The career of her dreams has become the life of her nightmares.  Perfection is the goal and Tabitha is determined to deliver the goods, even if her heart is no longer in the sport. Shining Through is an up close and personal look at the drama behind the glamour of ice skating.  There's grace, heat and romance.  Ms. Harmon spotlights two characters working their way back, in an atmosphere that is as cold as the stage on which they perform.  The excitement of competition has nothing on the sparks that heat up the connection between Daniil and Tabitha.

I was surprised how much I liked this one. I had been disappointed with the other book in this duology, An Heiress for His Empire. This book, it hit all the right notes.

I really liked the discussions that Romi and Maxwell had. It was clear that they were actually friends in addition to lovers. I am 1000% over playboy/womanizer heroes, but I think this worked for me because Maxwell did have some vulnerability. He may have seemed like he was holding all the cards, but Romi was someone he really wanted and needed in his life, despite his fear of falling in love and his belief that love didn't exist. Romi is nicely independent and straightforward.

I did think the whole, "I'm tired of being a twenty-four year old virgin" comment was a bit eye-rolling. That really is not that old to be a virgin. If you're a virgin, it's probably for a reason. Just be honest and admit that you really want to be with Maxwell, no qualifications on it. The way that writers play virginity is either like it's a burden or some kind of special status. It's neither. It's just a state of identity that a person has or doesn't have. Yes, losing one's virginity is a momentous occasion, so treat it that way and move on.

I really liked Maxwell's Russianness (big surprise). Even though he had lived in America most of his life, it was clear this an important part of his culture. He reflects many of the values that Russian men value highly. He felt more Russian to me than Viktor in the first book. I liked him better as a person, other than his slamhound tendencies. I don't think I would have been as sanguine as Romi was about staying in his apartment where he brought all his conquests, even if they didn't share his bed (he used the guestroom).

This feels like more of a modern romance than some HPs, with a heroine who is very millennial (Not in a bad way though), and that did appeal. The wedding was really sweet and how devoted and adoring Maxwell becomes towards the end of the book really worked for me. I like that they do understand each other and accept each other as they are. The marriage between this couple feels strong, like it will last for many years.

The love scenes are steamy and descriptive, but Monroe is a bit coy about the BDSM, with Maxwell having dominant tendencies and Romi being somewhat sexually submissive. I did like that she wasn't willing to be tied up until she felt like she could trust him again. That made a lot of sense to me.

The strong bond of friendship between Romi and Madison (from the other book) is a prominent aspect of this book, which I also liked. Romi and Madison both feel like women I might have known or interacted with in my real life. It's cute that SBC (sisters-by-choice) married friends/business rivals.

So, I was pretty satisfied with this book.

This was a reread, but this is my first time reviewing it. I love this book. One of my old favorites. Michael is unapologetically arrogant and used to getting his way. His aggressive businessman tactics have gotten him to the top 50 wealthiest men, but he wants to be in the top ten. He's bought up sweet real estate all over New York, particularly in one area, to build his planned towers named after himself. But one building stands in his way, the Glass House. One stubborn woman refuses to sell it. He's going to have to go in person to convince her that the worst place for her to stand is in his way. He knows he can handle her, as long as he gives her something she really wants. He never expected her to be what he wanted all along.

Laura is one determined person. She might have grown up in a privileged family, but her life hasn't been easy, with self-absorbed, demanding, and immature parents. She's determined to hold onto the familial legacy her grandmother left her specifically because she'd keep it safe. And one bossy, ruthless businessman isn't going to convince her otherwise. Laura decided that she didn't want any messy love affairs since her disastrous first time, and when she settles down, it will be with a sweet, compliant, controllable man. Too bad she has the hots for a man that isn't so easily manipulated, and in fact, manages to get her to let go of her own sense of dominance over her world.


This old favorite of mine still stands up to reread. While the secondary romance between Laura's right hand woman Susan and Frank, a male model, isn't quite as dynamic as the push and pull between Laura and Michael, it's still very satisfying, an unrequited love story. You don't know if Frank has had a thing for Susan but didn't act on it for professional reasons, or if the recent events have clarified things for him and he realizes that his shallow lifestyle was a dead end one.

The spark and the attraction between Michael and Laura still sizzle after so many years. Laura is feisty and acerbic, but inside has a vulnerability that speaks to her lack of affirmation as a young girl. Michael is very much an alpha hero, and at times a bit on the edge of being a jerk. I think he retains his appeal for me (despite not being my type, not into businessmen really) because Laura can definitely handle him, and he wouldn't do well with a woman he was more accommodating. I liked that both characters realize that their life plans are based on a narrow focus with goals that aren't achievable, because human beings can't be controlled, and we can barely control ourselves most of the time. Even though Michael is the boardroom shark type who thinks he can have whatever he wants, not usually my favorite, he was very sexy and I liked that deep down he had a good heart and had his family roots which grounded him.

The POV of the new arrival to town who's supposed to be the next big face, but is morally bankrupt and calculating underneath her flawless beauty is a good counterpoint to the two romance stories. You realize that this woman can't love anyone other than herself, and the people in her life who don't know that, soon figure it out the hard way.

I read my ebook copy, which was released about a year ago. I couldn't tell if this was rewritten slightly, but I suspect it might have been. I don't remember the Harlequin American Romance books using the 'f' word or a-hole. I'm really glad that this was released as an ebook, because it was such a good wind-down from a long day to curl up in bed with my Kindle to read this.

Getting It Back

Red Hot Russians, #3

Elizabeth Harmon

Genre: Contemporary Sports Romance
Publisher: Carina Press
Date of Publication: April 4, 2016
Number of pages: 243

In this second-chances romance, a former top men's figure skating champion is willing to risk everything for a comeback—except a new start with his long-lost love

An unexpected phone call from the man who broke her heart offers Amy Shepherd an opportunity to return to the work she loves, training elite figure skaters. Except it's just one figure skater: him. Can she finally forgive and forget?

Figure skater Mikhail "Misha" Zaikov once had it all: medals, money and the adoration of millions. But a devastating injury put an end to his career and his romance, leaving him with nothing but regret over what could have been. His last chance to rejoin the world's top skaters is now. And there's only one person who can help him: her.

On Russia's unyielding ice, Misha must reclaim what he's lost while facing off against a talented young rival and risking further injury. But Amy soon discovers Misha's much bigger challenges lurk off the ice. And she's determined to keep Misha whole and healthy, even if doing so ends his shot at the gold.

Don't miss any of Elizabeth Harmon's Red Hot Russians. Pairing Off and Turning It On are available now!

Excerpt: 

The next morning, Amy awoke first. Misha lay beside her in bed, still sleeping. He’d brought over clothes last night. His toothbrush was in the bathroom cabinet. This was just like back in Ohio, only better. Misha was no longer searching for direction. He knew what he wanted, and they were working together to help him achieve it. But she couldn’t deny that she was nervous about what would happen today, when he returned to training on the ice.

She got out of bed, and changed into her running clothes, put coffee on, then returned to wake Misha. “Hey,” she sat on the edge of the bed and gently shook his shoulder. “Time for our run.”

“Nyet,” he said in a sleepy voice, and reached for her.

“You agreed to it last night. Nothing too strenuous, just enough to get your heart pumping and muscles working.”

“Don’t need running to make my heart pump,” he pulled her down onto the bed, cupping her butt through her black running tights. “As for muscles… maybe we can stay in and work this big stiff one?”

She laughed and squirmed away. “Nice try, but that muscle’s getting plenty of exercise. Rise and shine, big guy.”

She threw back the blankets, leaving him no choice but to fumble around for his pants. She waited outside and he joined her a few minutes later. They took off at an easy pace, following the path behind the center’s main buildings, then out around the pond and back. Nothing too strenuous, just as she’d promised. Their lungs filled with clean fresh air, the morning mist was cool on their skin. They returned to the guesthouse and she bent over her knees, breathing out cold air. Misha did the same. He straightened easily. “How is your back,” she said.

“Perfect. No pain at all.”

“And the rest of you? Knees? Head?”

“Knees are fine, and my head is in good place, too. Thanks to you, Amy the tiger.”

She grinned, and stood on tiptoe to kiss him. “Ready to get back on the ice?”

“Can’t wait,” he said decisively.

“You’re going to be great.”

He brushed a kiss across her lips. “For you, I will be.”

Guest Post: 

I live in a house that’s almost 100 years old, so I’m resigned to never having enough closets or electrical outlets. One thing my house does have though—in addition to hardwood floors and cute built-in cabinets, is the perfect office.

I think it was intended to be a bedroom, though it’s on the first floor, just off the dining room. But when my kids were small and I started writing, it was the perfect office space.

It still is.

In my office, I’m surrounded by photos of my family, keepsakes, and piles of paper that never seem to go away. ☺

There are shelves of reference books, books about figure skating, thesauruses, dictionaries in various languages, color-coded folders for each project, and favorite books on the craft of writing.

There’s an elderly Dell desktop that runs WindowsXP, but can still play the soundtracks I create for each book. Getting It Back’s playlist includes everything from Eric Clapton to Igor Stravinsky, classic country to jump-swing.

Often hiding behind the paper flowers my skating friends gave me when “Pairing Off” came out, is an orange tabby who likes to help me write. Mango inspired the heroine’s cat in Getting It Back, though Amy’s kitty has just three legs, while Mango has all four.

Clinging to the windowsill and bulletin boards are sticky notes with character traits, plot twists and inspirational messages to myself. My two favorites? “Make It Worse”—meaning my characters’ predicaments, and “Just Keep Swimming,” for those times when the words won’t come, and I’m convinced the well has run permanently dry. Every writer goes through it, and though it’s no longer as scary as it once was, writer’s block is no fun.

And there’s the place where I sit each day to write, that looks out onto our backyard. In the summer, I long to be out there. Winter, I’m glad to be inside watching the snow drift down.

My office isn’t without its drawbacks. It was designed by 1920s storage standards, which basically means none. Office supplies are stored in Rubbermaid tubs under the desk. The single filing cabinet is long-overdue for a purge.

I once sought the advice of an organization expert, who asked how I could be creative in the midst of so much clutter. It ticked me off, but I have to admit, she had a point. And sometimes, it does drive me a little crazy. When that happens, I either pack up my laptop and head for the nearest Panera, or I…gulp…clean.

Throwing stuff out is a great cure for writer’s block!

Giveaway: 

Author Bio:

Elizabeth Harmon loves to read and write romances with a dash of different.

A graduate of the University of Illinois, she has worked in advertising, community journalism and as a freelance magazine writer. She feels incredibly blessed to have a career that allows her to spend her days imagining “what if?” and a loving family that keeps her grounded in the real world. Her debut novel, Pairing Off is a 2016 RITA Award Finalist.

An adventurous cook, vintage home enthusiast, occasional actress, and entry-level figure skater, Elizabeth makes her home in the Midwest, where life is good, but the sports teams aren’t. She loves to hang out on her front porch, or at her favorite local establishments, enjoy good food and wine, and talk writing with anyone who will listen.

To connect with the author online:

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