Aloha to Tracy Solheim and ALL THEY EVER WANTED

Romance stands apart from other genres in publishing with its author-to-reader connections.  Given romance is predominantly written by women and read by women, it is not surprising that these women nurture relationships within Romanceland. I discovered Tracy Solheim when Romancing Rakes for the Love of Romance featured FOOLISH GAMES, Book Two in the Out of Bounds series (link). After several email exchanges, I learned:

- the series is set in Baltimore 
- Tracy grew up as an Air Force brat
- Tracy and I are members of the same sorority, Delta Gamma
- Tracy worked for NBC Sports at the Seoul Olympics 
- We each have a son who is an Eagle Scout

We met at RWA 2014 in San Antonio ... and I adore her books! Tracy is celebrating the release of ALL THEY EVER WANTED, Book Two in the Second Chances series (and shares the same setting as FOOLISH GAMES) ...

In the new Second Chances novel by the author of Back to Before, even love might not prove strong enough to save a man’s promising future from a woman’s hidden past...

All he ever fought for...

Aspiring congressman Miles McAlister has dreamed of representing his hometown of Chances Inlet, North Carolina, since he was a boy. So when he’s asked to help run his mother’s bed and breakfast he moves home and rolls out his campaign at the same time. But political stardom isn’t a given, especially when he’s expected to compromise the very ideals he’s trying to uphold. Making matters worse is the inn’s stubborn, and distractingly beautiful cook. He’s loved and lost before, so falling for Lori Buchman is not part of his plan.

All she ever feared...

Lori just wants to do her job and be left alone until she can safely move on. The last thing she needs is to get involved with her boss’s son. Miles proves to be too sexy to ignore, however. Their heated fling elicits feelings deeper than either anticipated. But everything about Lori is a lie. She’s harboring a secret that’ll destroy Miles’s career, and when the truth gets out it’s going to shock Chances Inlet to its core, forcing Miles to make the hardest decision of his life.

Currituck Lighthouse at sunset in Corolla, NC
Image by Nophun201 (link)

I am currently reading (and loving) ALL THEY EVER WANTED - review to come!  It is the perfect escape from the political hogwash ... but make sure you vote! I am giving away a copy of ALL THEY EVER WANTED - winner's choice of format - to one randomly selected commenter. To enter the giveaway,

1. Leave a comment about North Carolina - the setting for ALL THEY EVER WANTED.  What do you know about the Tar Heel State?

2. Comments are open through Saturday, March 6, 10 pm in Baltimore.

3. I'll post the winner on Sunday, March 7.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Learn more about Tracy and her books at tracysolheim.com.

 

Aloha to Tracy Solheim and BACK TO BEFORE - Book Review

Chances Inlet, North Carolina, has an infamous power for second chances. But its charms are lost on the town’s favorite son—until she comes along…

When his father’s sudden death puts his family’s construction business in serious debt, architect Gavin McAlister is forced to put his dream career in New York on hold. Making matters worse, his fiancée calls it quits. Desperate to return to his big-city life, he discovers an opportunity to save his family, one that has him reluctantly starring in a home restoration TV show.

Former soap star Ginger Walsh hopes this job as a TV makeup artist will lead to better things. So far it’s only brought her to a hamlet full of people who don’t like her—except Gavin. After a wild night out leads to Ginger waking up in Gavin’s loft—and the rest of town talking—the two of them soon wonder if getting back to before is what they want. Because being in each other’s arms certainly feels like what they need… 

The new year stands before us, like a chapter in a book, waiting to be written. - Melody Beattie

Gavin is counting the days until his project - restoring the Dresden Mansion during a DIY reality show - comes to fruition and he can return to his life in New York City.  Ginger is also counting the days until her project - serving as production assistant to the DIY reality show - is over so she return to choreography for a cable music program.  Gavin is welcomed back into Chances Inlet as a beloved son. Ginger is chided as the scheming character she played on a soap opera.   Yet Gavin is drawn to Ginger ... and Ginger gives into her attraction to Gavin.   Neither planned to fall into lust that would ultimate turn into love.   

Solheim delivers another heartfelt romance with lovable characters with flaws all over.   I applaud her for allowing the secondary characters to contribute to the small town charm which creates the magical atmosphere for Gavin and Ginger.   Solheim sprinkles plenty of laugh out loud moments along with a dash of realistic drama to create a feel good "small town" romance.

BACK TO BEFORE kicks off a new series in Chances Inlet for Gavin's brothers to find romance, too.   Chances Inlet is the home town of a character from Out of Bounds series - I appreciated the connection between the two series although BACK TO BEFORE can be read as a stand alone novel.

I received an ARC from the publisher for an honest review.

I am giving away a book choice from my convention stash, including books from the Out of Bound series, to one randomly selected commenter.  To enter the giveaway,

1.  Leave a comment about coastal towns - do you have a favorite?

2.  Comments are open through Saturday, January 17, 10 pm in Baltimore.  

3.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, January 18.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Learn more about Tracy and her books at tracysolheim.com.

Aloha to Tracy Solheim and BACK TO BEFORE

Chances Inlet, North Carolina, has an infamous power for second chances. But its charms are lost on the town’s favorite son—until she comes along…

When his father’s sudden death puts his family’s construction business in serious debt, architect Gavin McAlister is forced to put his dream career in New York on hold. Making matters worse, his fiancée calls it quits. Desperate to return to his big-city life, he discovers an opportunity to save his family, one that has him reluctantly starring in a home restoration TV show.

Former soap star Ginger Walsh hopes this job as a TV makeup artist will lead to better things. So far it’s only brought her to a hamlet full of people who don’t like her—except Gavin. After a wild night out leads to Ginger waking up in Gavin’s loft—and the rest of town talking—the two of them soon wonder if getting back to before is what they want. Because being in each other’s arms certainly feels like what they need…

North Carolina Beaches
visitnc.com/coast

Tracy's creative writing career started in the fourth grade when she published her first book. It was a bestseller–mainly because her dad bought all ten copies. From there, she moved on to work for NBC Sports and then to writing reports and testimony for Congress.

Today, Tracy is the author of best selling contemporary romance novels featuring hot football players and the women who love them.

She lives in Georgia, with her husband, two nearly adult children, and a horse named after her first novel: Game On.

See what she's up to at www.tracysolheim.com.

I am currently reading and loving BACK TO BEFORE - review to come! Meanwhile, I am giving away a book choice from my convention stash, including titles from Tracy's OUT OF BOUNDS series.  To enter the giveaway,

1.  Leave a comment about "home restoration" reality TV - do you watch any?  I am a fan of HGTV's House Hunters and Hawaii Life.  They are not home restoration but home purchase.

2.  Comments are open through Saturday, January 11, 10 pm in Baltimore.

3.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, January 12.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Also available from Tracy