Page 19 - JULY2025

July 2025
NEWFOUNDLAKELIFE.COM Page 19
Community
emotional intimacy created a well-rounded and engaging story. It wasn’t just about attraction— it was about trust, vulnerability, and the way two people can find each other even in the darkest circumstances. When a story can balance romance with tension and plot-driven suspense like this, it becomes nearly impossible to put down. So yeah, I think the hot month of July is perfect for a steamy dark romance. Wouldn’t you?
Book of the Month: Strike and Burn By Taylor Hutton
By Brittany amalfi
Ah, July. The month of Fourth parties, sunny beach trips, and dark romance books. Right, July is a month to lose yourself in a scary, dark romantic thriller book with swoon-worthy semi-terrify- ing characters, right? I hope so because I just finished Strike and Burn by Taylor Hutton, and it was nothing short of captivating.
Honor Stone—yes, that’s the female main character’s name— is reeling from the sudden death of her twin sister, Gracie. Grow- ing up, Honor and Gracie had a difficult life where their fight for survival was part of their daily routine. Now, at twenty-six years old, Honor has lost everything once Gracie is gone. However, the mysterious, tall, dark, and
handsome man she meets in the morgue might just turn every- thing around for her.
Strike Madden is as mys- tifying as he is attractive, and Honor can’t help but wonder what is going on behind those dark eyes. When Strike offers her a job as an artist for his company, she can’t help but ac- cept the unbelievable offer, and of course, being around Strike Madden has its benefits, too.
But when Gracie’s killer starts coming around and threatening Honor, the distraught twin feels like she has nowhere to turn to ensure her safety. However, when she learns that Strike Madden runs more than just a gaming company, she realizes that he just might be the answer to her dark- est problems.
Strike and Burn was so un- believably well-written! Between the dialogue, descriptions, and the beautiful prose, all of the characters were so fleshed out and had layers of personality. Taylor Hutton is actually a col- lective pseudonym of two au- thors who wrote this fantastic book together. The dual point of view between Honor and Strike
really worked for the story. It gave me access to both of their perspectives, which helped me understand their individual pain, choices, and how the past shaped them. The plot was dark and in- tense, but also full of tension, and as I kept reading, I found myself asking more questions about Honor’s backstory and the se- crets she’s been keeping.
The standout aspect of this book was the romance. While it didn’t follow a traditional slow- burn arc, it still delivered a pow- erful emotional build-up packed with yearning, unresolved ten- sion, and just the right amount
of angst. The chemistry between Honor and Strike was palpable from
the very beginning in that morgue, and their connection only got better as the story pro- gressed. There were several in- credibly sexy scenes that were undoubtedly steamy, yet also meaningful to the development of their relationship. What made it even more compelling was how naturally the romance blended into the larger plot.
The mix of high-stakes ac- tion, layers of mystery, and
New Hampton Pit
366 Main St • New Hampton, NH
CRUSHED GRAVEL:
1.5" & 4" - 6"
LEDGE PAK:
1/2", 1", 2" & 4" - 6"
RECLAIM STONE:
3/4", 1.5", 3" & Erosion Stone
SCREENED LOAM PRESBY SAND
Delivery available for a fee.
PIT HOURS: Monday-Friday 6:30 am - 4:30 pm
603-968-9694
PO Box 1142, Ashland, NH 03217
hiltzexc@hiltzexcavating.com
Prices are subject to change • Price is per yard.