Do you have the courage to know your past and fight for your future? Contemporary Romance author Kate McBrien returns with the final installment in her steamy Indigo trilogy! On the beautiful Greek island of Santorini, Justin and Lucy seek answers. But without the Varangian Cross, the key to unlocking their story, they are forced to return to London and confront the challenges from which they fled. As the struggles from their previous lives continue to haunt them, Justin and Lucy must work together in order to put together the pieces of their past and uncover their epic love story.

On the beautiful Greek island of Santorini, Justin and Lucy consult with Sophia, an elderly woman who is gifted in ways beyond the present and physical. What they learn is helpful but incomplete. The story of their past is hidden deeply within the Varangian Cross, and Sophia must have it to fully understand the connection that Justin and Lucy share. However, the cross is with its new owner in London and far too valuable to be loaned out for such an implausible tale.

Disappointed, they prepare to return to London and confront the challenges from which they fled, resigned to leave the past behind, but the struggles of the past seem determined to revisit them.

Justin and Lucy are meant to be together. They are meant to know their past. The cross is the key to unlocking their story, and the source of their eternal and unbreakable bond.

Join Justin and Lucy as they put together the pieces to uncover their epic love story in Always With You, the trilogy’s poignant and passionate conclusion.

Note to readers: This book contains scenes which may be triggering to survivors of sexual violence.

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As an added surprise Kate McBrien is doing a giveaway the Grand Prize winner a $25 Amazon Gift Card. To enter for your chance to win one these great prizes, please fill out the Rafflecopter link.

To catch up, check out the other books in the series here!!

Discovering You  /  Waiting for You

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Excerpt:

Although it wasn’t dark yet, Althea had already lit large candles inside lanterns that were placed around the edge of the infinity pool and on a few adjacent tables. Lucy stood near the low wall and gazed out at the vast sea. She would never get tired of this view. Whether it was sunrise or sunset, it was always spectacular. Tonight was no exception. The sun was just beginning to set, and the sky was ablaze with red at the horizon, shifting to orange above. The previously light blue sky was becoming a deeper blue. In the background, the Grateful Dead sang about standing on the moon, looking down at the earth. And that’s what it felt like. She smiled when the singer described one of the colors of the American flag as indigo. And there it was yet again, their connection to indigo blue. It was another tiny reference to the thread that connected her to Justin, but its meaning resonated with her. The name of his band, the shared color of their eyes, and the hue of the stone she had spent years studying.

There were a few clouds at the horizon, and Lucy gasped when light from the sun broke through the clouds in long beams of light. Where was Justin? He should be with her to watch this incredible sunset.

The Grateful Dead song ended and it was quiet for a few moments. Then the opening notes of the vocal standard, “The Very Thought of You” filled the air. Instead of the Billie Holiday version she was familiar with, she heard Elvis Costello crooning.

The sound of footsteps approaching made her smile, and a strong pair of arms slipped around her waist. She leaned her head back into Justin’s chest.

“You’re stunning,” Justin whispered into her ear as he placed soft kisses along the side of her neck. “Althea was just leaving when I came looking for you.” He took the wine glass from her hand and took a sip before setting it down.

“Hmm,” Lucy sighed, as the sunset became even more dramatic.

“What are you thinking, my love?”

“I was thinking how much I love being here. It’s unimaginably beautiful and special. We just arrived, and I never want to leave.”

“Turn around,” Justin said in a deep voice.

Lucy turned slowly in his arms.

“Aren’t you handsome tonight?” She took him in, dragging her eyes from head to toe.

“Just for you,” he said, his arms wide. He wore white linen trousers with a sky-blue, open-necked shirt. His skin glowed with a light tan from the afternoon by the pool, enhancing his indigo eyes. Justin held her gaze, and his expression became serious. “I feel the same about being here with you.” His voice was rough and full of emotion.

Fly Girl’s Review:

I couldn’t wait for this book to come out.  I’ve been able to review the first two books in the series (Discovering You / Waiting for You) and really was taken with the story and couldn’t wait to see the full story of the cross and why these two were so connected. This is not a stand alone, you need to read the previous two books to keep up with this one.

When we left Lucy and Justin, they were in some real trouble with her boss attacking her and Justin’s old girlfriend accusing him of attacking her.  Things didn’t look so good except their trust in one another and their connection to the Varangian Cross.  In the final book she starts with a glimpse into the final scenes of the Varangian Cross star crossed lovers, then switches to us watching Lucy and Justin navigate their legal and personal battles with the people around them.  When everything gets cleaned up and they survive their final difficulties to just be together, they go back to Santorini and we get the last chapter in the Varangian Cross story.  It is a doozy and I didn’t see that coming.  I had other ideas of why the star crossed lovers were separated and the cross was found where it was.  Kate gave us a good twist to the story near the end.

Although I loved this couple’s story there are a few issues I found overall with it.  First, I never felt the emotional connection Justin had with Lucy in the first two books, like she describes it in this last one.  There seems to be something missing.  It seemed like he was just an obsessed lover in books 1&2.  I also wasn’t fond of having to re-read the whole prologue of the star crossed lovers in the final book.  I felt like that was a waste of time since this series can’t be read as stand alone novels, but must be read in order.  Also, I felt the story could have ended a little before it did.  It seemed to drag at the end and the erotic sex scenes didn’t really add to the story.  We already knew they loved one another, there should have been a shorter way to dispel the nightmares and the claustrophobia for them that was part of the Cross’s story.  So for these reasons I’m only giving it a 4 of 5 propellers and I think I’d give the whole series a 4 of 5 too.  I definitely would recommend this one if you like both Historical and Contemporary Romance because it combines both very well.

4 of 5 Propellers

 

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Kate has an MA in art history from San José State University and has taught art history at a local college. For many years, she has worked as a dental hygienist, courageously offering encouragement to her non-flossing patients.

She has always enjoyed writing but became more serious after being encouraged by a friend to participate in National Novel Writing Month. She began writing historical fiction but soon realized that the romance was taking over the history.

Kate is a Bay Area native who lives near the beach with her husband and Lola, their spoiled Labrador Retriever. When not writing, she enjoys cooking, music, movies, reading, and fangirling over Jamie Dornan.