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Ready to Reach/Hammer and a Song
Contemporary Romance set in the heart of country music. . .Nashville. Nineteen-year old CeCe Mackenzie leaves Virginia for Nashville with not much more to her name than a guitar, a Walker Hound named Hank Junior and an old car she'd inherited from her grandma called Gertrude. But Gertrude ends up on the side of I-40 in flames, and Nashville has never seemed farther away. Help arrives in the form of two Georgia football players headed for the Nashville dream as well. When Holden Ashford and Thomas Franklin stop to offer CeCe and Hank Junior a ride, fate may just give a nod to serendipity and meant to be. Nashville - Part Two - Hammer and a Song CeCe McKenzie grew up dreaming of a life doing what she loves - singing in Nashville. When she and her Hound dog Hank Junior set out to make her dream come true, life takes some twists she hadn't counted on. Like falling for Holden Ashford, a songwriter with a gift. And also a girlfriend. Can a country music star's hunky son help her forget about Holden? Or is that even possible when her heart insists on writing the song? ******************************************* Reviewers on Part One and Part Two of New Adult Romance Nashville "Ms. Cooper has written such a beautiful story that gives you hope. It fills you with laughter, sadness, and many other emotions. You feel connected to the characters and really share in their successes and hurt in their failures. I can't wait for the next part to come out. I've really grown attached to the characters and want to see what lies ahead for them. Again...beautiful story." - Amazon Reviewer "Her car catches fire, 2 smokin' hot guys stop to help. . . .the rest is history." - Amazon Reviewer "Inglath Cooper made me cry. I cried. I did. This rarely happens when I read but Cooper brought me to tears more than once. This story is so simple and real it is overwhelmingly compelling. Maybe it's just because I'm also struggling artist who loves dogs and irascible men but CeCe was so easy to relate to, to connect with. I definitely want the next book and I want it NOW." - G. Wright - Amazon Reviewer "This book captured my attention from the very start! The characters are each unique yet seem to fit together. I love each of them, especially Hank. I was reading this on a plane and was so disappointed when I turned the page and realized I was going to have to wait to find out what happens. Excellent! I definitely recommend Nashville!" - Bookishblonde - Amazon Reviewer "Tissue Alert. The tears are still flowing down my cheeks. Looking forward to laughing and crying my way through Nashville - Part Two." - B. Tobey - Amazon Reviewer ********************************** I jerk my head up to see Holden looking down at me with resignation on his face, like he’s finally given in to the idea that they are stuck with me. “For this minute, it is,” I shoot back. “Sleeping in a parking garage?” “Does it look like I’m sleeping?” “It looks like you’re crying.” “Since when is that illegal?” “Get in the truck, CeCe.” “No,” I say. “I’ll be fine.” “Oh, you’ve been doing a great job of proving that,” he throws out. “I didn’t ask you to rescue me!” “And I sure as heck didn’t volunteer for the job,” he says, opening the door and swinging out. I pop to my feet, the concrete scratching at my back through my thin cotton shirt.
201 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 28, 2013
79 people are currently reading
652 people want to read
About the author
Inglath Cooper
63 books937 followersVirginia author Inglath Cooper fell in love with reading as a little girl, devouring most of the books in her elementary school library. At some point, she decided she wanted to pursue a writing career, creating romance fiction that did for others what her favorite books have done for her. “I love character-driven books that leave me feeling as if I’ve really known these people and make me wish I didn’t have to turn the last page.”
“Romance fiction has always appealed to me because it deals with so many of the relationships in a woman’s life. Not only the love of her life, but often her relationship with her mother, sister or best friend. Romance authors have so much room to explore many of the meaningful moments and transitions in women’s lives. And who doesn’t love a good love story?”
Inglath most often writes stories about love and life that are set in small Virginia towns like the one where she grew up. “I like to think the flavor of my hometown shows up in my books both in their setting and through the characters who people it.”
When aspiring writers ask her how to be an author, she says, “Everything I know about writing books I learned from reading books.”
Inglath has been chosen as a RITA® Award winner for best long contemporary romance novel given out each year by Romance Writers of America. Her books are available through Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com, itunes.com, and Kobobooks.com.
Outside of writing, Inglath is actively involved in dog rescue, working with The Franklin County Humane Society to place dogs and cats in need of rehoming. She volunteers her time in every capacity possible: serving on the Board of Directors, fundraising, photographing dogs and cats available for adoption and serving as a foster home. “Helping an abused or neglected dog go on to have a wonderful life with a family who loves them is more rewarding than I can possibly say.”
“Romance fiction has always appealed to me because it deals with so many of the relationships in a woman’s life. Not only the love of her life, but often her relationship with her mother, sister or best friend. Romance authors have so much room to explore many of the meaningful moments and transitions in women’s lives. And who doesn’t love a good love story?”
Inglath most often writes stories about love and life that are set in small Virginia towns like the one where she grew up. “I like to think the flavor of my hometown shows up in my books both in their setting and through the characters who people it.”
When aspiring writers ask her how to be an author, she says, “Everything I know about writing books I learned from reading books.”
Inglath has been chosen as a RITA® Award winner for best long contemporary romance novel given out each year by Romance Writers of America. Her books are available through Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com, itunes.com, and Kobobooks.com.
Outside of writing, Inglath is actively involved in dog rescue, working with The Franklin County Humane Society to place dogs and cats in need of rehoming. She volunteers her time in every capacity possible: serving on the Board of Directors, fundraising, photographing dogs and cats available for adoption and serving as a foster home. “Helping an abused or neglected dog go on to have a wonderful life with a family who loves them is more rewarding than I can possibly say.”
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
May 4, 2014
I've got to say, this "series" disappointed me. It had so much potential to be great. I loved the theme, and the storyline was interesting, but it was not, in my opinion, executed well. Some parts of the story were overly slow and drawn out, whereas others were rushed, glossed over, or skipped altogether.
The relationship between Holden and CeCe was so instant. One moment he's being a complete jerk, the next they're in love? Then there was always this back and forth with them. They're together for 5 minutes, then they're apart for months. It was frustrating and honestly not really worth it.
One other thing that bugged me that probably won't bug some others but: the fade-to-blacks. Why? NA books tend to include sex. Especially NA romances. Sex was alluded to at one point, but I have no clue if it ended up happening? And we're never told! It just fades out with no word one way or another. It just frustrates me. Readers go into certain genres of books expecting certain things and when it's not delivered it frustrated them. NA readers expect more spice in the romance than YA. This felt like YA with college age characters.
Really, the biggest problem I had was the fact that I had to pay for 4 installments to get a whole story. I'm tempted to return the last 2, since, really, the last one I only got half of a "novella" and it was so rushed it didn't even feel like half.
This author should definitely do away with the 4 installments and just combine this into 1 book.
As for a recommendation, this was cute, but if you're looking for a sexy, romantic NA read, you won't be happy with this.
The relationship between Holden and CeCe was so instant. One moment he's being a complete jerk, the next they're in love? Then there was always this back and forth with them. They're together for 5 minutes, then they're apart for months. It was frustrating and honestly not really worth it.
One other thing that bugged me that probably won't bug some others but: the fade-to-blacks. Why? NA books tend to include sex. Especially NA romances. Sex was alluded to at one point, but I have no clue if it ended up happening? And we're never told! It just fades out with no word one way or another. It just frustrates me. Readers go into certain genres of books expecting certain things and when it's not delivered it frustrated them. NA readers expect more spice in the romance than YA. This felt like YA with college age characters.
Really, the biggest problem I had was the fact that I had to pay for 4 installments to get a whole story. I'm tempted to return the last 2, since, really, the last one I only got half of a "novella" and it was so rushed it didn't even feel like half.
This author should definitely do away with the 4 installments and just combine this into 1 book.
As for a recommendation, this was cute, but if you're looking for a sexy, romantic NA read, you won't be happy with this.
June 2, 2014
This book was Nashville part one and two, It was a free one click. I enjoyed this book, the story and the characters. Cece is going to Nashville, trying to find a her way in and become a country music star, when her car breaks down and literally goes up in flames she is rescued by Thomas and Holden. Thomas and Holden are college friends and former football players who are also trying to make it in the country music world. They take CeCe under their wings. The three have an amazing bond and friendship. Cece and Holden are very attracted to one another, but Holden has a girlfriend, who shows up and is very jealous of CeCe. Just when Holden and Cece take it another level, Holden finds out Sarah is sick and Holden leaves to be with Sarah. Will this break up the trio for good..find out in books three and four.
November 10, 2013
Great book with links and blogs where you can be a part of the music. A must read for country music lovers!
March 17, 2019
Ready to Reach: Nashville Part 1 is by Inglath Cooper. What will you do to achieve your dream? Will you give up everything you know and head out into the unknown? This is exactly what CeCe MacKenzie did to sing. She set out with her Walker hound Hank Junior, her guitar, and what little money she had in her Grandmother’s 1960 car Gertrude to hit Nashville and try to make something of her music. CeCe both sang and wrote music and hoped to make it big. She had been singing since she was about five and hadn’t stopped. Her Uncle Dobie Crawford of the renowned country group, The Rounders, had given her his guitar when he was dying. He believed in her music and so did she. Now, she just hoped Gertrude would get her to Nashville.
However, Gertrude decided to give it up and blew her engine. CeCe managed to get it to the side of the road and got her guitar and dog out of the car before it burst into flames. Everything she owned went up in flames. A truck, with two Georgia young men, stopped to help her. Thomas Franklin and Holden Ashford offered her a ride to Nashville, or at least Thomas did. Holden wasn’t quite as inviting. However, they helped her and took her with them to the Bluebird where they were playing that night, after all, Holden ended up using her guitar as his was broken when two men stole it and threw it away when Thomas chased them. According to Holden, she had brought them nothing but trouble.
Little did he know but trouble would soon follow them.
Hammer and a Song: Nashville, Part 2 is by Ingath Cooper. This second book finds Thomas, Holden, and CeCe playing together and making a go of it in a small way. They were sharing an apartment with CeCe’s dog, Hank Junior. His love for CeCe was incredibly sweet; but he chose to share his love with Holden, as did she.
While CeCe and Holden were at work, Thomas took Hank Junior out for a walk. Hank Junior decided that chasing a squirrel was more exciting than walking with Thomas and he took off. Thomas had spent the night trying to find Hank Junior and was having no luck. When CeCe and Holden got home, they headed out to look as well. Finally, a lady told them that her neighbor had called the pound and they had come to pick up Hank junior. They weren’t interested in the information on his collar. It wouldn’t have been of much use as it gave CeCe’s mobile number which was the phone that had burned with Gertrude. She and Holden went to find the pound and Hank Junior.
Since the pound wasn’t open, they ended up spending the night in the truck. They convinced the man who opened up to let them find Hank Junior. Sure enough, he was there. They had to do some fast talking to get the man to let them take Hank Junior and by extension, Patsy the Beagle who was with him. It was Patsy’s last morning to live if Holden hadn’t adopted her. On the way home, they stopped to talk and they finally admitted there was something between them that they could not resist. Finally, Holden kissed her.
When they finally got home, Thomas was acting funny. He knew of the attraction between Holden and CeCe; but something had happened while they were gone. Sarah, Holden’s girlfriend had arrived unexpectedly!
However, Gertrude decided to give it up and blew her engine. CeCe managed to get it to the side of the road and got her guitar and dog out of the car before it burst into flames. Everything she owned went up in flames. A truck, with two Georgia young men, stopped to help her. Thomas Franklin and Holden Ashford offered her a ride to Nashville, or at least Thomas did. Holden wasn’t quite as inviting. However, they helped her and took her with them to the Bluebird where they were playing that night, after all, Holden ended up using her guitar as his was broken when two men stole it and threw it away when Thomas chased them. According to Holden, she had brought them nothing but trouble.
Little did he know but trouble would soon follow them.
Hammer and a Song: Nashville, Part 2 is by Ingath Cooper. This second book finds Thomas, Holden, and CeCe playing together and making a go of it in a small way. They were sharing an apartment with CeCe’s dog, Hank Junior. His love for CeCe was incredibly sweet; but he chose to share his love with Holden, as did she.
While CeCe and Holden were at work, Thomas took Hank Junior out for a walk. Hank Junior decided that chasing a squirrel was more exciting than walking with Thomas and he took off. Thomas had spent the night trying to find Hank Junior and was having no luck. When CeCe and Holden got home, they headed out to look as well. Finally, a lady told them that her neighbor had called the pound and they had come to pick up Hank junior. They weren’t interested in the information on his collar. It wouldn’t have been of much use as it gave CeCe’s mobile number which was the phone that had burned with Gertrude. She and Holden went to find the pound and Hank Junior.
Since the pound wasn’t open, they ended up spending the night in the truck. They convinced the man who opened up to let them find Hank Junior. Sure enough, he was there. They had to do some fast talking to get the man to let them take Hank Junior and by extension, Patsy the Beagle who was with him. It was Patsy’s last morning to live if Holden hadn’t adopted her. On the way home, they stopped to talk and they finally admitted there was something between them that they could not resist. Finally, Holden kissed her.
When they finally got home, Thomas was acting funny. He knew of the attraction between Holden and CeCe; but something had happened while they were gone. Sarah, Holden’s girlfriend had arrived unexpectedly!
May 12, 2017
CeCe is headed to Nashville to pursue her dreams of being a country singer/songwriter in her Grandma's old car when it catches on fire. She manages to get her, her guitar and her dog out before it explodes with everything else she possesses. Two good Samaritans, Thomas and Holden pull over to help her. It seems they are heading for the same place for the same reason. Thomas decides to give her a place to live and wants to form a group with the three of them. CeCe and Holden are immediately attracted to each other, but Holden has a girlfriend back home. Holden and CeCe star working in a restaurant together where they "meet" Case Phillips, a country music star. Case has a son, Beck who is the same age as CeCe. He is also a musician. Can't wait for the next installment. Every time I start a serial I say it's the last one and then I get suckered in again.
December 24, 2017
Very well written
This book is entertaining and very believable. It gives a glimpse of the Nashville entertainment business and the partying night life. It does leave you wondering.
This book is entertaining and very believable. It gives a glimpse of the Nashville entertainment business and the partying night life. It does leave you wondering.
October 21, 2016
love love this book
August 9, 2013
I received a copy of Nashville (Combined Edition -Part 1 & 2) in exchange for a fair review.
CeCe's big dream is to be a country singer and when we first meet her, she and her dog are headed down the highway on her way to Nashville, where she's hoping to be discovered. Her car catches on fire, burning up everything she's packed, except for the clothes on her back, her dog and her guitar case. Thomas and Holden stop to help her - they too are waiting for their big break in Nashville and give her a ride and a place to stay and help her start her life in Nashville.
I enjoyed this book. It's short, only about 200 pages, so it is a quick read and I really liked CeCe and loved Thomas and Holden. Their quick friendship was refreshing - they're all hoping for the same thing - success as a country singer - but they're willing help each other out on their quest, no questions asked.
I wish that CeCe had feelings for Thomas and not Holden, only because of Holden's girl back home in Georgia, but I know you can't help who you are attracted to, and I'm glad that at least CeCe and Holden do try to fight their attraction.
Since this is a part 1 and 2 combined edition, I thought it would be a complete story, but it's not, hence my reason for 4 stars, and not 5. There will be at least a part 3, since it did end on a cliffhanger, but I'm invested enough in the characters that I do want to read Part 3 to see what happens next in their journey. And I really hope that Thomas gets a love interest of his own somewhere along the way because I love his character.
CeCe's big dream is to be a country singer and when we first meet her, she and her dog are headed down the highway on her way to Nashville, where she's hoping to be discovered. Her car catches on fire, burning up everything she's packed, except for the clothes on her back, her dog and her guitar case. Thomas and Holden stop to help her - they too are waiting for their big break in Nashville and give her a ride and a place to stay and help her start her life in Nashville.
I enjoyed this book. It's short, only about 200 pages, so it is a quick read and I really liked CeCe and loved Thomas and Holden. Their quick friendship was refreshing - they're all hoping for the same thing - success as a country singer - but they're willing help each other out on their quest, no questions asked.
I wish that CeCe had feelings for Thomas and not Holden, only because of Holden's girl back home in Georgia, but I know you can't help who you are attracted to, and I'm glad that at least CeCe and Holden do try to fight their attraction.
Since this is a part 1 and 2 combined edition, I thought it would be a complete story, but it's not, hence my reason for 4 stars, and not 5. There will be at least a part 3, since it did end on a cliffhanger, but I'm invested enough in the characters that I do want to read Part 3 to see what happens next in their journey. And I really hope that Thomas gets a love interest of his own somewhere along the way because I love his character.
March 13, 2014
This book keeps popping up on everything so I downloaded a free version and opened page 1. First I have to say I felt like it was part of the hit tv show "Nashville" by same name but not based on this book.
I love all the song lyrics in this book, I did try to download to listen but I couldn't get that to work. Was a bit disappointed by that.
200 pages is not very long, would have liked more. But what I read was so good. I couldn't stop from buying 3 & 4.
CeCe McKenzie is heading to Nashville with her guitar and her dog Gertrude. Car troubles lead her to Thomas and Holden a singer/song writing duo looking to make it big in Nashville as well.
Book 1 & 2 is a rocky road for this trio, flirtation a girlfriend and country music. I couldn't wait to read the next chapters.
I love all the song lyrics in this book, I did try to download to listen but I couldn't get that to work. Was a bit disappointed by that.
200 pages is not very long, would have liked more. But what I read was so good. I couldn't stop from buying 3 & 4.
CeCe McKenzie is heading to Nashville with her guitar and her dog Gertrude. Car troubles lead her to Thomas and Holden a singer/song writing duo looking to make it big in Nashville as well.
Book 1 & 2 is a rocky road for this trio, flirtation a girlfriend and country music. I couldn't wait to read the next chapters.
June 3, 2014
CeCe is on her way to Nashville with her walker hound, Hank Junior, to try her hand at being a country singer, but as luck would have it, her beater car blows up and leaves her stranded with nothing more than her hound and her guitar. She is rescued by Thomas and Holden who share a similar dream, making it big in Nashville. Despite Holden's reluctance to help CeCe, the join forces and a mutual attraction forms between them. The only problem, Holden has a girlfriend back home. Nashville is a cute story and only the beginning of what is sure to be a lively series. I'm looking forward to reading more.
June 19, 2014
Consistent theme of Nashville throughout this page turning story of CeCe who travels to Nashville to begin her country music career as so many have before her. I almost felt like I was reading an autobiography of a known country star. well written a fun read and a great start to a four part book series! Couldn't wait to read the next in the series since it is out in a box set now.
Before starting her career though she meets with country gentlemen Holden and Thomas, whom she ends up having to lean weather she wants to or not. Along with her faithful dog and her new friends they break in the Nashville country scene. Highly recommend!
Before starting her career though she meets with country gentlemen Holden and Thomas, whom she ends up having to lean weather she wants to or not. Along with her faithful dog and her new friends they break in the Nashville country scene. Highly recommend!
June 2, 2014
Great story
Great story
This is a great series. It mentioned several things about Nashville where it tak es place that I know first hand are accurate. The Bluebird Cafe is one of the places I h ave been to on t enjoyed for writers nighters night and it is jus t like the book portrays it. The characters are so and story is as well. I sure hope t
here is a next book soon because the only y thing I did not like was that the ending left you hanging.
Great story
This is a great series. It mentioned several things about Nashville where it tak es place that I know first hand are accurate. The Bluebird Cafe is one of the places I h ave been to on t enjoyed for writers nighters night and it is jus t like the book portrays it. The characters are so and story is as well. I sure hope t
here is a next book soon because the only y thing I did not like was that the ending left you hanging.
March 14, 2014
This was a cute story. I have to agree with some other reviews that I read about timing. There are times that is was only a few days but sooooooo many things happened that could not have happened in that time. It threw things of for me here and there. I had to just forget the timeline and focus on the story. Overall I like the characters and the story.
July 1, 2014
Very surprised!!
I hadn't heard of this author before but decided to try this book. It surprised me at how good it was. in the beginning I thought it might be to country but once you get into the story and characters I couldn't put it down.. c a nth wait until the next book..
I hadn't heard of this author before but decided to try this book. It surprised me at how good it was. in the beginning I thought it might be to country but once you get into the story and characters I couldn't put it down.. c a nth wait until the next book..
June 2, 2014
I wanted to like it. I DID like it. I liked the story line and the characters and then bam! it's over... I don't like cliff hangers, but I get it. I'm not sure this has me hooked in enough to continue the series.
June 5, 2014
cute story with a lot of potential, just not well executed. a little too much 'country' even for me. but it was a free one-click, so I'm not complaining. And since there is a part 3 I'm going to read it as well. just can't leave a series unfinished.
January 27, 2014
Good, semi-accurate depiction of the country music scene in Nashville. I felt like some things were a little glossed over, but overall I loved the books. I read them all in one setting.
March 8, 2014
What a surprise. Well worth the evening spent reading it.
March 15, 2014
extremely short but well written with good characters.
April 24, 2014
Love it
Love it
couldn't put it down
Inglath Cooper is a great author.love everything I have read of hers so far.and I'm sure I won't ever be.
Love it
couldn't put it down
Inglath Cooper is a great author.love everything I have read of hers so far.and I'm sure I won't ever be.
June 1, 2014
I enjoyed reading this book about country music and songwriting. Wish it would have been longer, but I do think it would make a good movie. Loved the main character CeCe and her hound, Hank Jr.
September 3, 2016
Loved it!
July 14, 2014
Disappointing. Loved the premise of the book, but too slow.
February 1, 2015
Cute read ;)
July 27, 2016
It was OK.
May 1, 2014
Great read! Can't wait to read book 3.
May 1, 2014
It's starting to get good can't wait to c what is going to happen
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews