Elusive Dreams

Elusive Dreams is a sweet marriage of convince story about two wounded people, one physically, the other emotionally Eric survived severe injuries in Afghanistan that left him unable to walk without support. Tessa was an abandoned child, passed from one bad foster situation to another that left her insecure, frightened by crowds, and scared of human touch. They enter into marriage to protect Eric’s fostering of the two Afghan orphans he had saved when he was injured. He doesn’t think anyone would want a scarred cripple. She has been told she is ugly and unlovable for as long as she can remember. Those two precious children deserve a stable family, however, and in the process of caring for them, Eric and Tessa come to care for each other. The marriage of convenience trope, a common romance theme, becomes fresh in the capable hands of Ms. Lemor as the effects PTSD and abandonment are explored within the context of a most enjoyable story. I voluntarily reviewed an advance copy of this book. Most highly recommend.

3.5 stars.
A journey about healing with two lovable, damaged characters is central to the plot of “Elusive Dreams”, by Kari Lemor (The Wild Rose Press), a heartwarming story involving two darling children where a secret teen crush and older brother’s feelings turn adult love.
Erik, a stubborn, “bent and broken” marine with strong protective instincts and an amazingly loving family, is the right man for Tessa.
Tessa’s troubled childhood, the psychological scars and pain it left are heartbreaking to watch, but the way she connects with both children and finds solace and comfort in simply snuggling or holding the toddler is touching.
It’s also heartwarming to watch Tessa heal through the “touch therapy” with the children and the hero while she becomes more positive, her self-confidence rises and her sexual awakening happens.
Erik’s wounds are more than the visible injuries and his candor admitting the extent of these issues early in the story is admirable. A few episodes consisting in a tantrum or PTSD related sounded far too much melodramatic in my opinion.
Erik’s unpreparedness and lack of plans to having two children coming to live with him while he’s still recovering from debilitating injuries don’t match his marine persona and defies any sense of practicality any ordinary human being would show in such circumstances. While his efforts surely come from the heart, furthermore making him rely inevitably on Tessa’s help, one cannot but be perplexed by Erik’s forgetfulness about trivial details about caring for the children, although it’s all conveniently wrapped up in the end with the heroine’s presence and his attention to other dimensions and love for Matty and Kinah.
An enjoyable read, yet at times it seemed too many things were happening to our romantic couple while they made their bumpy journey to the deserved HEA.

Elusive Dreams by Kari Lemor is set in modern times and deals with issues such as PTSD and who should be able to adopt along with romance.
Captain Eric Storm has returned from Afghanistan with two children he saved. He promised the mother as she was dying that he would take care of her children. His plan was to adopt them but the adoption agency may have other ideas; he currently is fostering the children. His war injuries have left him, at least temporarily, with limited movement and the need to use crutches. He and the children move to the home of his grandparents and soon learn the neighbor is a childhood acquaintance. He falls in front of her as they meet again and she offers to help him get his groceries in and put together the crib for his little girl. He is now accustomed to asking for help but soon learns he must. Will Tessa’s helping lead to more? Will her help be enough to convince the adoption representative to allow the adoption?
I loved this one! The characters are so realistic and seem like people I would love to have for neighbors. The story line is very appropriate to current issue in today’s society. They are not glossed over but also not the major part of the story. It shows we all have many facets to our personality and life issues. I give this book 5 of 5 stars. I recommend it to everyone!

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley for a honest review

Elusive Dreams by Kari Lemor was a delightful surprise. I have never read any of this author's books by the story line made me curious and so I decided to read and review this story and I'm glad I did. So Erik Storm is a marine who has come home after a bombing to recover and take care of two kids he met while he was away and who's mom was killed in the bombing that injured Eric. Tessa Porter has grown up in foster care and has know Erik pretty much since she came to live in Maine. Erik has moved into his grandparents old house which is next door to Tessa's house. What starts out as friendship turns into something more. This was a feel good story all the way and I was sad when it ended. I liked how this romance evolved between these two and I also liked that we got both Erik and Tessa's POV, this story pulled me in from the very beginning.

Nice feel good book. It flowed very well. was easy to read. Nice characters. Good storyline. What’s not to love.

So this is my first book by this author and it did not disappoint!
I absolutely loved Erik and Tessa!
Such loveable characters who aren't perfect, but they are perfect for each other. Add in two cute kids who they are in the process of adopting and you have yourself a wonderful feel good story worthy of a Hallmark movie.
What starts off as marriage of convenience quickly (and I mean quickly) becomes more.
I couldn't have enjoyed this story more!
I highly recommend you give it a try- you will not be disappointed.

This is the first book that I have read by this author, but it definitely won't be the last! This was a very engrossing story.
Erik, a marine, makes a promise to a dying mother to look after her two children. Having grown up in the Foster System, he will do what he must in order to keep the same from happening to the two children in his keeping.
He moves back to his hometown with the children. His childhood friend, Tessa, is his neighbor.
When problems arise in his custody battle due to his single status, Tessa offers to enter into a marriage of convenience in order to provide a two parent home for the children to satisfy DCF requirements.
Lines will get crossed and feelings begin to develop.
Can these two make their marriage a reality? I recommend buying the book to find out. You will not be disappointed.
Thank you Kari Lemor, The Wild Rose Press, Inc. and NetGalley for allowing me to read an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This is book 1 in the Storms of New England series. I can't wait for books 2, True Dreams. My only disappointment in this book was I wanted one more chapter but I'm counting on Ms. Lemor giving an update in the next book. Erik Storm is moving into his grandparents house in Maine after an accident in Afghanistan leaves him disabled and an adoptive father of a friends 2 young children. Tessa Porter has know Erik since they were kids and is very sympathetic about the plight of the young children he is about to help. The characters seem very lifelike and their situation is handled with a true life eye. Some might find the story line a little unrealistic with a marriage of convenience growing into a love affair and the characters working out their flaws and outlooks but I liked it and the people who help them work things out. I wish the review sites had 10 stars, this one would rank that high for me. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

True Dreams is book #1 in the new Storms of New England series by author Kari Lemor. Eric Storm is a veteran returning to his home town in Maine, injured and traumatized by his time in Afghanistan. In addition to his wounds, he returns home with two orphaned children. He promised their dying mother he would care for them, and he wants to adopt them.

Erik tries to hide any of his weaknesses, but neighbor and childhood acquaintance Tessa Porter sees through his facade. Tessa deals with her own insecurities from her life growing up in less than ideal foster homes. But when the two children melt her heart, she decides to help Erik adopt them by entering in to a marriage of convenience in order to satisfy the case worker who doubts Erik's ability to care for the children himself.

True Dreams introduces us to the Storm family, whose interactions with the main characters enrich the book. I consider this book a keeper and a book that kept me up all night!