Rating: 5 stars out of 5
Rowen Smithe had been anticipating the worst when his past came calling in the form of his former partner. Once through the initial explosions (and when all first aide supplies were put away), the truth about Rowen, the warped nature of his childhood, previous profession, everything came to light. And his Mountain Shadow family didn’t abandon him. In fact it brought them all closer together.
But not everyone in Rowen’s past is willing to let Rowen off so easily. An old acquaintance arrives quietly in Mountain Shadows and his target is Rowen Smithe. Recovering from the turmoil of the recent events, none of Mountain Shadows campground are prepared for what is to come, the least of which is Mick Rutger.
Mick Rutgers is in love with Rowen Smithe and has been working hard to break down the barriers Rowen has raised to protect himself. But when Rowen’s former partner appears and their history together comes out, Mick thinks the time has finally come for them to have a future together. It seems that Fate has one last hurdle for the pair to overcome. One more dangerous element from Rowen’s past. Is this the one that brings them closer together? Or is it the one to break Mick’s resolve and destroy their chance at happiness forever?
Blown Chance is guaranteed to break your heart in more ways than you might think possible. The previous 3.5 (yes, .5) stories have been setting us up for this emotional rollercoaster. The scrabbled together family of Mountain Shadows has just undergone an emotional tsunami resulting from the revelations about Rowen’s past, including childhood and dubious profession. Still once the shocks have worn off and the wounds patched up (ok part of that was deadly funny), all the characters we have come to love over this series (and some from last year’s) pull together once more in love and support. Its has been emotionally draining for all, and yes, I am including the reader here too. But peace is such a fragile thing, especially when the people involved are such explosive individuals with past histories that refuse to stay in the past.
I have to admit I laughed out loud at portions of Wicked Winds (Whispering Winds 3.5). But humor has little place here. Rowen’s past is one of horrific events of which sometimes he has been the cause. And that past refuses to let him go. It returns silently and swiftly just when you think Rowen and Mick are settling down enough to talk about a relationship. Havan Fellows lulls us into temporary complacency and then smacks us down with a tide of events and people that we really should have seen coming. She builds us up and then brings us down but not so far at first that we think we’re safe. Because no one is.
I love the suspense and anticipation Fellows builds into her plot. It’s crazy white knuckle ride of action, stealth, and surprise! Still, amongst all the shocks and tremors here, Havan Fellows never forgets the complicated men at the center and their strained journey towards love and acceptance. Rowen quickly became a favorite of mine with his tortured demeanor and his ability to become a part of the woodland environment around him. Rowen is such an interesting, quixotic personality that he just draws you to him. So we can understand Mick Rutger’s fascination with Rowen and ultimately his love for him as well. Their tentative bonds have been constantly under stress, but the worst is about to confront them all. How is all plays out is wildly inventive, crazily satisfying, and totally frustrating.
I get the ending, I really do. It makes absolute sense. But now I need book 5. I need to see what happens next. I care for these characters and want them to have their happily ever after. They deserve it and so do the readers. I know its coming but waiting is get harder by the minute. How I love the anticipation!
This is an outstanding series. The fact that it gets intertwined with the Pulp Friction 2013 series is just the icing on the cake. Loved that series, love this series too. Whispering Winds and all the other Elemental Connections series are easily at the top of Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words Best of 2014. If you have started reading them yet, (perhaps there is a binge reading fest ahead), start at the first story and work your way through. It’s the best way to understand the characters and to watch the relationships change and grow. Pick them up today.
Cover art by Laura Harner. These covers are tremendous, great for branding the series and the characters.
Sales links: All Romance eBooks Amazon 
Blown Chances
Here are the books in the Elemental Connections series to date:
Round One:
Firestorm (Fighting Fire: 1) by Laura Harner
Cold Snap (In From the Cold: 1) by Lee Brazil
Blown Away (Whispering Winds: 1) by Havan Fellows
Higher Ground (Earthquake: 1) by T.A. Webb
Kismet & Cartwheels – bonus book, Fighting Fire
Round Two:
Controlled Burn by Laura Harner
Cold Comfort by Lee Brazil
Blown Kisses by Havan Fellows
Moving Earth by T.A. Webb
Round Three:
Backburn by Laura Harner
Cold Feet by Lee Brazil
Blow Hard by Havan Fellows
Tremors by T.A. Webb
Taking Chances by Lee Brazil– bonus book, In From the Cold
Round Four:
Flare-up by Laura Harner
Out In The Cold by Lee Brazil
Wicked Winds by Havan Fellows – bonus book, Whispering Winds
Blown Chance by Havan Fellows
Aftershocks by T.A. Webb
Book Details:
Published August 15th 2014 by Appleton Publishing Avenue (first published August 14th 2014)
seriesPulp Friction 2014 #15, Whispering Winds #4
Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words 
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