Seized by Love

Love in Bloom: The Ryders, Book 1

By: Melissa Foster

Narrated by: B.J. Harrison

You fell in love with Blue Ryder and Lizzie Barber in Seaside Summers, now follow their journey to find true love in Seized by Love, the first book in the Ryder series.

Lizzie Barber runs a successful flower shop by day and secretly hosts the Naked Baker webcast at night to help pay for her younger sister's education. To keep friends and family from finding out about her sexy secret, she's put her social life on hold until her sister's education is paid off and she can stop filming the webcast.

Blue Ryder fell hard for Lizzie Barber when he met her a year ago, and he hasn't been able to get her off his mind since. Everything about the feisty little brunette, from her tight bod to her seductive smile, cuts straight to his heart. Though Lizzie has turned down every invitation he's extended - Blue is not about to give up trying.

Renovating Lizzie's kitchen brings Blue further into Lizzie's life, and the oven is not the only thing heating up. One night and one powerful kiss changes everything. But when Lizzie's secret is revealed, and the safe bubble she's hidden in shatters, true love may not be enough to put the pieces back together.

©2015 Melissa Foster (P)2015 Melissa Foster

thank you

LOVE the storyline in each of your books I've read so far. Thank you for keeping my interest and giving me something great to listen to during my commute to and from work everyday.

A romance that's both sweet and spicy

This was a sweet and spicy romance set in a small town featuring Blue Ryder, a man who’s attracted to the frustrating Lizzie Barber. Frustrating because he’s been asking her out for over a year and she is always saying no.

Blue’s attraction to Lizzie is never hidden and he takes advantage of the time he gets to spend with her while renovating her kitchen to try and get her to go out with him. Lizzie is more than interested but her secret occupation as the titillating “Naked Baker” on her own web series is a huge obstacle.

In this day and age of flaunting it all on social media, it’s easy to dismiss Lizzie’s attitude as being prudish. I didn’t think she was a prude at all. Like many people, she finds herself between a rock and a hard place doing a job that makes her uncomfortable but the money it brings is very much needed. Her personal struggles and those when she tells her family felt very real. It’s the curse of families that they can equally love you and be disappointed by you at the same time. There’s nothing like guilt to make a person feel wretched!

Blue seemed too good to be true. I suppose that’s part of the attraction of a book boyfriend. He was loyal to Lizzie at all times and there was never a time when he even looked at another woman. His struggle to accept Lizzie’s side business – and the fact she lied to him at all - was credible. He was conflicted but like any good hero in a romance novel he came through in the end.

B.J Harrison is a new to me narrator. His voice is clear and crisp. His female voices are well spoken and he knows to put the relevant emotion into any spoken dialogue. I did find during some of the non-dialogue parts of the book that the narration felt somewhat removed from the story. It felt like a voice over for a TV show – like a documentary - where the action is being narrated by a removed voice. Several times I was taken out of the story because it felt like I was listening to a factual reading. Overall, the narration was well above average and I would definitely choose to listen to other books narrated by B.J Harrison.

My Thoughts on Seized by Love

This time it's Blue Ryder's turn to find love.

I've been following Blue for a couple books now and I was happy to get his story.

I really liked his leading lady Lizzie. I really liked the way she found a way to take care of not only herself but her sister when it was needed for school. The whole time I found myself thinking "That really isn't that bad" or "She could definitely be doing worse things". I think I just kind of felt she was judged harshly by several people despite their reasons. It kind of dimmed my opinions for those harsh judging people. And while I appreciate that everything worked out in the end, it definitely never got back to being totally ok for me.

Once again BJ Harrison did a good job. I never have anything bad to say about him because he consistently does well.

Sweet Love Story

Melissa gave us sweet characters that you quickly bonded with. The story was one of strong love that can weather even the most interesting of admissions. The Ryder Family is definitely one I would like to learn more about. Overall, a sweet love story indeed.

Narration was great- No complaints at all.

Good storyline

Good storyline and I enjoyed this book. Will listen to more by this author. Narrator was ok.

Great Read

Seized by Love by Melissa Foster was a great read. Lizzie is a woman who is very ambitious.She runs a successful flower shop and also runs a webcast that no one in her life knows about. She has put her life on hold to help in paying for her sisters college. Blue has fallen hard for Lizzie even though she keeps turning him down. I loved reading Lizzie and Blue's story. I can't wait to read more by Melissa Foster.

Hot

This was a sweet story with lots of adversity. Fear, embarrassment, honesty (or lack of), hurt feelings and of course love. And I'm sure I'm forgetting more emotions contained in this book.

I found the storyline very intriguing. Ms. Foster brought up a subject that is a current issue in society today and I feel like she did it justice. She showed the jealousy and morality of the issue and how it affects others and how their reactions affect the main character.

There was a lot of emotion in the narration. Mr. Harrison brought all of the feels to his performance.

It was a joy to see Cash and Sienna again. I can't wait for more Ryders.

Great book

I originally read this book back in 2015. I just recently listed to the audiobook. WOW it was just as good the 2nd time around. I love the narration of BJ Harrison. I listen while driving to and from work. Makes the traffic tolerable.
I loved, loved, loved Blue!!!!!!
Lizzie is a strong willed lady that will do anything for her little sister.
It took Lizzie a year before she decided to date Blue but once she did.....HOT HOT HOT!!!
As always Melissa did not disappoint.

The Naked Baker & the Carpenter

Lizzie Barber has a secret. Not only does she run a floral business, she also has a podcast called "The Naked Baker" which she films at night in the basement of her home. The money she makes off her podcast helps pay for her sisters education.

Blue Ryder met Lizzie at a mutual friends wedding and became fast friends. Blue, a carpenter, remodels Lizzie's kitchen. He's constantly asking her out but she refuses. When she finally decides to go out with him, there friendship turns into something more until he learns of her secret. Will they weather this unexpected turn in their relationship or will Blue walk away.

I enjoyed Blue and Lizzie's love story. However, I thought the narrator was just ok. I like dual narrators.

Hot Read

I had the amazing pleasure of listening to the audiobook of Seized by Love by Melissa Foster and I loved it. B. J. Harrison was the narrator and I love listening to him tell the story because I can picture everything in my mind. This story involves Blue Ryder and Lizzie Barber and let me tell you, the heat coming off these two is great. Blue Ryder loves working with his hands and Lizzie is a florist by day and THE NAKED BAKER by night. Falling in love with Blue is so easy because he is what every girl dreams off in a man and that's exactly what scares Lizzie because no one knows her secret and telling him could jeopardize everything. But being honest is the best policy and whether he can handle it, only time will tell. They belong together and fit so well in each other's arms. I finished this audiobook in one day and it left me wanting more. This was an amazing story.