{REVIEW} LUCK OF THE DRAW (SHAMROCK FALLS #2) by KELLEY VITOLLO

Series: Shamrock Falls #2
Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Entangled Bliss
Publication Date: 1/14/13

Rowan McKinley isn’t looking for one wild night while vacationing in Vegas, but she gets it anyway when she meets professional poker player—and professional ladies’ man—Breck Wilder. Breck’s easygoing charm and lighthearted banter draw in the reserved Rowan, and though she’s always dreamed of the kind of forever love her best friends Sidney and Kade share, she’ll settle for one night with the charismatic player.

After their crazy one-night stand, Breck never expected to see the mysterious redhead again. So when he shows up at a Shamrock Falls B&B looking to get away for a few weeks and Rowan answers the door, he’s floored. Breck’s rolling-stone lifestyle and ill-fated history with women means he’s not interested in anything long-term. But the longer he stays at the B&B, the more he considers dropping the poker face and putting all his cards on the table…for Rowan.

 

When I read book one in the Shamrock Falls series, Lucky Break, I was not only charmed by the main characters Kade and Sidney, but also their best friend Rowan. Rowan was a great friend, supportive and not afraid to tell it like it is. But I could also see glimpses of a sad girl behind the funny lines. Luck of the Draw is her story.

But it's also Breck Wilder's story. And right here I have to stop and say, what a great name! Especially given that Breck is a professional poker player, which I love about him. Breck was a sexy character, but what made me adore him was his hidden vulnerability, his wit and his charm. I swear he could charm his way off the pages!

When Breck and Rowan come together, their chemistry is sweet and sexy. And funny. I love couples(even those who don't realize they're a couple yet) who can laugh together. While Breck and Rowan have fun, there is also a lot of emotional turmoil going on for them individually. And the biggest wrench in the maybe-budding relationship? It's a doozy. Anything else I say would be a spoiler. It was a nice twist by Vitollo.

I've come to adore the Shamrock Falls series. The characters and town are charming. The stories have an emotional impact, yet are fun. I'm so excited to get a hold of book three, about Jace. If you want a quick read that will leave you with a happy smile, give it a try.



Favorite Quote:

   "Like I told you on the phone, I'm just looking for a little R and R. I wasn't joking when I said I'm done with women. Hell, Jace. The last woman I spent time with stole my cat and the first woman to spark any interest in me in a long damn time fainted when she saw me. I'm pretty sure that says something."  ~ 16%


  "Pleasure, love, passion all created a perfect storm inside her. A category five hurrican that she hoped didn't destroy them all. ~ 88%

  "You never know what's going to happen. Life's a gamble and I'm willing to put it all on us. I used to think I had bad luck with women, but seeing you for the first time? That was the best thing that could ever happen to me. If I never win another hand in my life, I'm already a winner. I've already won the luck of the draw."  ~



Purchase Luck of the Draw at:

Amazon  |  Barnes & Noble

Shamrock Falls Series

 

My review of Lucky Break

 

 

About the author:
Kelley has been writing for as long as she can remember. She won her first writing contest in third grade for an essay she wrote on, “Tomorrow’s Leaders on the Move”. Like dreams sometimes do, they fell to the background for a while. She married her best friend, worked full time, and started her family. In 2004 Kelley, her husband and their new baby girl made a move from Oregon to Southern California and that’s when everything changed. As a stay-at-home mom for the first time, her passion for writing flared to life again.

Things haven’t been the same since.

With two incredible daughters, an awesome husband and her days spent writing what she loves, Kelley considers herself the luckiest girl in the world. She still resides in sunny Southern California, where she loves spending time with her family and sneaking away to the bookstore with her laptop.

Connect with Kelley:
website  |  Facebook  |  Twitter 

COVER REVEALS and RELEASE CELEBRATION ~ FALLING FOR HER FIANCE and LUCK OF THE DRAW

Happy Tuesday! I have a great post here for you all. Yesterday was the official Release Day for Falling for Her Fiance by Cindi Madsen, and Luck of the Draw by Kelley Vitollo. I am so excited for these two lovely and talented ladies, both of whom I call my Friend. Congrats, ladies!

Now take a look at Falling for Her Fiance...

Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Entangled Bliss
Publication Date: 1/13/13

Danielle and Wes have been best friends since college, and so when Wes needs a date for his sister’s wedding and Dani needs a partner for her company’s retreat, they devise the perfect plan: a fake engagement to get through both events unscathed. But neither expects the feelings that develop. Putting their friendship on the line is dangerous, but so is passing up a chance at true love…

You can purchase Falling for Her Fiance' at:
Amazon  |  Barnes & Noble



About the author:Cindi Madsen sits at her computer every chance she gets, plotting revising, and falling in love with her characters. Sometimes it makes her a crazy person. Without it, she’d be even crazier. She has way too many shoes, but can always find a reason to buy a new pretty pair, especially if they’re sparkly, colorful, or super tall. She loves music, dancing, and wishes summer lasted all year long. She lives in Colorado (where summer is most definitely NOT all year long) with her husband and three children.

Connect with Cindi at:
her website | Twitter | Facebook | blog




And now take a look at Luck of the Draw (Shamrock Falls #2)...

Series: Shamrock Falls #2
Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Entangled Bliss
Publication Date: 1/14/13

Rowan McKinley isn’t looking for one wild night while vacationing in Vegas, but she gets it anyway when she meets professional poker player—and professional ladies’ man—Breck Wilder. Breck’s easygoing charm and lighthearted banter draw in the reserved Rowan, and though she’s always dreamed of the kind of forever love her best friends Sidney and Kade share, she’ll settle for one night with the charismatic player.

After their crazy one-night stand, Breck never expected to see the mysterious redhead again. So when he shows up at a Shamrock Falls B&B looking to get away for a few weeks and Rowan answers the door, he’s floored. Breck’s rolling-stone lifestyle and ill-fated history with women means he’s not interested in anything long-term. But the longer he stays at the B&B, the more he considers dropping the poker face and putting all his cards on the table…for Rowan.

 

Purchase Luck of the Draw at:
Amazon  |  Barnes & Noble

Shamrock Falls Series

 

My review of Lucky Break

 

 

About the author:
Kelley has been writing for as long as she can remember. She won her first writing contest in third grade for an essay she wrote on, “Tomorrow’s Leaders on the Move”. Like dreams sometimes do, they fell to the background for a while. She married her best friend, worked full time, and started her family. In 2004 Kelley, her husband and their new baby girl made a move from Oregon to Southern California and that’s when everything changed. As a stay-at-home mom for the first time, her passion for writing flared to life again.

Things haven’t been the same since.

With two incredible daughters, an awesome husband and her days spent writing what she loves, Kelley considers herself the luckiest girl in the world. She still resides in sunny Southern California, where she loves spending time with her family and sneaking away to the bookstore with her laptop.

Connect with Kelley:
website  |  Facebook  |  Twitter 


Okay, so aren't those gorgeous! I loved Lucky Break and am dying to dive back into the series. And Cindi is one of my very favorite authors. Be sure to check both of these books and authors out!

{REVIEW & GIVEAWAY} LUCKY BREAK (SHAMROCK FALLS #1) by KELLEY VITOLLO

Series: Shamrock Falls #1
Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Entangled Bliss
Publication Date: 8/24/12
Pages: 147
Format: Kindle ebook
Source: Won from author in a giveaway.

She’ll gamble her heart on the best friend she left behind…

One lucky break is all struggling actress Sidney Williams needs. But when living the LA life becomes too much, she heads back to the small town of Shamrock Falls for the vacation she needs to get her life on track—and immediately runs into Kade Mitchell, her former best friend and the boy next door she’s always regretted leaving behind.

Kade, the new owner of Lucky’s—once the most popular bar in Shamrock Falls—is determined to bring the place back to its former glory, and seeing Sidney again is a distraction he doesn’t need. Sure, the chemistry between them is explosive, but Kade can’t let himself fall into a fling with his best friend—not when he knows she’s soon heading back to the glitter of Tinseltown.

Now, with the possibility of her first major acting role looming, Sidney must decide if her lucky break is in Hollywood or right where she left it—in Shamrock Falls.

ALL ROADS LEAD TO HOME

It's no secret that I am a fan of author Kelley Vitollo's young adult-writing alter ego. She has such a strong affinity for writing really great character pieces. So naturally, I was curious as to whether I would enjoy her adult work as much as her previous books.

I did. I really, really did. In fact, I would be willing to say that Lucky Break is my favorite book of her's yet. (This is excluding What a Boy Needs because that book owns me.) I think what won me was Vitollo's signature strong characters, in combination with a great, touching story.

Lucky Break is a lovely story of best friends, broken apart by a rash decision, who both find themselves back where they began. Sidney is a young woman who found strength and companionship in her best friend, but need the affirmation of a distant mother. She is compelled to become an actress, move away from Shamrock Falls, in an effort to gain her mother's attention and approval. She finally hits a wall, has had enough, and goes back home to regroup, not knowing that this will lead her back to Kade.

Kade, well, he was pretty much perfect. Though he was always there to comfort Sidney and to be her best friend, she was there to save him, too. As the child of an abusive father, Kade has always strived to protect the women in his life. He has spent his entire life feeling guilt for the damage and pain he couldn't prevent. And though he always wanted to be in Shamrock Falls, he wanted Sidney more. The years since Sidney left him have been hell on Kade.

When Kade and Sidney reconnect, the old feelings of frienship, loyalty, bittersweet memories and...love collide to create a story that I couldn't walk away from. I think it's safe to say that I knew where the story was going and how it would end, but with these characters, the beautiful setting, and words that broke my heart and made me smile, I was fine with that. I loved the ended, and yes, I did cry a little bit! Now....book two, please!

Once again, I've found another Entangled Bliss story that read like one of the Lifetime movies we all love. I want many more stories like this from you, Bliss.


Favorite Quote:

 Kade pushed to his feet and she thought they were going to get into an argument again, but instead he just kneeled down on the ground. This time when his hand came toward her, he didn't take something out of her hair. No, he slid his hand into it. His palm cupped her cheek and his fingers played with her hair.   (43%)


  This time, he couldn't help himself. As he laid her in bed, Kade pressed his lips to the corner of her mouth.
  "You wreck me, Peaches," he whispered.   (48%)


  "You've always thought you needed to conquer the world."
  "And you just wanted Shamrock Falls."  (59%)


You can purchase Lucky Break at:
Amazon  |  Barnes & Noble

HAPPY HOLIDAYS GIVEAWAY

 

I'm feeling festive, guys. And in love with Kelley's (and Nyrae's writing). So I am giving you all a chance to win your choice of ebook from Kelley or Nyrae.

 

Your choices:

 

 


And, I have a What a Boy Wants and Charade bookmark to give away, courtesy of Nyrae.

Good Luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway