Tuesday, July 19, 2022

Tour Review - - Grace Under Fire

Grace Under Fire
by Julie Garwood
Publisher: Berkley
Release Date: July 19, 2022
Reviewed by Kitty




Grace Isabel MacKenna has a hundred things to do today. Killing someone isn't one of them. It is supposed to be a quick visit to Boston for the Buchanan anniversary party, then on to Scotland to collect an inheritance. She checks into her hotel and then decides to go for a brisk walk. But after getting lost, she ends up with a wounded man stumbling into her arms—and his shooter coming after them both. When she fires back in self-defense, she doesn’t expect him to drop dead. After Isabel endures an interrogation by police, she is free to go, thanks to the Buchanans dispatching former Navy SEAL and now lawyer Michael Buchanan to assist her.


Isabel knows she should be grateful for Michael’s help, but since she’s harbored an extreme dislike for him for years, gratitude is difficult to muster. Michael has appointed himself her de facto guardian, and she’s stuck with him despite their constant bickering and sizzling attraction. Even when Isabel goes to Scotland to claim her inheritance, Michael follows her—but he isn’t the only thing she can’t shake. Mysterious threats against Isabel surface, and before they can deal with their growing feelings for each other, Michael and Isabel must first survive.

Kitty's Korner:

I have read Julie Garwood books in the past  but haven’t read anything from her for quite a while, so when PJ asked me if I’d like to reacquaint myself with this author and to write a review, I readily agreed.

Grace Under Fire is a contemporary romance between Isabel Mackenna and Michael Buchanan that is summed up in one word- fun.  It was fun to watch these two characters connect despite their best efforts to keep away from each other.  It was also fun to vicariously enjoy the sometimes bigger-than-life scenarios that these two experience.  

The characters in this light-hearted romance (with a dash of mystery) are engaging, as are their plentiful cast of supporting characters-whose backstories suggest that there are previously released books that tell their stories.  

If you enjoy a light, entertaining story that may leave you wanting more, then Grace Under Fire should be part of your summer reading list- Enjoy!

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GRACE UNDER FIRE by Julie Garwood
Berkley Hardcover | On sale July 19, 2022

Excerpt

Chapter One
 
Isabel MacKenna had a hundred things to do today. Killing someone wasn't one of them.   

She had such high hopes this morning when she dragged herself out of bed at the ungodly hour of five a.m. She had made detailed plans for the day that lay ahead, and she would have sailed through them if two unfortunate incidents hadn't waylaid her. The first was an irritating inconvenience; the second, a terrifying nightmare. 

Scheduled to take an early flight on a no-frills, but supercheap airline to Boston, she arrived at the airport in plenty of time to go through security. She was dressed for comfort in a pair of snug jeans and a light pink T-shirt. Her long blond hair was up in a ponytail, and she wore a Red Sox baseball cap her brother-in-law, Dylan, had given her. She checked her luggage, which was packed for a trip to Scotland the following week, and carried her backpack that held everything she would need for the next few days. It was so stuffed she was pretty sure it weighed more than she did. The first time she attempted to swing it over her shoulder she nearly did a backflip. Fortunately, once she was on the plane, another passenger helped her lift it into the overhead compartment.   

She had been assigned a window seat, and she planned to go to sleep as soon as the plane took off. In hindsight, perhaps her expectations were naive. From past experience she had learned that there was never anything smooth or easy about flying, and today was no exception. Once she boarded, she was trapped, and a flight that should have taken a little under three hours ended up taking seven and a half, thanks to the fly-by-the-seat-of-their-pants airline and the mechanical problems they were sure maintenance could fix in no time at all. The captain made the passengers sit on the plane for two full hours before they were allowed to go back into the terminal to continue their wait while repairs were completed. After another grueling hour passed, they were told a relief plane was being flown in to take them to Boston. Apparently, the fix-it-in- no-time-at-all plane couldn't be fixed.   

It was a miserable flight. It began with Isabel plastered up against the window while two overly friendly college students in the seats next to her took turns hitting on her. They seemed to be in some sort of competition to hold her attention and get her phone number. One was in his seventh year at a college in Arizona. In the course of his monologue he sheepishly admitted he still didn't have enough credits to graduate. The other one was in his third year at Colorado State and had changed his major so many times he couldn't remember what it now was. Isabel thought maybe there was a little something extra baked into the cookies he was munching on. She was pretty sure he was stoned.   

Being polite to the nonstop talkers took effort, for exhaustion was pressing down on her . . . and no wonder. She had gotten only three hours of sleep the night before, and the last several weeks had been brutal, with papers due and finals to study for, not to mention packing up almost everything she owned and shipping it back home to Silver Springs, South Carolina, leaving only some of her clothes and personal items. Finally, graduation. She had hoped both of her sisters would be there for the ceremony, but Kiera, the older of the two, was in the middle of a demanding medical residency and couldn't take time off from work to attend. Her other sister, Kate, and her husband, Dylan, were there to see her walk across the stage and get her diploma. She was on her way now to meet them at Nathan's Bay, Dylan's family home just outside Boston. Judge and Mrs. Buchanan, Dylan's parents, were celebrating their anniversary, and their big family was gathering for the occasion. Isabel was happy to be invited to the festivities. The Buchanans were so warm and welcoming, and she looked forward to a week of fun and relaxation.

Then she and Kate were off to Scotland to see Glen MacKenna, the property she would soon inherit from her crusty and-she had it on good authority-horribly mean great-uncle. The land was located in the Highlands, and Isabel was anxious to see it. Kate and Dylan had given her the trip as a graduation present.   

After she returned from Scotland, her plans were uncertain. Maybe the trip would give her some insight into what her future would be.

Once the plane was in flight to Boston and the incessant chattering of her seatmates had died down, Isabel rested her head against the porthole window. She was feeling horrible. She had thrown up-a couple of times, as a matter of fact-as soon as she'd rolled out of bed, and now her head was pounding. She closed her eyes and tried to sleep, but the drummer banging away on the inside of her eyelids wouldn't let up.

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Here's an introduction to today's guest reviewer. Welcome, Kitty!

A little info about myself…as an avid reader for as long as I can remember (my long-suffering husband has been known to say “Oh…another book…where will you put it…?) I enjoy several genres including biographies and historical drama, historical romance, contemporary romantic mysteries and romantic suspense.  As you can tell, I read mostly for pleasure. Books are not my only vice- I’m also a musician (a flute player) and enjoy traveling, scrapbooking, sewing, and trying to stay one step ahead of my cat. I am a native Floridian with a husband, two grown children and three grandchildren.  Having recently retired from an almost 40-year career in retail, I am looking forward to indulging in all these activities as well as adding a few more to the list!


15 comments:

  1. Sounds good, thanks for the review

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  2. I've not read her in a long while so could be interesting - thanks.

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    1. You’re very welcome- hope you like it!

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  3. I haven't read her books in quite awhile. I do have this in my wish list though. Your review bumped it up in line. I live in Florida too. The heat can be a bit much, but I'll take it over the cold weather any day.

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    1. The heat in Florida is very real, and the older I get, the worse it gets. This book is a nice poolside way to deal with it!

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  4. I had caught up on this series a few months ago - really enjoyed it - I'll have to get to this latest installment soon

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    1. You’ll like this one if you enjoyed previous books in the series.

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  5. I look forward to catching up on the Buchanan clan. Thanks for the review. Welcome Kitty!

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    1. The Buchanans are definitely an intriguing bunch…thanks for the warm welcome!

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  6. Julie Garwood has been one of my go to authors when I need a lift. Those books which always make me laugh are her earlier ones. You have made me realize that I could find some of that same charm and humor in a more recent book. Thank you so much for this review. And welcome to the Romance Dish. You are among friends.

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    1. It’s nice to go back sometimes and rediscover something that helps us laugh.

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  7. Nice review. Thanks, Kitty, ad welcome. I've enjoyed Julie Garwood in the past and will look for this one as it sounds good.

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    1. Thanks for the warm welcome everyone!

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  8. Kitty, Thank you for the review. Julie Garwood was the first romance writer I read and I was hooked. I read my way through all her historical books and was so disappointed when she switched to contemporary suspense. That is another genre I enjoy, but I was so disappointed I stopped reading her until a few years ago. I need to go back to the beginning of her contemporary books and read my way through them. I have enjoyed those I have read. I hope ypu enjoy your retirement and get to indulge in all your favorite hobbies and interests.

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