Blog Tour, Review and Giveaway, Fighting Redemption by Kate McCarthy

 

Title: Fighting Redemption 

Author: Kate McCarthy 

Genre:  Contemporary Romance
Publication Date: December 2nd, 2013

Add to: Goodreads  
Purchase Links: Amazon | Amazon UK |  iTunes | B&N | Smashwords 

Synopsis 

Ryan Kendall is broken. He understands pain. He knows the hand of violence and the ache of loss. He knows what it means to fail those who need you. Being broken doesn’t stop him wanting the one thing he can’t have; Finlay Tanner. Her smile is sweet and her future bright. She’s the girl he grew up with, the girl he loves, the girl he protects from the world, and from himself.

At nineteen, Ryan leaves to join the Australian Army. After years of training he becomes an elite SAS soldier and deploys to the Afghanistan war. His patrol undertakes the most dangerous missions a soldier can face. But no matter how far he runs, or how hard he fights, his need for Finlay won’t let go.

Returning home after six years, one look is all it takes to know he can’t live without her. But sometimes love isn’t enough to heal what hurts. Sometimes people like him can’t be fixed, and sometimes people like Finlay deserve more than what’s left.

This is a story about war and the cost of sacrifice. Where bonds are formed, and friendships found. Where those who are strong, fall hard. Where love is let go, heartache is born, and heroes are made. Where one man learns that the hardest fight of all, is the fight to save himself.

My Review

I have so much to say about this book and yet have no idea how to even put it into words. I absolutely loved every single little bit of this book. McCarthy showcases what a talented writer she truely is.
The very first quote alone sets a powerful tone for the entire book:

There are things that we don't want to happen but have to accept, things we don't want to know but have to learn, and people we can't live without but have to let go. 

This story begins years before the fact when Ryan and Finlay first meet. Ryan 10 and Fin 8. 

Being the new kids at school, Fins' brother, Jake makes quick friends with Ryan when he helps Fin up after a fall. As the years go by you watch as Ryan and Jake become Best friends. 

With a bad home life, Ryan is always over at the Tanner's house, their home become his refuge his place to feel safe. While Ryan is aware of the connection he has with Fin, he acts indifferent to her. Quietly observing the sweet girl who deserves more than he could ever offer.

Ryan has always wanted to join the Army and as soon as he is old enough, he packs up to leave, no looking back. Fin, still in high school, watches as the boy who holds her heart walks out without giving her his own.

"Don't," he whispered thickly. "Please don't cry. You have such a big future ahead of you. You're going to do big things with your life. Dont let anyone stop you from being who you need to be." 

Six years later Ryan and Jake, now SAS soldiers come home on leave. The last 6 years Ryan has had no contact with Fin. Keeping her at a distance was suppose to be the plan, but a few seconds in each others presence has everything he worked so hard on, come crashing down.

Fin has worked hard herself the last 6 years. Her career is on the fast track. She is about to make a huge career move when Ryan comes home for a visit. One look at him has her questioning where her life is meant to go. Their attraction is palpable and their pull is so strong that both are left feeling confused after each interaction. Ryan can't seem to fight his attraction to her, leaving her shocked that he even felt this way. Where is this coming from? She built a life that didn't include him and moved on. He never asked for her heart, so she did what she had to. But we see, and we feel Ryan's own internal struggle. What he lived through being away from Fin.

"I hurt too. For six years I fought every day not to think of you, and I lost, because every day you were all I could see. You were the best thing in my life- so sweet and innocent, and so goddamn tempting."  

But their story has a long way to go. He struggles with his feelings, pushing her away. Wanting her to have a better life without him. He doesn't want to put her through the pain of what War does to people back home.

Don't hope for us, Fin. I can't have you wasting your life waiting for someone who might never return.

And she does, she takes her job, leaves everything behind and Ryan heads back to Duty. But when tragedy walks into her life, she must find her way through the darkness. 

It's always the strongest that fall the hardest 

I can't tell you what happens next without revealing too much. But this is when the story really starts to weave its heartbreaking tale. The Heartache and Pain, the Love and Tenderness, the Happiness and Laughter all of it will worm its way into your heart. And you won't want it to stop.
I was drowning in the pages and never wanted to surface for air. This story was beyond phenomenal
it moved me to tears. At times Kate's words were so poetic and insightful but also had the ability to break me down. Kate allows you to connect with Ryan, you feel his insecurities, his pain. You were there with him, hurting with him.

"I'm so tired," he whispered to her, his voice muffled against his knees. Hot tears fell thick and fast down his face and nothing could hold them back. He didn't even have the energy right then to hide them from her. "So tired of living with so much pain."

Ryan is book boyfriend perfection. It was an absolute treat to get inside his mind, and I fell even more in love with him every time we got his side. His devotion and love for Fin makes my heart smile.

"I have a thick skin baby, but you're under it. You're buried in there so deep it's like I was born with you in my soul. When I'm near you I'm consumed by you - your smile, your eyes, your heart. Even though we've never been together, you've always been mine, and even if I never get to keep you, you'll still be mine."

♥♥♥♥

"You could carry me into Hell and I'd go with you." 

"I've been to Hell, baby," he replied. "It's the one place I'll never take you." 

This book captured my heart. I wasn't sure what to expect from it but it completely blew me away. It was quite a roller-coaster of emotions. The writing was exceptional and the characters are so well written. Kate's ability to draw you in, knock you on your ass and break you down piece by piece is exactly what I crave for when I pick up a book. She left me hanging on to every scene, every page, every line. I devoured Ryan and Fin's story. Do yourself a favour and get familiar with Kate McCarthy's work, you won't be disappointed.

"You're all I see. Nothing holds more beauty in my eyes than you do. No one will ever love you the way I do." 

☆☆☆  5 I love you all the Stars  ☆☆☆

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About the Author

Kate McCarthy grew up in a small town outside of Port Macquarie, Australia. Raised in a house just a short walk to the beach, Kate enjoyed the peaceful, relaxed atmosphere and friendships that come from being raised in a friendly, small town area.

She now resides in Brisbane, Australia, a city in the state of Queensland where she works as an accountant, along with a sideline wedding cake business and her writing. 

She is married with two children, has two dogs and house in the suburbs, and a pile of friends and family dotted all over the country that help keep her sane.

When she’s not busy running after naughty kids, filthy dogs, crunching numbers, piping buttercream and writing books, you can find her curled up in bed in the early hours of the morning reading new books and re-reading old favourites. Her favourite books are the Black Dagger Brotherhood series by J.R. Ward in which she longs to eventually join the brotherhood and change her name to Phierce Mutha.

Please feel free to friend request Kate on Goodreads 

Author Links 

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Website

GIVEAWAY

Giveaway Prizes:

Signed Copies + Ryan's dog tags, ebooks and gift cards

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