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Jennifer reviews Claudia Connor's book...
I get my book recommendations from a variety of sources. One
of the things I love about Amazon, though, which is where I purchase most of my
books, is their wish list. Any book that sounds interesting to me can be saved
to my wish list. My wish list can then be organized by a variety of different
methods, including price. For new-to-me authors, I can wait until their books
go on sale and then purchase them on my Kindle. My TBR list gets quite large,
as I’ve mentioned before, but I get to try a variety of authors without
spending a ton of money.
Claudia Connor is one such author I recently tried. Her
contemporary romance, Worth the Fall, is the first book in her McKinney
Brothers series. Here’s the back cover blurb:
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| Purchase from Amazon here |
They meet on a beach. .
. . Abby Davis isn’t
wearing a skimpy bikini or sipping umbrella drinks, not when she’s busy chasing
around four little ones. And Matt McKinney isn’t looking for fun—he’s a Navy
SEAL, a grown man with a long list of missions . . . and fallen brothers.
They only have a week.
. . . Abby has brought her
children to this beach to start over, to give them the enjoyable memories they
deserve. Matt’s been sidelined by a combat injury, and haunted by the best
friend he lost and the promise he made: to remain a SEAL—focused and dedicated.
This leaves no time for what he’s always wanted: a family.
But a week is all it
takes. . . . Matt opens her heart
while Abby soothes his soul. And though they plan to say good-bye when the week
is over, something magical happens on that beach, something neither can forget.
Something utterly, completely worth falling for.
These characters were three-dimensional and fun to spend
time with. Both Matt and Abby were well developed and memorable. To see a tough
Navy SEAL so tender and wonderful with children was heartwarming. And to see
Abby be portrayed as such a strong character, when she could have easily been
portrayed as a weak victim, was tremendously refreshing. When Matt’s family
showed doubt about him getting a ready-made family, I could see understand
their point of view. When Abby showed fear about having let Matt get involved
with her kids too soon, I could completely relate. And the conflict that kept
them apart was believable.
I can’t wait to read more in this series, which I’ve already
added to my TBR list!
4.5 Hearts
Must admit the cover would put me off as I hate bare chests and six packs on covers, but the blurb sounds good - even though I have no idea what a SEAL is!
ReplyDeleteA SEAL is a special forces Naval person. And I try not to judge books by their covers, since I've found lots of stories I like much better than their covers, and vice versa.
DeleteAnd that's the problem I have with some American writers, in that they assume everyone will know what American words mean! I'm sure the same happens with British writers too, although I do try hard not to use British-isms that Americans won't understand and/or make an effort to explain things (e.g. light nights here in summer!)
DeleteIf you're reading a book involving American military, it's up to the reader to figure out what terms mean. Same as if you're reading a book about British military--I'd never expect a British author to translate British military words in the story!
DeleteBut in one story I had to clarify what Sixth Form meant, for the benefit of American readers, even though everyone here knows exactly what that means! And no, it doesn't mean the American sixth grade!
DeleteYes, but you're working with an American publisher, right?
DeleteWith respect, that's irrelevant as I sell as many books in the UK as I do in America! And it wasn't my publisher who made me explain it, it was because one of my American critique partners had totally the wrong idea what Sixth Form means, so I realised I would have to 'explain' it for the benefit of American readers!
DeleteHa, that could very well have been me. :) I don't think it's irrelevant at all in the publishing business, but I guess there are lots of things we each think are normal or known, but others don't.
DeleteNo, it wasn't you! :-)
DeleteI usually only read single titles but this could easily persuade me to read a series.
ReplyDeleteI don't always like reading series, but sometimes I really enjoy connecting to the characters and continuing with them throughout several books.
DeleteI love it when tough military guys show their soft sides.
ReplyDeleteAnd I have to say, I loved the cover, but it was the dog tags, not the abs that did it for me...mostly!
Me too, Debra.
DeleteThe blurb entices me more than the cover. It's wonderful!
ReplyDeleteI agree, Ana.
Delete