ARC Review of Summer in Napa by Marina Adair

Publisher: Montlake Romance
Series: St. Helena Vineyard #2
Format Read: eGalley
Source: From the publisher in exchange for an honest review
Release Date: May 14, 2013
Buying Links:  Amazon  Barnes & Noble  The Book Depository

Blurb from goodreads:

Six months ago, New York restaurant owner Alexis “Lexi” Moreau walked in on her husband, Jeff, and their sous chef mixing business with pleasure. Now, Lexi is back in her hometown of St. Helena, California, rebuilding her life and hoping to turn her grandmother’s patisserie into the bistro of her dreams. All she needs is luck, lots of hard work, and a way to avoid the thirty blind dates her matchmaking grandmother arranged. Enter Marco DeLuca — Jeff’s handsome, commitment-phobe best friend who has always had his sights set on Lexi. In high school, Marco convinced himself that Lexi was off-limits. And she still is, especially since Marco’s family’s wine business all depends on a deal with Jeff. But a fake summer romance is the perfect way for Lexi to distract the would-be suitors her grandmother has set up for her. A perfect way for Marco to realize she’s the only one that ever mattered. And a perfect way to fall deliciously in love.

Bea's Thoughts: 

I have mixed thoughts about this book. It was a quick read and I enjoyed parts of it but there were some things that were just cliched or overdone and parts I flat out disliked (the "locked" pantry was both cliched and stupid, plus insulting).

The ink on Lexi's divorce decree isn't even dry yet when she arrives back in her hometown to start over. Her grandmother, who apparently fails to understand that Lexi needs time to recover from the divorce, figure out where her marriage went wrong and that she needs to time heal, has opened an account in Lexi's name on an online dating service and set up a month's worth of dates. Lexi, we're meant to believe, is too shy and too honorable to cancel but feels obligated to honor her grandmother's fraudulent behavior. I think we're meant to think of Lexi as honorable and her grandmother as quirky but I just wanted to smack the both of them.

Then Lexi gets stuck, literally stuck in a window, and our  "here" Marco has several good laughs at her expense before condescending to help her. Again, what was meant to be cute and humorous was just stupid and annoying. They spar and flirt and soon he's knocking on her door. Marco has been attracted to Lexi for years, since they were teens, but she only had eyes for his best friend, Jeff. Now that Jeff and Lexi are divorced, Marco won't act on his attraction, not because Lexi needs time to get back on her feet but because there's some sort of man code that says he can't touch his friend's ex; apparently that's poaching. Really? I understand not poaching when Lexi and Jeff were married but they are divorced now and Jeff has already re-married. Is this really a guy thing or just a stupid plot device?

Lexi and Mark end up in a "fake" relationship *eye roll* Yeah, like we can't see how that's going to work out. Mark is still valiantly trying to hold to the code while also finding it difficult to stay away from Lexi. Lexi is attracted but doesn't believe that he could ever be attracted to her or make a commitment. Mark is also hesitant to tell Lexi about a business deal he's arranging with her ex that involves using her recipes, recipes she needs for the bistro she's trying to open. He knows he should tell her but he waits and of course she finds out in the worst possible way. Hey, it's a romance, there has to be a big misunderstanding! Because, you know, it's not enough that she's freshly divorced and insecure or that he has never been in a serious relationship. Oh, and naturally the ex is a total jerk with no redeeming value.

So, did I like anything? Yes. While some of the humor didn't appeal to me, there was some that did. While Marco first comes off as an arrogant, playboy jerk, when we get inside his head, we see he's really not so bad. He's trying to prove himself to his family who can't see him as the responsible, business-savvy man he's become; he loves his goofy dog; he tries to be a good friend to Jeff until he finally sees him for the jerk that he really is; he goes out of his way to help both Lexi and her grandmother. He's a decent guy with some flaws, a normal person. Lexi is also likable; she loves her grandmother; once past the initial hurt, she realizes her own part in the failure of her marriage; she's loyal to her family and friends; she learns to take risks. I also liked Adair's portrayal of the small town Lexi lives in; unlike many authors she gets it right and doesn't sugarcoat it. The sex scenes are hot; the romance, despite my complaints, is sweet, and reading the story was a pleasant way to spend several hours.

I didn't love "Summer in Napa" but it was pleasant and it did make smile as well as roll my eyes and grumble. If the blurb appeals to you, then I say read it. Although it's the second book in a series, I had no trouble reading it as a stand alone.

Giveaway! Kissing Under the Mistletoe by Marina Adair

The holidays are coming and so are the holiday books, especially Christmas ones. Author Marina Adair has one releasing tomorrow and she's giving away two copies to celebrate.

Book Blurb (from goodreads):

Regan Martin stopped believing in Christmas miracles six years ago when she lost everything—her house, her job, and her impeccable reputation in the wine industry—after she fell in love with a man she had no idea was married. Then Regan gets a chance for a fresh start in the Napa Valley. With her dream job, dream home, and her daughter enrolled in a wonderful new school, she starts wondering if holiday wishes really do come true.

But she soon tumbles back down to earth when she learns that her new boss is none other than Gabe DeLuca, the scorned wife’s brother. Gabe wants nothing more than home-wrecking Regan Martin out of his life, his sister’s world, and his family’s business. Mostly, he wants the lush beauty out of his head. Yet his attempts to run her out of town have him thinking twice, especially when he sees that Regan may hold the key to tracking down his sister’s stolen start-up capital. Even worse for Gabe, Regan might just be his Christmas wish and hold the key to his heart.

Kissing Under the Mistletoe (A St. Helena Vineyard Novel Series #1) 
Author: Marina Adair
Publisher: Montlake Romance
ISBN:  978-1612185859
Format: Kindle, paperback, audio
Genre: FICTION, ROMANCE, CONTEMPORARY
Length: 310 pages,
Release Date: October 16, 2012 
Buying Links: Amazon
Author website & blog
Twitter
goodreads
facebook

Marina is giving away two paperback ARCs and she will mail to the US & Canada. Enter using the rafflecopter widget.

Review of Hush by Cherry Adair

Publisher:  Pocket Star

Release Date:  April 26th, 2011

More Info: Amazon

Series: #1 in the Lodestone Trilogy

Book Blurb:

National bestselling author Cherry Adair introduces an edgy, sexy new suspense series with this exhilarating international tale of hide and seek.
A reckless adventure in a deadly paradise.
 
Thrill seekers Zakary and Gideon Stark travel the globe in search of extreme adventure, but a trip to Venezuela to jump off the world’s highest falls catapults them into a perilous game of life or death—where they don’t know the rules.

A one-night stand that will change his life forever.
 
Kidnapped with a woman Zak knows nothing about, the brothers are held prisoner deep in the jungle. A risky, deathdefying escape separates them and nearly claims Zak’s life . . . until his recovery reveals a baffling new sixth sense.

An unexpected diversion with lethal consequences.
 
Now, to find his missing brother, Zak and the mysterious Acadia Gray will have to out-smart, out-gun, and out-maneuver not just the brutal kidnappers but also a new player who joins the adrenaline game: a ruthless opponent who wants the Stark brothers dead—at any cost.

My Thoughts:

I got this book through Book Blogs, where the publisher puts certain books up for review each month. The blurbs inside the book call it paranormal but it's marketed as a romance. Really, it's a paranormal romance;  first half of the book is more romantic suspense/thriller; the paranormal aspects don't kick in until about halfway through the story. It is the first of a new trilogy, the Lodestone Trilogy.

OK, onto the story. It starts off with Zak and Acadia waking up after their one night stand to armed men in the room, and a gun to Zak's head. At first, Acadia comes off as presumptuous, ditsy and a motor-mouth while Zak comes off as cold, arrogant, and misogynistic. Over the course of the book, we see that while Acadia occasionally thinks that the world revolves around her, she's compassionate, friendly and ultra organized. They are kidnapped by the armed men and dragged into the jungle. Acadia is convinced that the men are after her because of some money she came into while Zak and his brother Gideon, also kidnapped, are wealthy.

Zak and Gideon own a Google-like search engine and are adrenaline junkies. They are addicted to extreme sports and travel the globe, indulging themselves. They are in Venezuela to jump off of the world's tallest waterfalls. Zak is a widow who has developed a death wish, though he can't see it. Gideon is desperate to help his brother, whatever it takes.

Acadia is single, just turned thirty, and not normally adventurous; she works in a sporting goods store (a running gag in the book is a "magic" vest which has seemingly endless pockets, full of camping gadgets). She's about to go to college, after the recent death of her father. She had been his caregiver the past 6-7 years as he suffered from Alzheimer's. Her friends talked her into this strip as a birthday present to herself. She sees it as a chance to let loose before settling down to getting her degree.

 Zak's surly attitude got on my nerves at times and Acadia could be a righteous know-it-all. But, I liked that Acadia did not back down or wimp out. She wasn't going to stand off to the side and let the men make all the decisions. She was determined to be a part of the solution, even when she didn't know what she was doing. At other times, she knew exactly what she was doing, which also surprised Zak. Did I mention he's arrogant? He's sure he has all the answers, at least in extreme situations. Acadia had a knack, however, for surprising the brothers and me with what she did know and was willing to do.

Zak is an adrenaline junkie; he's used to getting himself out of tough situations and thinking on his feet. He feels certain  that he doesn't need Acadia's help, or that she can even be helpful. Acadia surprises him constantly. Her camping vest, as I mentioned earlier, is a bit like Mary Poppins' magic bag; there are 28 pockets and they hold everything except the kitchen sink. :D The items stowed in her pockets save her, Zak, and Gideon on multiple occasions.    

The story has some plot holes, some convenient coincidences and timing,  and some WTF? moments; I realize it's a romance but both Zak and Acadia had weird timing for indulging in their mutual lust. Injured, on the run, and in the middle of a jungle is hardly the time or place but apart from that, Adair makes it seem logical at the time and she can write a sexy scene. It's fun, fast-paced and very enjoyable.

I did figure out who one of the people responsible for the  kidnapping was, but not the other one, nor did I guess their motives. That part of the story was a bit of a muddle, and was almost, but not quite, believable.

This paperback was received from the publisher for review.