Review: Safelight Series #1 and #2

Title: Chasing Reese

Author: Imy Santiago

Published:  January 5, 2015,  RISC Publishing

Genre:  Contemporary, Sports

Loss brings love…

Everything in life is not permanent but it was perfect. Catalina Pardo had a career in journalism most people could only dream of, a hot, sexy fiancé to call her own and a brilliant future ahead of her. When tragedy struck, the life she once knew fell apart. Four years later, traumatized by the events that ultimately changed her existence, Catalina sets herself on a punishing work schedule, preventing herself from facing the demons of her grief-stricken past. Emotionally shut down, she’s alive but not living because everyone she ever loved leaves her.

Fate intervenes in Catalina’s life in the form of a last minute assignment to a snowy mountain lodge in Whistler, B.C. Sent there to cover the life of the infamous Jackson Reese; an Olympic Snowboarding Champion, she is faced with many challenges bringing to surface the raw emotions of her past. Compelled to work alongside Stryder Martynus, an award winning photographer brought in to document the Reese press tour, tensions and denial run high forcing Catalina to accept the past and face the present with zero regrets.

*Adult Contemporary Romance - Due to strong language and sexual content, this book is not suitable for readers under the age of 18.

This is a new to me author and I could not have been more happy to read this story.  The synopsis might lead you to believe there may be a love triangle.  Without revealing too much, I can tell you that the book doesn’t fall that way.  Now, part of me was hoping that there would end up being a true triad, not the case and I am good with that! J

This could be classified a sports romance as Reese is a professional athlete.  But the story is not really about his sport.  The story is about friendship and love and the qualities that make those things important.  Cat and Stryder and Reese come together for work, but the friendship that emerges is one of those life altering moments.  All of the cogs clicked into place.  Cat begins a journey of healing and the two men help her in their own unique way.  Alternating POV gives the reader insight into each character’s thoughts and feelings.  The comfort that comes with good friends allows for moments of humor, cleansing tears, worry and love.

The story does end on a cliff hanger.  No worries, because the next book is available! Give this author a shot.  You will need to read this one. 

Title: Finding Reese
Author: Imy Santiago
Published: May 26, 2015, RISC Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Sports

Hope Breeds Life...

Sometimes destiny and fate have a weird way of reminding us of our inescapable vulnerability, but more importantly our inexorable humanity. Life is fleeting, and what little time we have left in this world, we must make do with what we have, and cherish those whom we love by our side.

Fresh back from the Jackson Reese Press Tour, sports journalist Catalina Pardo rushes back to British Columbia after receiving unexpected and distressing news. With the help of award winning photographer Stryder Martynus, Catalina is determined to prevent the news of tragedy and heartbreak from governing her life again. 

Together they will embark on a new journey of introspection to overcome the ghosts and raw emotions of their pasts−on a long and unpredictable road full of complicated circumstances−to find healing, hope and salvation.

The smallest of gifts−like a friendship bracelet−have the power to save your life, and unlike fairy tales, happy endings are seldom guaranteed...

*Adult Contemporary Romance with Mature Content−Due to strong language and sexual content, this book is not suitable for readers under the age of eighteen.*

This is the second book in the Safelight Series by Imy Santiago.  Book 1 ended on a cliff hanger and this book takes place right at that same moment.  This beautiful triangle of Jackson, Cat and Stryder continues to meld and morph and solidify in strength as the story moves along.  Each side is not the same without the support of the other two. 

As with Book 1, Chasing Reese, the author puts so much emotion out on the pages.  I found myself tearing up for almost the first 40% of the book.  You will get all the feels in this one.  Strong feelings of true friendship and undying love.  Beautifully written.  The message of hope rings throughout the book. 

So very happy to have read this new author.  I look forward to more by her!  Really a 5 star read but I am dropping a ½ a star just for the conflict moment in the book.  I felt that even though the characters had trigger points for their emotions, the conflict with the resulting action seemed over reactive.  I would have been perfectly happy if the event didn’t even occur. 

  Judge for yourself.  Worth the read! 

Imy Santiago studied Criminal Justice and Psychology at Universidad Metropolitana, and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in 2011. As a Summa cum Laude graduate, she is the recipient of the University President medal for excellence in academic achievement. She lives on Long Island with her fiance and daughter. Currently, she spends her days nose-deep in her iPad writing new stories she hopes to publish in the near future. chasing Reese. is her first novel. When she's not writing, you will find her chasing after her family with a smile on her face determined to make her dreams come.

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