Dorothy F. Shaw Interview Author of: Shattered Heart #3

Dorothy F. Shaw
Author of:
Shattered


Heart
The Donnellys Series - Normal doesn’t always mean picture perfect


Rad-Reader:  Why this storyline?

Dorothy:  I can’t really explain why characters get a certain storyline, other than to say, it just sort of comes to me and clicks. Before that “magic” moment, I usually have no clue what the story will be. However, Shattered Heart was loosely plotted over two years ago, when my former agent needed me to write a synopsis for the first 3 books in the series. Book 1, Unworthy Heart, was already written, book 2, Defensive Heart, was half written and book 3? Well, I had no clue. So…in my usual fashion, which is flying by the seat of my pants, (I’m totally a pantster) the plot/story line hit me and I ran with it. 

Rad-Reader:  Why erotica and not another genre?

Dorothy:  I LOVE to read romance, (paranormal romance is my most favorite) and, I also love to read a lot of sex in my romance. The first truly erotic romance book I ever read was by Angela Knight. It was a novella in her Mageverse series. I think I read the whole thing with my mouth dropped wide open. I was blown away. Everything I’d read prior to that had sex scenes in it—but they were nothing like what Ms. Knight had written. After that, there was no going back. That experience happened before I’d even started writing, so I guess, naturally when I did start writing, it was what came out. I write what I like to read. But, really? Why not erotica? Why not lots of awesome steamy sex? I realize it’s not for everyone, but real adult life should be filled with lots of sex. It’s for sure filled with a ton of drama, twists and turns. I just think sex should be part of that roller coaster too. 

Rad-Reader:  Why was Shane so shocked when the brothers told him Cyn had a crush on him since middle school?

Dorothy:  Primarily denial. I guess that's the easy answer. But truly, think back to your teen years. Anyone younger than you, especially a best friend's younger sibling was soooo not on the radar. At least it wasn’t mine. In addition, I think Shane was so shocked because he’d been blind to it. And how could that have been possible? How could he have not noticed…except that whole younger girl, BFFs sister etc. I’d say that’s why he never noticed.  

Rad-Reader:  Didn’t he start to notice her about the same time?  That she had a cuteness about her but she was his best friend’s sister?

Dorothy:  He certainly noticed her in high school. How could he not? She was adorable. And spunky. And fun. But again, his best friend’s younger sister that he’d known since they were all kids. 
Rad-Reader:  Why did he not answer any of the letters that Cyn had sent him when he was in the service?

Dorothy:  I’m kind of giggling right now because it would be easy for me to say something like, well…Shane was just busy doing basic training things. Or, Shane thought the letter was sweet but didn’t really know what to say back, or didn’t think there was a reason to write back, and call it good. But the truth is, I have NO idea why. 

Now, I can’t speak for all authors, but…sometimes, I write something that the character says to write. Then maybe two chapters or more later, the story has moved on and that little something stays behind. The letters never came up while I was writing Shane’s POV and probably why I didn’t refer to them again. Likely, they weren’t significant to him. But obviously they were to Cyn, because she mentioned them. 

Rad-Reader:  Joey and the family seemed to know about the crush how did Shane not?  Or was it an act to save himself?

Dorothy: I don’t think it was an act to save himself. As I mentioned above, not that he saw Cyn like a sister, (because that makes for a weird plot line later) just that she was family to him. As far as the rest of the Donnelly siblings, at least the older ones? Of course they knew. They saw through Cyn’s annoying tag-along behavior, likely before Cyn even did. 

Rad-Reader:  In all that time he had no serious relationships why?

Dorothy:  All I can say to this is, he was a bit busy serving his country. Two tours in Iraq and then additional years in Afghanistan, doesn’t leave much time for a serious relationship. Now, by no means am I saying, Shane was a monk. Or a saint. I mean, look at him? Holy HOT MARINE… but no, no “serious” relationships for him. 

Rad-Reader:  Why did Cyn always hold on so long to the wrong guys?  Then she dug in her heels when people told her so?

Dorothy:  Cyn is quite stubborn. I guess, this is where real life comes into play with fiction. Some of us…well, we hold on when we shouldn’t. And then sometimes, we hold on even longer. When the heart and head don’t agree? It’s messy. Cyn knew these guys weren’t right for her, but in her heart she had to try. She had to hold on. 

Rad-Reader:  What was it about Shane that won Cyn’s heart even at the beginning?  That he just couldn’t walk away from her or was it the family ties at first?

Dorothy: I think Shane had always had Cyn’s heart. But because she is so stubborn, and also the “incident” she was a tad unable to decipher true from false. Meaning, even though she knew in her deepest heart of hearts that Shane was every bit as wonderful as he appeared to be, she was also caught in this wicked web of self doubt. She no longer trusted her own judgement about anything. When she broke—emotionally—she knew she was wrong about all sorts of things. Shane being one of the main things. When she walked through that wreckage, she was able to clearly see that she not only loved him, she LOVED all things about Shane. 

Rad-Reader:  Why did he fight it at the end to make some type of decision or commitment?

Dorothy:  Well, this was him just trying to do right by Cyn. He knew she had stuff to work though, he also knew about the year long moratorium she’d wanted to commit herself to. Shane wanted Cyn for keeps, but he needed her to be ready and committed to that too. And, he had his own little bit of stubborn coming out of him. Blinded by being noble, I suppose.

Rad-Reader:  What song out now best describes your book?
A Thousand Horses: "Smoke"

Dorothy:  Oooh, tough question. Well, each book I write gets its own playlist in my iTunes. Shattered Heart has over 400 songs on it. The song that’s Shane and Cyn is not a current one, its actually pretty old. But it fits them.

                                Edwin McCain: "I'll Be"


Rad-Reader:  If you book was made into a movie who would you get to play…





Angie:  Scarlett Johansson

Dorothy:  Oooh, another tough one. A lot of authors use hollywood actors or actresses as a muse for a character. I don’t typically do that. Instead, I comb through random stock photo’s looking for someone who more or less resembles the way a character looks in my head. So, this will be hard…but I’ll give it my best shot.

Cyn:  Emma Stone - Though she’d need to have her boobs bigger and put on about twenty or more pounds to fully pull off Cyn.
http://nopabeauty.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/emma-stone.png

Rad-Reader:  Yeah I went back and forth on this one but I was trying to change it up because I tend to use him a lot. But Oh Yeah!

Carlos:  William Levy… decent choice of yours, so I’ll go with that.
https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/602907112478527491/AgsGTXK2.jpg


Maiya:  Could do Emma Stone here too, but that won’t work. So…Isla Fisher, maybe. 
http://fandomobsessed.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/D-isla-fisher.jpg
Rad-Reader: Now I did think about her at one point for Cyn so that is interesting that her name came.


Rad-Reader:  What is your next project?

Dorothy:  I have a single title, dark erotic romance due out in early June. It’s called Stripped Bounty. The heroine is on the run from a murdering drug dealer and the hero, who’s also a hot badass biker, saves her. 

Rad-Reader:   Where can our readers buy your books?


Rad-Readers:  Where can our readers find you on the Web?


Dorothy:  http://www.dorothyfshaw.com/

WOW! Well, I think that was the hardest interview I’ve ever done! But it was also a ton of fun.
Thank you so much for having me. =)

Best,
Dorothy


Dorothy you have to have been one of the funniest authors I have had the pleasure of communicating back and forth with.  I totally got far and above the things I needed from you and you were just so fast getting everything back to me.  I just can’t thank you enough.  I had one of my many migraines and you were just like I totally get it, rest Chica.  So, thanks and welcome to the family of misfits. Char J  

THE FINAL MOVE

THE FINAL MOVE                                          VICTORIA DENAULT

The Final Move (Hometown Players, #3)Hockey legend Devin Garrison thought he blew his shot. But his relationship with Callie Caplan just went into overtime.

Sexy, rich, and one of the biggest stars in the NHL, Devin Garrison has always been the one who had it all. That is until his marriage falls apart and he realizes he has to start over. If he's honest, there has only been one woman who ever really excited him-Callie Caplan. They shared a night that was hotter than the late-summer sun, but in an instant-Callie was gone, pretending it never happened.

Callie Caplan isn't the wild child people think she is. It's true she's avoided relationships, but only because she's seen how crazy love can be. And her messy, imperfect life is crazy enough without opening her heart to a man-even one as picture perfect as Devin. But when fate brings them back together-just as they need each other most-Devin is determined to convince Callie that what she's feeling is real. And this final play may be their chance at forever . . .
 

HUBBY'S REVIEW:
This is the third book in this series and it finds the oldest brother Devin Garrison, who had it all now finds that his marriage is over but he does not want to tell anyone. Family or teammates. Callie Caplan who has always liked him and now works in California in movies and TV as a wardrobe designer has gotten a new job in New York for a new TV series and she comes to visit Devin at his house but finds out that he is not living there any more plus a little extra. She helps Devon with his son when he comes over to his condo and as she is trying to help him with the breakup of his marriage he then becomes angry when more of his family find out and then when Callie starts to flirt with a player from one of his brothers teams now he must deal with his feelings towards her. She on the other hand becomes upset because though she is attracted to him and wants to be with him she is scared of any form of relationships. This gets worse when he follow troughs with the divorce. Now she must also overcome her fears and decide if this is what she wants. This is a very good book and again I liked the characters in this story. I got this book from netgalley.
I give this 5 stars.

STEAL ME

STEAL ME                                                        LAUREN LAYNE

Steal Me (New York's Finest, #2)IN HOT PURSUIT

Being a cop might be in Anthony Moretti's blood, but protecting and serving the city of New York has always been more than just the family business. If that means his love life stays locked up, well then that's just another sacrifice made in the line of duty. That is, until he sets eyes on the gorgeous new waitress at The Darby Diner and suddenly Anthony's morning coffee is leaving him a whole lot more hot and bothered than usual.

Though waitressing at The Darby isn't exactly Maggie Walker's dream job, it pays the bills and gives her time to work on her novel. Now if only she could stop fantasizing about gorgeous Anthony Moretti every time he sits down at her table, she'd really be in great shape. But when he needs her help identifying a criminal threatening The Darby—and Maggie recognizes her ex-husband—she fears her fresh start might be a pipe dream. Faster than a New York minute, Maggie and Anthony find themselves in one perilous pursuit that only gets hotter with each and every rule-breaking kiss.
 

HUBBY'S REVIEW:
This is book two in this new series and it focuses on the older brother Anthony Moretti, or as he reminds everyone Captain Moretti. He is attracted to the new waitress that the family goes to sometimes. Maggie Walker the waitress is attracted to him also and yet she has a habit of spilling different food items, or drinks on Anthony when he comes in. either with the family or by himself. As he is trying to solve a burglary case she has own personal issues that she is going on overcoming and when his case cross over into her personal life he cannot handle the pressure that he puts himself under. He has his own thinking in his head and he needs to work through those feelings or he is going to lose Maggie for good. When he shuts himself off he does not know what to do when he decides to go the dinner, but she has quit and she is moving from her apartment. Left with dealing with feelings he must decide if it is worth the risk for love. A very good story and the characters in his family are still just as funny as the first book. I really like the grandmother. A very good book. I got this book from netgalley.  I give this 4 stars.

AND SOMETIMES I WONDER ABOUT YOU

AND SOMETIMES I WONDER ABOUT YOU      WALTER MOSLEY

And Sometimes I Wonder About YouThe welcome return of Leonid McGill, Walter Mosley's NYC-based private eye, his East Coast foil to his immortal L.A.-based detective Easy Rawlins. As the Boston Globe raved, "A poignantly real character, [McGill is] not only the newest of the great fictional detectives, but also an incisive and insightful commentator on the American scene."
 
     In the fifth Leonid McGill novel, Leonid finds himself in an unusual pickle of trying to balance his cases with his chaotic personal life. Leonid's father is still out there somewhere, and his wife is in an uptown sanitarium trying to recover from the deep depression that led to her attempted suicide in the previous novel. His wife's condition has put a damper on his affair with Aura Ullman, his girlfriend. And his son, Twill, has been spending a lot of time out of the office with his own case, helping a young thief named Fortune and his girlfriend, Liza.
     Meanwhile, Leonid is approached by an unemployed office manager named Hiram Stent to track down the whereabouts of his cousin, Celia, who is about to inherit millions of dollars from her father's side of the family. Leonid declines the case, but after his office is broken into and Hiram is found dead, he gets reeled into the underbelly of Celia's wealthy old-money family. It's up to Leonid to save who he can and incriminate the guilty; all while helping his son finish his own investigation; locating his own father; reconciling (whatever that means) with his wife and girlfriend; and attending the wedding of Gordo, his oldest friend.
 

HUBBY'S REVIEW:
This character is based out of New York and is a private detective that has issues with his wife, son, father that he is looking for. The NYPD, his mistress, and then when a client or would be client comes in asking to hire him he turns him down at first until that person ends up dead. Now he must find out who killed him, plus help his son with his case. Though it appears that there is a lot going on, Mr. Mosley pulls it off for an entertaining story with great characters and description of scenes that make you feel that you are walking with the character McGill, through his investigation. An excellent book and told as an old fashion story that keeps you going from page one to the last page. I got this book from netgalley.  I give this 4 stars.

FACTORY MAN

FACTORY MAN                                              BETH MACY

Factory Man: How One Furniture Maker Battled Offshoring, Stayed Local - and Helped Save an American TownThe Bassett Furniture Company was once the world's biggest wood furniture manufacturer. Run by the same powerful Virginia family for generations, it was also the center of life in Bassett, Virginia. But beginning in the 1980s, the first waves of Asian competition hit, and ultimately Bassett was forced to send its production overseas.

One man fought back: John Bassett III, a shrewd and determined third-generation factory man, now chairman of Vaughan-Bassett Furniture Co, which employs more than 700 Virginians and has sales of more than $90 million. In FACTORY MAN, Beth Macy brings to life Bassett's deeply personal furniture and family story, along with a host of characters from an industry that was as cutthroat as it was colorful. As she shows how he uses legal maneuvers, factory efficiencies, and sheer grit and cunning to save hundreds of jobs, she also reveals the truth about modern industry in America.

HUBBY'S REVIEW:
This is a story of John Bassett the III and how he worked to save an industry and or town that was started by his family. The first part of the book begins with a history of the town of Bassett, the beginnings and how the family began building furniture and the lives in the area. It starts from 1902 and takes you up to 2000’s and to when Bassett is forced of the company that bears his family name. But by working for another company he takes on the trade in Asia and though it takes years of work and research, and travel he wins, and not only saves jobs but an American industry. Of course there are pluses and minuses to everything, but at least he took on what he thought was wrong and unfair practices. When the foreign governments were saying one thing, but that was only on paper. The American government was taking them at their word not investigating on their own, so it was up to him to get the evidence and then submit it to congress and follow through with all of the red tape. If this one industry is, and was doing illegal practices then you have to wonder how many more are doing the same thing? Especially when we have so many recalls and defects of products. This was a good book, but I would have liked more about the trail with congress and the fight he had with them. I got this book from netgalley. I give this 3 stars.

UNDER A TURQUOISE SKY


UNDER A TURQUOISE SKY                        LISA CARTER

Under a Turquoise SkyWhen federal agent Aaron Yazzie is assigned to protect the only witness to a drug cartel execution, he hides Kailyn Eudailey in the safest place he knows . . . the vast, untamed wilderness of the Navajo Reservation. Transporting Kailyn to New Mexico may not be as easy as Aaron would like. Kailyn is a high-maintenance Southern belle who is determined to assert her independence at every step. Although Aaron's job is to protect her from the dangers that could get them both killed, Kailyn is getting to him. As an undercover agent, Aaron has grown adept at playing many roles. But will he be able to embrace his true identity and God's plan for his life in order to keep Kailyn alive?

HUBBY'S REVIEWS:
Kailyn Eudailey, is a witness to a murder and the person who committed the crime was a drug lord that the government has been after for years. She actually saw him once when she was dating a lawyer and she walked into a place she should not have. Now once again being in the wrong place she has decided to take the witness protection and be gone with her so called debutante life. The head of the Marshall Service has now moved her to his private cabin because somehow the cartel keeps finding her location and he has called in his adopted son FBI agent Aaron Yazzie, but when he shows up she thinks he is part of the cartel because she saw him there that one time in the apartment. After she finds out that he is an undercover agent she still does not believe him but goes along with it. Then the cartel shows up and there is a shot out. Steve ends up dying but before making Aaron promise to take care of her until the trail 2 months from now. After a stop in New Orleans, the next place and the only place he can think of to hide is where he grew up and that is the reservation in Arizona. This is where the story takes off and you get see Aaron dealing with his past and how she is becoming one with the community. His past also comes back to not only to try to take him but also Kailyn, and now he must decide is the feelings he has for her real or fake, and then she forces his hand by leaving. Does he leave his pride behind and go after her or does he stay miserable. Read the book and find out. a good story with very good characters. I got this book from netgalley.  I give this 4 stars.

TAMALES

TAMALES                                                         ALICE GUADALUPE

Tamales: Fast and Delicious Mexican MealsA cookbook for making delicious, inventive, and fast tamales using time-saving tips and tricks that simplify the prep-intensive traditional process. 

Tamales are a Mexican favorite, beloved year-round as well as at Christmas, when the whole family traditionally pitches in with the work of tamale preparation and assembly. Thanks to renowned tamalera Alice Guadalupe Tapp, it’s now possible to enjoy these delicious treats with a lot less labor. Tapp has worked her tamale magic to turn the classic process on its head by paring it down to three to four steps that can be done in as little as forty-five minutes using handy tips, products, and tools. All sixty dishes in the book are naturally gluten free, and include both classic tamale recipes—such as Chicken Mole, Sirloin Beef, and Fresh Poblano and Potato tamales—and novel recipes such as Chorizo and Egg, Oxtail, and Baked Fig tamales. With this book, tamales are fast and easy enough to enjoy every day, and delicious enough to serve at any celebration.
From the Hardcover edition.

HUBBY'S REVIEW:
I did not grow up eating or making tamales, it was not until I married my wife and her family would gather one weekend before Christmas and we would make them that I began to learn. Her father taught me how to make a red chili sauce, and how to cook the meat, her mother taught how the texture of the masa was supposed to be and how to spread the dough. The problem was my wife’s other side of the family made a sweet tamale and we were never able to get the recipe before that person passed away. I have been on a quest for many years and in this book I at least came across the beginning of a sweet recipe that begins with the masa, from there I can make it work. This book has many different recipes and not just for tamales, but also salsas, moles, and even a vegan masa. Easy step by step instructions and every tamale you can think of. Overall a good book. I got this book from netgalley.  I give this 4 stars.

EVER AFTER

EVER AFTER                                                  RACHEL LACEY

Ever After (Love to the Rescue, #3)CAUGHT IN THE ACT

Olivia Bennett is not having a happy birthday. Instead of blowing out her twenty-nine candles, she's stuck in jail, caught red-handed in a graffiti incident that (perhaps) involved one too many strawberry margaritas. Worst idea ever. The only bright side is that she ended up in the strong arms of the most gorgeous lawman she's ever seen. 

Pete Sampson (aka Deputy Hot Stuff) faces intense pressure from the sheriff to find out who's behind a string of vandalisms. And after her spray-painting spree, Olivia is suspect number one. Still, Pete can't stop thinking about her. Wanting her. Now he's torn between his duty and his overpowering desire for the vivacious waitress. But he may have to bend the rules because true love is more important than the letter of the law ...

HUBBY'S REVIEW;
This a funny story and opens with Olivia Bennett painting the side of the barn that is home to a chicken farm that is not killing the chickens fast, but slow and cruel. This is her 29 birthday and she should be celebrating another way but she had too many strawberry margaritas and this sounded like a good idea. That is of course until the cop car showed up and her friends took off and she was left on the ladder with the paint. The good thing about being arrested was Pete Samson was hot and she thought her night was looking better now, a pat down and cuffs. Instead just back of his car and a jail cell until the judge showed up in the morning. It was not all lost though because after her court she went back to work as a waitress at the dinner and Pete started showing up when she was there and making sure he sat at her area. From this point they move through getting to know each other better and though both want to get together they must overcome a few obstacles to make that happen. This is a fun and enjoyable read. I got this book from netgalley.  i give this 4 stars.

REAP

REAP                                                                TILLIE COLE

Reap (Scarred Souls, #2)Raised as a prototype for the Georgian Bratva's obedience drug, 221 fails to think, act, or live for himself; he's his master's perfectly-crafted killing puppet. Standing at six-foot-six, weighing two-hundred-and-fifty pounds, and unrivaled in to-the-death combat, 221 successfully secures business for the Georgian Mafiya Boss of NYC, who rules the dark world of the criminal underground. Until his enemies capture him.

Talia Tolstaia dreams to break from the heavy clutches of Bratva life. She dreams of another life--away from the stifling leash of her Russian Bratva Boss father and from the brutality of her work at The Dungeon, her criminal family's underground death-match enterprise. But when she stumbles upon her family's captive who is more monster than man, she starts to see the man underneath. A powerful, beautiful, damaged man whose heart calls to hers. But sacrifices must be made--blood for blood...life for life...souls for scarred souls...
 

HUBBY'S REVIEW:
I did not read the first book, but this story intrigued me when I came across it. 221 is the number of an experimental drug and has been given to the man they call 221, he cannot think for himself and is under the control of a man who wants to rule more than the Georgian Bravita, he wants to come back to America and take back the Russian mob that was lost by his family many years ago. Talia Tolstaia, is the daughter of the head Bravita and she is trying to break away from the life. Now a year ago her brother had been part of this underground fighting being kidnapped and drugged to fight him along with a friend came up with a plan to get out but only he made it. Now he has found out that 221b is the brother of his friend and he goes back in and takes him out. He also needs to be locked up and put some where he will not be seen. He must come off the drugs he has been given and been under this person's commands for so long. 221 ends up at the home where Talia is on vacation trying to get away from the city and from the family business she becomes enamored by the size and the look of 221. Finally one night she goes down stairs and release him from his chains and gives him a haircut, feeds him, lets him bathe, and from their they both become in love with one another. That is until the family finds out and that is also a relative from a family that killed her grandfather, before he was born. He was also kidnapped along with his brother when he was young and really does not know the whole story. All she knows is that for her she has found her soulmate and does not want to give him up. This is a very exciting story with fighting, sex and many other scenes that make this story move along quickly, and you are disappointed when the book comes to the end. Though there will be another book, this one is outstanding, I really enjoyed it and the characters. A good read. I got this book from netgalley.  I give this 5 stars.

FIRST

FIRST                                                               M. A. GRANT

First by M.A. GrantBest friends do everything together—including falling in love…

Maya and Cat have been there for each other through thick and thin, the good and the bad, the laughter and the heartache. But with college graduation on the horizon and real life looming, they find themselves facing an uncertain future: one where not even friendship can save them from confusing choices, bad decisions, and the risks of falling in love.

Maya knows that love only leads to pain, and the best relationships are short—one night short. But after waking up with Jake, her best friend’s older brother, in her bed, suddenly things aren’t as cut and dry. Cat and Jake are close, a tight unit since their parents’ death, and Cat will never forgive her if Jake gets hurt. Jake is a firefighter, and is used to running into flames—not away from them, and Maya can’t seem to resist. But she’s already decided her future, and it’s far away from here. The only way to get what she’s always wanted is to burn every bridge behind her, and destroy the possibility of a future with the one man she may be willing to love.

When Cat Jacobs’s parents died while she was in high school, her brother’s best friend Dallas Miller was there to help pick up the pieces. Several years and a looming college graduation later, Cat’s motorcycle-riding, tattooed knight is about to ride off into the sunset—and leave her in his dust. She only has six days to convince him to fulfil her secret fantasy of having him for her first before he’s gone forever. She’s stubborn and he’s tempted, but this is a battle for more than just some time in the bedroom—it’s a fight for both their futures.
MY REVIEW:
     Maya Rayes is BFF to Cat Jacobs.  Although Maya would never admit it willingly but she has a secret crush on Cat’s older brother Jake.  But there’s always been this issue of control that has driven Maya crazy.  She hates it.
     Well you see Cat and Jake’s parents died while Cat was in high school.  Jake is 5 years older than the girls.  He was nineteen when they died and was at the fireman’s academy when he got the call about the accident.  So, Jake was the one who took over the care of Cat with the help of his best friend Dallas (Dally) Miller.  Their goal was to keep Cat safe.  Maya can’t understand how they are friends.  Jake is controlled and boring and Dally is funny and relaxed.  So go figure.
     Maya though came from a controlling father and a mother who just walked away.  She has no example of what love looks like.  To her Jake is just too nice, too controlled in his manners, too reserved, and too apple pie.  No one can possibly be that way all the time twenty four seven.  Can they?  One the other hand she thinks…
     He is sexier then all hell!  He has a mean six pack maybe even a twelve pack.  He has an ass of steel to go with it.  Yet, she has to admit there are moments that Cat tells her stories of things he does that cause her heart to flutter.
    But this one morning when she wakes up dreaming of Jake it seems so real.  The phones ringing she’s trying to answer but can’t when she hears a male voice.  It sounds so familiar.  Like really familiar.  In fact it sounds close to.  Her brain is foggy but is trying to clear when the bed shifts and her eyes open one at a time to hone in on the voice and sure enough she knows that voice.  It’s her BFF’s big brother and crush’s voice, Jake.
     She shuts her eyes in hopes it’s not.  When she pulls up on the sheets to look under them while he is on the phone she takes a look under.  Yup! He is all naked and in all his glory.  Jake!  Cat’s brother!  WTF!  Last. Night. Cast. Party. OMG!
     This portion of the story was not only funny it was emotionally charged also.  It was interesting to watch the relationship unfold.
     Cat Jacobs is the younger sister to Jake and best friend to Maya who is at this point secretly dating Jake.
     Cat is on a mission to lose her V-card you know her virginity.  Not to worry though she has the perfect candidate in her scope.  She just needs to reel him in and have the “perfect storm” as they say.  Who is this lucky man well, “Dallas (Dally) Miller of course.
     Dally is the go to guy for Cat for everything.  Especially, since her parents died.  In fact when the Highway Patrol contacted her and Jake was at the fireman’s academy she called Dally.  He left Arizona where he had gone once he and Jake had graduated to go work for his uncle at his garage he would one day be taking over the business.
     Dally dropped everything to come care for Cat the way their parents care for him when he needed someone.  He stayed on even after Jake finished the academy so he could work.  He knew he was the breadwinner and had Cat to provide for and would need the help.  Dallas took care of all of Cat’s daily needs and he got his own job at a garage too.
     The three of them lived in the house together but being a fireman Jake had odd hours.  Dally was a constant.  For the most part Cat and Dally were a couple without the fringe benefits.  And those he took care of other places.  But now Cat was graduating from college in 6 days and Dally will be leaving to finally resume his life in Arizona.  She wanted Dally to be her first.  She wants it to be with someone special and someone she loved.  She knew he would never feel the same but it was okay because he at least cared about her.  That was enough for her. 
     She devises a plan and does her endless research on the internet.  See how this works out for Cat.  Does Dally feel anything for Cat?  Or is it all one sided?  Maya seems to have some really strong ideas on the subject.
     I loved this story it was so cute and beyond funny.  The things Cat gets herself into was hilarious.  The adult shop was so funny.  I just love the love and care that Dally gives her, never really getting mad at her just always showing his love for her.
I give this 5 stars.  Provided by netgalley.com.  Follow us at:

www.1rad-readerreviews.com. 

LOVE STRUCK

LOVE STRUCK                                               LAURELIN McGEE

Love Struck by Laurelin McGeeWelcome to a seductive world where two solo artists combine their talents-and their hearts-to make beautiful music together...

SHE'S GETTING INTO THE GROOVE 
Lacy Dawson is a young singer-songwriter with a record deal, a studio gig, and a serious case of writer's block. After looking for love songs in all the wrong places, she finds inspiration at an online support group called Song Writers Anonymous. Thanks to one mysterious member who motivates her and inspires her, Lacy's career is back on track. But is she ready to meet her sexy musical muse...face to face?

HE MAKES HER HEART SKIP A BEAT
Eli is definitely interested in hooking up with Lacy, aka "LoveCoda." But between writing her new album and his band's success, they can't find the time to face the music-or each other-about their burgeoning online romance. All that changes when Eli and Lucy get booked on tour together. In person, the attraction is all too real and explosive. They both should walk away, but once they are in each other's arms, there is no turning back...

MY REVIEW:
     Lacy Dawson has had the deepest of lows and some highs that are truly on the way up.  It is just that steps on the way there that are a little bumpy.
     A year ago Lacy’s love of her life passed away.  Since then she has hit a writing dry spell which is not good since the date to record her next album has just moved up by several months.  She works at the recording studio where she will be recording it and Darrin her boss and Kat who she works with always see her with “Lucky” her guitar strumming. Yet, she’s got nothing written.
     She’s even joined several songwriter sites but most they know about Lance’s passing except for one site that is totally annoyance.  SoWriAn is a site where you can’t give any personals about yourself, only generals.  In fact you have to sign a contract and there are monitors for the site, you know like police.  So, there she can tell her fears about writing such as being blocked.  Not be the poor girl left behind again.  Her handle is “LoveCoda” and she starts in a group chat room but becomes friends with “FolxNotDead27” “Folx” for short.  So they decide to branch off and he is really active in trying to get her past her block issue. 
     Folx is Eli Frank a member of The Blue Hills and he’s the main writer for the band but LoveCoda doesn’t know that.  Remember only limited info.  What he does say is that he is not been happy in the band for a while.  That the band makes changes to his writing for so not for the integrity of the music, mainly to make one person happy.  LoveCoda encourages him to branch out on his own.
     Eli was too loyal to his college buddy and the closes thing to a brother he had.  No matter how many times Jax stepped on his toes, changed his lyrics, stole his girls or assumed his persona he could never walk away especially after the scare.  Jax says he did it for the art but Eli believes it was more.  The more they bowed to Jax the more detached Eli found himself becoming.
     One of the reasons he turned to SoWriAn he liked that he could talk and share with others like minded artist who wrote music.  Finding someone like LoveCoda has been a Godsend.  She speaks to a side of him no one has ever touched before.  Which is amazing to him because friends had talked about online dating or meeting girls in chatrooms and he thought they were crazy and now well…
     Watch as these two find their lives crossing without knowing and how complicated it becomes when they do.  Does the heart know what the mind doesn’t?  You might be surprised if this story has even a chance at being true. 
     I very much enjoyed the plot twist in this story.  Yet, with all the possibilities for change for this couple.  The heartache is real but the joy is too.  I give this 5 stars.  Provided netgalley.com.  Follow us at:  www.1rad-readerreviews.com.

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