Thursday, May 15, 2014

Swoon Thursday ~ 5/15/14 Plus Review & Giveaway



The fabulous girls over at YA Bound created this super HOT meme.  Here's how it works.

From the book you’re currently reading, or one you just finished, tell us what made you SWOON. What got your heart pounding, your skin tingling, and your stomach fluttering.

Shout it out on Twitter with the hashtag #YABound, post it here in the comments, or grab the adorable button above and share it on your blog! I want to know & so do the chicks at YABound!


 Wildflower Wedding by LuAnn McLane

Cricket Creek, Kentucky, is a sweet river town known for its baseball, shopping, and weddings. After the recession, business is finally bouncing back, but old insecurities—and heartaches—are slower to heal…

Growing up on the wrong side of the tracks, Gabby Goodwin had more to prove than the rest of Cricket Creek. Even now, as the successful owner of the local flower shop, she hasn’t forgotten her humble beginnings. So when her high school crush, the former class bad boy, walks back into her life, she keeps him at arm’s length, protecting her heart—and her pride.

Reese Marino gave up most of his wild ways years ago, graduating from college and becoming part owner of his uncle’s pizza parlor. The fact that Gabby still treats him like a troubled teenager drives him mad, but that’s not the only thing about the sassy florist driving him to distraction. Despite Gabby’s reluctant attitude, Reese is determined to win her over and show her that love often blooms right where you least expect it.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15815763-wildflower-wedding

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0451415590http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/wildflower-wedding-luann-mclane/1115437770

 Swoon


As soon as they were inside he swept her off her feet, making her giggle until he smothered her laughter with another sweet, hot kiss.  He let her slide slowly down his body and then kissed her bare shoulder, holding her close.  Gabby tilted her head to the side, giving him better access to her neck, and he took full advantage.  His hands spanned her waist and then moved upward to caress her bare back, causing a hot tingle to slide down her spine. (Page 80-81)

Review

Source:  Received paperback from Signet Eclipse in exchange for a fair and honest review.

First Impressions...

The cover doesn't wow me but it was enough to get me to read the blurb. That hooked me. While this is the first book in this series that I have read, it can easily be read stand alone. The small town definitely has lots of stories that I've missed but I didn't need to know them all.

The Characters...

What's really fun about this book is the number of characters that I loved.  The main "hopeful" couple is Gabby and Reese.  I love them.  They knew each other growing up and Reese always had a thing for Gabby.  It's a second chance love story for them.  But there are more couples in this story.  You have Tony & Trish that are an other couple that are heating up the bedroom plus Clyde & Joy that are a senior couple - so cute.  Loved them all.

The Story...

This really is a sweet small town kinda story.  Everyone knows everyone.  News travels fast.  Everyone pitches in.  And it's just so sweet.

I loved the way that Gabby & Reese needed to work through things to get to a good place together but there wasn't a lot of angst and stress.  It felt more real than some stories that pour on the pain waiting for them to figure things out.  I just enjoyed reading this one.  It was just what I needed.

Could I Put It Down...

Why would I do that?  This book reads so fast and is such a joy that I read straight through.


In The End...

I would happily read the rest of this series.  It's such a sweet town with good people.  Sure they have problems but it's a happy kinda read with a side of sexy.


The Series... 

Click on covers for Goodreads links
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8341154-playing-for-keepshttps://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11018880-catch-of-a-lifetimehttps://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13542710-pitch-perfecthttps://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15808354-whisper-s-edge
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16144857-moonlight-kisshttps://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17707555-christmas-on-main-streethttps://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15815763-wildflower-weddinghttps://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20949439-sweet-harmony
 

About the author:

LuAnn McLane writes southern bent romantic comedy for NAL and is currently penning her third novel in her Cricket Creek book series. Her books have appeared on best selling lists including Barnes and Noble, Rhapsody and Doubleday Book clubs. She recently collaborated with country superstar Wynonna Judd with the novel Restless Heart. She lives in Florence, Kentucky and when she isn’t writing… she enjoys family, friends, cooking, reading, music, travel and University of Kentucky basketball.
https://www.facebook.com/authorluannmclanehttps://twitter.com/writerlu/http://www.luannmclane.com/https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20566.Luann_McLane


****GIVEAWAY****

Giving away my review copy.

US only

 
a Rafflecopter giveaway

11 comments:

  1. Cute Swoon. I haven't come across this series before. A happy kinda read with a side of sexy you say. Sounds like I should give it a try.

    My Swoon @ Marilyn's Mystery Blog

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  2. Nice swoon and great review! This sounds like a sweet read, the whole series have pretty covers too. (Depends on the type of book, but I generally pick them up for the people.)

    Here's My Swoon!
    Naomi @ Nomi’s Paranormal Palace

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  3. Love the swoon! This sounds like a sweet read and the kind you can just sit back and enjoy. Great review.

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  4. I'm really happy you enjoyed Wildflower Wedding! I liked Moonlight Kiss and the Christmas novella, but this was definitely my favorite. And I love that we get two live stories in one!

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  5. Wow, review, giveaway, AND a swoon? Nice! Here's http://www.readerslive1000lives.com/2014/05/swoon-thursday-97-tease-by-sophie-jordan.html :)

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  6. Tingles are always good!

    My Swoon is from Unusual Awakening by S.M. Knowles!
    http://booksnifferbookreviews.blogspot.com/2014/05/swoon-thursday-unusual-awakening-by-sm.html

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  7. I prefer my covers with people on them. It sounds like a great book. Thanks for having the giveaway.

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  8. I've never heard of this one! I love that she's laughing and he kisses her. Cute! :)

    Check out my swoon post!

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  9. I prefer mine with people on them

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  10. This sounds like such a sweet and romantic story! I love small town romances, and it's wonderful when you can love so many characters in the story! Thanks for sharing, and I loved your Swoon!!!!

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  11. I love a beautiful cover with people. It is the first thing I look at when buying a book.

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