Project and content management for Contemporary Authors volumes
WORK TITLE: Need You
WORK NOTES:
PSEUDONYM(S):
BIRTHDATE:
WEBSITE: http://www.stacyfinz.com/
CITY: Berkeley
STATE: CA
COUNTRY:
NATIONALITY:
Down & Dirty with Stacy Finz, author of ‘Need You’
RESEARCHER NOTES:
LC control no.: no2016001910
LCCN Permalink: https://lccn.loc.gov/no2016001910
HEADING: Finz, Stacy
000 00706cz a2200181n 450
001 10050746
005 20180125131403.0
008 160107n| azannaabn |n aaa c
010 __ |a no2016001910
035 __ |a (OCoLC)oca10358295
040 __ |a IlMpPL |b eng |e rda |c IlMpPL |d DLC
053 _0 |a PS3606.I597
100 1_ |a Finz, Stacy
374 __ |a Romance writer
375 __ |a female
377 __ |a eng
670 __ |a Finz, S. Going home [electronic resource], 2014: |b cover image on title details screen (Stacy Finz) description on title details screen (Praise for Stacy Finz; Stacy Finz writes romance with heart)
670 __ |a Falling hard, 2017 : |b t.p. (Stacy Finz) About the Author (former reporter for the San Francisco Chronicle)
PERSONAL
Married.
ADDRESS
CAREER
Journalist and writer. San Francisco Chronicle, San Francisco, CA, former reporter, worked for over two decades.
AWARDS:Daphne du Maurier Award, for unpublished single-title mystery/suspense.
WRITINGS
SIDELIGHTS
Stacy Finz is a journalist and writer. She worked as a journalist for nearly two decades with the San Francisco Chronicle before turning her attention to writing fiction with a wealth of materials to draw upon after covering a range of topics in the newspaper business. One of her unpublished mystery-thriller novels won the 2012 Daphne du Maurier Award.
In an interview with Cynthia Woolf in her eponymously named Website, Finz talked about her writing. She admitted that people she meets in real life are “not likely” to become characters in her novels, though it has happened in a few circumstances. Finz also offered her artist statement as such: “I write contemporary romance. What appeals to me about the genre is that the stories always have happy endings. After thirty years of being a journalist I didn’t get to write too many happy endings.”
Finz also talked with Joyce Lamb in USA Today. She confessed that “oftentimes strange conversations” serve as the inspiration to her novel ideas. She also shared her daily writing rituals, noting: “I can’t do anything before coffee, that’s number one.” When it comes to writer’s block, though, Finz admitted that “really loud music”—particularly “I Fought the Law” by Clash—can help. She continued: “When that doesn’t work, I open a book to the middle and read a page. I don’t know why, but that will often unstick me. When those two things fail I go for a walk.”
Need You
Finx initiated the “Garner Brothers” series in 2017 with the publication of the novel Need You. Ski town police chief Colt Garner is overworked and stressed as the town expands rapidly. His new neighbor, fashion designer Delaney Scott, has moved to town after her ex successfully took control over her brand, leaving her without a clear career path. The two meet while arguing over the parking space in their shared driveway. But as Delaney continues to deal with her indignant ex and Colt tries to handle the town’s unethical mayor, the two eventually find common ground in their difficulties. After a few beers lead to the igniting of a spark between them, they must decide if their careers should continue to take priority over their mutual feelings for each other.
A contributor to Publishers Weekly said that Finz writes “skillfully” in crafting a small town community that is “believable.” The same reviewer, however, found the novel to be “marred by stilted pacing, factual errors, and gender stereotypes.” In a review in Library Journal, Kristin Ramsdell commented that “sweet humor, well-defined and appealing characters” make Need You “a delightful read.” Writing in RT Book Reviews, Suzanne Krohn opined that “small-town romance fans will enjoy the town politics, local customs and natives vs. newbies elements.”
Want You
With the novel Want You, brother TJ and Win Garner have the same love interest, though they approach Deb Bennett in very different ways. TJ has long since had a crush on Deb but has never made a move on her as she and Win have had an on-again, off-again relationship for years. Deb is adamant that Win will eventually decide to make their relationship permanent. She works as a waitress and is in a poor financial state, adding to her stress over her relationship status. TJ steps in and offers her an executive job with Garner Adventure outdoor sports company. This gives her the financial security she had craved but also a closer view of just how much TJ cares for her in comparison to Win.
Writing in RT Book Reviews, Carrie Townsend called it “a romance that’s difficult to put down.” Townsend claimed that Want You “slides its way into the heart with sizzling chemistry and small-town charm.” Reviewing the novel in BookPage, Anita Lock mentioned that “engaging banter and realistic relational tension help Want You stand out from the host of small-town romances.” Lock concluded that the novel is “satisfying.”
BIOCRIT
PERIODICALS
BookPage, February 27, 2018, Anita Lock, review of Want You.
Library Journal, August 1, 2017, Kristin Ramsdell, review of Need You, p. 70.
Publishers Weekly, June 19, 2017, review of Need You, p. 98.
USA Today, February 2, 2016, Joyce Lamb, “Interview: Stacy Finz, Author of ‘Borrowing Trouble;’” July 25, 2017, Joyce Lamb, “Down & Dirty with Stacy Finz, Author of ‘Need You.’”
ONLINE
Cynthia Woolf, http://cynthiawoolf.com/ (February 2, 2016), Cindy Woolf, author interview.
RT Book Reviews, https://www.rtbookreviews.com/ (July 25, 2017), Suzanne Krohn, review of Need You; (February 27, 2018), Carrie Townsend, review of Want You.
Stacy Finz Website, http://www.stacyfinz.com (April 8, 2018).
Stacy Finz is an award-winning former newspaper reporter. After more than twenty years covering notorious serial killers, naked-tractor-driving farmers, fanatical foodies, aging rock stars and weird Western towns, she figured she finally had enough material to launch a career writing fiction. She is the author of the Garner Brothers series (Kensington/Zebra) and the Nugget Romance series (Kensington/Lyrical Press) about a small mountain town that has a strange way of giving people unexpected reasons to start over --and find the most irresistible chances to fall in love. Visit her website www.stacyfinz.com. And sign up for her newsletter to learn about giveaways, contests, events and book releases at http://eepurl.com/bCEHeT
About Stacy
61hIJLOGE-L._UX250_Stacy Finz is an award-winning journalist. After more than seventeen years covering notorious serial killers, naked-tractor-driving farmers, fanatical foodies, aging rock stars and weird Western towns for the San Francisco Chronicle, she figured she finally had enough material to launch a career writing fiction. In 2012 she won the Daphne du Maurier Award for unpublished single-title mystery/suspense. She lives in Berkeley, California with her husband.
Personal Trivia:
I only like corn when it’s still on the cob. Won’t eat it otherwise.
When I was 12, my family moved to a small almond farm in Northern California. My sister, brother and I had to ride the whole way from Southern California in the back of a truck with at least eleven goats. If that wasn’t insulting enough, our parents failed to tell us that our new home didn’t have indoor plumbing. That’s right, an outhouse!
My first paying newspaper job was at the Back Country Trader. When I quit, I left a not-so-nice note that contained the “F” word and tried to beat a hasty retreat. But my car wouldn’t start and I had to go back inside to use the phone. Awkward.
I won $200 on a penny slot machine in Reno.
When I lived in Quentin Tarantino’s old apartment in West Hollywood, George Clooney once parked in my space. This is not a lie.
I own fifteen pairs of cowboy boots.
Currently, I don’t have any pets.
I sort of have road-rage issues.
Interview with Stacy Finz
Posted on February 2, 2016 by Cindy Woolf
Borrowing Trouble_finalHow did you get started writing?
I started as a newspaper reporter. I got my start at my college newspaper, writing record reviews and covering the arts. I interned at the Los Angeles Times and got my first real job out of college. For 30 years I covered everything from crime and catastrophes to agriculture and food. Then one day I got the notion that I should write fiction. After I sold my first three books I quit my newspaper gig and have been writing romance ever since.
What genre(s) do you write in and why?
I write contemporary romance. What appeals to me about the genre is that the stories always have happy endings. After thirty years of being a journalist I didn’t get to write too many happy endings.
Tell us about your current series.
It’s the Nugget Romance series about a small town in California’s Sierra Nevada where the lost and lonely find happiness and love. The residents are quirky, independent and watch out for each other. Borrowing Trouble will mark the sixth book in the series. But all the books can be read as stand alones.
What is your next project and when will it be released?
The next Nugget book, Heating Up, will be out in July. And in November I have a Christmas Novella that will be part of an anthology with a number of other authors, including Fern Michaels. That story will launch a new series about a small town called Glory Junction, which I’m really excited about.
How likely are people you meet to end up in your next book?
Not likely, though a couple of my former newspaper editors show up in Second Chances, the third book in the series. And I kill a dear friend in Borrowing Trouble (No offense, Kevin).
What is most difficult for you to write? Characters, conflict or emotions? Why?
By far sex scenes. I’m always worried that they sound silly and not true to life. And always at the back of my mind is the thought that my mother is going to read this.
Give us an elevator pitch for your book.
He’s a chef, she’s a cop. Neither came to town looking for love but it found them. Trouble is, so has their pasts.BorrowingTroubleTour copy
What is your favorite dessert/food?
Anything bad for me. Mac and Cheese (homemade with gorgonzola), Nachos (the kind you get at the ballpark) and donuts. I love donuts.
Here’s an excerpt from Borrowing Trouble:
“Sloane, honey, look at me.” She lifted her head and locked eyes with him. Man, they were blue. “I left some trouble behind in LA. It hasn’t followed me yet . . . but now’s not a good time for me to get involved.” It wasn’t safe for either of them. And then there was the fact that he didn’t do involvement. Ever.
“What kind of trouble?” she asked, her chin held high.
“Bad trouble.” He wanted to leave it at that, but she was looking at him skeptically. Like she thought he was either wanted by the mob or feeding her a lie after he’d gotten her in the sack. “I have a stalker. She’s delusional and dangerous and I don’t want to put you on the other side of that. You understand?”
He watched her morph back into cop mode. “What happened?”
“It’s a long story. I like you, Sloane. You’re beautiful, smart, and tough. And you’ve got enough on your plate. You don’t need my pot of problems to add to it.”
“Have you gone to the police?”
“Santa Monica PD is working the case. But my stalker is as canny as she is crazy. So far they have nothing to arrest her for. Their best advice to me was to get out of LA while the getting was good. That’s why I’m here.”
“You ran from her?”
He didn’t like the way she’d phrased that, but yeah, that’s exactly what he’d done. “She broke into my apartment, she trashed my restaurant, she violated the restraining order I took out on her . . . and that’s not the half of it. But she didn’t leave a trace of evidence. Just my word against hers. Sloane, hurting a woman goes against everything I know and believe in, but if I didn’t get the hell out of there I was gonna hurt her.”
“Was she your girlfriend?”
He gave a bitter laugh. “Nope. But she thought so. Still does. I met her in the bar of my restaurant, went home with her that night, and the next thing I know she’s threatening to kill herself if I won’t see her again. It’s too surreal to explain. Even I have trouble understanding it, and believe me, I’ve read all the literature there is about this kind of warped obsession, trying to comprehend how this happened. But if she ever finds me, I don’t want her finding you.”
“Did you tell Nugget PD about this?”
He held her gaze. “I just did.”
“So this is official?”
“Sloane, I’m not talking to you as a cop. I’m telling you because this woman is unhinged . . . seriously scary. Last night shouldn’t have happened. But this chemistry between us . . . Ah, hell . . . it was selfish of me.” He scrubbed his hand through his hair. “If anything happened to you, I couldn’t live with that.” It appeared that thinking with his dick instead of using common sense had become a pattern.
Borrowing Trouble:
In the beautiful mountain town of Nugget, California, staying out of the limelight is easy, but staying out of love is a bit more challenging…
Back in Los Angeles, Sloane McBride was a great police detective, but after she uncovered corruption on her own squad, the job became nearly impossible. In the bucolic hills of Nugget, she can start to imagine a life after all that, where she keeps her head down, does her work, and doesn’t bother anyone. But her delicious next door neighbor isn’t going to make it easy to keep to herself…
Brady Benson’s wildest dreams came true in LA—but they were paired with a living nightmare. As executive chef of a searing-hot restaurant, he was lauded, adored… and then found himself caught in the sights of a lovelorn stalker. Now, laying low in Nugget, he finds his own heart ensnared by the beautiful new cop with her own reasons to start over.
Neither Sloane nor Brady came to town looking for love, but it seems to have found them. Trouble is, so have their pasts. And they’ll have to stop hiding from both if they hope to come out the other side together…
photowinner2Praise For Stacy Finz
“Finz is a unique new voice. Nugget, California is a charming small town filled with inventive characters and sweet romance.”–Jill Shalvis, New York Times bestselling author of the Lucky Harbor Series
“Tender and touching, Stacy Finz writes romance with heart.”–Marina Adair, #1 National bestselling author of Summer in Napa
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Kobo
GooglePlay
Stacy Finz’s Bio
Stacy Finz is an award-winning former newspaper reporter. After more than twenty years covering notorious serial killers, naked-tractor-driving farmers, fanatical foodies, aging rock stars and weird Western towns, she figured she finally had enough material to launch a career writing fiction. She is the author of the Nugget Romance series (Kensington/Lyrical Press) about a small mountain town that has a strange way of giving people unexpected reasons to start over and find the most irresistible chances to fall in love.
http://www.stacyfinz.com/
Rafflecopter Giveaway – Ebook copy of Borrowing Trouble
Down & Dirty with Stacy Finz, author of ‘Need You’
45
SHARES
SHARE
TWEET
EMAIL
By: Joyce Lamb | July 25, 2017 12:01 am
Stacy Finz, whose contemporary romance Need You (The Garner Brothers) is out today, joins us to answer some rapid-fire questions.
Stacy Finz
First, about Need You:
The Garner brothers are poster boys for the ski resort town of Glory Junction, California. But as much as they love outdoor thrills, they know how to create indoor thrills, too …
Colt Garner thrives on adrenaline. As Glory Junction’s police chief and the co-owner of Garner Adventure, he knows where to find danger and excitement. Unfortunately his new neighbor, fussy, transplanted city girl Delaney Scott, is anything but a thrill, even if she is as gorgeously curved as a killer ski slope. They have nothing in common but a shared driveway they’re arguing over … and a mutual attraction neither of them can fight.
Starting over was not in designer Delaney’s plans. But now that her rotten ex has walked away with the rights to her brand, she needs to reinvent herself, and fast. It’s not easy with bold, brash Colt next door, too handsome for his own good, and, she’s sure, too unreliable for hers. But as small town life throws them together again and again, Colt and Delaney find that simple romance may be the most exhilarating gamble of all …
Let’s get Down & Dirty …
Guilty pleasure? Pop-Tarts, doughnuts and ballpark nachos.
First car? A Dodge Challenger. I’m not exactly a muscle-car type, but it was a hand-me-down.
Favorite class in school? English by far.
Dog or cat? I’ve had both until recently and would have to say cat. I like their independence.
Biggest fear? Besides driving to my death off a cliff into the ocean, hands down rodents.
If you could have a superpower, what would it be? I would like to be able to twitch my nose, like Samantha on Bewitched, and magically accomplish household chores.
Least favorite food? Peas, corn off the cob (I like it on the cob) and, oddly, any kind of melon, including watermelon.
Favorite ice cream? I’m a straight-up chocolate-chip kind of girl.
Favorite junk food? Doughnuts and nachos with that not-really-cheese sauce.
Caramel, kettle, cheese or regular popcorn? Regular popcorn with lots of butter.
What’s in your coffee/tea? In my coffee it’s just half-and-half, no sugar. I don’t do non-dairy creamer stuff. It gives me the willies.
What’s on your pizza? I like plain cheese (I know, boring).
What’s the dressing on your salad? I’m a huge blue cheese or Roquefort dressing fan.
Biggest pet peeve? People who clip their nails in public. I can’t stand the sound of the clippers.
First author hero? Nancy Drew.
First book you had signed by the author? Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas by Hunter S. Thompson.
Last book you read? Robyn Carr’s Any Day Now.
Last song you downloaded? Lindi Ortega’s The Day You Die.
Favorite ’80s song or artist? Ooh, I have lots. The Blasters, Jason and the Scorchers, Steve Earle, pretty much all those cowpunk/roots rock bands.
Last concert you went to? Hardly Strictly Bluegrass in San Francisco.
Last person you texted/e-mailed? Rebecca Hunter (not the British actress, but the romance author).
Favorite cookie? Peanut butter.
What TV show do you miss that’s been canceled? Seinfeld.
Last TV show you binge-watched? Bloodline on Netflix.
I’m really good at … baking.
I’m really bad at … sports.
For the heroes in my books, I often picture … George Clooney’s face on Michael Phelps’ body or Adam from Bonanza (I know I’m dating myself).
About Stacy
Stacy Finz is a New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of contemporary romance. After more than 20 years covering notorious serial killers, naked-tractor-driving farmers, fanatical foodies, aging rock stars and weird Western towns as a newspaper reporter, she figured she finally had enough material to launch a career writing fiction. She is the author of the Nugget Romance series (Kensington/Lyrical Press) and the Garner Brothers Series (Kensington/Zebra).
Find out more at www.stacyfinz.com.
Interview: Stacy Finz, author of ‘Borrowing Trouble’
26
SHARES
SHARE
TWEET
EMAIL
By: Lea Franczak | February 2, 2016 12:00 am
Stacy Finz
Stacy Finz
Joyce: Welcome to HEA, Stacy! Please tell us about your new release, Borrowing Trouble (book six in the Nugget Romance series).
Stacy: Borrowing Trouble is about two people running from perilous situations to find peace in secluded Nugget, California. Brady Benson is a chef hiding from a deranged stalker. And Sloane McBride is a cop embroiled in a Los Angeles police scandal that would’ve left her jobless if Nugget PD hadn’t taken her in. They wind up living next door to each other. Neither came looking for romance, but the tiny Sierra Nevada town has a way of bringing people together. The question is will they find love before their pasts find them?
Joyce: What inspires your book ideas?
Stacy: Oftentimes strange conversations. I’ll be in a restaurant with my husband and a group at a table behind us will be talking about someone’s divorce. How the wife found out that her husband was sleeping with his life coach, and away my imagination goes. My husband will inevitably start to say something and I’ll shush him. “Be quiet, I’m trying to hear what they’re saying. Good stuff.”
Joyce: Is there an idea out there that you wish you’d thought of?
Stacy: Uh, yeah, Harry Potter, Harry Bosch, Dirty Harry.
Joyce: Hmm, I’m sensing a Harry theme.
Do you have any particular rituals that help you get into the writing frame of mind?
Stacy: I can’t do anything before coffee, that’s number one. My self-imposed quota is 2,000 words a day. Every morning I bribe myself that if I get them done by four o’clock I can spend the rest of the evening reading. It never quite works out that way, but a girl can dream.
Joyce: What do you do when you get stuck?
Stacy: I listen to really loud music, usually the Clash’s version of I Fought the Law. That drum roll in the beginning seems to kick me into gear. When that doesn’t work, I open a book to the middle and read a page. I don’t know why, but that will often unstick me. When those two things fail I go for a walk.
Joyce: Do you listen to music while you write? What are some tunes on your playlist?
Stacy: I find music to be distracting when writing, though it plays into my stories quite a bit. Every character has his or her own playlist and every story has a theme song. Borrowing Trouble’s is the Marshal Tucker Band’s Heard it in a Love Song. That song sums up Brady to a T, except for the end.
Joyce: What are three romance novels on your to-be-read list?
Stacy: They aren’t out yet. But Robyn Carr’s What We Find, Nora Roberts’ The Obsession and Jill Shalvis’ Nobody But You.
Joyce: What’s coming next?
Stacy: I’m busily working on the next books in the Nugget Romance series and will be starting a spin-off series about another small town called Glory Junction. The first story in that series, a novella, will come out as part of a Christmas anthology this November.
Joyce: Thanks, Stacy!
Borrowing Trouble by Stacy FinzAbout Borrowing Trouble:
In the beautiful mountain town of Nugget, California, staying out of the limelight is easy, but staying out of love is a bit more challenging…
Back in Los Angeles, Sloane McBride was a great police detective, but after she uncovered corruption on her own squad, the job became nearly impossible. In the bucolic hills of Nugget, she can start to imagine a life after all that, where she keeps her head down, does her work, and doesn’t bother anyone. But her delicious next door neighbor isn’t going to make it easy to keep to herself…
Brady Benson’s wildest dreams came true in LA—but they were paired with a living nightmare. As executive chef of a searing-hot restaurant, he was lauded, adored… and then found himself caught in the sights of a lovelorn stalker. Now, laying low in Nugget, he finds his own heart ensnared by the beautiful new cop with her own reasons to start over.
Neither Sloane nor Brady came to town looking for love, but it seems to have found them. Trouble is, so have their pasts. And they’ll have to stop hiding from both if they hope to come out the other side together…
Find out more about Stacy and her books at www.stacyfinz.com.
3/24/2018 General OneFile - Saved Articles
http://go.galegroup.com/ps/marklist.do?actionCmd=GET_MARK_LIST&userGroupName=schlager&inPS=true&prodId=ITOF&ts=1521945083663 1/7
Print Marked Items
Need You
Publishers Weekly.
264.25 (June 19, 2017): p98+.
COPYRIGHT 2017 PWxyz, LLC
http://www.publishersweekly.com/
Full Text:
Need You
Stacy Finz. Zebra Shout, $4.99 mass market (320p) ISBN 978-1-4201-4190-0
Finz's by-the-numbers small town Sierra Nevada romance does little to engage readers or encourage them to
read further books about the Garner family. Colt Garner, the resolutely single police chief of fictional resort
town Glory Junction, Calif., still periodically works as an extreme sports and tour guide for Garner
Adventure, as well as keeping a hand in country music. His primary contact with clothing designer Delaney
Scott, who has retreated from Los Angeles to Glory Junction to restart her career following an adversarial
divorce, is a conflict over access to the easement road they share. Finz skillfully creates a robust gallery of
extensive supporting characters and a believable small town, but the story is marred by stilted pacing,
factual errors, and gender stereotypes. Agent'. Melissa Jeglinski, Knight Agency. [Aug.)
Source Citation (MLA 8th
Edition)
"Need You." Publishers Weekly, 19 June 2017, p. 98+. General OneFile,
http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A496643896/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=98459ded.
Accessed 24 Mar. 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A496643896
3/24/2018 General OneFile - Saved Articles
http://go.galegroup.com/ps/marklist.do?actionCmd=GET_MARK_LIST&userGroupName=schlager&inPS=true&prodId=ITOF&ts=1521945083663 2/7
Romance
Kristin Ramsdell
Library Journal.
142.13 (Aug. 1, 2017): p70+.
COPYRIGHT 2017 Library Journals, LLC. A wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No
redistribution permitted.
http://www.libraryjournal.com/
Full Text:
UNCOMMON PAIRINGS While romance heroes and heroines often come from the same backgrounds,
ensuring that the conflicts between them have other causes, many do not. And most often these disparities
are economics- or class-based, especially in historical novels, in which social position is a birthright and of
vast importance. Yet contemporary romances have their share of rich-girl/poor-boy, boy/girl-from-thewrong-side-of-the-tracks/old-money-scion
plots, as well. Feuding families have long been popular, and,
more recently, age, race/ethnicity, and physical/intellectual concerns--and on rare occasions adultery--have
successfully added to the mix. Granted, these couples are not classically star-crossed (e.g., Romeo and
Juliet) because they do find their happy endings, but getting there is just a little bit harder.
[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]
A TOUCH STAR-CROSSED
Dare, Tessa. The Duchess Deal. Avon. (Girl Meets Duke, Bk. 1). Sept. 2017.384p. ISBN 9780062349064.
pap. $7.99; ebk. ISBN 9780062349071. HISTORICAL ROMANCE
The last thing seamstress Emma Gladstone expects when she confronts the battle-scarred Duke of Ashbury
to demand payment for the wedding dress she made for his former fiancee--even though the wedding had
already been called off--is an offer of marriage. Disbelieving, Emma resists, but Ashbury needs an heir, and
Emma appears to be the one person who sees through his physical injuries to the caring, honorable man
beneath. A marriage of convenience allows these appealing protagonists to learn to love and let go of the
past. The story is enriched by a cast of exceptional secondary characters (a young street urchin is delightful)
and a "Monster of Mayfair" hero who finds ways to make the most of his flaws. VERDICT Sexy, tender,
and wickedly funny, Dare's newest offering is a spirited tale with a Beauty-and-the-Beast theme and the
perfect launch for her latest series. Dare (Do You Want To Start a Scandal) lives in Southern California.
Jordan, Sophie. The Scandal of It All. Avon. (Rogue Files, Bk. 2). Aug. 2017. 384p. ISBN 9780062463623.
pap. $7.99; ebk. ISBN 9780062463630. HISTORICAL ROMANCE
Widowed for ten years but still in her thirties, Graciela, Duchess of Autenberry, is jarred into reassessing
her future when a good friend is killed in a riding accident. Life is short, and she needs to discover what she
can't live without--so she's going to begin by taking a lover. Things go awry when her first foray into a
notorious pleasure club ends up in a searing kiss with a man who is totally off-limits. Colin, Earl of
Strickland, is her stepson's best friend and someone she has known since his boyhood. Colin persists, and
Ela stands firm, until fate steps in and turns their worlds upside down. VERDICT Sexy, racy, and
simmering with heart-pounding sensuality and pent-up passion, Jordan's latest romp is just plain fun; a
delightful addition to her rogue-rich series. Jordan (While the Duke Was Sleeping) lives in Houston.
Long, Julie Anne. Dirty Dancing at Devil's Leap. Avon. (Hellcat Canyon, Bk. 3). Sept. 2017.384p. ISBN
9780062672889. pap. $7.99; ebk. ISBN 9780062672896. CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE
3/24/2018 General OneFile - Saved Articles
http://go.galegroup.com/ps/marklist.do?actionCmd=GET_MARK_LIST&userGroupName=schlager&inPS=true&prodId=ITOF&ts=1521945083663 3/7
Returning to California's Hellcat Canyon to reevaluate her situation after she catches her lover--slash--
business partner in bed with their intern, tech company CEO Avalon Harwood takes a proactive step and
outbids her competition for the old Coltrane mansion at Devil's Leap. But Mac Coltrane, owner of the
adjoining property and the mansion's current groundskeeper (as well as Ava's first love), wants his family's
home back. And so the battle lines are drawn, with a troop of pint-sized, chattering girls, bleating goats,
fragrant cow manure, and ear-splitting music only a few of the creative annoyances they lob at each other as
they both play to win. Snappy dialog, spirited rivalry, and laugh-out-loud humor keep the pace swift and the
plot on track as this stubborn pair finally come to terms with their pasts. VERDICT An entertaining
romance that adds new dimension to this engaging series. Long (Wild at Whiskey Creek) lives in Northern
California.
Malpas, Jodi Ellen. The Forbidden. Forever: Grand Central. Aug. 2017. 368p. ISBN 9781455568215. pap.
$15.99; ebk. ISBN 9781455568222. CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE
Appalled to realize that she just spent the night--a glorious night to be sure--with a stranger, Annie quietly
leaves, determined to forget it ever happened. But when he turns out to be Jack Joseph, the contractor
working with Annie's newest client on a building she designed, she can't let go of the memory. Jack, who is
married, can't forget either, and when the temptation proves too great, they give in, though they both know
there's only one way this can end--or is there? VERDICT Introspective and suffused with angst, this very
British, very modern story with a New Age slant takes on the taboo topic of infidelity in a brave, cuttingedge
romance. While not for everyone, this is a worthwhile read. Malpas (The Protector) lives in
Northampton, England.
Rai, Alisha. Hate To Want You. Avon. (Forbidden Hearts, Bk. 1). Aug. 2017.384p. ISBN 9780062566737.
pap. $7.99; ebk. ISBN 9780062566713. CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE
Ten years ago, a devastating tragedy shattered the business and personal relationships between Olivia
Kane's and Nicholas Chandler's families, making it impossible for the two to be together. Their solution is
that Livvy would text Nicholas every year on her birthday, wherever she was in the world, and he would
meet her for one ardent night, giving them the chance to be who they once were. But Livvy has come back
to town, if only temporarily, and her presence not only dredges up the past, it zeroes in on their relationship-if
only Livvy and Nico can get on the same page and figure out how to make things right. Jealousy,
resentment, and betrayal are at the core of the conflict in this story, a pattern card for dysfunctional families.
VERDICT Emotional anguish; page-singeing, explicit sex; relatable, sympathetic protagonists; and a
realistic, well-crafted plot add up to an irresistible read that erotic romance fans will be sure to savor. Rai
(Serving Pleasure) lives in Washington, DC.
MADE FOR EACH OTHER
Burrowes, Grace. Too Scot To Handle. Forever: Grand Central. (Windham Brides, Bk. 2). Jul. 2017. 346p.
ISBN 9781455569991. pap. $7.99; ebk. ISBN 9781455569984. HISTORICAL ROMANCE
3/24/2018 General OneFile - Saved Articles
http://go.galegroup.com/ps/marklist.do?actionCmd=GET_MARK_LIST&userGroupName=schlager&inPS=true&prodId=ITOF&ts=1521945083663 4/7
All former army captain Colin MacHugh wants is to go home to Scotland and his flourishing whiskey
business. However, with his brother a newly minted duke, Colin is now a courtesy lord and expected to take
his place in the ton. If only he'd known how tedious simpering, marriageable misses and their predatory
mothers and the heedless, unproductive lives of the younger bachelor set could be. Yet Anwen Windham,
his new sister-in-law, is anything but boring. She asks for his help in keeping the House of Urchins, an
orphanage for disadvantaged boys, from closing, and he agrees--and ends up as intrigued by the savvy,
streetwise youngsters as he is by the surprisingly fierce Anwen. Danger from an unexpected source adds an
edge of mystery to a romance that pokes fun at the stilted, often frivolous values of society and highlights
social issues of the time. VERDICT A take-charge hero and a flame-haired heroine with the gumption to
match see that justice is done in this well-plotted, beautifully written story made all the more satisfying by
its delightful secondary characters (the urchins are marvelous). Burrowes (The Trouble with Dukes) lives in
rural Maryland.
Dodd, Christina. The Woman Who Couldn't Scream. St. Martin's. (Virtue Falls, Bk. 4). Sept. 2017.352p.
ISBN 9781250028488. $27.99; ebk. ISBN 9781250028495. ROMANTIC SUSPENSE
With her future destroyed by an explosion aboard an airplane and her fiance supposedly dead, Merida
Falcon (aka Helen Brassard, Merry Bird) reluctantly agrees to a trophy-wife marriage in exchange for the
reconstructive surgery that will turn her into a beauty. Nine years later, her cruel, controlling husband is
dead, and Merida heads for the solitude and anonymity of Washington State's Olympic Peninsula, intent on
bringing down those who caused the accident that left her disfigured and unable to speak. Yet the tiny town
of Virtue Falls is not the haven for which she'd hoped. When people from her past, including her former
fiance Benedict Howard, show up and the whispered phone calls begin, Merida knows she's no longer safe--
and then the gruesome killings start. Intriguing characters (including an especially horrifying villain), twin
romances (Kateri and Stag's prickly sparring as well as Merida and Benedict's trust-challenged bond), and a
complex plot that reveals itself with chilling precision keep the pages turning. VERDICT Tense, taut, and
beautifully paced, this latest addition to Dodd's series is another stunner; it will appeal to romance and
suspense fans alike. Dodd (Because I'm Watching) lives in Washington State. [See Prepub Alert, 3/27/17.]
Finz, Stacy. Need You. Zebra Shout: Kensington. (Garner Brothers, Bk. 1). Aug. 2017. 320p. ISBN
9781420141900. pap. $4.99; ebk. ISBN 9781420141917. CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE
Determined to regain her life and career after her underhanded ex-husband got their successful fashion
business and the brand name (hers!) in their bitter divorce, L.A. high-fashion designer Delaney Scott
retreats to her Glory Junction vacation home to heal and work on her new collection. But Delaney's creative
juices aren't flowing, her designs are dismal, and, to top it off, she's feuding over a parking spot with her
annoying nextdoor neighbor, Police Chief Colt Garner. Verbal barbs fly and sexual tension sizzles as
Delaney and "Chief Hottie from Hell" wage a losing battle with an attraction they know has no future but
just can't deny. Trust and conflicting career goals keep the emotional storm raging in this heartfelt romance
enhanced by a profusion of entertaining townsfolk and relatives, a villain or two, and a breathtaking Sierra
Nevada setting. VERDICT Sweet humor, well-defined and appealing characters, and just enough adventure
sports and fashion detail make Finz's print debut, and series launch, a delightful read. Finz (Falling Hard)
lives in Berkeley, CA.
Mallery, Susan. You Say It First HQN: Harlequin. (Happily, Inc., Bk. 1). Sept. 2017. 336p. ISBN
9780373799336. pap. $7.99; ebk. ISBN 9781488028441. CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE
Pallas Saunders is determined to make a success of her quirky, theme-based wedding business, Weddings in
a Box, if for no other reason than to avoid having to go into the family banking business if she doesn't. She
can hardly believe her luck when world-famous sculptor Nick Mitchell is between projects and agrees to
restore some carved wood panels for her. But Nick is not only enjoying the whole wedding operation, he's
attracted to Pallas, as well. A plentiful cast of supporting characters--Nick's artist brothers are memorable--
add depth to the plot, while colorful descriptions of the wildly creative wedding plans and settings are sure
to fascinate. VERDICT An inventive heroine who comes into her own and a caring hero who figures out
3/24/2018 General OneFile - Saved Articles
http://go.galegroup.com/ps/marklist.do?actionCmd=GET_MARK_LIST&userGroupName=schlager&inPS=true&prodId=ITOF&ts=1521945083663 5/7
what's important give in to love in this lighthearted romance. Mallery (Secrets of the Tulip Sisters) lives in
Seattle.
Morgan, Sarah. Holiday in the Hamptons. HQN: Harlequin. (From Manhattan with Love, Bk. 5). Sept.
2017.384p. ISBN 9780373803996. pap. $7.99; ebk. ISBN 9781488022715. CONTEMPORARY
ROMANCE
Felicity Knight adores New York City and the successful dog-walking business she runs with her twin
sister, Harriet, until her ex-husband, veterinarian Seth Carlyle, whom she hasn't seen in ten years,
temporarily fills in at the clinic they use. Fliss refuses to run into him, so when her grandmother calls saying
she needs help after her surgery, Fliss loads up the car and heads for the Hamptons-and safety. But Seth
lives and practices in the Hamptons, not the city. When Fliss almost hits a dog that turns out to be Seth's,
she impulsively tells him she's sensible Harriet, setting the stage for a comedy of errors that is as hilarious
as it is romantic. VERDICT Sweet, sexy, and funny, this addictive tale exudes seaside charm and canine
affection and delightfully keeps its promise of a happy ending. Morgan (New York, Actually) lives near
London, England.
Putney, Mary Jo. Once a Rebel. Zebra: Kensington. (Rogues Redeemed, Bk. 2). Sept. 2017.368p. ISBN
9781420140941. pap. $7.99; ebk. ISBN 9781420140958. HISTORICAL ROMANCE
Lord Gordon Audley accepts a mission to America to rescue an English widow and return her to her family
during the final days of the War of 1812. He arrives just in time to prevent her from being attacked and is
shocked to find that the widow in question is his childhood friend Callista. Viciously torn apart as teenagers,
they were sent from England--Callie to marry a Jamaican planter and Gordon to the Australian penal
colony--and they hadn't seen each other since. Yet the connection between them hasn't weakened, and as
they make their way through the war-torn countryside toward Baltimore and what remains of Callie's
stepfamily, they see their childhood friendship slowly growing into something more. With superbly drawn
characters (including historical figures such as Francis Scott Key); a setting so vivid one can taste the
lemonade and smell the gunpowder; and a gripping plot that addresses the harsh realities of slavery,
prejudice, cruelty, and abuse. VERDICT Valiant, resourceful protagonists fight for each other against
incredible odds in a story that deftly balances fascinating historical detail, adventure, and menace with a
passionate romance. Another "redeemed rogue" gets the future he deserves. Putney (Once a Soldier) lives in
Baltimore.
Rose, Karen. The Monster in the Closet. Berkley. (Baltimore, Bk. 5). Sept. 2017. 512p. ISBN
9780399586767. pap. $7.99; ebk. ISBN 9780399586774. ROMANTIC SUSPENSE
Ever since 11-year-old Jazzie found her mother's bloody body and knew who had killed her, she hasn't
spoken a word. Now, at Healing Hearts with Horses, a ranch-based program that specializes in working
with traumatized children, Jazzie connects with summer intern Taylor Dawson, a fledgling therapist who
has lived through a terrifying childhood of her own. But Jazzie's progress goads a clever killer into action--
and he's not about to leave any loose ends. A swift pace, meticulous detail, and a generous, distinctive cast
of both new and familiar characters, including loyal Ford Elkhart, bring this race against time to life. A
riveting story that skillfully weaves multiple viewpoints and plot threads into a satisfying whole. VERDICT
Touching, warmly loving, and steeped in terrifying fears no child should ever know, this heart-stopping
thriller delivers on all counts. Rose (Every Dark Comer) lives in Florida.
HOLIDAY TEASERS
Anderson, Catherine. The Christmas Room Berkley. Oct. 2017.432p. ISBN 9780399586316. $19; ebk.
ISBN 9780399586330. CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE
Rancher Sam Conacher is furious when he sees his grown daughter, Kirstin, in an embrace with Cameron
McLendon. He storms over to the McLendons' home to give Cam a piece of his mind, but the verbal sparks
fly when he encounters instead Cam's mystery-author mom, Maddie. In spite of himself, Sam can't help but
3/24/2018 General OneFile - Saved Articles
http://go.galegroup.com/ps/marklist.do?actionCmd=GET_MARK_LIST&userGroupName=schlager&inPS=true&prodId=ITOF&ts=1521945083663 6/7
admire her Irish sass. Nevertheless, the antagonism continues to simmer between them, and it isn't until a
near-fatal accident brings them to their senses that they can begin to understand each other and take the first
steps toward friendship--and explore what might lie beyond. Two independent and successful but inwardly
lonely souls finally come to terms with their grief and risk love again in this family-centered story graced
with laughter, plain-speaking, and majestic descriptions of modern-day Montana. VERDICT Poignant and
tender, this earnest romance brings two couples together as they confront the difficult themes of illness and
loss with insight and a dusting of holiday charm. Anderson (Mulberry Moon) lives in rural Oregon.
Roberts, Sheila. Christmas in Icicle Falls. Mira: Harlequin. (Icicle Falls, Bk. 11). Nov. 2017. 368p. ISBN
9780778330790. pap. $7.99; ebk. ISBN 9781488023583. CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE
When the artificial Christmas tree ordered by Muriel Sterling-Wittman, author of A Guide to Happy
Holidays, turns out to be a sorry excuse for a holiday decoration, she decides it deserves a chance to be
beautiful--just needing a bit of TLC. It ends up being a gorgeous success, but the idea that all things have
potential and can be improved with some affection takes root, sparking a holiday project among Muriel's
friends to look for the good in the Ugly Trees (i.e., difficult people) and send love their way. A
curmudgeonly neighbor, a thorny ex-husband, a lousy landlord, and a rough-around-the-edges daughter-inlaw
are only a few of those who feel the effects of extra caring in this playful story that will leave fans
hopeful and smiling. Recipes at the end are a plus. VERDICT A lovely blend of romance and women's
fiction, this insightful holiday treat hits all the right notes and ties up some loose ends as the "Icicle Falls"
series finds its perfect finale. Roberts (Starting Over on Blackberry Lane) lives in the Pacific Northwest.
SECOND TIME AROUND
Jackson, Lisa. Double Exposure. Severn House. Aug. 2017.256p. ISBN 9780727887061. $28.99.
CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE
Torn apart eight years ago by circumstance and a secret, Olympic skier Gavin Doel and newspaper
photographer Melanie Brooks are forced to work together when Gavin returns to the small Oregon town
where they both grew up to reopen the old ski lodge. Despite mutual distrust, the chemistry is still there. An
early series romance from well-known mystery suspense author Jackson, this was first published in 1990 as
a Silhouette Special Edition.
Roberts, Nora. Untamed. Severn House. Aug. 2017.244p. ISBN 9780727887153. $28.99.
CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE
A brilliant lion trainer who's grown up in the circus is unexpectedly attracted to the Chicago lawyer who
inherited the show from his father and controls its future in this classic early series romance that bursts with
exceptional three-ring detail; originally a 1983 Silhouette Romance.
Sands, Lynsay. Bliss Avon. Aug. 2017. 384p. ISBN 9780062019615. pap. $7.99; ebk. ISBN
9780062013231. HISTORICAL ROMANCE
When King Henry orders Lady Helen Tiernay and Lord Hethe, the fierce Hammer of Holden, to wed, he
simply wants to put an end to their constant complaints about each other. Lady Helen has no intention of
marrying a man whom she thinks treats his people so cruelly, which sets the stage for a steamy escapade
that is all the more hilarious when Lord Hethe sees through her devious plans. This 12th-century historical
was first published by Leisure Books in 2001 and is an early title from Sands, currently noted for her
popular "Argeneau/Rogue Hunter Vampire" paranormal series.
By Kristin Ramsdell
Kristin Ramsdell is Librarian Emerita, California State University, East Bay. She is the author of the
romance section of What Do I Read Next? A Reader's Guide to Current Genre Fiction (Gale, annual) and
Romance Fiction: A Guide to the Genre. 2d ed. (Libraries Unlimited, 2012)
3/24/2018 General OneFile - Saved Articles
http://go.galegroup.com/ps/marklist.do?actionCmd=GET_MARK_LIST&userGroupName=schlager&inPS=true&prodId=ITOF&ts=1521945083663 7/7
Source Citation (MLA 8th
Edition)
Ramsdell, Kristin. "Romance." Library Journal, 1 Aug. 2017, p. 70+. General OneFile,
http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A500009437/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=b851205a.
Accessed 24 Mar. 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A500009437
RT Rating:
Genre:
Romance, Contemporary Romance, General Contemporary Romance
Sensuality:
Hot
Published:
February 27 2018
Publisher:
Zebra Shout
BUY NOW!
Amazon:
Buy Now
Barnes & Noble: Buy Now
*This post contains affiliate links. If you click an affiliate link and purchase an item from the vendor, we receive a percentage of the profit (even if you don't buy the item we've linked to). Thank you for supporting RT Book Reviews!
BOOK REVIEWS
All Genres
Top Picks!
Contemporary Romance
Historical Romance
Historical Fiction
Romantic Suspense
Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Paranormal
Fantasy
Urban Fantasy
Young Adult
Inspirational
Mainstream
Science Fiction
Series
Erotica
RT Review Source
RT RATINGS GUIDE
5 GOLD: Phenomenal. In a class by itself.
4 1/2: TOP PICK. Fantastic. A keeper.
4: Compelling. A page-turner.
3: Enjoyable. A pleasant read.
2: Problematic. May struggle to finish.
1: Severely Flawed. Pass on this one.
WANT YOU
Author(s): Stacy Finz
Easily read as a standalone, the second book in Finz’s Garner Brothers series slides its way into the heart with sizzling chemistry and small-town charm. TJ is in love with Deb, but Deb is in love with TJ’s brother, so their friendship is all kinds of complicated. Finz uses these complications (plus a few others) to ratchet up the sexual tension and … whew! The end result is a romance that’s difficult to put down. Deb is a nice mix of strengths and flaws that most women can relate to, and TJ is equally well-rounded and layered. It’s also nice to get to know TJ as a fully-drawn character after getting glimpses in the prequel novella and first book. Fans of the author’s Nugget series will love Glory Junction and the Garner brothers just as much, if not more.
TJ Garner has a thing for the one woman who is off-limits to him — his little brother’s long-time on-again-off-again girlfriend. Deb Bennett is still waiting for Win Garner to decide they’re on-again for good. In the meantime, her finances are in dire straits and her waitressing job just isn’t cutting it. When she turns to TJ for advice, he stuns her by offering her a job — an executive job, no less, at Garner Adventure. Deb is no stranger to extreme outdoor sports, but that doesn’t stop TJ from giving her heart a workout. (ZEBRA SHOUT, Feb., 368 pp., $4.99)
Reviewed by:
Carrie Townsend
RT Rating:
Genre:
Romance, Contemporary Romance, General Contemporary Romance
Sensuality:
Hot
Published:
July 25 2017
Publisher:
Zebra Shout
BUY NOW!
Amazon:
Buy Now
Barnes & Noble: Buy Now
*This post contains affiliate links. If you click an affiliate link and purchase an item from the vendor, we receive a percentage of the profit (even if you don't buy the item we've linked to). Thank you for supporting RT Book Reviews!
BOOK REVIEWS
All Genres
Top Picks!
Contemporary Romance
Historical Romance
Historical Fiction
Romantic Suspense
Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Paranormal
Fantasy
Urban Fantasy
Young Adult
Inspirational
Mainstream
Science Fiction
Series
Erotica
RT Review Source
RT RATINGS GUIDE
5 GOLD: Phenomenal. In a class by itself.
4 1/2: TOP PICK. Fantastic. A keeper.
4: Compelling. A page-turner.
3: Enjoyable. A pleasant read.
2: Problematic. May struggle to finish.
1: Severely Flawed. Pass on this one.
NEED YOU
Author(s): Stacy Finz
With her first novel in the Garner Brothers series, Finz delivers a thoroughly fine small-town romance. The hero and heroine are nice people, albeit characters with no perceivable flaws. The peripheral players come across as obvious sequel-prep and clutter the narrative. Despite this, small-town romance fans will enjoy the town politics, local customs and natives vs. newbies elements. The hero’s brothers will likely prove more interesting than the infallible Colt as the rest of the series plays out.
Colt Garner is the overworked police chief of a skiing town undergoing major changes due to a popularity boom. Delaney Scott is a recently divorced fashion designer hiding out at her vacation home while she figures out how to get her career back on track. Their story begins with an ongoing feud over a parking space between their neighboring homes. As Colt faces off with a slimy mayor and Delaney deals with her ex-husband’s continuing destruction of her business interests, the two find common ground over a couple of beers. Soon sparks fly and they both must decide whether their careers are more important than their happiness. (ZEBRA SHOUT, Aug., 320 pp., $4.99)
Reviewed by:
Suzanne Krohn
WANT YOU
By Stacy Finz
Zebra Shout
$4.99
ISBN 9781420141924
Published 02/27/2018
Romance / Contemporary Romance
Buy the book
Bammlogo Amazonlogo Bnlogo Indiebound
TRENDING BOOK REVIEWS
Small
ONLY CHILD
By Rhiannon Navin
Readers learn several things very quickly in the first devastating pages of Rhiannon Navin’s debut. We learn...
Small
MY EXAGGERATED LIFE
By Pat Conroy
It’s hard to believe that we’ve been without Pat Conroy’s lovable, gruff voice for three years now....
Small
TOMORROW
By Damian Dibben
“You are the soul of all men,” a man tells the canine narrator of Tomorrow, written by Damian Dibben, an...
MORE BOOK REVIEWS >
HOME > BOOK REVIEWS > ARTICLE
Search Articles...
Web Exclusive – February 27, 2018
WANT YOU
A chance at love drives a wedge between family
BookPage review by Anita Lock
Sibling rivalry looms over an unexpected romance in Want You, Stacy Finz’s next installment in the Garner Brothers series.
Deb Bennett is in a fiscal dilemma and seeks the savvy expertise of TJ Garner, the CEO of his family-run touring company, Garner Adventure (GA). TJ’s solution is to hire Deb as GA’s retail store executive. TJ has harbored a longtime crush on Deb, even though she’s had a long-running on-and-off relationship with TJ’s youngest brother, Win. But Deb and Win aren’t currently an item, and suddenly Deb finds the idea of getting to know TJ more attractive. It doesn’t take long before romance enters the scene, providing a ray of hope for Deb’s romantic future until unresolved sibling issues interfere. The situation escalates when the company becomes embroiled in a lawsuit, and Deb finds out that she may be out of a job.
Engaging banter and realistic relational tension help Want You stand out from the host of small-town romances. Finz has created four confident, intriguing brothers whose friendly jabbing and straight talk reflect the deep respect they have for one another. They are not without their issues, though, as Finz eventually reveals both TJ and Win have lingering scars from competing against each other as professional skiers. Amid a handful of sudden injuries and business backlashes, Finz balances tense moments with charming family scenes and the sweet, mature relationship between Deb and TJ. Want You is another satisfying story in Finz’s warm-and-fuzzy romance series.