Release Day Review: "My One and Only" (Ardent Springs) by Terri Osburn

Synopsis:

As far as Dr. Haleigh Rae Mitchner is concerned, Cooper Ridgeway is more suited to a superhero cape than mechanic’s overalls. It’s just like Ardent Springs’s most upstanding resident to rescue a pregnant, homeless teenager and bring her to Haleigh’s delivery room. When they team up to help the new mother and baby, Haleigh is determined not to cross the line with Cooper. Not only is he her best friend’s brother, he’s a guy who deserves more than Haleigh’s checkered past could ever offer.

At first glance, Haleigh is no longer the girl Cooper pined for in school. The sleek, professional OB-GYN seems more out of reach than ever for this small-town mechanic. But the more time he spends with the complicated woman, the more he wants her. Who better than Cooper to prove to her that nothing is beyond fixing? Especially in Ardent Springs, a town that’s tailor-made for second chances.

Genre: Contemporary Romance

My Review:

Terri Osburn does it again in My One and Only. In this return to Ardent Springs, we meet Haleigh Mitchner, one of the most flawed and wonderful characters I've met in a long time. Haleigh has spent her entire life trying to earn the love and approval of her mother and everything wrong in her life can be tied back to that. The author does a wonderful job of depicting Haleigh, her troubled past, and her self-loathing. She's a perfect match for Cooper, everyone's knight in shining army. He came through for Haleigh years ago, falling in love with her even back then, and is there for Haleigh as she navigates the choppy waters of her relationship with her mother, fighting the demons of her past, and some new demons in her best friend. The reader is given a glimpse back into the lives of former characters from Ardent Springs, a wonderful opportunity to see how life has progressed since we last left Ardent Springs. Ms. Osburn creates real characters with real struggles that draw the reader in, wanting the happily-ever-after for them that they deserve. Another home run from Ardent Springs.

Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Links:
Goodreads • Amazon

About the Author:

Terri fell in love with reading at a young age, starting with condensed versions of classics such as The Wizard of Oz, The Hound of the Baskervilles, and Little Women. She fell into Romance novels around Junior High and never looked back. Authors such as Judith McNaught, Kathleen Woodiwiss, and LaVyrle Spencer kept her going through high school, then she bounded into the 90s with authors like Julie Garwood, Dorothy Garlock, Johanna Lindsey and countless others.

Her bookshelves are lined with beloved keepers (many sporting Fabio covers), some tattered and torn but all filled with passion, love, lust, and above all, Romance. From the Wild West to Romping Regency ballrooms to boardrooms and charming small towns, her library covers the spectrum.

Terri makes her home along the coast of Virginia with an eye-rolling teenager, two fat tabbies, and a hyper yorkiepoo. In her nefarious past she worked in customer service, fund-raising, catering, and was even a train conductor. (In the mall. Not as impressive as it sounds.) She was also a Country radio disc jockey for eight years, which makes her one of those rarest of author creatures – an extrovert.


Terri is a member of Romance Writers of America®, Virginia Romance Writers, and a 2012 Golden Heart® finalist in the Contemporary Single Title category. Her debut novel MEANT TO BE launched from Montlake Romance in May 2013, with the follow up, UP TO THE CHALLENGE, out in October 2013.

Website: http://www.terriosburn.com/

Review: "Our Now and Forever" by Terri Osburn

Synopsis:

When Caleb McGraw sweeps Snow Cameron off her feet, she never expects their whirlwind romance to lead to a Vegas wedding chapel. Before she can catch her breath, Caleb starts talking kids and college funds while his wealthy parents make their disapproval painfully clear. Convinced she was blinded by lust, not love, Snow takes off for Ardent Springs, Tennessee, two months into the marriage.

Heir to a media conglomerate, Caleb never experienced struggle or rejection, until Snow sends him on a wild hunt for his runaway bride. When he finally finds her—managing a curiosity shop beloved by the quirky locals—she agrees to give the marriage another chance, but on one condition: no sex for a month. Can their love stand the test, or will they give in to their attraction?

In this humorous and heartwarming Ardent Springs romance, two lost hearts start over in a town where everyone deserves a second chance and love always wins in the end.

Genre: Contemporary Romance

My Review:

Our Now and Forever is the second book in the Ardent Springs series. We met Snow in the first book, His First and Last, and the mystery behind her arrival in Ardent Springs and her background was introduced. The author quickly dispelled the mystery in Our Now and Forever by introducing her husband, Caleb. It's a fun premise - Snow ran away because she felt she could never fit in Caleb's world and was unhappy with words she'd heard him and his parents say. Caleb's family is rich, snobby, and haughty and its a wonder Caleb has turned out as normal as he is.

The author has created two wonderful characters in Caleb and Snow. Both characters are realistic and together, they just fit. Caleb is "high society" but has a grounded aspect that makes his endearing. He wants to be seen as his own man and he demonstrates sensitivity to Snow and a willingness to compromise with her. What's interesting though is that he didn't think he was compromising - he felt he was patronizing her until she realized she wanted to go home with him, but she got under his skin again and before he realizes it, he's become a part of this great small town that has adopted Snow. Snow is a bit of an impulsive character, a free spirit but a strong personality who knows what she wants and is willing to work hard to get it. She's created a good life for herself in Ardent Springs and done it all on her own.

I enjoyed watching the journey Caleb took to see his wife for who she is, and Snow for finding her strength to fight for what she want. She has felt "less than" many people for much of her life and has found her strength and her voice in Ardent Springs. The author takes these characters through their journey together and adds in a series of secondary characters that add color and personality to the story that make it feel real.

Buy Links:

Goodreads • Amazon • Barnes and Noble(PB)

About the Author:

Terri fell in love with reading at a young age, starting with condensed versions of classics such as The Wizard of Oz, The Hound of the Baskervilles, and Little Women. She fell into Romance novels around Junior High and never looked back. Authors such as Judith McNaught, Kathleen Woodiwiss, and LaVyrle Spencer kept her going through high school, then she bounded into the 90s with authors like Julie Garwood, Dorothy Garlock, Johanna Lindsey and countless others.

Her bookshelves are lined with beloved keepers (many sporting Fabio covers), some tattered and torn but all filled with passion, love, lust, and above all, Romance. From the Wild West to Romping Regency ballrooms to boardrooms and charming small towns, her library covers the spectrum. Terri makes her home along the coast of Virginia with an eye-rolling teenager, two fat tabbies, and a hyper yorkiepoo. In her nefarious past she worked in customer service, fund-raising, catering, and was even a train conductor. (In the mall. Not as impressive as it sounds.) She was also a Country radio disc jockey for eight years, which makes her one of those rarest of author creatures – an extrovert.

Terri is a member of Romance Writers of America®, Virginia Romance Writers, and a 2012 Golden Heart® finalist in the Contemporary Single Title category. Her debut novel MEANT TO BE launched from Montlake Romance in May 2013, with the follow up, UP TO THE CHALLENGE, out in October 2013. Website: http://www.terriosburn.com/

"His First and Last" (Ardent Springs) by Terri Osburn

Synopsis:

At eighteen, Lorelei Pratchett couldn’t wait to get out of her hometown. Twelve years later, her Hollywood dreams have fizzled and she’s back—temporarily, she thinks. Though she throws herself into saving the old theater and starting a baking business, small towns have long memories, and Lorelei’s wild past still haunts her. It doesn’t help that her ex-boyfriend, Spencer Boyd, is even hotter, smarter, and more distracting than before.

The fiery Lorelei that Spencer knew years ago may have become closed off and cautious, but their chemistry hasn’t faded one bit. Losing her a second time is unthinkable to him, yet Lorelei is convinced she doesn’t belong in Ardent Springs. Somehow, Spencer needs to show her that everything she needs is right here: family, friendship, new beginnings…and a man who’s never stopped loving her.

His First and Last is an irresistible story of first love and second chances.

Genre: Contemporary Romance

My Review:

I have previously read all of Terri Osburn's Anchor Island novels and I was excited to get to know the residents of Ardent Springs in the first novel, His First and Last. It took me a while to "get it", but this title is perfect for this book. As I first started reading the book, I had a hard time getting into it - and I was surprised. It took me quite a few chapters to really start relating to the characters and the town, but once I did, I really enjoyed the book. The author introduces us to Lorilei and Spencer early on in the book, and it doesn't take long for the reader to get the full story of what was going on between those two - even if they didn't know each other secrets yet. The author draws you in to the characters lives and you quickly feel invested in what happens to them - their wrongs become your wrongs and you feel the need to defend Lorilei when she is being put down, or hugging Spencer when he hurts. That's the sign of a good author when she can make you feel the feelings of the characters in her books.

The author masterfully introduces two characters that you love to hate - and they are related!  At every twist and turn in the book, you'll find either the mayor, Jebediah, or his daughter, Becky, right there, ready to stir up trouble. They are both wonderfully horrible characters and they definitely deserve each other as family. I also enjoyed getting to know Granny - Lorelei's conscience. Whenever Lorelei has doubts about her return, or her ability, Granny is there to be her voice of reason or give her a smack upside the head when she needs it. And she knows how to wield a shotgun if she needs to! I also enjoyed getting to know Snow, another colorful character living in the town of Ardent Springs. I especially liked that she is willing to give Lorelei a chance and supports her in her quest for "respectability" in town. I look forward to getting to know more about Snow in her own story.

His First and Last epitomizes Spencer's feelings towards Lorelei, but it also signifies so much more depth. His feelings about his father, and for his mother; and Lorelei's feelings about her mother, and her father; and their feelings about their past and their future are all wrapped up in the story of Lorelei's return to Ardent Springs. The author has created a wonderful small town in Tennessee that would have a new visitor around festival time, if only I could find it on the map! A fantastic start to the Ardent Springs series and I look forward to future books in the series from Terri Osburn.

Links:

Goodreads - Amazon - Barnes & Noble (PB)

About the Author:

Terri fell in love with reading at a young age, starting with condensed versions of classics such as The Wizard of Oz, The Hound of the Baskervilles, and Little Women. She fell into Romance novels around Junior High and never looked back. Authors such as Judith McNaught, Kathleen Woodiwiss, and LaVyrle Spencer kept her going through high school, then she bounded into the 90s with authors like Julie Garwood, Dorothy Garlock, Johanna Lindsey and countless others.

Her bookshelves are lined with beloved keepers (many sporting Fabio covers), some tattered and torn but all filled with passion, love, lust, and above all, Romance. From the Wild West to Romping Regency ballrooms to boardrooms and charming small towns, her library covers the spectrum.

Terri makes her home along the coast of Virginia with an eye-rolling teenager, two fat tabbies, and a hyper yorkiepoo. In her nefarious past she worked in customer service, fund-raising, catering, and was even a train conductor. (In the mall. Not as impressive as it sounds.) She was also a Country radio disc jockey for eight years, which makes her one of those rarest of author creatures – an extrovert.

Terri is a member of Romance Writers of America®, Virginia Romance Writers, and a 2012 Golden Heart® finalist in the Contemporary Single Title category. Her debut novel MEANT TO BE launched from Montlake Romance in May 2013, with the follow up, UP TO THE CHALLENGE, out in October 2013.

Website: http://www.terriosburn.com/