Reviewed by Deborah Lloyd for Readers' Favorite

Hayden and Briar meet in a most unlikely place to find love – a hospice center. Hayden Crewe is the pianist, singer and composer in the popular Australian rock band, Jackaroo. He receives a phone call that his mother, from whom he is estranged and has not seen for years, is dying from pancreatic cancer. He immediately flies to Seattle to find the explanation for his mother’s silence, and emotional closure, before it is too late. Briar Moore, strongly connected to her ex-significant other’s Aunt Rosie, is spending hours at her bedside. Between Breaths, Book 2 of the Seattle Sound Series, written by Alexa Padgett, is an unpredictable and engaging romantic fictional work. There is a cast of interesting characters – from the members and manager of Jackaroo; Briar’s sister and family; Briar’s ex-significant other, Dr. Ken Brenton; and others. Perhaps, the most interesting characters are the parents of Hayden and Briar – they created deep-seated fears and misgivings about the possibility of forging committed, loving relationships.

The author is a skilled and competent writer, as she creates believable, and likeable, characters. There is an easy flow, as Hayden and Briar each relate their thoughts, emotions and experiences in alternate chapters. There is a depth of understanding for these characters, as Ms. Padgett connects their childhood experiences to current-day decisions. Alexa Padgett has penned the perfect romantic story in Between Breaths. This story is both entertaining and thought-provoking. It is a true page-turner and engages the reader from beginning to end.