Review: Christmas at Gate 18 by Amy Matayo

My rating: 3 stars / I liked it

Synopsis

Supermodel Rory Gray just wants to go home. After wrapping up a three-day high-fashion photo shoot overseas, she’s exhausted and ready for the holiday. A holiday that involves Hollywood parties, air-kissing the industry elite, and a whole lot of fakeness… but whatever. Once she gets through that torture, she’ll head to her beloved Seattle and the life of anonymity she misses so much. In less than twenty-four hours, she’ll be there.

Colt Ross has spent the past six months detaching himself from the Hollywood world he grew up in, and home is the last place he wants to be. But he’s been called back by his overbearing father for reasons he can only imagine. Likely reasons that involve taking over the family corporation or fund raising among Hollywood elite—something Colt has no interest in being part of. Not that he has a choice; when you’re the son of an industry executive, rubbing elbows comes with the territory. In less than twenty-four hours he’ll be home. After all this time away, home no longer appeals to him. Especially not at Christmas. Leave it to his father to ruin a holiday.

But when a late-season hurricane grounds both of their flights in the Dominican Republic, Rory and Colt find themselves stuck at the airport far longer than anticipated. As weather conditions worsen, they both begin to realize that this Christmas will be spent with strangers packed inside a single airport terminal—specifically at gate 18.

Rory and Colt are faced with a choice: band together in their misery or make this Christmas one they will never forget. For two people who aren’t real fond of the holiday, this Christmas might turn out to be the best they’ve ever had.

My Review

I love reading Christmas-themed novellas, and this one had a great twist! I can't imagine being stranded over Christmas away from my family, but for these two lonely characters they found something better than what awaited them at home. Rory is a survivor, making it on her own with only memories of a happier time. While at the airport we see the misconceptions people have of her as a supermodel of explicit photos, lobbing inappropriate remarks and suggestive offers at her. Colt is one of the perpetrators, which made me confused as to why Rory befriended him. Maybe because he's handsome it made it less offensive than the middle-aged man or the cranky honeymooners. In any case, Rory is in need of a friend, and Colt happily takes on the role of protector and entertainer. They share funny banter and sweet moments through the hurricane-level storm that's keeping their travel stalled. Since the point of view alternated between Rory and Colt, there is plenty of innuendo and borderline content in Colt's thoughts as a sexually active adult male. While I'm sure that is realistic to many men, it made me not respect him or like him very much. Charm only goes so far. Their relationship deepens as Rory shares bits of her past with him and he connects with her on a level he never has before with any other woman. (Probably because he treats them as objects). Can you tell I'm not a fan of the bad-boy persona? ;) He helps her to not feel shame about her career and be proud of the way she's taken care of herself without any supporting family. A surprise comes to light at the end of their "adventure" and it was nice to see that they were able to have a future together. While there is a bit of an inspirational thread, I wouldn't classify this as Christian fiction.

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)

Review: The Whys Have It by Amy Matayo

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

His music holds the heart of America... but his soul holds a terrible secret.

Chart topping pop musician Cory Minor has it all—fame, money, more women at his disposal than time to spend on them. He’s living the life most American men only dream of. Until an ordinary concert in Springfield threatens to destroy everything he’s worked for. 

As he and his band leave the arena for his next show, Cory’s tour bus crashes into two teenage girls, killing one girl instantly and leaving the other barely clinging to life. Lawsuits are threatened, tabloids are talking, and Cory’s idyllic world falls apart. But what no one knows is that this scene is all too familiar. Because this isn’t the first accident Cory has caused. This isn’t the first time he’s destroyed someone else’s life to save his own. 

It’s just the first time he’s had to face it head on. 

Small town girl Samantha Dalton has no one—no mother, no father, and now no sister. She’s lost everything in a world that celebrates excess. So when Cory Minor shows up at her doorstep offering money and apologies, she turns him away too. You can’t lose what you don’t have, and she can’t take another letdown, especially not from someone who has managed to rip away all she had left. Samantha has been fine on her own for years, she’ll be fine now too. 

At least that’s what she tells herself. 

But Cory won’t leave. He’s persistent in the worst possible way. 

Will Cory’s determination to make things right pay off in the end, or will Sam keep pushing him away until there’s nothing left to fight for? How can two people learn to rely on each other when life keeps hurting them both?

My Review

There are heavy themes that this book focuses on, including death, grief, secrets, and depression. Despite the bleakness of the characters' circumstances, there is gratitude and hope that motivates them to reach out and continue on. I admired Sam's genuineness. She faces the hard things in her life and perseveres through the process of acceptance of loss. Cory's regrets are eating him up inside, and getting to know Sam is a catalyst for his memories to surface, forcing him to deal with feelings that he has been repressing for years. His struggles are shown through his first person perspective, and the internal dialogue is realistic and gritty. The contrast of his inner goodness and the selfish persona he has embraced is stark, and with Sam's influence, he sees the emptiness of his life without the peace that good choices bring. They have a great chemistry, with banter and teasing and attraction and friendship and support. I also loved Phyllis, the health care worker that takes Sam under her wing whenever she visits her father suffering from Alzheimer's. Her caring and support is given freely and without hesitation. I particularly appreciated this piece of wisdom she shares and I think it represents what the book is all about:

"You can ask why all day long if you want to. You can ask God why and your friends why and yourself why until you're buried in nothing but that single question, but you'll never get an answer. This side of heaven, time is the only thing that helps a little bit. So don't give in. Don't let the whys have it. Don't let them take advantage of you. They'll crush your heart and steal your peace and mess with your mind and wrap around you so tight you won't be able to breathe. Don't let the whys ruin your life, child. Every time they try to sneak up, push them aside and move forward. Trust me, it's the only way you can get on with living." 
I turn toward the window and think about her words. "What if I can't? Let it go, I mean?" 
I don't see her smile, but I can hear it. "You can. I know you can. Because no matter how hard life gets, there's always goodness right around the corner. All you have to do is look for it."

Even though it's not light reading, I'm glad that I read this book and contemplated the questions that Cory and Sam face as they seek to cope with the haunting and devastating things in their lives.

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)

Interview: Amy Matayo, Author of The Whys Have It

I'm so excited to share an interview with Amy Matayo, one of my favorite authors of contemporary romance! Seriously, her books make me feel all the feels. Which I love. First, a little about her new book The Whys Have It . . .

Synopsis

"His music holds the heart of America...but his soul holds a terrible secret."

Chart topping pop musician Cory Minor has it all—fame, money, more women at his disposal than time to spend on them. He’s living the life most American men only dream of. Until an ordinary concert in Springfield threatens to destroy everything he’s worked for.
 
As he and his band leave the arena for his next show, Cory’s tour bus crashes into two teenage girls, killing one girl instantly and leaving the other barely clinging to life. Lawsuits are threatened, tabloids are talking, and Cory’s idyllic world falls apart. But what no one knows is that this scene is all too familiar. Because this isn’t the first accident Cory has caused. This isn’t the first time he’s destroyed someone else’s life to save his own.
 
It’s just the first time he’s had to face it head on.
 
Small town girl Samantha Dalton has no one—no mother, no father, and now no sister. She’s lost everything in a world that celebrates excess. So when Cory Minor shows up at her doorstep offering money and apologies, she turns him away too. You can’t lose what you don’t have, and she can’t take another letdown, especially not from someone who has managed to rip away all she had left. Samantha has been fine on her own for years, she’ll be fine now too.
 
At least that’s what she tells herself.
 
But Cory won’t leave. He’s persistent in the worst possible way.
Will Cory’s determination to make things right pay off in the end, or will Sam keep pushing him away until there’s nothing left to fight for? How can two people learn to rely on each other when life keeps hurting them both?

And now, here's Amy!

Can you tell us a little about yourself? 

I am a mom of four (two boys, two girls) and I am married to my husband Doug. I've been writing novels for eight years now, and it's been almost four years since my first book (The Wedding Game) was published. I live in Arkansas in Wal-Mart country--the national headquarters is just a few miles away.


What do you do besides writing? 

Read, talk with my kids, fold piles and piles of laundry, travel when I can, procrastinate all things of life better than just about anyone.


Do you have images you can share that come close to how you picture your characters? Do you like to find visual inspiration for your characters before or during your writing process? 

I usually come up with visuals when a blogger asks for them. In my mind, my character's faces are vague. But in the case of this book, I knew what my hero looked like before I started writing. My heroine was vague until right now. Here they are.

 
What are some songs that you listened to or inspired you while writing your book? 

Breathe--Taylor Swift

Say Something--A Great BigWorld/Christina Aguilera 

After Rain--Dermot Kennedy

Little Do You Know--Alex &Sierra

Something's Missing--John Mayer

Sad--Maroon 5

Every Stone--ManchesterOrchestra 

Inconsolable--Backstreet Boys

Safe & Sound--The CivilWars/Taylor Swift

Lost Stars--Adam Levine

If I Die Young--The Band Perry

Whenever You Remember--CarrieUnderwood 

The Heart of Life--John Mayer

What message would you like readers to ultimately take away from the book? 

That forgiving yourself is as important as forgiving others. That you can't outrun your past, but you can stand in place and face your future. That mistakes don't have to define you; it is possible to start over and make a new ending. And that you are worthy of love, always.


What can we look forward to coming from you in the future?

Next up is a Christmas novella, out October 15th. After that, I'm going to tackle envy in a full-length novel.


Thank you Amy! Congratulations on your new release! 

The Whys Have It is out *TODAY* for only $3.99 at Amazon and FREE for Kindle Unlimited subscribers! Don't miss it!

Can't Wait Wednesday: The Whys Have It by Amy Matayo

Unforgettable characters. Deep emotion. Passionate (yet clean) romance. Poignant themes. This is why I love Amy Matayo's books. Isn't this cover striking? I'm so excited to read it, and there's not much longer to wait for the release date of June 20th! It's only $3.99 to pre-order and will be available on Kindle Unlimited.

Synopsis

"His music holds the heart of America...but his soul holds a terrible secret."

Chart topping pop musician Cory Minor has it all—fame, money, more women at his disposal than time to spend on them. He’s living the life most American men only dream of. Until an ordinary concert in Springfield threatens to destroy everything he’s worked for.
 
As he and his band leave the arena for his next show, Cory’s tour bus crashes into two teenage girls, killing one girl instantly and leaving the other barely clinging to life. Lawsuits are threatened, tabloids are talking, and Cory’s idyllic world falls apart. But what no one knows is that this scene is all too familiar. Because this isn’t the first accident Cory has caused. This isn’t the first time he’s destroyed someone else’s life to save his own.
 
It’s just the first time he’s had to face it head on.
 
Small town girl Samantha Dalton has no one—no mother, no father, and now no sister. She’s lost everything in a world that celebrates excess. So when Cory Minor shows up at her doorstep offering money and apologies, she turns him away too. You can’t lose what you don’t have, and she can’t take another letdown, especially not from someone who has managed to rip away all she had left. Samantha has been fine on her own for years, she’ll be fine now too.
 
At least that’s what she tells herself.
 
But Cory won’t leave. He’s persistent in the worst possible way.
Will Cory’s determination to make things right pay off in the end, or will Sam keep pushing him away until there’s nothing left to fight for? How can two people learn to rely on each other when life keeps hurting them both?

Review: In Tune With Love by Amy Matayo

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

April is willing to do anything for her sister’s wedding—until she comes face to face with a guy from her past.

April Quinn is thrilled to be her sister’s maid of honor, until the wedding coordinator quits and the responsibilities get dumped on her. It’s April’s worst nightmare—especially since her sister has more objections and opinions than a lawyer presenting a high-profile court case. When the wedding singer walks out at the last-minute, her sister hires a replacement. When April finds out who the replacement is, she’s ready to call it quits as well.
Because there’s only one person in April’s past that she never wanted to see again, and her sister just handed him a front row seat to the wedding.

Jack Vaughn finally has the career he’s always wanted. After playing in bars and singing in weddings as a struggling musician for half a decade, he’s just released his second album and sales are skyrocketing. But while visiting his parent’s Nashville home the weekend before his first headline tour, he runs into an old friend. When she asks him for a last-minute favor, he can’t bring himself to say no. Even though saying yes means he has to come face to face with April Quinn—the girl who hasn’t spoken to him in years.

And rightly so, since he stole something from her that he’ll never be able to repay.

My Review

I love this author's style of writing! I was immersed right in April's drama with her bridezilla sister (I would not have lasted as long as she did!) and the disappointments with her music career. Jack's attempts to make things right with their past were lame at first and I was glad she gave him what-for. Their chemistry was sizzling though and throughout the ups and downs of learning to trust each other and their own feelings, they develop a sincere friendship and relationship. A fun novella with just the right amount of angst and romance!

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)

Favorites of 2016: Contemporary

In 2016 I found myself really getting into contemporary romance! I enjoy both first person and third person POV and I read a good mix of both. Here are the stand-out contemporary novels I read in 2016 (in no particular order). I highly recommend all of them and they are all ones I plan to read again in the future! Add them to your Goodreads TBR or Amazon wishlist!

 

(Check out my historical faves of 2016, and stay tuned for my favorite novellas and series!)

 

My Stubborn Heart by Becky Wade

Amazon - Goodreads

 

 Cold Shot by Dani Pettrey

Amazon - Goodreads - My Review

 Change of Heart by Courtney Walsh

Amazon - Goodreads - My Review

His Personal Relationship Manager

Amazon - Goodreads 

 

 Pimpernel by Sheralyn Pratt

Amazon - Goodreads - My Review

 Beyond the Rising Tide by Sarah Beard

Amazon - Goodreads - My Review

 A Portrait of Emily Price by Katherine Reay

Amazon - Goodreads - My Review

 Gladly Beyond by Nichole Van

Amazon - Goodreads - My Review

 The Thirteenth Chance by Amy Matayo

Amazon - Goodreads - My Review

Walk of Infamy by Sheralyn Pratt

Amazon - Goodreads - My Review

What are YOUR favorite contemporary novels you read last year?

#TackleTBR Ddaily Update - Day 3

 Join the Read-a-thon!

Day 3

I read The Thirteenth Chance by Amy Matayo and LOVED it! I'm looking forward to reading more by this author!

Tally:
Total Pages Read: 825
Total Books Finished: 3

Review: The Thirteenth Chance by Amy Matayo

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

Baseball star Will Vandergriff knows any number of women who would happily pretend to be his girlfriend. In a last-ditch effort to restore his good standing with his team’s higher-ups, he enlists the help of his neurotic, goody-goody neighbor. Schoolteacher Olivia Pratt might be a bit quirky and a bit of a loner, but she’s a lot more inviting than she knows. Will hopes that bringing her to his next game might revamp his reckless reputation and help get his career back on track. The only problem? The plan works a little too well. Not only do the higher-ups love Olivia, but Will plays his best game yet. Suddenly his losing streak is a thing of the past, and Olivia is his new good-luck charm. Will feels anything but lucky.

After years of keeping the world at bay, Olivia Pratt is pulling off the ultimate performance—not only reluctantly posing as Will’s girlfriend but also insisting that she’s oblivious to his major-league appeal. But she can only lie to herself for so long. Being by Will’s side feels good. Really good. Maybe it’s finally time to make a pitch for everything she really wants—and to find out just how exhilarating love can be.

My Review

My favorite thing about this book is how the author brought Olivia's character to life. Her fears, angst, and OCD tendencies are skillfully balanced with her compassion, sense of humor, and independence. She accepts herself as she is, and is unapologetic for her differences, even if they sometimes make her uncomfortable. Will is also a character who accepts himself, gigantic ego and all ;) I was impressed with the subtlety of the two sides of Will, the big shot persona who tells himself he has it all, and the vulnerable side he fights against, the feeling that he is missing something. His posturing for the benefit of Olivia is ironic because he's trying to project his devil-may-care attitude while it's the yearning for her that is the reason he's doing it and reveals his true motivations. I love that she purposely brushes off his attempts at intimidation and doesn't capitulate the way he is used to everyone doing. As they are exposed to each other's softer sides and attraction flares, they both wage an internal battle against the chemistry between them while becoming more reliant on the new dimension of their relationship. The dynamics of their personalities, interactions, and struggles turned what could have been a predicable plot into a journey of growth that kept me glued to the pages! Highly recommend!

(Thank you to the publisher for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review)