Today's featured fiction is from C.J. Fallowfield with The Austin Series. Please note this series is written in British English and will have variation of spelling, phrases, and slang you may not be used to but still great all the same :-) I personally prefer British English :-) Enjoy!
Series synopsis:
(from the author's page) Combining erotica with romance and humour, The Austin Series is designed to be read in sequence.
Set in the fictitious city of Westhampton, in the United Kingdom, it focuses on the lives of three main characters, all starting their first year of University together, Mia Page, Lexi Clarke and Gabe Austin.
Mia Page’s father left before she was born and they now have minimal contact, with him sending a guilt cheque every time he misses a visit. Afraid of attachment, Mia has therefore had a succession of short term non sexual relationships, keeping the guys at arm’s length to protect her heart, running from them when they became too attached to her. She finds herself starting University still a virgin, scared of taking that next step for fear of where it may lead her.
Lexi Clarke, Mia’s rebellious but loyal best friend, has abandonment issues, due to her father disappearing when she was eleven. Her mother’s an alcoholic who shows no interest in anything that’s not shaped like a bottle. The only bonds Lexi’s ever formed in her life are with Mia and Mrs Page, who’s virtually adopted Lexi as her own. Lexi copes with her pain by having copious one night stands, trying to feel something, while still avoiding getting close to anyone.
On starting University they both decide that they need to turn over a new leaf and deal with their emotional issues and change their lives. Mia will attempt to have hot no strings attached sex, the first step on her journey to healing herself. Lexi will stop sleeping around and try to have, and sustain, a relationship.
What Mia didn’t count on was the instant sexual chemistry she would feel when she met Gabe Austin. He’s seriously hot, confident and charismatic, but Gabe has plenty of issues of his own. After suffering from his own childhood trauma, he’s left a long string of girls in his wake, trying to remain emotionally detached, but always holding onto the hope that he would find that perfect girl to heal his heart. It’s love at first sight when he spies Mia and decides that she’s the one for him, only he wants so much more than Mia is prepared to offer.
Despite their sizzling sex life, Gabe’s domineering and controlling personality really pushes Mia’s buttons, while she infuriates him with her stubborn and defensive nature.
Their two personalities combined can create fireworks, but Gabe’s determined to possess not just Mia’s body, but her heart and soul.
The entire series of six books, plus a prequel, follows the complex and emotional lives and relationships of Mia, Lexi and Gabe through their three years at University.
The books are designed to be read in the following sequence:
Destined (The Austin Series Prequel)
New Leaves, No Strings
Baggage & Buttons
Forever & an Engine
The Honeymoon Period
Love & Loss
Infinite Love
My thoughts:
I have read each book. For me it started out frustrating as the series follows them from aged 18 and up. It took me several self reminders that they were young and the decisions and behavior reflect that. Stick with it! It's worth it. These books don't shy away from real life tough issues. The way they're written is accurate for the age and maturity of the characters during each time period. They truly deal with complex issues and C.J. does this in a wonderful way. Some times Mia makes very childish choices out of spite. However she herself is not childish. This is reflective of her age as well as how she was feeling a little bit controlled in the relationship as well as some of her past interfering with the present. Gabe is steady and goal oriented. He may go about it differently but his intentions hold their best interests.
As time goes on they grow and mature. Their relationship has major ups and downs. Deeper into the series the topics become more serious and heart wrenching. I cringed and cried during book 6 repeatedly. I was proud of them and their friends at the end of the series and glad I stuck with them. You really connect with the characters and get sucked in to their lives as if you are there with them.
Another piece to the series that I found great was the secondary characters. They added to the storyline with out being over powering. They have their own demons to slay and yet still stay true to their friends. I thought they added a great deal to the main characters lives. The love and support the secondary characters contribute is beautiful. I loved seeing how those relationships developed and changed through out while mixing with Mia and Gabe.
These books were well written and appropriate for the ages and stages of the characters. The plot twists and turns keep you on your toes and several I did not see coming. Give this series a shot it's worth it. I enjoyed my time with Mia and Gabe and felt like everything came full circle beautifully by the end of the series. Be prepared to have tissues and an emotional roller coaster ride.
About the Author:
C.J. Fallowfield
Thank you for the feature, much appreciated! CJ Fallowfield
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