MADE FOR US (The Shaughnessy Brothers 1) by Samantha Chase-Review, Interview and Giveaway

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date August 4,2015

The Shaughnessy brothers—Aidan in particular—have spent the years since their mother’s untimely death taking care of each other and trying to make their father proud. And Aidan has managed pretty well so far. But his father is starting to worry he’s neglected himself. At the age of thirty-four, he is successful and handsome, and he still has no grandchildren!

Aidan’s met plenty of attractive women over the years, but who has the time? It isn’t until he meets Zoe, a designer on one of his jobs, that he starts realizing he wants something more.

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REVIEW: MADE FOR US is the first installment in Samantha Chase’s adult, contemporary THE SHAUGHNESSY BROTHERS romance series focusing on ….The Shaughnessy family. This is home builder/eldest brother Aidan Shaughnessy, and designer Zoe Dalton’s storyline.

Told from third person point of view MADE FOR US follows the building relationship between Shaughnessy Construction owner Aidan Shaughnessy and decorator Zoe Dalton. When the previous designer all but destroyed Aidan’s ideas and plans for his new series of homes, Zoe is tasked with correcting the problems and appeasing an irate Aidan in the process. What ensues is a relationship that finds Aidan at a loss as to what to do next. Sixteen years earlier, the Shaughnessy family lost their mother to a drunk driving accident and in the ensuing years Aidan has become a second father to his family of five younger siblings. Aidan is a man who doesn’t like change, and with Zoe’s presence in his life, change is happening at an all too rapid pace.

MADE FOR US focuses on Aidan’s need for control-almost OCD in dynamics-Aidan doesn’t like change or mistakes. When a hurricane catches Aidan and Zoe alone in a small one bedroom apartment, sparks fly, but Aidan’s ensuing guilt finds our storyline hero running away from a future that he refuses to accept or comprehend. In the process, Aidan will lose Zoe but not before further destroying any hope of reconciliation with the woman he loves. For all of his duties and responsibilities Aidan has a difficult time letting go and it is his anxiety that affects his relationships with family and friends.

We are introduced to all of the Shaughnessy siblings: youngest and only daughter Darcy; brothers Hugh, Quinn, Riley and Owen. Patriarch Ian Shaughnessy realizes he didn’t do his family any favors allowing Aidan to become a substitute father and in the end pushes his eldest son to live his own life and forget about the rest. The local sheriff has the potential for a romantic storyline as well.

The world building centers around the Shaughnessy family dynamics; their love, their support and their co-dependent relationship with eldest brother Aidan. Ian Shaughnessy is a widower who has struggled to raise six children as a single parent but in doing so ultimately became dependent upon Aidan for his help. There is the potential for a new love interest for Ian-let’s hope something comes to fruition.

MADE FOR US introduces the Shaughnessy family with the focus on Aidan and Zoe, as well as some tumultuous interaction between Darcy and her over-protective older brother. The premise is realistic and heartwarming; the characters are colorful, energetic and expressive; the road to a happily ever after finds our hero lost and in need of direction. There is plenty of angst, drama and disquiet right from the start.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

TRC: Hi Samantha and welcome to The Reading Cafe.

We would like to start with some background information. Please tell us something about yourself?

Samantha: Thank you so much for having me here today. I am an avid reader of contemporary romance – that’s one of the reasons I decided to write it. You can pretty much guarantee that you’re going to find me working on two or three books at a time while reading at least one. It’s a good thing my family is understanding!

TRC: MADE FOR US is the first release in your new Shaughnessy Brothers series. Would you please tell us something about the premise?

Samantha: What I love about this new series is how much family means to each of them. When Lillian Shaughnessy was killed, she left behind a husband and six children whose ages ranged from eighteen to ten months. And rather than this tragedy tearing them apart, it made them closer as they clung together to get through their grief. At the point that you’re going to be meeting them, seventeen years has gone by and we see how the loss of their mother still affects who they currently are.

MADE FOR US introduces us to eldest son Aidan. He pretty much took on the task of taking care of his siblings and is the one they all turn to. He’s got a construction business that pretty much takes up most of his time but he’s stayed close to home. When he meets Zoe Dalton – she’s the new designer on his job site – he begins to realize how much he hasn’t been living his life for himself. While Zoe – who is new to the area – is starting her life over after losing her mom to breast cancer.

So really, they’re two people who are at a crossroad in their lives and happen to find each other.

TRC: How many books do you have planned for the series?

Samantha: There will be six books – one for each sibling.

TRC: What challenges or difficulties (research, logistics,) did you encounter writing this particular story?

Samantha: I think this story was probably the most REAL story – emotion-wise – that I’ve ever written. I am lucky in that I still have both of my parents, so I really had to explore how it would feel if that weren’t the case. Sometimes in a story, it’s mentioned that one or both parents are gone, but you don’t really look into how that loss can still affect you years later. I cried a lot while I was writing – and then remembered to call my parents and tell them I loved them!

TRC: How do you keep the plot unpredictable without sacrificing content and believability?

Samantha: That is never easy to do. It’s hard to come up with something new and different for exactly what you’re asking – and keeping it believable. Sometimes, no matter how hard you try, you do end up with a predictable plot. The only way to mix it up is – to me – by keeping the dialogue fresh. I love some good dialogue!

For this story, Aidan and Zoe get stranded together during a hurricane. Yes, stuck in a storm together has been done a million times. However, it’s what happens between the two of them during that time – the things that they say and do that aren’t all about the bedroom – is what keeps things fresh. That, coupled with thinking about your actual life and keeping yourself grounded to that and not being outlandish helps.

TRC: Do you believe the cover image plays a deciding factor for many readers in the process of selecting a book or new series to read?

Samantha: Absolutely! I know that for myself as a reader, the cover plays a huge part in my decision to purchase a book or not, but it’s not the only factor. I know there are certain authors whose books I’ll read without looking at the cover at all – I just love their work and the cover isn’t an issue. If the premise and plot sound interesting, I’ll give it a try. Hopefully other readers feel that way too.

TRC: When writing a storyline, do the characters direct the writing or do you direct the characters?

Samantha: People think I’m crazy when I say it, but it is primarily the characters directing me. I can plot out a book and then find it going in a completely different direction as I’m writing it because my characters are taking me in a direction I never even thought about. I love when that happens!

TRC: Would you like to add anything else?

Samantha: Thank you so much for having me to The Reading Café today! This was great!

TRC: Thank you Samantha for taking the time to answer our questions. Congratulations on the new release and new series.

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