Review and Giveaway: The Good Chase

The Good Chase (Highland Games - Book 2) by Hanna Martine

Publication Date: 12/02/2014
Publisher: Penguin Group
Imprint: Berkley Sensation
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Pages: 304
ISBN-10: 0425267520
ISBN-13: 978-0425267523

(Received for an honest review from Berkley Sensation)

Purchase: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Indiebound, itunes

Hanna Martine on the WEB: website, twitter, facebook, goodreads

Books in the series: 

Highland Games

1. Long Shot
1.5. Play For Me
2. The Good Chase

Coverart: Click the Image for a larger, clearer view of the covers in this series.

Excerpt from, The Good Chase, courtesy of the author's website.

Synopsis:

The second in the Highland Games series, following Long Shot

Gleann, New Hampshire’s annual highland games always deliver the best of Scottish culture—rowdiness, rugby, whiskey, and unexpected romance…

Even though Shea Montgomery’s swanky bar and distinguished palate have made her a highly regarded whiskey connoisseur, she’s happiest bringing her favorite spirit to various highland games around New England. Her demanding ex made her wary of men obsessed with money and status, and she’s now more comfortable in the country than in the city. Still, when a gorgeous rugby player straight from Wall Street barrels into her whiskey tent, she’s tempted to change her mind…

J.P. Byrne went from poor beginnings to international high roller by using his charisma and wit, and holding fast to his dreams. A strong, independent woman like Shea is exactly what he’s looking for, only he has no idea how to prove he’s more than his three-piece suits—especially when he’s spent years doing just the opposite.

But as Shea and Byrne battle old demons, they discover together that the best remedy for past pain is a good, stiff shot of present pleasure…

Thoughts:

Hanna Martine does a great job with the second book in the Highland Games series, The Good Chase. Martine brings whiskey and rugby to the forefront in this contemporary romance about two people who have overcome a lot to get to where they are. Martine uses a bit of a Highland theme to get the ball rolling with this one and reader's who love all things Scottish will find this one irresistible. Martine's use of the whiskey industry in the story was ingenious and makes for a really interesting read.

What I liked:

I haven't read the first book in this series, Long Shot, but I was really intrigued with The Good Chase. Being of Scottish decent probably had something to do with that. I love stories that portray aspects of the Scottish people and homeland. The Highland Games is something synonymous with the Scotland and I was interested to see how Martine handled it. Usually, the any Highland Games held in America is similar but not exactly like the real thing. I thought Martine had her facts straight and she made the games seem like a place any reader would want to visit. As well as Shea's whiskey tasting tent.

Shea's profession was certainly not what I expected. I loved it though. The background on the whiskey industry was interesting and full of unique facts. It added a certain finesse to the story. It cost quite a pretty penny to be able to taste the fine whiskey that Shea was providing and she made it a great experience for those who got the opportunity. I've never seen a whiskey tasting at any Highland Games I have been too, but I think it would make an amazing addition. Scotch whiskey, yummy!

I liked Shea as a character as well. She has started a new life for herself after a marriage to a controlling wealthy man, who didn't see her potential. I liked the fact that she took a chance and did something she loved. She was a self made woman, so to speak and so was the hero, J.P. Byrne. He also came from humble beginnings and now had become a banker with enough money to help his impoverished family, but he didn't understand why they wouldn't take his help. His story was compelling and interesting.

The chemistry between Shea and Byrne was electric. They had met before in the first book in the series, but the encounter didn't go anywhere. Shea has some strict rules when it comes to dating and Byrne had to take a chance that he might be the man to help her lower her barriers. He was persistent but not overbearing in his pursuit of Shea. He let chance encounters and situations dictate the pace and it worked for him. I was glad he didn't pressure her, that would probably have been the end of it considering her past.

It gets a bit hot and steamy now and then, but Martine works that aspect of Shea and Byrne's relationship right into the story. It felt natural and flowed easily. You might need a good cold drink and a fan, because, these two are smoking hot together. Martine writes these types of scenes very well. She is descriptive without being crass and the reader will enjoy the balance between sexual and emotional moments.

Bottom Line:

I definitely want to go back and read the first book in this series. I really enjoyed The Good Chase and thought Martine did a great job with her knowledge of the Highland Games and the whiskey industry. It gave the book a high end kind of feel, but didn't seem pretentious. I liked the characters a lot and found several secondary characters that I hope enter the forefront in new books in the series.

The Good Chase is available NOW from your favorite bookseller.

I'm giving this one 5 out of 5 apples from my book bag!

About the Author:

Hanna Martine has loved stories—particularly the romantic kind—since she was very young. She spent a decade working in an office, but has since dedicated herself to writing. She's the author of the Highland Games contemporary romance series, including Long Shot and The Good Chase, and the Elementals paranormal romance series, including Liquid Lies, A Taste of Ice, and Drowning in Fire.

Hanna has traveled to many wonderful places around the world, including the haunted Scottish castle in which she got married. Though she lives outside Chicago with her family, her heart will always belong to Australia.

Giveaway Details:

The publisher is sponsoring a giveaway for one copy of The Good Chase by Hanna Martine.

~ You must be an email subscriber to participate.
~ US addresses only.
~ The deadline to enter this giveaway is Midnight EST, January 2nd.

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