A Sure Thing (The Donnigans #1) by Marie Harte-Review, Excerpt & Giveaway
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ABOUT THE BOOK: RELEASE DATE November 1, 2016
Meet the Donnigans
With the eldest Donnigan brothers adjusting to civilian life, their younger sister constantly in trouble, and their little brother clueless about life in general, falling in love is the last thing on anyone’s mind…
Can this Bossy Badass Marine…
The Marine Corps was everything Landon Donnigan ever wanted in life…until a bullet sent him home with a medical discharge. Teaching a self-defense class at the gym is old-hat for a marine, but when he meets sexy Ava Rosenthal, his combat skills are useless for protecting his heart.
Be her Mr. Right?
Ava can take care of herself and likes quiet, bookish men-not muscular warriors who think women need to be coddled. But Landon is more than he seems, and when they come together, the results are explosive.
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REVIEW: A SURE THING is the first installment in Marie Harte’s contemporary, adult THE DONNIGANS erotic, romance series focusing the Donnigan family of Seattle. This is former Marine, and business manager Landon Donnigan, and psychologist Ava Rosenthal’s story line. THE DONNIGANS is a spin off from Marie Harte’s THE MCCAULEY BROTHERS and BODY SHOP BAD BOYS series. You do not have to have read the previous series to follow the spin off-The Donnigan and The McCauley siblings are cousins. There is a slight cross over with some of the characters.
Told from dual third person perspectives (Landon and Ava) A SURE THING follows the building relationship between businessman Landon Donnigan, and clincal psychologist Ava Rosenthal. Ava and Landon both like to work out, and first meet at a local gym where they are both members but the meeting is anything but positive as Landon tries to give, a less than receptive but independent Ava, some pointers. What ensues is Landon’s pursuit of the feisty and somewhat uptight Ava-a woman who has a five year plan and a check list of requirements about men that she dates-a list where Landon doesn’t check any of our heroine’s boxes.
Landon is a reluctant civilian-a gunshot wound ended his career in the Marines, and he is struggling to get his life on track. Our hero has a take-charge attitude, and he is trying to take charge of a woman who refuses to lose her independence. Ava is a psychologist who tends to ‘analyze’ things and the people around her, and Landon is a man who refuses to be analyzed. Ava likes order in her life, has had a number of failed online dating fiascos, and Landon pushes our heroine out of her comfort zone to try something new. The $ex scenes are erotic and provocative. Landon likes to talk dirty in the bedroom.
We are introduced to Landon’s siblings: Gavin Donnigan-a fellow, former US Marine who suffers with some PTSD; youngest brother, twenty year old Theo who has yet to find his path in life; and sister Hope whose dating history is tempestuous at best. The Donnigan siblings like to prank one another, and the results are giggle worthy throughout. The Donnigan parental units Van and Linda butt proverbial heads with Theo and Hope as the younger siblings struggle with their current paths in life. Ava’s over the top cousins Elliott, and Sadie add some comic relief and insight into Ava’s background and history. There is plenty of back and forth banter between all of the story line characters. Some of the McCauley siblings have cameo roles throughout the story.
A SURE THING is a sweet story line; a sexy but predictable romance with moments of humor and fun. The premise is engaging; the characters are dynamic and spirited; the romance is a slow build to a happily ever after.
Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley
Reviewed by Sandy
“I hate to leave, but work tomorrow, you know.” Charles shrugged.
“I know what you mean.” She smiled. “I had a wonderful time, Charles.”
He brightened. “Me too. Would you consider dinner some evening when you’re free?” He handed her a business card. “You have my email, but here’s my number.” He gave a sheepish grin. “I confess I wrote my cell on the back earlier, hoping you’d be as lovely in person as you are online. You totally are.”
“How sweet.” She was touched.
Blond guy sounded like he was choking on something. If only.
“Dinner sounds great.” She pumped enthusiasm into her tone, because she meant it. Charles had fit all her criteria. No reason for her to feel let down by her night with him. She inwardly gave blond giant a scowl while still smiling at Charles. No, no reason at all.
“Can I kiss you good night?” Charles asked. A gentleman to his bones.
“Please.” She met his kiss on her cheek and blushed. “I look forward to our dinner.”
“Me too.” He looked flushed and brushed back a strand of hair that slipped over his forehead. “Can I walk you to your car?”
“I’m parked right next to yours.” Which sat directly out front thanks to the timely departure of two couples earlier. “But I need to use the facilities before I leave. Go on without me. I’ll call you later in the week.”
He nodded. “Sounds great. Have a good day tomorrow, Ava.”
“You too.” She watched him leave, ignored blond guy staring at her with what seemed to be a smirk, then searched for the ladies’ room. Once finished, she had every intention of leaving and not looking back.
But she paused next to blond guy and, noting the still-open seat, she sat.
“You.” She glared at him.
“Ava, huh? Pretty name.” He turned in his seat and grinned down at her while guzzling a beer.
“And you are?”
“Landon.” His grin nearly did her in, because his whole face lit up with joy, making it seem as if he’d brought the sun into the darkened restaurant. “But I’m sure there are a few other names you’d like to call me.”
“What is your problem?”
“Me? I’m good.” Before she could lay into him, he added, “But you’re not.”
She blinked. “What’s my problem, besides you?”
“You and boring guy.”
She frowned. “That’s not a nice thing to say.”
“Yeah, I’m not known for nice. But I’m honest. Honey, Charles is not the guy for you.”
“Excuse me, but Charles was a perfect gentleman.”
A jazz band started playing in the corner, making it harder to hear, so he leaned closer. Unfortunately, she got a good whiff of his cologne, and it went straight to her head. Just her luck Landon smelled like a dream.
She cleared her throat. “And my name is not ‘honey.’ It’s Ava.” She would have added Dr. Ava Rosenthal in a haughty tone, except Landon’s breath brushed her ear, and her entire body locked up. Tight.
“Ava, you need someone who makes you hot. Boring is no good. Not for someone like you.”
She’d swear his lips touched her, and her system seemed to go haywire. Her breasts tightened, she got a funny feeling in the pit of her stomach, and she clenched her thighs together, feeling a lower torso shiver from out of nowhere.
“Like me?” She felt weak and slowly pulled back.
Except that put her at eye level with the man a breath away. He was so close she saw gold flecks in the irises surrounding pinpoints of focus, directed at her. His cheekbones were high, his nose straight, arrogant, his chin square. Manly. His firm lips parted when he inhaled, as if breathing her in.
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Caffeine addict, boy referee, and romance aficionado, USA Today bestselling author Marie Harte has over 100 books published with more constantly on the way. She’s a confessed bibliophile and devotee of action movies. Whether hiking in Central Oregon, biking around town, or hanging at the local tea shop, she’s constantly plotting to give everyone a happily ever after. Visit http://marieharte.com and fall in love.
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