Set the Night on Fire by Laura Trentham – Review, Excerpt & Giveaway

Set the Night on Fire by Laura Trentham – Review, Excerpt & Giveaway

 

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Description:
Ella Boudreaux has a lot to prove to her family, friends, and foes–and to herself. So when her marriage ends she decides to invest her energy and money into a place that brings back some of Ella’s happiest memories: the Abbott brothers’ garage. Maybe, if she puts her mind to it, she can teach skeptical, stubborn Mack Abbott how to make the business a true success. Which would be a lot easier if the hunky mechanic didn’t make her motor run quite so fast…and hot.

Mack was furious when his brother, Ford, sold his share of the business. He’s in no rush to team up with a wealthy divorcee who shows up to the garage in stilettos–and the longest, sexiest legs he’s seen in forever. But Ella’s grit and determination won’t quit…and soon Mack can see that she’s been down a few rough roads herself. Neither Mack nor Ella can deny the fierce attraction that’s revving up between them. Could it be that true love has been in the backseat all along…and they’ve finally found the key?

 

 

Review:

Set the Night on Fire by Laura Trentham is the 6th book in her Cottonbloom series.   I have enjoyed every book in this series, and this book is no different….I loved Set the Night on Fire.  We met our heroine, Ella Boudreaux at the end of the previous book, as Ella became part owner of the Abbott Garage. All the Abbot Brothers were not too happy that Ford, their estranged brother sold out his share of the business to Ella, but Mack, the oldest brother is still furious.  In Set the Night on Fire, when Ella shows up at the garage to help, Mack treats her badly.

Ella is very smart and work oriented, having helped her ex-abusive husband build his successful business.  She came away from her divorce with a nice settlement, as she was the reason the business excelled.  Ella knows everyone questions why she would buy into a garage, but she did so in memory of her deceased older brother. 

Though Mack is cold and sarcastic to Ella, his brothers Wyatt and Jackson, as well as Willa ( Jackson’s wife), do their best to accept Ella, who is determined to help with the marketing of the business.  In a short time, Mack realizes that Ella has some good ideas, and he finds himself attracted to her, though he still gives her a hard time.  Mack, who finds himself turned on by Ella’s stubborn and feisty attitude with him, also notices that Ella hides something from her past, especially seeing that she is deathly afraid of dogs, and learns more about her rough childhood.  Their romance begins to heat up quickly, though there are barriers that stand between them; Mack trying to reconcile with his mother (who left them years before ), as well as coming to terms with Ford’s betrayal;  Ella’s sensitivity & vulnerability due to her previous abusive marriage, not trusting her own judgment.   It was so much fun to watch both of them fall hard for each other, as their chemistry sizzled. 

Cottonbloom is a wonderful and fun series, which Trentham continues to give us heartwarming stories in each and every book  I really loved Mack and Ella together; as their romance was not only sexy, but also emotional.  It was a wonderful storyline, and great to see all the other characters that we have come to know from the previous books.  There was also two epilogues that I loved.

Set The Night on Fire reads very well as a standalone, but to get to know all of the family, including their mother and Ford, I suggest you start with the first book of this series.   Laura Trentham once again gives us a wonderful heartwarming story, great characters, fabulous couple, great secondary characters, charming small town atmosphere, and a sweet wonderful romance. You should be reading this series, as I look forward to the next book and return to Cottonbloom.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

“How the—” Mack caught the curse in his hand. “You’re not a mechanic, Ms. Boudreaux.”
“Call me Ella.” At his stony stare, she shrugged and continued. “You don’t need another mechanic. You have plenty of mechanics. What you need is someone to market you.”
“And you know enough about cars to do that?” His skepticism hit her like a kid pulling her pigtails behind the monkey bars. Annoying.
She shouldn’t rise to the bait. Unfortunately, her mouth was less mature than her mind, and she reeled off facts her brother had recited with pride.
“That Datsun 240Z you were under? It’s a seventy-three with a 2.4-liter straight-six and side-draft carburetors. It can hit sixty in 8.2 seconds with 151 horsepower. Top speed is a hundred twenty-five miles per hour. Not that anyone should be driving that fast on parish roads.”
He looked . . . stunned. She confined herself to a small self-satisfied smile. She had a feeling nothing much surprised Mack Abbott, or if it did, he made sure the world didn’t realize it.
“How did you . . . How do you know all that?”
“That’s not important. What is important is that I can help you.”
“We don’t need help.” He shook his head and re-chinked the breaks in his wall of grump.
“Yes, you do.”
“No, we don’t.” The playground-level annoyance continued with his childish denials.
“Whatever.” She rolled her eyes, probably not helping to diffuse the situation.
“Name your price.”
“That’s not how this is going to work, Mack.”
“I say how things are run and done in this garage. Not you, Ms. Boudreaux.”
“I have a quarter stake and an equal voice.”
“Except, we handle things democratically around here and my brothers will have my back. Every. Single. Time.”
Dangit. He had her there. Pushing against Mack was like trying to move a mountain. She glanced at the twins. If she couldn’t move Mack, then she’d have to go around him. She wanted to stalk out and slam the door, but forced herself to mosey as if she wasn’t bothered at all by the situation or the man. He followed her to the door. She stopped with one foot out and one in. The breeze caught her hair, and she tossed her head to get it out of her eyes.
“You might vote me down, but at least give me a chance to be heard.”
“Name your price,” he repeated in a growly, grizzly voice that was meant to grind down her dissension.
Where she found the gumption she didn’t know, but she gave his cheek two pats and said, “You can’t afford me, tough guy.”


 

 

An award-winning author, Laura Trentham was born and raised in a small town in Tennessee. Although, she loved English and reading in high school, she was convinced an English degree equated to starvation. She chose the next most logical major—Chemical Engineering—and worked in a hard hat and steel toed boots for several years.
She writes sexy, small town contemporaries and smoking hot Regency historicals. KISS ME THAT WAY, Cottonbloom Book 1, won the Stiletto Contest for Best Long Contemporary and finaled in the National Readers Choice Award. THEN HE KISSED ME, Cottonbloom Book 2, was named an Amazon Best Romance of 2016 and was a finalist for the National Excellence for Romance Fiction. TILL I KISSED YOU, Cottonbloom Book 3, is a finalist in the Maggie contest. LEAVE THE NIGHT ON, the latest Cottonbloom book, was named an iBooks Best Book of the Month and a Recommended Read from NPR.
When not lost in a cozy Southern town or Regency England, she’s shuttling kids to soccer, helping with homework, and avoiding the Mt. Everest-sized pile of laundry that is almost as big as the to-be-read pile of books on her nightstand.

Website: Facebook: Twitter: Goodreads: Pinterest: Newsletter: Bookbub

 

NOTE: The Reading Cafe is NOT responsible for the rafflecopter giveaway. If you have any questions, please contact the tour provider

Giveaway
Enter to win the first five (5) books in the Cottonbloom series!
Kiss Me That Way, Book 1
Then He Kissed Me, Book 2
Till I Kissed You, Book 3
Leave the Night On, Book 4
When the Stars Come Out, Book 5
Contest is open to International entries! US winner will receive autographed copies.
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/746772684/?

 

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When the Stars Come Out by Laura Trentham – Review, Interview, Tour & Giveaway

When the Stars Come Out by Laura Trentham – Review, Interview, Tour & Giveaway

 

 

Amazon / B&N / Kobo / BAM / Book Depository

 

 

Description:
Willa Brown never planned to stay in Cottonbloom. She was on the way to somewhere else when she landed there and found work at the Abbot brothers’ garage. . .and a sense of comfort and safety that she had never known. The same holds true for Jackson Abbott himself. With one glance in her direction, he can make Willa’s heart melt. But what begins as an unrequited crush turns into something far more powerful than Willa could have ever imagined. . .

Jackson’s most meaningful relationship has always been with his car—and he’s not afraid to admit it. Still, he can’t help but become emotionally entangled with his new star mechanic Willa, who is definitely hiding some dark secrets of her own beneath the hood. Jackson desperately wants Willa to trust him, and to seek protection in his arms. But even as the two slowly surrender to their shared attraction, the danger lurking in Willa’s past remains a stubborn obstacle. Can she open up enough to give them both a chance at having real and lasting love?

 

 

Review:

When the Stars Come Out by Laura Trentham is the 5th book in her wonderful Cottonbloom series.  I have enjoyed every book in this series, and this book is no different….I loved When The Stars Come Out.

Willa Brown, our heroine, has worked at the Abbot garage for the two years she has been in Cottonbloom.  Willa loves her job, as she grew up fixing cars, but she keeps secrets about her past life, knowing when anyone gets too close, she will run.   Jackson Abbot and the rest of the Abbot boys think highly of Willa, as one of the best mechanics.  Jackson has always befriended Willa, as his whole life is about cars, but now he begins to see her in another light.  Willa has always been attracted to Jackson, but hides how she feels.  Jackson and the family sense that Willa is hiding something, and Jackson begins to fear she will leave, and gives her a big raise to keep her.  In a short time, both will begin to spend more time out of the garage, as Jackson tries to help her, since her makeshift living quarters are bad.  When a mutt comes to Willa one day, she feeds him and earns his trust, and soon River (the mutt) will follow her to work, and the boys will also accept River. 

Soon Willa and Jackson, will act on their feelings, and a steamy romance will start.  Willa still looks over her shoulder, not trusting how happy she is with Jackson. He is determined to get her to talk and find out what she is running from.  He never thought he would fall in love, but now that he loves Willa, he will do anything to keep her.  I really did enjoy Sutton’s new friendship with Willa, and the fun of watching her help Willa dress up to attend a New Year’s Party.  When she realizes that she loves Jackson, she does reveal some truths to him, and though scared, will go back home to bring some kind of closure.  Jackson will get help from his family to find and help Willa, which was very nicely done. 

There is a side story about  the bad brother, Ford,  who is putting the garage at risk by selling his share to someone else.  This will lead to the next book, with I think Mack as the hero. 

I really loved Jackson and Willa together; as their romance was sweet, sexy and emotional.  Jackson was not only sweet and caring, but he was a hunk.  Willa was a strong, independent & likable heroine;  with some sassy humor.

When The Stars Come Out reads very well as a standalone.  It was a wonderful storyline, and great to see all the other characters that we have come to know from the previous books.   Laura Trentham once again gives us a wonderful story, great characters, fabulous couple, heartwarming small town atmosphere, and a sweet wonderful romance. You should be reading this series, and I can’t wait to return to Cottonbloom.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy supplied for review

 

Hi Laura.  Thank you for taking the time to answer some questions today.We are always looking forward to reading about the author behind the book.   

TRC:  Would you please tell us something about yourself?

Laura:  I am a former chemical engineer and stay-at-home mom who has always been an avid reader. Once my youngest started school, I needed something to occupy me. Going back to engineering wasn’t attractive because I didn’t want to put the kids in daycare if I could help it. In January 2012, I dropped the kids off at school, sat down at my computer, and started what would be An Indecent Invitation, Book 1 of my Regency romance series Spies and Lovers. Six weeks later when I triumphantly typed The End, I didn’t know what a mess it was. But I learned. And learned and learned and rewrote and rewrote that book. That book got me an agent, finaled in the Golden Heart®, and was my first manuscript to sell to a publisher. I was in my early 40s. To me it’s a lesson in reinvention and following your passion no matter how old you are. What’s more important is how hard you’re willing to work and how willing you are to learn.  

TRC: You write such wonderful romances in each book of your Cottonbloom series.  Can you give us a brief description of When the Stars Come Out, and how you continue to come up with ideas for this series. 

Laura: When the Stars Come Out is the 5th book in the Cottonbloom series but can be read as a standalone. It’s set in the Louisiana side of Cottonbloom and features Willa Brown, a female mechanic who works at Abbott Brothers Garage and Restoration. She’s hiding from her past and nurturing a crush on Jackson Abbott. Jackson is a broody loner (and twin brother of Wyatt from Leave the Night On) who finally notices Willa as more than his right-hand woman in the garage. It’s both a dream and nightmare situation for Willa who is terrified her past will put Jackson in danger.

My husband is a classic car lover and restores them in his spare time. I’ve watched many, many hours of car shows. I got the idea for the Abbott Brothers from a show called Fast and Loud which is a reality show set in a car restoration business in Texas. But I get ideas from news stories, music, and even commercials.  

TRC:  What is your writing process?  Do you like to write at specific times, in a special place? 

Laura:  Process? I don’t need no stinkin’ process! (<- Blazing Saddles reference:) I don’t do much (any) preplotting. I get an idea, which invariably includes the opening scene, and I sit down to write it. I let the story naturally unfold. This is where having a science background of logical cause and effect relationships helps. Although the discoveries along the way are exhilarating, it can also be a little scary, because I have a fear that *this time* it’s not going to work. Somehow I seem to find my way to the end of every book. I have school age kids so by necessity I write while they are in school. I’m not a writer who needs a ritual. I have an office in my house, but sometimes I like kicking back on the couch with my laptop. I actually get more words down if I’m forced out of my house (the internet is a productivity killer.) I’ll also use my phone and dictate while I’m in car line if I get behind. Basically, I prescribe to the Tim Gunn Make It Work mantra. 

Thank you, Laura for answering our questions. The Reading Café wishes you the best of luck with When the Stars Come Out

 

 

Willa glanced down and back up at Jackson through her lashes. The gentle, flirtatious look hit him like a punch. This time his heart kicked like he might require someone to call 911. “Do I clean up good?”
He knew what she wanted to hear and later, in the dark solitude of his bed, he’d tell her and, even better, show her. But, for now, he tempered his response, hoping to get a rise out of her. “Not bad.”
She stepped forward and punched his arm. It might have stung if she hadn’t tipped to the side as her fist made contact. Her eyes popped wide and a little huff escaped. With reaction times honed on the racetrack, he wrapped his arm around her waist, bringing her flush with his body.
“You sure you know how to operate those shoes?” This time he couldn’t keep the smile off his face.
“They don’t require a license. And I was doing fine until you showed up.”
Her admission made him feel slightly better. He wasn’t the only one who was off balance. Her body notched into his perfectly with the added inches the heels lent her. His focus dropped from her sparking eyes to her mouth. Maybe he’d kiss the gloss off them right now. His lips hovered an inch from hers. So close he could feel the ramp-up of her breathing. Or was that his breathing spinning out of control?

An award-winning author, Laura Trentham was born and raised in a small town in Tennessee. Although, she loved English and reading in high school, she was convinced an English degree equated to starvation. She chose the next most logical major—Chemical Engineering—and worked in a hard hat and steel toed boots for several years.

She writes sexy, small town contemporaries and smoking hot Regency historicals. KISS ME THAT WAY, Cottonbloom Book 1, won the Stiletto Contest for Best Long Contemporary and finaled in the National Readers Choice Award. THEN HE KISSED ME, Cottonbloom Book 2, was named an Amazon Best Romance of 2016 and was a finalist for the National Excellence for Romance Fiction. TILL I KISSED YOU, Cottonbloom Book 3, is a finalist in the Maggie contest. LEAVE THE NIGHT ON, the latest Cottonbloom book, was named an iBooks Best Book of the Month and a Recommended Read from NPR.

When not lost in a cozy Southern town or Regency England, she’s shuttling kids to soccer, helping with homework, and avoiding the Mt. Everest-sized pile of laundry that is almost as big as the to-be-read pile of books on her nightstand.

 

Social Media Links

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorLauraTrentham

Twitter: https://twitter.com/LauraTrentham

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/lauratrentham/

Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/bwbOkD

Bookbub:https://www.bookbub.com/authors/laura-trentham

 

 

NOTE: The Reading Cafe is NOT responsible for the rafflecopter giveaway. If you have any questions, please contact the tour provider

Giveaway
Enter to win the first four (4) books in the Cottonbloom series!
Kiss Me That Way, Book 1
Then He Kissed Me, Book 2
Till I Kissed You, Book 3
Leave the Night On, Book 4
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Leave The Night On by Laura Trentham – Review, Excerpt, Tour & Giveaway

Leave The Night On by Laura Trentham – Review, Tour & Giveaway

 

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Leave The Night OnAmazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / Books-a-Million / IndieBound

Description:
Love, betrayal, and sweet revenge–life in Cottonbloom is about to get a whole lot hotter . . .

Sutton Mize is known for lavishing attention on the customers who flock to her boutique on the wealthy side of her Mississippi town. So when she finds a lace thong in her fiance’s classic cherry-red Camaro, she knows just who she sold it to: her own best friend. In an instant, Sutton’s whole world goes up in flames. . .

Wyatt Abbott has harbored a crush on Sutton since he was a young kid from the other side of the tracks. He witnessed Sutton’s shocking discovery in the Camaro at his family-owned garage–and it made him angry. What kind of man could take lovely, gorgeous Sutton for granted? But then Sutton comes up with an idea: Why not give her betrothed a taste of his own medicine and pretend that she’s got a lover of her own? Wyatt is more than happy to play the hot-and-heavy boyfriend. But what begins as a fictional affair soon develops into something more real, and more passionate, than either Sutton or Wyatt could have imagined. Could it be that true love has been waiting under the hood all along?

 

Review:

Leave the Night On by Laura Trentham is the 4th book in her wonderful Cottonbloom series.  Leave the Night On reads very well as a standalone, with brief appearances from the earlier leading characters.   I wasn’t sure what to expect, as we knew little about the Abbots.  Wyatt Abbott owns ¼ of the family  garage and restoration business, and he loves restoring old cars.  Sutton Mize brings in her fiancée’s classic Camaro to have a full restoration done as a wedding present.  The Abbott Brothers are excited to start their new restoration project, which will open them up for more business, with wealthier clientele.

Wyatt welcomes Sutton, remembering her from high school, when he had a secret crush on her.  But they have not seen each other in years, as she is from the wealthier Mississippi side of Cottonbloom, and Wyatt and his brothers are the from the blue collar Louisiana side.  When Wyatt takes the car, he makes sure that everything is empty and to Sutton’s shock, he finds expensive dinner receipts and a lace thong under the seat.  Sutton recognizes the thong, as it came from her boutique, where she sold it to her best friend.  Wyatt sees Sutton’s shock and realizes that her fiancée has been cheating on her.

What follows is a wonderful fun story line, where Sutton will ask Wyatt to help her get revenge on her ex- fiancée by being her new boyfriend.  He of course accepts, as he feels bad how she was treated, and wants to help and protect her.  He knows there could be no future for them, since they are from different backgrounds.  Slowly, as they both begin to spend a lot of time together, going to her gala’s and family dinners.  Wyatt was the perfect person for Sutton to get over her ex, as he opened her up to another life of having fun and enjoying things; and also making her that much more stronger and independent.   I loved Wyatt and Sutton together.  They made a great couple, with great chemistry.

While they try to fool Sutton’s Ex and her best friend, there are other things happening that blends into the story.  We meet all the Abbotts, including the aunts and the other 3 brothers.  The only brother I did not like was Ford, who only cared about himself and had no interest in working on the cars.  Ford gave Wyatt such a hard time, which made him even more unlikeable.  I am sure at some point in this series; we will get his story and eventually his redemption.  All the other characters we got to meet were great and I look forward to finding more about them.

Laura Trentham once again gives us a wonderful story, great characters, fabulous couple, heartwarming small town atmosphere, and a sweet wonderful romance. You should be reading this series, and I can’t wait to return to Cottonbloom.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

excerpt

Sutton stared at the lace concoction. From La Perla’s fall collection. Fine Italian lace. Ridiculously expensive for something so small. A special order with the addition of a small embroidered heart to sit at the owner’s hipbone. Oh yes, she was acquainted with the underwear but not intimately acquainted. She’d ordered them through Abigail’s Boutique, but not for herself. She was too practical.
Wyatt Abbott shook them even closer to her face, obviously expecting her to take them. The thought of touching the lace made her shrink against the driver’s door, and she fumbled for the handle, finally finding it and yanking. The door opened and her momentum sent her to the shop floor on her butt. Her skirt bunched around her thighs, probably high enough for Wyatt Abbott to see her simple cotton pink panties from Victoria’s Secret. The fact they weren’t white was the wildest she got. She’d even waited for them to go on sale. With a bruised ego and bottom, she scrambled up. Wyatt hadn’t moved. His mouth was parted, still in a slight smile, the panties dangling from his fingers. Instead of the roil of emotions gaining steam inside of her, she concentrated on his hands. They were rough-looking and callused. The nails were short but lined with grease. And they were big. They built things. Fixed things. Put things back together. A darkness came over his face, clouding his earlier good-humor and giving him an edge of danger she hadn’t sensed through his teasing. Instead of getting out of the car from the door, he stood up on the passenger seat, stepped to the driver’s seat, and hopped next to her, the black lace of her betrayal dangling in his hand. “What’s the problem?” he asked. A jackhammering noise from the other bay filled the space so she didn’t have to. The crazy thing was that she had sensed something wrong. Something had been wrong pretty much since she and Andrew had gotten engaged.
She’d tried to put it down to nerves or how busy they both were with work. But the truth was she’d been dragging her feet with the wedding preparations. Between the two of them pulling away, the distance had grown until only an echo of what had drawn them together remained. The hum of a motor and the flash of sunlight on metal drew her attention to the open bay door. Her best friend, Bree Randall, stepped out of her BMW coupe dressed in heels, grey slacks, and a sleeveless silk shell, the pink contrasting beautifully with her dark brown hair and ivory complexion. She was a lawyer for Cottonbloom, Mississippi’s city government and had been Sutton’s best friend since first grade. No way could Sutton smile and pretend everything was fine. She grabbed the front of Wyatt’s coveralls and looked up at him. The boy she remembered had been too cool and a borderline jerk, teasing her incessantly, almost to the point of tears. The man was still too cool, yet something new lurked behind his ease. She hoped it was akin to kindness. Bree drew closer. Stuck between a devil she knew and one she didn’t, Sutton took a chance. Her voice was hoarse and begging and she didn’t care. “Get me out of here. Please.”

Without taking his eyes off her, he called out, “Yo, Jackson. Could you put the lady from the Beemer in the waiting room? Tell her Miss Mize isn’t feeling well and stepped out back for some fresh air.”

If his brother answered, she didn’t hear him. Wyatt put a strong, stabilizing arm around her shoulders and guided her around various pieces of equipment and mechanical parts to a door tucked away at the back of the shop floor. She stepped outside, closed her eyes, and took a deep breath. The freshness of the air counteracted the bile rising in her throat.

Her knees wobbled as the stark reality of the situation and the fallout took shape in her mind. She glanced at the man by her side. What was Wyatt Abbott thinking right now? Probably that she was borderline psychotic.

A huge red barn sat behind the shop, and they passed from sun back into shadows. A body-sized punching bag twirled from a high beam as they passed by. That explained why the arm at her back was so solid. Her heels tapped on the wide-planked floor. The smell of weathered wood was overlaid by something sweeter. Honeysuckle, maybe.
No hay was stored in the Abbott’s barn. Two tarp-covered cars, the bottom curves of their tires the only part visible, formed a path to the back where a scratched up leather couch and mini-fridge sat.

“Sorry it’s so dusty in here. We like to keep the doors open if the weather’s nice because of the views and cross breeze.” He took a blue towel from his back pocket and wiped off a section of the couch, leaving yellow streaks of pollen. Getting a little dirty was way down on her list of worries and she plopped down, wrapping her arms around her stomach and leaning over so her forehead nearly touched her knees.

“You want a Coke or tea or something?”

She raised her head enough to see his big hand holding out a bottle. He shifted back and forth in his black work boots, the hem of his coveralls ombrèd black to grey with grease.
“It’s a little early for whiskey, but I’ve got that too if you’d rather.” He sounded so worried and unsure, she straightened, took the Coke and pressed the cool plastic against her cheeks and neck.

“You must think I’ve gone batty.” She rarely drank alcohol and never whiskey, but for a moment she considered it as a viable option, even though it was still technically breakfast. It was five o’clock somewhere, right?

“I think something really bad happened,” he said. “I’m not sure what, but I suspect it has something to do with the restaurant receipts and the underwear.”

“Oh God. The receipts.” Her mind hadn’t even circled back around to those, but everything notched into place like a puzzle whose missing piece turned up stuck on the bottom of a shoe covered with chewed up old gum and bug guts.
His late nights working. Breaking dates at the last minute. His distraction. How long had it been since they’d shared the same bed? Two months? Three? She’d put it down to the natural progression of a committed relationship and the busyness of their lives, assuming things would be better once they were living under the same roof.
“I’m a moron.” Tears crawled up her throat and choked off her feeble attempt of a laugh.

She closed her eyes wishing she could teleport herself back under the covers. The cushion sagged next to her, and she tipped towards him, her shoulder bumping his biceps. A moment passed before his arm came around her shoulders, and they sank back into the couch together.
She turned her face into the space between his neck and shoulder and took a deep breath, desperately trying to get a handle on her out-of-control emotions. Pain was to be expected, but the flashes of fierce fury took her by surprise.
Easygoing and nice and cheerful were bandied about when people passed compliments her way. At least, she’d always taken them as compliments. Now she wasn’t so sure. Maybe all those things were code words for weak and gullible.

Another breath. She concentrated on Wyatt’s warmth and scent. So different from the expensive cologne Andrew wore. Wyatt smelled like pine trees and the garage. His dark, almost black hair, tickled her nose. A tear slipped out and she wiped it away with the heel of her hand.
“You want me to go get your friend?” His chest vibrated against her, deep and rich.

Friend? She didn’t want to examine the other half of the betrayal. Worse than Andrew cheating on her was who he’d been getting down and dirty with. Her best friend. No. A friend wouldn’t sleep with her fiancé behind her back while helping her plan the wedding with an enthusiasm that oftentimes exceed her own.

Sutton ransacked her brain for moments she could point to and say Aha! but none came to mind. Bree had been supportive and helpful over the last few months. Lies. How many lies had Sutton accepted as gospel truth? A few more tears escaped along with a ragged breath.
Wyatt made a humming sound that was distinctly uncomfortable, and he pulled away. “Let me—”

She grabbed his coveralls. “No. Don’t you get it? That was her thong.”

He shifted to face her. “Is identifying underwear in a single glance your superpower?”

Despite her life crashing down, a shard of humor sliced through the shock, and her lips twitched. “Expensive underwear. The heart on the panties matches her tattoo. A special order.”

“You fiancé and your best friend?”

Put like that, she felt even dumber. “My life has turned into a cliché.”

“It’s a cliché because of how often it happens. Nothing for you to be ashamed of. It’s them that should feel like chickenshit.”

“You don’t understand how people like to talk.”

“I understand, alright. I just don’t care what people say.” The defiant edge in his voice spoke of his own pain and sorrows, but right now she only had room for her own. He was quiet for a moment. “You want me to get rid of her?”

Sutton sank back and took a swig of Coke, the burn bringing a different, more welcome, sort of tear to her eyes. “I need to talk to her. Confront her.”

“Yeah, but not hurt and crying. You need to prepare. Get mad then get even.”

His advice made her sit up straighter. She’d been raised to smooth feathers, not ruffle them. Her mother had taught her how a smile and pleasant word could diffuse most situations. The lessons had contributed to her business success but hadn’t done her personal life any favors. Another whip of red-hot fury flayed her heart.
“She’s my ride back over the river.” Her voice sounded even and strong, her anger a mast to cling to amid the wreckage.

“I can be your ride.”

“But you have work to do.”

The look he cast her was full of disbelief. “You’re not going through with the restoration, are you?”

The Camaro, the red harbinger of her ruin, had already slipped her mind. She didn’t even like the stupid car. Her daddy and Tarwater senior had hatched this surprise over a round of golf with Ford Abbott after she’d confessed she couldn’t think of anything to give Andrew as an engagement present. Only when her daddy had anted up half the money had she agreed. Their “go big or go home” mentality had seemed a ridiculous waste to her.
Dear Lord, her family. What would her daddy say? As a long-standing judge, he was sort of a colleague of Andrew’s. She closed her eyes and rocked forward and back on the edge of the couch.

“What if I’m overreacting?” If only this was a bad dream. Yet, did she really want that? An undercurrent that felt vaguely like relief trickled through the anger and humiliation and doubts.

“About which part, your fiancé cheating or who he was cheating with?” Wyatt stuck a hand into his pocket, came out with the thong and tossed it on her lap.

She leapt up and brushed it off as if she were Miss Muffet and it was a venomous, hairy, black spider. She kicked at it with the toe of her shoe. The red heart mocked her from the black lace. Yet the little girl who’d shared her pimento cheese sandwich with Bree every day during kindergarten wanted to be wrong.

She sank back down to the edge of the couch, feeling like she was shoring up the situation with Scotch tape. “There could be a reasonable explanation. Like she and Andrew went to lunch and for some reason she had them in her purse and they fell out. Maybe I’ve jumped to the wrong conclusion.”

“Maybe.” He shrugged. She appreciated the fact he wasn’t calling her on her BS excuses even though his face was the definition of skeptical.

“You sure you don’t mind giving me a ride?” she asked.

“I’ll get rid of your friend and take you home. That should buy you some time to figure things out. Confront her on your terms.”

Her initial impressions of Wyatt Abbott were from the viewpoint of a preteen girl. Back then, she’d been self-conscious of her skinny arms and legs and flyaway hair, and whenever she’d come to the garage with her daddy, Wyatt had made it his mission to tease her mercilessly.
What was he now? On the surface, she’d label him a good old boy. Fun, flirty, simple. Except, his gray eyes were anything but. Not flat like shale, but ready to spark a fire like a flint. Raw emotions provided a sharp awareness. Her memories of him urged her to be cautious with her trust, yet his jaw was set and his shoulders were rolled forward as if ready and willing to go into battle.

“Why?” she finally whispered.

“Why what?”

“Why are you being so nice to me? You hated me as a kid.”

“Hated you?” He stuffed his hands into his pockets and tipped his head enough to shutter his intensity of his eyes. “I never hated you, in fact . . .” He shook his head.

“In fact what?”

“Not important. Simply put, unlike your fiancé and your friend, I’m not an asshole. If you don’t need me—”

“No, I do need you.” She stood but misjudged how close he was. They weren’t touching, but she could feel his heat and appreciate his strength. “I just . . .”

Wyatt Abbott was handsome, but even more potent than his looks was an intangible confidence and ease with himself. The man probably talked a different woman out of her panties every weekend. Would he cash in on her humiliation for a good story to tell brothers and drinking buddies? Did it even matter? Whether it was him or someone else, rumors would rush through the town like their river after a storm

Insecurities pinged between her head and heart, the message clear. Protect yourself. But surely, she could at least trust him to get her home. “I would really appreciate a lift home.”

He chaffed her arms like a coach might comfort a little kid after a loss. “It’ll be okay. You wait here while I handle your friend, okay?”

She nodded, and he strode back toward the garage. Highlighted in a shaft of sunlight, he hesitated at the metal door they’d ducked through and glanced behind him. A zing of warning—or premonition?—skittered down her spine.
Her life had been spun into chaos, yet in that moment, she felt connected to Wyatt in a way that terrified her. Then he disappeared, and she waited to discover out if her trust had once again been misplaced.


 

About the Author pink

 

Laura Trentahm II

SaveAn award-winning author, Laura Trentham was born and raised in a small town in Tennessee. Although, she loved English and reading in high school, she was convinced an English degree equated to starvation. She chose the next most logical major—Chemical Engineering—and worked in a hard hat and steel toed boots for several years.

She writes sexy, small town contemporaries and smoking hot Regency historicals. The first two books of her Falcon Football series were named Top Picks by RT Book Reviews magazine. Then He Kissed Me, a Cottonbloom novel, was named as one of Amazon’s best romances of 2016. When not lost in a cozy Southern town or Regency England, she’s shuttling kids to soccer, helping with homework, and avoiding the Mt. Everest-sized pile of laundry that is almost as big as the to-be-read pile of books on her nightstand.

Social Links:
Facebook / Author Blog / Twitter@LauraTrentham / Author Website / Goodreads

There are two giveaways below:

 

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Laura’s publisher is graciously offering a paper copy of LEAVE THE NIGHT ON to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe:

1. If you have not previously registered at The Reading Cafe, please register by using the log-in at the top of the page (side bar) or by using one of the social log-ins.

NOTE: If you are having difficulty commenting after logging onto the site, please refresh the page (at the top of your computer).

2. If you are using a social log-in, please post your email address with your comment.

3. Follow Laura Trentham on Facebook.

4. LIKE us on FACEBOOK and then click GET NOTIFICATION under ‘liked’ for an additional entry.

5. LIKE us on Twitter for an additional entry.

6. Please FOLLOW us on GOODREADS for an additional entry.

7. Please follow The Reading Cafe on Tumblr

8. Giveaway is open to USA only

9. Giveaway runs from August 5 to August 8, 2017

 

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NOTE: The Reading Cafe is NOT responsible for the rafflecopter giveaway. If you have any questions, please contact the tour provider (publisher).

Laura Trentham is doing for a beach bag prize pack with Cottonbloom books!

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Direct Link: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/746772681/?

 

 

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Candy Cane Christmas by Laura Trentham – a Review

Candy Cane Christmas by Laura Trentham – a Review

 

Candy Cane ChristmasAmazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / BAM

Description:
A very Cottonbloom Christmas!

Jeremy Whitehurst has tried to leave his bad-boy behavior and tarnished image behind in Alabama for a fresh start in Cottonbloom, Louisiana. Unfortunately, trouble has dogged him across state lines. Stepping up and protecting a young woman from her abusive boyfriend earned him a beat-down and got him fired. Although the thanks in the girl’s dark eyes made it all worth it, he recognizes she’s just a different kind of trouble. A trouble he’s not sure he can stay away from.

One rebellious summer dented Kayla Redmond’s carefree innocence. Now her focus is on completing her associate’s degree for bookkeeping, and no one is going to derail her plans. Unfortunately, her job at Fournette Brothers Designs puts her in the path of the one man who has seen her at her worst, yet his blue eyes don’t judge her. He sees beyond the brokenness inside of her and rouses her wild side once more. But, that’s what got her in trouble in the first place.

Christmas is coming and Kayla’s ready to forgive herself and take a chance. But the holiday has only ever brought heartache to Jeremy. No Christmas miracle kept his mother clean or out of jail. Will one reckless night and some time spent in the back of a cop car be the best present Jeremy’s ever been given?

 

 

Review:

Candy Cane Christmas by Laura Trentham is a novella that is part of her Cottonbloom series.   It was nice to be able to revisit Cottonbloom, as I really loved the first three books.  Candy Cane Christmas was a sweet romance that had a fun Christmas theme.

Kayla Redmon, our heroine,  was rescued from an abusive boyfriend in the first book by Morgan, our then heroine.  Kayla has pulled herself up from those dark days, and with Morgan’s help, gets a job working at Fournette Brothers Designs. 

Jeremy Whitehurst also had a rough childhood, and moved to Cottonbloom for a fresh start.  Jeremy , who works for Fournette Designs, still feels that trouble follows him.  He remembers Kaya, whom he helped with the rescue and now with her working at the same place, feels the attraction to her.  Both of them are somewhat unsure of their future, and each does not want to become involved.  However, their new friendship will eventually over time escalate into a romance that will heal them, and give them a life together. 

Kayla loves Christmas, and Jeremy does not believe in it.  It was nice how Laura Trentham brought them together in this sweet fun romance, and tied it into a Christmas celebration for the Fournettes, Cottonbloom and our wonderful couple. Candy Cane Christmas was a sweet, heartwarming story.  I hope we still get the visit Cottonbloom again.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

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Till I Kissed You by Laura Trentham – a Review

Till I Kissed You by Laura Trentham – a Review

 

Till I Kissed YouAmazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / BAM

Description:
It’s summertime in Cottonbloom, where two lovers find themselves at a crossroads just as things start to heat up. . .

Regan Lovell grew up on the wealthy Mississippi side of Cottonbloom—and now, as mayor, she’s determined to save it from the fate of so many small towns. Part of her plan to help the local economy is the Labor Day tomato festival. If only she wasn’t being undermined by Sawyer Fournette, who’s planning a crayfish-themed celebration on the Louisiana side of the river on the very same weekend. The pranks and sabotage are getting out of hand, and she’s had it with him—no matter how much she enjoyed those stolen hours in his truck bed, so many years ago…

Sawyer knows that Regan’s never forgiven him for breaking her heart—but despite his reputation as a low-class swamp rat, he’d never hurt the woman who still secretly drives him crazy with desire. Someone in Cottonbloom has it out for her, though, and Sawyer intends to watch her back…and the rest of her too, if she can ever let go of her distrust. But will a common enemy be enough to unite them—and finally fulfill the promises they made one passionate night under the stars?

 

Review:

Till I Kissed You by Laura Trentham is the 3rd book in her wonderful sweet romance series, Cottonbloom.   This has been a fun series from the beginning, and we have been waiting impatiently for Regan and Sawyer’s story. In Till I Kissed You we get our wish.  Every book thus far has been fun, but this one is the best one so far.  I suspect this is a trilogy and it ends with this book….. 🙁   This book can be read as a standalone, but there is too much background information about all the main characters that I strongly suggest you read the first two books before you read this one.  And you should read this series. 

A quick refresher:  Cottonbloom has two sides; the poorer Louisiana side and the wealthier Mississippi side. Sawyer lives on the Louisiana side and Regan lives on the Mississippi side.  Regan is the mayor of Mississippi’s Cottonbloom.  Sawyer is now working with his brother, Cade (1st book hero) in a new business.

We have known Sawyer Fournette and Regan Lovell from the start, and have been privileged to be part of watching the animosity and constant fighting between them.  When they were kids, they were in love, only to have family dynamics (they come from different sides), and misinformation break them up.  Each blamed the other, which led to their current hate relationship.

In the last book, Sawyer discovers that someone has been threatening Regan about the upcoming festival that they are competing on.  His true feelings for her may be hidden, but he makes it his business to watch over her.  At first Regan is suspicious why she is seeing Sawyer so much, but soon they begin to work together to try and find the culprit.  Slowly, the old love they had for each other rises again and their hate/mistrust relationship begins to change.  It was fun to watch them rediscover their feelings for each other; a love that was always still there.  It wasn’t easy, as there was always something or someone coming in between.

I loved Sawyer better in this book, as he was so sweet, sexy and caring for Regan.   She was the star of this story, as she was such a great heroine; strong, fun, smart, fearless and totally in love with Sawyer.  What follows is a sweet romance between an awesome couple, wonderful family and friends, and bit of mystery.  Till I Kissed You is a wonderful & fun second chance romance that was well written by Laura Trentham.


Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publsher

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Then He Kissed Me by Laura Trentham – a Review

Then He Kissed Me by Laura Trentham – a Review

 

Then He Kissed MeAmazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / BAM / The Book Depository

Description:
Can two hearts come together in one divided town?

As a boy, Nash Hawthorne spent countless afternoons on the Louisiana side of Cottonbloom with Tally Fournette, wading in the river, peeling oranges and catching frogs. When illness stole his mother, Nash yearned to take Tally and run away—for good. Instead, he crossed the state line to live with his aunt. It was a short distance as the crow flies, but it swept him into a whole new world…

After Nash left, Tally managed to struggle through her own losses without him. But now that she’s crossed paths with him again—at Cottonbloom College, where the grown-up, gorgeous Nash teaches history—she is reminded of their cherished youthful connection…and an attraction that has only gotten stronger with age. Between Tally’s possessive ex and Nash’s snobbish aunt, no one thinks they belong together. In a town torn apart by old resentments and rivalries, can they find their way back to the life they once shared—and turn their long-lost dreams into a real and lasting love?

 

 

Review:

Then He Kissed Me by Laura Trentham is the 2nd novel in her Cottonbloom series.  We met Tally Fournette, our heroine, in the first book, as she is Cade’s  (1st book hero) sister.  We also met our hero, Nash Hawthorne, who had recently returned to Cottonbloom.  The story starts off when both Nash and Tally were young children and best friends, both being on the poorer Louisiana side of town. Nash was considered a skinny nerd, not having any friends, other than Tally.  Nash’s mother was dying, and he would escape to meet Tally most evenings.  But everything was about to change.  Nash’s mother died, and his snobbish aunt took him to live with her on the rich Mississippi side of Cottonbloom.  Tally and her brothers were heartbroken when their parents were killed in an accident, forcing them to live with their uncle Delbert in poorer conditions.  Tally & Nash’s  friendship went by the wayside, each having to live in different situations.

Now all grown up, Nash has never forgotten his best friend, Tally.  He is no longer a skinny nerd, but a handsome hot professor, who plans to work locally at the Cottonbloom College.   Tally owns her own gym, which has been doing well, and will expand to have special classes for seniors.  What follows is a slow build romance between two people who have never forgotten their close friendship.  Nash wants more than friendship, but Tally is afraid of getting hurt again.  She spent her teenage years as being wild and carefree, which was opposite of Nash, who traveled  to Scotland and became a professor.  Tally feels that she is not worthy of Nash, even if her attraction to him grows.

I loved Nash, and how much he was willing to take it slow with Tally, and we knew how much he loved her.  Tally, whom I really liked in the first book, annoyed me a little bit.  Her refusal to see take a chance at love, even with knwing she was in love with him, and her constantly running away made me want to slap some reasoning into her.  However, besides that, she was a good heroine, and totally loyal to her family and friends.  Will Nash be able to convince Tally that he will always be there for her?

Laura Trentham has created another wonderful sweet romance in a small town.  There were a few surprises from the past for both families that added to the element of the story.  I look forward to the next book, which I hope is Regan and Sawyer’s story.  If you enjoy small town romance, great characters, good story line, than you should be reading this series.

Reviewed by Barb

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Kiss Me That Way by Laura Trentham – a Review

Kiss Me That Way by Laura Trentham – a Review

 

Kiss Me That WayAmazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / BAM / The Book Depository

Description:
A river divides Cottonbloom in two: the upscale enclave on the Mississippi side and the rundown, rough and tumble side in Louisiana. They’re worlds apart—but nothing can build a bridge like love…

Cade Fournette never had it easy Cottonbloom. He stuck around long enough to raise his orphaned siblings and then hightailed it out West—and never looked back. Even though he’s made a success of himself in Seattle, Cade never lost the toughness and the angry edge that helped him survive down South. His only weak spot: the girl he left behind…

Monroe Kirby came from the wealthy side of town, but that didn’t protect her from her mother’s drinking—or her mother’s boyfriend. It was Cade who did that, on a long-ago hot September night, before he disappeared…along with a piece of her heart. Now Monroe is a physical therapist who can fight for herself, and it’s Cade who could use some conditioning when he makes an unexpected return back home. Will he and Monroe pick up where they left off and finally explore their mutual passion—or will the scars and secrets of the past divide them once more?

 

 

Review:

Kiss Me That Way by Laura Trentham is the first book in her new Cottonbloom series.  This is also the first book I have read by Trentham, and after reading this, it will not be my last.

Monroe Kirby is our heroine and you will love her from the start.  We get a glimpse at the beginning of the past of Monroe when she was 13 years old, as her mother’s drunken boyfriend tries to rape her.  She managed to escape into the woods, and ran into Cade Fournette, an older & tough young boy from the other side of the tracks.  Cade protected her, and managed to watch over her from a distance for many years, until he left Cottonbloom. 

Now in the present time,  Cade has returned home to recover from a serious injury.  Monroe is now a physical  therapist, and is surprised to see Cade after all these years.   She never knew why he left town, and can feel her attraction to him still stands after all these years.  Cade looked at Monroe as a kid; someone he wanted to protect, but never had any romantic feelings. But now she is a beautiful young woman all grown up.

What follows is a slow build romance that will find Monroe helping him recover, and Cade slowly beginning to have feelings for her. Cade has a successful business in Seattle and has every intention of returning there when he recovers.  He doesn’t want to act on his newfound feelings for Monroe because he would hurt her.  Cade has had a hard childhood, and doesn’t believe in permanent relationships.  Will Monroe be able to convince Cade to stay, now that they have begun to act on their feelings? 

This was a fun story, with many characters in this small town of Cottonbloom.  I loved Monroe’s best friend Regan;  Cade’s sister Tally.  I also liked Sawyer, who is Cade’s brother, who I suspect will have his own story with Regan in the future.  Monroe and Cade made a wonderful sexy couple, but I did get annoyed at him with his stubborn refusal to accept how much he was falling in love with Monroe.

Laura Trentham not only created a nice fun sweet romance in a small town, with great secondary characters; but she also touched on subjects such as,  physical abuse and self defense for teens, which Monroe teaches in her spare time.  If you are a fan of pure romances, that are also fun,  I suggest you read this book. 

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

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