Project and content management for Contemporary Authors volumes
WORK TITLE: Perfectly Charming
WORK NOTES:
PSEUDONYM(S):
BIRTHDATE:
WEBSITE: http://www.liztalleybooks.com/
CITY:
STATE: LA
COUNTRY:
NATIONALITY:
RESEARCHER NOTES:
PERSONAL
Born in LA.
EDUCATION:Attended college.
ADDRESS
CAREER
Writer. Former English teacher.
AVOCATIONS:Gardening.
MEMBER:NOLA Stars
WRITINGS
SIDELIGHTS
American romance writer Liz Talley is the author of a score of contemporary romance novels in five different series, many of them set in the South. As Talley notes on her home page, she grew up reading romances of all sorts. Thornbirds hooked her on the genre, but as she explained to Rula Sinara in the online Happy Ever After, she had no plans of becoming an author: “I never wanted to be a writer, but I am one. It took me awhile to discover that, just as it took me awhile to find the ‘road’ to writing contemporary romance for Superromance. As a child I loved reading, daydreaming about my real parents (who were actually royalty and convinced I was dead) and bossing people around. Yeah, I know. How did I not figure out I was a writer … or delusional? … My hobby became writing Regency romance. It was just that — a hobby. Until I finished the book. By then I was hooked.”
Vegas Two-Step and The Way to Texas
In Talley’s debut romance, Vegas Two-Step, a Texas librarian, Nellie, feels stuck in a rut and decides to create a makeover for herself with a trip to Las Vegas. En route she is attracted to a man, Jack, who blithely ignores her. Post-makeover and in Vegas, she runs into Jack again, and he now hangs on her every word. Nellie decides to get out of town and back to Texas, fearful that Jack only likes her for her new appearance; however, she is surprised when he follows. “The sparks between the two are clearly evident,” commented RT Book Reviews Web site writer Alexandra Kay.
The series continues in The Way to Texas, in which a recently divorced woman gets a second chance at love with a good-looking contractor. Dawn and Tyson manage to navigate their new love with complications of children and ex-spouses. Kay dubbed this a “great read from start to finish,” in the online RT Book Reviews. In A Little Texas, larceny leads to love in an “entertaining story with a novel plot,” according to Kay in RT Book Reviews Web site.
A Taste of Texas and Waters Run Deep
A Taste of Texas serves up a second chance at love when Rayne Rose, a restaurant owner and chef returns to her hometown to open an inn and encounters her teenage love. Writing again in RT Book Reviews Web site, Kay felt that the book’s “strong storyline, and its endearing characters make it a lively and captivating novel.” The series concludes with A Touch of Scarlet in which Rayne’s actress sister, Scarlet. returns to the home to talk her sister out of marriage, only to find true love herself. Kay called this a “charming and occasionally humorous tale populated with well-drawn, likable characters,” in RT Book Reviews Web site.
Talley, a Louisiana native, sets her Boys of Bayou Bridge series in southern Louisiana. The series begins with Waters Run Deep, in which private investigator Anna Mendes meets a handsome police lieutenant while she’s protecting a star’s son. Writing in the online RT Book Reviews, Kay lauded the “well-drawn characters and a nicely paced story.”
Under the Autumn Sun and The Road to Bayou Bridge
Romance continues in Under the Autumn Sun, the tale of a college football recruiter who finds love with the sister of the player he is trying to recruit. Kay felt this nicely written story touches on a unique subject,” in RT Book Reviews Web site.
The series concludes with The Road to Bayou Bridge, in which a woman takes back the husband who does not remember their marriage. Kay termed this a “remarkably well-written and realistic story about the power of forgiveness,” in the online RT Book Reviews.
The Spirit of Christmas and His Uptown Girl
Louisiana is again the setting for Talley’s New Orleans’ Ladies series, which begins with The Spirit of Christmas. Here a young accountant finds a fortune and love because of her own good Christmas spirit in a “touching tale about the power of love, friendship and holiday cheer,” according to Kay in RT Book Reviews Web site.
His Uptown Girl sees jazz pianist Dez Batiste and antique shop owner Eleanor Theriot overcoming initial differences to discover true romance. “Sexy characters and an interesting plotline make Talley’s tale a must read,” noted Kay in the online RT Book Reviews.
His Brown-Eyed Girl, His Forever Girl, and The Sweetest September
In His Brown-Eyed Girl, Talley delivers a “nice tale about second chances,” according to Kay in RT Book Reviews Web site, while in His Forever Girl, friction between a the new CEO of a New Orleans company and the daughter of the owner who expected that job soon turns to romance. Kay dubbed this a “nicely written tale,” in RT Book Reviews Web site.
Talley again serves up romance Southern-style in her Home in Magnolia Bend series. This kicks off with The Sweetest September in which Shelby Mackey’s trip to Louisiana goes metaphorically south when she discovers her boyfriend has taken up with his former girlfriend. A consolation one-night stand with a stranger leaves Shelby pregnant, and the father is newly widowed and a reluctant mate. Writing in RT Book Reviews Web site, Kay noted, “Talley uses her skill to create authentic characters whose emotions and activities ring true.”
Sweet Talking Man, Charmingly Yours, and Perfectly Charming
Sweet Talking Man finds a single mom having a fling with a free-spirited man with a deep secret of his own. “The characters are a hoot and her dialogue sparkles,” noted Kay in RT Book Reviews Web site. Sweet Southern Nights sees co-workers and best friends Eva Monroe and Jake Beauchamp finding romance despite a past tragedy that still haunts Jake.
Morning Glory, Mississippi, is a small town and Rosemary Reynolds feels stultified in the series launch, Charmingly Yours. Then a dear friend’s death sends her on a journey to New York. There a wrong turn while out walking takes Rosemary straight into the arms of handsome Sal Genovese. What begins as a two-week fling, however, might have lasting implications. “Talley’s style is smart and delightful with just the right amount of sass and heat,” according to Carrie Townsend writing in the online RT Book Reviews.
Romance and adventure continue in Perfectly Charming, in which Jess Culpepper moves from Morning Glory to Florida in order to get away from her ex-husband. In Pensacola, she runs into a former classmate, nerdy Ryan Reeves, who has now made himself over into a lady’s man and operator of a charter fishing service. Ryan jumps at the chance to finally be with Jess, the former cheerleader he lusted after as a youth. However, Jess is reluctant to commit again so soon after her divorce. “Talley’s characters play well against each other in a classic ‘beauty and brains’ contrast, both possessing hidden depths,” noted a Publishers Weekly reviewer of this second series installment. A Kirkus Reviews Online critic was also impressed, terming it a “sweet, grown-up romance with a delightful mashup of fun and dysfunction.”
BIOCRIT
PERIODICALS
Publishers Weekly, June 20, 2016, review of Perfectly Charming, p. 139.
ONLINE
Dear Author, http://dearauthor.com/ (September 28, 2016), review of Perfectly Charming.
Fresh Fiction, http://freshfiction.com/ (October 27, 2015), review of A Wrong Bed Christmas.
Happy Ever After, http://happyeverafter.usatoday.com/ (September 5, 2012), Rula Sinara, author interview; (August 24, 2016), Kathy Altman, review of Charmingly Yours.
Harlequin Junkie, http://harlequinjunkie.com/ (January 2, 2013), review of The Spirit of Christmas; (February 25, 2014), review of His Forever Girl; (February 6, 2015), review of Sweet Talking Man; (November 19, 2015), review of A Wrong Bed Christmas; (January 25, 2016), review of Cowboy Crush; (May 13, 2016), review of Charmingly Yours.
Herding Cats & Burning Soup, http://www.herdingcats-burningsoup.com/ (May 26, 2016), author interview.
Kirkus Reviews Online, https://www.kirkusreviews.com/ (August 23, 2016), review of Perfectly Charming.
Liz Talley Home Page, http://www.liztalleybooks.com (February 13, 2017).
RT Book Reviews, https://www.rtbookreviews.com/ (March 5, 2017), Barbara Pizio, review of Cowboy Crush; Carrie Townsend, review of Charmingly Yours; Kim Jefferson, review of A Wrong Bed Christmas; Alexandra Kay, review of Sweet Talking Man, The Sweetest September, His Forever Girl, His Brown-Eyed Girl, His Uptown Girl, The Spirit of Christmas, The Road to Bayou Bridge, Under the Autumn Sky, Waters Run Deep, A Touch of Scarlet, A Taste of Texas, A Little Texas, The Way to Texas, and Vegas Two-Step.
Smart Bitches, Trashy Books, http://smartbitchestrashybooks.com/ (July 13, 2015), review of The Sweetest September.*
All About Liz
From the time she learned to read, Liz had a fascination with books. As a child she read Little Golden Books instead of napping. And, oh, the first time she read a romance – The Thornbirds – she was hooked. She ate up the SuperRomances on the shelves of her aunt’s used bookstore, borrowed her grandmother’s Boons and Mills Medical Romances (loved those nurses’ caps) and snuck her dad’s westerns so she could read the “romantic parts” (which lasted about a page). She inhales books, no doubt about it.
Of course, it never occurred to her to write a book until her college roommate said, “You read so many of those things, why don’t you write one?” The idea stuck and in 2010 her first book debuted. Now instead of reading romances, she’s writing them.
A finalist in both the Romance Writers of America’s Golden Heart contest and Rita awards, Liz is a member of NOLA Stars and often blogs on the 2009 Golden Heart blog – http://www.rubyslippersisterhood.com. She loves strawberries, fishing, retail therapy and is a Virgo. Liz married her high school sweetheart and has two smart, beautiful boys. When not writing contemporary romances, she can be found working in the flowerbed or doing laundry.
A finalist in both RWA's prestigious Golden Heart award and RITA award, Liz Talley has found a home writing sassy contemporary romance. Her stories are set in the South where the tea is sweet, the summers are hot and the men are hotter. Liz lives in North Louisiana with her childhood sweetheart, two handsome children, three dogs and a mean kitty. You can visit Liz at www.liztalleybooks.com to learn more about her upcoming books.
Thursday, May 26, 2016
Interview w/ Liz Talley-- naps, man candy & NYC fun?
Hey Guys! We've got Liz Talley joining us today! Yall give her a big welcome and hit those comments!
Morning Liz! Welcome to herding cats! How are things going over there?
Well, to be honest, I’m worn out. Not from the excitement of Charmingly Yours releasing, but from May. I’m a mom. May is hell. LOL. But I’m so happy to be here with y’all today.
::snort:: Can I say that even though mine are all kittehs? Naps for all, yeah? lol Alright. If you had just 10 seconds to cause a major case of *grabby hands* over Charmingly Yours what would you tell someone?
Hmm…Let’s go with “Small town girl gets lucky in NYC…and finds love” #mustreadthissummer
Works for me! *contemplates quickie trip to NYC* Can you tell us some fun behind the scenes facts about Charmingly Yours?
My favorite scene is the stairway striptease. Rosemary’s trying to be daring, and she and Sal take off one piece of clothing each flight up in the five story walk up. Have I done that before? Hmm….
My favorite secondary character – Gilda – popped out from nowhere while I was writing. I had Rosemary struggling to get a sewing machine up those same stairs and BAM! Gilda. I also didn’t know Gilda slept with Obi Wan Kenobi. She spilled that. She’s a great (and surprising) character.
Rosemary once placed second in a wet t-shirt contest during spring break. No one knows about it. Shhh.
Gilda sounds like a hoot! Alright, what's the first thing that pops into your head about Rosemary? What about Sal?
Rosemary – totally Southern; Sal - trapped
Oh me too! Yay for Southern girls! *taps fingers* Lets talk food for a second--mainly because I've been up for ages and still not had breakfast and I'm starving! lol-- If these two were going to fix the perfect meal for each other what would they each whip up for one another?
Rosemary would likely fix Sal a traditional Southern meal – I’m thinking chicken and dumplings, purple-hull peas, cornbread and fresh-sliced tomatoes. And finish it off with blackberry cobbler and bluebell ice cream.
Sal would fix an old-family recipe. Something very Italian. Maybe he’d do it in his pajama bottoms and bare feet. Rosemary could help him and while the sauce is thickening, the plot could be thickening. Or something thickening. Sounds dirty and fun, huh? LOL.
Bwaha I am ALL on board with Sal's cooking techniques. What was it about these two that gave you a little flutter?
I like that Sal recognizes something he needs in Rosemary. She stills him, and he finds her deliciously refreshing. And I love their first kiss on the streets of NYC. It’s almost gentle, as if he recognizes exactly what she needs. Sal’s a pretty sweet guy underneath his sexy Italian swagger.
Aw they sound sweet together. Now to heat things up a little....Favorite Man Candy?
Oh, I’ve always been partial to Henry Cavill in his Tudors days and what’s not to love about Sam Heughan in Outlander? Yeah, I have a hot historical man fetish.
I'm...okay with this fetish, Liz! lol Favorite New York attraction?
Empire State Building (I know. Totally tourist, but there’s so much romance attached. An Affair to Remember (sigh), Sleepless in Seattle, Charmingly Yours (like how I slid that in?))
::snort:: Nicely done. Nicely done. lol Weirdest thing in your purse right now?
Tennis ball (I have a Labrador retriever)
Best "wrong turn" ever?
Walking in the French Quarter and ended up in Marigny – lovely architecture and vibe.
Worst thing you've ever had in your mouth?
Ugh. Probably lots of things. My mother said I liked to eat dead bugs lying on window sills as a toddler. I think she should have dusted better. Her fault.
What adventure would you love to go on?
I want to go on an African safari. Photo safari, of course.
Oh that could be very fun! Before you head out! What's up next for you?
In September, the second book in the Morning Glory series releases with Perfectly Charming, the story of Jess and the Doogie Howser of Morning Glory High School. It’s set on a Florida beach so it’s totally flip flop appropriate.
Currently I’m writing Eden’s story and that one will be set in New Orleans and feature a speak easy, drag queens and a sexy single dad. I don’t have a release date on that one, but I’m hoping for early 2017.
How exciting! And yay for flip flops. :D Thanks so much for dropping in, Liz!
And thank you for having me. I love to visit new sites and this one is such fun!
For Rosemary Reynolds, life in tiny Morning Glory, Mississippi, is just like the fabric store she runs: it seems she’s always waiting around for someone else to make the first stitch. Then a dear childhood friend passes away, leaving behind a gift that sends Rosemary on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure.
Despite her mother’s protests, Rosemary heads to New York City for a stay in her cousin’s trendy Soho loft. On her first day in town, a wrong turn leads her to Little Italy…and into the arms of handsome, outgoing Sal Genovese. Sal’s mother wants him to marry a longtime family friend, but to him, Rosemary is a breath of fresh country air, and he’s happy to show her a good time. Soon, Rosemary is swept up in a world she thought only existed in movies. To turn a two-week fling into a forever thing, she and Sal will have to make every moment count.
From the time she learned to read, Liz had a fascination with books. As a child she read Little Golden Books instead of napping. And, oh, the first time she read a romance – The Thornbirds – she was hooked. She ate up the SuperRomances on the shelves of her aunt’s used bookstore, borrowed her grandmother’s Boons and Mills Medical Romances (loved those nurses’ caps) and snuck her dad’s westerns so she could read the “romantic parts” (which lasted about a page). She inhales books, no doubt about it. Of course, it never occurred to her to write a book until her college roommate said, “You read so many of those things, why don’t you write one?” The idea stuck and in 2010 her first book debuted. Now instead of reading romances, she’s writing them.
She loves strawberries, fishing, retail therapy and is a Virgo. Liz married her high school sweetheart and has two smart, beautiful boys. When not writing contemporary romances, she can be found working in the flowerbed or doing laundry.
QUOTE:
I never wanted to be a writer, but I am one. It took me awhile to discover that, just as it took me awhile to find the "road" to writing contemporary romance for Superromance. As a child I loved reading, daydreaming about my real parents (who were actually royalty and convinced I was dead) and bossing people around. Yeah, I know. How did I not figure out I was a writer … or delusional?
my hobby became writing Regency romance. It was just that — a hobby. Until I finished the book. By then I was hooked.
September 05, 2012
Interview: Liz Talley, author of 'The Road to Bayou Bridge'
Comments
3:00 PM
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By Rula Sinara, USA TODAY
CAPTION
The lucky niece of a used-book store owner, Harlequin Superromance author Liz Talley grew up surrounded by the imaginary worlds that fed her creative side. Her first romance, The Thornbirds, had her hooked on the genre forever after. Liz does such an exquisite job of embodying the rich atmosphere and flavor of the South in her books that each story leaves you hungry for more. Authenticity isn't limited to her vivid scene setting but is also infused in her vibrant characters. It's no wonder that she finaled in Romance Writers of America's prestigious Golden Heart contest (Regency category) in 2009 and landed her first book contract shortly after. Liz is president of RWA's NOLA Stars chapter, a Ruby Slippered Sister for life, and a writing workshop lecturer. Her Superromances have consistently received 4- and 4.5-star reviews from RT Book Reviews.
Rula: Welcome to HEA, Liz! Your latest release, The Road to Bayou Bridge, brings The Boys of Bayou Bridge series to one of the most satisfying series finales I've ever read. All three books, Waters Run Deep, Under the Autumn Sky and The Road to Bayou Bridge, do a phenomenal job of capturing the essence of southern Louisiana. The juxtaposition of God, cathedrals and fate vs. voodoo, fortune tellers and prophecies ... of privilege vs. poverty, predator vs. prey and even Zydeco rhythm vs. that of the lush swamp lands ... it's all there, enriching every page.
You're a northern Louisiana native, but you took a research trip south. What location, experience or visual affected you the most during your research trip? Did you have your fortune read?
Liz: Actually, I lived in New Orleans for seven years and my grandmother's family lives on Bayou Lafourche, so I was fairly familiar with the soggy part of the Bayou State, but when I undertook the project, I knew I needed to pop into small towns within Acadiana, even though I'd traveled I-10 and I-49 many times. So one weekend, I drove down south, traveling off the beaten path to the delightful town of Breaux Bridge and found it the perfect "fictional" town for my setting. Not only is the town picturesque, but the people are welcoming and treat you like family. As to my fortune, I've only had it read once in New Orleans, and it was not a very nice fortune. Basically, I will cheat on my husband and die at 78 … I wanted my money back but was too freaked out to ask.
Rula: Oh no! I'd want my money back too, LOL. In The Road to Bayou Bridge, your heroine, Renny Latioles, is a biologist involved in research and conservation of the endangered whooping crane. In Greek myth the whooping crane is an omen, much like the crane Renny tracks. In fact, the crane at Bayou Bridge's Beau Soleil plantation carries symbolism and parallels throughout the book. Although whooping cranes are considered migratory and territorial birds, the group in LA is non-migratory. However, Renny's crane has wandered far from its natural habitat. Your hero, Darby Dufrene, is also wandering, spreading his wings, although the pull toward his family home is undeniable. Whooping cranes are also known for their spectacular and noisy mating rituals. OK, stop laughing and hear me out. I think one could call the road to romance for Darby and Renny an eventful and "noisy" one in the sense that it's emotional and captivating when it comes to hurdles and conflict. In terms of what came first, the whooping crane or the egg, when did you decide which of Louisiana's creatures would become a part of Renny's life and the book as a whole? When did it all click in terms of story and symbolism? During research, writing ... or were cranes simply "in the cards"?
Liz: The idea of using a wildlife biologist came from a friend whose uncle studies bald eagles in Cameron Parish. When I started digging around looking for information on Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries, I stumbled on a section of the website dedicated to whooping cranes. One click and I was enraptured by a project bringing whoopers back to their native breeding grounds in the Louisiana wetlands. The work the biologists perform for these huge birds is amazing, and I loved all the intimate details of teaching them to walk, of biologists hiding their identities and the birds' release into the wild. It really clicked and the idea the Dufrene matriarch Picou would take a prophecy and manipulate it to her advantage really took root. I also built into the history of Beau Soleil a past with the whoopers. So, yeah, lots of clicking physically and mentally.
Rula: Well, you did a remarkable job integrating symbolism and themes in the book. Life coming full circle is a prominent theme in The Road to Bayou Bridge, as well as in the first two books. Parenting is tough, yet there is a fine line between manipulation and guidance, a line that was crossed by both Renny's and Darby's parents. In your opinion, how do we as parents know we're making the best choices for our children? Or do we ever know? Your story's matriarch never loses hope ... but she relies a bit on prophecy.
CAPTION
Liz: Tough question, but one parents need to think about — how far do we go to protect our children from themselves? In the book, Renny's mother and Darby's parents intentionally separate their children for what they feel is their own good … so both Renny and Darby have a chance to grow up. In the parents' minds, neither of their children are very good for one another — one is self-destructive, the other so in love she will give up her dreams. There were shades of gray all over the situation: How much meddling is too much? How much is justified? Those questions can't be answered for Renny and Darby, and when they find out the truth, each must come to terms with what was done in the name of a parent's love. I do like that Picou tries to "fix" the situation by giving her son and the woman he once loved a second chance. I also like the complexity it brings to Renny's relationship with her mother, Bev.
Rula: Those shades of gray made for a powerful story. Your hero and heroine take the long road in discovering that they can't find their happily ever after unless they first embrace who they are as individuals (a great lesson for all!). Although you were always an avid reader, you became a teacher before you started writing books. You also wrote Regencies before discovering your contemporary voice. Has discovering your writing gift allowed you to embrace who you are on a deeper level? How so?
Liz: I never wanted to be a writer, but I am one. It took me awhile to discover that, just as it took me awhile to find the "road" to writing contemporary romance for Superromance. As a child I loved reading, daydreaming about my real parents (who were actually royalty and convinced I was dead) and bossing people around. Yeah, I know. How did I not figure out I was a writer … or delusional? Eventually I gave up on my fabulously wealthy real parents finding me, and decided to teach English. Bossy? Check. Reading? Check. And I loved it, but eventually I embraced the role of SAHM — or rather tried to embrace. I found I was not cut out for babyproofing everything in sight and making homemade dinners, so my hobby became writing Regency romance. It was just that — a hobby. Until I finished the book. By then I was hooked. Several years later I got an idea for writing an idea about a librarian who'd fallen into premature spinsterhood and I took my first step down the road to a career. Like Picou, I believe water always finds a path.
Rula: Very wise and very true. I know your aunt and grandma have played big roles in surrounding you with books (including romance). I also know firsthand that your grandma taught you how to make the best pecan pralines ever! The Beau Soleil plantation has a cook who makes mouthwatering pralines, pecan pie, cherry chocolate cake and more. I think I gained weight just watching your characters indulge in her treats! Are all the desserts in The Boys of Bayou Bridge series based on your secret family recipes? Many secrets unfold in your Bayou books. Care to spill the one on how to make those perfect pralines here and now? We can pretend they're calorie-free. :)
Liz: Ah, we Southerners love secrets and so there are a few in the series — wouldn't be fun without them.
CAPTION
I live in Louisiana and I'm pretty sure we're one of the plumpest states for good reason. We love to eat good food, and it's not a party without a grill, smoker or pot of something on the stove, so it's pretty integral to the story line. My mother is truly "the cook" in the family — she has a gift — but many of the recipes were handed down, including a delicious one for pralines. I actually have this recipe in a recipe book that will be released soon from the 2009 Golden Heart Finalist blog, The Ruby Slippered Sisterhood, so if anyone wants it, it will be there. Free. But my mother claims the true magic is in beating the candy until it is creamy — no flat pralines around our house. I also have an awesome recipe for pecan pie that my other grandmother made. It's super rich, wonderful and fattening. You know … perfect.
Rula: I'm definitely getting that recipe book! It sounds as yummy as your writing success. You've contracted an amazing 16 books since you launched with Harlequin Superromance in 2010! Your next book, The Spirit of Christmas, will release in time for the holidays. Can you tell us a bit about it?
Liz: Oh, it's wonderful, sappy and perfect for Christmas. I love, love, love this book. I actually got the idea for it a long time ago when I complained to my husband about that Christmas song about the kid buying the shoes for his dying mother. They had played it so much, and I made a snarky comment that I'd rather it be Christmas socks. It was inane, but being a writer, my mind took off on a story about buying Christmas socks. Lo and behold, there Mary Paige stood with her marshmallow heart and sense of purpose. All I needed was a crazy billionaire and a grumpy grandson to re-create a New Orleans A Christmas Carol. It's a fun book with a weenie dog in a Santa hat and a secondary romance involving a former nun. I love it. Lots. And I hope readers will take time to prop up their aching feet (from all that shopping) and take a moment to fall in love with Brennan, Mary Paige and New Orleans.
Rula: Romance with a former nun … I'm picturing The Sound of Music and A Christmas Carol all wrapped up in one! You've put me in the mood to curl up and read ... perhaps with a steaming mug of chicory coffee and a plate of warm beignets at my side. Thanks so much for hanging out at Happy Ever After!
Wishing you and everyone else an HEA.
Readers can find out more about Liz and her books at her website, LizTalleyBooks.com.
Rula Sinara lives in Virginia's countryside where she can indulge her love of nature — bugs and reptiles included. She's a writer, mother of boys and zany Labradoodles and, therefore, caffeine connoisseur. She loves dark chocolate, but she'd trade it for "me" time with a romantic movie, book or a garden center shopping spree. Her interviews can also be found at her blog, A Writer's Rush.
QUOTE:
Talley's characters play well against each other in a classic "beauty and brains" contrast, both possessing hidden depths
Perfectly Charming
Publishers Weekly. 263.25 (June 20, 2016): p139.
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2016 PWxyz, LLC
http://www.publishersweekly.com/
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Full Text:
Perfectly Charming
Liz Talley. Montlake Romance, $12.95 trade
paper (313p) ISBN 978-1-5039-3620-1
A newly divorced woman gets a second chance at love in the sweet, understated second Morning Glory contemporary (after Charmingly Yours). Jess Culpepper moves from her small Mississippi hometown to Pensacola, Fla., in order to get away from her ex-husband and a lifetime of memories. As she settles into her new life at the beach, she unexpectedly runs into an old friend: Ryan Reyes, whom she remembers as a socially inept child genius. He's reinvented himself as an easygoing ladies' man with a fishing charter service. Now he finally has a shot at getting together with the cheerleader he yearned for all those years ago. At first Jess is reluctant to leap into a new relationship, but she soon gives in to Ryan's charms and her own desires, and they discover an explosive chemistry in the bedroom. Before they can reach a happily ever after, they have to confront their insecurities and preconceived notions of what love truly is. Talley's characters play well against each other in a classic "beauty and brains" contrast, both possessing hidden depths, and their developing relationship is tender and vibrant. Agent: Michelle Grajkowski, 3 Seas Literary Agency. (Oct.)
September 28, 2016
REVIEW: Perfectly Charming by Liz Talley
JayneB+ REVIEWS / BOOK REVIEWS / RECOMMENDED READScinderella / Contemporary / divorcee / second chance / Small-Town6 Comments
RECOMMENDED READ
perfectly-charming
Morning Glory native Jess Culpepper is desperate to get out of town after divorcing the only man she’s ever dated. She takes a temporary nursing job in Florida and, thanks to the bequest of her late friend, Lacy, has the funds to rent a condo right on the beach. She’s not prepared to literally trip over her old high school lab partner—and definitely not prepared for how deliciously hot he is now.
Ryan Reyes, once known as “The Brain,” has worked hard to become more than the skinny nerd that jocks bullied and girls politely tolerated. At twenty-six, he has retired from science to run a charter fishing business in Pensacola and spend his leisure time catching up on the debauchery he missed. But when the unattainable girl of his teenage fantasies moves in down the beach, old feelings come flooding back.
Their scorching attraction soon leads them into bed—but what starts as no-strings-attached fun is complicated by a return to Morning Glory and the shadows of their shared past. Can the head cheerleader and the geek redefine themselves and forge ahead to find their happily ever after?
Dear Ms. Talley,
I know it’s been a while since I reviewed one of your books but wow, what a way to get back in the saddle. I enjoy second chance stories and crossed with a (in this case) Cinderfella theme I just had to read this. Oh, and I’ve already gone back and bought the first book in the series.
Recent divorcee Jess supposedly had the perfect life and husband until he started banging the local florist – who fixed the bouquet he handed to Jess even as he told her he wanted out of their marriage. Bastard. Now she needs someplace new, away from the pity of her small hometown. Beach! She just never expected to trip over the Brain while going to ask the neighbors to turn down the music.
Ryan has deliberately put nerddom behind him. A boy genius who spent adolescence being picked on, in science labs and earning both a MD and PhD degrees, he has chucked it all, taken down his Star Trek posters, put away his action figures, hidden his MST3K (yay!) and Dr. Who dvds and transformed into Regular Guy. He just never expected to be tripped over by the girl of his teenage dreams while lying naked on the beach. Yeah, it was some party.
Both Jess and Ryan lived lives planned out. Jess did her own planning but Ryan’s parents arranged his. He’s had the courage and insight to toss his over while Jess had it done for her by her cheating ex. After a few missteps it takes a bad double date to get both of them to (separately) decide “why the hell not?” He’s always wanted her and now he looks good enough to sop up with a biscuit as well as being kind, thoughtful and sweet. And since she’s only planning on being in Pensacola for a few months, if things go badly, it’s not as if she’ll be dodging him in the grocery store.
Ryan might have calculated how much time living like a player frat boy playing the field he needed in order to catch up with where he thought he should be in life but he never counted on his heart. NOT that he’s in love with Jess – no, not that. He also thought he didn’t need to return home to show off his hotness. But Jess still needs a crutch when she returns home for a wedding. Guess who she talks into being her “+ one”?
Ah the trip back home. How much have either of them – deep down – really changed? Passing the “Welcome to Morning Glory” city sign brings back all Ryan’s insecurities. Meanwhile Jess goes all “squealing Southern woman” (and I say this as a born and bred Southern Woman) with her friends. Then her ex husband begins circling like a shark.
Now is when the rubber really meets the road in this story and where it rises to earn its grade. I had wondered what would cause these two to examine their relationship and move past the easy and physical. Some hard truths smack them in the face and cause some true soul searching. It isn’t easy and definitely not pretty but it’s what was needed for them to reach a HEA I can buy into for the long term. And it didn’t even require the services of the Elvis impersonator either! Though that would have been cool. Maybe for their own wedding down the road… B+
~Jayne
QUOTE:
A sweet, grown-up romance with a delightful mashup of fun and dysfunction.
PERFECTLY CHARMING
by Liz Talley
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KIRKUS REVIEW
When a divorcée takes an out-of-town job in Pensacola, the last thing she expects is to run into an old nerdy classmate—and he’s totally hot now.
Jess Culpepper has had one love in her life: the boy she fell in love with in ninth grade, whom she married a month out of college and divorced just shy of her 30th birthday. Desperate to get out of the small Mississippi town they both share, Jess takes a nursing job in Pensacola, where she literally runs into an old classmate, Ryan Reyes. Once nicknamed The Brain, Dr. Ryan Reyes, M.D., Ph.D., has abandoned his life of Nobel-worthy science and research to run a charter fishing boat. But he could never forget the girl he had a crush on as a high school nerd. After some hesitation based on their history and the fact that neither is looking to start a new relationship, the pair spark up a friendship that quickly leads to more. In this second Morning Glory novel, Talley (Charmingly Yours, 2016, etc.) has created two well-conceived characters, each with his or her own issues. The ongoing emotional conflict that barrages the two lovers is both sweet and frustrating but leads to a satisfactory conclusion.
A sweet, grown-up romance with a delightful mashup of fun and dysfunction.
Pub Date: Oct. 18th, 2016
ISBN: 978-1-5039-3620-1
Page count: 314pp
Publisher: Montlake Romance
Review Posted Online: Aug. 23rd, 2016
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1st, 2016
REVIEW: Cowboy Crush by Liz Talley
Posted January 25th, 2016 by Sara @HarlequinJunkie in Blaze, Blog, Harlequin Mills&Boon, Review / 3 comments
Cowboy-CrushCowboy Crush by Liz Talley: An injured cowboy and a city girl, a ranch in the middle of nowhere Texas and dreams that rival the state? What good is going to come of this?
Maggie Stanton didn’t know why her boss and her father figure had given her his ranch when he passed away. She didn’t understand why she was in the middle of nowhere Texas trying to make it work. Maggie didn’t have a clue about any of it, and she knew she needed help quickly.
Calhoun Lincoln was just trying to pass some time, rehab his shoulder and get ready to get back to the rodeo, then she walked into his world. So he started thinking a little differently, maybe it was time that they could spend together enjoy themselves and then be off to their different futures.
When it comes to flipping properties though people tend to get close and Mags and Cal might have gotten a little closer than they had planned but the time together may have them healing a lot more than the physical stuff they had planned on.
Ms. Talley has given her readers a fast paced novel that gives her characters some interesting twists as they learn more about themselves. What really works with this novel is the play between Mags and Cal. Miss Talley makes them bounce in this weird world of lovers, friends, boss and employee without ever really making it seem like any sort of real transition is happening. The ending itself isn’t a huge surprise but the twist of how it comes to be in unusual. This is a nice cowboy/city slicker novel with a good bit of heat.
Book Info:
03S Published January 19th 2016 | Harlequin Blaze |
Cowboy for hire
Pro bull rider Cal Lincoln is back home in Coyote Creek, Texas, recovering from an injury and bored out of his mind. Then she walks in—a stunning brunette with sinfully kissable lips. She was definitely not a local. Suddenly things are lookin’ up…
Maggie Stanton can’t let herself—or her starved libido—get distracted by a broad-shouldered cowboy with a sexy-as-all-hell smile. She needs to fix up the dilapidated ranch she’s inherited and sell it fast. If that means hiring Cal to help, she will—temptation be damned. But she and Cal can’t deny their attraction and agree to work hard on the ranch during the day and then play hard at night. Even knowing that every wild rodeo ride usually ends with someone getting hurt.
Image of Cowboy Crush (Harlequin Blaze)
COWBOY CRUSH
Image of Cowboy Crush (Harlequin Blaze)
Author(s): Liz Talley
COWBOY CRUSH (4) by Liz Talley: After her boss’ death, Philadelphia native Maggie Stanton finds herself the owner of a dilapidated ranch in Texas. On her first day in town, she meets a handsome, smooth-talking cowboy. Maggie hires him on the spot to help her renovate the property, not knowing that he’s Cal Lincoln, a two-time world rodeo champion who’s attempting to recover from the worst spill of his bull-riding career. Cal quickly charms his way into Maggie’s bed, but he’s so fearful about his future, he doesn’t notice how she’s worked her way into his heart. Maggie must decide whether she’ll sell the property or build a life in the Lone Star State — with or without the headstrong cowboy who’s made an unfamiliar place seem like home. Cal’s playfulness is the perfect foil for Maggie’s no-nonsense attitude. What starts as a hot summer fling develops into a sultry love affair in this sweet and sexy Southern romance.
Reviewed by:
Barbara Pizio
QUOTE:
Talley’s style is smart and delightful with just the right amount of sass and heat
CHARMINGLY YOURS
Image of Charmingly Yours (A Morning Glory Novel)
Author(s): Liz Talley
Southern friendship fiction meets New York rom-com in this engaging novel. Rosemary and Sal have sizzling chemistry, and while a host of distinctive supporting characters add to the entertainment factor, it’s really these two main characters who give the story its heart. Talley’s style is smart and delightful with just the right amount of sass and heat.
Rosemary Reynolds is merely existing in her hometown of Morning Glory, Miss., suffocated by her mother’s opinion. After the devastating loss of her best friend, Rosemary uses the gift Lacy left behind to embark on a New York adventure. Sal Genovese wasn’t the sort of adventure she’d had in mind, but she plans to enjoy every second of their agreed-upon two-week fling. Now, if only her heart wouldn’t count on forever. (MONTLAKE, Jun., 287 pp., $12.95)
Reviewed by:
Carrie Townsend
A WRONG BED CHRISTMAS
Image of A Wrong Bed Christmas: Ignited\Where There's Smoke (The Wrong Bed)
Author(s): Kimberly Van MeterLiz Talley
A WRONG BED CHRISTMAS (4) by Kimberly Van Meter & Liz Talley: In Van Meter’s Ignited, Alexis Matheson freaks out when Layton Davis gets in her bed, thinking it’s empty. But the stakes are raised to an erotic level when he helps treat her injured ankle. In Talley’s Where There’s Smoke, Emma Brent and her longtime crush Erik Matheson take refuge in an abandoned cabin after being plunged into a snowy ditch. They share a bed in order to stay warm, leading to one of the more arousing encounters we’ve seen in Blaze all year. These two authors work well to create one cohesive story with two distinct scenarios in their own voices.
Reviewed by:
Kim Jefferson
QUOTE:
characters are a hoot and her dialogue sparkles.
SWEET TALKING MAN
Image of Sweet Talking Man (Home in Magnolia Bend)
Author(s): Liz Talley
SWEET TALKING MAN (4.5) by Liz Talley: Single mom and bed-and-breakfast owner Abigail Orgeron is tired of being good all the time, and Leif Lively is just the man to be bad with. But free-spirited, yoga-pants-wearing Leif has some secrets. He moved to Magnolia Bend to find his father, the man his mother had an affair with 34 years earlier, before she was run out of town to avoid a false murder charge. When Abigail’s cheating ex-husband comes to town with plans to win her back, her life only gets more complicated. Talley’s fun storyline and the hint of mystery surrounding Leif’s mother make for a great read. The characters are a hoot and her dialogue sparkles.
Reviewed by:
Alexandra Kay
QUOTE:
Talley uses her skill to create authentic characters whose emotions and activities ring true.
THE SWEETEST SEPTEMBER
Image of The Sweetest September (Harlequin Superromance\Home in Magnolia)
Author(s): Liz Talley
THE SWEETEST SEPTEMBER (4.5) by Liz Talley: When Shelby Mackey goes to Louisiana only to find that her boyfriend has taken up with the girl he loved long before he met her, she winds up pregnant after having sex with a stranger. But John Beauchamp can’t deal with the guilt, as his wife’s only been dead a year. Nearly three months later, Shelby’s back to tell John he’s going to be a daddy and, to her surprise, he wants to be involved. Talley uses her skill to create authentic characters whose emotions and activities ring true. It’s not hard to picture Shelby acting impulsively with a man after being thrown over by another, just like it’s not hard to see John wanting to be close to his child after losing his wife.
Reviewed by:
Alexandra Kay
QUOTE:
nicely written tale
HIS FOREVER GIRL
Image of His Forever Girl (Harlequin Superromance)
Author(s): Liz Talley
HIS FOREVER GIRL (4.5) by Liz Talley: After losing his job and feeling like a failure at life, Graham Naquin moves home to New Orleans and takes a job as CEO of a float-making company in order to be closer to his son. Unfortunately, Tess Ullo expected to get the job at the family company, and she’s not happy that her dad chose Graham over her. It doesn’t help that she and Graham had a one-night stand when he came to town for the interview and then he never called her. Sparks fly during Graham and Tess’ conversations, and the addition of Tess’ father’s cancer makes for a compelling backstory to this nicely written tale.
Reviewed by:
Alexandra Kay
QUOTE:
nice tale about second chances.
Reviewed by:
HIS BROWN-EYED GIRL
Image of His Brown-Eyed Girl (Harlequin Superromance)
Author(s): Liz Talley
HIS BROWN-EYED GIRL (4) by Liz Talley: Florist Addy Toussant meets photographer Lucas Finlay when his nephew drives a dirt bike through her greenhouse. In spite of his huge size and her own fears over an attack when she was a teen, Addy is drawn to Lucas because of his gentle and caring nature toward his niece and nephews. And it’s a good thing Lucas is right next door when the man who attacked Addy years earlier is released from prison. Talley’s characters are well drawn and complex. It’s a nice tale about second chances.
Reviewed by:
Alexandra Kay
QUOTE:
Sexy characters and an interesting plotline make Talley’s tale a must read.
HIS UPTOWN GIRL
Author(s): Liz Talley
2013 – Harlequin Superromance winner
HIS UPTOWN GIRL (4.5) by Liz Talley: When jazz pianist Dez Batiste moves into a quiet New Orleans neighborhood with the intention of opening a jazz club, he meets resistance from nearby shopowners who believe his club will bring unsavory people into the neighborhood. Even though antique shop owner Eleanor Theriot initially thinks Dez’s club is a bad idea, she’s attracted to the sexy younger musician. Fortunately, the two have time to bridge their gap and solve their difference of opinion. Sexy characters and an interesting plotline make Talley’s tale a must read. Dez is sexy and just troubled enough to be compelling, and Ellie is a strong, likable female character.
Reviewed by:
Alexandra Kay
QUOTE:
touching tale about the power of love, friendship and holiday cheer
THE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS
Image of The Spirit of Christmas
Author(s): Liz Talley
THE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS (4) by Liz Talley: After accountant Mary Paige Gentry buys coffee and a pair of socks for a homeless man on her way to a holiday party, she is named the Spirit of Christmas and given a $2 million check by wealthy department store owner Malcolm Henry, Jr. But being the Spirit of Christmas means spending time with Malcolm’s grandson Brennan at holiday functions, where she quickly discovers his bah-humbug attitude. Fortunately, Mary Paige is just the person to help Brennan rediscover his holiday spirit. A touching tale about the power of love, friendship and holiday cheer, readers will love Talley’s sweet story.
Reviewed by:
Alexandra Kay
QUOTE:
remarkably well-written and realistic story about the power of forgiveness.
THE ROAD TO BAYOU BRIDGE
Image of The Road to Bayou Bridge
Author(s): Liz Talley
THE ROAD TO BAYOU BRIDGE (4.5) by Liz Talley: Having just left the Navy as a lawyer and planning to relocate to Seattle to practice, Darby Dufrene decides he needs to make a pit stop back home in Louisiana — and finds a marriage license that says he’s married to the girl he loved as a teen, Renny Latioles. But he hasn’t seen Renny since he abandoned her after a drunk-driving accident injured her on the night of the wedding that he doesn’t remember. Talley’s characters have real depth, and her depiction of their emotions seems spot-on in this remarkably well-written and realistic story about the power of forgiveness.
Reviewed by:
Alexandra Kay
QUOTE:
nicely written story touches on a unique subject
UNDER THE AUTUMN SKY
Image of Under the Autumn Sky
Author(s): Liz Talley
UNDER THE AUTUMN SKY (4) by Liz Talley: College football recruiter and coach Abram Dufrene meets Louise (Lou) Boyd while trying to recruit her brother Waylon for his college team. He’s immediately attracted to the beautiful blonde who put her own dreams on hold to raise her siblings after their parents’ deaths. But when accusations of impropriety with a prospect’s sister threaten to derail his job, their budding relationship takes a hit. Talley does a particularly good job depicting the sexual tension between Abram and Lou, and her nicely written story touches on a unique subject: the recruitment of college athletes.
Reviewed by:
Alexandra Kay
QUOTE:
well-drawn characters and a nicely paced story
WATERS RUN DEEP
Image of Waters Run Deep
Author(s): Liz Talley
WATERS RUN DEEP (4) by Liz Talley: While working undercover as a nanny to protect a Hollywood starlet’s son from anonymous threats, private investigator Anna Mendes meets local police lieutenant Nate Dufrene, whose mother owns the home where the movie is being filmed. Nate is just as determined to catch the unknown party as Anna is — because the threats against young Spencer bring back Nate’s boyhood memories of a sister who was abducted 20 years ago and never returned. With well-drawn characters and a nicely paced story, Talley’s tale is given depth through a secondary storyline involving a family reunion.
Reviewed by:
Alexandra Kay
QUOTE:
charming and occasionally humorous tale populated with well-drawn, likable characters
A TOUCH OF SCARLET
Image of A Touch of Scarlet
Author(s): Liz Talley
A TOUCH OF SCARLET (4) by Liz Talley: When actress Scarlet Rose goes to Texas to talk her older sister Rayne out of getting married, she meets police officer Adam Hinton when he stops her for speeding, which causes her to miss the wedding. But Scarlet is so attracted to Adam that she can’t possibly hold her delayed arrival against him. And when she gets in trouble a second time and is forced to stick around town for a few weeks, the two have just enough time to decide the attraction is mutual. This is a charming and occasionally humorous tale populated with well-drawn, likable characters.
Reviewed by:
Alexandra Kay
QUOTE:
strong storyline, and its endearing characters make it a lively and captivating novel
A TASTE OF TEXAS
Image of A Taste of Texas
Author(s): Liz Talley
A TASTE OF TEXAS (4.5) by Liz Talley: When restaurant owner, chef and author Rayne Rose goes home to turn her aunt’s bed and breakfast into a successful inn, the first person she sees is Brent Hamilton, whom she loved as a teen, but who was to scared to love her in return. Rayne wants nothing to do with him, but when Brent coaches her son, Henry, in baseball and begins doing carpentry work at the inn, the two are forced to spend time together. Soon they rekindle the romance of their youth. A Taste of Texas has a strong storyline, and its endearing characters make it a lively and captivating novel. Brent’s and Rayne’s insecurities only make them more likable.
Reviewed by:
Alexandra Kay
QUOTE:
Talley crafts an entertaining story with a novel plot
A LITTLE TEXAS
Image of A Little Texas
Author(s): Liz Talley
A LITTLE TEXAS (4) by Liz Talley: After her business partner uses their funds for personal items, Kate Newman needs to pay off the IRS. She attempts to blackmail her father, Justus Mitchell, who’s never acknowledged her as his, to get the money. Justus agrees, if she’ll spend two weeks with him, and sends his former assistant, Rick Mendez, to pick her up. Kate’s attracted to Rick, who is opening a center to rehabilitate gang members. But determined to make up for his own past, Rick refuses to be distracted by Kate. Talley crafts an entertaining story with a novel plot. Her characters are likable and vibrant.
Reviewed by:
Alexandra Kay
QUOTE:
great read from start to finish.
THE WAY TO TEXAS
Image of The Way to Texas
Author(s): Liz Talley
THE WAY TO TEXAS (4) by Liz Talley: After the breakup of her marriage, Dawn Taggart moves out of town to run a senior center with her brother’s wife. She meets contractor Tyson Hart when he comes to remodel a portion of the home that houses the senior center. Immediately attracted, the two form a relationship that is constantly complicated by Dawn’s college-age son, Tyson’s teenage daughter and their ex-spouses. Nicely drawn characters and complications make The Way to Texas a great read from start to finish. Dawn’s and Tyson’s family complications will keep readers interested, as will the conflict between the two sparked by Dawn’s trust issues.
Reviewed by:
Alexandra Kay
QUOTE:
The sparks between the two are clearly evident.
Reviewed by:
VEGAS TWO-STEP
Image of Vegas Two-Step
Author(s): Liz Talley
VEGAS TWO-STEP (4) by Liz Talley: Stuck in a rut, Texas librarian Nellie Hughes agrees to a makeover and a trip to Vegas to see her friend Kate. While at the airport, and pre-makeover, Nellie feels an immediate attraction to a nearby man; engrossed in a sports game, Jack Darby virtually ignores her. But when she meets Jack again in Vegas, at the club he owns, post-makeover, he spends an entire evening trying to impress her and to convince her to spend the rest of her stay with him. Certain that Jack has only fallen for the way she looks, Nellie hightails it back to Texas — and is shocked when Jack follows her. Talley offers a charming spin, with plenty of heat, on a traditional love story. Jack is in love and sure of his feelings seemingly long before Nellie is. The sparks between the two are clearly evident.
Reviewed by:
Alexandra Kay
REVIEW: Charmingly Yours by Liz Talley
Posted May 13th, 2016 by Sara @HarlequinJunkie in Blog, Contemporary Romance, HJ Recommends, Review / 5 comments
HJ_Recommends
In Charmingly Yours (Morning Glory #1) by Liz Talley , we meet 3 amazing charminglyyourswomen that are drawn together after the death of their best friend. What she leaves them with her unfinished charm bracelet and the request that they fill it, they are at first left feeling puzzled. But when they are each given a letter, and very specific instructions, things become more clear. First up in this amazing series is Rosemary. This story is for her and Sal.
Rosemary was always sheltered by her mother and father. Practically place in bubble wrap, never aloud to spread her wings. What her friend request of her, to spread her wings, to find a dream that she had long forgotten and pursue it. To live, love and get out from under her mother’s thumb. To take a chance, take a risk and have some fun.
When Rosemary’s cousin asks her to come to Soho and cat sit for her while she is out of town, Rosemary decides to leave little Morning Glory and head off into the big city. When she loses her way and runs into the hot, sexy italian who is soliciting he families meatballs, Rosemary cannot help the little thrill that runs through her. Sal is everything that she is looking for in a 2 week fling, the perfect thing to help her finally start living.
Sal Genovese has had his heart broke by a woman who was far to different than he is. Someone that was removed from his life and his dreams. Agreeing to allow his mother to pick the next woman in his life, he is now trying to run for the family friend that his mother throws in his path at every turn. What he did not count on was finding Rosemary, who is like a breath of fresh air. She could not be more different than he is, but he cannot get her out of his head and out of his heart.
The more time that Sal and Rosemary spend together, the harder that they know that it will be to part when their 2 weeks are over. But when a jealous snake causes problems and plants that seeds of doubt in Rosemary’s mind, it will take grand gestures and a little Mississippi heat to prove to Rosemary that where she goes, Sal will always follow.
I loved this amazing story from start to finish and I cannot wait for more in this series. The relationship between Sal and Rosemary, the connection that they had was beautiful to watch. Seeing his city through her eyes made Sal fall more in love with Rosemary day after day. Seeing how kind and caring that Sal was, when he showed a real interest in her work, in her opportunities, made Rosemary realized that her heart would never be the same without him.
If you are looking for an amazing summertime read with a touch of lazy Mississippi charm with a mix of big city adventure, than this is the perfect way to kick off your summer reading.
Book Info:
4SPublication: May 24th 2016 | Montlake Romance | Morning Glory #1
For Rosemary Reynolds, life in tiny Morning Glory, Mississippi, is just like the fabric store she runs: it seems she’s always waiting around for someone else to make the first stitch. Then a dear childhood friend passes away, leaving behind a gift that sends Rosemary on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure.
Despite her mother’s protests, Rosemary heads to New York City for a stay in her cousin’s trendy Soho loft. On her first day in town, a wrong turn leads her to Little Italy…and into the arms of handsome, outgoing Sal Genovese. Sal’s mother wants him to marry a longtime family friend, but to him, Rosemary is a breath of fresh country air, and he’s happy to show her a good time. Soon, Rosemary is swept up in a world she thought only existed in movies. To turn a two-week fling into a forever thing, she and Sal will have to make every moment count.
REVIEW: A Wrong Bed Christmas by Kimberly Van Meter and Liz Talley
Posted November 19th, 2015 by Sara @HarlequinJunkie in Blaze, Blog, Harlequin Mills&Boon, Review / 4 comments
A Wrong Bed Christmas is two novellas in one book. First is Ignited, by Kimberly Van A-Wrong-Bed-ChristmasMeter. In Ignited, Alexis Matheson was supposed to take a trip with her best friend, Emma. Sidetracked by an incoming snowstorm, they decide to spend the night at Alexis’s brother, Erik’s, house, where Alexis had been staying. Erik, not realizing the women were there, invited his best friend, Layton, to stay in Alexis’s room after they finished fighting a blaze.
Alexis gets a big surprise when Layton slips into bed with her. In her haste to get away from the stranger, she trips and sprains her ankle. Unable to travel with Emma, Layton volunteers to take care of Alexis while Erik goes with Emma.
Both Alexis and Layton had been hurt in the past, and both were weary of getting into a relationship again. They kept telling themselves that they were only going to be with one another until Erik and Emma returned, but as they spent time getting to know one another, they start to want more. They need to decide if being together is worth upsetting Erik.
Where There’s Smoke by Liz Talley takes place simultaneously to Ignited. Emma wakes up to a naked Erik about to climb into his bed. Erik has always viewed Emma as a little sister, but seeing her all grown up has him looking at her in a whole new light. Emma, for her part, has always had a crush on Erik.
When Alexis is unable to make the trip to attend the awards ceremony for Emma’s parents, Erik volunteers to go with her. He wanted to go not only because he didn’t want her traveling by herself with the poor road conditions, but he wanted to spend time alone with her. When their car ends up in a ditch with no cell signal and no help in sight, they take refuge in an empty cabin. As the hours pass, they spend time getting to know each other both in and out of bed. Like Alexis and Layton, they need to decide if being together is worth upsetting Alexis.
The stories weren’t bad, but I would have liked to have seen a little more character development. It seemed like the majority of the time was spent in the bedroom, which made their relationships both seem a little unrealistic at times.
My main issue was that there was no resolution between the two couples. Erik warns Layton off of Alexis during a phone conversation–which didn’t work–but there’s no follow-up. It’s clear Erik suspects something’s going on between his friend and his sister, but we don’t get to see them meet up and discover how he really feels or see how he reacts when he realizes they’re together. The same goes with Erik and Emma. Alexis knows Emma has always had a crush on Erik–even if she never admitted it to her– and she doesn’t seemed pleased at the thought of them together. We don’t get to see her reaction when she finds out they’re together. Considering the way both stories connected with one another, it felt like a piece of the puzzle was missing.
A Wrong Bed Christmas is a quick, easy read. If you like sibling’s best friend tropes, you may enjoy the novellas in this book.
Book Info:
03.5SPublication: October 20, 2015 | Harlequin Blaze |
The Wrong Bed—But the Right Guy!
Ignited by Kimberly Van Meter
What do you do when a sexy, naked fireman gets into your bed? If you’re Alexis Matheson, you freak out. But now she’s snowed in with Layton Davis, and suddenly Alexis’s best intentions to behave seem to have disappeared up the chimney. Because a hot ‘n’ naughty firefighter in her bed might be the best Christmas surprise ever…
Where There’s Smoke by Liz Talley
Emma Rose Brent is sure she’s dreaming when Erik Matheson, her bestie’s Überhot older brother—who she’s been crushing on for years—mistakenly slips into her bed, all gloriously naked. But Emma must have been a very good girl this year, because she’s been given the best gift of all: the chance to be really, really bad…
A Wrong Bed Christmas
Kimberly Van Meter, Liz Talley
Reviewed by Linda Green
Posted October 27, 2015
Holiday | Romance Contemporary
In the first of two linked Christmas tales, we meet Alexis Matheson and Layton Davis. Alexis is feisty, sassy and intelligent but has appalling taste in men. Discovering that her last boyfriend had been cheating on her has really dented her confidence, so she has decided to swear off men for the foreseeable future. But she had not expected a sexy firefighter to jump into bed with her and get all frisky. This complete misunderstanding results in Alexis injured and unable to travel with her friend Emma to a Christmas party. Layton steps up and agrees to stay with Alexis so that Emma can travel with Alexis' brother, Erik. So what if their sexual chemistry is off the charts. Both Layton and Alexis agree that they should not go there.
In the second tale we get to see how Erik Matheson and Emma are getting along as they travel to her family's Christmas party. Unfortunately, fate has other plans and they find themselves stuck in a ditch and forced to find shelter in an abandoned cabin. But Emma doesn't mind too much as it allows her to spend time with the man she has loved since she was a teenager. It's a pity that he only looks at her like his sister's best friend. But maybe things are about to change, for Erik is finally seeing that she is all grown up and he wants her. But can a one night fling ever turn into something permanent?
A WRONG BED CHRISTMAS by Kimberley Van Meter and Liz Talley is an erotically charged Christmas combination that is sure to bring a little warmth your way this holiday season. Although I really dislike the name of this two-book collection, both stories are sexy and have plenty of Christmas romance to satisfy readers. I recommend A WRONG BED CHRISTMAS by Kimberley Van Meter and Liz Talley if you long for some short, steamy Christmas scenes.
REVIEW: Sweet Talking Man by Liz Talley
Posted February 6th, 2015 by Sara @HarlequinJunkie in Blog / 6 comments
Sweet Talking Man by Liz Talley: Leif is a hippie artist who teaches at the local school. He’s in the small town of Sweet-Talking-ManMagnolia Bend on a mission to find the father he never knew. While Leif is sexy and charming, he desperately is looking for a place to belong. He wants love and his three broken engagements are a testament to the fact he hasn’t found the right woman.
Abigail is a mother to a twelve-year-old daughter and runs a B and B. After her husband left her for a younger woman, she changed. Abigail is tightly controlled and exceedingly organized. She is determined to never let anyone see her fall apart again or to put herself in a position where another man can leave her.
But even though Leif looked mighty fine in his worn blue jeans and waffle T-shirt that left little to the imagination, Abigail had to remind herself that he was the David Lee Roth of Magnolia Bend. “Just a Gigolo.” “The Ice Cream Man.” A “love ’em” and “leave ’em” sort, with his laid-back charm and sexy blue eyes. She had no business wanting to take a lick from Leif’s ice-cream cone.
She needed to remember who she was-a mother, a business owner, a crappy art student. A woman who should leave ice cream well enough alone.
She renewed her efforts to draw an apple, as a new Van Halen song became her earworm-“Hot for Teacher.”
Abigail and Leif are total opposites, but they find that they are wildly attracted to each other. I loved how they described each other at the beginning! As they are dancing around their attraction, Abigail’s ex-husband Cal suddenly reappears and wants to pick up his life and relationships as if he had never left.
“Let me take you out,” he said, shoving his hands into the pockets of his pants. “I want to drink wine, make you laugh and make up for that awful kiss we just had.”
Awful kiss?
If that was awful, what was his definition of spectacular?
“That’s probably not a good idea. You’re my child’s teacher. Heck, you’re my teacher. Things are complicated in my life right now. Cal is-” She didn’t really know what to say about the way her exhusband had waltzed into her life, ready to pick up where he’d left everything. Ready to be the family man he’d forgotten to be.
“Just a date. We don’t even have to kiss. Unless you want to. I personally like the kissing thing, but I can restrain myself. But the laughter thing has to stay.”
Both have fears and insecurities from their pasts that hold them back. As Leif gets closer to unraveling his mother’s past in Magnolia Bend, Leif and Abigail become closer than either expected. Birdie, Abigail’s daughter, further complicates their relationship with her behavior and desire for her parents to reunite.
Sweet Talking Man is an entertaining romance between total opposites. Liz Talley did a great job balancing the romance and individual journeys that Abigail and Leif had to pursue. Ms. Talley provided interesting and colorful secondary characters. Hilda was a great addition! She’s a unique woman, but she helps to push Leif to pursue both Abigail and the identity of his father.
Book Info:
04.5SPublication: February 3rd 2015 by Harlequin SuperRomance #1972
Who doesn’t want a little sweet talk?
Leif Lively is the hottest thing to happen to Magnolia Bend. But single mother Abigail Orgeron figures he’s another heartbreaker and does her best to ignore the steamy glances he tosses her way. When he speaks, though, her resistance crumbles! His sweet words, humor and laid-back ways captivate buttoned-up Abigail.
For once, losing control feels so good, and this no-strings arrangement is getting serious. What will she do when Leif solves the family mystery that brought him to town and decides to leave? Because she’s learning that the biggest love means taking the biggest risk.
The Sweetest September by Liz Talley
by Guest Reviewer · Jul 13, 2015 at 2:00 pm · One comment so far
The Sweetest September by Liz Talley
SBTB Media Page
The Sweetest September
by Liz Talley
AUGUST 1, 2014 · HARLEQUIN SUPERROMANCE
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B
GENRE: Romance, Contemporary Romance
This RITA® Reader Challenge 2015 review was written by KnitterJacqui. This story was nominated for the RITA® in the Long Contemporary category.
THE SUMMARY:
A mistake that’s meant to be…
All John Beauchamp wants is a simple life. He’s happy running his Louisiana sugar cane plantation and doesn’t want more than that. Then Shelby Mackey breezes in, announcing that she’s pregnant. Their one crazy night of passion has changed everything.
Except Shelby insists John doesn’t have to be involved—she’ll raise the baby herself. But John can’t let her go that easily. Even without the baby, Shelby is a breath of fresh air. Her call-it-as-she-sees-it attitude intrigues and attracts him. So when Shelby agrees to stay temporarily, John’s determined to make that stay permanent—and as sweet as can be.
Here is KnitterJacqui's review:
There isn’t a lot I didn’t like about this book. I’ve read a few of Liz Talley’s books before and her voice and style generally work well for me. Her characters seem human, she has an ear for dialogue and the issues facing the protagonists seem realistic and serious, but not too angsty or over the top. The Harlequin Superromance format and length also provides high enough word count to let the author really explore the development of the characters and the relationship. I generally like this better than the shorter category formats.
The book uses a number of tried-and-true tropes – the biggest being the accidental pregnancy that is the catalyst for getting the hero (John) and heroine (Shelby – an unfortunate name, in my view) together. Somehow, though, these tropes don’t seem stale or clichéd in the author’s hands.
The pregnancy is the result of a drunken hook-up in a bathroom and the sex is described as not particularly good. This description, which occurs in the first chapter, was already a point in the book’s favour, to my mind, since I tend to be sceptical of drunken hook-ups in which the earth moves and the heavens sing. The characters regret the fact that they turned to each other out of loneliness. John feels guilty because it is the anniversary of his wife’s death. The whole incident is presented as realistically sordid. Even so, the pregnancy is a result of condom failure, not unprotected sex, and neither of the drunk protagonists drives themselves home.
Shelby is a strong heroine. She is not looking to John to take care of her or her unborn baby, although he ultimately wants to. She is more than capable of supporting herself as a high school math teacher and has family money to boot. There is something overly pat, perhaps, about the fact that a job seems to fall into her lap, but this is romancelandia so I went with it. John is a great hero – he doesn’t talk too much, but is obviously a sensitive man. He is clearly wrestling with some lingering grief and guilt at wanting and needing to move on, but he genuinely likes Shelby and appreciates aspects of her character that make her different from his wife. He makes mistakes while he’s feeling his way into a relationship with Shelby but his ineptness is endearing and creates opportunity for some good grovelling.
Another point in the book’s favour is that the characters behave like adults and for the most part, they talk to each other, except for one big misunderstanding at the end. Even after they decide to spend some time together getting to know each other in order to make some decisions about how to incorporate a child into their future lives, the pregnancy doesn’t magically cure their issues. Shelby doesn’t hesitate to state her terms for moving the relationship to a deeper level with John, for example, and this requires him to move forward from the grief of losing his wife before she will agree to any future physical intimacy. Although the sexual chemistry between the couple is hot, this chemistry is not presented as a proxy for deeper feelings or as the “cure-all” for the emotional issues that the characters need to work out in order to be together.
Finally, I was relieved that the author chose not to villify John’s dead wife. There are few things that can make me close a book faster than a story about a widowed character whose dead spouse was somehow inferior to the new love interest, leaving the widowed character is free to move on because of this fact. In this story, much of the emotional tension comes from the fact that John and his wife had a good marriage (though not a perfect one) and that John is still experiencing deep and real grief at her loss, despite feeling as if he needs to move forward.
I had a few quibbles. There were moments where John’s grieving mother-in-law seemed a little too much like a caricatured villain of the piece. But the author came back from that brink, to my mind, by acknowledging the emotional effects of grieving the loss of a child and portraying the mother-in-law as clinically depressed and perplexed by her own actions. Also, (minor spoiler alert)
Show Spoiler
the resolution of the thread involving the resolution of Shelby’s troubled relationship with her mother seemed too pat and entirely unnecessary to the story-line. It’s as if the author concluded that it isn’t acceptable to conclude a romance by leaving a mother and daughter essentially estranged so the author waved a magic wand to make it all better.
The book contains some obvious sequel bait, but it wasn’t too obtrusive. In fact, it made me want to go out and buy the other books to read the other characters’ stories, which I promptly did.
Overall, this was a nice, engrossing book with some emotional depth and a few flaws.
Review: The Spirit of Christmas by Liz Talley
Posted January 2nd, 2013 by Sara @HarlequinJunkie in Harlequin Mills&Boon, Review, SuperRomance / 0 comments
The Spirit of Christmas by Liz Talley is a touching and beautiful story about the true meaning of Christmas.
TSOC Brennan Henry doesn’t have time for the holidays or his grandfather giving away money to strangers just because he thinks that he has found the true meaning of Christmas. So when he meets the woman his grandfather has given two million dollars just to because she is the true spirit of Christmas and wants her to become their new image, he decides that he will try anything to make her go away. That is until he can’t believe that she won’t fall for his charm as easily as other women and sees her as a challenge.
Mary Paige Gentry has always tried to do the right thing, even when that just inconveniences her in some way. So when she helps an old man she believes homeless be a little warmer during a freezing night, she can’t seem to be able to believe or wrap her mind over winning two million dollars from him just to become his company’s image for the true spirit of Christmas.
Marie Paige has always struggled to be where she is and she doesn’t want to take the easy way for things. Now she doesn’t know what to do with two million dollars and Brennan who his grandfather has assigned as her escort for all the events she must attend. She doesn’t believe that the chemistry they share will take them anywhere. She thinks she is nobody while he is a rich heir. While she helps him get over his hate of the holidays she starts falling for him, but it will take more than passion and true love for trust and belief to open their eyes to what can truly happen between them.
If you want a holiday book that will touch you with very emotional scenes about the pain of a little boy who turns into a modern day scrooge and the woman who heals him with the true meaning of love and giving during the holidays, then this story is for you.
Rating:
4HeartsBook Info: Publisher: Harlequin Super Romance (November 27, 2012)
Brennan Henry doesn’t have time for holly and jolly. He’s been too busy boosting the bottom line for the family business. That is, until his eccentric grandfather hands over alot of money to a stranger on the street. Some nonsense about her being the true spirit of Christmas. Yeah, right. All Brennan can see is he’s now got a situation on his hands with one Mary Paige Gentry.
Then he meets Mary Paige. And no matter how deep he searches, it seems she’s the real deal. Kind, compassionate and just enough sass to keep him very intrigued. The spark of attraction between them could land him on the naughty list! But his is still a dollars-and-cents world…unless she can prove there’s more to the season—more to life—than money.
REVIEW: His Forever Girl by Liz Talley
Posted February 25th, 2014 by Sara @HarlequinJunkie in Blog, Harlequin Mills&Boon, HJ Recommends, Review, SuperRomance / 2 comments
His Forever Girl by Liz Talley: Tess Ullo meet Graham Naquin in the local bar after he’s had a potentially life changing job interview. The chemistry between them is strong and immediate. Despite their best efforts to take it slow, they can’t help but give in the magic of the night where anything seems possible. After a hot and surprisingly tender night together, they are both cautious but certain they found the “one.” Graham agrees to keep in touch with Tess to let her know if he gets the job and will be moving back to New Orleans.
“Maybe meeting Graham at Two Legs was a moment-in-time thing. What if there would never be a black dress, nice dinner and moonlight? What if Graham didn’t get the job? Never walked back into her world again? Would she regret the missed chance to immerse herself in him? Yeah, she would. So…”
Blame It on the Rodeo
Graham can’t believe the positive turn his fortunes are taking. He feels confident he’s scored his dream job, he’s met his dream girl in his home city, and he’ll have the opportunity to be more involved in his young daughter’s life. Nothing is going to go wrong this time.
Except it does. Graham’s dream job is also Tess’ dream job: CEO of Ullo Float builders, her father’s company. Worse than discovering her father has chosen an outsider over her to take over the company is finding out it’s the man who rocked her world and never called again. Heartbroken by the way both her father’s and Graham’s betrayal, Tess quits and goes to work for the competition–Graham’s ex, the mother of his daughter, and her husband, his ex-best friend.
Even with Tess furious at him, the employees at Ullo distrustful of him, and his ex making his life difficult, Graham still believes that things will work out for the best, that their meeting was fate:
“He’d tried to tell himself he didn’t want her. He’d convinced himself things were too complicated. But still his mind and heart nudged him away from being logical toward the one thing he’d always clung to–hope.”
I loved His Forever Girl by Liz Talley. His Forever Girl is one of those books that you want to throw in frustration at the choices they’re making but you can’t because you have to know what happens and you don’t want to lose your place. Tess is a fantastic heroine–she’s take charge and kick butt, but she’s also sensitive and easily hurt by those she loves. She’s fierce and determined in ways I wish I could be. I would be devastated if I was passed over for a promotion without consideration, but I’d probably just take it. Tess, on the other hand, knows the worth of her skills and decides to strike out on her own.
Graham as a hero is a breath of fresh air. Here is a man who’s a sexy nerd who knows his way around a woman. He has great business skills and is a wonderful dad, but he still has some insecurities to work through. He’s determined not to mess up the opportunity to work his dream job, but is scared stiff that he’ll find a way to stuff it up. He’s a beta with a generous enough dollop of alpha to make him a good match for Tess’ fierce take no prisoners personality.
The great thing about this story is that Ms. Talley makes it clear why Tess’ father chose not to give her the job and you can understand his point of view completely. You even get to see why Graham never called and can forgive him for his mistakes. You see the whole terrible mess from everyone’s side and just want so much for them all to figure it out. I couldn’t put this book down until I knew I got Tess and Graham to their happily ever after moment. His Forever Girl was my first Liz Talley book, but it won’t be my last.
I would recommend His Forever Girl to anyone who enjoys reading a book where no one is right or wrong, love sometimes makes the hard decisions that much harder, and you manage not to throw the book/kindle across the room because you can’t bear to put it down until you see these two stubborn people and their families basking in Happily Ever After. Oh, and I also recommend to anyone who loves New Orleans, Krewes, Mardi Gras floats, and books where families are an important part of the story.
Must-read romance: 'Charmingly Yours' by Liz Talley
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By: Kathy Altman | August 24, 2016 12:00 am
Charmingly Yours by Liz Talley
Charmingly Yours by Liz Talley
What it’s about (courtesy of Montlake):
For Rosemary Reynolds, life in tiny Morning Glory, Mississippi, is just like the fabric store she runs: it seems she’s always waiting around for someone else to make the first stitch. Then a dear childhood friend passes away, leaving behind a gift that sends Rosemary on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure.
Despite her mother’s protests, Rosemary heads to New York City for a stay in her cousin’s trendy SoHo loft. On her first day in town, a wrong turn leads her to Little Italy…and into the arms of handsome, outgoing Sal Genovese. Sal’s mother wants him to marry a longtime family friend, but to him, Rosemary is a breath of fresh country air, and he’s happy to show her a good time. Soon, Rosemary is swept up in a world she thought only existed in movies. To turn a two-week fling into a forever thing, she and Sal will have to make every moment count.
Why you should read it: Charmingly Yours is the first book in Liz Talley’s Morning Glory series, and it is divine. The premise is fresh and poignant, the tone saucy and vivacious. Talley writes characters as genuine as they are beguiling, and though their quirkiness is expected, discovering exactly how their peculiarities manifest themselves is a never-ending delight. The setup — three female friends grappling with the final wishes of the fourth — creates an immediate reader investment that builds with every page.
The motivation behind Rosemary’s sudden resolve to follow the call of adventure is a somber one, but it never overshadows the romance, or dulls her optimism. She’s a girl-next-door type, loyal and compassionate, with an overworked sense of duty and a long-repressed sassy side that bursts into brilliance when she encounters Sal. Sal’s a handsome, funny, friendly guy as generous with his grins as he is with his time. He shows Rosemary around the city, and it soon becomes clear that what she was hoping would be a temporary friends-with-benefits arrangement to make her visit to NYC truly a time to remember shows every sign of becoming more — enough “more” to promise a serious case of heartache.
Sal’s brown eyes seemed to gleam in the neon lights reflected off the building they passed. Her heart skipped a beat as he gave her a wink. “This night’s a…gift? Something. I’ve been waiting on someone who makes me feel something more than…I don’t know…panicked? Here lately I’ve been feeling like my life is on tracks heading somewhere I never bought a ticket for.” For a second he paused, looking aghast. “Guess that might have been TMI.”
“No, I know what you mean. My life has been more like waiting at the station. Or maybe running the same track back and forth with no switches. But that’s why I’m here. I jumped track…at least for a few weeks.”
“Jumped track, huh? I like that. Guess I jumped track, too.”
Rosemary arched an eyebrow.
“Well, I did ask a perfect stranger to go dancing.”
“So you’re saying I’m perfect?” she teased, elbowing him in the ribs.
Like Rosemary, Sal struggles with insecurities, and an overload of responsibility to an interfering family. They both have big plans, but not quite enough confidence to pull them off — until they find each other. And while they’re discovering they can’t live without each other, they’re treating the reader to one heck of a sexy read, punctuated by moments of alternating sweetness, drama and hilarity. The climax is precipitated by a bit of a cliché, but it’s both credible and compelling, and leads to a super satisfying, swoon-worthy reunion.
Some of my favorite bits about the book: the heroine’s name, the gladness the hero feels every time he sees her, the steamy on-the-steps scene that turns so hilariously awkward, and the entire atmosphere of sweet anticipation. Charmingly Yours is a dazzling start to Liz Talley’s latest contemporary series. Next up is Perfectly Charming, due out in October, and I can’t wait to see which of Rosemary’s friends will be on the hook to give a long overdue dream some love.
Kathy Altman’s latest contemporary romance novel is A Family After All. Kathy prefers her chocolate with nuts, her Friday afternoons with wine and her love stories with happy ever afters. Her website is kathyaltman.com. You can also connect with her on Facebook.