Beginner’s Luck
by Corinne Scott
This book was great full of adventure and angst of all sorts…
~Community Bookstop
If you enjoy romantic suspense with a bit of heat and Irish brogue, you’ll enjoy BEGINNER’S LUCK and may just have found a new series.
~Christa Reads and Writes
Beginner’s Luck (The O’Briens Book 1)
Contemporary Romantic Suspense
Setting – New York
Camel Press (November 1, 2016)
Paperback: 232 pages
ISBN-13: 978-1603813815
ASIN: B01MAXTV1R
As eldest son, Eoin O’Brien is expected to take over the management of his family pub, the Lion O’Brien in the Bronx. Despite his da’s disapproval, he has achieved his dream of becoming a police detective. He also longs to have a family, but his wife Vivian left him three years ago to pursue her own dreams of working in an art gallery.
Now Vivian is back from California. When the gallery where she works is robbed and vandalized, their paths cross again. It turns out the attack on the gallery was personal. After Vivian is almost run down by a car, it is clear that she herself is the target, though she can’t think of anyone who would wish her harm. Eoin and Vivian circle each other warily, each feeling the pull of the past and their still powerful attraction. But there will be no easy reconciliation. First she find a way back into the O’Brien family’s good graces. Eoin, in turn, sees that he is partly to blame for her flight. Like his father, he is too quick to anger, too domineering. He must learn to give the independent Vivian her space. But above all, he has sworn to protect her. And if he gives her too much space, she may end up dead.
Says Corinne, “My first time in a New York Irish pub, I was struck by the strong feeling of family and tradition. And so the idea of the O’Briens was born. I could picture this big Irish family pouring drinks and sharing stories, all with an adorable brogue. They seemed so real I had to make them come to life.”
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Eoin O’Brien and his wife Vivian married very early in their relationship so that Eoin could get a green card and follow his dream to join the NYPD. Three years ago she left their marriage behind to follow her own dream of working in an art gallery. Now she is back in New York and guess who happens to answer the call when her gallery is robbed? None other than new detective Eoin O’Brien. The attraction is still there but is it enough for a reconciliation? Can than get past all the obstacles in their way?
Sometimes I just need to venture out of my cozy world for something a little steamy. I am not much of a romance reader but when you tangle romance with some mystery and suspense I am all in.
Having a little Irish in my make up and with tomorrow being St. Patrick’s Day, it was the perfect time to read this book.
The O’Brien family immigrated to America when Eoin was just 4 years old and opened their own Irish Pub. Their family grew and while Eoin’s father expected the eldest son to follow tradition and take over the pub when he was ready to retire Eoin has other ideas. His father didn’t take this well and their Irish tempers exploded often about this subject. When Eoin married Vivian and joined the police force their relationship became even more strained. In true fashion, his mother was the peacemaker. His brothers and sister were able to choose their careers, one even wants to run the pub. But there is still a cloud over this father and his eldest son.
Ms. Scott has created vivid characters I cared about right away. She took us deeper into their lives as the story progressed that made them so real. The Irish brogue made them even better. She allowed us to take a seat at the bar and enjoy the pub atmosphere and even the occasional fight. Eoin’s parents really warmed my heart as they both reminded me of my own parents. His father’s stubbornness and mother’s mostly gentle, sometimes forceful, prodding felt genuine and exactly like the home I grew up in. The sibling rivalry was very well written too. Makes me wonder if the author drew from her own life.
The romantic tension between Vivian and Eoin was strong and a few scenes absolutely sizzled. Situations continued to test them and at some points their pain just oozed of the pages.
I was impressed by the mystery. It was very balanced with the romance. Handled aptly by the police it was not easy for them to solve and had me perplexed several times. I thought I knew the “who” but the “why” was not adding up. It turned out I was only partly right when the entire story concluded. The ending had an suspenseful edge of your seat moment that I absolutely loved.
I am excited that this is going to be a series. I love this family. I wonder which O’Brien will be the star of the next story……
*Book contains adult language and scenes.
Corinne Scott was born and raised in San Antonio, Texas. Her parents were teachers, so of course she grew up to be a teacher as well, proving that the apple does not fall too far from the tree. Corinne has a bachelor’s degree from Texas State University and a master’s from the University of North Texas. She is passionate about books, which led her to her current occupation as a librarian and author. For more information and links to social media, click here.
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Purchase Links – Amazon
Tour Participants
March 13 – Community Bookstop – REVIEW
March 14 – Christa Reads and Writes – REVIEW
March 15 – 3 Partners in Shopping, Nana, Mommy, &, Sissy, Too ! – REVIEW
March 16 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW
March 17 – Varietats – REVIEW
March 18 – Brooke Blogs -REVIEW
March 19 – Rainy Day Reviews – REVIEW
March 20 – Socrates’ Book Reviews – REVIEW
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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of this book. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
