Kindle Edition Amazon Paula Martin - Romance Author Category:  Romance Publisher: Whiskey Creek Press ISBN-10:  1611603420 Type: Fiction Copyright: February 1, 2012 ISBN-13: 9781611603422 A heartwarming story of two people who both need to learn how to forgive. “Forgiveness is the fragrance that the violet sheds on the heel that has crushed it." (Mark Twain) Fragrance of Violets is a story of two people who need to forgive each other and also deal with other issues in their lives. Abbey Seton distrusts men, especially Jack Tremayne who destroyed their friendship when they were teenagers. Ten years later, they meet again. Can they put the past behind them? Abbey has to forgive not only Jack, but also her father who deserted his family when she was young. Jack holds himself responsible for his fiancée’s death. He’s also hiding another secret which threatens the fragile resumption of his relationship with Abbey. Will Abbey ever forgive him when she finds out the truth? Excerpt She knew she should move, turn her head away, anything to stop the irrevocable step they were about to take. But she was paralysed as her body refused to accept the warnings from her brain. She wanted his kiss. When it came, full on her mouth, a kiss from firm demanding lips, panic gripped her for a moment and instinctively she tried to resist but her brain and stomach melted at the same time. Hardly aware of what she was doing, she opened her mouth to his as her hands came up to grip his shoulders. His arms went round her, pressing her to him, and her heightened awareness felt the strength and sexuality of his body. Jack’s tongue found hers and played with it sensuously. Somewhere deep inside her a dam burst, flooding her with a desperate, intense, hungry need for him. Her hands tightened, one moving to the nape of his neck, the other grasping his thick hair. A low, helpless sound escaped from her throat. She wanted him, ached for him to make love to her. Then, just as abruptly as he’d begun the kiss, he broke away. “Oh God,” he muttered, staring down at her. “That wasn’t supposed to happen.”

Contemporary Romance at its best!
Paula Martin impressed me greatly with Fragrance of Violets. The story line flowed well and kept me entertained enough to demand a one sitting read. I will be reading other books that Martin publishes. With Fragrance of Violets we follow the story of Abbey as she tries to overcome the past hurts of childhood, and forgive her father for giving her a deep distrust of men. The main focus of the story centers around her childhood friend Jack, and the night he changed that friendship forever by attempting to move their relationship into a more romantic light. With all her distrust of the male gender, Abbey wasn't ready for the relationship that Jack was and he leaves town.

After ten years Jack returns to their small hometown and the past and present combine and unfold into a story of making decisions and learning to overcome fears. I won't say how the story ends, but will say it's going to be a book you'll remember long after the last page has been turned. I gave five stars to this book because it really was a great romance, with an incredible story line and a book that I will be reading over and over.

Heartwarming
I loved this story, and found it hard to put down. As Abbey and Jack's friendship gradually returns and strengthens I fell in love with Jack. What a heroic character. Considerate and patient with Abbey's presumption all men are like her absentee father, Jack works in the background to ensure Abbey can achieve her heart's desire, the starring role in a new movie. But Abbey's attitude toward Jack is tied up with memories of her estranged father. All men are liars and cannot be trusted. Is Jack any different?
Abbey's prejudice is cleverly explained and my heart went out to her. I felt her anger and disgust, her pain and disillusionment as she remembers how her father abandoned his family and let them down time and time again. Poor Jack has much to contend with but like a true hero, he is always ready to put Abbey first.
The setting is beautifully described, bringing back memories of visits to this lovely part of England. Thank you Paula, for reminding me of its beauty.
If you're looking for a story which will give you the warm fuzzies then this is definitely for you. It'll stay on your bookshelf, it's a keeper.

Another winner
This is the second book by this author that I've read and it was just as good as the first one, "His Leading Lady". I had been looking forward to this and it didn't disappoint. It's a page turner with a secret hanging over the couple's relationship that you knew at some point would drop on top them and wreak havoc. Very enjoyable.