Project and content management for Contemporary Authors volumes
WORK TITLE: Kiss Me That Way
WORK NOTES:
PSEUDONYM(S):
BIRTHDATE:
WEBSITE: http://www.lauratrentham.com/
CITY: Greenville
STATE: SC
COUNTRY:
NATIONALITY:
RESEARCHER NOTES:
PERSONAL
Born in TN. Married; children: two.
EDUCATION:Attended college.
ADDRESS
CAREER
Engineer and writer. Worked as a chemical engineer for several years.
WRITINGS
SIDELIGHTS
American author Laura Trentham turned from a career in chemical engineering to her first love of books and writing with her first novel, Slow and Steady Rush, in 2015. This was the first in her “Falcon Football” series, three books dealing with romance and high-school football in the small town of Falcon, Alabama. She has since gone on to write historical suspense and romance, in the “Spies and Lovers” series, and another small-town contemporary romance series, “Cottonbloom,” set in the town of Cottonbloom, divided by a river, with the wealthy side in Mississippi and the more run-down areas in Louisiana.
In a Reading Frenzy Web site interview, Trentham remarked on her path to publication: “I’m not one of those people who started writing as soon as they could hold a pencil. In fact, before I sat down to write my first book (a Regency historical), I had never even attempted to write fiction. Of course, I’ve always been a voracious reader, and when I got a kindle, a whole catalog of self-published books were available to me. Some were great, but some were really, really terrible. I thought to myself, ‘I can do better than this!'” She went on to conclude, “My plan was to write a series of Regency historical romances and self-pub them. Never in a million years did I expect to get an agent and land a publishing deal! It’s been a crazy ride.”
"Falcon Football"
Darcy Wilde thinks she has broken away from her football-obsessed small town in Slow and Steady Rush, but when her grandmother needs her help, Darcy leaves her librarian job in Atlanta, Georgia, to return to Falcon, her Alabama hometown. There she meets another recent arrival, Robbie Dalton, who as a child survived foster care and then spent a number of years in the military. He is ready to settle down now and becomes the coach of the high-school football team in Falcon, determined to make them champs. Darcy and Robbie make an unlikely pair, but one that eventually works in this “marvelously funny, engaging and memorable romance in a place where everyone knows your name,” according to online RT Book Reviews contributor Bridget Keown. A Publishers Weekly reviewer also had praise for this debut, noting: “Trentham pulls the various elements together in time to deliver a sweet, satisfying story.”
The series continues with Caught Up in the Touch, in which ambitious Jessica Montgomery will become chief financial officer of her family’s business if she can convince restaurant owner and part-time coach Logan Wilde to take over management of her family’s flagship restaurant in Atlanta. But Logan, a former bad boy, feels very much at home in Falcon and has no intention of moving, even though he acknowledges the strong chemistry he has with Jessica. Writing in RT Book Reviews, Keown found this novel “truly moving and engaging,” an “all-around success.” Xpress Reviews contributor Kara Kohn also had praise, terming it a “pleasing and thoughtful story” that contains “reliable characters coupled with passionate and genuine love scenes.”
The series’ third installment, Melting into You, finds two further new citizens of Falcon finding unexpected love. NFL star Alec Grayson comes back to his hometown after a knee injury ends his career. Becoming the quarterback coach for the high-school team, he begins to put his life back together. This mission is aided by the return of another former resident of Falcon, Lilliana Hancock, an artist who leaves her New York life behind following the death of her father. “Trentham never fails to put a smile on my face and this book wasn’t any different,” noted a contributor to the Obsessed with Myshelf Web site. Similarly, a Harlequin Junkie Web site contributor noted, “Witty banter, fierce chemistry, and heartwarming romance bring this story to a close.”
"Spies and Lovers"
Trentham turns to Regency romance in An Indecent Invitation, in which Gray Masterson, a spy for the Crown, finds himself with a dual assignment: tracking down a missing master spy and also ensuring that the man’s daughter, Lily Drummond, does not make a fool of herself at her London debut. Soon Gray sees that Lily has grown into a beautiful woman and is intent on conducting her own investigation into her missing father. Xpress Reviews writer J. Harris felt that readers can expect “danger, intrigue, and passionate love” in this “well-written, engaging, and very steamy delight.”
More Regency action takes place in A Brazen Bargain, in which a family gambling debt leads to the scandalous bargain of the title, and ultimately to unexpected true love between Minerva Bellingham and Lord Rafe Drummond. A Buried under Romance writer had a mixed assessment of this novel, noting: “The plot was interesting and held my interest throughout, although it was a bit thin in the middle when Rafe and Minerva are exploring their new sexual relationship. For me, the story got bogged down with the lovemaking scenes, but I’m sure other readers will love it.”
"Cottonbloom"
Trentham returns to the twenty-first century with the books of her “Cottonbloom” series, beginning with Kiss Me That Way. Cade Fournette left the poor section of Cottonbloom fifteen years before and has become a famous inventor in Seattle, Washington. When he returns to town with an injured knee, he ends up being the patient of the girl he left behind, Monroe Kirby, a physical therapist and denizen of the affluent side of town, as well as the person Cade saved one night from her alcoholic mother’s predatory boyfriend. Can old love be rekindled? “At the heart of this wrong-side-of-town story are deftly drawn characters who understand that everyone has fears,” noted a Publishers Weekly reviewer. A Fresh Fiction Web site contributor also had a high evaluation, commenting, “If you like small town romances with doses of realism, and second chance romances that will make you cheer, be sure to pick up Kiss Me That Way.”
The second series installment, Then He Kissed Me, features another Fournette, Tallulah, and another romance between residents from the two contrasting sides of town. Nash Hawthorne was Tallulah’s childhood sweetheart, but he went off to earn a doctorate and become a professor, while she stayed in Cottonbloom and has paired up with a loser former school bully. Can Nash’s return spark an old romance back to life? A Publishers Weekly writer felt that Trentham’s writing is “deft and personal, making for an easy read but disappointing conclusions.” In particular, the reviewer questioned the concept that Tallulah has to be “rescued by a privileged man.” RT Book Reviews Web site contributor Keown had a higher assessment, noting: “There is no denying the appeal of this story, or the charming love story at its center.”
The series proceeds with Till I Kissed You, an “engaging story of memories and grudges as well as true love and redemption,” according to RT Book Reviews contributor Keown. Sawyer Fournette is at the center of this tale, alongside his love interest, Regan Lovell, who was once his girlfriend. They ultimately grew distant due to class pressures. Now they are working on a Labor Day celebration and are brought back together by a common enemy. A Publishers Weekly reviewer found little to like in this installment, terming it a “disappointing hormone marinade.” The reviewer added: “Two pretty people salivate after each other; the rest is word count.”
BIOCRIT
PERIODICALS
Publishers Weekly, May 30, 2016, review of Then He Kissed Me, p. 44; June 13, 2016, review of Till I Kissed You, p. 81.
Xpress Reviews, May 1, 2015, Kara Kohn, review of Caught Up in the Touch; August 7, 2015, J. Harris, review of An Indecent Invitation.
ONLINE
Buried under Romance, http://www.buriedunderromance.com/ (December 16, 2016), review of A Brazen Bargain.
Dog-Eared Daydreams, http://www.dogeareddaydreams.com/ (December 18, 2016), review of Light Up the Night.
Ever After Book Reviews, https://everafterbookreviews.blogspot.com/ (November 9, 2016), review of Candy Cane Christmas.
Fresh Fiction, http://freshfiction.com/ (June 21, 2016), Kristen Donnelly, review of Kiss Me That Way.
Good, the Bad, and the Unread, http://goodbadandunread.com/ (March 17, 2016), review of An Indecent Invitation.
Harlequin Junkie, http://harlequinjunkie.com/ (March 17, 2015), review of Slow and Steady Rush; (November 18, 2015), review of Melting into You; (June 18, 2016), review of Kiss Me That Way.
Laura Trentham Home Page, http://www.lauratrentham.com (January 17, 2017).
Obsessed with Myshelf, https://obsessedwithmyshelf.com/ (November 4, 2015), review of Melting into You.
Publishers Weekly Online, http://www.publishersweekly.com/ (January 26, 2015), review of Slow and Steady Rush; (April 4, 2016), review of Kiss Me That Way.
Reading Frenzy, http://thereadingfrenzy.blogspot.com/ (August 2, 2016), author interview.
Red Hot Books, http://redhotbooks.com/ (April 16, 2015), review of Slow and Steady Rush.
RT Book Reviews, https://www.rtbookreviews.com/ (January 17, 2017), Bridget Keown, reviews of Slow and Steady Rush, Till I Kissed You, Then He Kissed Me, Kiss Me That Way, An Indecent Invitation, and Caught Up in the Touch.
Sammi’s Bookish Reality, https://sammisbookishreality.blogspot.com/ (December 21, 2016), Samantha Roldan, review of Light Up the Night.
Scandalicious, http://www.scandaliciousbookreviews.com/ (January 17, 2017), reviews of Kiss Me That Way, An Indecent Invitation, and A Brazen Bargain.
Straight Shootin’ Book Reviews, https://straightshootinbookreviews.com/ (November 3, 2016), review of Candy Cane Christmas.
I was born and raised in a small town in Northwest Tennessee. Although, I loved English and reading in high school, I was convinced an English degree equated to starvation! So, I chose the next most logical major - Chemical Engineering- and worked in a hard hat and steel toed boots for several years. Now I live in South Carolina with my husband and two children. In between school and homework and soccer practices, I love to get lost in another world, whether it's Regency England or small town Alabama.
It's almost December...argh! Where has the year gone? I haven't started thinking about Christmas presents or decorating yet. It's been so warm in South Carolina this fall that I was wearing shorts in November. My football team (the TN volunteers) alternated between giving me heart attack and breaking my heart.
As far as book news...my novella, CANDY CANE CHRISTMAS, is out!! It features Jeremy Whitehurst aka Whitey from the Falcon Football series and Cottonbloom series and Kayla from KISS ME THAT WAY. Readers will be able to catch up with favorite characters from Cottonbloom and Falcon, Alabama.
I turned in the first book in the new Cottonbloom trilogy, LEAVE THE NIGHT ON to my editor and am waiting on her feedback. I'm halfway into writing the second book, WHEN THE STARS COME OUT and hope to have my draft done before the kids get out for Xmas break. So far I love it! The last book will be called SET THE NIGHT ON FIRE. The new trilogy is about three blue-collar brothers on the Louisiana side of Cottonbloom finding love.
And, stay tuned for news on a special gift for my newsletter subscribers! I'm super excited about it! It will be a standalone novella featuring Thaddeus Preston, the Cottonbloom, Mississippi police chief. Sign up from my homepage or here: Newsletter Signup
I would love to hear from you... Happy Reading!!
QUOTE:
I’m *not* one of those people who started writing as soon as they could hold a pencil. In fact, before I sat down to write my first book (a Regency historical), I had never even attempted to write fiction. Of course, I’ve always been a voracious reader, and when I got a kindle, a whole catalog of self-published books were available to me. Some were great, but some were really, really terrible. I thought to myself, “I can do better than this!” My plan was to write a series of Regency historical romances and self-pub them. Never in a million years did I expect to get an agent and land a publishing deal! It’s been a crazy ride
Tuesday, August 2, 2016
Interview - Laura Trentham - Till I Kissed You
Today I'm showcasing Laura Trentham's Till I Kissed You, book 3 in her Cottonbloom series
Enjoy!
Overview
It’s summertime in Cottonbloom, where two lovers find themselves at a crossroads just as things start to heat up. . .
Regan Lovell grew up on the wealthy Mississippi side of Cottonbloom—and now, as mayor, she’s determined to save it from the fate of so many small towns. Part of her plan to help the local economy is the Labor Day tomato festival. If only she wasn’t being undermined by Sawyer Fournette, who’s planning a crayfish-themed celebration on the Louisiana side of the river on the very same weekend. The pranks and sabotage are getting out of hand, and she’s had it with him—no matter how much she enjoyed those stolen hours in his truck bed, so many years ago…
Sawyer knows that Regan's never forgiven him for breaking her heart—but despite his reputation as a low-class swamp rat, he’d never hurt the woman who still secretly drives him crazy with desire. Someone in Cottonbloom has it out for her, though, and Sawyer intends to watch her back…and the rest of her too, if she can ever let go of her distrust. But will a common enemy be enough to unite them—and finally fulfill the promises they made one passionate night under the stars?
Read an excerpt courtesy St. Martin's Press:
Chapter One
Regan Lovell ran her hands up the shifting muscles of her lover’s back, lost in a state of wonder. The rhythm of his thrusts progressed from slow and steady to wild and erratic. It didn’t take long. He moaned softly in her ear, his hot breath sending shivers through her body.
It was done. She’d lost her virginity to Sawyer Fournette.
While it hadn’t been the out-of-body experience the romance novels she’d read in preparation would have her believe, it had been magical in its own way. She clasped her knees around his hips and wrapped him tight in her arms, his body sagging over hers, his breathing ragged.
Her mother would be horrified she’d given up her virginity at all, much less at eighteen, before she could use it to barter for a doctor or a lawyer at Ole Miss. She expected Regan to get an MRS degree, just as she had done thirty-odd years before.
But what would send her mother into an early grave was who she’d lost her virginity to. Her mother deemed Sawyer a Louisiana swamp rat and considered Regan’s fascination with him a phase. A means to rebel against her parents and their expectations, and that’s all.
What her parents didn’t know, or couldn’t accept, was that Regan had dreams and ambitions and a heart of her own. It wasn’t a phase or a rebellion; it was love.
He stirred against her, his sparse chest hair tickling her breasts. She crossed her ankles around his backside, holding him inside of her. “I love you, Sawyer.”
He pushed up on his elbows. “I love you too, Regan.”
“Forever?”
“And ever.” The humor and love in his voice were honestly more satisfying than the sex had been.
“Even after I eat too much barbeque and get fat and my hair turns gray and I lose my marbles like Nana Rosemary?”
“Even so.” He kissed the tip of her nose, and she smiled at their game.
Other more immediate questions clawed at her chest. Will you love me after we go our separate ways for college? Will you love me even though prettier girls will try to lure you away? Will you wait for me?
He wiggled his hips free and dropped to her side in the bed of his brother’s old pickup truck. She looked down her body, but everything was the same, not that she really expected this final crossover into womanhood to leave a visible mark. She was irrevocably changed but not in a way her mother or her friends could pinpoint.
Now that the sexual haze was clearing, she became acutely aware of her nakedness. Subtle rustling while he disposed of the condom had her biting her lip and reaching for the edge of the threadbare quilt as cover. Was there a bloodstain like she’d read about in books?
Cooling air wafted over her. Through the arms of the pines, twilight cast shadows that shifted with the breeze. The river was close enough to serenade them with bullfrog croaks but far enough to avoid the worst of the bugs.
Citronella candles burned on the tailgate, keeping the mosquitoes away. She closed her eyes. The scent of the candles mixed with the pines and Sawyer to form an intoxicating blend she’d never forget.
Sawyer stripped the corner of the quilt away and blanketed her with his body. His expression was a mystery. He alternated between a too-mature seriousness and a boyish playfulness, leaving her unbalanced.
His everyday life was far removed from the plush elegance of hers across the river in Mississippi. But that’s one reason he drew her. He was different, exciting, and had more depth than all the boys in her school combined.
There was more to him than sports and parties. With him, she wasn’t afraid to talk about things that interested her—not cheerleading and beauty pageants, but world events and politics. He didn’t laugh when she laid out her dreams even though she wasn’t yet out of high school.
He believed in her.
“Did I hurt you?” He brushed her hair back from her forehead.
“A little. You were bigger than I expected.”
His laughter made her smile. It always did. “That was the perfect compliment.”
“Was it? Well, it’s the truth. Not that I have any basis for comparison, but I’m sure yours is the best.” His chest rumbled against hers, the vibrations electrifying her toes and fingertips. “Was I … okay?”
“Ah, baby, you are everything I’ve dreamed about and more.” His lips tickled her ear, but she needed to see his eyes. See the truth or lie. She cupped his cheeks and forced his face up.
Nothing but love shone from his face. The kiss he gave her was sweet and retained a hint of the innocence they’d entrusted to each other that night. She squeezed her eyes to shut off the spigot of tears that threatened. His weight pressed her down into the ridges of the truck bed, not that she planned to complain. She would stay all night under him if she could.
She would love Sawyer Fournette forever.
Laura, hi! Welcome to The Reading Frenzy.
Tell my readers a bit about Till I Kissed You.
Hello, so happy to be invited! Till I Kissed You is a combination second chance romance and enemies to lovers romance (my favorite!). Sawyer and Regan were high school sweethearts even though Sawyer grew up poor on the Louisiana side of the river that separates Cottonbloom and Regan was a beauty queen on the Mississippi side. After their relationship imploded in college, they have done a bang-up job of ignoring each other. But once they become mayors of their respective sides of town, their paths inevitably cross and the fire reignites.
This in number 3 in your Cottonbloom series.
How are the books related?
The Fournette siblings (two brothers and a sister) each get an HEA in these stand-alone novels (no relationship cliffhangers!) However, the books take place over one sizzling summer in Cottonbloom where two Labor Day festivals are vying to win a magazine competition for Best Small Town Festival, but someone is out to sabotage the festivals. It all comes to a head in Book 3, Till I Kissed You.
Laura I’m just now reading your bio and laughing out loud at “I was born and raised in a small town in Northwest Tennessee. Although, I loved English and reading in high school, I was convinced an English degree equated to starvation! So, I chose the next most logical major - Chemical Engineering- and worked in a hard hat and steel toed boots for several years. Now I live in South Carolina with my husband and two children. In between school and homework and soccer practices, I love to get lost in another world, whether it's Regency England or small town Alabama.”
Tell me how your muse was born?
I’m *not* one of those people who started writing as soon as they could hold a pencil. In fact, before I sat down to write my first book (a Regency historical), I had never even attempted to write fiction. Of course, I’ve always been a voracious reader, and when I got a kindle, a whole catalog of self-published books were available to me. Some were great, but some were really, really terrible. I thought to myself, “I can do better than this!” My plan was to write a series of Regency historical romances and self-pub them. Never in a million years did I expect to get an agent and land a publishing deal! It’s been a crazy ride. I started writing four and half years ago, and Till I Kissed You is my eighth book to release.
What about small town Alabama and Regency England speaks to you the writer?
I grew up reading all those great lush historical romances from the 1980s and 90s, like Kathleen Woodiwiss and Julie Garwood, so that’s what I started writing. But I didn’t grow up in England; I grew up in a small Tennessee town where everyone really did know everyone else! I enjoy creating these little Southern towns that are important characters themselves. Cottonbloom, in particular, is very unusual. It’s split in two by a river which acts as the state line between Mississippi and Louisiana. This lends itself to some great dynamics and rivalries between the two sides. I enjoy exploring the quirky and quaint, but also the dark sides to small towns.
Do you write multiple novels at once or do you have to put away your Twinings Earl Grey for Whiskey to help you get from one time period to the other?
I like to jump from project to project or between time periods, especially if (when!) I get stuck. However, in the last year, I’ve put my Regency historicals to the side to concentrate on my contemporary books. I’ve already been contracted for three more full-length books in the Cottonbloom series which I’m very excited about. Different family, different story arc, but the same town and secondary characters readers have come to love.
Laura, is an HEA a must in all your novels?
YES!!!! I want to make readers laugh and maybe cry a little, but I want a happy sigh when you reach the end.
You have some wonderful recipes on your site.
What series are they from and have you tried any?
The recipes are from the Falcon Football series, a digital only series, and yes, I have made all of them! Chicken and dumplings is a family favorite (and a super easy week night dinner.)
I actually have a Christmas novella releasing in October that ties both my Falcon Football series and my Cottonbloom series together. It’s fun when worlds collide!
So Laura you’re a wife and mom, author in multiple genres and run a blog too! I’m impressed.
Do you have a specific time for each or are you more a seat of your pants kind of gal?
You are being very generous when you say I “run” a blog. I post sporadically at best and usually out of guilt! Lol. My life is a juggling act and things inevitably fall through the cracks. I work while my kids are in school. Words come first!! Once I hit my daily word count, I move on to marketing and play on social media until it’s time to pick the kids up from school. Summers are a little more difficult and involve a pot of coffee at the ungodly hour of 5AM in order to get some words in before the kids are up.
Thanks so much for taking the time to answer some questions.
Where in the near future can fans fin you for a meet and greet?
You’ll probably have to come to my house for a meet and greet…I have too many books to write! No, seriously, don’t come to my house; it’s a mess:) I took part in the huge literacy signing at the Romance Writer’s national convention last week in San Diego, but otherwise I don’t have any events planned. Anytime I travel, I try to leave signed copies of my books and bookmarks at Barnes and Noble and Walmart, so be on the lookout!
To make up for my hermit life-style, I love to give things away on my Facebook page and in my newsletter, so be sure to “like” it or join!
https://www.facebook.com/AuthorLauraTrentham
QUOTE:
disappointing hormone marinade
Two pretty people salivate after each other; the rest is word count.
Till I Kissed You
Publishers Weekly.
263.24 (June 13, 2016): p81.
COPYRIGHT 2016 PWxyz, LLC
http://www.publishersweekly.com/
Full Text:
Till I Kissed You
Laura Trentham. St. Martin's, $5.99 mass market (320p) ISBN 9781250077622
The third Fournette sibling from Cottonbloom, La. (where the other Fournettes found romance in Kiss Me That Way
and Then He Kissed Me), gets his spotlight in this disappointing hormone marinade. The book opens with a coarse,
passionate encounter between high school sweethearts Sawyer Fournette and Regan Lovell on the bed of a pickup, and
most of the remaining verbiage reiterates how much they wish they were back there. But they're not: 11 years on, their
romance is technically long over. She's the mayor of the Mississippi side of Cottonbloom, and he's parish commissioner
across the river. She loses all composure when she sees him; he signals his lust by mercilessly gaslighting her in a
fashion that's perhaps meant to be romantic but comes across as very creepy. Nominally, the two are organizing rival
Labor Day festivals for their towns while trying to identify a harasser shadowing Regan, but since only one suspect is
ever floated, and next to no work appears to go into the festivals, it's hard to take these plot gestures seriously. Two
pretty people salivate after each other; the rest is word count. Agent: Kevan Lyon, Marsal Lyon Literary Agency. (Aug.)
Source Citation (MLA 8
th Edition)
"Till I Kissed You." Publishers Weekly, 13 June 2016, p. 81. General OneFile, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?
p=ITOF&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA458871729&it=r&asid=5d71104d755583d81c10464432e24c23.
Accessed 5 Feb. 2017.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A458871729
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=1486321601179 2/4
QUOTE:
deft and personal, making for an easy read but disappointing conclusions.
rescued by a privileged man
Then He Kissed Me
Publishers Weekly.
263.22 (May 30, 2016): p44.
COPYRIGHT 2016 PWxyz, LLC
http://www.publishersweekly.com/
Full Text:
Then He Kissed Me
Laura Trentham. St. Martin's, $5.99 mass market (320p) ISBN 9781250077646
Cottonbloom (introduced in Kiss Me That Way) is a town divided by the Mississippi River: poor "swamp rats" live on
the Louisiana side, and wealthy 'Sips on the Mississippi bank. After a brief childhood idyll, Nash Hawthorne and
Tallulah Fournette are separated by the river's unspoken rules for 18 years. Then Nash returns from Ph.D. studies abroad
to take up a professorship at a local college. He's as nerdy as Tally remembers him, but now he's also handsome,
socially adept, and trained in selfdefense. She's as magnetic as he remembers her, but enigmatic in her prickly manner
and tied to deadend habitslike her connection with Heath Parsons, school bully turned MMA fighter, who's
determined to take Tally for himself. Trentham's handling of the big battlesclass struggle, stalking, physical violence
is deft and personal, making for an easy read but disappointing conclusions. Readers who believe that economic and
social discrimination can be solved by identifying personal insecurity and being rescued by a privileged man will find
this pleasant beach read ticks all the right boxes. Agent: Kevan Lyon, Marsal Lyon Literary. (July)
Source Citation (MLA 8
th Edition)
"Then He Kissed Me." Publishers Weekly, 30 May 2016, p. 44. General OneFile, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?
p=ITOF&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA454270601&it=r&asid=10746095329300bda583ccaa6ef4f141.
Accessed 5 Feb. 2017.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A454270601
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=1486321601179 3/4
QUOTE:
anger, intrigue, and passionate love
well-written, engaging, and very steamy delight
Trentham, Laura. An Indecent Invitation
J. Harris
Xpress Reviews.
(Aug. 7, 2015):
COPYRIGHT 2015 Library Journals, LLC
http://www.libraryjournal.com/lj/reviews/xpress/884170289/xpress_reviewsfirst_look_at_new.html.csp
Full Text:
Trentham, Laura. An Indecent Invitation. Samhain. (Spies & Lovers, Bk. 1). Aug. 2015. 238p. ebk. ISBN
9781619225381. $4.50. HISTORICAL ROMANCE
A spy for the Crown, Gray Masterson should be searching for his childhood friend's missing father, not looking after a
young lady during her first season. It's been eight years since Gray has seen Lily Drummond, and he's in for a surprise
now that his friend's awkward, annoying kid sister has become a beautiful woman who threatens to ensnare his heart
just as her spirit shatters his expectations. Lily has loved Gray since they were children, but if he thinks he can
command her to sit idly by while he mounts a search for her father, he will soon be disappointed. As Gray and Lily
grow closer, secrets are revealed, dangerous encounters are faced, and it becomes clear that someone is playing games
with them. Fear for those you love can be a powerful inspirational force or a source of thoughtless perilwhich will it
be for Gray and Lily?
Verdict Danger, intrigue, and passionate lovewhat more could a Regency romance lover want? The first in Trentham's
(Slow and Steady Rush) "Spies and Lovers" series is a wellwritten, engaging, and very steamy delight.J. Harris, New
Hampshire
Harris, J.
Source Citation (MLA 8
th Edition)
Harris, J. "Trentham, Laura. An Indecent Invitation." Xpress Reviews, 7 Aug. 2015. General OneFile,
go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?
p=ITOF&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA425915748&it=r&asid=dc275d288d60fdbf7b2b062a5c818f19.
Accessed 5 Feb. 2017.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A425915748
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=1486321601179 4/4
QUOTE:
pleasing and thoughtful story. Reliable characters coupled with passionate and genuine love scenes
Trentham, Laura. Caught up in the Touch
Kara Kohn
Xpress Reviews.
(May 1, 2015):
COPYRIGHT 2015 Library Journals, LLC
http://www.libraryjournal.com/lj/reviews/xpress/884170289/xpress_reviewsfirst_look_at_new.html.csp
Full Text:
[STAR]Trentham, Laura. Caught up in the Touch. St. Martin's. (Falcon Football, Bk. 2). Jul. 2015. 228p. ebk. ISBN
9781466883956. $3.99. CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE
Jessica Montgomery's chance at a promotion to CFO at her father's company hinges on her convincing Logan Wilde to
sign on as chef at their Atlanta restaurant. When she arrives at his Falcon, AL, eatery, Jessica is confronted by a scruffy,
unkempt man who helps to set her up at his friend's B and B. She learns that the "mountain man" is actually Logan
Wilde, who just returned from two weeks in the wilderness. Now cleaned up, Logan, assistant coach of the Falcon
football team, won't make any promises but claims he will think about the restaurant offer. Meanwhile, Jessica is stuck
in Podunk Falcon until her car is fixed, and she won't let Logan out of her sight until he agrees. Their chemistry is
undeniable, and before long the two surrender to their feelings. In fact, Jessica starts to fall not only for Logan but for
this little Alabama town's way of life. When Jessica's controlling father pays a visit to check up on her, he may ruin the
only chance at happiness she has ever had.
Verdict This novel takes the excitement of high school football and the allure of a budding romance and rolls them into
a pleasing and thoughtful story. Reliable characters coupled with passionate and genuine love scenes complete the
package in Trentham's (Slow and Steady Rush) second series offering.Kara Kohn, Plainfield P.L, IL
Kohn, Kara
Source Citation (MLA 8
th Edition)
Kohn, Kara. "Trentham, Laura. Caught up in the Touch." Xpress Reviews, 1 May 2015. General OneFile,
go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?
p=ITOF&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA414006777&it=r&asid=dc61cbf1dc6ad8fcbcb9247be8abeae1.
Accessed 5 Feb. 2017.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A414006777
REVIEW: Kiss Me That Way by Laura Trentham
Posted June 18th, 2016 by Sara @HarlequinJunkie in Blog, Contemporary Romance, Review / 6 comments
In Kiss Me That Way by Laura Trentham, there are two sides to the town of Cottonbloom: Kiss-Me-That-WayCottonbloom, LA, which was poor, and Cottonbloom, MS, where the wealthier people lived. Monroe Kirby, a child from the “right” side of the river, runs away from her house when her mother’s boyfriend tries to assault her. She hides out in Cade Fournette’s boat and, once discovered, develops an unlikely friendship with the boy from the wrong side of the tracks. Every full moon she would meet him in their spot, until one day he stopped showing up.
Cade had it rough; not only was he poor, he was a teenager trying to raise his younger brother and sister after the death of his parents. He had no choice but to drop out of school and steal to support his siblings, but when he was caught too many times, the Chief of Police gave him an option: go to jail or leave town. Cade took off and never looked back, until an accident causes his brother, Sawyer, to force him to return home to heal. Needing physical therapy, his therapist turns out to be the one person he didn’t expect–Monroe.
I liked Cade and Monroe. Their friendship picks up again as they learn about each other as adults. Neither is the same person they were when he left. Monroe is not only a physical therapist, but she also teaches self-defense classes at the gym Cade’s sister, Tally, owns. Cade is no longer poor but a successful entrepreneur, yet he still feels like the people from the MS side of town still look down at him despite his success. His own siblings, not knowing the real reason he left town, harbor resentment towards him, even though they were the ones who forced him home.
There were times I disliked Cade’s brother, Sawyer. He was angry towards Cade because he had left, but he never asked why he took off. He acted like none of the sacrifices that Cade made for him mattered; instead, Cade was simply the bad guy for leaving. Eventually they talk everything out, but it probably should have happened much sooner than it did. I did like the interaction and competitiveness between Sawyer and the mayor of Cottonbloom, MS, Regan, and I look forward to see who wins the contest between the two Cottonblooms. I’m also interested in learning what happened between the two of them to cause the hostility they seem to have for one another.
Kiss Me That Way is a well-written story about old friends reconnecting and reuniting as lovers. If you enjoy stories about small town romances or people from the opposite sides of the tracks finding love with one another despite the obstacles they face, then you should consider reading this book.
Kiss Me That Way by Laura Trentham
“If you're in the mood to be relaxed and comforted by what you're reading, give this book a go. ”
by Carmela
THE DEETS
Genre: contemporary | Series: Cotton bloom #1 | Publisher: St. Martin Press | Source: ARC | GoodReads
PURCHASE
US
CA
Reading this book is like feeding on a warm and comforting soup while all wrapped in a cozy blanket. I wonder if it’s because of any of these thoughts while I was reading it:
THE STORY’S SETTING
Personally, I find small town setting in a book very comforting and relaxing. It might be because, as in real life, I find people in small towns very friendly and are more willing to lend a helping hand than big-city folks.Yes, everybody knows everyone and they can be on your face and on your personal business a lot of the time but this negative aspect can be far outweighed by the security and comfort provided by living in a small community. This is precisely my general feeling of this book’s setting. As the name of the series suggests, Cottonbloom is the name of the town where the story took place and where the rest of the series will transpire. It is a small town that had, due to disagreements involving fishing and harvesting rights, been divided by a stream where the south side became Cottonbloom, Louisiana while the north side remained as Cottonbloom, Mississippi. This division wasn’t only in the geographical sense but extends to the socio-economic aspects as well. Those living in the Mississippi side are professional, well off people while those on the Louisiana side are the working class, blue collar residents. This geographic divide vis-a-vis social status played a significant part on how the hero, Cade, perceives his unworthiness toward the heroine, Monroe. Despite the fact that he has made a name and some money for himself as an innovator of engines, he still felt he was that swamp rat from the Louisiana side of the town who has no business romantically pursuing the more well-off ‘Sip, Monroe, who was from the Mississippi side.
THE CHARACTERS
Basing on this book and of the other two previous books by Ms. Trentham, I have yet to meet a main character of hers whom I did not like or admire. Cade and Monroe are characters who have navigated the murky and treacherous waters of life at quite an early age and have come out victorious and better people in the end. Of course, this is not to say that they weren’t good people to begin with. They were good and admirable from the start. Cade had to drop out of highschool in order to support his younger siblings financially and morally after the sudden and unexpected death of their parents. He filled the role of both older brother and parent until the time they were old enough to look after themselves. He then carved a better future for himself by working as an engine innovator. Monroe, on the other hand, had remained loyal and supportive of her mother despite the latter’s alcoholism and irresponsible behaviour towards her own daughter and other men. Unlike Cade, she wasn’t deprived of material comfort on her way to adulthood but grew up lonely and emotionally unsupported. She had Cade as a confidante for a few years until he was pushed out of town by the authorities. She became a physio and chose to remain in town to be near her mother and friends. She founded a support group for “at-risk” young women in the community, drawing from her experience as an emotionally neglected and an-almost victim of child molestation.
It was also a joy to read the interplay of relationships among the secondary characters. Cade’s younger brother, Sawyer, is constantly at odds with the town mayor and Monroe’s bestie, Regan. Sawyer and Regan used to be highschool sweethearts but broke up on unpleasant terms. I sense an underlying sexual tension in their political bickering and so it would be interesting to see if one of the next books in the series will be about them. Then there’s Cade’s younger sister, Tally. She owns the local gym that Cade bankrolled and where Monroe hold her regular self-defence classes for her girls in the support group. Tally had developed a friendship with Monroe during Cade’s absence. I found out from the excerpt at the end of the book that the next book in the series will be about her and Nash, another Cottonbloom local who was described as a geeky hunk/ history professor in the local college.
NO UNNECESSARY, OVER-THE-TOP ANGST AND DRAMA
I think the main reason why this book has a comforting effect is the lack of high drama and angst that plagued a lot of the books I’ve read lately. Yes, there is drama, but nothing of the sort that makes me want to pull my hair and roll my eyes out. The “angst” that can be considered present is mainly on Cade’s side of things. There was still that social divide between him and Monroe, albeit existing only in his mind, that made him uncertain of any permanent relationship between them. Cade hadn’t gotten over his painful past completely. These painful events happened in Cottonbloom and understandably, there is that unavoidable association between the two. As a result, being there and the thought of staying gave him so much trepidation and anxiety. I got to thank the author for creating an anxiety and drama-free heroine in Monroe. She knew what she’s wanted and where she was headed from start to finish of the book. This was well- illustrated in the scene where Cade asked her to be with him and relocate to Seattle. She was firm that she wasn’t leaving her mother and friends behind just to be with him. That, to me, is a sign of a very well put together woman who doesn’t hesitate to use her heart as well as her head.
I enjoyed reading this small-town, sort of second chance romance. If you’re in the mood to be relaxed and comforted by what you’re reading, give this book a go. I cannot wait to read the next books in the series.
QUOTE:
At the heart of this wrong-side-of-town story are deftly drawn characters who understand that everyone has fears.
Kiss Me That Way
Laura Trentham. St. Martin’s, $5.99 mass market (336p) ISBN 978-1-250-07763-9
MORE BY AND ABOUT THIS AUTHOR
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Trentham’s first Cottonbloom contemporary draws a clear, albeit stereotypical, picture of a town that straddles a river, half lying in white-collar Mississippi and half in blue-collar Louisiana. As a girl, well-off Mississippian Monroe Kirby climbed out of her bedroom window to escape her mother’s predatory boyfriend. Louisiana swamp rat Cade Fournette rescued her. For years they secretly met and shared confidences, until he inexplicably left town. Fifteen years after their first encounter, Cade’s a wealthy inventor and Monroe’s a physical therapist. He limps back into town with a knee injury and ends up in her office. They still share an emotional connection, and as she treats his injury, desire enters their relationship, leading to sizzling intimacy. At the heart of this wrong-side-of-town story are deftly drawn characters who understand that everyone has fears. Trentham layers the weight of family responsibilities throughout the well-paced story. The towns’ competing festivals and quirky characters add humor and link the other romances in the series. (May)
QUOTE:
if you like small town romances with doses of realism, and second chance romances that will make you cheer, be sure to pick up KISS ME THAT WAY.
Kiss Me That Way
Laura Trentham
Reviewed by Kristen Donnelly
Posted June 21, 2016
Romance Contemporary
This book opens with a young Cade and a young Monroe, our hero and heroine, on the night they said goodbye. Immediately, author Laura Trentham establishes that there is probably no one else in the world who knows these two like they know each other, and that probably will never change. They're products of a small town in the American South, the kind that winds its way through your DNA and never fully lets go.
Cottonbloom is split by a river and divided between two states. The Mississippi side is where the wealthier folks live (and they're referred to as "Sips), and the Louisiana side is where the folks who are a little less flush with cash call home (they're referred to as "Swamp Rats"). However divided they may appear, Trentham consistently shows us that these two towns live off each other and their residents are as intertwined as the water and soil in the river.
Cade and Monroe spend a lot of time in this book not clearly communicating, which is a pet peeve of mine (just speak your mind, people!), but I can recognize that decades of skepticism leads to mistrust and that needs to be rebuilt. I loved Monroe and how complicated Trentham made her, her motivations, and her choices. Cade was the same way. When they finally surrendered to their happily ever after, my heart was warmed.
This is the start of a series, with two more on the way, so if you like small town romances with doses of realism, and second chance romances that will make you cheer, be sure to pick up KISS ME THAT WAY.
Learn more about Kiss Me That Way
SUMMARY
A river divides Cottonbloom in two: the upscale enclave on the Mississippi side and the rundown, rough and tumble side in Louisiana. They’re worlds apart—but nothing can build a bridge like love…
Cade Fournette never had it easy Cottonbloom. He stuck around long enough to raise his orphaned siblings and then hightailed it out West—and never looked back. Even though he’s made a success of himself in Seattle, Cade never lost the toughness and the angry edge that helped him survive down South. His only weak spot: the girl he left behind…
Monroe Kirby came from the wealthy side of town, but that didn’t protect her from her mother’s drinking—or her mother’s boyfriend. It was Cade who did that, on a long-ago hot September night, before he disappeared…along with a piece of her heart. Now Monroe is a physical therapist who can fight for herself, and it’s Cade who could use some conditioning when he makes an unexpected return back home. Will he and Monroe pick up where they left off and finally explore their mutual passion—or will the scars and secrets of the past divide them once more?
REVIEW: An Indecent Invitation by Laura Trentham
by Sandy M | Mar 17, 2016 | Review |
Book CoverSandy M’s review of An Indecent Invitation (Spies and Lovers, Book 1) by Laura Trentham
Historical Romance published by Samhain 25 Aug 15
This is my first book by Ms. Trentham. While I enjoyed a good part of this book, what kept me from really enjoying the whole thing was the heroine. I realize she was trying to write Lily as a strong, independent woman, but most of the time she acted too irrationally and spontaneously, especially in the middle of danger. Her common sense seemed to have taken a vacation during most of the story.
Gray Masterson has been away for eight years, on a mission for the Crown. He lost a bet to his best friend Rafe and as the loser he now has to keep an eye on Lily, Rafe’s younger sister. He recalls Lily as an annoying child, and with that memory in his head he doesn’t recognize her when he notices a beautiful debutante at a ball. Then he’s in rescue mode when Lily receives a note to meet the sender in the garden. She believes the note is from Gray, but this is the start of Lily acting before thinking, which I really don’t like in a heroine.
Lily’s and Rafe’s father has been missing for months, and she wants to be in the thick of things in investigating to search for him. So many opportunities for Lily to toss aside Gray’s advice to stay put, don’t go there, or whatever else to keep her safe. He’s the professional spy. She’s an earl’s daughter. Thus, Gray goes through a lot of frustration, along with lust and jealousy, in dealing with this woman. I think that’s why, other than the sex scenes, I really never felt a connection with these two as a couple. Of course, Gray tries to stay away from the sex with her – she’s his best friend’s sister and his mentor’s daughter, and he’s not an aristocrat, though that doesn’t mean much to anyone but him, because he was raised with them so they’re like siblings.
I’m actually more intrigued by Rafe. He’s been out of society for a while due to injuries he received during a mission. I enjoyed his few scenes with Minerva, a friend of Lily’s. That book came out in January, so I’m hoping to read it soon. I do like Ms. Trenthan’s writing. You get the feel of the era, and even though there’s some parts of the book that don’t work for me, there’s some that do. Except the villain. After all that happens, I’m a bit let down by who it ends being. But I will try A Brazen Bargain to give the series a second chance.
sandym-iconGrade: C+
An Indecent Invitation by Laura Trentham
“It's a regency romance with a dash of Sherlock Holmes, totally absorbing. ”
by Carmela
THE DEETS
Genre: Historical | Series: Spies & Lovers #1 | Source: ARC | GoodReads
PURCHASE
US
When it comes to European historical romances, I could say that “I’ve cut my teeth” on books by Jane Austen, Judith McNaught, Mary Jo Putney and Mary Balogh. It is with books written by these women that my love for historical romances set during the Regency period in England (1811-1820) grew. I love to read about handsome men in their cravats and tight breeches and ladies swooning in their fine muslin gowns, not to mention, the glittering balls and garden parties, the sense of refinement and societal conduct that ladies and gents from the higher echelons must observe to be acceptable. This is why when the opportunity to review such type of book came along, I happily grabbed it with both hands.
The hero, Gray Masterson, works as a spy and has been away in the Continent for 8 years fulfilling his dangerous mission for the Crown in its campaign against the French. On account of his losing a wager with his best friend, Rafe Drummond, he was tasked to go to a ball to keep an eye on Rafe’s younger sister, Lily. At the ball, he spotted and was captivated by a debutante, whom he did not recognise as Lily. Lily had no trouble recognising him as she had fancied him since they were kids. Once Gray found out who she was, he wasted no time to explain that his other purpose in coming back is to search for Rafe and Lily’s father, Earl Windor. The earl was Gray’s mentor and has been missing for 8 months without any leads as to his whereabouts. Gray made Lily promise not to go alone with another man in a garden and to let Gray handle the search alone. Lily, being herself, did not make such promise.
The mystery of the Earl’s disappearance thickens when at a party that Lily attended, she was summoned to the gardens through a note that promised information about her father. Lily thought it was from Gray but it turned out it wasn’t. Adding to this was a failed attempt by gunmen on horseback to stop Lily’s carriage on its way to her family’s country estate, Wintermarsh. After their assessment of what’s happening, Gray and Rafe agreed to involve Lily in their investigation as her social connections could help uncover any possible leads. The trio then set off to London and began their search for the earl.
I thoroughly enjoyed how Lily and Gray navigated London’s social swirl to dig into the Earl’s disappearance. It was truly a page-turner, filled with rich descriptions of characters and surroundings, so true to the regency romances tradition of old, plus a touch of mystery and suspense. It’s a regency romance with a dash of Sherlock Holmes, totally absorbing.
I love Lily’s characterisation. She’s a very progressive young woman during that time period. She knows her own mind by not bending to her father’s desire to marry her off to a “suitable” man whom, in her own mind, would be using her for her dowry and to breed the heirs. She is no simpering Regency Miss either as she was determined to do her bit to find her father and to pursue the mounting desire between her and Gray.
If anything, it was Gray who had misgivings on declaring his attraction to Lily. He is only, after all, the son of the Earl’s steward and housekeeper, therefore not a suitable match for Lily. He also does a very dangerous work where a romantic entanglement could prove to be a distraction and get him killed. It did not help that Lily was being courted by “eligible” men who were all determined to take her as their bride. I feel for Gray, but it is also a joy to read how he gets all possessive on Lily and could not do anything to control his jealousy. This romantic conflict in the book was effectively portrayed and made the sexual tension effective and palpable. When Lily and Gray had finally breached this tension, however, the sex was hot which may or may not be confined in the bedroom.
This is the first book in the author’s Spies and Lovers series. I am looking forward to reading the next book as I can smell, unless I’m wrong, that it’s going to be about Lily’s brother, Rafe. I like Rafe already with his big, muscular body and scary demeanour. There was tension between him and Lily’s close friend, Lady Minerva, in this book so I’m guessing (unless I’m wrong again) his heroine will be her.
QUOTE:
QUOTE:
marvelously funny, engaging and memorable romance in a place where everyone knows your name
Image of Slow and Steady Rush
SLOW AND STEADY RUSH
Image of Slow and Steady Rush
Author(s): Laura Trentham
Trentham deals with some familiar tropes, but the results are a far cry from predictable. She does a splendid job capturing the homey details of her small-town setting, but doesn’t shy away from confronting its more restrictive aspects, either. Her protagonists are strong-willed, passionate and deeply conflicted, and their journey is portrayed with such compassion and maturity that it cannot fail to resonate. The result is a marvelously funny, engaging and memorable romance in a place where everyone knows your name.
Librarian Darcy Wilde was thrilled to get out of her small, football-obsessed hometown where everyone remembered her mother’s wild antics. But when her beloved grandmother needs her help, Darcy packs up and heads back. After a childhood in foster care and a career in the military, Robbie Dalton has his own share of difficult memories to face. Now, he’s more than ready to settle down and make champions out of Falcon’s high school football team. Neither is looking for anything long-term, but life in Falcon has a way of changing even the most set of plans. (US.MACMILLAN.COM/SMP, dl $3.99)
Reviewed by:
Bridget Keown
QUOTE:
engaging story of memories and grudges as well as true love and redemption
TILL I KISSED YOU
Image of Till I Kissed You: A Cottonbloom Novel
Author(s): Laura Trentham
The third Cottonbloom novel is an immediately engaging story of memories and grudges as well as true love and redemption. The world of Cottonbloom continues to grow richer and more inviting — becoming a crucial part of this book — as the vibrant, passionate protagonists battle to save the place they love. Though the very serious communication issues between the protagonists in this story does create a number of unnecessary complications, in the end, their journey is a highly moving one that adds much to the series as a whole.
As teenagers, both Regan Lovell and Sawyer Fournette were convinced that they were made for each other, despite all the obstacles standing in their way. After heartbreak tore them apart, Regan and Sawyer find themselves reunited in planning Labor Day celebrations that will bring desperately needed funds for their neighboring towns. Though Regan is convinced that Sawyer is behind the string of pranks and sabotage, Sawyer would never do anything to hurt the woman who still holds his heart. But will their search for a common enemy help them find their way back to each other, or is the weight of their past just too much? (ST. MARTIN’S, Aug., 320 pp., $5.99)
Reviewed by:
Bridget Keown
QUOTE:
there is no denying the appeal of this story, or the charming love story at its center.
THEN HE KISSED ME
Image of Then He Kissed Me: A Cottonbloom Novel
Author(s): Laura Trentham
Trentham revels in challenging conventions, and her latest Cottonbloom novel is full of endearing twists on tropes that are sure to delight. Her setting, a small, divided Southern town, is full of vivid details and vibrant characters. Best of all are the two reunited protagonists whose outer façades belie a complex blend of sympathetic doubts, fears and passion that make them, and their relationship, wonderfully unique. Though there are some plot points that feel similar to previous novels, there is no denying the appeal of this story, or the charming love story at its center.
Growing up in Cottonbloom, the center of Nash Hawthorne’s world was Tally Fournette, his closest childhood friend. But when Nash’s mother died, he found himself whisked away to live with his aunt, far away from Tally. Since then, Tally has struggled, dealing with loss and her demons alone. When Nash comes back to town, now a handsome professor at the local college, she realizes her childhood affection has grown into something much deeper. But with Tally’s domineering ex and Nash’s elitist family, what chance is there that they can find their way back to each other? (ST. MARTIN’S, Jul., 320 pp., $5.99)
Reviewed by:
Bridget Keown
QUOTE:
engrossing novel of first loves and second chances
KISS ME THAT WAY
Image of Kiss Me That Way: A Cottonbloom Novel
Author(s): Laura Trentham
Trentham launches her Cottonbloom series with an engrossing novel of first loves and second chances. Though she employs a number of familiar tropes in her plot, she manages to make each scene feel original, and keeps her characters’ journey compelling to the very end. Most impressive is the way she consistently refuses to make her heroine a damsel in distress, giving her the strength and self-assurance to deal with every surprise that arises, and to guide her strong but scarred hero into their very own happy ending.
On the surface, Monroe Kirby had everything a girl from the wealthy side of Cottonbloom could want. No one knew about her mother’s drinking, or the real danger her boyfriends posed. No one, that is, except Cade Fournette, the boy from the wrong side of the river who rescued her from the worst night of her life. When Cade suddenly left town, he took a piece of Monroe’s heart with him — but when he makes an unexpected return, he finds Monroe a skilled physical therapist, fully capable of fighting her own battles. Will Monroe and Cade find a way to let go of the pain from their pasts in order to find a future together? (ST. MARTIN’S, Jun., 352 pp., $5.99)
Reviewed by:
Bridget Keown
AN INDECENT INVITATION
Image of An Indecent Invitation (Spies and Lovers)
Author(s): Laura Trentham
Trentham turns her attentions to revolutionary activity and historic espionage in the opening of her new series, and the result is a creditable success. Though the numerous tropes don’t always fit together, this hardly detracts from the vivid, passionate characters, or the bonds that grow between them. Trentham is careful not to settle for easy answers or simple explanations, making for a tale that is full of unexpected twists and turns and emotional complications.
Crown spy Gray Masterson made a promise to watch over his best friend’s little sister and ensure she didn’t make a fool of herself at her London debut — but he never dreamed that Lady Lily Drummond would grow up to be such a beauty, or so headstrong. With her brother still recovering from his last spy mission, Lily is determined to untangle the mystery of her father’s disappearance and prove to Gray that she is no longer a hindrance, but a partner in every way possible. (SAMHAIN, Sep., 288 pp., $16.99)
Reviewed by:
Bridget Keown
QUOTE:
truly moving and engaging.
all-around success.
CAUGHT UP IN THE TOUCH
Image of Caught Up in the Touch
Author(s): Laura Trentham
Trentham’s second Falcon Football installment brings readers back to her cozy Alabama town and its wonderfully unique citizens, but she also uses her unlikely couple to touch on some very serious issues in an honest and tactful way. She gives her characters a chance to discover the best of themselves while acknowledging and confronting their fears and shortcomings, making this book truly moving and engaging. The electrifying chemistry and sassy banter between her protagonists is decidedly fun, but their clumsier, awkward moments are perhaps a bit more endearing, adding a sweet note to this all-around success.
Jessica Montgomery has worked tirelessly her whole life to become CFO of her family’s business, and the position is within her reach — as long as she can convince hot-shot chef Logan Wilde to manage their flagship restaurant. Logan may have cultivated an image as the jovial local hero, but he is still working to live down his teenage mistakes in the town he loves. He isn’t about to leave, especially when the woman sent to lure him away poses such a delightful challenge. As the two grow unexpectedly closer, Jessica’s obligations threaten to tear them apart. (MACMILLAN.COM/SMP, dl $3.99)
Reviewed by:
Bridget Keown
QUOTE:
The plot was interesting and held my interest throughout, although it was a bit thin in the middle when Rafe and Minerva are exploring their new sexual relationship. For me, the story got bogged down with the lovemaking scenes, but I’m sure other readers will love it.
ARC Review: A Brazen Bargain by Laura Trentham
DECEMBER 16, 2016 BY ANNMARIE LEAVE A COMMENT
ARC Review: A Brazen Bargain by Laura TrenthamA Brazen Bargain (Spies and Lovers, #2) by Laura Trentham
Published by Samhain Publishing on January 26th 2016
Purchase: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo
Goodreads
Love soothes the deepest of scars.
Minerva Bellingham is at her wits' end. Her younger brother, Simon, will have them penniless and on the streets if his extravagant gambling habit isn't curtailed. An enormous debt to Lord Rafe Drummond is the final indignity.
Signing over her dowry is their only choice. Until Lord Drummond suggests something much more scandalous. She can keep her dowry-in exchange for the Bellinghams working three months as a housemaid and stable boy.
Scarred from his service to the Crown, Rafe recognizes the young Simon Bellingham has the makings of a good duke. Minerva is a different story. Her pure, delicate beauty only underscores Rafe's tarnished, bleak soul.
Yet he delights in cracking Minerva's icy reserve to reveal a fiery, stubborn woman. And Minerva discovers the gruff master of Wintermarsh has the heart of a poet. But before they can find a future safe in each other's arms, a menace from Simon's licentious past slithers back into their lives, forcing Rafe to plan the most important rescue mission of his life.
Warning: Contains a paragon of the beau monde who gets the hang of polishing silver, and a master of the house who'd like her to make his bed-preferably with him in it. Also passion unleashed with the mere touch of a finger. Readers are encouraged to swoon.
~~~~~
~~Reviewed by Evelyn~~
A BRAZEN BARGAIN by Laura Trentham is the second novel in the Spies and Lovers series. It is a nice follow-up to the first novel, AN INDECENT PROPOSAL, but it has to do more with lovers than spies. It is also not necessary to have read the first book because it works well by itself.
A BRAZEN BARGAIN comes to be when Simon, the Duke of Bellingham, incurs gambling debts that he cannot pay. He is young and irresponsible, possibly due to the fact that he was raised by his older sister, Minerva, who also managed his estate. In order to pay back Lord Rafe Drummond without using her dowry, the only funds they have left, Minerva strikes a bargain that will have her and Simon working for Lord Drummond on his estate for three months. While Simon is very unhappy living and working in the stables, Minerva seems to almost enjoy her position as a maid.
At first, Rafe and Minerva have a very adversarial relationship. To Rafe, Minerva is just the annoying best friend of his younger sister. Minerva sees Rafe as grumpy and rude, but as they get to know each other, a strong mutual attraction develops.
I loved Rafe and Minerva, the hero and heroine. Both are strong, complicated characters that have had to deal with unusual challenges in their lives. Rafe is badly scarred, both physically and emotionally, and he feels that it makes him unlovable. Minerva had to become an adult very young, and she had to take care of family business and raise her brother. It made her very serious and reserved. Their flaws were due to circumstance, and I found myself drawn to both of them. I liked that their romance started out slowly as they both discovered their attraction for one another.
There are few important secondary characters, and the ones we do have, are not very well developed. I wanted to see more of Simon as he goes through a transformation working in the stables. I wanted more about Rafe’s sister Lily Drummond, who was also Minerva’s best friend. I wanted more about Jenny, the housemaid that befriended Minerva while she was working in Rafe’s estate. I’m hoping that these characters will be the subjects of future novels in the series.
The plot was interesting and held my interest throughout, although it was a bit thin in the middle when Rafe and Minerva are exploring their new sexual relationship. For me, the story got bogged down with the lovemaking scenes, but I’m sure other readers will love it.
All in all, I enjoyed A BRAZEN BARGAIN, in spite of the few small problems. I’m looking forward to the future books in this series.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Readers Copy of this book.
Rating:
4 butterflies
A Brazen Bargain by Laura Trentham
“I thoroughly enjoyed reading Rafe's big, muscly self squaring off with the equally formidable (not in size but in stature) Lady Minerva Bellingham. ”
by Carmela
THE DEETS
Genre: Historical Romance | Series: Spies and Lovers #2 | Publisher: Samhain | Source: ARC | GoodReads
PURCHASE
US
Oh Lord Rafael Drummond, you big, muscular, Lord of the manor, you…did I say in my review of the first book in this series that I was so looking forward to reading this book mainly because of Rafe Drummond? Well, I have now read his story and I must say that I thoroughly enjoyed reading Rafe’s big, muscly self squaring off with the equally formidable (not in size but in stature) Lady Minerva Bellingham.
If you’ve read book 1, you’ll know that Rafe did not approve of Minerva’s influence over his sister, Lily. Minerva knows it and feels a certain amount of trepidation towards Rafe because, c’mon, he’s big and fearsome with a visible scar on his face. He’s so unlike the dandies who fawn all over her. Plus, he rarely comes out to London and spends a lot of his time in his country estate, Wintermarsh. With that scenario, one expects nothing less than a whole lot of sexual tension, right? The chemistry between Rafe and Minerva is sizzling and sexual tension aplenty. When they’ve finally succumbed to the sexual tension, the loving was hot and got me thinking, yeah, the fade to black love scenes in historical romances are long gone, thank you authors!
The squaring off between Rafe and Minerva began when Simon, irresponsible, soon-to-be duke brother of Minerva, drunkenly lost out on the gaming table to Rafe. To pay off the gambling debt, Rafe proposed that Minerva and Simon work as housemaid and stable hand, respectively, in his Manor House at Wintermarsh. With the ducal properties entailed, their cash tied up in investments and her unwillingness to sacrifice her dowry, Minerva had no recourse but to agree to Rafe’s proposal.
I find this book a lot simpler in its focus than its predecessor in the series. The story is centred on the development of Rafe and Minerva’s relationship and Rafe’s opening up to love despite his past. Apart from a brief scene in Rafe’s past, there is none of the suspenseful plot, adventure and descriptive passages laid down in several scenes in the first book. Simple it may be, but I like it. Simplicity is a good thing in my book.
I liked Rafe in the previous book but I absolutely adore him in this one. His initial disapproval of Minerva was only to mask an attraction he had for her. To his mind, she represented purity and beauty that he thought he didn’t deserve due to the ugliness he had witnessed and participated in as a spy for the Crown during the Napoleonic wars. Despite his conflicting feelings for Minerva, he felt that he needed to lead her brother to the straight and narrow. He made Simon work hard, from cleaning off muck in the stables to educating him on various pursuits like estate management to hand-to-hand combat. He is an extra special Regency hero in his appreciation of Minerva’s intelligence and uniqueness. In the modern context, Rafe is a good guy recovering from a slice of PTSD who opened himself up for the love of a good woman.
What about Minerva? Like Lily Drummond, she is no simpering Regency miss. Once again, Ms. Trentham has created an outstanding heroine in Minerva. She is ahead of her time in the sense that she took charge of the ducal estate whist her brother was still too young and incapable of doing so. This is on top of trying to make her irresponsible brother tow the line after losing their parents at a young age. Prior to the gambling debacle, it was clear she was having a job to make Simon face up to his imminent role as duke. As mentioned before, Rafe helped to straighten him out through hard labour. She faced up to the challenges of paying her brother’s gambling debt by working her ass off as a maid in a large Manor House. She did not let herself get intimidated by Rafe, she just got on with it like a normal, mature adult (most NA contemporary heroines, listen up!). She had endeared herself to Rafe, to his household staff and to me, the reader.
I’m loving this series and my spidey sense tells me that Simon’s book is up. Or it could be Minerva’s sexy Scot ex- man of business, Maxwell Drake. Whatever, give it to us, Ms. Trentham, pretty please?
Slow and Steady Rush by Laura Trentham
“...a funny, emotional, heartfelt romance about self-discovery and finding home. ”
by Tania
THE DEETS
Genre: Contemporary | Series: Falcon Football #1 | Source: ARC | GoodReads
PURCHASE
US
CA
Dubbed Friday Night Lights meets Sweet Home Alabama, that was really the only line that registered when I made the instantaneous decision to read this book while visions of Taylor Kitsch circulated on repeat through my mind. Slow and Steady Rush is Laura Trentham’s debut release and the first in what I’m sure will become the sought after Falcon Football series. This story grabbed me from the first page and didn’t let go until I had consumed all 400 pages within the same day. It’s the perfect small town romance complete with sweet southern darlin’ charm where your life is under constant scrutiny and gossip spreads like wildfire. The imagery is beautifully written, capturing the sights and sounds of rural Alabama so perfectly that it left this born and bred city-girl longing for wide open spaces. Slow and Steady Rush is a funny, emotional, heartfelt romance about self-discovery and finding home.
STUFF LEGENDS ARE MADE OF…
Robbie Dalton is fresh blood, an outsider recruited by a football obsessed town with exceedingly high expectations for their disappointing high school team. His tie to Falcon, Alabama is courtesy of his best friend Logan Wilde, Darcy’s cousin, whom he served beside in Afghanistan. Dalt is a complex package. He carries the emotional scars of a childhood he would rather forget, the physical scars from four tours in Afghanistan, the body of a God and the brain of a scholar. Closed off emotionally, Dalt is the first to agree with past accusations of his cold, hard-heart but it’s not too difficult to see past his gruff exterior to the honorable, caring, protective man he is.
THE LUSTY LIBRARIAN…
Darcy Wilde is the exact opposite of her namesake, she keeps her life on the straight and narrow and covets her career as a research librarian working with doctoral candidates in Atlanta. She escaped the small minded town that never let her forget who or what her momma was as soon as possible and never looked back. It’s only due to the ailing health of her grandmother Ada, the woman who lovingly raised her, that has brought about her unenthusiastic return. Darcy works hard to maintain her carefully cultivated good girl image but a certain coach is wreaking all kinds of havoc on her self control.
IT TAKES A VILLAGE AKA A SMALL ALABAMA TOWN…
Laura Trentham does a fabulous job of weaving together a supporting cast of townspeople, family, friends, coaches and kids while creating the groundwork for future stories. She has created strong-willed, smart female characters that can hold their own against their stubborn and hard-headed counterparts while blending together the usual small town suspects of gossips and troublemakers. While Dalt’s coaching position could have easily been glossed over and simplified as the sexy coach that brings all the ladies out in their Sunday finest, the author has taken the time to develop his relationship with the kids he coaches thereby adding even more depth to an already multidimensional story. Whether he is helping them with schoolwork so they can maintain their expected grade point average, facilitating athletic scholarships to get them into college or just providing moral support and guidance, you genuinely see how much he cares for those kids.
HOW IT ALL WENT DOWN…
Darcy Wilde greets the city limits sign of Falcon, Alabama with a big old f-you which pretty much sums up her feelings on returning to the small town where she was raised. She’s taken a leave of absence from her job as head research librarian in Atlanta, to return home and help care for her grandmother, the only parent she’s ever really had. Sparks fly and tempers flare when Darcy and Dalt unexpectedly come face to face the first time. He’s not the polyester wearing fortysomething year old with a bad comb over she was expecting and she’s not the nerdy little sister type he envisioned when reading the letters she sent to Logan while they were stationed in Afghanistan. Darcy’s need to high tail it home as soon as Ada is well and on her feet again rubs Dalt the wrong way and he makes his opinion clear. His standoffish attitude and her sharp tongue are constant fuel to the sexual tension that’s been building since their first encounter. Out of respect for Ada and Logan, Dalt has no intentions of acting impulsively where Darcy is concerned but when an ill conceived declaration by Darcy puts the rumour mill into overdrive and threatens not only Dalt’s job but his safety, the two of them will have to provide some PDA to give the people of Falcon something else to talk about. Hot Alabama days lead to even hotter nights and Dalt unleashes the passion and wildness Darcy works so hard to restrain. With the expiration date of their no strings attached hook up looming, they’ll both have to let go of their pasts if they have any chance of a future.
I’LL LEAVE YOU WITH THIS…
I committed myself to you tonight—forever. A ring and certificate only mean it’s legal.
Kisses,
Tania
APRIL 16, 2015
Review: Slow and Steady Rush by Laura Trentham
slow steady rushReviewed by Carrie
I’ve been on a sports romance book kick lately and saw this book up for review. The blurb hooked me – football, small town and hot ex-soldier. Set in a small southern town, it has a very Friday Night Lights vibe to it.
Darcy Wilde loves her life as a librarian in Atlanta. She loves just being another person in a big city – so different from how she grew up. Darcy is forced to confront her past when her grandmother falls ill and she must return to her hometown of Falcon. Darcy’s goal is to get in, set her grandmother back to rights and get out of dodge as quick as she can. She might feel slightly guilty about her reluctance to come home, but it’s not about the woman who raised Darcy and her cousin, Logan. It’s more about wanting to escape the sins of the mother that are visited upon the daughter and the very long memory of small towns.
Things get bungled up from the start when a comment Darcy was making to a friend was misconstrued and Robbie “Dalt” Dalton, the new football coach’s, sexuality was called into question before the dinner bell rang. Apparently, this is still a no-go for southern football coaches. Darcy discovers that Dalt is Logan’s ex-Army buddy and feels beholden to get Dalt out of the mess. They agree to “fake date” to throw off any questions, though this is not a hardship for either one of them. The ruse turns real as they get to know each other while navigating small town politics and coming to terms with their past.
Darcy came off a little shrill at first but warmed up as her backstory came out and was lovely by the end. I was really interested in Dalt’s story as it was hinted that he was recovering from Army life. Unfortunately, aside from him waking up from a nightmare and having a service dog, this wasn’t really explored. These two certainly had some soul searching to do and they did a fair amount talking to each other, but I wasn’t totally convinced in their romance. They were nice enough, but I didn’t get that spark.
What is the shining light in this book is the fabulous cast of characters from Ms. Ada to Darcy’s cousin Luke to the three wacky mature librarians. The interactions between all these people were sometimes hilarious and sometimes bittersweet, but always full of heart.
I had some quibbles with the slow pacing and awkward sub-plot but not enough to detract from the lively and loving characters. I would definitely read another in this series to see if the author can work out the kinks. I’d recommend this book for those who are looking for a lighter small town romance with humor and heart.
Rating: C+
REVIEW: Slow and Steady Rush by Laura Trentham
Posted March 17th, 2015 by Sara @HarlequinJunkie in Blog, Contemporary Romance, HJ Recommends, Review, Sports Romance / 8 comments
HJ_Recommends
In Slow and Steady Rush (Falcon Football #1) by Laura Trentham, Librarian Darcy Wilde had no plans to ever Slow-and-Steady-Rushgo back to her hometown of Falcon, Alabama since moving to Atlanta. Well, other than the occasional visit to see her grandmother and cousin. But everything changes when Darcy finds herself back in Falcon taking care of the woman who raised her. Ada might be on the mend, but Darcy’s encounters with their new neighbor, and the town’s new football coach, Robbie Dalton threatens to tear her heart into pieces. The closed off hunk sparks something wild in her that she never expected. But can they keep it platonic or will it overtake Darcy’s good intentions?
“You’re going to be gone in a few months, sweetheart. How about we keep this fun? We’ll go our separate ways at the end of your leave, no hard feelings. Can you do that?”
“Can you?” she shot back.
“Of course.” The lie tore from his chest.
Falcon is the first place that has ever really felt like a home to Robbie Dalton. Growing up in foster care only taught him to be wary of people and filled him with rage. Football and years as an Army Ranger helped channel that anger, along with the comforting effect his dog Avery has on him. But now Robbie is dealing with emotions he’s never experienced before when a miscommunication throws himself and Darcy into a few dates together. Surely what he’s noticing is only lust, right? Or for the first time in his life, could this feeling be love?
‘Did she want him to kiss her? Surely, he hadn’t lost all ability to read women. Although, this woman was written in a different language. One he wanted to study and learn–like Braille.’
Slow and Steady Rush was a wonderful surprise. Debut author Laura Trentham has given us a Southern romance full of complex relationships and small town drama that held me enthralled the entire time.
I love it when a story is more than it appears. Having read the synopsis, I knew this would be set in a small town and focus around the new football coach. But there were so many extra parts to this novel and tons of secondary characters who more than held their own. Most of all it felt like the storyline and the way the characters handled all of the situations were realistic. Nothing really seemed over the top or unnecessarily melodramatic. Just honest, heartfelt pain, turmoil, and passion.
Now, as much as I loved the secondary characters like Darcy’s cousin Logan, her grandmother Ada, Tyler, Miles and the rest of the football team, Robbie and Darcy were a pretty unique and interesting pair themselves. Together, they were basically the reformed bad boy and the sweet librarian. However, their backgrounds held both similarities and large disparities, which meant they understood where they each were coming from, but handled things quite differently. Robbie felt the effects of growing up in foster care and didn’t believe someone so good and nice as Darcy could want him. And she thought being a ‘mousy librarian’ would be boring to him. Boy were they both wrong, considering their chemistry was off the charts!!
And I can’t neglect to mention a special character: Robbie’s partner/dog/best friend Avery, who served with him in Afghanistan and who was also a lovely part of the story. I dare you to not fall for this brave & furry three-legged guy who conveyed so much emotion and compassion with his little woofs and facial expressions. My heart just melted every scene he was in!
If you enjoy rock solid emotional romance, definitely check out Slow and Steady Rush. What a great beginning to this new Falcon Football series.
QUOTE:
Trentham pulls the various elements together in time to deliver a sweet, satisfying story.
Slow and Steady Rush
Laura Trentham. St. Martin’s, $3.99 e-book (400p) ISBN 978-1-4668-8394-9
Slow and Steady Rush
BUY THIS BOOK
In the first installment of Trentham’s Falcon Football series, a young woman gets a new shot at love when she returns to the small Alabama town of her youth to look after her injured grandmother. Darcy Wilde is a prim and proper librarian trying to live down her mother’s scandalous reputation. Her new neighbor, Robbie Dalton, who’s Falcon’s new high school football coach, has a way of riling her up. But irritation gives way to mutual desire, spoiled only by a miscommunication that leaves Darcy convinced Robbie is gay—an inaccurate assessment that threatens to ruin his reputation with the townsfolk. To save Robbie’s image and his job, they engage in a fake relationship that threatens to turn all too real with each sizzling kiss. But Robbie has dark secrets and traumas of his own to overcome before he can commit to what they both know to be a good thing. The instant chemistry and dynamic give-and-take between the two fuels this otherwise ordinary romance as it juggles several different dramatic subplots. Trentham pulls the various elements together in time to deliver a sweet, satisfying story. (Mar.)
QUOE:
Trentham never fails to put a smile on my face and this book wasn’t any different
Review: Melting Into You by Laura Trentham
NOVEMBER 4, 2015 / OWMYSHELF
Author: Laura Trentham
Book: Melting Into You (Falcon Football #3)
Other Books in series – all standalones:
Slow and Steady Rush (Falcon Football #1) – my review is here
Caught Up In the Touch (Falcon Football #2) – my review is here
tl;dr recommendation: Trentham delivers sass and warmth in yet another football story where the players aren’t the only ones who score. 4 stars!
Book Summary:
Alec Grayson returns home to Falcon, Alabama, to rebuild his life after a knee injury ended his NFL career. As the Falcon high school quarterback coach, Alec’s love for the game is reignited. Meanwhile, he puts his hard-partying past and the betrayal of the people he trusted most behind him, and adopts a hard demeanor. That is, until a spitfire artist with soulful eyes and a body that haunts his dreams gets under his skin and threatens to crack his armor.
Lilliana Hancock is forced to leave her struggling-artist lifestyle in New York and return to Falcon after her father’s unexpected death leaves her a decrepit family mansion. Determined to use her skills to turn the home into a successful bed and breakfast, Lilliana is stopped at every turn by the town contractor, who happens to be Alec, the gorgeous and arrogant jock to whom she lost her virginity in college. Except Alec doesn’t remember, which infuriates her. Too bad she can’t forget the way his body felt against hers or how his heated gaze follows her…
Will they be able to put their pasts behind them for a future together?
Longer Review:
Awww. This is a perfectly sweet small-town, wholesome yet sexy, heartwarming romance. Trentham delivers sass and warmth in yet another football story where the players aren’t the only ones who score.
Lilliana may have inherited the old mansion in Falcon, but she’s determined to make it into a warm and welcoming place again. However, her plans to create a B&B are stalled by that awful pepto bismol pink bathroom and its faulty electrical system. When Alec, the town inspector, comes to review her progress the only thing that sparks is their connection. Suddenly clothes are ripped off, tattoos are being licked, and they lose any semblance of common sense.
Alec has a hard time trusting anyone after his parents betrayed him and while he’s been eye-fucking Lilliana for months, he’s pretty sure she hates him. At least he thought so until that night surrounded in pink tile.
The two of them together are a basket full of confused emotions and motivations. While Lilliana keeps the secret of their past, Alec doesn’t exactly do that all much to assuage her concerns that he isn’t going to cut and run at the first sign of trouble. This is small town, everyone-knows-everyone, realistic romance. There is no major angst or long bouts of separation, but there IS seriously sinfully hot sex. So, basically – you should read it.
Trentham never fails to put a smile on my face and this book wasn’t any different. 4 stars!
[I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review]
QUOE:
Witty banter, fierce chemistry, and heartwarming romance bring this story to a close
REVIEW: Melting Into You by Laura Trentham
Posted November 18th, 2015 by Sara @HarlequinJunkie in Blog, Contemporary Romance, HJ Top Pick!, Review, Sports Romance / 9 comments
HJ_TopPick
Melting Into You by Laura Trentham is the third book in the Falcon Football Series, but Melting-Into-Youcan be read as a standalone. Football, passionate characters, and small towns make this book a must read!
Alec and Lilliana, two people who have a history together, only….Alec has no idea exactly what that history entails. Lilliana has inherited the Hancock House from her grandma but needs it brought up to code. Alec is the town building inspector and is the one who does the inspection. But an inspection isn’t the only thing that goes down at the Hancock House. Passion ignites and sparks fly, just before complications arise.
It’s no secret that Lilliana doesn’t like Alec and as the story unfolds we find out the reason for all the animosity. Turns out Alec took Lilliana’s virginity back in college but doesn’t remember her. To be fair, he was conceited back then and a completely different person now. Alec is complicated. The former NFL star has been betrayed by the very people he trusted the most.
“Rather than love, than money, than fame, give me truth.”
This is the first time I’m reading a book by this author and I can honestly say that I bought the previous two books immediately after finishing this one.
Lilliana has her work cut out for her getting him to let down his walls and trust someone. Both characters have serious baggage, but together they can get through anything. Witty banter, fierce chemistry, and heartwarming romance bring this story to a close. Highly recommended.
Wednesday, November 9, 2016
Review: Candy Cane Christmas by Laura Trentham
A very Cottonbloom Christmas!
Jeremy Whitehurst has tried to leave his bad-boy behavior and tarnished image behind in Alabama for a fresh start in Cottonbloom, Louisiana. Unfortunately, trouble has dogged him across state lines. Stepping up and protecting a young woman from her abusive boyfriend earned him a beat-down and got him fired. Although the thanks in the girl’s dark eyes made it all worth it, he recognizes she’s just a different kind of trouble. A trouble he’s not sure he can stay away from.
One rebellious summer dented Kayla Redmond’s carefree innocence. Now her focus is on completing her associate’s degree for bookkeeping, and no one is going to derail her plans. Unfortunately, her job at Fournette Brothers Designs puts her in the path of the one man who has seen her at her worst, yet his blue eyes don’t judge her. He sees beyond the brokenness inside of her and rouses her wild side once more. But, that’s what got her in trouble in the first place.
Christmas is coming and Kayla’s ready to forgive herself and take a chance. But the holiday has only ever brought heartache to Jeremy. No Christmas miracle kept his mother clean or out of jail. Will one reckless night and some time spent in the back of a cop car be the best present Jeremy’s ever been given?
This is a super sweet novella about two previous secondary characters in the Cottonbloom world. We first meet Jeremy and Kayla in Book 1, Kiss Me That Way, Cade Fournette and Monroe Kirby’s story. Monroe taught self-defense classes and Kayla was one of her students. Monroe also had a soft spot for the young lady and made sure Kayla knew that if she ever got into trouble, she could call Monroe.
Well, one night Kayla needed help. Monroe and Kayla were cornered by Kayla’s drunk abusive boyfriend and a good Samaritan came to their rescue in the form of Jeremy Whitehurst. Jeremy sees the women in trouble and intervenes, getting his behind kicked in the process. Kayla never forgot that night…and neither has Jeremy.
We fast-forward a couple of years to present day Cottonbloom. Kayla has gotten her life together and is almost done with her associate’s degree. She’s coming to Fournette Brothers Designs (Cade & Sawyer’s business) to apply for a bookkeeping job. And before she has a chance to head inside, she trips in the parking lot just as Jeremy comes riding in on his motorcycle. She hasn’t forgotten Jeremy’s kindness and although they’ve seen each other over the past two years, they haven’t really shared a connection until he renders first aid on her knee.
Jeremy has been working for Cade Fournette and his brother Sawyer as a mechanic for a while now. He keeps to himself as well as keeping everyone else away. Jeremy had a bad childhood and was labeled a troublemaker early on in his small hometown in Alabama. But he wasn’t. He was just a kid that had to grow up WAY faster than everyone else. Thankfully the Fournette brothers saw his potential and hired him shortly after he saved Monroe and Kayla from an attack.
Jeremy and Kayla have excellent chemistry. I was hoping for their story when I first met them back in Cade’s book! Their story was so special and tugged hard on my heartstrings. Jeremy didn’t believe he deserved happiness, especially a beautiful woman like Kayla in his life. The story kind of hit home for me a bit. I could easily relate to Jeremy and his struggle to accept that he was worthy of being happy. Jeremy and Kayla’s story is well-deserved and beautifully written.
CANDY CANE CHRISTMAS can definitely be read as a standalone or part of the series. It’s a Christmas story full of hope, heart and happiness. Sometimes we need to be smacked upside the head in order to accept the fact that we are not undeserving of happiness. I want to thank Laura Trentham for writing this beautiful book and I can’t wait to find out what she has in story next in this wonderful community of Cottonbloom!
REVIEW: CANDY CANE CHRISTMAS BY LAURA TRENTHAM
POSTED NOVEMBER 3, 2016 BY MANDY IN REVIEW
TAGS: LAURA TRENTHAM, MARIA ROSE
Review: Candy Cane Christmas by Laura TrenthamCandy Cane Christmas by Laura Trentham
on October 25, 2016
Genres: Contemporary Romance, Holiday
Series: Cottonbloom #3.5
Published by Swerve
Source: NetGalley
Copy for review provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
three-half-stars
A very Cottonbloom Christmas!
Jeremy Whitehurst has tried to leave his bad-boy behavior and tarnished image behind in Alabama for a fresh start in Cottonbloom, Louisiana. Unfortunately, trouble has dogged him across state lines. Stepping up and protecting a young woman from her abusive boyfriend earned him a beat-down and got him fired. Although the thanks in the girl’s dark eyes made it all worth it, he recognizes she’s just a different kind of trouble. A trouble he’s not sure he can stay away from.
One rebellious summer dented Kayla Redmond’s carefree innocence. Now her focus is on completing her associate’s degree for bookkeeping, and no one is going to derail her plans. Unfortunately, her job at Fournette Brothers Designs puts her in the path of the one man who has seen her at her worst, yet his blue eyes don’t judge her. He sees beyond the brokenness inside of her and rouses her wild side once more. But, that’s what got her in trouble in the first place.
Christmas is coming and Kayla’s ready to forgive herself and take a chance. But the holiday has only ever brought heartache to Jeremy. No Christmas miracle kept his mother clean or out of jail. Will one reckless night and some time spent in the back of a cop car be the best present Jeremy’s ever been given?
Candy Cane Christmas is a lovely short holiday novella, set in Cottonbloom, Louisiana with characters that touch on the settings of both the Cottonbloom and the Falcon Football series by this author. I’ve read one of the football series and quite enjoyed it, but hadn’t read any of the Cottonbloom ones yet, so the secondary characters were not particularly familiar to me but the story reads well as a standalone.
Kayla has embarrassing memories of the night Jeremy saved her from her abusive ex, but he’s been in her thoughts on occasion since then. Interviewing for a job at Fournette Brothers Designs (run in part by her good friend Monroe’s husband), she knows that if she gets the job, she’ll have to face Jeremy on a daily basis as he has a job there as a mechanic. Jeremy had a rough upbringing and got into several scrapes with the law, so having a full-time job with men who have taken a chance on him is something he cherishes. He and Kayla have both experienced emotional heartache and abuse, and neither judges the other as a result, making them soon on the path to friendship. Can it turn into something more, with a little holiday sparkle to brighten the way?
The attraction between Jeremy and Kayla now that they meet again under better circumstances is clear from the outset. But both are shy and hesitant to get involved for obvious reasons, not the least of which is concerns about how working at the same business would affect a relationship. Kayla is just finishing her college degree in accounting and this will be her first big break, so she can’t afford to screw things up. But their friendship soon leads to more and some sexy scenes as a result. While Jeremy doesn’t believe in Christmas, having had very poor experiences with his mother as a child (a woman who is now in jail), Kayla is able to ease him back into the holiday spirit. There are some sweet scenes too as they share their pasts and trust their secrets with each other. It’s kept fairly lighthearted even with the emotional undertones and has a lovely happy ending suitable for this young couple. I look forward to reading more from this author in the future. 3.5 stars.
Wednesday, December 21, 2016
ARC Review: Light Up the Night by Laura Trentham
Title: Light Up the Night
Author: Laura Trentham
Synopsis:
When a police chief who craves stability meets a free-thinking, colorful college professor, neither anticipate the fireworks that light up the night...
After a mugging in grad school left her with an irrational fear of the night not even her PhD in psychology has helped overcome, Sadie Wren is sure she’s found an idyllic, safe place in Cottonbloom. When a break-in at her house shatters her sense of safety, gruff, protective Thaddeus Preston storms into her life. On the surface, they have little in common, but a loneliness she’s only too familiar with hides behind his infrequent smiles. But based on her knowledge of the human psyche, Sadie is convinced her infatuation with Thad will burn out as quickly as it flared.
As the Chief of Police of Cottonbloom, Mississippi, Thaddeus Preston maintains a strict control on everything in the small town—himself included. With an older brother serving time for a crime Thad committed when he was just a kid, he lives a life of penance, not allowing anyone to get close. When a reported lurker turns into a real threat, Thad is determined to restore order as quickly as possible and get back to his virtual jail.
But Thad’s brother gets out on probation just as Sadie and the town turns to him for protection. His tidy, barren life spins into chaos, and the only thing that makes sense is the one woman who shouldn’t.
***MY REVIEW***
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
5 out of 5 stars
Light Up the Night was such a wonderful contemporary romance novella. As a part of the Cottonbloom series it was a great bridge between the first three books and the books that this author will be releasing in this series next year! I really loved Thad and Sadie's story so much. It was short in length because it's only a novella, but it didn't lack in anything else. The characters were amazing, the romance was hot and sweet and the way that the author brought everything together was absolutely wonderful. The one thing I will say is I was kind of bummed that we don't get to see the previous couples enjoying their post-HEA bliss, but Thad and Sadie were so wonderful that I was able to get over that. Lol. Overall, I loved this book and now I'm even more excited for the upcoming Cottonbloom books!
Posted by Samantha Roldan at 5:42 PM
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2016
Review: Light Up the Night by Laura Trentham (Cottonbloom #3.75)
Well, hello! What's this I see on Laura Trentham's website? A new Cottonbloom novella?! Yep, I found myself a fabulous surprise while I was browsing the author's website before I typed up my review for her first novella, Candy Cane Christmas. And take note, fellow bookaholics: this new novella is free. You read that right. Light Up the Night is free, and all you have to do is sign up for the author's newsletter. Now, I confess--and I'm rather embarrassed--that I didn't even realize I hadn't already signed up for the newsletter in all the times I had visited the website, but I rectified that REALLY quickly and have been rewarded with a novella that I loved! This is the story of Cottonbloom, Mississippi's chief of police, Thaddeus Preston, who was introduced as a deputy in the third full-length novel, Till I Kissed You, and as the new chief in the holiday novella, and is paired with Professor Sadie Wren.
When Thaddeus Preston responds to the breaking and entering of a home in his jurisdiction, the last thing he expects to find is a woman who piques his personal interest. Sadie Wren makes him want something he's denied himself for a decade. They don't seem to have much in common, but Thad can't help but open up to her and Sadie, in turn, gives him a sense of relief and comfort that he hasn't experienced in so long. He's sworn to protect her, but it goes beyond his duty as the chief of police, and Sadie is more than grateful, especially after the trauma that she experienced in graduate school. They're both tentative and tempted, but is this a case of nothing more than convenience? Will Thad's older brother Clayton being released on probation lead to chaos in Thad's controlled life?
I never would have expected the kind of back story that Thad had, but when it comes to Laura Trentham's books, I've learned to expect two things: exemplary storytelling and to not expect the usual and mundane. Sadie is a new character that's easy to welcome to the Cottonbloom fold, and she, too, has a story to tell. Clearly, these two need some healing--sexual and otherwise--and I prefer to see their coming together as more of fate than convenience. They were able to find their footing in order to move forward together. I really liked Clayton and I hope that he gets a chance to tell his own story in the new set of Cottonbloom stories. Oh yes. More Cottonbloom! When I saw that there were going to be three new books coming out between 2017 and 2018, the grin on my face couldn't be helped. Light Up the Night starts the whole night-themed titles quite nicely indeed. This free novella gets five stars.