ASYLUM by Author Betsy Adams *REVIEW* *Giveaway*

Notes From a Romantic’s Heart is pleased to welcome Author Betsy Adams to the blog to talk about her newest release, Asylum, the second book in her Americans in Love series.

You can follow the tour at Goddess Fish Promotions. Don’t forget to enter the Rafflecopter #giveaway while you’re here!

GENRE:   Contemporary Romance

  

About the Book

 

Adela is an immigration judge from one of San Diego’s wealthiest Mexican-American families. She was raised to believe she has nothing in common with the asylum seekers in her courtroom. Paul left behind his life as a Manhattan lawyer to volunteer at the border. He has lost faith in the system, but not those who still turn to it for justice.

Adela and Paul come to the Tijuana/San Diego border searching, but neither one knowing exactly what for—until they find each other. Against the backdrop of the “Remain in Mexico” policy and restrictions on asylum, Adela and Paul fight for love in a system that seems determined to destroy it.

 

Asylum is on sale for 99¢ during the tour.

 

Read an Excerpt

 

 "Julian says I'm going to burn out if I don't enjoy the wins.  So let me take you for some real Chinese food.”

“Hey, don’t insult King Panda,” Adela said.  “And I’m not sure about the ‘you taking me’ part.”

“Right.  Well, I did a little legal research on the ‘appearance of impropriety’ standard.”

“Really?” Adela couldn’t hide her pleasure at hearing this.  “What did you find out?”

Paul cleared his throat and launched into lawyer mode.  “Based on the caselaw, I would argue that there is nothing improper about sharing a meal.”

“Agreed."

“Especially if the facts reveal that the judge and attorney in question met up coincidentally, like in a heavily trafficked food court, or…Silk Road, a highly recommended Chinese restaurant in Imperial Beach.  Say they just happen to find each other at this particular restaurant on Wednesday night at six o’clock.  No impropriety there.”

“I see,” Adela said, jotting down the name and location of the place.

“However,” Paul said in overly dramatic fashion.  “An issue could arise, based on what transpires at said coincidental meeting.”

“Go on…” Adela could almost see the sexy grin on his face. 

“Well, should these two individuals discuss a case they are both working on, that would be improper.” 

“Yes, highly,” Adela agreed.

“So if we don't talk about work, we should be fine,” Paul concluded, back to his normal voice.

“Is it that simple?” Adela asked.  She didn’t let on that she knew there was more.  If they were together, Paul couldn’t have cases in her courtroom.  She waited for him to add this, but he didn’t.

“It is for dinner,” he said.

Adela wasn’t sure how to read that.  Was he just asking her to dinner, or was it just dinner…for now?

“Okay, then maybe I’ll see you there, if I’m free and in the area.  No guarantees.”

“I’m not asking for any,” Paul said before hanging up.

 

My Review

3.5 Stars

 

Asylum by Author Betsy Ross is an extremely emotional read. Technically, it’s a very well written book.

It’s no secret to anyone who follows U.S. Politics, or just watches the evening news, asylum seekers are treated unfairly, and Ms Ross takes incidents in her book from real-life court cases and life-threatening events, which make them all the more powerful.

I was extremely impressed with the author’s note at the end of the book, and the additional details included there. Had I been reading this strictly as a political thriller, I’d have gladly given it four-stars.

However, to call it a contemporary romance is unfair to the reader. Yes, there were lovescenes, romance of a sort, but it felt as if it was only there to provide a break in the political issues. The attraction was rushed, had no real downside/black moment (other than possible misconduct between a judge and lawyer). I enjoy it when there’s instant attraction between a couple, however the ‘love’ between the two main characters needs to develop at a steady pace—something to work toward. In this case, it moved too quickly to be believable.

All this said, if you enjoy political intrigue as much or more than you do contemporary romance, you will enjoy this book.

( I was provided a copy of Asylum to provide my honest review. )

 

Meet the Author

 

Betsy Adams is a pen name adopted to honor two smart, romantic women - Betsy Ross and Abigail Adams.

Betsy Ross chose love over her Quaker religion and her family. At the age of twenty-one, she eloped with fellow upholstery apprentice and non-Quaker John Ross. After their union, Betsy’s family and the Quaker community cut all ties with her. In her eighty-four years, Betsy was married three times and ran a successful upholstery business. There is much more to Betsy Ross than sewing the first American flag. Someone make a biopic, please!

The love between Abigail and John Adams is legendary, and documented in over 1,000 intimate and cerebral letters. In 1776, Abigail famously told her husband that the new nation must “remember the ladies,” but in the pages of their letters, these two lovers were equals in their passion for each other and ideas.

Betsy Adams lives with her family in a coastal town on Long Island (New York). She is the creator of the Americans in Love romance series. In these novella-length books, couples divided by the issues of our day try to find their happily ever after.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Instagram ~ Reedsy ~ Goodreads

 

Enter the Giveaway

 

Betsy Adams will be awarding a $25 Amazon or Barnes and Noble Gift Card to a randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter during the tour.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

It’s been my pleasure hosting Author Betsy Adams today. Please come back again later this week for more authors and great books.

Nancy