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Hollywood Nights #1
Lovers and Strangers
In the summer of 1970, four young men—Ethan Roberts, Zeke Blackstone, and brothers Eric and Jack Shannon—shared apartment 1G at the Wilshire Arms. One night during a wild party, Eric Shannon committed suicide.
Or so everyone thinks.
Although Jack Shannon was only 18 years old at the time, he has always felt responsible for his brother’s suicide. Unable to deal with his guilt, Jack spends the next 25 years as a rootless vagabond, reporting on war and disaster in all the hot spots of the world.
Now, world-weary and heart-sore, Jack makes a last-ditch effort to lay the ghost of his long-dead brother to rest by returning to the Wilshire Arms.
There, Jack meets Faith McCray. Newly arrived in L.A. from a small town in Georgia, Faith is everything Jack wants—and everything he thinks he doesn’t deserve.
But Faith isn’t quite as innocent and guileless as she seems. With ghosts of her own and a past she’d rather forget, nothing will dissuade her from tempting Jack to take what she offers.
Or so everyone thinks.
Although Jack Shannon was only 18 years old at the time, he has always felt responsible for his brother’s suicide. Unable to deal with his guilt, Jack spends the next 25 years as a rootless vagabond, reporting on war and disaster in all the hot spots of the world.
Now, world-weary and heart-sore, Jack makes a last-ditch effort to lay the ghost of his long-dead brother to rest by returning to the Wilshire Arms.
There, Jack meets Faith McCray. Newly arrived in L.A. from a small town in Georgia, Faith is everything Jack wants—and everything he thinks he doesn’t deserve.
But Faith isn’t quite as innocent and guileless as she seems. With ghosts of her own and a past she’d rather forget, nothing will dissuade her from tempting Jack to take what she offers.
224 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 16, 2012
14 people are currently reading
158 people want to read
About the author
Candace Schuler
63 books23 followersCandace Schuler is a writer with a multiple personalities. In her 30+ year career, she has written software user guides, various types of instruction manuals, marketing collateral, grant proposals, case statements, case studies, business profiles, newsletters, press releases, white papers, speeches, scripts, short stories, a cookbook—and 26 (to date) romance novels.
Candace credits her husband Joe and her love of travel with starting her career as a romance writer. It was his comments on a letter describing a trip to New Orleans that prompted her to try writing romance fiction.
She wrote her first novel Desire’s Child by hand on 12 yellow legal pads. It was published by Harlequin in September, 1984 (after she typed it into a computer, of course). Her second book A Cherished Account was published by New American Library under the pen name Jeanette Darwin just one month later. She is also published under the name Candace Spencer.
Her books have appeared on the B. Dalton’s and Waldenbooks bestseller lists and have twice been nominated by the Romance Writers of America for a RITA award in the Best Short Contemporary Romance category—in 1996 for Passion and Scandal and in 2003 for Good Time Girl. Good Time Girl also received the 2003 Scarlett Letter Award, presented by the Tampa Bay Romance Writers for excellence in sensual romance writing. Candace’s books have also received three Reviewers’ Choice Awards from Romantic Times magazine. In 1992, she was awarded the Career Achievement Award as Series Story Teller of the Year by RT.
Because romance is truly universal, most of her books have been published in at least 20 languages, including Mandarin, Japanese, Greek, and most recently, Russian.
She is currently in the process of digitizing her backlist for e-book publication.
Other stuff:
•Married almost 40 years to Joe, who recently retired from the IT industry to become a golf bum
•“Mom” to two 75-pound Dobermans who think they are lap dogs
•Plants a garden every year in hopes of producing the perfect tomato
•Bakes a to-die-for chocolate cheesecake
•Is a Big Brother Big Sister volunteer
•Buys way too many shoes
•Holds the Grant Professional Certified credential
•Is a member of Novelists, Inc.
Candace credits her husband Joe and her love of travel with starting her career as a romance writer. It was his comments on a letter describing a trip to New Orleans that prompted her to try writing romance fiction.
She wrote her first novel Desire’s Child by hand on 12 yellow legal pads. It was published by Harlequin in September, 1984 (after she typed it into a computer, of course). Her second book A Cherished Account was published by New American Library under the pen name Jeanette Darwin just one month later. She is also published under the name Candace Spencer.
Her books have appeared on the B. Dalton’s and Waldenbooks bestseller lists and have twice been nominated by the Romance Writers of America for a RITA award in the Best Short Contemporary Romance category—in 1996 for Passion and Scandal and in 2003 for Good Time Girl. Good Time Girl also received the 2003 Scarlett Letter Award, presented by the Tampa Bay Romance Writers for excellence in sensual romance writing. Candace’s books have also received three Reviewers’ Choice Awards from Romantic Times magazine. In 1992, she was awarded the Career Achievement Award as Series Story Teller of the Year by RT.
Because romance is truly universal, most of her books have been published in at least 20 languages, including Mandarin, Japanese, Greek, and most recently, Russian.
She is currently in the process of digitizing her backlist for e-book publication.
Other stuff:
•Married almost 40 years to Joe, who recently retired from the IT industry to become a golf bum
•“Mom” to two 75-pound Dobermans who think they are lap dogs
•Plants a garden every year in hopes of producing the perfect tomato
•Bakes a to-die-for chocolate cheesecake
•Is a Big Brother Big Sister volunteer
•Buys way too many shoes
•Holds the Grant Professional Certified credential
•Is a member of Novelists, Inc.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
September 10, 2012
Sometimes a book is just right. At home sick in bed I wanted a light read but still a good and meaningful storyline. And I got it with this book.
Jack Shannon is a cynic man who has carried around a huge burden of guilt for over 25 years since his big brother committed suicide. Everybody he has ever loved has died so he has chosen a lonely existences as a war correspondent. After seeing all the hotspots, or hell holes as Jack calls them, he one day was fed up, had a break down and came home. Now he is on leave from the newspaper and are trying to re-write the script he and his brother did 25 years ago.
One afternoon at his favourite bar he sees a new waitress getting unwanted attention by a customer and helps her. When he meets her eyes the world as Jack used to know it starts to shift.
Fatih McCray has moved from her super conservative Christian father to find her own life. She wants to be strong and earn enough money to fulfil her dream. When the attractive man helps her at the bar she knows she shouldn´t be angry with him but she is. Angry that he saw her being week.
But they meet again. And Faith makes up her mind to grab the passion she feels for Jack. And during a fantastic scene she stands up for her choice and waits for Jack to make up his mind.
There is also a lovely scene when Fatih dances for the first time. That a strong arm around you can feel constricting or passionate depending on who you are dancing with.
The book has quite a few of those scenes and I love them all. They are well written, even in the words Jack and Faith use I can hear the difference between them, difference in age (he 43, she 25), difference in experience. But also the commitment, especially from Faith, to bridge the gap.
It was also perfect that the obstacle in the relationship, that always has to be in a good romance, wasn´t something huge.
All in all I really enjoyed the book. And I must say that even though the sex scenes aren´t spelled out explicitly they are smoking hot since you know the H/H so well.
If you want a warm and loving book grab this!
Jack Shannon is a cynic man who has carried around a huge burden of guilt for over 25 years since his big brother committed suicide. Everybody he has ever loved has died so he has chosen a lonely existences as a war correspondent. After seeing all the hotspots, or hell holes as Jack calls them, he one day was fed up, had a break down and came home. Now he is on leave from the newspaper and are trying to re-write the script he and his brother did 25 years ago.
One afternoon at his favourite bar he sees a new waitress getting unwanted attention by a customer and helps her. When he meets her eyes the world as Jack used to know it starts to shift.
Fatih McCray has moved from her super conservative Christian father to find her own life. She wants to be strong and earn enough money to fulfil her dream. When the attractive man helps her at the bar she knows she shouldn´t be angry with him but she is. Angry that he saw her being week.
But they meet again. And Faith makes up her mind to grab the passion she feels for Jack. And during a fantastic scene she stands up for her choice and waits for Jack to make up his mind.
There is also a lovely scene when Fatih dances for the first time. That a strong arm around you can feel constricting or passionate depending on who you are dancing with.
The book has quite a few of those scenes and I love them all. They are well written, even in the words Jack and Faith use I can hear the difference between them, difference in age (he 43, she 25), difference in experience. But also the commitment, especially from Faith, to bridge the gap.
It was also perfect that the obstacle in the relationship, that always has to be in a good romance, wasn´t something huge.
All in all I really enjoyed the book. And I must say that even though the sex scenes aren´t spelled out explicitly they are smoking hot since you know the H/H so well.
If you want a warm and loving book grab this!
September 18, 2012
Lovers and Strangers
The Hollywood Nights Series Book 1
Jack Shannon, early 40's world reporter heads back to LA's ,Wilshire Arms, 25 years after the tragic death of his brother there. Jack returns hoping to answer the questions surrounding the suicide of his brother and appease his conscience after taking personal blame for the argument that led up to his brother committing suicide all those years ago. LA is where he meets 24 year old Faith McCroy, newly relocated from Georgia. Faith fled Georgia leaving an overly controlling father to find freedom, peace and happiness. This is a shorter story detailing the ups and downs of their relationship where both come with emotional baggage. Can they find a way to overcome their past disappointments and forage a new life together? Is it meant to be or only a moment in time? Will a 18 year age difference be a factor?
Review: I enjoyed the detailing surrounding the characters personalities. Its the story of love, pain, sympathy and compassion that every good book needs. Details how two people can find trust and reclaim passion after tragedy in their own lives. Overall an easy adult read, mild sexual content.
come see this review and more on juliesbookreview.blogspot.com
The Hollywood Nights Series Book 1
Jack Shannon, early 40's world reporter heads back to LA's ,Wilshire Arms, 25 years after the tragic death of his brother there. Jack returns hoping to answer the questions surrounding the suicide of his brother and appease his conscience after taking personal blame for the argument that led up to his brother committing suicide all those years ago. LA is where he meets 24 year old Faith McCroy, newly relocated from Georgia. Faith fled Georgia leaving an overly controlling father to find freedom, peace and happiness. This is a shorter story detailing the ups and downs of their relationship where both come with emotional baggage. Can they find a way to overcome their past disappointments and forage a new life together? Is it meant to be or only a moment in time? Will a 18 year age difference be a factor?
Review: I enjoyed the detailing surrounding the characters personalities. Its the story of love, pain, sympathy and compassion that every good book needs. Details how two people can find trust and reclaim passion after tragedy in their own lives. Overall an easy adult read, mild sexual content.
come see this review and more on juliesbookreview.blogspot.com
November 13, 2014
I can see why many people may not like this story, but from the get go I was caught. I absolutely loved this book.
I can't put into words what makes it so great but I have to say its one of my absolute favorites.
I usually hate the fragile female leads but despite Faiths 'innocence' its done in a way that drew me in. Once I stuck with her long enough to find out that Faith isn't all that she seems I was cheering her on. And, Oh. My. Jack! Someone needs to bottle that up and sell it because its pant worthy even with his sullen attitude, then again who doesn't love that in a bad boy? ;) I would love to find the rest of the books to this series but they are so hard to find!
I can't put into words what makes it so great but I have to say its one of my absolute favorites.
I usually hate the fragile female leads but despite Faiths 'innocence' its done in a way that drew me in. Once I stuck with her long enough to find out that Faith isn't all that she seems I was cheering her on. And, Oh. My. Jack! Someone needs to bottle that up and sell it because its pant worthy even with his sullen attitude, then again who doesn't love that in a bad boy? ;) I would love to find the rest of the books to this series but they are so hard to find!
August 13, 2014
I really enjoyed this book, you got to know the characters really well and you really felt for them as they progressed their relationship and dealt with their pasts, i loved that they were not your typical couple, Jack who's in his forties, disillusioned with life, in enters Faith who sweeps in and shakes his world apart, Jack cannot deny the feelings he develops for Faith, but because of her age and innocents he battles with the attraction in everyway, this is a lovely written and bitter sweet romance, i loved the ending and will be reading the other books in this series.
March 16, 2013
Good book. Good story. The plot was well-rounded and interesting. The two main characters were fun to watch, they interacted well and their romance developed in a logical fashion. At times the thought process of the main characters was repetitive and frustrating to go through again and again.
June 18, 2013
I really enjoyed the characters and their interaction, but I feel like it ended too soon. I would have liked to see the relationship and storyline develop further. All in all though, a pretty interesting read that kept me entertained.
November 11, 2012
This was an easy read - but not into heroes / heroines that smoke - huge turn off. Heroine was quite plucky though
June 28, 2013
Is a great book to read
Want to read
August 8, 2012Kindle free download 8/7/12.
June 24, 2013
love everythin hated the ending
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews