Moonlight and Margaritas

by Cindy Stark

She wants tonight...
Elena Porter is off to Cabo San Lucas in search of excitement. Her business is blooming, and she's dumped her controlling ex-husband. An island fling is just what she needs to start living again.

He wants forever...
Joe Stephens escaped his stifling corporate lifestyle, preferring to spend his days as a dive instructor. He thinks the sun, senoritas and cervezas will fill the emptiness inside him, but even they fail to inspire the passion he's searching for.

Will his love send her running for the border?
Then Elena blows in like a sultry island breeze, and their time together rivals the sizzling Cabo sunsets. By the end of her vacation, Joe realizes he wants more. The only problem is he has fallen for a woman who wants less. If Joe can't earn her trust and prove his love, he will lose her forever.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Chick Lit, Amazon, Ebooks, Adult

252 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 25, 2012

About the author

Cindy Stark lives with her family and a sweet Border Collie in a small town shadowed by the Rocky Mountains. She writes romantic suspense and contemporary romances, and she loves to hear from readers.

Connect with her online at:
http://www.CindyStark.com
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Thank you!

Reviews

[Steph · Rating 3 out of 5]

First, I'd like to say that I really enjoyed Moonlight & Margaritas. A lot. I thought it was very sexy with two lovable main characters that you couldn't help but root for. Elana in particular was a breath of fresh air, she lived through emotional hell with her ex husband and has no desire for any man to hold that much claim on her ever again. I liked Joe too, he wasn't a player, but also had zero desire for a permanent woman in his life. The two meet in sultry Cabo, sparks fly and then it turns into a classic case of push/pull for a relationship. He wants more, she doesn't. He's going to do everything he can to convince her, she's going to flee every chance she gets...after she gets to enjoy him in the sack a few hundred times.

That's where it gets a little "been there done that." Other than a few dramatic interludes with Elana's ex and her constantly pushing Joe away, there was little drama or intrigue in this book. It was pretty much an A to Z telling of their romance, which did get a little long winded after awhile.

That said, I really did think this was a good book, it was well written, mildly erotic and had great character development and a strong connection between Elana & Joe. For fans of sweet, sexy and romantic reads with a clear HEA on the horizon, you won't be disappointed in this book. Had there been an element of excitement added to the plot, or a few twists and unexpected turns, I definitely would've rated this one higher. As it is, it's still a very solid read.

[Dianne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book deserves 3.25 stars. This is about Elena who goes to Cabo on vacation to give herself a break from her life. She meets Joe and they decide to have a whirlwind romance during her stay in Cabo. However, Joe starts to fall for her and he tries to make her realize they belong together. I thought this was a cute story. It was your typical guy chases after the girl type of story...first guy says he doesn't want a relationship, then he realizes he does but the girl doesn't want a commitment because she's been hurt in the past. Then the guy tries to do everything to win her heart. It's a stereotypical type of romance and it's sweet. However, I'm disappointed there was no epilogue because I would have like to have read more about Joe and Elena's life together. The book would have been so much better if there was an epilogue. Still an adorable story though!

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elena is getting her life back on track after coming out from the shadow of her former husband. She has worked hard to establish her own business and heads to Cabo with her best friend for a break and some fun.

Joe is taking a break from his family business and has decided it is time to have some fun also.

Joe and Elena have some great chemistry and the author does a great job of making their romance develop quickly while being believable.

I have to say that Joe was a sweetheart with Elena and I love the effort that he goes to in convincing Elena to take a chance with him. After reading so many romance novels with uber Alpha Males lately, Joe was very refreshing.

For me this was a 3.5 to 4 star book. It was fun and easy to read with a good mix between sweet and steamy.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

As someone who works in Carmel, I got a kick out of it being part of the setting. I thought I must have misread It the first few times. Anyway, the author did a good job really relaying what a beautiful place it is to live. I also just got PADI certified, and this book makes me want to check out Cabo as a dive site. Seeing a whale shark would be great.

Plot-wise, it was pretty obvious what was going to happen in the first few pages. I could identify with Elena and definitely have a few friends whose company I enjoy that are absolutely Mercedes. Cute, if not formulaic. Enjoyable beach read.

[Duck · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed the story of Joe and Elena.

While on vacation in Cabo they meet and sparks fly pretty quickly. Everything flowed well and I never once thought they moved too fast.

Perfect for each other Joe was rather relentless. While I can understand Elena and her thought process, there were still some "wtf" moments.

I felt like the ending was a little rushed but it honestly did not take away any of the good vibes I had with these two.

If Cindy Stark decided to continue with their story I would definitely read on.

[Niki · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book many months ago when it was on sale or free, read the first few pages then started reading something else that I thought was better at the time. I picked it back up again this week needing a book vacation and boy did I ever get one! I loved Elena and Joe and their story! Being a single gal, not looking for a relationship I could totally relate to no strings attached! Makes me want to go to Cabo! Loved how the story played out! Highly recommend!

[Charlene · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wavered between 3 and 4 stars for this one, but finally settled on 4 because I really like this author's writing style. Although the story was fairly light and the conclusion predictable (it's a romance after all) I found myself interested in the characters and what happened to them. I cheered as they came to their inevitable self-discovery and found their HEA. This is the second work of Ms. Stark's that I've read and I'll certainly be looking for more!

[Lori Tate · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable story, but something about Elena drove me nuts. I think it was the duality of her character that was at odds with herself. On one hand she was supposed to be strong for having survived what she did and started over on her own, but on the other hand she seems so weak and emotionally crippled. I get it, but I feel like she could have been written better. And seriously, Joe should have just let her walk!

[Donna ~ The Romance Cover · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book and another freebie that I would of quite happily paid for, another H and H that is middle aged...bearing in mind my romance addiction at the moment this ticked all the right boxes, was a lovely story about two people who only wanted a holiday romance but ended up falling hopelessly in love with each other, tried to fight it, tried to keep apart..lovely smiley face making story!!

[Michelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good book

You people should just read this book yourselves and write your own review on this novel yourself and I really enjoyed reading this book very much so. Shelley MA

[Vickie McGaugh · Rating 1 out of 5]

I couldn’t finish this book. It was so cliche and just had no substance.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such an interesting story

This was so nicely written. It’s a good story line. Different from a lot of what I have read recently. And it was edited nicely. Highly recommend.

[Flossie Walker-jack · Rating 5 out of 5]

great love story

Even though you sort of know what’s coming the twists and turns make it fun to read and quite entertaining

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

Joe and Elena had a spontaneous beach fling that turned into a full blown romance, much to her dismay. I found Joe to be very passionate, romantic, and thoughtful. Elena almost missed her chance at love because of her past destructive marriage. Great quick read with characters I really wanted to find each other. Good happy ending!

[DCT · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love stories that give you the perspective of both the man and woman in a relationship. Joe is really a sweetheart that you couldn't help but fall for and root for in the story of lust turning into love. I was just about to get upset with Elena for not seeing this sooner. Loved, loved, loved the best friend Mercedes; she gave the story some fun humor and great one liners. Fun, feel good read.

[Deirdre · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Very enjoyable story especially for a freebie from Amazon. Had some moments that could be shortened and others lengthened but over all it was a nice read. And I really enjoyed the dialogue. It was well done.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is an easy read and really makes you connect with the characters and cheer them on! It would be a perfect beach read! Would totally recommend it to a friend and I couldn't beat the price! Free on my Kindle fire :)

[Faye · Rating 3 out of 5]

Elena decides to take a vacation and "live it up." She meets Joe. Romance ensues. The relationship is fiery and then ended. He seeks her out in Carmel. Eventually, she realizes the relationship is meant to be. It is a "sizzler." If you want a quick moving romance this is it.

[Darrena · Rating 3 out of 5]

An easy and relaxing read. A very sweet romance taking place in Cabo San Lucas, and the characters were very likable. You can feel the attraction between Joe and Elena.
You should read this book if you are looking for something relaxing that doesn't take very much time.
I enjoyed it very much.

[Ashley N. · Rating 3 out of 5]

The best thing about this book for me was that the lead characters were mature adults in the older 30's who were decent people. Fairly average story, fairly predictable, but pleasing overall. It is nice to read a romance novel that isn't about teenager/20's problems.

[Ang · Rating 2 out of 5]

This story was slow-moving. The Mercedes character was just a filler & not interesting. Elana & Joe's story was good- but it could've moved a little faster. I've read two books from Cindy Starks Aspen Collection which I thought were good, but Moonlight & Margaritas was not a goid read for me

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The female lead was too jaded for my liking. Continually pushed a great guy away to the point I was ready for the story to end. The setting was nice, the potential was good, just did not like the pushy stubborn female lead.

[Jackie Saylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like this book. I had recently read some very heavy story lines and it was nice to lighten up a bit. I know it was predicatable, but I didn't care. You were rooting for these two people the whole time. I would recommend as a great beach read!!

[Leanne Hunt · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a romantic read, this was a satisfying story. I found the characters to be well portrayed and likeable, and the setting to be pleasantly exotic. The storyline moved at a good pace. The ending was believable.

[Rae · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another free book that I ended up really enjoying. Elena was very relatable. I like when the characters are late 30's and starting over and trying to make it right for themselves. She's a fighter and I liked her. Joe is perfect for her too.

[C · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is that dream, you know the one we all conjure up about that one person you could be stranded on a deserted island with. This story is great, angst, love, tears, fears, business ventures, starting over....grab your copy today, you won't be sorry.

[Jo Notary]

248pgs, she wants tonight... She dumped her husband and goes to an island for vacation. He wants forever... He left his job and became a dive instructor, but he still needs more. Will his love send her running for the border?

[Germaine · Rating 1 out of 5]

A wuzzy heroine and her annoying sidekick. Not even good smut. Boring. I couldn't finish it. Life is too short.

[Kelleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was expecting a cheesy grocery story romance novel but was pleasantly surprised! I really enjoyed it.

[Kristi Ferguson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick easy read. I had these characters pictured in my mind to be older and more mature than the cover makes them out to be.