Review - - Set the Night on Fire

Set the Night on Fire
By Laura Trentham
Cottonbloom Series - Book 6
Publisher: St. Martin's
Release Date: July 31, 2018
Reviewed by PJ 

Ella Boudreaux has a lot to prove to her family, friends, and foes - and to herself. So when her marriage ends she decides to invest her energy and money into a place that brings back some of Ella's happiest memories: the Abbott brothers' garage. Maybe, if she puts her mind to it, she can teach skeptical, stubborn Mack Abbott how to make the business a true success. Which would be a lot easier if the hunky mechanic didn't make her motor run quite so fast...and hot.

Mack was furious when his brother, Ford, sold his share of the business. He's in no rush to team up with a wealthy divorcée who shows up to the garage in stilettos - and the longest, sexiest legs he's seen in forever. But Ella's grit and determination won't quit...and soon Mack can see that she's been down a few rough roads herself. Neither Mack nor Ella can deny the fierce attraction that's revving up between them. Could it be that true love has been in the backseat all along...and they've finally found the key? 

For me, each book in Laura Trentham's Cottonbloom series is like a trip home to visit family and friends. Cottonbloom isn't idyllic, with its divided loyalties between the wealthy Mississippi side of the river and the blue-collar Louisiana side, yet it calls to me. Each side brings something unique to the table and the quirky characters plus the crossover couples whose stories have been told in this series continue to bridge the gap and steer their shared-but-separate communities to a brighter future, making Cottonbloom one of my favorite fictional destinations.

One of the things I most enjoy about Trentham's books is her ability to create multi-layered characters who are intriguing and relatable then place them into situations that challenge them. They have to dig deep, evolve, and overcome the obstacles life places in their path, before claiming their happy ending. With each story, I find myself more immersed in their world. I care about these people and I'm totally invested in what happens to them. 

Based on page time in the previous two Cottonbloom books (Mack's twin brothers' stories), I wasn't sure what to expect from grouchy, set-in-his-ways, Mack and the rich, apparently snooty Ella who shocks the Abbotts by buying one-quarter of their family garage and restoration business from their estranged brother. I discovered that there is so much more to both Mack and Ella than first appearances would suggest and watching those layers peel away to reveal the truth of their hearts was pure delight. 

Trentham doesn't shy away from tough topics - betrayal, abuse, abandonment - but neither does she allow her stories to become too heavy. There's plenty of spark, humor, and hope...not to mention sensual sexy times...in this story. Love triumphs, as does forgiveness, reconciliation, and breaking free from past emotional chains to claim one's own power and happiness. 

If you enjoy quirky small towns, witty banter, rich, emotional stories, plenty of sexy times, and characters who will linger in your mind long after you turn the final page, a trip to Laura Trentham's Cottonbloom should be in your future. While there are six books in the series, they are actually two sets of trilogies. Each trilogy stands on its own but I recommend reading the three books within each trilogy in order. 


Have you read any of the books in this series?

Do you have a favorite Cottonbloom couple?

Which secondary character(s) would you most like to see get their own story? (I'm hoping for Clayton and Maggie!)

Blog Tour Review/Q&A/Giveaway - - When the Stars Come Out

When the Stars Come Out
By Laura Trentham
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Release Date: January 30, 2018
Reviewed by PJ

  

Laura Trentham takes readers back to her small southern town of Cottonbloom for more humor, emotion, and heartwarming romance in When the Stars Come Out. I've been reading this series from the beginning and with each book released, I become more invested in these characters who inhabit the two sides of Cottonbloom: the upscale Mississippi side of the river that bisects the town, and the working-class Louisiana side. In this fifth book of the series, Trentham continues to tug at readers' heartstrings with Jackson and Willa's emotional journey.

People joke that Jackson Abbott's most meaningful relationship has always been with his car and it's probably not far from the truth. He grew up working on cars in his late father's garage and racing them on dirt tracks has always been his escape when life gets rough. He's a good guy - kind and generous - but, except for his brothers and his late father, he's never allowed himself to get close to anyone, certainly not to a woman. A lot of that can be attributed to events early in his life.

Willa Brown is keeping secrets. Hired by their late father, she's worked as a mechanic at the Abbott Brothers Garage for the past couple years and is invaluable to the business. She's also had a crush on Jackson for that entire time but wouldn't dream of acting on it. She's been on the run for five years and has learned the hard way that she can only depend on herself. Jackson always knew how important Willa was to the business but it isn't until he fears she might leave that he realizes how important she is to him. Can he convince Willa to take a chance on him? The two of them are an unbeatable team under the hood of a car but will starting a relationship outside the garage deepen their bond or send a skittish Willa running for the hills?

I loved these two. They're so obviously perfect for one another but both have issues to confront and overcome before they can have their happy ending. Trentham guides them with a deft hand, allowing their journey to unfold slowly and realistically, infusing it with the awkwardness, humor, sweetness, fear, forgiveness, and romance it deserves. 

The richness of the Cottonbloom communities and their citizens add to the appeal of this series and this story. The relationship between Sutton Mize and Jackson's twin, Wyatt (Leave the Night On) continues to evolve and we're given more insight into the other two Abbott brothers, Mack and Ford. Mack is the next Abbott brother destined for love in Set the Night on Fire, due for release July 31, 2018. Clayton Preston, a secondary character with a tumultuous past (Light Up the Night) makes a pivotal appearance in When the Stars Come Out, giving me hope that Trentham may have more in store for this ex-con brother of Cottonbloom, Mississippi's Chief of Police. 

If you enjoy small-town romance rich with humor, deep emotion, and plenty of heart, I highly recommend Laura Trentham's Cottonbloom books. While all the books stand on their own, for a deeper understanding of the Abbott brothers I would recommend reading Leave the Night On first, followed by When the Stars Come Out. 

Q&A with Laura Trentham

PJ: As the book blurb states, "Jackson's most meaningful relationship has always been with his car." With what make and model car would you like to have a meaningful relationship?

Ha! I’m going to be honest and admit that I don’t have an affinity for cars. As long as it starts reliably and gets me from point A to B, I’m all good. But, I married a man with a love of cars. He’s a mechanical engineer who restores cars as a hobby. We have a 1956 Volkswagen Bug, a 1967 Volkswagen Transporter, a 1973 Datsun Z, and a supercharged 2014 Mustang in our garage/driveway at the moment. That’s not counting my (very reliable) sedan and his pickup truck. We look like Sanford and Sons around here! The idea of writing about three mechanic brothers was inspired by my husband and the hours and hours (and hours) of car shows I’ve been forced to watch with him. I guess it paid off!

PJ: How many more books do you have planned for Cottonbloom?

That’s an excellent question and one I can’t answer yet! Writers with traditional houses work from one contract to the next (usually, but not always, in three-book series.) Set the Night On Fire (out July 31^st) wraps up my second 3-book contract. What happens next will honestly depend on sales. It’s the stark reality of publishing as a business. As an aside, this is why downloading pirated copies of books hurts writers so badly! Not only is it a financial hit, but if people are pirating rather than buying then publishers won’t ask for more books from that author. That being said, I do have an idea for another trilogy set in Cottonbloom, so we’ll see! *fingers crossed*

PJ: Willa is a top-notch mechanic. What skill do you have that readers might be surprised to discover?

It’s sad how long I’ve been sitting here thinking about this question! Lol. I’m a chemical engineer by degree and know my way around a chemical plant which I suppose is an unusual path for a romance writer. I’m also a better than average cook. For some reason this always surprises my extended family, I suppose because I subsisted on Hot Pockets and salads until I got married. But my job as a chemical engineer was basically “cooking” in huge 600 gallon reactors. Not a huge stretch.

Readers, what skill do you have that might surprise us? 

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Review - - Then He Kissed Me

Then He Kissed Me
Cottonbloom - Book 2
By Laura Trentham
Publisher: St. Martin's
Release Date: June 28, 2016

Best friends and confidants, young Nash Hawthorne and Tally Fournette were inseparable but, at the age of ten, dual tragedies ripped them apart. Skinny, nerdy Nash was sent to live with his snobby, well-to-do aunt on the Mississippi side of Cottonbloom where he thrived academically, if not socially, going on to excel in college and beyond. Tally remained on the blue-collar Louisiana side of the river that separates Cottonbloom, struggling to survive the dire circumstances in which she and her older brothers found themselves after the deaths of their parents and rebelling when faced with the shame and frustration of being unable to keep up at school because of undetected dyslexia. To say she had a chip on her shoulder would be a major understatement.

Fast forward 18 years...  

Nash returns to Cottonbloom to teach history at the local college. No longer the skinny kid who fished the river with Tally, he's educated, world-traveled, and quite the sexy hunk. He's also determined to rekindle a friendship - and maybe more - with the childhood best friend he never forgot. But there are obstacles - both his own and the ones Tally throws in his path - that must first be overcome.

Though Tally owns a successful gym, she still views herself as inferior, especially to Nash. She's ashamed that she never attended college and while she's a whiz with numbers, she still has difficulty reading due to her dyslexia. She can't imagine why a man who reveres books would want anything to do with a woman who can't read one. Adding to her battered self-esteem is her abusive ex-boyfriend who refuses to leave her alone, consistently reinforcing the belief that she was weak and stupid to ever have let him into her life.  Her feelings for Nash quickly grow but in order to trust in the love and happiness he offers, she will first have to learn to love and accept herself.

Laura Trentham is quickly becoming one of my favorite contemporary romance authors. I've fallen in love with the citizens of Cottonbloom and their divided town, especially Tally and Nash. These two really spoke to me. I ached for Tally and all she had endured and while I usually go for alpha heroes, Nash's beta-hero character stole my heart. Trentham's characters are well formed and complex, and she brings them to vibrant and realistic life on the pages of her books. They could easily be people you'd meet at the Saturday morning farmer's market or a Friday night street dance. She surrounds them with a supporting cast of interesting characters, some of whom have stories of their own that are inter-woven with the hero's and heroine's, adding layers of richness to the book without drawing the focus away from the main couple. And then there's the town of Cottonbloom, a character in itself that Trentham brings to vivid life through her words. Reading the Cottombloom books, I can smell the magnolias in bloom and feel the sultry heat of deep south summers on my skin. It's all part of the total reading experience that she does so well. 

Then He Kissed Me is going straight to my Best of 2016 watch list and also to my keeper shelf, along with the first book in the Cottonbloom series, Kiss Me That Way. I have no doubt that they will soon be joined by the third book, Til I Kissed You, due to be released August 2.  I highly recommend Laura Trentham's Cottonbloom books for your summer reading pleasure. As each book builds upon the previous one in the trilogy, I would encourage readers to read them in order. 

~PJ

Today's Special - - Laura Trentham

I'm so excited to host Laura Trentham today! I fell in love with Laura's writing while reading her Falcon Football series and the first book in her new Cottonbloom series has made me love her books even more. Her stories are filled with humor, sizzle, and a whole lot of heart in a small town setting. Laura knows a lot about small towns, having grown up in one in Northwest Tennessee. She loved reading and English in high school but pursued a Chemical Engineering degree in college, spending many years working in a hard hat and steel-toed boots. These days, she's busy raising a family and creating wonderful stories in Regency England and small, southern, American towns. 

Please give her a warm welcome! 

Hi, Laura! Congratulations on the release of your first mass market paperback, Kiss Me That Way!  What should readers expect from this book?

They should expect to laugh, get little teary eyed in places, and breathe a huge sigh of happiness at the end!

I did all three! 

There’s more than where they grew up standing between Cade and Monroe. What is it about these two characters that convinced you they were destined to be together?

Although their paths are vastly different, they had to face terrible things too young and each has tried to conquer their fears. In the other person, they found someone they can trust and who truly understands them.

Kiss Me That Way kicks off your new Cottonbloom series. How many books will be in this series? Will each book stand on its own or do you recommend reading them in order?

This series is a perfect beach read! There are three books in this story arc, taking place over one summer: Kiss Me That Way in June, Then He Kissed Me in July, and Till I Kissed You in August. They are standalones, but I recommend reading them in order because of the secondary storylines that connect them. Plus it’s more fun that way.

Starting summer 2017 will be another three-book series set in Cottonbloom! Different family, different story arc, but I’m sure some favorite characters will make an appearance. First up is Turn the Night On!

And one last project that connects my Falcon Football series and the Cottonbloom series is a Christmas novella featuring Jeremy Whitehurst (aka Whitey) and Kayla Redmond, who is a secondary character in Kiss Me That Way. It’s coming to e-readers everywhere this October!

Marking my calendar for all of the above! I have to tell you how excited I am to hear you've written a story for Jeremy/Whitey. I was so intrigued by his character in your Falcon Football series. 

You have a gift for creating a vivid sense of place. I felt it while reading your Falcon Football series (which I highly recommend, readers!) and again during Kiss Me That Way. Have you spent time in Louisiana or Mississippi? You sure brought it to life in this story.

Except for passing through both states and spending time in New Orleans, I haven’t! Cottonbloom is entirely of my imagination. But, I have spent lots of time in Alabama and Tennessee and know the flavor of towns like Cottonbloom. I also loved the idea of a town divided over a state line.

I love the small towns that you've created. What is about small town settings that appeals to you as a writer?

I grew in a small town in Tennessee, and every day finds me more and more nostalgic for my childhood. It was such a great place (still is!) and yes, you knew everyone. The kids I went to kindergarten with were the same ones I graduated high school with. Unfortunately, that’s not the experience my son will have. The world is changing. Small towns are disappearing or losing that sense of place all over the country, and my goal is to recapture it for the reader. As an aside, my hometown was the basis for Falcon, Alabama, down to the layout of the library.

Growing up in a small town, I remember well how residents are identified by what dish they bring to the church potluck or town festival, as in this encounter from Kiss Me That Way where Cade is introduced to Ms. Effie, an elderly resident of Cottonbloom:

“I was acquainted with your parents. Your mama made the best deviled eggs in Cottonbloom. People loved to see her coming at the church potluck.” Cade’s smile came easy and natural. It felt strange. “I remember. She was like the pied piper of deviled eggs.” 

What is your go-to potluck dish? Or, if you don’t cook, which dish do you make a beeline for

first?

I make a killer broccoli salad! You know the one with the bacon and raisins and sunflower seeds and sugared mayo dressing…Sounds totally weird, but it is heaven on earth which is why it’s perfect for a church potluck! (You can find the recipe on my website.) But, I will stake out the deviled eggs if available, because it’s something I don’t normally make yet love.

Ah, yes. I know that broccoli salad well. It's a favorite! Readers, you can find the recipe here. 

Our recent warm weather here in North Carolina has me anticipating summer. What’s your favorite season? What sets it apart from the others?

Fall is actually my favorite season because…FOOTBALL! I’m a huge Tennessee Volunteer football fan.

A kindred spirit! The day after the college football championship, I start counting down the days to kickoff game for the next season. ;-) 

Will you be attending any book signings this year where readers can meet you?

I will be in San Diego at the RWA Literacy Signing July 13^th! My very first signing and I would absolutely love to meet some readers.

Where can readers find you online?

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorLauraTrentham/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/LauraTrentham

Website: http://www.lauratrentham.com/

Cade’s brother’s and sister’s books will be out in July and August. Will you tell us a bit about what we can expect from their stories?

Nash and Tally were best friends growing up but were ripped apart by tragedy. Then He Kissed Me is a really sweet friends to lovers book.

Regan and Sawyer’s book (Till I Kissed You) might be my favorite. It’s enemies to lovers with a little second chance love thrown in. These two have some explosive chemistry, plus they made me laugh.

Thanks for visiting with us today, Laura! Would you like to ask our readers a question?

Talking about food made me hungry…What’s your favorite potluck take-along dish?

One randomly chosen person leaving a comment will receive a signed copy of Kiss Me That Way. (US only) If the chosen winner lives outside the United States, a $10 Amazon gift card will be substituted for the book.

 A river divides Cottonbloom in two: the upscale enclave on the Mississippi side and the rundown, rough and tumble side in Louisiana. They’re worlds apart—but nothing can build a bridge like love…

Cade Fournette never had it easy Cottonbloom. He stuck around long enough to raise his orphaned siblings and then hightailed it out West—and never looked back. Even though he’s made a success of himself in Seattle, Cade never lost the toughness and the angry edge that helped him survive down South. His only weak spot: the girl he left behind…

Monroe Kirby came from the wealthy side of town, but that didn’t protect her from her mother’s drinking—or her mother’s boyfriend. It was Cade who did that, on a long-ago hot September night, before he disappeared…along with a piece of her heart. Now Monroe is a physical therapist who can fight for herself, and it’s Cade who could use some conditioning when he makes an unexpected return back home. Will he and Monroe pick up where they left off and finally explore their mutual passion—or will the scars and secrets of the past divide them once more?