REVIEW: FINDING OUR FOREVER by BRENDA NOVAK

 

Finding Our Forever

Silver Springs #1

By: Brenda Novak

Releasing March 21st, 2017

Harlequin

 

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In Finding Our Forever (Silver Springs #1) by Brenda Novak, all Cora Kelly wanted to do is find her birth mother after years of not knowing why the woman that gave birth to her gave her up for adoption. Getting a job at the ranch her biological mom, Aiyana, runs for troubled boys in need of turning their lives around is easy enough, but telling the woman that she's her daughter isn't. With every day that passes, Cora finds it harder and harder to tell her secret, even to Elijah Turner, the man she's growing close with. Will she find a way to break her news to those she's come to care about gently, or will Elijah and Aiyana never knowing the truth be for the best?

 

Ms. Novak never ceases to amaze me whenever I read one of her books, and this story starts her new Silver Springs series off wonderfully. Right from the beginning, this story grabbed my attention completely, because of what Cora is going through. She wants to meet her birth mother; a woman who she has a lot of questions for. How could the woman give her up at birth, yet have so many adoptive sons? Why did she give Cora up in the first place? However, I could understand why Cora was so hesitant to tell anyone who she really is. She's already been abandoned once by her biological mother, what if it happens again?  

As for the dialogue, it was well-written and had me hooked due to the main characters back stories, all these two go through on their journey to happy ever after and this couple's growing relationship. Elijah had a tough childhood with his parents treating him badly, and I could understand why he found it hard to trust and why a certain secondary character warned the heroine to be careful in getting in too deep with him. Because there was a chance that both could end up getting hurt, if their feelings for each other reached a level that one of them couldn't handle, since neither was looking for a serious relationship with Cora leaving once her contract was up. 

Both the main characters were compelling, and I loved every moment they conversed. The heroine faces some tough obstacles on her journey to happy ever after such as the problems her ex causes, keeping her secret from those she's coming to care for and whether she's going to give Elijah a chance, but I was pleased by the decisions she did make because Elijah needs her just as much as she needs him. Moreover, Cora is strong and brave with what she's doing in wanting to get to know her biological mother, even though she knows how much it'll hurt her adoptive parents, if they learn that she wants to meet the woman that gave her up. She's also kind, caring and I liked how hard she worked to keep everyone happy, especially her adoptive parents and the kids she's determined to help at the ranch.

While Elijah, he had it tough growing up and it's understandable why he has such a close relationship with Aiyana and his brothers after all that's she done for him and the troubled boys that come to the ranch as well as all that his adopted brothers have been through. The hero is also hard-working, not afraid to tell it like it is, and I liked how protective he was of the heroine. No way was he going to allow someone to keep harassing her when it was palpable she wasn't interested. But what I liked most of all about the hero was how determined he was to win the heroine's heart, because how can he give up on a love that's meant-to-be.  

Overall, Ms. Novak has penned a delightful read in this book that had me smiling throughout this story, but brought tears to my eyes in the end. The chemistry between Cora and Elijah is off-the-charts from the moment they come face-to-face for the first time and just keeps getting stronger, especially when Cora doesn't know what she wants and the struggles she faces in keeping her secret. If she gets in too deep with Elijah, she'll have to tell him the truth about who she is. Is she prepared to do that and deal with the consequences? The way this story ended had me hoping for the best when it came to the truth about Cora coming to light. Will Aiyana be able to handle Cora's news when the heroine is a reminder of a painful time in her past? However, it was the epilogue that wrapped this story up perfectly with how things have turned out for Cora. Certainly, she and Elijah deserve the happiness they've found together. I would recommend Finding Our Forever by Brenda Novak, if you enjoy books by authors Robyn Carr, RaeAnne Thayne or Susan Mallery.

OVERALL RATING:

 

 

BLURB:

New York Times bestselling author Brenda Novak welcomes readers to the town of Silver Springs, where surprises wait around every corner! 

 

The search for her birth mother brought Cora Kelly to the New Horizons Boys Ranch. Getting a job there was easy enough, but confiding in Aiyana, the ranch's owner, that she's really her daughter? Cora's not sure she can do that, not unless she's confident the news will be welcomed. And once she gets to know Elijah Turner—Aiyana's adopted son and ranch manager—that decision becomes even more difficult. 

 

Although Elijah can't deny his deep attraction to Cora, he's always struggled with trust. Anyone with his past would, and there's something about the ranch's newest employee that isn't exactly as it seems. But if the feelings she awakes in his guarded heart are any indication, she might be just what he's long been waiting for.

 

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REVIEW: PUPPY LOVE by KELLY MORAN

Puppy Love

Redwood Ridge #1

By: Kelly Moran

Releasing February 28th, 2017

Lyrical Shine

 

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In Puppy Love (Redwood Ridge #1) by Kelly Moran, after being treated as nothing more than a trophy wife for years, Avery Stowe finally did what was right for her and her autistic daughter by divorcing her husband and moving to be closer to her mother. Redwood Ridge seems to the perfect place to settle down, but just like most small towns it doesn't appear she'll get the privacy she was hoping for, especially when the townspeople start matchmaking. Will she give Cade O'Grady a chance at forever love, or will her fear of losing her newly found independence and not being able to put her trust in another man keep them apart? 

I've read quite a few of Ms. Moran's books, and really enjoyed them, but this first story in her new Redwood Ridge series -- I believe -- is one of her best. Right from the beginning, this story was a real page turner, as Avery is finally free of her cheating ex and determined to discover whether the small town where her mom lives is the perfect place to raise her daughter. Will they be happy there? Will her daughter be able to make friends when she doesn't speak due to her neurodevelopmental condition? However, it was the moment that the hero and heroine came face-to-face for the first time in this story where things got really interesting because of Cade's reaction towards Avery and the situation. 

As for the dialogue, it was well-written; filled with plenty of emotion I could feel along with the main characters; and a wonderful combination of intense dialogue due to the main characters back stories and teasing banter between the hero and heroine as well as between the main and secondary characters. Avery's past with her ex has left it impossible for her to trust another man, which I could sympathize with, because her ex sounded like a man that didn't deserve someone as kind-hearted and loyal as Avery. Yet, Cade is different and I liked that she was wiling to give him a chance.

Both the main characters entertained me from start to finish, and made it difficult for me to put this book down. Avery is strong, brave and I liked how she handled the secondary characters matchmaking, the townspeople's reactions to her and Cade's growing relationship and the way she handles being tossed into a position she palpably thrives at. But what I liked most of all about the heroine is how kind and caring she is and the fact that she manages to accomplish something no-one else has with one of Cade's brothers; a brother that needs someone to help him realize that he can't continue to keep people at  a distance.

While Cade, he's hard-working, confident, smart and I liked the challenge he faces in trying to win Avery over and make her realize how good they could be together. A challenge that isn't made easy by her fear of being hurt again, but I liked that the hero didn't give up on proving himself. Certainly, he has a lot of things in his favor such as the kindness he shows Avery's daughter and the growing bond between the pair that prove the little girl trusts him. Those moments between Cade and the heroine's daughter were absolutely precious and I looked forward to those.  

Overall, Ms. Moran has penned a delightful read in this book where the strong chemistry between this pair spilled over onto the pages in some really hot sex scenes that illustrated how lucky Avery is to have found her Mr. Right. The way this story ended was perfect, because of the surprise Cade has for the heroine; a surprise that she's absolutely overjoyed about, as she never thought what the surprise was would ever happen. I would highly recommend Puppy Love by Kelly Moran, especially if you enjoy small town romances where the secondary characters love to match-make and offer sound advice or if you enjoy books by authors Marina Adair, Candis Terry or Jill Shalvis.

OVERALL RATING:

 



BLURB:

This playboy has met his match, and she's organized...

After a passionless marriage under the scrutiny of high society, Avery Stowe is taking back her life. All she wants is a little privacy and a quiet place to raise her autistic daughter, Hailey. Redwood Ridge, Oregon, seems to offer all the right ingredients. Except for the problem of the local sexy veterinarian. The last thing she needs in her life is to fall for his irresistible allure, even if he is a nice guy who keeps doing her favors. But the well-meaning patrons of her new hometown have other ideas, and it appears playing Cupid is one of them.

Cade O'Grady has never met a woman he couldn't handle, but when Avery Stowe walks into his office late one night cradling an injured puppy, he's struck stupid. Which might explain her total lack of interest in him. But now that she's working for his family's clinic, he doesn't have to lust from a distance. He might just have a chance at convincing Avery--and her too-guarded heart--that falling for the right man isn't a mistake . . .

 

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REVIEW & GIVEAWAY: CRAVE ME by CECY ROBSON

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Crave Me
O'Brien Family #3

By: Cecy Robson

Releasing February 28, 2017
Self-Published

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In Crave Me (O'Brien Family #3) by Cecy Robson, Wren O'Brien has the worst luck when it comes to picking men, but this time it seems she may have found Mr. Right. But with the problems her ex is causing for her, it's hard for Wren to let Evan in. Can Evan convince her that he can handle whatever her ex throws their way, or will they lose their chance at happy ever after?

 

Evan Jonah doesn't have time for relationships, not when he runs an empire that he's trying to keep from going under. But the moment he meets Wren, Evan knows it's not going to be possible to keep his distance. Will Evan be able convince Wren to take a chance on him, or will the threat of her ex force her to stay away from him?

 

What a wonderfully written, fast-paced, attention-grabbing read Ms. Robson has penned in this book, encompassing a hero and heroine that face some tough obstacles on their journey to happy ever after, a hot romance that shows just how much these two need each other, and secondary characters that I loved just as much as the main ones. The O'Brien family are really close, and the way that they tease each other had me smiling throughout. They're not used to seeing Wren with a man worthy of her, and I liked how accepting they are of Evan.

 

The way this story started had me liking Wren immediately. She's a warm and friendly heroine that loves her job as a car saleswoman, and I liked how she wasn't afraid of a little confrontation when it came to an employee competing over people that come in to buy cars. However, it was from the moment that the hero and heroine met that really drew me into this story, because the chemistry between this pair is strong and instantaneous and I couldn't wait to discover whether Wren would take a chance on getting to know Evan better right away or whether they'd go their separate ways in that moment.

 

As for the dialogue, it was intense due to the main characters back stories, the trouble the heroine's ex is causing for her, the hostility Wren receives from a woman that likes Evan and the danger this couple face towards the end. Evan's  mother is a real piece of work, and I felt sorry for him when he spilled bits about his past. Then again, it was hard not to sympathize with Wren as well, because her father wasn't a good man in her eyes and her ex is a sociopath that will go to any lengths to make her regret her decision of leaving him. Such as trying to intimidate her, what he does to make sure she needs another job and what he does to try and split up her and Evan. 

 

Both the main characters were riveting, and I really enjoyed the banter between them. Wren is strong, courageous, independent and I liked how she made Evan realize that all work and no play isn't right, and the way they work together proves that they can make his family's empire a success again, no matter how many disappointments they face to achieve that success. Moreover, I liked that Wren made Evan see that getting to know his employees wasn't a bad thing, which is proven by what he does for a couple of them, but most especially Anne.

 

While Evan, I loved him because he wasn't afraid to fight for Wren when she was thinking that given him up was the right thing to do. Her ex wasn't above hurting the people she cares for, and I could understand why she didn't want him to become another innocent party hurt. She's already suffered enough without having to worry about Evan being a target for her ex. Moreover, he's kind and caring and I liked how he helped Wren to deal with everything thrown her way. He isn't about to let her face what she does from her ex alone. 

Overall, Ms. Robson has penned a fantastic read in this book where the sex scenes were hot, nicely-detailed and illustrated the strong chemistry between the hero and heroine really well. The way this story ended had me on the edge-of-my-seat because of what the hero and heroine face. Will they come out on top against her ex? However, what I liked most about the ending was how Evan surprised Wren in front of her family. No way was he going to let her go after everything that they've been through. I would recommend Crave Me by Cecy Robson, if you enjoy books by authors Bella Jewel, Scarlett Cole or Kendall Ryan.

OVERALL RATING:

 

 

 

 BLURB:
RT Book Reviews proclaims that the O’Brien Family series from award-winning author Cecy Robson “has the hottest brothers ever!” And in Crave Me, it’s time for the sole sister in the family to discover love.

Wren O’Brien isn’t your typical female. As the only girl from a loud Irish family with seven siblings, she prefers fast cars to lip gloss and bad boys to good men. It’s the reason she’s nursing a wounded soul and keeping her distance from a dangerous ex.

Evan Jonah is running an empire and just moved from the lavish thoroughfares of London to the gritty streets of Philadelphia. When he walks into the nearest dealership, he’s expecting to find a reliable vehicle to handle the brutal winters, not a sexy female car rep with killer legs.

Wren doesn’t know why “Hotness in a Suit” asked her out. She doesn’t expect a great time or a night of passion that knocks her on her ass. But that’s exactly what Evan shows her.

She also never counted on how hard and fast she’d fall. But men like Evan—good men with even better hearts—don’t desire tough-talking Philly girls for long.

Evan has never met a woman like Wren. But he’s up for the challenge and ready to prove her wrong.

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I open the door to the dark blue Explorer for Wren. She pauses before slipping inside. “Look at this,” she says. “Chivalry isn’t dead after all.”

I chuckle because I have nothing better to say. Even if witty comebacks were my forte, this woman would still have me at a loss for words. It didn’t take her long take to check my credentials or for her to acquire an impressive vehicle for me to test drive, her command and efficiency, making the process smooth.

I slide inside, taking a quick look at the interior before adjusting the seat to accommodate my long legs.

“Why an Explorer?” I ask, concentrating on the features so I don’t openly gape at Wren. 

 She tilts her head. “You’re a suit, a businessman, right?”

“That’s right,” I agree.

“So you don’t need a truck to haul wood or tools or any equipment.” She laughs a little. “You also need something you’re actually going to be comfortable in, big guy. And seeing how you’re taking the Blue Route to work, you also want to stay safe. The maniacs on the highway will bowl over a smaller ride. But in this, even the crazies will think twice before messing with you.”
 

 

 

 

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Cecy Robson is an award-winning author of magical realms and to-die-for Alpha heroes. A double RITA® 2016 finalist for Once Pure and Once Kissed, and published author of more than sixteen titles, you can typically find her on her laptop or stumbling blindly in search of caffeine.

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REVIEW & GIVEAWAY: HAVOC by JAMIE SHAW

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Books 1 - 3 in the Mayhem series

(Mayhem, Riot and Chaos)

 

 

Havoc
Mayhem #4

By: Jamie Shaw

Releasing February 21st, 2017
Avon Impulse

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In Havoc (Mayhem #4) by Jamie Shaw, with her uncle paying her college tuition, Hailey Harper can't afford to irritate her cousin. Unfortunately, she lives with the woman and finds herself falling for her cousin's rock star ex-boyfriend. Can Hailey find a way to stay in college and have a relationship with Mike Madden, or will her cousin ruin her new relationship?

 

Although I haven't read the previous books of this series, I found this book could easily be read as a stand-alone. From start to finish, this story was entertaining, fast-paced and I enjoyed the tough obstacle this couple had to face to be together. The hero is the heroine's cousin's ex-boyfriend, and it isn't easy for her to fight her growing feelings for him. But when her cousin is determined to do everything to win the hero back, even if it means resorting to blackmail, it made me feel sorry for Hailey. Because if she chooses love over achieving her dream, she loses and if she chooses her dream over love, she loses the chance at forever after with Mike.

 

As for the dialogue, it was intense due to the main characters back stories, this couple's growing relationship and the moments where Hailey has to deal with her cousin. Her cousin is a nasty piece of work with the way she treats Hailey and some of the secondary characters. Will Hailey finally stand up for herself instead of continuing to allow her cousin to talk to her the way she does? However, there were also some really good light-hearted moments between this couple that made me smile. The hero and heroine share a love of video games, and I liked how they could tease each other while they play. 

 

Mike was a fantastic hero, but the heroine frustrated me at times. Why did Hailey always allow her cousin to get away with speaking to her the way she does? I know she was worried about the possibility of not being able to finish her degree, if her cousin complained to her father (Hailey's uncle), but that's no excuse for not calling her cousin out on her verbal abuse. Yet, in saying that, I liked that the heroine found her backbone because love is the worth fighting for. While Mike, he faces a tough challenge when it comes to Hailey, because she's worried about the backlash if she pursues a relationship with the hero. Can he convince her to give him a chance? Can he prove to Hailey that there's nothing more important to him than her? Moreover, I liked that Mike was willing to fight for a chance with Hailey, and how he goes about proving how much she matters to him because nothing and no-one could keep him away from her. 

 

Overall, this was a really good read where the strong romance does justice to the great chemistry these two have and how they shouldn't let anything stand in the way of being together. Moreover, I loved the secondary characters advice and the way this story ended, because enough was enough. No longer was Hailey going to allow her cousin to treat her the way she does. Although what Hailey does wasn't the best solution, it was effective in making her cousin realize that the heroine would no longer be intimidated into believing she'll lose the things that matter the most to her -- Mike and her chance to finish her degree. However, it was the epilogue that wrapped this story up perfectly, because of Mike's surprise for Hailey. I would recommend Havoc by Jamie Shaw, if you enjoy the forbidden relationship trope or enjoy reading books by authors Karina Halle, Melissa Toppen or Vivien Wood.

 

OVERALL RATING:

  

 

BLURB:
When Hailey Harper left her family farm to enroll in veterinary school, she had a plan: keep her head down, ace her classes, and most importantly... don't upset the uncle paying her tuition. Translation? Don't piss off his dramatic, self-absorbed daughter, Danica, even if she's a nightmare to live with.

Falling in love with her cousin's rock star ex-boyfriend was definitely not part of the plan.

As the drummer of a now-famous rock band, Mike Madden could have any girl he wants. He's sweet, funny, romantic, talented--and the only guy that's ever made Hailey's heart do cartwheels in her chest. The more she gets to know him, the harder she falls, but Hailey knows they can never be more than friends… because Danica wants him back, and she'll fight dirty to win.

Mike is falling for Hailey too, but Danica's threats and his rock star life-music video shoots, international tours, obsessed fans-could tear them apart before they've even begun. Hailey isn't sure she's the one for him, but Mike's waited years for a girl like her… and he'll do anything to prove it.

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At a door near the back corner of the room, my fun-loving cousin marches right up to the first security guard she sees, who also happens to be approximately five zillion times her size, with muscles made of stone and a face to match. “Who do I need to talk to to get backstage?”

At her bossy tone, Muscle-man lifts an eyebrow. “The Easter Bunny?”

“Excuse me?”

“No one’s allowed backstage.” The arms he crosses over his chest warn that he isn’t messing around.

“I’m with Mike,” Danica lies, and after studying her for a moment, Muscle-man laughs.

“Sure you are.”

“I am!”

When Muscle-man just smiles at her like she’s a petulant child, Danica resorts to acting like one. She demands to see his boss and threatens to get him fired. When that doesn’t work, she resorts to curse words. And when those have no effect, all hell breaks loose.

She’s torpedoing her finger into his chest and shouting something about his inbred gene pool when I try to pull her away from him. But Danica is on a rampage, and all my efforts get me is a hard shove that nearly knocks me on my ass. At five-feet tall, one hundred and three pounds, I’m not exactly in a position to throw my weight around, and I don’t make a second attempt to try. I’m rubbing my tender collarbone when the security guy picks my assailant up off her feet, and I helplessly follow as he carries her outside.

After serving as an armrest for a sweaty gigantor inside the club, after obliterating my eardrums in front of the world’s biggest speakers, after getting knocked around like a bratty child’s toy all night, all I want is to take a hot shower and crawl into my own bed to sleep for a week straight. Instead, I stand on the sidewalk outside of Mayhem, frowning at the furious look on Danica’s face as she glares at the big metal door the security guard just shut behind him.

She came here for one thing, and I know she’s not leaving until she gets it.

“You didn’t have to push me,” I mutter, and her eyes flare.

“You should’ve had my back!”

“And done what? Bite his ankles?”

In her four-inch wedge boots, Danica towers above me. I stare way up at her, trying to remember the girl who played dolls with me up in my parents’ hay loft. But she’s lost somewhere behind fake lashes and fifteen years of getting everything she's wanted.

“You’ve been nothing but a bitch this whole time,” she snaps, and I sigh and pull my shirt away from my skin again, letting the cool night air dry the sweat beaded on my lower back. There’s no point in trying to defend myself. In Danica’s mind, she’s always simultaneously the victim and the hero, and as her non-rent-paying roommate, I’ve learned to just accept that.

I appreciate everything she’s done for me. I do. If she hadn’t been the little voice in her father’s ear, persuading him to fund my schooling and begging him to make some calls to get us enrolled, I’d be home mucking stalls, not following my dreams. Her dad pays all of my bills—my tuition, my insurance, my living expenses, all of them. And while I suspect that Danica’s sudden interest in my life wasn’t entirely genuine—she’d flunked out of college before, and I think her dad was only open to the idea of her going back if she was living off-campus with a responsible roommate, AKA her boring farm-girl cousin—I owe her. I owe her the roof over my head and the massive student loan debt I don’t have.

When her phone rings, she wastes no time dismissing me to answer it. “Katie?” she says. “Guess who just got kicked out of the fucking club. Yes! Because this asshole bouncer wouldn’t let me backstage.” She gives me a dirty look. “Just stood there doing nothing. I know! No, she didn’t even try. Getting a place with her was stupid.”

An icy chill slithers up the back of my neck, and I chew the inside of my lip. Because of my uncle’s insistence that I focus all of my energy on school right now instead of also finding a part-time job, I have no income. My only “job” is not pissing off his daughter. And it’s a job that I’m learning I am very, very bad at.

With my mouth shut, I slink away before my mere presence can enrage Danica further, and when she asks where I’m going, I make up the lamest excuse ever. “To read this flyer over here.”

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A resident of South Central Pennsylvania, JAMIE SHAW's two biggest dreams in life were to be a published author and to be a mom. Now, she's living both of those dreams and loving every minute of it. When she's not spending time with her husband and their young son, she's writing novels with relatable heroines and swoon-worthy leading men. With her MS in Professional Writing and a passion for all things romance, her goal is always to make readers laugh, cry, squirm, curse, and swoon their pants off, all within the span of a single story. She loves interacting with readers, and she always aims to add new names to their book boyfriend lists.

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Q&A with Jamie Shaw

How did you come up with the characters for the story?

Most of the characters came out of my head, but Mike, the hero, was originally inspired by my own husband! When I wrote the first book in this series, I never envisioned it being a series. It was only the second story I ever wrote, so I couldn’t even dream that big yet (my agent and publisher were the ones who saw its potential!). So when I wrote all of the band guys, I wrote them as side characters, and Mike possessed a lot of the same characteristics as my husband—he was the loner of the group, he had a witty sense of humor, he had beautiful brown eyes, he was passionate and committed, he loved pizza and beer and video games. I plugged my husband’s name in as a placeholder, but then I waited too long to change it. The name “Mike” just stuck, and eventually, Mike Madden the character grew into his own unique person—even if he and my husband have quite a bit in common. ;)

What are you favorite types of stories to read?

I love reading stories with romance and happy endings! Regardless of if its Young Adult, New Adult, Paranormal, etc. (all my favorites), I love having that satisfied feeling at the end. The kind that just makes you deflate with a long, happy, satisfied sigh. And I always try to give my readers that same feeling with my own stories.

Describe yourself in five words or less.

Driven. Passionate. Busy. Caring. Layered.

What gave you the most trouble with this story?

Writing a villain was new for me, and even though she (Danica) turned out spectacularly evil, she was a real b*tch to write, in ALL senses of the word. Haha. I knew that Mike and Hailey were meant to be together, but how could I make it happen when Danica wouldn’t get out of their way? It was a challenge to make Hailey and Mike’s relationship grow organically and meaningfully without crossing that “cheating” line—a hard line I knew from day one  it would not suit them to cross—so writing this story involved a lot of pre-planning and tiptoeing and thought. Ultimately, the challenge that Danica presented ended up giving so many extra layers to Hailey and Mike’s relationship, and it made their love story that much deeper.

What do you like to do when you aren't writing?

When I’m not writing or chasing after my year-and-a-half old son, I love interacting with my readers! I try to respond to every single email and message, and I have a reader group on Facebook, called Jamie’s Rock Stars, that I’m very active in. My readers have told me that they love how much I interact with them, and honestly, it’s one of my absolute favorite parts of this job, so I do it as often as I can. I don’t just write for the sake of writing—I write because I love knowing that people are out there reading my books, and I really enjoy connecting with those people and getting to know them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

REVIEW: ONE WILD NIGHT by MELISSA CUTLER

One Wild Night

One and Only Texas #3

By: Melissa Cutler

Releasing March 7th, 2017

St. Martins Press

 

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In One Wild Night (One and Only Texas #3) by Melissa Cutler, Skye Martinez is ready to settle down, get married and hopefully start a family. But first, she's determined to sow her wild oats one last time with a handsome stranger. Except Skye never took into account that she'd end up pregnant. Can Gentry convince Skye to take a chance on love, even when he's the total opposite of the man she imagined she'd end up with forever?

This is the first book I've read by Ms. Cutler, and I've got to say that I absolutely loved it. Right from the start, this book was captivating, fast-paced and one I found hard to put down because of the situation Skye finds herself in. Why can't dating be all fun, instead of a woman wanting to escape because her date is a dud? How will she get out of her date without sounding overly rude to the man she's with at the time? Will she finally tell her family that she's had enough of their meddling or will she continue to let her family help her find The One? However, it was the moment where the hero and heroine met where this story really drew me in, because Skye needs the distraction the hero offers her.

The dialogue was compelling, well-written and drew me in because of the banter between the main characters, all that they go through on their journey to happy ever after and their back stories. After what happened with the hero's latest music album, he can't afford distractions. Yet, it seems, the heroine is good for him. She becomes his muse, a way for him to re-connect with his love for music. However, the dialogue was also intense too, due to the obstacles these two face and the judgment the heroine faces from her family about her making poor decisions when it comes to relationships. Will Gentry be able to win Skye's family over? Will the hero be able to prove to Skye that he's the right guy for her? 

As for the main characters, I loved the hero and heroine. Skye is endeavoring to exorcise her rebellious streak by having a good time with the hero. What they do for a couple that are likely to verbally snap at their families if they don't get away from them was admirable, and I couldn't wait to discover how the relationship between the hero and heroine would go from there. They both want different things out of life with Skye wanting to settle down and Gentry happy to continue being single, yet, they struggle to forget about the other or completely let them go.

Skye is strong, brave and I liked that she took a chance on Gentry when he's the complete opposite to the sort of guy she's looking to settle down with. Also, I liked how close she was with her family, and how they think they're helping her by picking out men they think she'll like. Except, the men are absolute duds in the way they're either complete momma boys or totally unsuitable for other reasons. While Gentry, he faces a lot of obstacles throughout this story such as whether he'll overcome his music writing block, whether he can convince Skye to give him a chance at happy ever after when he's the complete opposite of what she's looking for and the battle he faces with winning over her mother. I felt sorry for him when it came to dealing with his agent and Skye's mom, but I liked how his best friend supported him when needed. 

Overall, Ms. Cutler has delivered a wonderful read filled with plenty of emotion, really good secondary characters and a fast-paced plot that entertained me from start to finish. The way this story ended was perfect, as Gentry would do whatever it takes to win Skye back. However, it was the epilogue that wrapped this story up the best, because I discovered whether Gentry bounced back to find success again with his music. I would recommend One Wild Night by Melissa Cutler, if you enjoy books by authors Jennifer Ryan, Cat Johnson or Donna Michaels.

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BLURB:

Get ready for the ride of your life...

 

A cowgirl at heart, Skye Martinez has a rebellious streak she's determined to shake. Especially since she's poised to take the reins of her family's business at Briscoe Ranch Resort. It's time for her to settle down and get serious about her future...right after one last night of fun with a handsome stranger she meets in the resort's stable. But when a midnight horseback ride turns into a red-hot weekend with one of country music's biggest stars, Skye's world is rocked beyond her wildest dreams...

Gentry Wells rode his bad boy image all the way to the top of the country music charts. But churning out hits has dried up his creativity, and he can't remember the last time his life was his own. Skye is a sexy distraction he can't resist, especially since she breathes new life into his music. They bring out the wild side in each other, which is great for Gentry's career--but a major threat to Skye's. Too bad he's fallen in love with her. With their hearts and futures on the line, can Gentry convince Skye to turn their joyride into a real chance to ride off into the sunset together? 

 

BUY LINK:   Amazon