Home Matters
(The Ripple Effect Romance Novella Series #1)
by Julie N. Ford
by Julie N. Ford
Adult Romance Novella
March 10th 2014
March 10th 2014
Summary
According to her mother, Olivia Pembroke was born to be a star. But how is she supposed to be famous when she can't even get a decent acting gig? Her lucky break comes when she lands an audition for a wildly popular home improvement show. Even though she has no design training and has never even held a power tool, she refuses to let that stop her. She's confident that her destiny is finally within reach.
When her affections are torn between her heartthrob co-host and the irritating, yet somehow endearing lead contractor, does she continue to reach for the stars? Or does she design a new happily ever after? One that leads not to the fading lights of fame and fortune, but to a love that will burn forever.
My Review
Let me just preface this a little. I have been so excited about this series! I even contributed to it being published because I really support what these authors are trying to do, to write clean Adult Romance. Thank you, ladies!!
I really love the plots and more mature (as in thinking about marriage and dealing with some other problems than teens do, and not having teen drama and angst) characters in Adult Romance, but I don't read a lot of them or even recommend them when I do because of the mature content. I would love to take those books and take out all the stuff I don't like. I've read a few Susan Elizabeth Phillips' books and she has some great characters, plots, super fun dialogue, humor, and great-looking guys ;), but I have to skim all the content and then try to ignore the language, so I don't pick up those books too often.
There are six books in this new series (The Ripple Effect Romance Novella Series). I will be reviewing each one every two weeks. Home Matters is the first book that is up for review.
So I was so excited and maybe I had super high expectations, but Home Matters fell just a little flat for me. It was still enjoyable, but I wanted it to be better. I think it had to do with the fact that I couldn't really connect with Olivia. I thought she was pretty naive and a little selfish. She really wanted to be on this show and it was a little consuming and then she wasn't exactly nice. It just wasn't a combination that worked for me. The other thing was that she is pulled in by this guy who I could totally see through.
What did I like? I loved the design parts and seeing the house come together. I loved Olivia's interactions with Pete. In fact, one of my favorite scenes is from the beginning of the book when he catches her in the bathroom and then what follows (which proceeds the excerpt below). I liked that Pete was willing to put his neck out for Olivia. I also liked that Olivia eventually develops a healthy backbone and isn't afraid to go for what she wants. Of course, I loved the sweet romance.
Overall, I would still recommend it, especially to readers who want a quick and sweet Adult Romance. I'll be reviewing Silver Linings next...
Content: Clean (There is some innuendo and a couple caught in a suggestive/compromising way, but I would still consider this clean, especially for Adult Romance.)
Source: From tour host, which did not affect my review in any way.
I really love the plots and more mature (as in thinking about marriage and dealing with some other problems than teens do, and not having teen drama and angst) characters in Adult Romance, but I don't read a lot of them or even recommend them when I do because of the mature content. I would love to take those books and take out all the stuff I don't like. I've read a few Susan Elizabeth Phillips' books and she has some great characters, plots, super fun dialogue, humor, and great-looking guys ;), but I have to skim all the content and then try to ignore the language, so I don't pick up those books too often.
There are six books in this new series (The Ripple Effect Romance Novella Series). I will be reviewing each one every two weeks. Home Matters is the first book that is up for review.
So I was so excited and maybe I had super high expectations, but Home Matters fell just a little flat for me. It was still enjoyable, but I wanted it to be better. I think it had to do with the fact that I couldn't really connect with Olivia. I thought she was pretty naive and a little selfish. She really wanted to be on this show and it was a little consuming and then she wasn't exactly nice. It just wasn't a combination that worked for me. The other thing was that she is pulled in by this guy who I could totally see through.
What did I like? I loved the design parts and seeing the house come together. I loved Olivia's interactions with Pete. In fact, one of my favorite scenes is from the beginning of the book when he catches her in the bathroom and then what follows (which proceeds the excerpt below). I liked that Pete was willing to put his neck out for Olivia. I also liked that Olivia eventually develops a healthy backbone and isn't afraid to go for what she wants. Of course, I loved the sweet romance.
Overall, I would still recommend it, especially to readers who want a quick and sweet Adult Romance. I'll be reviewing Silver Linings next...
Content: Clean (There is some innuendo and a couple caught in a suggestive/compromising way, but I would still consider this clean, especially for Adult Romance.)
Source: From tour host, which did not affect my review in any way.
Excerpt
Olivia responded with a dour look. “You a fan of turn- of-the-century romance films?”
Pete shrugged off her comment. “I have three older sisters,” he said, his eyes studying her from head to foot. “Except, the more I’m getting to know you, with that fiery disposition and those Bambi eyes, you’re reminding me more of a feisty little Disney fairy than a demure lady of class.” He lifted his thick eyebrows, curious. “Is that your real name, or some sort of made-up stage name?”
Just because a girl had a heart-shaped face, turned-up nose, and bow mouth, didn’t make it okay for people to tease her about resembling any sort of cute little pixy. She hated when people made the connection. He was really starting to annoy her, which was obviously what he intended, so she refused to allow him the satisfaction of knowing just how much.
“Not that it’s any of your business, but both.” She idly examined her manicure. “My momma named me Olivia because she thought Olivia Pembroke would look good all lit up on a marquee. She knew I was going to be a big star when I grew up.”
He huffed out a laugh. “You, and about a few thousand other pretty faces in this town.”
Olivia shot him a withering look. “What’s your point?”
Pete shrugged. “Why waste your life chasing what will likely amount to no more than two minutes of fame when there are nobler causes out there worth pursuing?” He almost sounded genuine. “After all, love and fame can’t live in the same place.”
Olivia’s hands curled into tight, angry balls. Who did this man think he was to lecture her on the nobility of her ambitions? The most infuriating man she’d ever met, that’s who. “Says the man who was obviously born to clean toilets.” Taking a step closer, she faced him straight on and planted her fists on her hips. “And just a tip, Socrates. The next time you go all philosophical on a girl, and you expect her to take you seriously, try not using movie quotes to prove your point.” She slid him a superior glance. “Like I wouldn’t recognize a line from Country Strong.”
Pete moved closer as well. Their noses were barely inches from touching. She could actually feel his breath on her face, and for some unconscionable reason, she found the sensation oddly tantalizing. Then he opened his mouth to say something else. But before he could get a word out, a voice from the near distance interrupted.
“And, that’s a wrap!”
Olivia jerked toward the casting director. “What?” she questioned, though she knew fully well what “that’s-a-wrap” meant. “I’m sorry, but unless I’m mistaken, we haven’t begun shooting yet.”
The director rolled his hand through the air. “Yes well, we’ve seen all we need to,” he said, his attention already diverted to the phone his assistant was handing him. “Thank you for coming down today, Olivia. We’ll be in touch.”
Book Trailer
About the Author
Julie N. Ford is a forty-something, dangerously close to becoming a fifty-something, graduate from San Diego State University with a BA in Political Science. In addition, she has a Masters in Social Work from the University of Alabama, which has only made her better able to recognize the unhealthy, codependent relationship she has with writing. Professionally, she has worked in teaching and as a marriage and family counselor. She is the author of four women’s fiction novels, including Count Down to Love, a 2011 Whitney Award finalist. When she’s not writing, she entertains delusions of being a master gardener, that is, when she’s not killing the unsuspecting plants in her yard with her good intentions. She lives outside of Nashville, Tennessee, with her husband, two daughters, a Betta named Bob, and a Scottish fold kitten, Ardweal.
The Ripple Effect Romance Novella Series
Enjoy this exciting new series of clean novellas by six critically-acclaimed authors.
"Like a pebble tossed into calm water, a simple act can ripple outward and have a far-reaching effect on those we meet, perhaps setting a life on a different course—one filled with excitement, adventure, and sometimes even love."
Book 1: Home Matters by Julie N. Ford
Book 2: Silver Linings by Kaylee Baldwin
Book 3: Righting A Wrong by Rachael Anderson
Book 4: Lost and Found by Karey White
Book 5: Second Chances 101 by Donna K. Weaver
Book 6: Immersed by Jennifer Griffith
Tour-Wide Giveaway
$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash
Ends 3/31/14
Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Inspired Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
No comments
Post a Comment
I love comments! I try to read and reply to them all. Feel free to agree or disagree and generally share your thoughts with me.