Maddy's Oasis

by Lizzy Ford

With an ill mother in need of expensive surgery, Madeleine flies from NYC to the west Texas desert to take on the doomed Desert Oasis resort project in hopes of earning the bonus attached to finishing it on schedule. She soon finds there's only one thing hotter than the desert sun: Jake, the infuriating Texan whose dislike of the fast-paced city puts them at odds at everything from her high-heels to her to-do lists. When the Oasis reveals its dark secret, Maddy finds she must choose between money and those she cares about.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Chick Lit, Ebooks, Fiction, Westerns, Contemporary Romance

175 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 1, 2011

About the author

I breathe stories. I dream them. If it were possible, I'd eat them, too. (I'm pretty sure they'd taste like cotton candy.) I can't escape them - they're everywhere! Which is why I write! I was born to bring the crazy worlds and people in my mind to life, and I love sharing them with as many people as I can.

I'm also the bestselling, award winning, internationally acclaimed author of over sixty titles and counting. I write speculative fiction in multiple subgenres of romance and fantasy, contemporary fiction, books for both teens and adults, and just about anything else I feel like writing. If I can imagine it, I can write it!

I live in the desert of southern Arizona with a pack of spoiled dogs and Tubbs, the Godfather cat who rules them all.


Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/LizzyFordBooks
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/LizzyFord2010
Email: LizzyFord2010@gmail.com
Radish: LizzyFord
Wattpad: LizzyFord

Lizzy’s books include:

Lost Vegas – young adult post-apocalyptic
Aveline
Tiana
Arthur
Black Wolf

Spell Realm Series (coming summer 2017) – young adult fantasy
Water Spell (2017)
Dragon Spell (2018)
Moon Spell (2018)
Sword Spell (2019)

History Interrupted – time travel romance
West
East
North (2017)
South (2018)

Omega Beginnings Series
Alessandra
Mismatch
Phoibe
Lantos
Theodocia
Niko
Cleon
Herakles

Omega Series
Omega
Theta
Alpha (2017)

Theta Beginnings Miniseries (novelettes)
Silent Queen
Mercenary
Shadow Titan
People’s Champion

Non-Series – 2014 - 2017
Black Moon Draw (about a reader sucked into her book)
White Tree Sound (2017)
Highlander Enchanted
The Door
The Fall of Esme (2017)
Sons of War – contemporary military romance
Semper Mine
Soldier Mine
SEAL Mine (2017)

Super Villainess
It’s Not Easy Being Evil
It’s Not Easy Being Good

Starwalkers Serials (with Julia Crane) – new adult science fiction serial
Severed
Trapped
Exiled
Revealed
Escaped
Ascended
Starwalkers – complete (#1-6)

Heart of Fire – sexy dragon shifter
Charred Heart
Charred Tears
Charred Hope

Incubatti – Buffy meets 50 Shades
Zoey Rogue
Zoey Avenger

Rhyn Trilogy – new adult paranormal with demons
Katie’s Hellion
Katie’s Hope
Rhyn’s Redemption

Rhyn Eternal – Death finds love
Gabriel’s Hope
Deidre’s Death
Darkyn’s Mate
The Underworld
Twisted Fate
Twisted Karma (2017)

War of Gods – paranormal with gods, guardians and exceptional humans
Damian’s Oracle
Damian’s Assassin
Damian’s Immortal
The Grey God

Damian Eternal
Xander’s Chance
The Black God

Hidden Evil – paranormal with angels and four horsemen
Hear No
See No (TBD)
Speak No (TBD)

Unnamed Series
Unnatural (TBD)
Unmade (TBD)

Omega
Omega
Theta
Alpha (2017)

Anshan Saga – new adult science fiction romance
Kiera’s Moon
Kiera’s Sun

Santa’s Ninja Elves (short stories)
Natasha & Hunter

Non-series titles – 2011 - 2013
Star Kissed
A Demon’s Desire
The Warlord’s Secret
Maddy’s Oasis
Rebel Heart

Witchlings – young adult paranormal
Dark Summer
Autumn Storm
Winter Fire
Spring Rain

Broken Beauty Novellas – new adult dramatic fiction
Broken Beauty
Broken World

Voodoo Nights - young adult paranormal
Cursed

As SE Reign, erotica writer
101 Nights Box Set (Serials 1-7)

Reviews

[Nancy Steinle gummel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maddy's Oasis by Lizzy Ford is another fine example of Ford's magic. She has a wonderful way of telling her stories. This one is no different. Maddy is sent to take over a job in Texas and bring it in on budget after the project manager, Alex disappeared. Jake is the construction manager for his uncle Javier. Maddy orders everyone around her followed by her personal assistant Erik. Jake and Maddie trade verbal umbrage. Jake just wants to work and avoid Maddie. They are under pressure to make a deadline for the CEO. Mark, Maddy's ex-fiance makes Maddy look bad and Jake and Mark fist fight. Jake wins. Where has all the money gone? Will Maddy and Jake ever agree on anything? What will happen to Maddy's mother? Read and discover these answers.

[Nell · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was a strange book. For the first two thirds it appeared to have decided it was a suspense - except nothing happened. Then for the final third it decided it was a romance between two people who couldn't stand each other, and frankly as a reader I struggled to like them either. The whole book, much like the whatever it was that wasn't being built, was rambling and unfinished.

[K.K. · Rating 5 out of 5]

For a Novella, this one was really GOOOOD!!! the story, the plot, the twist and the characters were really entertaining. In fact, the only problems I had with it were the fact that it was a Novella so it was too short for me. And the last was that I didn't get to read the sexy times between the main characters. Yes!! there was no Sex Scenes (SAD!!) There was Sex alright but it was not written and Ms. Lizzy Ford was such a good writer of sexy stream hot Scenes that I knew if she did, it would probably be very HOT! Too bad, this Novella didnot have that. The book was written quite well though, I also loved the ending. the overall feeling was very enjoyable. I loved every second of it.

For a Novella, it was 4.5 Stars.

[Lucy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I bought this book back in 2011 so I'm very glad to finally getting around to reading it (and no, I definitely don't know why I picked it up). This book is about Maddy who has been contracted to work on a building that is behind schedule, behind budget and low on goodwill from the locals. She's invested in the job, promised a big bonus that will help to pay for her mother's medical treatment and nuring home but there are issues.

I really liked Maddy as a character. She was short with people and impatient but since you know her motivations straight off, I found her sympathetic. She overworked herself to try and get the project completed even when everyone was working against her. Her honesty dealing with people won her friends and allies and I enjoyed reading about that. I liked the plot and mystery surrounding the building and what was going on there, though I feel like that part of the plot ended abruptly and without any proper ending.

Jake on the other hand, I really didn't like as much. He seemed to regard Maddy wanting a timeline for the project as 'back East impatience' rather than something that is quite typical especially for million dollar projects. He also seemed to think beating up Maddy's ex-fiance in a fight was far better to win her heart rather than actually treating her half-decently. And then when she pulled back from his kiss, he got all sulky about it in the next day. He's handsome, has a good dog and a nice family, but is that enough to recommend him?

Maddy's character arc was one I liked and I'm glad she ended up where she ended up, but the romance was not great. Also, as I said, the ending was quite strange with how it ended. It was like it needed another chapter.

3 stars!

[Charlie Hau · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is a short and sweet story but it tugs at the heart strings. Maddy runs herself into the ground working on a project that is doomed to fail (set up by her ex fiancé who works for the same company). But there is a very good reason for her being uptight and working all the possible hours sent her way. She meets her match in Jake one of the contractors. I love how even though its a short story you can really see and feel the characters develop.

[Beth Fred · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG!!! I loved this book. I'm so excited. There hasn't been a book I really loved in a long while! But I loved this book! I didn't think I was going to at first. It's written in third person, and that's usually not my thing...and tends to annoy me. Also, it's hard for me to read books set in Texas, because they usually rely on stereotypes. But this one didn't.

This book got really good really fast and became impossible for me to put down. Before ELF was born, it was common place for me to stay up all night reading a book. But I'm lucky if she sleeps 6 hours a night, so when she does I sleep. Except this weekend, I stayed up to read. I was routing for Jake and Maddie all the way through. The romance is strong, and the characters are all developed. I loved Jake's family! Being from Texas, they reminded me of people I know. There were a few things that I really loved. Like when Maddy complained to Jake's uncle about him fighting at the construction site, and the uncle asked if he won. So Texan. The other thing I really loved is the way the romance came offthe page in spite of characters never really saying, "I love you." Don't get me wrong. I'm a sucker for "i love you," but what they did say was stronger. I LOVED what Jake said at the end. Can't tell you--sorry.

Oh--and this is adult, but it's clean romance.

If I changed one thing about the book, it would be the fight. Maddey's ex-boyfriend works with her and is at the construction site. He's talking trash about her, and Jake kicks his butt. I wish the fight had come in sooner, so that it read more like he was defending Madeline, (because the ex was saying some really disrespectful things). Instead, it reads like Jake is jealous, and he is. But I would have liked it better if he were defending Madeline.

I seriously want more from Jake and Madeline. The book is wrapped up well. There is no reason to have a sequel, but I'd totally pay for one. Or fanfiction. Something. I need more!!!

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

A contemporary romance from one of my favorite authors. Lizzy Ford has shown that she has the capacity to span genres. Although this isn't my favorite Lizzy book, I did enjoy this one just as much as I have her other stories. Many of the characters were extremely likeable, even when they could be just a tad irritating.

Maddy takes over a project that is severely behind schedule and, well frankly, outside of her realm of expertise. She is smart and organized, but knows nothing about construction. She is tasked with overseeing the completion of a resort in the desert of Texas. From dressing inappropriately, to not listening to the locals when they give her advise about staying at the sight overnight, she is stubborn and only sees the tight deadline before her. I liked Maddy in general and can understand completely her drive, given what is at stake for her. However, I was also frustrated in that if she only told Jake what the deal was, things could have gone a lot smoother between them.

Jake is in charge of overseeing the construction crew of his uncle's business. Although he is a native, he went to school back East and knows Maddy's "type" and has no patience for it. One thing is for sure, he doesn't want to get involved with her, but as things progress, they slowly find themselves getting involved. I really liked Jake. He may not have wanted to get involved with Maddy, but he wasn't a bad guy. He still tried to give her advice, he was always honest, and he looked out for her when she needed it.

I can agree with others that the story does not feel finished to me. Although you learn what happened to Alex, you don't know WHAT happened to Alex. There is also the matter of the resort. Will it get completed? There is suspense in the beginning, and some of it gets answered, but not everything is clear.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh, Lizzy Ford! You with your magical writing skills that make me care about people in a genre I don't normally care for. Seriously, this is not my type of book at all and yet I couldn't put it down. And I may have teared up once or twice. In theory. No actual tears fell, mind you, but there might have been a slight watery sheen to the words on the screen.

Maddy's been brought low by her responsibilities yet she's still determined to do the right thing. She's smart, desperate to untangle the mess she's been left with and honorable enough to try to do the best she can. She's also pretty clueless about the danger she's in. Good thing she has surly Jake looking out for her. Even though she annoys the pants off of him (not literally), he's wildly attracted to her.

Lizzy Ford's writing continues to impress. Her characters are flawed enough to be interesting without making me loathe them. Guys, this book was a contemporary, non paranormal book that was light on the sex (all the sex happens off-page, in fact) and I STILL liked it. Now, that's good writing.

-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal

[a_tiffyfit · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the characters in this book, Maddy and Jake as well as Javier! Maddy seems so self-aware that she was handed this project to "fix" and that she was ultimately set up to fail. She's trying SO hard as she has mounting medical bills as her mom is fighting cancer and she really needs the six figure bonus dangled in front of her with this project.

Set out in the middle of "nowhere" Texas, Maddy, knowing nothing about construction, is out there to turn the project around on the building of the hotel only to find that she is millions of dollars in the hole already and that they basically have to start from scratch. Jake is a no-nonsense kind of person who hates the fast pace and arrogance of the East Coast and immediately takes a disliking to Maddy. You know what that means! Sparks just flying, itches that need to be scratched, all complicated by business and soothed by wonderful family members who are such characters.

The dynamics of Jake's family, as well as Maddy and her mom, are enchanting. I'm rather hoping that Lizzy Ford revisits this book and turns it into a series. I'd like for it to pick up where it leaves off! Great, romantic, quick read.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't have high expectations when I first downloaded this because I had been on such a bad run on self-published books (and this appeared to be self-published; not sure if it really was or not). However, by the end, I was pleasantly surprised. The two main characters--Madeleine and Jake--struck me at first as stereotypes, but as the story went on, I found myself liking them more and more. Supporting characters are also stereotypical--particularly the "big city" characters the readers is supposed to dislike--but again, Madeleine's assistant Eric and Jake's family come across as pretty likable.

It was pretty clear that the author doesn't know much at all about the building or the construction industry, and I found that aspect of the story annoyingly...wrong. And the suspense plot that played a major part of the first half to two-thirds of the story was just dropped in the end. Nothing apparently happens to the bad guys.

Still, it's a fun read with a happy ending.

[Jenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

First let me say that this is not normally favorite type of book to read but I love Lizzy Ford's work so I had to read it.
Lizzy has proven to me by writing this book that she can do genre crossovers.
This story is much different from her other books such as Damian's Oracle, Katie's Hellion etc.
Maddy's Oasis focuses less on the action and more on the romance.
Lizzy still stays true to her character creations by making the story and the romance believable.
Her characters always have issues just like normal people and don't fall in love the moment they see each other.
There is always some obstacle to over come which is why I LOVE reading her stories.
Maddy's Oasis gives you enough romance to make you sigh but not so much to make you gag, a touch of suspense and a heartwarming ending.
I as always, look forward to so much more from this author!

[Donna Hatridge · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was the first Lizzy Ford novel I have read. The story was well thought out and the characters were developed enough to keep you interested.
I will be looking to read some of her other novels.

With an ill mother in need of expensive surgery, Madeleine flies from NYC to the west Texas desert to take on the doomed Desert Oasis resort project in hopes of earning the bonus attached to finishing it on schedule. She soon finds there's only one thing hotter than the desert sun: Jake, the infuriating Texan whose dislike of the fast-paced city puts them at odds at everything from her high-heels to her to-do lists. When the Oasis reveals its dark secret, Maddy finds she must choose between money and those she cares about.

[Td · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a surprising read compared to other Lizzy Ford books because it is a more traditional romance, I liked it a lot.
Maddy is a confident, honest, strong character with lots of integrity. She doesn't back down from a challenge that seems impossible, even when it becomes clear that she just cannot meet the deadlines her employer unrealistically insists upon.
Jake has the same good qualities as Maddy, he can't fully understand why Maddy would push so hard to finish the project in an unreasonable time until he finally learns what is motivating her to drive forward so insistently.
I liked how the story ended, and yet, I hope the story is not over yet. They were really just beginning, a sequel to tie up their story together would be something I would definitely read.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'll admit it, I'm dubious of free ebooks, but this little romance was a gem. With a sick mother racking up medical bills, Madeleine is desperate to get the huge bonus from her boss for getting the Desert Sands Oasis built, but the project seems impossible to nearly everybody involved. Still her construction manager Jake is willing keep working even though Madeleine and her obsession with work reminds him of all the reasons he left the East Coast to return to his native Texas. As they begin to learn each other's real motivations the two begin to see past their contrasting exteriors. A tame, but emotionally rewarding story.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

How to rate this? Normally I give everything Lizzy does 5 stars - four at least. This book is very different than her normal book - no paranormal in sight and it was a romance to top it off. I thought it was well written, it kept me engaged and I actually teared up at a couple of points (I am NOT a crier so that is strange for me). I thought that although this was a short book, she did a good job of developing the characters and growing the romance without being over the top. Yep, I'm going to give this four stars!

[Lori Garside · Rating 4 out of 5]

Poor Maddy! Sent out to the middle of nowhere Texas to oversee the building of a hotel that is smack in the middle of competing drug cartels, has millions of dollars missing, and had been irreparably vandalized. She needs this job to pay for her ailing mother's cancer treatments. Enter Jake, the handsome contractor who finds her incredibly annoying and a reminder of everything he hated about 'city' people. Mix on one flatulent Rottweiler, a stinky trailer and cutthroat co-workers who are attempting to ensure she fails, and you have a quick and satisfying reading experience!

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

Received this book (Wattpad) in return for a honest review.

I loved Maddy from the very beginning of this book. Her interactions with Jake were priceless and I really enjoyed how the story progresses. The story line was full of twists and turns and I really enjoyed it. I would love to see a sequel made to this book, because there is still a lot of story to be told.

[Ginelle Blanch · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite of Ms. Ford's books!!!! Her only normal (not paranormal, lol!) romance! Even the dog was likeable. I really wish this wasn't a stand alone book, I'd LOVE more of Jake and Maddy's story TOGETHER!!!! And, there are some other really interesting characters that I'd love to hear more about. It was a really fun, fast, and (eventually) happy read!

[Tara Majuta · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first Lizzy Ford book I've read and I really enjoyed it! I liked the chemistry between Maddy and Jake and the suspense involved in the story. The plot and pace were great and the overall story line was easy to follow. This was a very quick and easy read, perfect for sitting by the pool or waiting in line at the IRS building. I highly recommend it!

[Steph at Starry Night Book Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! as with all of Lizzy's book they never disappoint. well written And I Overall loved this book! if you have not read any of Lizzy's books you better get on it! you don't know what you're missing!

[Jennifer Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maddy is in over her head when she gets pushed into taking over for Alex in overseeing construction on a dessert oasis. things are constantly going wrong and the infuriating Jake is always there to help, even though he finds Maddy very annoying. I absolutely love their story.

[Ginger · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a nice change from all the mysteries I've been reading lately. I also needed something light to read, something I didn't really have to think about. This was good, a simple romance. Can easily be read in a weekend, perfect for a beach read.

[Issa · Rating 4 out of 5]

(3.5 stars) Enjoyable romance with a great thriller thrown in. I felt like there was a little bit of explanation left out dealing with Maddy's boss and what his deal and involvement was. It would have been a solid 4 stars with some expansion of the plot lines there but I really enjoyed it.

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

amazing.. now I normally dont read just romance books but this was a great book and Lizzy once again had me from the start of the book

[Shh I'm reading! · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shorter than I expected, but a sweet story. My only complaint is that I felt the ending was rushed.

[Martha]

Also in Nook Archive.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn't sure I would enjoy this one. The writing quickly drew me in, and I really liked this story. It was time well spent!

I look forward to reading more by the author.

[Jane Herring · Rating 3 out of 5]

Familiar story of the high-class business woman falling for the cowboy. Quick, easy read.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely love story. :-)

[Leah Hortin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super cute chick lit.