Review of FORCE OF NATURE by Sydney Logan

I've said before that Sydney Logan is quickly becoming my favorite romance author, and this novella is further confirmation. I don't usually like novellas because they're like an appetizer, not a full meal, but if Sydney wrote it, Imma read that thing.

Force of Nature Summary:

Living in Tornado Alley has caused twenty-two year old Laura Pratt to grow cynical when it comes to storm warnings. When a tornado rips its way through her college campus, Laura becomes trapped in the library basement with fellow music major and longtime crush Aiden Barnes. After the storm clears, and the two are faced with the harsh reality of Mother Nature's vengeance, will Laura and Aiden emerge from the rubble with their hearts intact?

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My review:

Laura is pretty blasé about the tornado warning that sounds while she's at work in the library one evening. She jokes with her friend Chloe that she'll go "down with the ship", but urges her friend to go home if she's worried. Another friend, Aiden, says he'll stay with Laura.

Aiden is a cute guy who lives in Laura's apartment building. They've built a carefully casual friendship, but Laura secretly has a bit of a crush on him. And who could blame her? Aiden is adorable. He's sweet and considerate and strong and protective, and as you can tell, I could just go on and on. Sydney writes great heroes: men who have their flaws, but are great guys at heart, and adore the women in their lives.

As the storm grows closer, the two realize this could be serious. Aiden spots a funnel cloud and they head to the basement as the rumble grows ever closer.

Tornadoes terrify me. I think Sydney captures the terror and helplessness of being in the path of one of those awful storms.

Time could be an odd thing during a tornado. What felt like an hour can be only minutes, maybe even seconds, until the eerie silence surrounded you. Once the storm calmed, a thousand thoughts raced through your mind.

I’m breathing. 

I’m unharmed. 

You take solace in these two facts, but your mind keeps spinning.

Am I trapped?

Is my house still standing?

Are my loved ones safe and sound?

Those questions are particularly terrifying, because you have no way of knowing until you actually dig your way out of your shelter.

In a perfect world, the basement door opens right up, and you emerge from your protective cave. In that same perfect world, you see that your house is still standing, and while there’s definitely some damage, everything you hold dear has truly survived the raging storm. But the world is not perfect.

And we were trapped.

Rubble blocks the door, so Laura and Aiden will have to wait for rescue. They are fortunate: they have lights and supplies, stored down there by the wise head librarian. But that doesn't help the fear and anxiety they both have about what they'll find when they emerge, how their families and friends fared, and knowing how much their loved ones will worry. To distract themselves, they start talking, really talking as they haven't done before.

“Truth?”

“Of course,” I said.

“If I have to be trapped, I’m glad it’s with you.”

I smiled. “Me too, Aiden.”

But truths lead to confessions, and soon they acknowledge the attraction they've had for one another and to a searing kiss. They both know their unusual circumstances has accelerated things, and there is still a cloud of uncertainty hanging over them. Neither knows what will happen, or what they will find when that door opens. But there's one important thing that will help them both face that moment:

“Promise me when the door opens, and we step out into whatever destruction we find, that your hand will be in mine.” 

I smiled.

What an easy promise to make.

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You can find Force of Nature on Amazon for only .99 cents.

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About the author:

Sydney Logan is an Amazon bestselling author and holds a Master’s degree in Elementary Education. With the 2012 release of her first novel, Lessons Learned, she made the transition from bookworm to author. Her second novel, Mountain Charm, was released in July 2013. She is also the author of two short stories: “Mistletoe Magic,” available exclusively on Amazon Kindle, and “Stupid Cupid,” which is featured in the Romantic Interludes compilation.

Sydney has a very unhealthy obsession with music, and her iPod is filled with everything from Johnny Cash to Eminem. When she isn't reading or writing, she enjoys playing piano and relaxing on her front porch at her home in East Tennessee with her wonderful husband and their very spoiled cat.