—“You can't help but fall in love with Neil and Candy. Neil is Candy's knight in shining armor” – Reviewer – April
— “It is nice to know that a story can be so powerful that a man can consider a woman's feelings and show her that love can conquer all and be lover's and friends” – Reviewer – Theresa
In THE UNEXPECTED STORM, Candy McRae is barely making ends meet. She's heartbroken and alone with her horses, living hand to mouth on the most sought after oceanfront property. Everyone wants it, including the wealthy hunk who owns the estate next door. And when he offers to buy it she refuses. His first mistake was asking her out. His second was not meaning it. Even though he could solve all her problems, she'd rather sell to the devil himself.
Smart and sexy Neil Friessen is quite the catch. He's not only drop dead gorgeous with a body women dream of. He's wealthy, stubborn, arrogant and thoughtful. He attracts women, and million dollar deals, and plans to build a resort on the property next to his. He has the plans, the money, and the resources. The only thing standing between him and his sweet deal is the dark haired beauty who owns the property he wants.
When a storm forces everyone to evacuate Candy refuses to leave her animals, and her property. But it's Neil who shows up, Neil who rescues her. Except by the time he finds her, vulnerable and hurt, they can't get out. Neil is alone with the one woman he's always wanted. And he'll have to choose between this dark haired beauty that fills his dreams every night, and building his million dollar resort.
"Lorhainne Eckhart is one of my go to authors when I want a guaranteed good book. So many twists and turns, but also so much love and such a strong sense of family." (Lora W. Reviewer)
New York Times & USA Today bestseller Lorhainne Eckhart writes Raw Relatable Real Romance is best known for her big family romances series, where “Morals and family are running themes. Danger, romance, and a drive to do what is right will see you glued to the page.” As one fan calls her, she is the “Queen of the family saga.” (aherman) writing “the ups and downs of what goes on within a family but also with some suspense, angst and of course a bit of romance thrown in for good measure.” Follow Lorhainne on Bookbub to receive alerts on New Releases and Sales and join her mailing list at LorhainneEckhart.com for her Monday Blog, books news, giveaways and FREE reads. With over 120 books, audiobooks, and multiple series published and available at all retailers now translated into six languages. She is a multiple recipient of the Readers’ Favorite Award for Suspense and Romance, and lives in the Pacific Northwest on an island, is the mother of three, her oldest has autism and she is an advocate for never giving up on your dreams.
Candy has inherited an expensive piece of real estate, but she doesn't wish to sell her home even though she is struggling to make ends meet. All she cares about are her animals.
Neil wants to build a resort on Candy's property, and has offered her huge amounts of money for it. Candy's father warned her not to trust Neil, and she will do all she can to avoid him getting his hands on her property.
Then a hurricane hits, and when Neil checks on his neighbour, he feels compelled to save her from her own stupidity. They end up sheltering in Neil's house and finally have a chance to get to know each other and find out the truth about each other.
I thought the description of the hurricane, the damage it caused, etc were very well done, and the action scenes (when Candy is trying to get her property and animals prepared for the onslaught) were fairly gripping.
The book ended really abruptly. They had only been together about a week, he intends to lie to her about the fate of her beloved animals, and the end. Wait, what? They barely know each other, and suddenly they're getting married and living happily ever after? And he's lying to her about things that are vitally important to her? It honestly felt like the author got to a point and then just went 'I've had enough, blah blah blah, the end.' The book was really good until it ended, and I was left quite unsatisfied.
The "heroine" was stubborn, jumped to conclusions, and too stupid to live on several occasions. The "hero" was keeping secrets "for her own good" (bleh!) and also too stupid to live on some occasions. Like all of this authors "heroes" he equates bullying with being protective.
This is the first official book (I believe) to Neil and Candy's story. It appears that the author likes to spread out couple's story in short, almost novella length books that you must buy over different series. 🤑🤑
Note-Reading order
The Unexpected Storm $4.99 179pgs (The Outsiders series) The Wedding $4.99 214pgs (The Outsiders Series) The Price of Love $3.99 172pgs (The Friessens A New Beginning series) Vow of Love $3.99 161pgs (The Friessens A New Beginning series) The Business Plan $4.92 188pgs (The Friessens series)
What can I say….. When your name is Candy I don’t expect much. Boy was I right. She was so selfish and immature it was just to much You can’t be that stupid to not see what you’re father is like. And if I could give minus 100 stars I would have Because the horses died, why?
Sorry, but the female lead was just psycho. This is no role model for women to read about. Kept reading hoping it would get better but it did not. Deleted half way through.
A young woman that has grown up with all the wrong answers and ideas. It is real tough on a child when you are brought up with lies. To be deceived and misguided about how others think about you. The mis-guiding that has you believe that others think less of you and more about their personal gain. It isn't always the way it seems.
Neil Friessen was a well engineered bulk of a man. He is a wise, courageous, business orientated cowboy. He has his eyes on a very nice piece of acreage that he wants to purchase. But the original owner was the father of Candy McCrae, who is now deceased. He left her with no money, flat broke and behind on all the bills, property, taxes, and a broken house.
She has a couple of horses she is trying to sell to help her stretch the inevitable; lossing everything and no place to go. The loan holder knows she is deep in debt and Neil is the right person that can put Candy's debt behind her. However with her father's words she is very bitter with the Friessen family and won't budge on a deal.
The property is next to the ocean, beautiful views and would bring in many people and lots of money. Candy is trying to be a tough guy (girl) with a firm no.
The weather is changing a storm is brewing and it's getting very ugly outside. Candy has three horses and a young donkey to protect, she has no help and is doing her best. The loan officer Stella who is very cariing but a tough business woman her self, knows of Candy's situation and asks Neil to check on her before they retreat from the storm, which he does.
Candy is at wits end, Neil Paul pulls in to offer help. Things happen, the storm is raging and there isn't any time left. It's live or die time. You won't believe what happens, what is totally destroyed, the emptiness that remains, and the lives of two people who are estranged.
This is a book of love, courage, strength and family and is so much worth you enjoyment of reading.
This is the only book I have read by this author. Considering she has numerous books published for reader consumption, I am going to assume they are much better than this one.
I think the author had a great plot. Action scenes and descriptions of the weather and devastation were excellently written. What fell short, in my opinion, was the dialogue and rushed timeline.
It seemed like every other sentence in the two-person dialogue had them addressing each other by name. It was very annoying for me. Also, there were multiple points of dialogue where everything was explained audibly and didn't make sense for the characters to say at that point in time--like the author was rushing to get everything out in the open to move the story along. It went something like this:
"Neil, I'm sorry." "Stop apologizing, Candy." "Okay, Neil." "I know you, Candy, despite not actually knowing you because you hate me and your dead dad warned you about getting close to me. Something is wrong. I'm good at reading people, and I'm said to be pretty good-looking with my six pack abs and an all-around good guy, so tell me what the issue is." "Neil, nobody has ever taken care of me before." "I'll take care of you, Candy. I know you hated my guts a week ago and don't actually know much about me, but let's get married. Also, I'm going to start of our relationship with a lie 'for your own good'." "Okay, Neil! I hope I'm pregnant!" "Me, too, Candy. I'm a billionaire ladies' man, but in 24 hours I suddenly want to settle down and have lots of babies with you. We need to shove Ambrose, the baby donkey, in a closet now, so he'll be quiet and out of the way."
That's great the author wanted to incorporate all of these things into a story, but it can't reasonably be done in less than 200 pages without feeling ingenuine and unbelievable.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I have become a huge fan of this author and this story just reinforced that feeling. Though this story takes us to Yucatán peninsula, the main character, Neil, is truly a Freissen in his actions and his view of “his woman”. Little did he realize he was going to have to work overtime to get Candy McRae to see things his way. While wealthy Neil has been trying to purchase Candy’s property in Mexico so he built a multi-million dollar resort , Cindy can barely make ends meet . She lives in a rundown house, with a barn that’s falling apart. But she will do everything she can to take care of her animals and not sell to Neil. When a hurricane hits the area, Neil is told Candy is not leaving behind the animals nor the land, he changes his plans of evacuation and proceeds to rescue Cindy. Will they survive the hurricane? If they do, will Neil be able to show Cindy he’s not the man her father made him out to be? Will the storm be the catalyst to bring them together and discover that instead of adversaries they could become lovers? Another engaging story in this series and one that will leave you wanting to know what the next chapter in their lives will be.
I've found myself drawn into this series by accident with a free book. And I've ended up buying the series so far and are about to read the rest. There are a couple of sticking points for me as I've always thought writers did research before writing or maybe I'm just wrong but I've been told you should never keep horses with donkeys because they carry lung worm and the baby donkey if two weeks old wouldn't even have teeth yet to even eat grass sorry just saying. I like to read fiction but make sure there is truth in its field (ranching) but other than that I loved this book.
After inheriting a oceanfront property , Candy doesn't wish to sell her home even though she is struggling to make ends meet. All she cares about are her animals.
Neil a neighbour who wants to build a resort on Candy's property, and has offered her huge amounts of money for it.
When a hurricane hits, and when Neil checks in on Candy. They end up sheltering in Neil's house and finally have a chance to get to know each other and find out the truth about each other.
Neil, is truly a Freissen in his actions and his view of “his woman”
I really enjoyed this book. Lots of surprises. And leaving the reader wanting to see answers and what the next challenge is. The characters are real and interesting I like the compassion expressed.
Having lived through several hurricanes (cyclones in this country) I thought the description of the hurricane, the damage it caused, etc were very well done.
Enjoyed the book and series. Can't wait for the next book to come out.
I received an author’s copy and have left an honest review
A well written book however, the heroine Candy is weak and sometimes very irritating. I prefer my heroine's smart and strong. That said, Candy and Neil make a good match as he is very patient and willing to sacrifice himself for her. If you like books with lots of angst and challenges for a potential love match, you will enjoy this one.
Enjoyed this short contemporary book because of the different plot involved. The heroine came across as very immature with quick cycle emotional ups and downs. She must have been very beautiful for a rich guy to put up with that long range. However, it did maintain my interest throughout because of the unique circumstances surrounding the plot.
Sadly, I did not think this was a particularly well written story. The basic plot was fine but it was never fleshed out and I never felt any real interest or affection for any of the characters. It was a disappointment and I will not be looking to read any other books in this series or by this author.
Absolutely love this author. Her books are extremely captivating. Can't wait to read the book. Thank you Lorhainne Eckhart for fabulous stories! If I could rate a 10 I would!
In this book we see the start of Candy and Neil's relationship. Two people from completely different backgrounds whether a destructive storm and find love at the end. There was lots of action, adventure, romance and emotion. It is a good foundation for the the couple's next book, 'The Wedding'.
I love short, well constructed and well written stories. I especially like ones that have animals. And it’s a BIG plus if there’s chemistry and hot sex. What’s not to love about The Unexpected Storm.
Not only is the weather in this book a hurricane, but the relationship between Neil and Candy could also be described as a hurricane. Wow. Her father was a piece of work and lied to her.
This book has great pace, sometimes urgency and sometimes calm. Only two main characters, but you still get a real feeling for those in the background to round out the story. Enjoy!
A very interesting and relatable story, this one didn't grip me like the others but enjoyable nonetheless. I will continue to read other books in the series.
Neil Friessen is a good guy, the one out of his three brothers who stays calm in a crisis. He's the one who always gives the women in his family the benefit of the doubt and sticks up for them against the other males. In "The Unexpected Storm", I'm afraid Neil has met his match in Candy. She is the most aggravating female he has ever met. Slaps his face, gives him the cold shoulder and walks away from him every time she sees him. Until a terrible hurricane catches her unaware and she's pinned down in her barn, wounded and unable to help her beloved horses. This time when her neighbour appears, both her and her pet, a baby donkey, are happy to see him. Until he starts trying to control her. That ain't gonna happen - not easily. I loved this emotional rollercoaster that Ms. Eckhart has taken us on in this wonderful story. She has a knack of making a book very difficult to put down and her characters very easy to love.
This is another great book in this series. Throughout reading the books, Neil has been my favorite brother. While Brad and Jed have the macho thing going, he is the fun and thoughtful good guy. He did not change in this book. Candy, on the other hand seemed to be an immature hot head and somewhat unreasonable. She believed everything her father had told her about Neil in spite of the fact he was an alcoholic, lost everything he owned and treated her horribly. On the other hand, Neil treated her with respect, offered his support and stayed behind in during a hurricane to rescue her and her baby donkey.
A hurricane is coming and Candy's place right on the beach is in a direct line with it. Neil Friessen has craved Candy for ages but she won't have anything to do with him. Her father told her terrible and untrue things about Neil which she believes. A hurricane. A baby donkey. Three beautiful horses. A very handsome man. A mountain of debt. A bad fall. Injured horses. And love.
Neil and Candace are a sweet couple. Candace has trust issues, especially where Neil is concerned. She is close to losing her land and home when a hurricane sweeps in. She has been pushing Neil away for a long time, but when her life is threatened by the storm, he swoops in to save her.
Just too Mills & Boone for comfort. Or is that Harlequin. Anyway, cliched, done before and relatively dull. I'm sure I've read something almost the same before.