbing, with tears streaming down my cheeks, making some sounds where you would think I was dying. Brooke threw curve balls in there that make you go, WTF and OMG, quite a few times, she never lets you get comfortable, and that is why you have to read this book! You will be reading and waiting to see what will happen. Will Eric and Velaney's relationship survive this? Will Aiden finally leave Laney alone? You will have to read Burn to find out.

In case your wondering Carissa is also in Burn and we get to see sides of her that we have never seen before, and yet we love her just as much if not more than we did before. Because guess what! Carissa is getting her own book called Flame! Surprise!! Keep an eye out for details on Brooke's Facebook for teasers and information about Flame.

Jessica's Review:

If you thought Spark was a roller coaster ride hold on to your seats. Brooke does an amazing job picking up right where things left off. Burn will have your emotions all over the place. I have laughed, cried and been angry. I love when I can pick up a book and immediately be sucked in.

Burn picks up with Laney and Eric going to Texas and Laney swears she sees Aiden everywhere. There are a couple of BIG twists and heartaches throughout the book. I sat and cried for a long time and at one point I wasn't sure if I could continue. When you get attached to characters and see their heartache you can't help but hurt for them. Just when you think things are settling down BAM Brooke throws a curve ball in. We see Laney go through a devastating loss without Eric that could tear them apart forever. And we see just how strong her past has made her when she deals with her mother and finds out the family secret.

Eric is as faithful to Laney as ever, even when she doesn't want him around. He wants nothing more than to be there and support her through everything. Watching him and hearing his reaction to things throughout the book pulls at your heart more.

Is their love strong enough to survive the heartache or do they crash and burn?

We still see Laney's spunky best friend Carissa in the book and even she has found someone. Does this mean we will see a happy ending for everyone? I guess we will have to wait and find out in Flame (Carissa's book)

Burn moves at a great pace. I highly recommend that you are ready to read this in one sitting without any distractions. Brooke is a fantastic writer, I have loved everything I have read. If you haven't read Spark yet be sure to pick it up before you read this one.

Favorite Quote: "I wanted to share this with you, Velaney, because some day, I hope to build and share our lives out here"

Christy's Review:

Burn starts right where Spark ended with Eric and Velaney flying to see his family. If you love a book that take you on an emotional ride then this is the book for you. Velaney struggles with decisions she has made and still has to make. As she tries to settle in and live her life with Eric something new unfolds that tries to rip them apart. Eric has a hard time accepting Velaney's decisions and just wants to help her put her tragic past behind her and move on with their life together. Will they be able to move forward together with all the obstacles thrown at them, will they get their happy ever after? You will fall in love all over again in Burn with Eric and Velaney and of course the sassy roommate Carrisa. Brooke Cumberland is an amazing author and writes amazing books. Can’t wait to see what she comes up with next.

Say Hi to Brooke:
Brooke is a midwestern gal, from the cheese state of Wisconsin! Go Packers! She's a stay-at-home mom of three beautiful children (one daughter & two stepsons) and a black fury dog. She's studied psychology in college, and counseling and education in graduate school where she found her love for writing. Most days you can find her reading or writing, or just hanging out with her family! She loves movies, cooking, and shopping! She's addicted to Starbucks, Coach purses, and wearing yoga pants.

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