Tuesday, July 22, 2014

Blog Tour Book Review and Giveaway: Wild Iris Ridge by RaeAnn Thayne


Welcome to my stop on the Wild Iris Ridge Blog Tour hosted by CBB Book Promotions !




Series: Book Seven in the Hope's Crossing Series

Published By: Harlequin (June 24, 2014)

Source: ARC Copy Provided by the Publisher (in exchange for an honest review)

Purchase Links:

Amazon

Book Description:

Lucy Drake and Brendan Caine have only one thing in common… 

And it's likely to tear them apart. Because it was Brendan's late wife, Jessie—and Lucy's best friend—who'd brought them together in the first place. And since Jesse's passing, Brendan's been distracted by his two little ones…and the memory of an explosive kiss with Lucy years before his marriage. Still, he'll steer clear of her. She's always been trouble with a capital T. 

Lucy couldn't wait to shed her small-town roots for the big city. But now that she's back in Hope's Crossing to take care of the Queen Anne home her late aunt has left her, she figures seeing Brendan Caine again is no big deal. After all, she'd managed to resist the handsome fire chief once before, but clearly the embers of their attraction are still smoldering…




About the Author:


I'm not one of those people who knew from birth she was destined to become a writer. I always loved to read and throughout my childhood I could usually be found with a book in my hands. To the disgust of my friends, I even enjoyed creative writing assignments that made them all groan. But I had other dreams besides writing. I wanted to be an actress or a teacher or a lawyer.

Life took a different turn for me, though, when my mother made me take a journalism elective in high school (thanks, Mom!). I knew the first day that this was where I belonged.

After I graduated from college in journalism, I took a job at the local daily newspaper and I reveled in the challenge and the diversity of it. One day I could be interviewing the latest country music star, the next day I was writing about local motorcycle gangs or interviewing an award-winning scientist.

Through it all -- through the natural progression of my career from reporter to editor -- I wrote stories in my head. Not just any stories, either, but romances, the kind of books I have devoured since junior high school, with tales about real people going through the trials and tribulations of life until they find deep and lasting love.

I had no idea how to put these people on paper, but knew I had to try -- their stories were too compelling for me to ignore. I sold my first book in 1995 and now, more than 30 books later, I've come to love everything about writing, from the click of the computer keys under my fingers to the "that's-it!" feeling I get when a story is flowing.

I write full-time now (well, as full-time as I can manage juggling my kids!) amid the raw beauty of the northern Utah mountains.

Even though I might not have dreamed of being a writer when I was younger, now I simply can't imagine my life any other way.








I have been in a bit of a romance slump lately, for whatever reason the genre just hasn't been appealing to me as much as they usually do, with a few exceptions of course. 

Maybe I have been reading way too much YA lately, or maybe just the wrong reads period but, either way, by the time I picked this one up, I was ready for something more. For something to wow me and throw me right out of my slump and back into happy times.

Thank heaven that is exactly what Thayne managed to do.

This is what I am talking about. These are the reads that can pull you out of a slump and make you eager to read again. Flipping pages at an alarming rate because you just can't get enough of the sweet story inside.

There is just something so endearing about a good soft romance between friends turned lovers. The sexual tension, tender moments and witty banter that make your heart race and leave you longing for more.

The whole Caine clan were the type of family everyone wants in their life. The meddling, the wisdom, the fights, the love, the friendship, they truly are the type of family that no one would want to resist, let alone try to.

Brendan was no exception and Lucy, she was his match in every way.

This was such a sweet read and even though this is the first time I have picked up this series and tried this author, I wasn't lost in the least. In fact, all it did was make me want to go and grab all the other books and jump right back in and I just might very well do just that.





*All thoughts and opinions are my own and were not influenced by the author or publisher. I was not compensated for this review.*










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44 comments:

  1. First of all, I really liked the author's bio; it's detailed, honest and very nice. Second, that cover is so beautiful and the colors well-chosen. :) And, finally, your review is lovely. Sorry you had a slump. I had it last week!! But now it's better. Hey, must be summer. ;) Anyway, glad you enjoyed this book. :)

    Lola @ Hit or Miss Books

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    1. I agree about all of the above! Thanks so much Lola!

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  2. I remember that name from my days of trying to get published as a romance author! I love how the book cover matches your blog colors, too.

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    1. It does go quite nicely doesn't it? :P I hadn't noticed until now. :)

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  3. Oh i'm so happy this one managed to get you out of your slump and it seems like you really enjoyed this one! I'm sorry about the slump, i know how you feel! Hopefully it gets better! I love how long and honest the author's bio is! Thanks for sharing and lovely review :)

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  4. I'm glad to hear that this book managed to get you out of your romance slump. It sounds like a heart-warming and sweet romance book that I would also enjoy. I also like a good friends turned to lovers trope and the author seems to have done it well with this one. :)
    Lovely review!

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  5. Reading slumps suck! :( I'm glad that RaeAnn Thayne was able to pull you out of your funk. I'm sold if the story is as cute as the cover. Thanks for the chance!

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  6. I've been in a bit of a slump myself lately Ali! I just haven't been overly motivated to pick anything up, but I think I'm starting to come out of it. I love when a particular book forces me out of it though, and reminds me why I love reading and blogging so much. Glad this was that type of book for you:):) And yay for not being lost despite this being book 7!

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    1. Thanks so much Jenny and I hope your next read is fabulous as well!

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  7. Thanks Kindlemom, I am a romance addict and RayeAnn is one of my faves, thanks for your great review and this special opportunity :)
    xo
    deb

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    1. I am so glad you have already tried her Debbie and love her! That is awesome. ;)

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  8. I'm so glad that this book got you out of romance slump. This one sounds really good even though it's 7th book in series. Great review, Ali :)

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  9. Nice blog tour. Thank you for sharing it.

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  10. I'm so happy to hear this one really helped with your reading slump! I've had one pretty much all summer with only a few books that temporarily pulled me out of it. So glad you loved!
    Thanks for hosting a tour stop!

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    1. It seems like a lot of us have been in one this summer!

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  11. With series like this one, I have a bad habit of picking the book that appeals most to me and a friends to lovers trope definitely has my attention.

    I am glad you enjoyed this book and I hope it'll help you get out of that slump!! :)

    Lovely review, Ali and thanks for sharing!

    Rashika @ The Social Potato

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  12. I love picking up a book in a series that doesn't demand I start at the beginning. :-)

    Anna from Shout with Emaginette

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    1. It is nice to be able to do that every now and then. ;)

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  13. This sounds delightful and I am glad it pushed through your romance slump. I love these types of series that work as standalone.

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  14. Love books that just pull you out of slumps! This does sound like a good one.

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    1. I hope you give it a try, I bet you like it. :D

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  15. Isn't it funny how you burn out on a genre? I think I would like this very much I need something light and sweet these days.

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    1. It really is Heidi and I can't even believe I got burnt out on this genre but I did.

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  16. It must be really good for it to get you off your slump! I love books like that, they're precious!

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  17. OOoo I have one of hers I think! She definitely sounds like one I'd enjoy. I bounce around a LOT with my romance reads so don't get in slumps too often but whew when it hits it hurts. Will keep her in mind :)

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    1. I hope you try her especially if you have one of her books. And I agree slumps of any kind are never good.

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  18. This sounds wonderful and I'm glad it pulled you out of your reading slump. I love sweet romance between friends turned lovers with yummy tension and banter. Thanks for sharing, Ali :)

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    1. I really do too Kim, thanks for stopping by!

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  19. Thank you for the guest post and review! I love to see how authors discovered their love for writing. It's always so much fun to see how a dream begins :)

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  20. I also enjoyed the "About the Author" section of this blog post. My sister was a journalist for many years and then decided to get her PhD to teach at a University of Calif, which she had done for another set of years. When she retires she intends to write for herself and I hope she makes a go of it. It takes a special talent to imagine a story and then have it appear on paper...like RaeAnne has done. I don't imagine it's easy, but at least authors are doing what they love and that makes a difference. Another good one, RaeAnne! Thanks. jdh2690@gmail.com

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    1. That is awesome that your sister did that Janice. Thank you so much for stopping by and commenting! :)

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  21. Well, I love romances like these. Was there mature content? I tend to not request too many adult romances because of that, but there are a few that I'll read anyway because they are so good. I'll have to check this one out.

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  22. THis sounds great. I wish I would have had time to participate in the tour.

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    1. I know there are so many great ones it can be hard to pick and choose.

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