It is here, Finally we get to read the conclusion of Racheal and Merrick's story.
I loved the way Kelli wrote Taken and was captivated by their story.
For Merrick and Rachael, Turtle Tear Island has become their own private paradise with days of unimaginable bliss and sizzling nights in the bedroom—and beyond. But Rachael and Merrick’s happiness is shattered when his daughter, Nadia, suddenly becomes increasingly demanding of his time and devotion. It soon becomes clear that Merrick will have to make an agonizing choice: the woman whose love saved his tortured soul or the daughter he never knew existed…
Rachel can't stand the thought of losing Merrick after everything she's sacrificed to be with him. She had thought she and Merrick were done with secrets, that the passion that burned so brightly between them had forged an unbreakable connection, but she begins to wonder if she ever really knew the man at all. Now the love they've fought so desperately to protect may not be enough to save them…
Rachael DeSalvo is haunted by the past. She's come home to her beloved Turtle Tear Island, where she looks forward to happy days and bliss-filled nights in the arms of Merrick Rocha. But when she finds a trunk full of old photo albums and handwritten notes, Rachael soon realizes that the island has not given up all its secrets…
For long before Rachael and Merrick made Turtle Tear Resort their home, this historic island was a haven for sensual, forbidden affairs. As Rachael and Merrick work to restore the grand hotel to its former glory, they will be caught in the perfect maelstrom of conflict and desire.
Although exhausted, I didn’t sleep. While Merrick napped, I got online and looked up as many apartments on Rue Lincoln that rented weekly as I could find. I called the phone numbers listed on the rentals, pretending to be Enzo’s daughter in-law, hoping to find Nadia, but wasn’t having any luck.
I was so focused on my search, I didn’t hear Merrick come up behind me. “You’ll never find them,” he whispered in my ear, making me jump and grasp the arms of the chair.
“God, you scared me.”
He swept my hair to the side and kissed my neck. “If Enzo doesn’t want to be found, he won’t be.”
I closed my laptop. “Then why are we here?”
He traced my earlobe with the tip of his nose. “Nadia will contact me. She’ll tell us where to find her.”
I wanted to believe that. I heard the desperation in his voice. He didn’t want to believe his daughter would betray him and be loyal to Enzo. I hoped for his sake—for all of their sakes—Nadia would get in touch.
Merrick took my hands and pulled me up out of my chair, wrapping his arms around me and holding me against him. “Let’s get out of here and go look around.”
He kissed me. I remembered our first kiss and how I’d been so hesitant, so nervous, but my raw lust for Merrick took over and I couldn’t hold myself back. Now my lust and desire pooled with comfort and love. His kisses made me feel cherished and treasured as well as physically wanted.
It was so clear to me, even though neither one of us had actually spoken the word marriage, that he was my husband. He would be—it was meant to be. I felt the white, hot truth of it in every cell of my body. We were one soul, torn in half and put on earth to find each other.
And there he was, right in front of me. He’d made it happen. He must’ve somehow known deep inside that I belonged with him.
“Why are you staring at me like that?” he asked, a cocky grin forming on his lips.
I rose up on my toes to kiss him again. “Like what?”
“Like you have some dangerous secret.” He pinned my hands behind my back and pressed me into the wall. “Are you keeping something from me, Ms. DeSalvo?”
“Nothing you don’t already know,” I said, smiling.
“And what’s that?” He nuzzled my neck. It tickled and I leaned my head against his, laughing.
“You’ll figure it out sooner or later,” I said, nipping his earlobe. “I’m just giving you time.”
Merrick chuckled and rested his forehead against mine. “Is that so? How much time do you think I need?”
I shrugged playfully, wondering if he knew what I was referring to.
“Maybe you’re the one who needs time.” He winked.
Caught off guard, my pulse quickened. Were we talking about the same thing? Marriage? Why was he giving me time? I was waiting on him. “Maybe I don’t.”
He stepped back and turned me toward the big suitcase, still packed and sitting beside the bed. “Maybe you should change out of that robe and get dressed so we can get out of here.” He smacked me on the bottom to get me moving.
Padding across the plush carpet, I felt my heart sink a little at his dismissal of the conversation we’d been circling so closely. His giving me time sounded like a poor excuse.
I knelt on the floor and began to dig through the clothes I’d brought.
I was so certain we were on the same page, just not verbalizing it yet. But… maybe we weren’t on the same page?
Hot Damn. This is one hot Merrick. If I were Racheal I would stare at him all day and night. Hell, he would be the one Taken. 
Kelli Maine's Top 5 Favorite Moments from the Give & Take Series
It’s the end of an era. Okay, not an era, but it feels like one to me. Writing the last novel and novella, GIVEN and TAKE THIS MAN, in the Give & Take Series has been rewarding and bitter-sweet. Here are 5 of my favorite moments from the series.
Number 5!
When Merrick and MJ come face-to-face for the first time in Taken By Storm. While neither of them were to blame for the years that had gone by apart, there was so much animosity on MJ’s behalf and anxiety on Merrick’s that the tension while writing this scene made it one of the most memorable in the series for me.
Number 4!
Maddie’s flashbacks of she and MJ over the summers when they were young in Taken By Storm. There’s nothing more touching than the relationship between two little kids who are best friends blossoming into young love as they grow. Maddie’s sacrifice and loss was heartbreaking, but writing their reunion made it all worth it.
Number 3!
When the storm breaks on Turtle Tear Island—figuratively and literally—in Taken By Storm and all the truth comes out. This scene was an explosion in my mind. Lightning, thunder, lies, betrayal, a family that is broken seemingly beyond repair. Then I got to pick up the pieces, add a few new ones and glue them all back together again to form something new and stronger. Lucky me!
Number 2!
The treehouse picnic scene in Taken. Who doesn’t love a sexy man and chocolate-raspberry cake?
Number 1!
The first scene at the nightclub in Taken when Rachael and Merrick meet and it all began. This scene makes my heart pound – lust, danger, a dark stranger… It all happened so quickly, as terrible things often do…as wonderful, life-changing things often do.
It’s no secret that Given and Take This Man conclude the series with the proposal and wedding of Rachael and Merrick, but to avoid spoilers, I didn’t include any moments from these last two installments in my top 5. I will say that there are some moments that made me teary and a few I wasn’t expecting. For example, true to Merrick’s nature, his proposal wasn’t what I was planning, but Rachael wasn’t surprised. Merrick never does things the traditional way and even though I’m the author, he often took charge over the course of writing the series.
I will miss Rachael and Merrick’s story, but very pleased to give them the happy ending they deserve.
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