"Defying the Odds" By: Kele Moon Review

"Defying the Odds"

By: Kele Moon

Synopsis from Goodreads:

      When struggling waitress Melody Dylan gives a handsome, lonely stranger a simple gift she has no clue her life is about to take a drastic turn.
     The stranger ends up being Clay Powers, a famous UFC heavyweight fighter. Clay’s large build and dangerous fists have always intimidated. People in his hometown keep their distance and Clay is fine with that. Everything changes when a new waitress at the local diner buys him a piece of pie on thanksgiving. Touched by the gesture when it’s obvious she can barely afford to survive, her warm smile and lush body churn up powerful feelings that leave Clay wanting more from her than pie.
     Melody is running from her past and the small, country town of Garnet is the perfect hiding place. With an ex-husband after her and scars from her abusive marriage etched deep, the last thing she expects is to fall for a man who makes a living with his fists, but she can’t resist Clay or the tender connection they share.
     Finding love in the most unlikely of places, the passion is undeniable, but Clay and Melody know their haunted pasts and unpredictable futures leave the odds stacked against them.

My Thoughts:
     The novel opens as Clay is sitting in a diner by himself on Thanksgiving and an unassuming waitress brings him a piece of pie. Melody, our heroine, has just left a disastrous marriage and is fleeing from an abusive husband. She has no money, no family, and very few friends. Clay is attracted to Mel, a woman who has no idea of his fame and simply isn’t interested in his money. Mel is attracted to Clay for his easygoing attitude and sweet nature.
    The romance in this novel is very sweet, kind of like a melty Hershey’s bar. Clay is such a tough, strong man used to fighting for everything he has ever gotten. Mel is a brave young woman having left her abusive husband with nothing more than the clothes on her back. They come together slowly at first, but its worth the ride, because once they become a couple, it’s instant fireworks. Sure its sticky sweet, but its the best sort, I assure you.

“How’d this happen?” Melody asked in a stunned whisper. She never expected to fall in love and certainly not this swiftly or with this much finality. “We just met.”
“I don’t believe that,” Clay argued as he turned her palm over in his and traced the lines of it with the pad of his finger. “I’m pretty sure we’ve known each other forever. Seeing you the first time was like coming home, and there ain’t been anything to happen since that’s disabused me of the notion.”
“Yeah,” Melody agreed, the bright skyline blurring to a sea of vibrant color. She remembered seeing Clay in Hal’s Diner the first time. Alone and eating his turkey, she’d been compelled to reach out to him. “Do you really believe in soul mates?”
“I do now.”

    Beyond these two characters that you instantly fall in love with, the secondary characters create an engaging atmosphere that is absolutely hilarious. Clay lives with the Connor twins Jules and Wyatt, who are both hilarious. Jules is the heroine of the second novel, “Star Crossed,” so be sure to check that one out. (Blog Tour stopping by on Tuesday, August 14th with a giveaway!) Here’s hoping Wyatt is in the third installment!
    “Defying the Odds” will bring you into the world of Ultimate Fighting, but Melody and Clay will keep you there. The beginning of the “Battered Hearts” series, Clay and Melody meet one another over a piece of pie and romance and adventure ensue. Endearing and fun, here’s hoping you will love Mel and Clay just as much I did! I am addicted to this series and will absolutely be checking up on the rest of Kele Moon’s work!

Book Details

Publisher: Loose ID

# of Pages: 160

Date of Publication: December 20, 2011

ISBN: 978-1611186932