Mary Ann Rivers continues her Burnside family series—perfect for readers of Kristan Higgins, Jill Shalvis, and Ruthie Knox—as two people try to share their hearts without losing their cool.
Dr. Sam Burnside is convinced that volunteering at an urban green-space farm in Lakefield, Ohio, is a waste of time—especially with his new health clinic about to open. He only goes to mollify his partner, suspecting she wants him to lighten up. Then Sam catches sight of Nina Paz, a woman who gives off more heat than a scorcher in July. Her easy smile and flirty, sizzling wit has him forgetting his infamous need for control.
Widowed when her husband was killed in Afghanistan, Nina has learned that life exists to take chances. As the daughter of migrant workers turned organic farmers, she’s built an exciting and successful business by valuing new opportunities and working hard to take care of her own. But when Sam pushes for a relationship that goes beyond their hotter-than-fire escapades, Nina ignores her own hard-won wisdom. She isn’t ready for a man who needs saving—even if her heart compels her to take the greatest risk of all: love.
The Burnside Series
by Mary Ann Rivers
Loveswept
May 6th, 2014
Purchase Links:
Amazon
B&N * iTunes
Mary Ann Rivers was an English and music major and went on to earn her MFA in creative writing, publishing poetry in journals and leading creative-writing workshops for at-risk youth. While training for her day job as a nurse practitioner, she rediscovered romance on the bedside tables of her favorite patients. Now she writes smart and emotional contemporary romance, imagining stories featuring the heroes and heroines just ahead of her in the coffee line. Mary Ann Rivers lives in the Midwest with her handsome professor husband and their imaginative school-aged son.
Connect with Mary Ann Rivers: Facebook * Twitter * Website
She was kind enough to write a guest post for me! :-)
What it was like to shift the character depiction of Sam from Live to Laugh—what changed for you once you had to go inside his head?
I knew Sam Burnside very well, even in LIVE, so when I got inside of him for LAUGH, I felt less like I had things to learn about him, and more like I had so much, so much to show everyone about him. So many readers were worried about Sam, because he was such a hopeless asshole in LIVE, but I knew, I knew that he was not only lovable, but loving.
I was so eager to write Sam, and he was so easy to write -- he had a great deal to say, and in many ways, I could very much see him -- how he moved, how he talked, what he was like with different people, how he practiced medicine. Sam was a character that came to me all at once, and felt like someone I knew well.
I feel like Sam is someone many of us know -- someone who loves deeply and may never understand how to express that love except in ways that have to be interpreted, a little, ways that require our patience. Sam reminds us that love is worth it, worth what it requires of us.
Rafflecopter Giveaway ($25.00 E-giftcard to Book Retailer of Choice, Loveswept Mug and Tote Gift Pack, or Copy of THE STORY GUY and LIVE from Mary Ann Rivers)
My Thoughts:
Laugh is book two in the Burnside series. It stands alone really well. I didn't read book one, Live, and I had no trouble diving into Laugh.
I really was blown away with Nina and impressed with Sam too. These characters were so well written. I loved that they were realistically flawed. Sam had ADHD and struggled to keep it under control sometimes. My twins have ADD and I could identify with Sam's character and with what his mother did for him.
Nina had such strength. She went through so much and still carries on. She is an inspiration for others, the way she educates people and helps the community.
In Laugh, you will find family dynamic, steam, romance, great characters, and community involvement.
If you like great characters, you may want to try this. The characters are what makes this book shine!
I received an ecopy in exchange for my honest opinion. I liked this story but to me, it was a little slow in some parts. I honestly can't say enough about the awesome characters found in this book though. For me, they made it. :-)
Don't forget to enter the Comment Incentive Giveaway. It is a great chance to win a book you'd like to have! The link can be found at the top of the page.
great realistic character you can love and relate to? oki you sold me^^ on the list . i admit teh fact this can work as a stand alone is for a lot in this decision too^^
ReplyDeletethank you also for the guest post, always great to learn detail like that
It isn't very often that we find realistic characters. Don't get me wrong. I like books regardless, but is nice to find some that are realistic every now and then. :-)
Deleteexactly^^ we feel less unperfect that way^^ too, it refreshing to find some from time to time
Deletetook the words from my mouth Miki. ;)
Delete:-) You're welcome!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds very sweet. And yes I love finding characters that I can relate too and that are realistic. I'll add this series to my list. :)
ReplyDelete