This is an incredible holiday story ~ overflowing with emotions. Cynthia Eden included so many incredible scenes in this tale; my favorite was the "moment of doubt".

Shelly to John
"I want to trust you. I look at you, and I swear, I feel this...this connection. Like there is something pulling me toward you."

Let the author pull you into the Lazarus series...you will enjoy it. These characters have phenomenal courage; two strangers fighting against an unknown enemy with only a glimmer of hope for a new life and possibility of love.

I love Cynthia Eden books she is able to bring feisty characters and create twist that readers will never see coming.
Stay with Me can be read as a stand alone novel it has ties into the Book 1 and 2 but not until the end of the story.
The story was well paced, the romance was insta love which seems to be the normal for Cynthia Eden books recently.
The story moved along fast not giving readers into time to digest what was happening until the very end of the story. If there was down time the characters were having sex.
The story was lacking meat to it and when the author would dive into the past it was pushed aside fast with sex or guns.
Stay with me needed more meat to the story.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance copy

#CynthiaEden #StayWithMe #NetGalley

I’m absolutely in love with this series and Stay With Me only solidified that for me.

After experiencing so much loss over the past year, Shelly heads to her mountain cabin to find some peace and solitude. At the local bar she meets John who insists that they know one another. She assures him they do not but he doesn’t accept her answer easily or at all really. When he rescues her from several attempts on her life, the fear that overwhelmed her desire fades and she brings him into her home.

John has no memories of his past except for the beautiful woman he’s been searching for. Now that he’s found her he can’t let her go, especially since someone is trying to kill her. Or is it him they’re after?

This book has so many twists and turns in it. It was a wild and crazy ride filled with lots of drama, surprises and suspense as well as plenty of heat in true Cynthia Eden fashion. I love a hard alpha hero and I got that in John but I also got a hero that’s capable of showing vulnerability and I really loved that! Shelly was a perfect counterpoint to John. She’s strong when needed but able to yield when necessary. No wanting to throttle the heroine in this one.

The next book up is Willow and Jay and I can’t express how much I’m looking forward to their story. These books can be read as standalones in my opinion but would be enjoyed much more if you start at the beginning.

This is an honest review of an advanced copy provided by NetGalley and Hocus Pocus Publishing.

Dual POV
Safe
No apparent triggers

Stay With Me by Cynthia Eden is part of the Lazarus Rising Series but is the most separate book of the series. I don’t think I could have been more surprised than when I realized John has not been with the main characters in the first two books. It is vague as to how he wound up in the experiment at all. Did this take away from my overall enjoyment of the story, not at all. Instead, I found it intriguing to wonder how many more “super” men are out in this world created by Cynthia Eden.

Fairly short, compared to the first two books, it is still a complete Christmas read. I did have a few unanswered questions, but hopefully there will be updates with John Smith and Shelly Hampton. There is very little revealed concerning the Lazarus group especially since Shelly and John have their own danger near at hand. There are twists in the story, one a complete surprise. Plenty of danger and steamy chemistry as John and Shelly search for the truth, hers as well as his. This made it an intriguing read.

I. Loved. John. Smith. This is the most passionate, endearing, most swoon worthy story in Cynthia Eden's OUTSTANDING Lazarus Rising series. The way the story starts had me instantly on alert. I loved how John Smith was so determined to protect and care for Shelly. The way he remembered her when none of the other Lazarus subjects could remember anything from their lives really intrigued me. I could tell right away that John Smith was different and unique, sexy, caring, and just more everything! Shelley might of been skeptical about him at first, but he not only proved himself in my eyes, but in hers right away, and the passion and chemistry crackling between them had me all warm and fuzzy inside and out!

The one thing I love about these Lazarus books, is how these super soldiers can care...even with having most of their emotions shut off. It is fascinating and edgy and perfect for this world that Miss Eden has created with this amazing series. We get passion, and mind blowing action and swoon worthy romance that can steal your breath and melt your heart. Its hot and engulfing in the BEST way! I think Stay With Me is my NEW favorite in this series for sure. I just ADORED John Smith SO much!

Stay With Me gets an INCREDIBLY WRITTEN FIVE SHOOTING STARS! Its a great fit for the holidays and will be sure to keep you on your toes.

4 - "You are my Christmas..." Stars!

The third book in Cynthia Eden’s hugely enjoyable, Lazarus Rising series, has a decidedly Christmassy feel to it.

IMAGE.

Don’t fret the romance and suspense are still fully in the fore, but the author took a step away from the characters that we have come to know in the first two books, to give us John Smith and Shelly Hampton’s story.

"You’re… the only thing… I know."

John just like all the other Lazarus subjects has very little in the way of a memory pre waking up in the research facility where he was given the treatment. The one thing he does remember, or should I say woman he remembers is Shelly.

"I wanted you before I even knew if you were real or just a figment of my desperation…"

How, why or who she is isn’t initially clear, but with his enhanced senses and the scratchy but incomplete memories of her, he manages to track her down to the remote cabin that she has hidden herself away in for the holiday without too much trouble.

"When you’re ready for my mouth, tell me… Because, baby, I’ve been ready for you for a very, very long time."

I found this couple’s coming together really sweet, John only remembers Shelly, she doesn’t know him from Adam, but as the story progresses, and as you would expect with a book from this author, everything and everyone is definitely not as they would initially seem, and the directions the plot takes aren't exactly as you would expect either.

Quick paced in its telling, as well as in its reading, Stay With Me was another absolutely outstanding addition to the Lazarus Rising series. Run To Me is due in late January, and I am interested in seeing what sort of story the author gives Jay and Willow.

I feel like I’m on repeat but I can’t help it, this series is awesome! Cynthia Eden brought us another great super soldier in John. I like that the author switched things up and gave us a soldier not directly related to the first group we got to know in book 1 and 2. We are starting to see the scope of what lengths the government has gone to trying to create killing machines. What they didn’t count on was the primitive pull these men would feel towards the women and their refusal to give the government their blind loyalty. This series is a great blend of GI Joe action plus the exciting story telling of strong Alpha’s who will do anything to protect their women. Love it! ARC provided by NetGalley.

Can't wait for the next one in this new series! John and Shelly are magic together and their story amazingly inventive. Loved it!