Once Pure

Cecy Robson

May 2015 · Shattered Past Book 3 · Sold by Loveswept

About this eBook

RITA AWARD FINALIST • She bears the scars of the past. He blames himself for things he can’t control. Their defenses are up, but in Cecy Robson’s latest Shattered Past novel—perfect for fans of Monica Murphy and J. Lynn—true love lands a knockout punch.
 
Sofia Tres Santos remembers a time before her life went sour, before her innocence was ripped away, before she began punishing herself with risky behavior and unworthy men. Now, at twenty, she just hopes she’s ready to rebuild some of what she lost. One way or another, it always comes back to her childhood friend and longtime crush, Killian O’Brien.
 
As strong as Killian is, Sofia has always been his one weakness. He knows Sofia has suffered and wants to ensure she’s never hurt again—not like before, and definitely not under his watch. When Sofia agrees to work at his mixed martial arts gym, Killian seizes the opportunity to help and protect the sweet girl he’s always cared for. And yet, as he trains Sofia to defend herself using his hard-hitting MMA techniques, he’s drawn to the vulnerable beauty in ways he never expected.
 
As Sofia grows stronger, she also grows brave enough to open herself up to love. And along the way, she challenges everything Killian believes to be true, showing him that no matter how much he dominates in the ring, the real battle is fought in the heart.

Praise for Once Pure
 
“The sexual tension between Sofia and Killian is super steamy; the passion builds with every page.”—RT Book Reviews

“Sexy and heartbreaking, Once Pure is an excellent, emotional read.”—New York Times bestselling author Monica Murphy

“Intense and powerfully emotional, Cecy Robson’s Once Pure grabs hold of your heart from the first page and doesn’t let go until the last.”—USA Today bestselling author Mira Lyn Kelly

“Cecy Robson has once again shared a story that keeps us in suspense throughout.”—Between Dreams and Reality
 
“Sweet and sexy . . . Killian and Sofia make each other better . . . what could be more romantic than that?”—Whiskey in the Jar Likes to Read
 
“I have been waiting for this couple’s story and I was not disappointed! Ever since Killian was introduced in the first book and Robson gave us the inkling that he possibly liked Sofia, I knew this was going to be my favorite book out of the series.”—The Book Whisperer
 
“Killian is just a perfect male lead and ‘book boyfriend’ material. I loved this book . . . definitely one of my favorites for this year!”—The Book Reading Gals
 
“Once Pure tugged at my emotional strings and made me laugh out loud. I really enjoyed the way these characters were when they were together and I’m looking forward to seeing both of them in other books in this series.”—My Little Happily Ever After

Includes a special message from the editor, as well as an excerpt from another Loveswept title.

Ratings and reviews

Adored this book! We've had sneak peeks at Sophie and Killian in prior books but this one gives us the whole story and what a heartbreaking and beautiful one it is. I love the way this author gives us these street tough, rugged heroes that love hard and fierce and do whatever is necessary to protect those they love. I also really enjoyed getting to know Killian's family, especially Wren. Her snark and quick wit were hilarious. I hope there are plans for her story, it is sure to be a great one. This is an absolute must read, I highly recommend it.

I think what grabs me about these stories is the strength of the characters. Despite the crap things in life they are dealt, they always seem to rise above it and find the strength to come out stronger. Sofia and Killian have been friends since they were children and have probably loved each other just as long. As Killian says, when as a child she smiled at him and asked him if he wanted to be her friend he was all hers, she just didn't know it. However, when Sofia was a teenager she was raped and Killian has always blamed himself. The story itself picks up a few years after this incident when Sofia and Killian meet up again. It starts out as a sweet romance because in a way this is Sofia's first romance. Killian helps Sofia over come her fears of intimacy and teaches her how to fight for herself. And while Killian might at first feel he is with Sofia out of guilt, he realizes he cannot live without her. He sees himself married to her and her as the only mother of his children. What I also like about these stories is that while there is drama, it is not overly done, lots of humor, strong family bonds. Definitely recommend this author.

i read all 3 books in 2 and a half days. Having always been an avid reader, its been a very long time since i read something that moved me so deeply. The last time i cried while reading was over 10 years ago. i bawled my eyes out as i read each book. i felt the characters pain and fear. As well as their love. i can only hope to some day find love as pure and true. never stop writing. Very few can cause me to cry and feel so strongly in real life....the fact that you did so with a book is truly an amazing thing. Thank you for that. 😊

About the author

Cecy Robson is the author of the Shattered Past series, the O’Brien Family novels, the upcoming Carolina Beach novels, and the award-winning Weird Girls urban fantasy romance series. A double-nominated RITA Award finalist for Once Pure and Once Kissed, Cecy is a recovering Jersey girl living in the South who enjoys carbs way too much and exercise way too little. Gifted and cursed with an overactive imagination, she can typically be found on her laptop silencing the yappy characters in her head by telling their stories.