Project and content management for Contemporary Authors volumes
WORK TITLE: Primal Instinct
WORK NOTES:
PSEUDONYM(S):
BIRTHDATE:
WEBSITE: http://www.tara-wyatt.com/
CITY: Hamilton
STATE: ON
COUNTRY: Canada
NATIONALITY: Canadian
http://www.tara-wyatt.com/about
RESEARCHER NOTES:
PERSONAL
Married.
EDUCATION:McMaster University, B.A. (with honors); University of Western Ontario, master’s degree.
ADDRESS
CAREER
Writer and librarian.
MEMBER:Romance Writers of America (Toronto Chapter).
AWARDS:Librarian’s Reader’s Choice Award for Best Romantic Suspense, for Necessary Risk; Librarian’s Reader’s Choice Award for Best Romance of the Year, for Primal Instinct; Unpublished Winter Rose; Linda Howard Award of Excellence; Heart of the West.
WRITINGS
Also contributor of novella “Nailed” to anthology Dirty Work, 2016.
SIDELIGHTS
Tara Wyatt has written contemporary romance novels with a variety of settings. Her “Bodyguard” series was inspired by her reading of a celebrity-focused magazine, she told an online interviewer at Romancing the Book. “There was an article about how hot some of the bodyguards protecting the celebrities were,” she explained. “So I started thinking about what would happen if a celebrity got involved with a bodyguard, and it all spiraled from there.”
Necessary Risk
The series opens with Necessary Risk. In this novel, onetime minor-league baseball player Sean Owens is assigned by his father’s security firm to guard Sierra Blake, a former child star who is now a reproductive rights advocate volunteering with Choices, a Planned Parenthood-style organization that helped her out during a crisis in her youth. She is under threat by an extremist group that opposes her mission. In the course of facing various dangers, she and Sean fall in love, despite the taboos on bodyguards becoming involved with clients. Sean, meanwhile, is haunted by a sense of failure about an assignment that ended badly ten years earlier.
Several critics deemed Necessary Risk a promising start to the series. The novel is “a compelling read” marked by “rising tensions, … incandescent sex scenes, and a believable villain,” observed a Publishers Weekly reviewer. A Romancing the Book online contributor remarked: “It was fast paced, it was funny, and it entertained me.” Terri Dukes, writing at the RT Book Reviews Web site, praised the book’s characters and their chemistry, adding: “Necessary Risk is a winner!”
Primal Instinct
In the second novel in the series, Colt Priestley, a former Army Ranger who has become a freelance bodyguard, takes a job protecting singer-songwriter Taylor Ross, with whom he once had a one-night stand. Taylor, who is suffering from a creative block as she tries to produce an overdue album, needs someone to guard her against a stalker and also help keep her in line, as she has a tendency to behave erratically. Colt and Taylor are still strongly attracted to each other, but there are obstacles to their romance. She has difficulty trusting anyone, partly due to her experiences with her drug-dealer father. Colt, meanwhile, is dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder. Both have a keen sense of fun, though, and Wyatt shows their relationship developing as they play increasingly complicated pranks on each other.
“I love, love, love music, and I’d wanted to write a musician heroine for a while,” Wyatt told an online interviewer at Reading between the Wines Book Club. Taylor, she said, is based partly on Lzzy Hale, lead singer of the rock band Halestorm.
Some reviewers found Primal Instinct another effective novel of romance and suspense. “Characterization is Wyatt’s strong suit,” related a Publishers Weekly contributor, further noting that she “balances humor with drama.” An online critic at Straight Shootin’ Book Reviews remarked that Wyatt’s “character and relationship development are combined deftly with humor and passion.” At RT Book Reviews, Terri Dukes commended the story’s “exciting adventure and toe-curling romance,” then concluded: “This novel is guaranteed to thrill.”
When Snowflakes Fall
When Snowflakes Fall initiates a series focusing on the Grayson family. Dr. Christie Harmon has relocated from Tulsa, Oklahoma, to Cheyenne, Wyoming, to escape a scandal. On call for emergencies at Christmas, she treats a little boy, Ethan, who has bumped his head, and becomes instantly attracted to his father, Luke Grayson. Luke, who runs a construction business, is divorced from Ethan’s mother and is very much devoted to his son. Luke and Christie both bring some baggage from past relationships to their romance, and the story follows them as they work things out.
Several critics deemed this a heartwarming tale. “There’s something very cozy about When Snowflakes Fall; it’s like a Santa’s village of positive emotions,” remarked Lisa Fernandes, writing online at All about Romance. Fernandes continued: “Wyatt is a very capable writer in general; her narrative is clear and emotionally involving, and it is easy to root for Luke and Christie’s lives to unite.” A blogger at Jenerated Reviews praised Wyatt’s characters and her mix of humor and drama, adding: “When Snowflakes Fall will melt your heart and leave you with the gift of a great story.” A contributor to the Caffeinated Book Reviewer Web site concluded: “If you’re looking for a feel good holiday romance that will leave you grinning, grab a copy of When Snowflakes Fall.“
Like Fresh Fallen Snow
Luke’s twin brother, Matt, is part of the romantic pair in Like Fresh Fallen Snow. On New Year’s Eve, Matt, a police officer, assists a motorist who has gotten stuck in the snow. She is Ellie Richards, a pop-culture blogger on her way to a winter-sports resort. They quickly become interested in each other, and they have an opportunity to develop their romance when they encounter each other by chance at the resort later in the evening. Matt, however, is due to leave Cheyenne soon for a new job in Seattle, something that stands in the way of a relationship with Ellie, who loves her home in Colorado. Also, his former wife cheated on him, making him reluctant to fall in love again. When Matt and Ellie get snowbound together, though, they realize how strong their feelings are.
Some critics described Like Fresh Fallen Snow as another “feel-good” novel. “You can’t help rooting for these two characters who so clearly want to be together and make it all work out,” remarked a reviewer at the Web site Definitely, Possibly, Maybe. A blogger at With Love for Books reported: “Ellie and Matt’s story is sparkling and charming and it has an amazing romantic ending.” A Caffeinated Book Reviewer commentator observed that the protagonists’ “attraction felt genuine, and their personalities just clicked,” going on to say: “The story that unfolds is perfect for those who believe in love at first sight.” Like Fresh Fallen Snow, according to a Jenerated Reviews critic, is marked by “the nicely orchestrated blend of romance and wit that Ms. Wyatt does so well,” resulting in a tale that “speaks to the warm fuzzy holiday spirit waiting to bust out in all of us.”
BIOCRIT
PERIODICALS
Publishers Weekly, February 1, 2016, review of Necessary Risk, p. 54; May 2, 2016, review of Primal Instinct, p. 38; January 2, 2017, review of Chain Reaction, p. 45.
ONLINE
All about Romance, http://allaboutromance.com/ (February 27, 2017), Lisa Fernandes, review of When Snowflakes Fall.
Book Disciple, https://thebookdisciple.com/ (February 27, 2017), review of Necessary Risk.
Caffeinated Book Reviewer, http://caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/ (December 5, 2016), reviews of When Snowflakes Fall and Like Fresh Fallen Snow.
Definitely, Possibly, Maybe, http://indecisiveopinions.blogspot.com/ (October 1, 2016), review of Like Fresh Fallen Snow.
Heroes and Heartbreakers, http://www.heroesandheartbreakers.com/ (June 24, 2016), review of Primal Instinct.
Jenerated Reviews, http://jeneratedreviews.com (November 16, 2016), reviews of When Snowflakes Fall and Like Fresh Fallen Snow.
Reading between the Wines Book Club, http://www.readingbetweenthewinesbookclub.com/ (June 3, 2016), author interview.
Romancing the Book, http://romancing-the-book.com/ (February 29, 2016), author interview.
RT Book Reviews, https://www.rtbookreviews.com/ (February 27, 2017), Terri Dukes, reviews of Necessary Risk and Primal Instinct; Terry Moskowitz, review of Chain Reaction.
Smexy Books, http://smexybooks.com/ (February 24, 2016), review of Necessary Risk; (June 7, 2016), review of Primal Instinct.
Straight Shootin’ Book Reviews, https://straightshootinbookreviews.com/ (May 31, 2016), review of Primal Instinct.
Tara Wyatt Home Page, http://www.tara-wyatt.com (February 27, 2017).
That’s What I’m Talking About, http://twimom227.com/ (October 19, 2016), reviews of When Snowflakes Fall and Like Fresh Fallen Snow.
With Love for Books, http://www.withloveforbooks.com/ (February 2, 2017), review of Like Fresh Fallen Snow.
ABOUT TARA WYATT
Represented by Sarah Younger of Nancy Yost Literary Agency
Tara Wyatt is a romance author who’s been making up love stories ever since she fell head over heels for the Backstreet Boys and Hanson almost twenty years ago. Not content with merely daydreaming about Nick Carter and Taylor Hanson, she grabbed a notebook and wrote countless fan fiction stories.
After outgrowing her boy band obsession and obtaining an Honours B.A. in English Literature and Philosophy from McMaster University, her love of books and reading led her to pursue a Masters’ degree in Library and Information Science at the University of Western Ontario. Currently, she works for a large public library system, where she has the arduous task of selecting books for children and young adults for the library’s collection.
Before it was published, Tara’s manuscript, Necessary Risk, won the 2014 Unpublished Winter Rose contest, and the 2014 Linda Howard Award of Excellence. Her second manuscript, Primal Instinct, won the Utah RWA's Heart of the West contest, also before it was published.
Tara is a member of the Toronto RWA chapter. She lives in Hamilton, Ontario, with the cutest dog in the world and a husband who makes all of her heroes look like chumps.
Quoted in Sidelights: there was an article about how hot some of the bodyguards protecting the celebrities were. So I started thinking about what would happen if a celebrity got involved with a bodyguard, and it all spiraled from there.
Interview: Tara Wyatt
Posted on February 29, 2016 by Jen @ RtB
WyattNECESSARYRISKTaraJen: Today we welcome Tara Wyatt to Romancing the Book. Tara, will you share a short bio with us?
Tara: Tara Wyatt is the author of The Bodyguards series. Her debut novel, Necessary Risk, will be published in February 2016. Known for her humor and steamy love scenes, Tara’s writing has won several awards, including the Unpublished Winter Rose, the Linda Howard Award of Excellence, and the Heart of the West. A librarian by day and romance writer by night, Tara lives in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada with her dog and husband. Visit her online at www.tara-wyatt.com, or find her on Twitter @taradwyatt, and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/tarawyattauthor
Jen: Please tell us about your newest release and where the idea came from.
Tara: Necessary Risk is my debut novel! It’s a romantic suspense set in Hollywood. The hero, Sean Owens, is a bodyguard for a security firm, and the heroine, Sierra Blake, is a former child-star turned women’s health advocate. When her safety is threatened by a radical protest group, she hires Sean to protect her. He knows that it’s unprofessional to get involved with a client, but he’ll find himself crossing all kinds of lines when it comes to Sierra. 😉
The idea originally came to me about five years ago. I was reading a celebrity gossip magazine, and there was an article about how hot some of the bodyguards protecting the celebrities were. So I started thinking about what would happen if a celebrity got involved with a bodyguard, and it all spiraled from there.
Jen: Are you a plotter or pantser?
Tara: I describe myself as a hybrid. I’m like 25% plotter, 75% pantser. Before I start a new project, I spend some time getting to know the characters first, and sometimes I’ll do detailed character sketches. Then I plot out the general arc of the story with a few key scenes (first kiss, first time they have sex, the black moment, etc.) and then I dive into the manuscript. I figure out most of the smaller detail stuff as I go. I usually have a strong sense of where I’m going, and if I get stuck, it’s often because I’ve taken a wrong turn somewhere, so I know I need to back and figure out where I went wrong.
Jen: Describe your writing in 3 words.
Tara: Hot, funny, entertaining.
Jen: Do you have a writing routine?
Tara: Sort of? I work full-time, so all of my writing happens on evenings and weekends. Typically, I write from 7-10 pm on weeknights. Weekends vary depending on what else is going on—sometimes I have lots of time to work, and others I don’t. My writing time is fairly limited, so it does force me to focus and be somewhat disciplined with the time I have.
Jen: How do you remember ideas that come to you at odd times?
Tara: I have my phone on me at all times, and I use an app called Evernote to write anything down. Sometimes it’s a general concept, other times it’s a scene idea, or even snippets of dialogue. I also use music when I write, so if a song comes on the radio and I want to remember it because it’s inspiring me in some way, I’ll use an app called Shazam to identify and save it so I can come back to it later. Also, my mom bought me this awesome waterproof notepad, and I keep that in the shower just in case inspiration strikes. ☺
Jen: Is there a genre you’d like to write? Is there one you’ll probably stay away from? Why?
Tara: Currently, I’m writing romantic suspense, and while I love it, I’d also love to write contemporary and erotic romance. I can’t really see myself writing historical or paranormal anytime soon. I love to read them, but most of my ideas are very contemporary. But never say never! Nothing is impossible.
Jen: If this book was made into a movie, who do you see playing the main characters?
Tara: I love this question! I cast all of my projects—I find that being able to visualize the characters helps me bring them to life on the page. So, if I were casting Necessary Risk, I would cast Joe Manganiello as Sean Owens, and Rachel Bilson as Sierra Blake.
Jen: What’s next for you?
Tara: I have two more releases in the Bodyguards series this year! Primal Instinct will be published in May, and Chain Reaction will be published in December. While the books can each be read separately, some of the characters do overlap. I also have a couple of other projects in the works, but I can’t reveal anything yet.
Quoted in Sidelights: I love, love, love music, and I’d wanted to write a musician heroine for a while.
Friday, June 3, 2016
#Interview with Tara Wyatt of Primal Instinct!
Posted by Crystal @ RBtWBC at 6/03/2016 10:00:00 AM
Lexi: We love new authors here and our guest today debuted in February and is back already with book number two! Welcome to the blog Tara Wyatt!
Thank you so much for having me!
Lexi: 2016 is your year, Tara! Your Bodyguard series is being released and having great reviews. You have won awards and celebrated book birthdays. Does this all feel real yet?
It’s starting to! Publishing’s kind of strange, in that there’s a lot of hurry up and wait. So in a way, it feels real and like I’ve been waiting for this for a long time, but it also feels surreal that it’s actually happening. It completely blows my mind that I can walk into my local bookstore or Walmart and see my books on the shelves. So, to answer your question, yes, it feels real, but in a very exciting, pinching myself kind of way.
Lexi: What is real is Primal Instinct being out on May 31st. Your series has amazing covers and whats in-between is even better. Were you happy with how Colt showed up on the front?
Yes! I love the covers that Forever, my publisher, did for this series. I think they’re sexy and eye catching. When I was writing the book, Colt was inspired by Jensen Ackles (from the show Supernatural), and I definitely think the model they chose for the cover is a good match for Colt.
Lexi: Colt has a serious side, he is an ex-Army Ranger, but he also has a great personality. You are able to write with humor while still squeezing in tension with the stalker. So many great elements combine in Primal Instinct! What inspired this story for you?
Wow, thank you! I love, love, love music, and I’d wanted to write a musician heroine for a while. Taylor’s character was the first thing that came to me (back when I was writing Necessary Risk, and you do see her there, since she’s Sierra’s BFF). Taylor was partly inspired by Lzzy Hale from the band Halestorm (if you’ve never heard of them and you like rock music, check them out! So good!). Some of their songs inspired scene ideas, as well.
And as for Colt…I needed to find someone who was right for Taylor, who’s had a tough go of things. She had a bad childhood, and is a little rough around the edges. She needed someone who’d get her. We first meet Colt in Necessary Risk, and I wanted to give him a chance to tell his side of the story, to redeem himself.
In terms of the other elements…I’m not really sure where some of my ideas come from. Magic? Wine? ;)
Lexi: The Bodyguard series has three novels so far. With your inspirations do you think you will keep the series going?
I definitely have ideas for future Bodyguard books, but nothing’s been decided yet. Stay tuned!
Lexi: Besides loving new writer we love librarians so thank you for doing what you do and introducing new books to readers and thank you for writing and bringing us memorable characters like Colt and Taylor! Congrats on the release and we can’t wait for book three!
Thank you so much! Book three, Chain Reaction, comes out in early 2017, and is Zack (the bodyguard who broke Taylor’s heart) and Alexa’s story. Can’t wait for everyone to read it!
Chain Reaction: Bodyguard, Book 3
Publishers Weekly.
264.1 (Jan. 2, 2017): p45.
COPYRIGHT 2017 PWxyz, LLC
http://www.publishersweekly.com/
Full Text:
Chain Reaction: Bodyguard, Book 3
Tara Wyatt. Forever, $7.99 mass market (384p) ISBN 9781455590315
[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]
Wyatt still brings the heat but fumbles the character growth in her third Bodyguard contemporary romantic thriller
(after Necessary Risk). Alexa Fairfax, heir to the Fairfax Hollywood dynasty, has always felt stifled by her hypercritical
and denigrating mother, and has recently tried to break away from the abuse of her wealthy father. But when an attempt
to flee her mother's criticism during a dinner at the family home leads her to overhear her father discussing a murder
plot with one of his colleagues, Alexa finds herself in way over her head. Fortunately, she stumbles into Zach De Luca,
a mixed martial arts fighter and professional bodyguard. Alexa proceeds to be a cloying, helpless damsel; Zach is a
marginally more interesting guy who's inexplicably taken with the bland Alexa. Several sex scenes show up at the end,
but the sizzle doesn't sufficiently compensate for many of the eyerollinducing descriptions of Zach's prodigious
endowment, nor for some very questionable notions of what constitutes consent. This installment may satisfy fans of
the series; others will want to pass. Agent: Jessica Watterson, Sandra Dijkstra Literary. (Feb.)
Source Citation (MLA 8
th Edition)
"Chain Reaction: Bodyguard, Book 3." Publishers Weekly, 2 Jan. 2017, p. 45. General OneFile,
go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?
p=ITOF&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA478696516&it=r&asid=b1c351d1f59b69e91c172bcf453bf8f9.
Accessed 5 Feb. 2017.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A478696516
Quoted in Sidelights: Characterization is Wyatt's strong suit
balances humor with drama
2/5/2017 General OneFile Saved Articles
http://go.galegroup.com/ps/marklist.do?actionCmd=GET_MARK_LIST&userGroupName=schlager&inPS=true&prodId=ITOF&ts=1486335514660 2/3
Primal Instinct
Publishers Weekly.
263.18 (May 2, 2016): p38.
COPYRIGHT 2016 PWxyz, LLC
http://www.publishersweekly.com/
Full Text:
Primal Instinct
Tara Wyatt. Grand Central/Forever, $5.99 mass market (384p) ISBN 9781 455590285
Wyatt continues her winning streak with her second Bodyguard contemporary (after Necessary). Singersongwriter
Taylor Ross sits in a Los Angeles bar, desperately trying to write songs for an overdue album. A creepy fan accosts her,
and former Army Ranger and freelance bodyguard Colt Priestley rescues her. Instant desire lands them in a sizzling
onenight stand. Taylor's recent misbehaving antics lead her record label to hire two bodyguards to keep her out of
trouble, and Colt and a friend take the jobs. Characterization is Wyatt's strong suit as she draws intricate wordpictures
of Colt's PTSD nightmares and Taylor's trust issues, giving both of them reasons to keep their relationship professional
despite mutual attraction. Wyatt balances humor with drama in this tense romantic thriller, and the ongoing plot of a
villain pulling strings behind the scenes will have readers eager for the next series installment. Agent:Jessica Watterson,
Sandra Dijkstra Literary. (June)
Source Citation (MLA 8
th Edition)
"Primal Instinct." Publishers Weekly, 2 May 2016, p. 38. General OneFile, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?
p=ITOF&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA452884002&it=r&asid=388e12411595b93eaed198da5dc6b995.
Accessed 5 Feb. 2017.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A452884002
Quoted in Sidelights: a compelling read
Rising tensions, incandescent sex * scenes, and a believable villain
2/5/2017 General OneFile Saved Articles
http://go.galegroup.com/ps/marklist.do?actionCmd=GET_MARK_LIST&userGroupName=schlager&inPS=true&prodId=ITOF&ts=1486335514660 3/3
Necessary Risk
Publishers Weekly.
263.5 (Feb. 1, 2016): p54.
COPYRIGHT 2016 PWxyz, LLC
http://www.publishersweekly.com/
Full Text:
Necessary Risk
Tara Wyatt. Grand Central/Forever, $5.99 mass market (352p) ISBN 9781455590278
[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]
Los Angeles celebrities (all fictional) star in Wyatt's debut, the first in her Bodyguard Series. Former child TV star
Sierra Blake is a spokeswoman for Choices, a woman's health organization, after a wild streak during her teenage years
led her to the nonprofit. Someone who has a grudge against the reproductiverights group begins targeting her. A reddyed
diaper is thrown at her; then someone breaks into her home. She hires bodyguard Sean Owens, impressed by his
quiet confidence and the instant pull between them. Sean, a former minorleague baseball player, gave up his career to
help his dad with his security firm, though his failure to save someone 10 years earlier haunts him. Rising tensions as
the attacks accelerate, incandescent sex * scenes, and a believable villain make this a compelling read. The emphasis on
women's issues is appealing, and welldeveloped secondary characters set up the next book in the series. Agent: Jessica
Watterson, Sandra Dijkstra Literary Agency. (Mar.)
Source Citation (MLA 8
th Edition)
"Necessary Risk." Publishers Weekly, 1 Feb. 2016, p. 54+. General OneFile, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?
p=ITOF&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA442780322&it=r&asid=62dc26228f43489964aa4773b6853d63.
Accessed 5 Feb. 2017.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A442780322
Quoted in Sidelights: When Snowflakes Fall will melt your heart and leave you with the gift of a great story.
Tara Wyatt’s When Snowflakes Fall Review!
November 16, 2016 / Jenerated Reviews
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When Snowflakes Fall
By: Tara Wyatt
Publication Date: October 25, 2016
Publisher: Swerve
Author Website: http://www.tara-wyatt.com/
4 Stars
When Snowflakes Fall, The Grayson’s novella one by Tara Wyatt, brings holiday romance a sweet tale to spice up the season.
A past that had best be forgotten takes Dr. Christie Harmon far from the scene of her disgrace. Luke Grayson is a man who wears his honor well. When the two meet up at the local hospital ER sparks fly and mutual interest cannot be ignored.
Ms. Wyatt writes from the heart and surrounds her work with a nice mix of humorous and moving moments. Her characters are artlessly authentic and a joy to be around. A quick read this story gave a big punch in a little package.
A wonderful way to get into the mood for the holidays with a happy note When Snowflakes Fall will melt your heart and leave you with the gift of a great story.
*I was given an advanced copy. All opinions expressed are my own.*
*While part of a series this book can be read as a stand alone.*
Quoted in Sidelights:
There’s something very cozy about When Snowflakes Fall; it’s like a Santa’s village of positive emotions,
Wyatt is a very capable writer in general; her narrative is clear and emotionally involving, and it is easy to root for Luke and Christie’s lives to unite.
Desert Isle Keeper
When Snowflakes Fall
Tara Wyatt
Buy This Book
Luke Grayson and Christie Harmon are united by an accident. Luke’s son, Ethan, has slipped on some ice and hit his head while on a play date and Christie is the attending physician in the emergency room supervising his exam. A frightened Luke is instantly smitten with and comforted by Christie, and his son is soon pretty fond of her too.
The pair conduct a gentle courtship over the holiday season, filled with self-doubt and concerns due to their past romantic foibles. Luke’s been divorced for five years and has not seen his ex in as much time, and Christie’s last relationship scarred her so badly it caused her to flee Tulsa for Cheyenne and an entirely new life. Can they overcome their difficulties to find a holly jolly romance? And will Christie trust Luke with the key to her frightening past?
Sometimes there’s nothing better than a nice love story about two good people falling in love. There’s something very cozy about When Snowflakes Fall; it’s like a Santa’s village of positive emotions, a blend that’s hard to resist.
Luke and Christie are decent, relatable, hardworking folks. Luke’s relationship with Ethan is adorable, and his relationship with his brother is gently familiar. Christie’s friendship with Shannon, a fellow nurse, is also wonderfully realized, and the union between Christie and Luke – forged from loneliness and from chemistry and compassion – manages to build in a lovely way even with the limited page count of a novella.
Wyatt is a very capable writer in general; her narrative is clear and emotionally involving, and it is easy to root for Luke and Christie’s lives to unite. The flow of the entire piece is beautiful and easy to get absorbed in, a high compliment for such a short piece of work. It also manages not to entirely be frothy Christmas fluff and give the audience a meaty message about letting go of self-recrimination and the ugliness of revenge porn.
So why the A-? I had a few problems with Christie’s tendency to self-blame; absolutely nothing about what happened to her is her fault and while it’s perhaps natural that someone who had been victimized as severely as she was might have some recrimination rolling around in her head, by the time her ex has gone to the lengths he does in the story I think she ought to be fully ready to blame him and not herself. But this is an acceptable character flaw in general; I just wish it hadn’t been used as a last-minute stopgap to keep Luke and Christie apart for a few more pages.
But that’s not enough to keep When Snowflakes Fall from being a lovely and worthwhile holiday treat. It’s as small as a snowflake and quick to consume as a brightly-decorated cookie, but it’s a sweet little nip into a kinder, more romantic reality, and left me wanting more of Ms. Wyatt’s prose.
Book Details
Reviewer : Lisa Fernandes
Grade : A-
Sensuality : Warm
Book Type : Contemporary Romance
Review Tags : Novella | The Graysons series
Quoted in Sidelights: If you’re looking for a feel good holiday romance that will leave you grinning, grab a copy of When Snowflakes Fall.
On Like Fresh Fallen Snow: The story that unfolds is perfect for those who believe in love at first sight.
Their attraction felt genuine, and their personalities just clicked
Today I am sharing two-holiday contemporary romances from the Grayson Series by Tara Wyatt. These are eBook only novellas that hit the spot. If you’re looking for feel-good romances featuring twin brothers that will curl your toes and warm your heart..grab When Snowflakes Fall and Like Fresh Fallen Snow for your holiday reads.
When Snowflakes Fall and Like Fresh Fallen Snow by Tara Wyatt
When Snowflakes Fall
by Tara Wyatt
Series: The Graysons #1
Published by: St. Martin on October 25, 2016
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Source: Publisher
Purchase: Amazon
Goodreads
Rating: One StarOne StarOne StarHalf a Star
Heat Level:One FlameOne FlameOne FlameHalf a Flame
Sometimes the heart needs a little Christmas magic.
When Dr. Christie Harmon up and moved to Cheyenne, Wyoming to escape a vicious scandal, she expected a quiet, lonely Christmas on-call as a pediatrician at the local hospital. But when she’s treating a little boy with a bump on the head, she doesn’t expect his dad to be so distractingly handsome…or single.
In the wake of his ex-wife’s abandonment five years ago, Luke Grayson has been focused on raising his son Ethan. The scars from the split run deep, and Luke hasn’t trusted another woman to come into their lives. But there’s something about the sweet—and sexy—Christie that has him wondering if something’s been missing.
Can new love help lonely hearts find a way? After all, Christmas is a time for magic…
Brothers Holiday hot ROMANCE
When Snowflakes Fall shares the romance of single dad, Luke Grayson and new Cheyenne, Wyoming resident, Dr. Christie Harmon. A new pediatric doctor at the local hospital. Wyatt shared a delightful romance that delivered all the warm and fuzzy feels of the holidays with a passionate heat that will warm you on a chilly December eve.
Luke is raising his son Ethan alone. He owns his own construction business and has deep roots in Cheyenne. We briefly meet his family, including his sexy twin brother Max. These two may be night and day, but both are handsome and worthy to be your next book boyfriend.
Christie has left a troubled past for a new start in Wyoming. She is lonely, hurt and having enormous self-doubt, but she isn’t a whiner, and I admired her from the outset.
I loved the chemistry and banter we witness as their courtship progressed. We also saw them interact with Ethan and the rest of Luke’s family. The romance felt genuine giving us a mix of heat and tender moments. We do have some conflict involving Cristie’s past, but Wyatt kept it to a minimum and made it realistic.
If you’re looking for a feel good holiday romance that will leave you grinning, grab a copy of When Snowflakes Fall.
When Snowflakes Fall by Tara Wyatt has all the magical elements of a holiday romance CLICK TO TWEET
When Snowflakes Fall and Like Fresh Fallen Snow by Tara Wyatt
Like Fresh Fallen Snow
by Tara Wyatt
Series: The Graysons #2
Published by: St. Martin on October 25, 2016
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Source: Publisher
Purchase: Amazon
Goodreads
Rating: One StarOne StarOne StarHalf a Star
Heat Level:One FlameOne FlameOne FlameHalf a Flame
Everyone needs a New Years’ kiss.
Ellie Richards’ New Year’s Resolution: this will be her year, no men necessary. Who needs them when she has a successful website, a great apartment, and plans to ring in the New Year at a ski lodge with her best friend. That’s until Ellie gets stuck in a snowbank and a gorgeous, blue-eyed cop throws a wrench in her plans.
Matt Grayson intended to spend his last day of the year getting everything ready for his move across the country. But when he helps dig Ellie’s car out from the side of the road, something about this cute blonde who spews out pop culture references makes Matt wish he didn’t have to leave the next day.
When fate brings Ellie and Matt together that same night at a party, the sizzling tension between them bubbles like a bottle of champagne. As midnight looms closer, their time together grows shorter. Is their budding romance doomed to be nothing but a night of memories, or can it survive the changes the new year will bring?
Brothers Holiday hot ROMANCE
Like Fresh Fallen Snow shared Matt Grayson’s story. Matt is the tattooed police officer and yummy twin brother of Luke. Yep, there are two of them!
In this tale, we meet Blogger and nerd extraordinaire Ellie Richards’. She’s ringing in the new year, and declaring, “That this year will be the year of Ellie.” So far she has landed her dream job, one that will let her work from her home and even will speak at ComCon. She just needs someone to share it with, and sadly she is determined to play it safe in the romance department. She thinks setting the bar low will protect her heart. In route to a snow lodge, she hits a patch of ice and meets Officer Grayson.
The chemistry, banter, and awkwardness in Like Fresh Fallen Snow was delightful. These two bump into each other at the resort late that evening. Their attraction felt genuine, and their personalities just clicked, but there is only one problem. Matt is leaving for a new job in Seattle in a few days. The story that unfolds is perfect for those who believe in love at first sight. Wyatt managed to allow me to get to know and become invested in these characters despite the length of their story.
Like Fresh Fallen Snow was a mix of heat and tenderness. The perfect holiday romance.
Quoted in Sidelights: the nicely orchestrated blend of romance and wit that Ms. Wyatt does so well
speaks to the warm fuzzy holiday spirit waiting to bust out in all of us
Tara Wyatt’s Like Fresh Fallen Snow Review!
November 16, 2016 / Jenerated Reviews
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Like Fresh Fallen Snow
By: Tara Wyatt
Publication Date: October 25, 2016
Publisher: Swerve
Author Website: http://www.tara-wyatt.com/
4 Stars
Like Fresh Fallen Snow, Grayson novella two by Tara Wyatt speaks to the warm fuzzy holiday spirit waiting to bust out in all of us this time of year!
When quirky Ellie Richards sets out to meet friends for a New Years Eve getaway a chance meeting with a handsome cop turns into a whirlwind romance. Matt Grayson was all geared up to start a new life but when the cute blonde in need of roadside assistance ends up being his unexpected dinner date the uncomplicated plans for his future blew up the chimney.
Tara Wyatt is the kind of author who produces romance induced smiles as she takes readers on her characters stumbles through love. This author’s love at first sight scenario “fit” with the well portrayed holiday magic nuance of this work. More than a few giggles and satisfied sighs escaped with the nicely orchestrated blend of romance and wit that Ms. Wyatt does so well and brought out full force in Like Fresh Fallen Snow.
Grab some coco and your favorite throw to accompany Like Fresh Fallen Snow and experience a genuine holiday feel good story!
*I was given an advanced copy. All opinions expressed are my own.*
*While part of a series this book can be read as a stand alone.*
Review: When Snowflakes Fall & Like Fresh Fallen Snow by Tara Wyatt
Posted by Nima on Oct 19, 2016 in contemporary romance, Rating B, reviews | 1 Comment | Tags: holiday, Nima Review, novella, Swerve Publishing, Tara Wyatt, The Graysons series
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when-snowflakes-fallWhen Snowflakes Fall (#1)
Like Fresh Fallen Snow (#2)
Author: Tara Wyatt
Reviewer: Nima
Ratings: B+ and B
What I’m Talking About:
I have a soft spot for novellas, especially holiday ones. They are these little mini escapes in the midst of chaos; something I can start and finish while juggling shopping, baking, and obligations. They are a little reminder that sweets are not just cookies from the neighborhood exchange. Both of these holiday offerings are wonderfully sweet and fat-free.
When Snowflakes Fall is the first of two stories about the twin Grayson brothers, Luke and Matt. I preferred Luke’s story over Matt’s, Like Fresh Fallen Snow, probably because there were more characters, more family, and that feels more like the holidays to me. Both stories are hot and steamy with plenty of sexual tension. Both have happy, tidy endings.
I liked the threads of music throughout both stories, one at a New Year’s party and the other with Christmas songs leading up to the big day. I could mentally hear it in the background of different scenes. Subtly, it added a mood and some depth that would otherwise necessitate a higher word count. Unfortunately, in their brevity, Wyatt relied a little too much on the clichés that seem to be forever hitching a ride on insta-love’s sleigh. Frankly, I could do without another reference to exploding ovaries. It’s actually kinda gross when you think about it. Wyatt is not alone in this, multiple contemporary authors need to find a new metaphor. It’s not a deal-breaker though. Grab a cup of hot chocolate, one of those delicious cookies, and curl up next to the fire with one of these sweet novellas as a holiday gift to yourself.
My Ratings: B+ Liked It A Lot & B, Liked It
NIMAsignature
About the Books:
When Snowflakes Fall:
When Dr. Christie Harmon up and moved to Cheyenne, Wyoming to escape a vicious scandal, she expected a quiet, lonely Christmas on-call as a pediatrician at the local hospital. But when she’s treating a little boy with a bump on the head, she doesn’t expect his dad to be so distractingly handsome…or single.
In the wake of his ex-wife’s abandonment five years ago, Luke Grayson has been focused on raising his son Ethan. The scars from the split run deep, and Luke hasn’t trusted another woman to come into their lives. But there’s something about the sweet—and sexy—Christie that has him wondering if something’s been missing.
Can new love help lonely hearts find a way? After all, Christmas is a time for magic…
like-fresh-fallen-snowLike Fresh Fallen Snow:
Ellie Richards’ New Year’s Resolution: this will be her year, no men necessary. Who needs them when she has a successful website, a great apartment, and plans to ring in the New Year at a ski lodge with her best friend. That’s until Ellie gets stuck in a snowbank and a gorgeous, blue-eyed cop throws a wrench in her plans.
Matt Grayson intended to spend his last day of the year getting everything ready for his move across the country. But when he helps dig Ellie’s car out from the side of the road, something about this cute blonde who spews out pop culture references makes Matt wish he didn’t have to leave the next day.
When fate brings Ellie and Matt together that same night at a party, the sizzling tension between them bubbles like a bottle of champagne. As midnight looms closer, their time together grows shorter. Is their budding romance doomed to be nothing but a night of memories, or can it survive the changes the new year will bring?
Release Date: October 25, 2016
Publisher: Swerve
Series: The Graysons #1 and #2
ISBN: #1250118085 and #1250118077
Genre: Contemporary Romance (Holiday), novella
Format(s): paperback novella (85 pages), e-book
Book Source: Publisher/NetGalley
Purchase Info:
When Snowflakes Fall
Like Fresh Fallen Snow
Review: Primal Instinct by Tara Wyatt
June 7, 2016 By Mandi Leave a Comment
26245883
Primal Instinct by Tara Wyatt (Bodyguard #2)
Released: May 31, 2016
Romantic Suspense
Forever
Reviewed by Mandi
Book two in this bodyguard series, I didn’t enjoy the suspense part as much but the romance worked well for me.
Taylor has had a hit record that made her a very big music star. But now she is in a rut – trying to find that creative juice to make another record under the pressure of a deadline. She also had a tiny incident on a plane, that involved joining the mile high club, getting caught, and having a complete meltdown, all caught on camera for all the public to see. Ooops. Her label isn’t thrilled with this negative press and decides she needs a bodyguard to protect herself.
But – before she finds out she is getting a bodyguard, she meets one at a bar. His name is Colt and he is mega-sexy. They have a drink and they end up having a very sexy one night stand. Colt served his country in the middle east and has returned home and turned to private security. He used to work for a big security firm, but was fired after he didn’t handle a fight well when he was working. He now does freelance work, and receives the call to be one of two men assigned to Taylor. He can’t believe he was picked – as he was dying for a way to get back into contact with her after she left his bed.
Taylor can’t believe the sexy Colt will be her new guard – or that she even needs a bodyguard. But – while the bodyguard was hired to make sure Taylor stays on the straight and narrow, Taylor has other problems as well. She has a stalker – a fan that has become obsessed with her. And on top of that, Taylor’s dad belongs to a motorcycle gang that is mixed up with transporting drugs – and her father is in need of money, badly. Taylor is estranged from her father so when he comes demanding money – things don’t go so well. It’s probably best Colt was hired.
Taylor and Colt have a very steamy, sexy romance in this book. The author doesn’t hold back when they get together for that one night stand. Colt falls hard and fast and while their romance progresses pretty straight forward, they have nice chemistry together. They like to joke around and pull pranks on one another. Pranks that become very elaborate and involved. They made me smile.
Taylor is best friends with the heroine from book one (the hero from book one is the person that fired Colt from the security firm). I enjoyed Taylor a lot. I’m usually not huge on famous people as the hero or heroine for some reason, but I think she is portrayed well. She takes the threats from her stalker seriously and has a really fun attitude when it comes to Colt and their relationship. Her and Colt both don’t come from the best families so they have that in common as they move forward and fall in love. It’s a pretty steamy book too.
What I felt was weak was the suspense. I think Frank (her father) was a threat and he came across more brutal and scary. But Taylor also has a stalker and it felt like an overkill for the poor girl. We have violent dad who is threatened and at the end of his rope and creepy stalker dude. I could have done without creepy stalker dude. He was too predictable.
This can be read as a stand alone but I did enjoy book one, Necessary Risk. I am looking forward to more in this series.
Grade: B-
Quoted in Sidelights:
This novel is guaranteed to thrill.
exciting adventure and toe-curling romance
Image of Primal Instinct (Bodyguard)
PRIMAL INSTINCT
Image of Primal Instinct (Bodyguard)
Author(s): Tara Wyatt
Wyatt’s second in the Bodyguard series, Primal Instinct, lives up to every expectation. It has exciting adventure and toe-curling romance paired with a plot that twists and a protective alpha male who will make readers swoon. This novel is guaranteed to thrill.
Colt Priestly is anything but intimidated by Taylor Ross’ fame. Few men would have the guts to saunter up to the world-famous singer in a bar and charm her into an unforgettable night in his bed, but that’s just what he does. When her record label is forced to hire a bodyguard to look out for the wild rock star, Taylor is shocked to learn it’s her one-night stand. Determined not to fall for the emotionally unavailable ex-Army Ranger, she pushes him away at every opportunity, but every time they are together, the air fills with undeniable sexual tension. When her fanatical stalker becomes a serious danger, the pair ends up giving in to their primal instincts. (FOREVER, Jun., 352 pp., $5.99)
Reviewed by:
Terri Dukes
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JUN 24 2016 1:00PM
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HERO WORSHIP
Tara Wyatt’s Primal Instinct Defies the Double Standard
STACEY AGDERN
Primal Instinct by Tara Wyatt
Primal Instinct by Tara Wyatt
Generally speaking, we as readers know the trajectory of a bodyguard story. Our bodyguard hero is forced to protect the heroine from danger. She will be vulnerable and she will be thrust into our hero’s arms, and most likely, as a result, into his heart (if she wasn’t there before them). In the hands of a master, they’re amazing. (see Roxanne St. Claire and Cindy Gerard’s bodyguard stories )
We also know what a rock star story has started to look like over the years; a tortured alpha rockstar is a very obvious sexual object, strutting around and either showing people who they really are behind the mask, or allowing their real life, no holds barred personality full reign, both to fall in love with a heroine who loves them for being themselves. (see Nalini Singh’s amazing Rock Kiss series, for example).
But what if. What if.
What if a bodyguard falls in love with the rockstar they’re protecting. This is a story rarely seen in romance. But in the hands of someone like Tara Wyatt, it’s revolutionary. Which of course you’d be expecting considering the contents of her first book.
Book two in her Bodyguard Series, Primal Instinct isn’t only the story of a Bodyguard and the Rockstar he falls in love with. Though Wyatt does the romance well, the real main character here is the double standard. Yep. The idea that when a woman likes sex, is powerful, she’s a slut, yet when a man does the same thing, he’s a stud.
Taylor Ross, our heroine, begins the book dealing with a situation that’s partially of her own making. After being kicked off a plane (after confronting a stewardess who called her a slut), her record label hires her a team of bodyguards to ensure that she will not 1. Find any trouble or 2.be found by trouble. When he tells her this, Taylor asks her manager a simple question:
“Would they do this to me if I were a guy?”
His response?
“ He simply looked at her, unable to disagree with anything she’d said…”
And that is the kicker. The entire book turns on a response that would never have happened but for that double standard.
As Wyatt forces the heroine to confront the double standard, the hero confronts another set of stereotypes, namely the emotional expectations of the alpha male. He is a bodyguard, ex military with a bit of a past. And yet he and his thought process are as fascinating as the book’s central conflict itself. For example, Colt Priestly, the hero, has this thought when watching the heroine play guitar.
“For the first time in his life, he understood why women threw their panties at rockstars.”
In this one line, Colt processes his emotions and the obvious sexual tension through an act traditionally performed by women and directed at men. The line also makes the reader suspect that if given the opportunity, Colt would perform that act…and have no problem whatsoever with it.
Later in the book, when awakened in the middle of the night by a nervous Taylor, Colt thinks this:
“He could’ve sworn she made a soft whimpering noise, and butterflies crashed into each other in his stomach.”
What? Butterflies. Again. Butterfies aren’t usually associated with nervous feelings expressed by strong male characters. Hero’s stomach’s usually churn or explode or similar. But this is Colt. And the next lines go as follows:
“Jesus. What the fuck was wrong with him? Just standing here with her gave him butterflies? But not butterflies, because he’d probably loose his man card if he ever admitted that to anyone. No. So, not butterflies. No. She gave him… scorpions. Yeah, that was better.”
Once again, you have him admitting the flittingly sensitive nature of his own emotions, then filtering that perspective through a traditional alpha lens in a manor so…flippant, even the reader can’t take him seriously.
It won’t be too much of a spoiler to say that there are many different threats directed at the heroine, and the hero is quite capable of dealing with them. But even as they’re dealt with, the hero twists fists and tongue, saying and doing things like
Something snapped inside colt, like a rubber band stretched too tight, and he knew his control was slipping. “If you want to keep all your teeth, I suggest you shut the fuck up…”
When the heroine is called a ‘dumb bitch’ by a potential threat. Or,
‘(X’s) words shredded the last remaining scrap of Colt’s restraint, and he pulled back just enough to slam his fist into X’s face… “Don’t you f*cking talk to her that way.”
The societal double standard regarding attitudes towards sex is pervasive and inconsistent. But as Wyatt pulls together a tightly strung romantic suspense, her characters do a good job of demonstrating how silly it is.
Quoted in Sidelights: Her character and relationship development are combined deftly with humor and passion. Well done!
REVIEW AND INTERVIEW: PRIMAL INSTINCT AND THE BODYGUARD SERIES BY TARA WYATT
POSTED MAY 31, 2016 BY MANDY IN 4.5 STARS, REVIEW
TAGS: MANDY, TARA WYATT
Review and Interview: Primal Instinct and the Bodyguard series by Tara WyattPrimal Instinct by Tara Wyatt
on May 31, 2016
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Series: Bodyguard #2
Published by Forever
Source: NetGalley
Copy for review provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
four-half-stars
The first time he lays eyes on Taylor Ross in a bar, Colt Priestley does something few men would dare to do. He approaches the world-famous singer, shamelessly flirts with her, and gives her a night in his bed that neither of them will soon forget.
When Taylor's record label hires a bodyguard to keep tabs on the out-of-control rocker, she's less than thrilled to find it's her off-the-charts one-night stand who shows up for the job. She's terrified of letting herself fall for the damaged ex-Army Ranger, and she's determined to push him away. Yet every moment they're together simmers with tension. As the danger from an obsessed stalker mounts, Taylor and Colt are tempted to cross that line again-baring their hearts and souls as well as their bodies-and there's no telling how hot this song will get.
Today, I’m going to introduce you to the Bodyguard series. I stumbled upon this series and author in a rather interesting way that involved irresistible and well-timed pitches. As much romantic suspense as I read, I’d think I would have read a bodyguard book/series by now but I really don’t think I have and I guess if I have it wasn’t very memorable. Enter Tara Wyatt and her Bodyguard series, I’m totally SOLD on it and her.
Book 1- Necessary Risk
Neccesary_RiskFormer child star Sierra Blake is making a stunning Hollywood comeback—and attracting a scary amount of attention. When her home is vandalized and her safety threatened, she knows it’s time to bring in the professionals. But from the moment she sets eyes on her indecently sexy new bodyguard, Sean Owens, Sierra’s thoughts are anything but professional…
Few things in this world scare Sean—until he realizes he’s in serious danger of losing his heart to his new client. No matter how much he wants to, Sean won’t let his feelings for the smart and gorgeous Sierra get in the way of doing his job. Because as the attacks against her escalate, crossing the line between business and pleasure could get them both killed.
I read this book so freaking fast! I flew through it and absolutely loved it. Sierra and Sean have incredible chemistry. There is something to be said about the whole, I can’t have you because I’m your protector thing. I also enjoyed meeting some of the other bodyguards and Sierra’s friends. Lots of stories to be written for them, I hope!
That brings me to Taylor and Colt’s book. When I read book one, I didn’t envision getting their story next. BUT, once again, I loved the second book in the Bodyguard series. Taylor and Colt have incredible chemistry from the moment they meet and end up in bed with each other- YOWZA!
God, he couldn’t take his eyes off of her. The bar could’ve been on fire and he wouldn’t have noticed. He wanted to fist his hands in all that blond hair and pull her close, taste her mouth, feel her skin against his and lose himself in her.
Colt has lingering PTSD issues and only spends one night with a woman… until he meets Sierra. She has issues where trust is concerned, so they both have a fair amount of baggage to deal with. Despite those issues, they come to truly care about each other and they enjoy each other’s company. Colt ends up part of her protection detail and so they spend a lot of time together, just hanging out. They are absolutely hilarious together and start a prank war that cracked me up. I happened to see a picture in my Facebook while reading this book and I saved it for this post. Once you read it, you’ll get it. And yes, that’s a hot guy dressed up like a sparkly unicorn/pony. Once you read the book, this will make sense. Unicorn_sparkle
I really enjoyed Taylor’s character. Even though she is described as “out of control”, she isn’t that out of control really. Not in a Britney Spears wielding an umbrella way (do you remember that?) She’s lost her writing mojo and her record company needs an album from her and she is completely blocked. Needless to say, Colt helps things along in his own way. 😉 Another thing Ms. Wyatt got my attention with, in this book? The big bad is WHOA…. she really lets you in on what’s going on in his effed up mind and it ain’t pretty. Kudos to that.
To conclude- great new author, GREAT series and I cannot wait for more from Ms. Wyatt. Her character and relationship development are combined deftly with humor and passion. Well done!
Review: Necessary Risk by Tara Wyatt
February 24, 2016 By Mandi Leave a Comment
25711877Necessary Risk by Tara Wyatt (Bodyguard #1)
Released: February 23, 2016
Romantic Suspense
Forever
Reviewed by Mandi
This is a fun romantic suspense from a debut author. Sierra Blake is a former child star who now lives a pretty quiet life on the royalties she still receives from being a child actor years ago. Her passion in life is to support Choices, (think Planned Parenthood) where she donates her time, money and is also a spokesman for them. When she is reuniting with her former castmates at a 90’s convention, someone throws a diaper at her filled with red dye. There are those people in the world that hate her for being pro-choice and supporting a place like Choices. She is rattled, but tries to put it behind her – until she gets home and notices her alarm is off, and someone wrote in bright red paint on her wall, “Baby Killer.” Throwing something at her in public is one thing but breaking into her house is an entirely new threat level. Sierra knows she needs security.
Sean runs a large security firm and is more than willing to bring Sierra on as a client. After assessing her current security, he moves himself into her pool house and has some of his team members on call until they can get her house secure. But more threats and incidents keep happening, keeping both of them on their toes.
Sean and Sierra have great chemistry in this book. Well done sexual tension is one of my favorite things, and the first half of this book has these two almost all over each other a lot. When Sierra goes into his office to hire him, there is already delicious chemistry:
He stood, his hands on his hips, holding his open suit jacket back to reveal a flat stomach, trim waist, and narrow hips. An employee said something that elicited a laugh from Sean, and the sound that reached her was warm and rich. She wanted to wrap herself in that sound, it was so appealing. He turned again to go back to his office, the wool of his suit hugging his ass and showing off rounded muscle.
Holy gorgeous, Batman.
Sean is not super growly alpha or anything, but definitely in charge. He is very smart with security and takes everything seriously in regards to her case. He’s funny and mature and the way the author writes him – he is very sexy. Even though he tries to keep his distance from Sierra since she is his client, I was rooting for them to break through that barrier. Pffft – who cares about client/employer relationship bans?? *wink* It takes awhile for these two to get together, but once they do it’s worth the wait.
Sierra takes the threats seriously as well, something I appreciated. I can’t stand it in romantic suspense books, when something creepy or suspicious happens to a character and he/she blows it off or waits 20 days to call the police. Sierra acted reasonably and that made me happy. She accepted Sean’s help and advice for her safety, but she also stood her ground when she wanted to continue being a representative for Choices, even though she was being threatened. Go Sierra.
We also meet some of Sierra’s friends and some of Sean’s co-workers, all who piqued my interest and who will be getting future books together.
The suspense in this is done okay. The bad guy reveal was maybe not the biggest revelation in the world, and by the end of the book I think the suspense and the incidents against Sierra were a bit extreme and over the top. But the author never lets the story slow down, so that was fun.
This is a fun and sexy read. Very much looking forward to book two, out in May.
Grade: B
Necessary Risk by Tara Wyatt: Review
TAGS: 3 STARS, BODYGUARD
Necessary Risk by Tara Wyatt: Review
Necessary Risk by Tara Wyatt: ReviewNecessary Risk by Tara Wyatt
Pages: 384
three-flames
One StarOne StarOne Star
Genres: Romantic Suspense
Source: ARC, NetGalley
Buy on Amazon, Buy on iBooks
Goodreads
Trained to protect against all danger, a professional bodyguard can provide all the muscle a woman needs. But when their hearts are on the line, love is the riskiest business . . .
SOMEONE TO WATCH OVER ME
Former child star Sierra Blake is making a stunning Hollywood comeback-and attracting a scary amount of attention. When her home is vandaliz...
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Necessary Risk
Tara Wyatt
what i think
The insta-love is STRONG in Necessary Risk. Normally, I love insta-love. Its probably my favorite trope. However, it felt over the top even for me! That being said, I did like the characters. Sierra needs a body guard because weird stuff has been happening. Sean is a body guard and they are super attracted to each other so it seems perfect. Sean of course doesn’t want to mix business with pleasure so he tries to stay away from Sierra romantically. You know how well that always works out! In the end, Necessary Risk was an average romantic suspense. While I was a bit put off by the crazy attraction between the two characters (it just came off as a bit ridiculous at times), the story is solid and I did like both the main characters. I also enjoyed the 3rd person POV because you get to see little snippets of everyone, including the bad guy! I love books that include that perspective. I think it brings a depth to the book that single 1st person or even dual POV between the MC’s just can’t achieve.
POV: 3rd
Tears: No
Trope: Damsel in Distress, famous, bodyguard
Triggers: No
Cliffhanger: No
Quoted in Sidelights: It was fast paced, it was funny, and it entertained me.
Review: Necessary Risk by Tara Wyatt
Posted on February 29, 2016 by Lori_V
Necessary Risk by Tara Wyatt
Series: Bodyguard (# 1)
Release Date: February 23, 2016
Publisher: Hachette Book Group
Pages: 352
Source: book provided by NetGalley for review
Former child star Sierra Blake is making a stunning Hollywood comeback-and attracting a scary amount of attention. When her home is vandalized and her safety threatened, she knows it’s time to bring in the professionals. But from the moment she sets eyes on her indecently sexy new bodyguard, Sierra’s thoughts are anything but professional . . .
Few things in this world scare Sean Owens-until he realizes he’s in serious danger of losing his heart to his new client. No matter how much he wants to, Sean won’t let his feelings for the smart and gorgeous Sierra get in the way of doing his job. Because as the attacks against her escalate, crossing the line between business and pleasure could get them both killed.
Review: This is the first book in the Bodyguard series. It was fast paced, it was funny, and it entertained me. All very important criteria that I need to have in my books, especially when I’m reading a romantic action, suspense book.
More then likely, the reader will figure out what’s going to happen at end, but don’t let that be a determent to reading the book. I like predictability, I like knowing what’s going to happen next, and I like this book. It was romantic, and it gave me the “feels”. Sean is the kind of man that every woman wants to have in her life. I’ll get into him in a minute. I just want to say that there were some truly romantic moments in this book that just made me sigh, and the action scenes made me grip my poor kindle. I think I still have some grooves in my fingers.
Sean’s character is tough and alpha male, yes, but he’s also sweet and sensitive and knows how to treat a lady. He’s not a wimp at all, he’s in touch with his feelings, and he has self introspection. He also is carrying around a lot of emotional pain, that makes me feel sorry for him. He’s a likable character and I found myself cheering him on.
Sierra has had pain in her life as well. She has self doubts, and has her vulnerable moments, but she’s made a good life for herself and is happy with who she is and her place in the world. I have to admit I was a tad annoyed with a decision that she made, but I understand why she made it and so I forgive her transgression.
I won’t say anything about what she did, only that the reader needs to find out for themselves what happens, so that I don’t ruin the book for anyone. I know that’s devious, but ruining the book would be even worse.
Read this book, seriously, at least look at it on Amazon and decide it it’s worth the read. It really is worth it though.
CHAIN REACTION
Image of Chain Reaction (Bodyguard)
Author(s): Tara Wyatt
Wyatt maintains a high level of suspense in the next installment of her Bodyguard series. However, there isn’t much overall consistency; the up and down fluctuations overpower the story. Alexa is undoubtedly in a tough situation, but she comes across as needy opposed to strong. Her relationship with Zack becomes hot very quickly, and the author successfully develops some major sexual tension.
After making a dangerous discovery, Alexa Fairfax tries to separate herself from her Hollywood family. Fearing she is in danger, she decides to hire a security guard for protection. Aspiring MMA fighter Zack De Luca volunteers to be her bodyguard and will do anything in his power to protect her. But when it’s your family that you are running from, sometimes there is nowhere to hide. (FOREVER, Feb., 336 pp., $7.99)
Reviewed by:
Terry Moskowitz
Quoted in Sidelights: Necessary Risk is a winner!
NECESSARY RISK
Image of Necessary Risk (Bodyguard)
Author(s): Tara Wyatt
Readers will be impressed with Wyatt’s debut novel and impatient for the next installment in her Bodyguard series. The familiar scenario of a handsome bodyguard and the coveted star-in-danger is made unique with Sierra’s sassy sense of humor and the chemistry she shares with Sean. Add some extremely sexy situations (fraught with danger) and Necessary Risk is a winner!
Sierra Blake is making a Hollywood comeback former child stars like her only dream of. Unfortunately, her fame is attracting the wrong attention, and when her safety is threatened she knows it’s time to hire a professional. When she feels an instant attraction for her incredibly gorgeous bodyguard, Sean Owens, she can’t help but want to get him into bed. Sean isn’t afraid of much, but losing his heart to his new client is definitely at the top of the list. Letting his feelings for the sexy and intelligent Sierra grow is simply not acceptable and could put her further toward danger. When the threat against Sierra grows, giving in to their feelings could get them both killed. (FOREVER, Mar., 384 pp., $5.99)
Reviewed by:
Terri Dukes
Quoted in Sidelights: you can't help rooting for these two characters who so clearly want to be together and make it all work out.
Saturday, October 1, 2016
seriously romantic: like fresh fallen snow by tara wyatt
like fresh fallen snow is the companion short story to when snowflakes fall, it's new year's eve a chance for new beginnings, and that is all that matt grayson needs. he's planning to move to seattle and start over. since his divorce and since being shot on the job nothing has felt right in cheyenne, and even though he has never been far from his identical twin brother, a new start is just what he needs.
on his last day on the job as a cop he stops to assist a driver who hit a patch of black ice on the highway and skidded into a snowbank. ellie richards is full of enthusiasm for the new year. her professional life is thriving, she loves her home just outside of denver and the only thing she's looking to get on track is her currently nonexistent love life. but she has a good feeling about that too.
meeting along the highway ellie and matt find themselves flirting in spite of the circumstances. it can't possibly go anywhere, they are not likely to see each other ever again. but when they cross paths again at a new year's eve party, matt knows that he can't stay away from ellie. this is their one chance to explore the spark that lights up between them, and boy does it burn.
the short format makes the story slightly unbelievable. but you can't help rooting for these two characters who so clearly want to be together and make it all work out. as a fun holiday read, it works.
**like fresh fallen snow will publish on october 25, 2016. i received an advance reader copy courtesy of netgalley/st. martin's (swerve) in exchange for my honest review.
Posted by eva at 10:30:00 AM
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Labels: books, holidays, reviews, romance, seriously romantic
Quoted in Sidelights:Ellie and Matt's story is sparkling and charming and it has an amazing romantic ending.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2017
With Love For Romantic Books Cold - Like Fresh Fallen Snow by Tara Wyatt - Book Review, Interview & Giveaway
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Review by Suze
When Ellie is stranded on the side of the road because of heavy snow and a patch of black ice Matt helps her out. He's just doing his job, but he's friendly and generous with his time. He's a cop and is about to leave Wyoming to start over in Seattle. Ellie's never met the right guy and is tired of being left behind. That's why she has decided that the new year will be her year. She runs a successful website and is doing what she loves. She doesn't need a man to be happy. Ellie and Matt couldn't have met under worse circumstances and even though there's a spark Matt remains professional and lets Ellie drive away.
Ellie is supposed to spend the night with friends at a New Year's Eve party in a lodge. Coincidentally Matt ends up at the same party. After one dance and a short conversation Matt and Ellie already know that what they experience is special, but they can only have one night together. Will that be enough for them or will they end up being brokenhearted because they have to part ways after spending no more than a few hours with each other?
Like Fresh Fallen Snow is a story about love at first sight. I'm a big fan of stories about this topic and immediately loved the chemistry and strong bond between Ellie and Matt. Their hearts broadcast a clear message, they are the one for each other, but there are plenty of obstacles in their way. They decide to live in the moment and enjoy the short time they have together. That makes the story bittersweet. Matt and Ellie have something incredible and distance would be making it hard for them to be a couple. It's a great, but also difficult topic for a story.
Like Fresh Fallen Snow is sexy and romantic. I love winter stories, especially when the main characters have to stay where they are because of being snowed in. That gives an extra lovely atmosphere to an already wonderful story. Snow can unite and bring people together, which is why I enjoy reading about it so much. Ellie and Matt's story is sparkling and charming and it has an amazing romantic ending.
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Review by Suze
Christie moved to Cheyenne to escape something horrible and start over. She thinks she's better off alone. She's a pediatrician and when she meets the father of one of her patients she doesn't know what to do with herself. Ethan is fine and his father Luke can take him home straight away, so their meeting is only brief. They can't have a longer chat and they're in the wrong place to plan a date. Fortunately they run into each other a few days later.
Luke is a single dad. He has his own business and easily combines his work with being a father. He's happy with what he's accomplished, but there's something missing from his life though, he hasn't dated a woman in a long time. When Luke meets Christie he knows she's different from the other women he's met since his ex-wife abandoned him and he'd love to get to know her better. However, Christie has a secret and she has built thick walls around herself. Will Luke be able to break them down?
When Snowflakes Fall is a sweet story about two people who instantly feel connected. Luke and Christie both know straight away that they are the one for each other, but the circumstances aren't ideal because of Christie's past. She does agree to see Luke again though and I loved how natural their relationship felt. Luke is a responsible and caring man and he's very kind to Christie. She might be hurt, but she can't resist Luke and there is plenty of chemistry.
Tara Wyatt's writing flows easily and when Snowflakes Fall is a quick read. It's the kind of story I can only read in one sitting, because I have to know how it ends. A healthy dosage of snow makes it extra romantic. The story is set in December, so it's cold and the atmosphere is festive. It's a wonderful winter novella, which is a great choice for a cold winter night.
Advice
When Snowflakes Fall is the fist Graysons story. The stories can be read as a standalone, but if you want to read them both I'd read When Snowflakes Fall before Like Fresh Fallen Snow.