Hi guys and gals!
Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.
Today, we're welcoming back the second leg of a TLC Book Tour starring the 18th addition to the infamous Fool's Gold series. What? You think I went too far with the use of the word "infamous"? Think again. There's a following larger than you could imagination and fans chomping at the bit (much like the Yellow Fairy in yesterday's review) to get their hands on the latest. I proudly count myself among them. Though I've not read EVERY book in the series, I'm slowly working on it, and the newest additions I've devoured cover to cover, including today's featured title and book of choice...
(Fool's Gold #18)
by
Susan Mallery
9780373788989
About the book....
Meet the Mitchell brothers of Fool’s Gold, California—five gorgeous men who’ve left a trail of broken hearts in their wake…
Maya Farlow learned the hard way to depend only on herself, so when she fell too deeply for the bad-boy charms of Del Mitchell, she did the only thing she could—she ran. Stunned, Del left Fool’s Gold to make his name and fortune in extreme sports.
Now ten years later, Maya’s been hired to promote her hometown’s new slogan, The Destination for Romance. The celebrity spokesman is none other than Del, the man she dumped but never forgot. Awkward!
Although Del’s not the type to hold a grudge, he’s determined to avoid falling a second time for the woman who broke his heart. He’s a daredevil, not an idiot. Trouble is, in all his adventures, he never found a rush as exhilarating as Maya’s kiss. Maybe risking his heart will prove to be the biggest thrill of all…
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Oh me, oh...Maya!
You've got your hands full now don't you?
Ladies and gents, it's time to get to know the Mitchell brothers, and family because as my fellow readers of this series know, every story is about more than just the possible couple to be, but about the heart that beats behind them.
This particular installment features the once upon a time romance of Del and Maya. From high school sweethearts with enough passion to light the fires of the gods to virtual strangers...wait a second, THAT'S not suppose to happen! Ah, but happen it did. You see, Maya didn't have the most secure and loving upbringing. Without those to model her behavior after appropriately, she grew to fear the dependence and love she felt for him and ran as fast and far as she could...but not before breaking his heart. Yes, my fair readers...the breaking of hearts is fair play for BOTH sexes in Fool's Gold, but so is the mending.
Fast forward those ten years and we find Maya (sweet yet sassy with trust issues that's she's learning to move past) back in Fool's Gold with a sweet job as the Director of Communications (funny how they've never had one before...hmm, I sense a mayoral figure behind its creation)...and then who lands in her backyard? None other than Del (business minded, man of the world with a heart of gold...*sigh*). Do you smell smoke? Hmm, perhaps well concealed smoke, but where there is smoke there's fire. Their interactions are unavoidable as they are pushed into working together on a project for the town and work they do, until those sparks begin to catch up with them. Will they be able to give love a second chance? Need there really be a second chance anyway considering the truth behind their first "ending"? All good questions and things that will certainly be answered...when you read it. *hehe* Let's move forward though...
As tantalizing as that story sounds (because truly it is) and as captivating as the leads are (because they are!), there is so much more going on here. That's one of the many things I love about this series. With every new story, we get to know people we've met in some way previously while adding to the relationships we've built along the way. We get cameos, if you will, from other couples and characters connected from previous installments, from Justice to Phobe, Zane to Jo, Mayor Marsha to the infamous septuagenarians, Eddie and Gladys (those two...surprising in SO many ways!). It's great to "see" familiar faces again, catching up like we're one of the gang meeting at Brew-Ha-Ha for the afternoon giggles and gossip, but it's also fun to say high to new characters, in this case the Mitchell clan.
While all eyes are focused on Del (and with good reason!), he's one of five brothers and as different as they all are (and I can't wait to find out all about them!), they've a rather unique set of parents too. Their father, Ceallach, is a glass artist and that's his primary focus in life, even above his family. How he and Elaine, his magnanimous wife, have stayed together all these years is beyond me but their relationship works and that really comes out when things take a turn for the worst and secrets come flying out of the woodwork. What secrets? Oh buddy, wouldn't you like to know! One in particular though really creates a wedge between our potential lovebirds and it almost broke my heart in the process. I sorta saw it coming but the ending I was so on edge about the entire way through. My thanks to the author for the way she turned that story because I was really worried I was gonna need tissues. Enough said, potentially too much, but I had to say my piece. Marching on...
Oh dear. I see that my review is becoming a book on its own so I'll try to draw things to a close. If you're a fan of the series, YOU WON'T BE DISAPPOINTED! If you've not yet sampled the series, no time like the present! That's the beauty of Fool's Gold. You can jump in at any point and still feel like a lifelong resident. The more you read, the deeper your roots become and that's something no reader can turn down. Did I enjoy getting to know Del and Maya? Yes indeed! I loved the different sides to their story as well as how everyone else's drama played out alongside their own. There were surprises aplenty, tears to be almost shed, laughs to be had, and endings to hope for. You were never quite sure where things were going to end up but you never gave up hope for the happily-ever-after. Trust me, you won't be disappointed.
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About the author...
New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery has won the hearts of millions of readers around the world with books described as “immensely entertaining, intensely emotional” (RT Book Reviews), “hilarious” (Fort Worth Star-Telegram), and “heartwarming” (Publishers Weekly). One major retailer recently described her as “the queen of romantic fiction.” While she deeply appreciates the accolades of critics and booksellers, Mallery is even more honored by the enthusiasm of her readers and the word-of-mouth that catapults her toward the top of the bestsellers lists time and again.
Mallery lives in not-so-sunny Seattle with her husband and a toy poodle who makes her laugh every day and who’s not even a little bit impressed by her growing fame.
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Special thanks to Lisa at TLC Book Tours for the chance to bring this tour to you and the ARC for review. (THANKS!) For more information on this title, the growing series, the author, the publisher, or those tours on the horizon, feel free to click through the links provided above. This title recently made its IN STORE debut via Harlequin Books, so be on the lookout for it on a bookstore shelf or virtual retailer of your choosing! Be sure to check out the other stops on THIS TOUR as it makes its way through the blogosphere!
Until next time...happy reading!
wow this book sure rocks I would feel like I'm part of this one while I would be reading. It has heart and soul humor and sincerity. Everyone who reads this book can't help but love it
ReplyDeleteI love when a series connects a bunch of different characters in and lets us get to know each them in different ways. Thanks for being a part of the tour!
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