Disclaimer: ARC via Llewellyn Worldwide and Netgalley I made a nice woman roll her eyes at me this summer. I didn’t mean to; I was answering a question truthfully. It is true that I got interested in Virginia history by reading the ghost folklore collections of L. B. Taylor Jr. And that’s why I love ghost stories, the “true” ones. Well told, they can get interested in history. Swayne’s collection of ghost folklore, dealing with country singers and country music sites, is a pretty good collection. It may not be long or even short on American history, but it is full of Country Music History, and will make the person who only has a passing interest in Country Music want to listen to more. The famous people included in the book include Patsy Cline, Hank Williams, and Johnny Cash. Elvis makes an appearance as well. Famous includes concert venues but also bars and honky tonks. It’s a pretty good collection. The stories are well told and the factual information is present. It’s a great little collection and well worth a read if you are interested in country music or ghost folklore

This is book # 2 in the Love Unexpectedly series.  This book can be read as a standalone novel.  The books in this series are really good reads, so I encourage you to read them in the order intended.

 

Noah AKA Preston meets Jenny when she rents his old home out in the middle of nowhere.  She is glad to get away from the buzz and hype of the tabloids and get back to simply writing music.  She is not counting on the attraction that shocks them both.

 

Jenny is famous.  Noah cannot get past the part where she lives another life where he does not fit in.  Even if they give in to these sparks that are flyin' - where could this really go?

 

The heat and the banter are what make this book so much fun!  As usual, the author gives us a book we cannot put down.  There are surprises in store for the reader!  I give this story a 4/5 Kitty's Paws UP!

 

 

***This ARC copy was given by Netgalley and its publishers in exchange for an honest review only.

Melissa is trying to find the Four Saints to bring to her boss as some new talent in country western music.  She finds trouble before she finds them.  When they help her out of the trouble can she still bring them to her boss or is she out of a job?

 

I liked this story.  The characters were interesting.  I am going to enjoy this series.  Matt and Melissa are the first story being told.  He's big but she's not scared of him.  She's surprised by him as he shows her a different side to life.  She just needs to get used to what he says. 

 

This is a quick read.  I look forward to the rest of the series.

4.5 character loving stars
This was so different form the normal rock/country star romance. This novel wrapped around a reality show, imagine "The Voice"and you are very close. The story follows Layne Carter, a struggling single mother, with a fabulous voice and a strong sense of personal worth. She is a good, honest person even when it might damage her future plans. She works hard, treats people well and loves her family.
Beau is a superstar in the country music world, he is also a judge on the show. He is a hunk in a black cowboy hat and wrangler jeans. He is also professional, honest and a big hearted man. When Layne picks him to be her judge, it sets him on a course that will change his future.
Together these two enter a coach, student relationship with hints of interest. The other contestants, are a realistic bunch of very different people all written so well. Barbie in all her various forms has to be the wickedest one of all. Her names alone had me snorting and guffawing.
This was a really good read, fun, exciting, well paced, with a predictable yet unpredictable ending. or endings, there are two. You the read gets to pick your own path. I read both, loved both for different reasons. I can't wait to try more from this author, she writes some good character :D
Thanks SnoppyDoo reviews for the recommendation

“Don't let other people choose your path for you. Deep down you know the right way to go, so do the right thing and follow your heart.” ~ Unknown

Adam Chambers loves music, but country isn't particularly his first choice When he hears about a Country Music Jamboree he decides to go. Adam is on a slightly aimless journey to decide if he wants to continue working with his father's somewhat shady business, or do something more fulfilling. When he meets Joey Callaway, he begins to see why he was so drawn to the festival.

Joey is at the festival on holiday because he needs time off from his grueling job of managing a hotel and a bar. He and Adam meet up at one of the local bars, just drinking and casually talking, but having a delightful time. The sexual attraction is there, but there's something even stronger as well. It's a feeling of contentment and ease neither usually have. Adam enjoys being with Joey because he can be himself. Joey doesn't make demands or expect anything in return. Joey is honest and open; there isn't a pretentious bone in his body. It's refreshing. Joey likes Adam for the same reason; he can relax and be himself. When Joey realizes that Adam has nowhere to stay, he offers to share his room. Adam graciously accepts his generous offer and just like that they are roommates. Once they establish that they are both gay, they experience a very passionate, yet genuine experience that involves sharing more than just a bed. The Festival is exceedingly more fun with someone to share it with. Things are going very well until Joey gets a call that his mother has fallen and he leaves Adam to rush back to her. Joey's departure is so sudden, he's unsure of where to leave things with Adam so he decides the best thing to do is to be casual about it, to exchange phone numbers and invite Adam to visit Joey's town. Although Adam promises do so, Joey sadly figures he'll never see him again.

A week or so later, Joey is stunned to see Adam come through his bar door and even more surprised when Adam tells him that he's there because missed Joey so much. Joey has missed Adam too although he doesn't tell Adam just how much. As different as it is for Adam, he begins to realize he actually enjoys being in Joey's home town and he's even more sure about how much he enjoys being with Joey. Their intimacy deepens, but Joey holds on to his heart because he's convinced Adam would never want to stay with someone as boring as he is. He tries to ignore all the signs that he and Adam are perfect together and that he is in love with Adam. After some soul-searching, Adam admits, at least to himself, that he loves Joey and doesn't want to leave. However, before he can do anything about it, Adam's decision is made for him when his father has a heart attack and Adam has to leave Joey and return to Sydney.

This is an endearing love story set in Australia, giving it a more exotic feeling, at least to us not in Australia. The characters are wonderfully developed and admirable. Adam, with his conviction to live and work honestly, and Joey's 'realness' and charm, make their relationship even stronger. The secondary characters, especially Joey's mother and Adam's grandmother, are wealths of wisdom, whose advice help Adam and Joey sort out their priorities and decide what's best for themselves. If you enjoy a story with country music festivals, bars, handsome Aussie men, Aussie slang, hot sexual encounters, small towns, character growth, determination, and a happy ending, then you may like this book. Thanks, Nic, for a great story with two lovable men who are easy to admire.