Let It Ride / Rocky Ride by Vivian Arend-reviews
LET IT RIDE
(Thompson and Sons #3/Rocky Mountain House #10)
by Vivian Arend
Genre: adult, contemporary, romance
ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date May 10, 2015
Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO /
He’s her rock in the midst of the storm
When Maggie Ward’s world is torn apart by sudden tragedy, the only thing that makes her days bearable is Clay Thompson’s unwavering presence. He’s protective, caring, and everything she could ask for in a friend. But when she finds herself longing for more than friendship, it will take a little seduction to convince the stubborn mechanic she’s ready to start living again.
She’s his heart, whether he knows it or not
Clay Thompson’s got the taking-care-of-others business down pat, only he’s never faced this particular challenge before—the one woman he’s always wanted is unexpectedly his to care for. Suddenly it’s not just responsibility driving him, but a wild desire to make Maggie truly his. But following his heart might mean sacrificing the family he’s held together for years.
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REVIEW: LET IT RIDE is the fourth installment in Vivian Arend’s adult, contemporary Thompson and Sons erotic romance series focusing on the Thompson family of Alberta Canada. This is mechanic Clay Thompson, and Maggie Ward’s storyline-a friends to lovers story where two people are brought together through grief and loss.
Told from third person point of view LET IT RIDE focuses on the building relationship between Clay and Maggie following the death of Maggie’s husband Cameron. Cameron was one of Clay’s best friends, and Clay has been attracted to Maggie since the first time they met. What ensues is a mutual friendship between two people whose lives were affected by the death of someone they loved. But small town minds and small town gossip find our couple facing an uncertain future when guilt follows them wherever they go. While Maggie focuses on the present, Clay focuses on the gossip and judgmental eyes-including those of his widowed father.
The relationship between Clay and Maggie is one of friends to lovers. With the holidays approaching Clay and his family want to ensure that Maggie is never alone. As the storyline builds, so too does the relationship pushing Maggie and Clay into another realm of their relationship. The $ex scenes are intimate and romantic but felt a little bit tame in comparison to the other storylines as Clay and Maggie’s relationship was handled with care in light of her husband’s death. It is impossible to put a timeline on grief and sorrow. Everyone struggles differently; everyone moves forward at a different rate and in this there are a few townsfolk who try to make life uncomfortable for Clay and Maggie’s new found love.
LET IT RIDE is a fast paced, romantic storyline with an ensemble cast of characters including all of the previous storyline couples and the Thompson family of siblings and mates. The storyline advances the series approximately nine to ten months wherein we are witness to two weddings and a look to the future for another couple. The youngest brother Troy Thompson’s life is in a bit of an uproar-his story will be told in A WILD RIDE-release date late 2015.
Vivian Arend blends loss and sorrow; friendship and love; letting go and moving forward. LET IT RIDE is sweet storyline without all of the angst and anxiety of walking away or second guessing what it is someone wants. Clay and Maggie are two mature adults who walk into their relationship knowing that life will not be easy, but losing someone you love, is much more difficult than falling in love.
Reading Order
1. Rocky Ride
1.5 Baby Be Mine
2. One Sexy Ride
3. Let It Ride
4. A Wild Ride
Copy supplied by Netgalley
Reviewed by Sandy
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ROCKY RIDE
(Thompson and Sons #1/Rocky Mountain House #7)
by Vivian Arend
Genre: adult, contemporary, erotic, romance
ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date June 1, 2014
FREE ebook: Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO /
He’s got a touch that’s hotter than hot
It took a hell of a lot of fast-talking and more than a few speeding tickets before Mitch Thompson convinced Constable Anna Coleman to take him for a ride. Only now that she’s loosened off her stiff RCMP uniform, it’s not nearly enough. Their secret sexual escapades are mind-blowing, but Mitch wants more than her body—he wants her heart.
Her world could go up in flames
It’s a dangerous road to walk, and Anna doesn’t know how far she can safely tread. Bad boy Mitch may have lured her wild side out to play, but giving in to their increasingly passionate desires could endanger her very civilized career. Somewhere between yearning and obsession there has to be a balance point.
Or they’re both going to get burned.
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REVIEW: ROCKY RIDE is the first installment in Vivian Arend’s adult, contemporary Thompson and Sons erotic romance series-a spin off from her Rocky Mountain House Series (Six Pack Ranch). This is RCMP officer Anna Coleman, and tattooed auto mechanic Mitch Thompson’s storyline. The Thompson and Sons series will focus on the Thompson Family.
Told from third person point of view ROCKY RIDE follows the ‘friends with benefits’ building relationship between Mitch and Anna-a story that finds Anna in direct conflict with a couple of her fellow officers. Mitch is the local mechanic; a good boy who looks bad-tattooed, pierced and all alpha male. Anna and Mitch’s relationship had remained secret; behind closed doors but Mitch wanted more. Mitch wanted to take their relationship public but in doing so caught the attention of the RCMP. ROCKY RIDE is a story about preconceived notions; judging someone based on appearances; and a betrayal that Anna will seek revenge in the coldest of ways. Small town life never looked so spiteful.
The relationship between our leading couple is erotic, seductive, provocative and intense. Their sexual energy is palpable; their attraction to one another off the charts; their need for one another finds our couple straddling the line of public displays. Mitch and Anna like to play games both in and out of the bedroom; and Mitch adds a little kink into their sexual fun with a little bit of bondage and discipline. A slight warning: there is one scene of voyeurism that does not quite lead to ménage, but for all intents and purposes, this particular part of the storyline felt disconnected and unnecessary. The application and intent was lost on this reader. Perhaps it was used to provoke a reaction or reader shock value.
The ensemble storyline includes many of the original series-ROCKY MOUNTAIN HOUSE-characters and couples. ROCKY RIDE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous series and storylines is revealed where necessary. Vivian Arend’s series focuses on the majestic Rocky Mountains of Canada-a perfect backdrop for any romance series.
ROCKY RIDE is an enjoyable read with a little bit of kinky sex, romance, friendship and love. There are moments of betrayal and revenge; heartbreak and sorrow. Mitch and Anna will get their happily ever after but the road to happiness is not without some difficult times.
Reviewed by Sandy
