Synopsis:
There isn't a situation that can't be fixed by a coat of chocolate body paint or a liberal smear of Champagne Lick, right? Wrong! Ever since her father was murdered by a gang of youths, Sienna Lloyd has named herself Potterford’s protector—her sexy lingerie shop is a place where the town’s women can visit and feel safe. But when that shop is in danger of closing, Sienna needs a solution that will keep her in Potterford, where she can always look out for her mother, friends, and clients. The answer? Move the shop to her home at 16 Marsden Place. The problem? Her new neighbor, the delicious but seriously uptight Jack Beaton. Oh, and his four-year-old twin girls.Jack has just moved to the tiny town of Potterford in a bid to start over. To build a new life that keeps his children safe from their violent and sex-crazed mother. So when he discovers his neighbor intends to open a sex shop right next door, Jack will do anything to ensure it doesn’t happen…including fighting every ounce of his attraction to the shop’s owner and his innate need to trust again.
Excerpt
Jack watched Sienna from the corner of his eye as she unpacked wineglasses from
newspaper and carefully lined them up in one of the kitchen cabinets. She intrigued
him. The sexual prowess that came off her in near intoxicating waves was enough
to make a man set up home in a cold shower. Fortunately, experience had made him
wise to a woman with the body to turn men’s heads. There was little chance he’d fall
victim to Sienna’s cocoa-brown stare.
Been there, done that, and look where it had gotten him. Avoiding an ex-wife like
the damn proverbial plague.
Yet, it had taken him all of five minutes since meeting Sienna to ascertain she
definitely wasn’t married. No wedding band, no sparkly engagement ring. Guessing
her to be twenty-seven or eight, he knew a woman who looked like her was single by
choice. With her long hair passing thick and lush over pert breasts and a waist a man
itched to splay his hands around, she was one good-looking woman by anybody’s
standards. So if he was so adverse to such a package, why the hell was he still staring
at her?
Because she was beautiful. He’d be an idiot not to see that, but it was more
than that irritating the hell out of him. It was her. The flashes she had of a temptress
stalking her next prey reminded him of his ex-wife. Although, the big and noticeable
difference with Sienna was how delicate she looked when she thought no one was
looking. Almost fragile. When she’d spoken to Holly and Katy over the fence, with
her brow furrowed and her cheeks flushed, she’d looked like a woman who could
nurture children and make a house a home.
Then again, he’d made the same assumption about Martina. He wouldn’t fall into
that trap again.
Jack stole a direct glance at Sienna. When she noticed and smiled at him, he
snatched his attention back to the blinds he’d been attempting to hang at the window.
The sexual part of Sienna was hazardous enough, the softer side even more so.
Stupidly, Jack had thought the “businesswoman” next door would rarely be home and
that, when she was, she would be aloof. Sienna was the antithesis of that. Regardless,
the impression he’d gotten so far was that, as a young businesswoman, Sienna ranked
children far down on her list of priorities. So whatever that softness in her was, it
wasn’t directed toward family life.
Yet he was unable to resist another look at her. He stared down the length of
her body, from her thick chestnut brown hair to the slim waist and firm little butt
encased in black denim, down to her bare feet. And when she reached up into one of
the higher cabinets, Jack inwardly groaned. The movement had revealed two or three
inches of smooth, tanned stomach between her T-shirt and the waistband of her jeans.
The temptation to touch her rippled through his fingers.
Review
4 stars
I found this to be a wonderfully written story of Sienna Lloyd, owner of Sienna’s Sexy Solutions and a single dad, Jack Beaton, with 4 year old twin daughters, Holly & Katy. Their mother went off the deep end of the pool when the girls were toddlers by turning to drugs & sleeping with other men. When Jack discovered this he knew he had to make some changes & give the girls a better life. After time, he decides to move away and settles in the small town of Potterford. Here, he meets his next door neighbor, Sienna. The scene in which they first meet had me smiling. I don’t want to spoil it for you. Sienna is struck by Jack’s hotness.
“Jack Beaton might have looked like he should be served between two slices of puff pastry and covered in squirty cream, but apparently also came with a side of baggage.”
The girls are just too darned cute. I loved their relationship with their father and Sienna. Katy takes to Sienna quite quickly, but Holly takes some time.
“Katy opened her mouth to speak, but Holly got there first. She fixed Sienna with eyes that could bend metal.”
Just reading that line had me smirking.
Sienna has kept herself closed off to relationships since her father’s death a few years earlier and hasn’t dated in awhile. The development of her and Jack’s relationship is sweet and heartwarming. She isn’t too comfortable around children, but her feelings change for these two little girls, as well as their dad.
“She was about as in control of this situation as a mouse at a cat dance.”
Sienna owns a shop in town which caters to the women who live there and has been quite successful with it. But when her landlord raises the rent, it’s time to change her location. She doesn’t have many options, but one, her home. I loved how her customers stand by her, as well as her friend Kelsey, who’s a lawyer in town. As, you can probably guess, Jack isn’t too pleased about this when he finds out. But Sienna feels that she needs to be honest and upfront about what she plans on doing. And I can’t fault her for that. I think this made me like her a little more. Sienna’s mind thoughts in regards to Jack added to my enjoyment of this story. This author sure knew when to add them in and I could picture these things happening. I’m sure you’ll enjoy them just as much as I did. She fights her attraction to him to a degree, but that just goes up in smoke. Because he can’t help falling for her either.
“She intrigued him. The sexual prowess that came off her in near intoxicating waves was enough to make a man set up home in a cold shower. Fortunately, experience had made him wise to a woman with a body to turn men’s heads. There was little chance he’d fall victim to Sienna’s cocoa-brown stare.”
Yeah right! I said “Good luck with that Jack.” He begins to discover just what a gem he has living right next door. Sienna is committed to keeping her business, staying in town (she’s considerate of her customers in staying local), she loves her mom, she’s honest, sweet and just a darned good person. She also goes out of her way to support Jack when his ex wants back into his, Holly & Katy’s lives. Even when she’s not sure what the outcome may be.
Jack is a devoted father, who wants to provide a good and happy life, as well as home, to his girls. He’s also scared to death that their mom will come back in the picture. And she eventually does. Do Jack & Sienna overcome their slight roadblocks that are put in their way? I enjoyed every minute of reading to find out if they did and you must read this for yourself to find out also!
Congrats on the release Rachel! I will be reading more from this author and would love to see a story written about Sienna’s friend, Kelsey and Mike Scott, the lawyer that Jack consults with when his ex wants to be back in the picture.
Reviewed by Jessie L.
Amazon buy link:
http://www.amazon.com/16-Marsden-Place-ebook/dp/B00D5VBW7G/ref=sr_1_1?s=digitaltext&ie=UTF8&qid=1370384721&sr=11&keywords=16+marsden+place
Barnes & Noble buy link:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/16-marsden-place-rachel-brimble/1115472157?ean=2940016562674&itm=1&usri=16+marsden+place
Author bio:
I live with my fantastic husband, our two young daughters and my beloved black Labrador, Max in a small market town near the famous Georgian City of Bath. Having always ‘played’ with writing, I didn’t seriously sit down and write toward publication until I became pregnant with my second daughter – then I told myself to get my butt in the chair and get on with it before she grows up and I’m forced to get a real job! Lots of short stories followed as did lots of rejections! I took a few distance learning courses, joined some online writers groups and basically, learned my craft. Finally deciding short stories weren’t working for me (they are an art form in themselves!), in 2006 I decided to embark on my first novel and voila Searching For Sophie was born! Since then, my other books have followed each year. And when I’m not writing? You’ll find me with my head in a book or walking the beautiful English countryside with my family. And in the evening? Well, a well-deserved glass of wine is never, ever refused.
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Add 16 Marsden Place on Goodreads:
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Thank you for such a fab review, Jessie - I love that you've quoted the passages that stood out for you :)
ReplyDeleteSO many people mentioning Kelsey and Mike, I'm thrilled!
Rachel x