JUST MARRIED

JUST MARRIED                                                    JENNA BAYLEY-BURKE

Seattle attorney Miranda Rose arrives in Las Vegas determined to keep her best friend-with-benefits from making a costly mistake – marrying some stranger just to save his family trust. But once there, Miranda discovers she’s the surprise bride! One red-hot honeymoon later, they’re back to their over-scheduled lives on opposite coasts. But a marriage of convenience with regularly scheduled sexytimes turns complicated when Miranda gets the shock of a lifetime: she's pregnant...with twins.

Miranda has always wanted a family of her own, but her infertility made it impossible. Besides, Callum’s difficult upbringing places him adamantly in the no-kid zone. Now she must decide between the man she’s been in love with for years and the children she’s longed for. Or will Callum surprise her yet again and come through when it matters most?

MY REVIEW:
     Sometimes our internal struggles over our fears cause us to make decisions that are less than rational.  Or if we were to just face our fears head on.  As was the case of Callum Kerr.  He always seemed to feel he had to play an angle in order to get those he love or liked to do the same back.  Sad to say for the most part in his world he did.
     You see he was from a world of great privileges but it could not buy you everything like time and love.  So as a child at a very you age, before he could tie his own shoes, Callum was sent to boarding school.  When he was at home he had a nanny to care for him.  His father mostly traveled for work back to Scotland to the family castle and their textile company there.  Then come back to New York but he was emotionally unavailable to his family but especially his son.
     His mother Bridie was never the motherly type at least not that he can remember.  Yet, he always remembered being her micromanaging his life.  He never wanted to take over the family business which he had told his father about.  He wanted to be a lawyer.  But tradition had it that the first born would take over the textile and all the companies holding which had grown to over 20 businesses.  Or his uncle’s son, Dirk a good for nothing party boy would get all, and he planned on selling it all.
He hated the family tradition for as the saying goes, “Heir and not the spare.”  That he felt is what killed his uncle, as did Dirk. Callum got his wish and went to law school where he met Miranda Rose. 
     Miranda Rose and he started a secret affair his first year in college in Seattle.  To him it was just sex so he said.  But this affair had been going on for almost a decade and that is about how long Mira has been in love with him. Callum had bought a house and had rented it out rooms she a several other were still all good friends and lawyers to this day.  Although Callum was now a textile mogul all those that lived in the house are all still friends today and live near Mira.  Mira was from New York but she had no one.  Her parents were gone and her aunt who never really wanted the nine-year-old Mira was good too. She had gotten a job in Seattle for a good law firm so she stayed in Seattle to be near all her friends with a support group/family.
     Callum on the other hand had a job at home waiting. He ended up becoming a textile mogul anyway for his father passed away and being the first born he had to take it over.  His father’s passing was especially difficult on him.  Mira was right there for him not just for their weekend getaway either.  She was at his home for the week and she helped with the funeral and all.  Callum knew he had a decision to make after that.  So a plan soon after was set in motion when it was close to his birthday and by that date he would have to be married or Dirk would get it all.
     He calls Mira says come to Vegas tomorrow I’m flying you and the friends to my wedding I’m getting married.  I need my best girl by my side.  Mira to say the left is in shock not to mention hurt.  Her world is imploding on itself.  How could he disrespect something he knew she holds so sacred?  Her world was spinning out of control.  Mira has loved him for almost ten years but for Callum it was just a screw.  She asks to who he is getting married but he evades the question.  She says you have a prenup he says no!  Now she is pissed and tells him he is being stupid.  He says he trust he and that jealousy doesn’t look becoming on her.  Can Mira come he says?  He needs his best girl with him by his side and could she wear the dress she wore to Rob and Molly’s wedding? 
     Mira is really pissed now and says you know when I come to this there is no us?  He’s like I’m not married yet.  NO!  She says but your engaged and that’s something that to me that is important.  She tells him she knows he doesn’t take marriage as something sacred but she does.  He says but you’ll come?  She says yeah!  To talk you out of this.
     She gets there to find out he wants her as his bride but only in name their lives will remain the same.  Except free sex with each other no hiding, vacationing together, etc.…. Just live still two different places and two different lives and NO KIDS!!! Until an OOPS!
     I laughed at this story because it is every fear before marriage and of being a parent times ten all rolled up into Callum’s fear.  Poor defenseless Callum.  His problem is he never had the right tools as a child, young adult, to adult to problem solve, cope and adapt with the changes of life and emotions.  That talking is better than running away from the feelings. This author did a wonderful job of putting out there what a lot of people go through but are afraid to talk about when it happens.  She just made it so fun to read about.  Mickey was his saving grace and best friend in the end.  I give this 5 stars.  Provided by netgalley.com.  Follow us at:

www.1rad-readerreviews.com.

PLAYING FAST (New York Saints #5)

PLAYING FAST                                                      MELANIE SCOTT

THREE STRIKES AND HE’S OUT…

When baseball bad-boy Finn Castro raises one eyebrow too many, the Saints send him down to the minors. He’ll have to earn back his major-league dreams with the Sarasota Springs Preachers. Finn’s certainly never claimed to be a man of the cloth, and cleaning up his act isn’t going to be easy with stunning Eva Harlowe at the heart of the team’s administration…

UNTIL SHE THROWS A CURVEBALL
Eva knows having a crush on Finn Castro is about as sensible as wishing for an eighth day of the week, but seeing the gorgeously muscled player in person melts her resolve. If she’s planning to leave baseball at the end of the season, a hot fling could be a fantasy home run. But when no-strings sex begins to feel like a perfect partnership, will Finn and Eva choose the love of the game or real life together?

MY REVIEW:
     When faced with a tragedy we never know how we will react.  But when you have three younger sisters you don’t have time to think your needs any longer it’s all about them.  So it’s wheels up as they say.
     At eighteen she became a mom and took a job working for the Preachers a Triple-A baseball team.  Their parent club being the New York Saints.  She worked as well as making sure that the girls continued their education and their extra curricular activities.  Then she helped all three transition into college.
     Two have now graduated but the youngest has now continued on to medical school which is Lizzie who is now in California.  The last two are now closer Kate is an accountant in New York and Audrey is web designer who owns her own business now but lives in their hometown of Saratoga.  So all her chicks have left the nest.  So she is just now starting to feel comfortable enough to have steady Friday night dinners with her best friend since kindergarten, Jenna.
     In all the years working for the club she has never dated a player.  For her it’s a rule.  There is no such rule in place for the front office at all.  But there is a closely guarded secret that she has been keeping.  Well actually two… One she will be leaving at the end of the year.  She has been accepted in a photography school in California with a well know photographer that only takes 10 students per every 2 years.  Which is a big thing because he only photographs dancers and athletes.
     Eva Harlowe’s second secret is… That she has a mad ass crush on Finn Castro.  The first baseman for the Saints.  Or he was before he got into a fist fight at a bar that oops!  Was owned by one of the owners of the team.  So now you guessed it he is being demoted to Triple-A with the Preachers as his slap on the wrist.  So he will have to earn his way back up the ranks by keeping his now clean.
     The coach Don Mannings & his wife are more like parental figures to the girls since their parents died.  Than Eva boss.  So, when it comes to Eva everyone at Preachers keeps an eye out for her.  Some even have crushes on her.  But on day one she plays it cool maybe even cold indifference when Finn arrives.  So he will have no idea she has a crush.  She keeps it all business.  As for Finn he can’t take his eyes off her.  Her persona says one thing, her style says another, and then her tone that she takes with says something totally different again.  He wants to solve this puzzle but not in a weird way but in a, I want to get to know you way.  She is the first woman in a long time to interest him that has depth.
     Eva proves to be a tough nut to crack.  He bides his time and keeps trying to engage her in conversation each time he sees her.  It’s not until he meets up with her by accident at a restaurant by his home.  She was with Jenna having dinner so he stops by to say hi and Jenna ask him to join them.  Eva starts to thaw but he knows not to overstay his welcome and leaves them after his bite to eat.  Jenna likes him and convinces Eva to do the short term lovin’ thang.  Can she talk him into it?  Does she really want to try?

     Very interesting look into how we can allow ourselves to get crippled by our fears.  Yes, we know it’s normal to have some fears in fact it’s healthy to keep us alive.  Yet, when it stunts or we project it or feed it to those we love so they believe it and make them fearful too.  Not so good.  Eva comes full circle in this process with help from Finn and her sisters.  Almost at the expense of love.  I give this book 4 stars.  Provided by netgalley.com.  Follow us at: www.1rad-readerreviews.com.

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