Friday, September 6, 2019

Review & Giveaway - - BROCK


BROCK
by Roxanne St. Claire
7 Brides for 7 Blackthornes - Book 5
Publisher: South Street Publishing
Release Date: August 29, 2019
Reviewed by PJ
    


Meet the Blackthorne men, who are as hot, fast, and smooth as the whisky that built the family fortune, and the yachts and race cars that bear their name. From proud Scottish stock, Blackthornes never lose. But, one by one, the seven sexy men in this family are about to risk everything when they fall for strong and beautiful women who test their mettle in life...and love.


Brock - Book Five


With proud Blackthorne blood in his veins, Brock Blackthorne loves his job as the keeper of the "brand." His job is to protect the family name, to keep the company's reputation as clean as possible, and ensure that skeletons stay well-hidden at the family compound in King Harbor, Maine. So when an ambitious and inquisitive biographer is tasked to pen a revealing "tell all" book about the Blackthornes, Brock decides to personally guide the beautiful writer far away from any family landmines. But the more time he spends sharing the history and heart of his unusual clan, the more he wants this captivating woman in his arms...and in his life.


The daughter of renowned investigative journalists, Jenna Gillespie's job, reputation, and advance money is on the line if she doesn't unearth something scintillating and surprising about this dynasty built on whisky. Unfortunately, the maddeningly sexy Brock Blackthorne is doing everything he can to make sure that doesn't happen. But when she uncovers a lead about the family's multi-million dollar whisky recipe having been stolen, Brock decides to help her, certain they will finally remove a cloud that hangs over the family name.


As Jenna and Brock get closer to the truth, they also get closer to each other. And when the real story is finally revealed, one of them will have to sacrifice all they think they hold dear if they have any chance for a lifetime of love.


My thoughts:

Roxanne St. Claire never fails to create interesting characters then surround them with intriguing stories that engage both my heart and my mind. 

While Brock and Jenna both have lives very different from my own, I was able to relate to each of them and the challenges they faced. I adored Brock, especially when he threw off his corporate persona, donned his glasses (I do love a man in glasses), and let his hair down. I liked that St. Claire made him strong, but vulnerable. I loved his chemistry with Jenna. I also loved his gut-deep belief in the Blackthorne family's good reputation but it was his sense of fairness in uncovering the truth, even if that was at his family's expense, that really won me over. Yes, there was that moment of male stupidity but he redeemed himself nicely. If Jenna could forgive him, so could I. ;-)

In less talented hands, Jenna could have come off as a villainous character but St. Claire gave her texture, depth, and a moral core that, rather than making her repellent, endeared her to me even more. I fully understood the dilemma she faced, given her background, especially as she came to know both Brock and his family better, and I was fully confident that she would do the right thing for both them and for her. 

And speaking of Brock's family, I fell head over heels in love with Nana. I mean, who wouldn't love a sprightly senior citizen who creates serene gardens, protects her family with the ferocity of a tiger, and can drink most of them under the table. Forget loving her. I want to be her!

While this is the fifth book in the multi-author, 7 Brides for 7 Blackthornes series, it's the first I've read and stands well on its own. Several characters from earlier books have page time, enough to make me want to read their stories without stealing the focus from Brock and Jenna. And, while there appears to be a mystery regarding Brock's aunt that carries across the series, the mystery of the Blackthorne whisky recipe is solved in this book, bringing Brock and Jenna's romantic journey to a well-deserved, happy ending. From beginning to end, it's a journey I enthusiastically recommend.

If you're interested in reading all seven books, they are:

#1 - DEVLIN by Barbara Freethy
#2 - JASON by Julia London
#3 - ROSS by Lynn Raye Harris
#4 - PHILLIP by Cristin Harber
#5 - BROCK by Roxanne St. Claire
#6 - LOGAN by Samantha Chase
#7 - TREY by Christie Ridgway

Do you enjoy a multi-author series?

What's the last one you read?

Are you reading 7 Brides for 7 Blackthornes?

September is my birthday month and I'll be doing occasional birthday giveaways throughout the month. So, for PJ's 1st Birthday Giveway: One person who comments before 11:00 PM, September 7 will receive a Kindle copy of BROCK. Happy reading! 






31 comments:

  1. I do like these series. I read the 7 Bride's for 7 Solider's. Im looking forward to reading this one. I also like The Cattlemens Club by Harelquin Desire.

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    1. I enjoyed both the 7 Brothers and 7 Soldiers series. I especially liked Roxanne St. Claire's JAMES, in the 7 Brothers series.

      Wow, is Texas Cattleman's Club still going? I remember reading those when that series started years ago.

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  2. Happy Birthday! This is also my Birthday month. Yes, I enjoy Multi-author series. Daughters of the Mayflower series was very good. Thank you

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  3. I do like series as long as there's not a huge wait between books.
    Kate Sparks
    girlygirlhoosier52@yahoo.com

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    1. That's one of the things that I've enjoyed so much about the three 7 Brides series. They're released one right after another.

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  4. I do not believe I have ever read an actual series by multiple authors - just novellas in anthologies.

    Thanks for the review, you always make me interested.

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  5. I haven't read this series, but there are a couple of my favorite authors. I generally do like series books.

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    1. Hope you enjoy the series if you decide to give it a try.

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  6. Happy Birthday month to you! I have not read a multi-author series and have not tried this one. But I am very fond of this author.

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    1. Thanks! I'm fond of this author too, as well as several others in the series.

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  7. Happy September birthday! My mom's birthday is also in September! I do enjoy books in a series.

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  8. Happy B-day!
    I can't I've tried a multi author series before, but it sounds fun!

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    1. It's a lot of fun. I've really enjoyed it.

      And thank you for the birthday wishes!

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  9. My youngest son just turned 18! Brock’s story was awesome! Great series!

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    1. Happy Birthday to your son. Eighteen is such an exciting age!

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  10. Happy Birthday Month! The most recent multi-author series that I read is Steele Ridge by Kelsey Browning, Adrienne Giordano and Tracey Devlyn. Love that series!! I haven't read any of the 7 Brides for 7 Blackthornes yet, but they are on my TBR list because I love Roxanne St. Claire's books.

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    1. I'm going to have to check out Steele Ridge. Thanks for the rec!

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  11. Happy Birthday! I haven't started this series but I did read the last one these ladies did together. I usually wait till they are all published before reading them. I will want to be able to read one right after the other.

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    1. They're almost all published so it won't be long. Happy reading!

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  12. I do enjoy multi-author series and the last one I read was this one. Happy Birthday to you, whenever it is.

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    1. Thanks, Eileen! It's the 20th but I'm going to enjoy celebrating all month. ;-)

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  13. Happy Birthday. Hope you have a good month and a wonderful New Year.
    I enjoy multi author series. The different voices presenting the characters give a varied view of them resulting in richer more full characterizations for them.
    The last multi author series I can remember reading was the Irish Brides Trilogy by Winnie Griggs, Cheryl St.John, and Renee Ryan. A far cry from the Blackthornes I am sure.
    I have not yet read any of the Blackthorne books.

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    1. Thanks for the rec, Patricia. I like those three authors and Irish Brides just makes me smile. I'll be checking these out!

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  14. Happy Birthday!

    I do read series by different authors. I love the ones set in Last Stand, Texas from Tule.

    denise

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  15. Happy Birthday! I don't read a lot of multiple authors, but I've enjoyed the ones I have. I really like Roxanne's books. Thanks for the chance to win.

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  16. Happy birthday month, PJ!! I love series, whether single author or multi-author! I think the Kindle Worlds were kind of a fun way for authors to do it. I have the series before this latest Blackthornes but haven't started this current one yet!

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