Thursday, August 15, 2013

BLOG TOUR: OFF COURSE by SAWYER BENNETT ~ REVIEW AND GIVEAWAY




I am so excited to be hosting a stop on the Off Course Blog Tour.
The tour is hosted by AToMR; find the complete schedule here. My stop includes a review and the tour giveaway.

Series: Off Series #4
Category/Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Big Dog Books
Publication Date: 8/4/13
Format: eARC
Source: Received from author for review
Rating: 4.5 stars
Renner Caldwell has her life perfectly mapped out. She has the ideal relationship, the perfect job and all is right in her world. When a shameful turn of events happens, she boards the first plane bound for Ireland to lick her wounds and get her head back on straight.

Cillian O’Braidagh is the sexy, front man to the Irish rock band, Over The Edge. His rising fame and sultry voice make him every woman’s fantasy come true. Not to mention his single-minded determination. To put it simply: what Cillian wants, Cillian always gets. And he wants Renner, because there’s just something about the flame-haired beauty he has to possess.

If their relationship was just about sex and rock n’ roll, it would be easy for them to get lost in their desires. Only their relationship is anything but a hook-up. Will lies, deceit and hidden tragedy get in the way, making the path to true love uncertain? Or will the girl whose been knocked Off Course, find her footing with the man who is teaching her it’s okay to lose control?


Once again, Sawyer Bennett has delivered a ridiculously great story. And once again, she's delivered a story that helps solidify her Off Series as a favorite of mine. There is something different about this series, something I can't quite put my finger on, that simply makes me a happy reader. 

A large part of my love is simply Bennett's writing. Her writing has such a natural feel to it, and I never find myself needing to reread for clarification, something I truly appreciate. I also love that while her stories aren't completely breaking new ground, I don't feel as if I've read them before. Her style and her characters make each story feel totally unique to romance. Another big advantage this series has is that the stories are companions to one another. You could pick up and read any of them and not be lost. Plus, I love that past characters tend to pop up from time. Off Course provides a nice dose of Nix (though I could never really get enough), and trust me, his scene is fantastic. And, I know it's a little early to start in, but... Flynn Caldwell. I'm just going to sit here and not-so-patiently await this mysterious man.

Off Course centers around Renner Caldwell, Nix and Linc's cousin. Renner is introduced to the series in Off the Record, and it was clear then that she's in the middle of a difficult time. Fast forward a bit, and we have Renner picking up her life in Ireland. Of course, there's a guy...in this case, Cillian O’Braidagh. Black Irish. Singer. Tattoos and Piercings. Bossy. Fans know by now that Sawyer Bennett is more than a little fabulous at creating book guys. If only Weird Science technology were available to bring these men to life, huh?

Off Course is essentially Cillian and Renner not only finding one another, but about trust, and letting go of whatever may be tying them down. I'm not going to get into a full-blown character analysis about Renner and Cillian here. These two have some issues, internal ones like guilt, and external, like evil wenches who manage to yank their chain incessantly. (I'm looking at you, Maeve.) What I do want to say is, despite having issues, the issues that Cillian and Renner wrestle with are only one part of their multi-faceted personalities. I think what I'm trying to say is, in Off Course, you don't get a repetitive pattern in regards to the character's thoughts and actions. What you do get is two people with opposing lifestyles and personalities who despite all that, want to be together, and find the life they never knew they wanted. 

Off Course has a smart and strong female lead and a well-intentioned, sometimes clueless, but ultimately worthy leading man. Their story had dangerous chemistry, love, heat, pain, and hope. I had really high hopes for Off Course. It was everything I'd hoped it would be.



Favorite Quotes:

  "You are a conceited, egotistical, jackass and the only place my claws will be sunk will be in your balls if you try to touch me again."
  I give her a well-calculated smirk. "Now that thought just turns me on, Renner. You have a gift for words."    ~eARC, 12%
 
 
  As I scoot my chair in, he leans into me to murmur so only I can hear, "You look sinful tonight, Renner. Father O'Grady would have me stapled to the confessional if he knew the direction my thoughts were taking right now."  ~eARC, 16%
 
 
  "What are you really afraid of, Ren?"
  I shouldn't respond. I shouldn't turn back to look at him. I should march right into the kitchen and turn his order in.
  Instead, I turn around and walk up to him. "I'm afraid of getting lost."
  His hands reach out and take mine. He squeezes them gently and I never thought I'd think of the word comfort in relation to Cillian, but that's exactly what I feel.
  "I won't let you get lost."   ~eARC, 42%
The Off Series 

Off Sides (Off Series, #1)Off Limits (Off Series, #2)Off the Record (Off Series, #3)
(Click on cover for GoodReads page)





Purchase Off Course:
GIVEAWAY
 
About the Author
USA Today Best-Selling author, Sawyer Bennett, is a snarky southern woman and reformed trial lawyer who decided to finally start putting on paper all of the stories that were floating in her head. She is married to a mobster (well, a market researcher) and they have two big, furry dogs who hog the bed. Sawyer would like to report she doesn't have many weaknesses but can be bribed with a nominal amount of milk chocolate.
Connect with Sawyer:


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24 comments:

  1. Surprisingly I haven't heard of this series but it seems like you enjoyed it. I'm not a big fan of NA reads but this sounds really good. Glad you love it. Great review :)

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  2. Ooooh! This sounds like a great series to read... you're making me want to put down the two books I'm reading now for it. Lol thanks for the suggestion :)

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  3. I love this series! This last book made me want to visit Ireland too.

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  4. I need to read this series. It sounds so amazing. I have the first one I think.

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  5. I have been seeing nothing but glowing reviews for this book and the series in general. I'm glad you enjoyed this one and great review!

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  6. I looooove Cillian! I loved your quote choices, I almost chose the first two also lol. Great minds. Loved the review and omg FLYNN!

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  7. Looking forward to more in this series~

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  8. Have this series on my TBR for a while now. Am looking forward to read it.

    Kidsue99@yahoo.com

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  9. The author and her books are new to me. I know this would be a good book.
    CABWNANA1@bellsouth.net

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  10. I completely agree w/you on Bennett's writing. I can't get enough of it. I'm reading and before you know it, I'm practically flying thru the pages, it's so good! And I love her boys! Cillian might be a fave of mine though, lol. Great review!

    Vi
    Confessions of a Vi3tBabe
    Deity Island

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  11. I am envisioning The Pogues and their wild mix of Celtic Rock, which I love. I have the hots for any Celtic/Anglo-Saxon men. I think it sounds like a really sexy but heartfelt romance.

    annfesATyahooDOTcom

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  12. Can't wait to read! Thanks for the giveaway!!

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  13. Totally agree! I couldn't get enough of Nix either!!

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  14. Okay, this weekend I am getting this series and finally reading it. EVERYONE seems to love them, and I can tell why...the great characters, storyline and romance! Just my kind of book! And I am glad this is more than just a love story, I like my contemporaries with emotion and I'm happy to see this one delivers on that front by also making it a story of hope. Glad you enjoyed this, Andrea! Awesome review! :D

    ~ Maida
    Literary Love Affair 

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  15. I can't wait to read this,sounds amazing :)
    Thanks for the giveaway and good luck to everyone :)

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  16. Great Review, and great quotes! I love companion novels, that way you can jump in to any part of the series! Which book in the series has been your favorite so far? I'm dying to know!

    Lindy@ A Bookish Escape

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  17. :Looks like an amazing read and cannot wait to add to my TBR.. crossing fingers.. hats off to the author!

    erikalrhodes at gmail dot com

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  18. I can't wait to read this one! I'm glad it was everything you were hoping for!

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  19. Love the review and I know how much you love this series to. It has become one of my favorites.

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  20. I have read the first book in this series and I am looking forward to reading the rest of the books. Thanks for the giveaway!
    Mimi
    miminbennett(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  21. Wonderful review. I will add this to my TBR pile. It does sound like a great book.
    Thanks :-)
    Lori

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