Making a Splash

Murphy Brothers #1

by Joanne Rock

Making a Splash Alicia is on a catamaran, on her way to Maine, when Navy Lt Jack Murphy slips into her bed to pick up where he left off five years ago…

On the open water, Jack and Alicia have endless opportunities to work out their sexual tension… But once they hit land, will their hot, steamy chemistry dry up?

Genres: Romance, Harlequin Blaze, Harlequin, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Military Fiction, Military Romance

150 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 23, 2011

About the author

Joanne Rock is a USA Today bestselling author of over one hundred works of popular fiction, including domestic suspense and romantic suspense. A frequent speaker at regional and national writing conferences she enjoys giving back to the writing community that nurtured and inspired her early career. She has a Masters degree in Literature from the University of Louisville and has taught fiction, film, and writing at the college level. When she's not writing, Joanne enjoys travel to gather new ideas.

Reviews

[Jo Reads Romance · Rating 2 out of 5]

Fairly sub-standard Blaze romance
2 stars

Alicia LeBlanc is ready to set sail for her new life running a B&B in Maine. She's hitching a lift on a friend's catamaran to take her to her destination. But she must be dreaming because once the boat reaches open sea she realises that her still delectable ex has stowed away on the boat along with her.

Although it was a mistake ending up in Alicia's bed after all these years, Navy Lieutenant Jack Murphy isn't one to let an opportunity pass him by. But as their chemistry heats up on the water, will it all fizzle out when they reach dry land?

I've always enjoyed a 'second chance at love' story and I was excited by the premise of this one as the pair would be stranded together and have to deal with each other and their feelings. Unfortunately, the book just didn't live up to my expectations.

Alicia was a likeable enough character but, to tell the truth, she came across as a little bland. Jack, surprisingly, didn't do much for me either. I think the problem was that Jack's initial reasons for dumping Alicia and joining the Navy seemed a little flimsy and weak. After that, I couldn't help but feel that every complaint that Alicia had about him (being too controlling etc) was actually true. And since Jack had thought Alicia too young previously, I think she was written as quite bland to ensure she didn't come across as too immature.

Another surprising complaint about the book was that there was too much sex! Being a Blaze book you're obviously going to get a hot and sexy read and that's what I want but it just got a little boring in this particular book. It was as if there wasn't enough plot so a sex scene was thrown in to try and make it more interesting.

I just couldn't get into this book, unfortunately. I kept picking it up and planning to read it but I could only manage a few pages each time before I got bored. So it's not one I would recommend and only 2 stars from me.

[Roberta (Always Behind) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have had Making Waves in my Kindle TBR for way too long. I was glad I finally read this delightful book. Joanne Rock's novels always bring a little spice into my mainly boring life.
Alicia LeBlanc needs a ride up the coast to Maine to get to her planned B&B. She thinks she'll be going on Keith Murphy's yacht for the trip. Unbeknownst to her, Keith and brother Jack have switched out Jack's sailboat for Keith's yacht. When Alicia finds out she will be traveling with Jack she's more than concerned. Their relationship in the past didn't end well. All the same, Alicia still harbors some feelings for Jack. Will being thrown together be a cold, prickly adventure or one that's flaming hot?
You have to admire Alicia. She's starting on a whole new life with opening a B&B. She really doesn't need any more issues.
Jack and the other Murphy brothers have worked hard to have success. The oldest brother is having a big engagement party. Alicia may be Jack's ex, but he still feels strong chemistry between them. Will this be a short fling or a second chance?
If you like your romances extra spicy, this is the book for you. This the first in The Murphy Brothers series that was previously a Harlequin Desire. Since I am so far behind, I'll look for the next two in the series. I encourage you to as well.

[Conna N Condon · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you know anything about joining the military, set it aside and accept the premise in the story. He’s out now, 4 years later. She finished college and made amazing advancement in dad’s business and apparently quite a bit of cash saving. They get tricked onto same boat for motor cruise up coast to Maine. It turns into a sex fest … with lousy communications. Me then does what she is trying to get away from in the way of male treatment. But, voila, suddenly works out. As you can tell, lots of holes in the story, but lots of sex scenes if you like those.

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great second chance at romance. Jack and Alicia are likable characters and the chemistry is flying. I enjoyed their journey as they reveal secrets and get past their hurt. It’s an entertaining story and looking forward to reading more.

[Colleen]

Stopped listening because of the voice on Kindle grits on my nerves. Will give this novel another chance when I can literally read.

Cheers

[Doris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!!!!

[Terry Ratliff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read

Ally and Jack had met young. He left suddenly for thr navy, no explanation. Read their steugglrs when they meet again four years later.

[Julie Barrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Making a Splash by Joanne Rock
In this Murphy family series, Jack is back from his Navy military service and he has been thrown together with the woman he left 5 years ago, just walked out on her and joined up.
She has had some dates with others but nothing that lasted. She wants a B&B in Bar Harbor, Maine-to get away from all the family. They've been nice to her over the years including her in
with other family activities. She also plans to survive by running her water sports business. She had wanted Keith's input on the B&B but he though Jack could do with a vacation by taking the yacht up to Maine while he takes the sailboat down south to try to sell it.
Love the family activities: the men sports and how they joke around with one another.
Love the water travels and it does sound like a trip I'd like to take someday.
Alicia LeBlanc grew up next door to the Murphys and was romantically involved with Jack before he joined up with the Navy.
They are becoming sexually involved on the trip up north. She just wanted a second opinion not a love affair.
She just wants to get on with her life. He offered to loan her the money for her dreams.
He finally opens up to her and explains why he joined the military...
He was going overseas and visiting influential people while disguising it for company business of global properties. Now that he's back his dad is trying to persuade him to work with the family resort business again.
They make a deal on their journey that the other has to answer all the questions posed to them. He's not told her his plans for all the bars he's been buying up and she's not telling him why she wants to buy the B&B 3 states away. Winner takes all.



Living the Fantasy by Joanne Rock
This Murphy family series is about Ryan and he is in charge of the global properties, a specific one: Venus Hotel in Fiji.
Keira is there to do battle with him.
Love the detailed lush descriptions of the fauna and wildlife on the island. Makes we reach out to touch the flowers as she walks by listening to the birds...
They had been lovers for 14 days in their college days as they backpacked across Nepal.
She is there to protest that now her funding for the school for undeserved children would lose their chance at an education.
She's agreed to stay at a hotel villa since she's stranded there for 3 more days due to lack of ferry runs. Maybe she can talk him into funding the school.
They both remember the good ole days and when he asks if she wants to resurrect their love she agrees...
She tells him what she's been doing for the past 8 years and he sums it up by saying sorry her family hasn't been so supportive of her career.
She also agrees to accompany him back home to Cape Cod for a family lobsterfest to show her what real family is like as many of the others will be there.
That will give Ryan time to explain to her why he is in the Fiji Island area. Hot steamy sex scenes only add to the appeal of reading this book.
Love the descriptions of the hand made necklaces and their significance.

[Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book one in The Murphy Brothers series and it is Jack and Alicia’s story. Jack and Alicia have history that ended badly when Jack joined the navy and told Alicia not to wait for him leaving her upset and heartbroken. Jack was in the navy but now a civilian and back in his hometown for his older brother Ryan’s engagement but Jack wasn’t the same person anymore and his family noticed especially as he also refused to take his old job back as VP of Global Properties for the family business who runs The Murphy Resorts but he had some decisions to make and what he wanted to do next. When Jack’s brother Keith gave him a challenge to sail his boat to a certain location Jack agreed not knowing that it was a set up to confront Jack’s past. Alicia was having a lift with Keith as she was looking at a B&B to run and asked Keith to help her set up a business plan but what Alicia didn’t is that things were about to get very complicated. When Alicia and Jack realised that they are on the same boat and have been set up she is determined to try and be professional as she couldn’t let Jack back into her heart again because she also has her own plans and didn’t want any distractions or have anyone interfering but Jack has other plans but he had to be very careful and patient for it to work out. This is a really great second chance romance that will have you turning the pages to not only see what happens next but to also see what the outcome would be for them and if they manage to get the happiness and future together that they missed out on years before. I definitely recommend you read this book and you will not be disappointed and I can’t wait to read the next book in this series.

[Jara · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like your romance with competitive tension like me, then this is the couple for you. I like that they alternate between who submits and who dominates, so that both of them receive what they need...eventually! The non-cliffhanger ending leaves room for a sequel...

Spirit-Guided Relationships: Wives and Husbands (Ephesians 5:21-33)

And further, submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

For wives, this means submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For a husband is the head of his wife as Christ is the head of the church. He is the Savior of his body, the church. As the church submits to Christ, so you wives should submit to your husbands in everything.

For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her to make her holy and clean, washed by the cleansing of God’s word. He did this to present her to himself as a glorious church without a spot or wrinkle or any other blemish. Instead, she will be holy and without fault. In the same way, husbands ought to love their wives as they love their own bodies. For a man who loves his wife actually shows love for himself. No one hates his own body but feeds and cares for it, just as Christ cares for the church. And we are members of his body.

As the Scriptures say, “A man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.”

This is a great mystery, but it is an illustration of the way Christ and the church are one. So again I say, each man must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a second chance romance that kicks off the series. The story takes place over a short period of time and is quick-burn. (If you discount the four years of pining they spent apart off the page.) Jack Murphy broke up with Alicia when he left for the Navy, never really explaining his decisions. “Nothing like slamming a door on a future.” Spurred on by his return to town four years later, Alicia made plans to move away and purchase a Bed & Breakfast. She enlisted the assistance of Jack’s brother Keith. Keith, however, had other plans. “‘When you run as hard and fast as Jack does from problems, you’re bound to slam headfirst into trouble sooner or later. I’m merely speeding up the inevitable collision.’” In the Murphy family, “Bets and competitions were their way of life.” Keith used this to talk Jack into a last minute boat swap, not telling Jack that Alicia was already on board sleeping. Discovered too late, the forced proximity brought their old feelings to the surface. Overall, it was an enjoyable story. There was a lot of hurt and history to hash through. Sometimes it was a bit frustrating that they seemed unwilling to just talk openly and honestly. I did like the characters and the book provided a good introduction to the brothers. The quick-burn worked well in this context with their past relationship. For the most part, the intimate scenes flowed as an element of the story. This book is part of a series about the Murphy brothers, but it reads as standalone. This is a detailed open door romance with multiple scenes, innuendo, and mild harsh language throughout.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jack and Alicia are reunited lovers in a circumstance that neither of them saw the reunion after a four year split. Jack went into the navy and didn't want Alicia to put her life on hold. But Jack doesn't tell her the whole story of why he upped and joined the navy and how he knew he left her with a broken heart. But there are forces at work, namely jack's brother, when he asked Jack to take his boat up to Bar Harbor, MA to one of the executives of the company to use. And he would take Jack's boat to SC to a the guy who was buying Jack's boat... he did not tell him that he was giving Alicia a ride up to Bar Harbor to look at a B&B she wants to buy. So when they wake up in the middle of the night in each other's arms Jack and Alicia are shocked, especially when she was calling out Jack's name in what she thought was a dream. Can these two reunited lovers be together in the middle of the ocean for days and renew their passion for one another and can they do it without their hearts being involved...

I really like this story. Passion on the high seas. The couple had a past and they were trying to put it behind them and begin again. Joanne Rock brings the past, present and future in warm, sexy, passionate and fun story that will have you wanting to sail into the sunset of a happy ever after.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Fictional Bookshelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

We didn’t have the usual first meet jitters, or the pages of who are you, what do you do, what do you believe in. With this book, the characters already know all of that about each other, which is refreshing because the story jumps right into the action of rediscovering what Alicia and Jack (main characters) could have again.

I love Alicia because she was a strong and determined woman who wanted to make it on her own. Her struggles to get where she got was honorable.

Then there’s Jack whom I think might be my favorite character. He knew in the back of his mind all along he wanted Alicia but didn’t recognize it. Then when he does, he makes mistakes after mistakes. I don’t want to spoil what happens but I will say my gut tightened up a couple times and I felt sorry for him when he unknowingly made the mistakes. Picture a man trying to do the right thing but ends up doing the wrong things.

Besides the characters the scenes, the actual plot, dialogue and everything in between was beautifully written. I read this book in one sitting. I couldn’t reach the end fast enough.

I give this book 5 out 5 red crows. (blog rating system)

On a side note I was given an advance review copy via the author. Having read a free copy did not in anyway alter my opinions of the book.

[Ellie (On a break, mostly rereading) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Making Waves is the first book in the Murphy Brothers series by Joanne Rock. It has been previously released with Harlequin but Rock is releasing the full series once again. I have a suspicion that I may have read this one before because a lot of the story seemed very familiar.

The main tropes of this novel are wrong bed, forced proximity and second chance romance.

Jack Murphy broke up with his girlfriend four years earlier when they were young, mostly because he has a knight in shining armour kind of attitude. He left shortly afterwards when he signed up to Navy. But now Jack is back and he still thinks of Alicia. He has intentions of finding her again, but his brothers also have intentions to help Jack along. They are naturally worried about him after his time in the Navy.

Alicia was heartbroken when Jack broke up with her, and once again when he left, but she still harbours strong feelings for that particular Murphy brother. Now thrown into close proximity with Jack, both characters have the opportunity to examine their feelings now that they are older and more mature.

This is a fun, sweet and sexy ride.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Emily Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Second Chance to Make It Right . . .

This is a short but sweet second chance love that will melt the reader’s heart. Years ago, Jack Murphy had left Alicia LeBlanc with a broken heart when he went into the Navy, telling her not to wait for him. To avoid Jack and to look at a bed and breakfast she hopes to purchase in Maine, Alicia eagerly accepts an offer from Jack’s brother Keith to ride along on his catamaran which is going close to her destination. Then Keith asks his brother Jack for a big favor – swap boats and drop his off in Maine for him while he takes Jack’s Vesta down to Charleston so he can meet a client down that way. Keith of course doesn’t mention to Jack that his ex-girlfriend Alicia will be a passenger on the Maine trip, so Jack unknowingly agrees to the arrangement. When she wakes up in his arms, she finds out that lovely dream is very real! With no possibility of walking away in the middle of the ocean, will the two of them talk things over and get back together? Is this a good time to make amends and perhaps accept the second chance offered to them? Or will they stubbornly refuse to listen?

[Kari Hansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Jack ended his relationship with Alicia years earlier before he joined the Navy, he thought it was the best choice for them at the time. Now that his career has come to an end, he has returned to his hometown trying to decide what the future will hold when he agrees to do a favor to his brother. The one surprise he didn’t see coming is that Alicia would be there as well.

Alicia was devastated when Jack ended their relationship and has decided that the time has come for her to make some changes. She plans to manage a Bed & Breakfast in another town so when Jack’s brother offers her a boat ride to get there it seems like the perfect solution. She wasn’t aware that it would be Jack and not his brother taking her or the effect the close proximity would have on them both.

This is a second chance for Jack and Alicia who made choices that tore them apart. The feelings between them are stronger than ever and now they just need to make peace with the past and create a future that will give them both the happiness they deserve.

[Vilma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jack Murphy and Alicia LeBlanc were a hit item four years ado, but he broke up with her took off for the Navy without a backward glance. Or so Ally thought. Jacks brother, Keith asks to switch boats at the last minute, knowing he promised Alicia a ride to her proposed B&B purchase so she could also pick his brain about the purchase.

Sparks fly, but the first sparks in four years are not what either expected. During the surprise journey, Jack rediscovers his feelings for Alicia, while Alicia is trying not to remember her feelings and just enjoy the sexual chemistry between them without any hopes for a tomorrow.

Loved, loved, loved, this story of second chances. It also teaches these two headstrong and independent people to communicate with each other and not make assumptions or guess the intent of the other person.

There’s a happy ending…and a peak into Keith’s journey aboard Jacks boat which is headed south.

[Elaine Coghlan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Making Waves ~ The Murphy Brothers#1 by Joanne Rock
PUBLISHER DESCRIPTION
The detour into the wrong bed just may be the perfect route to finding love!

Wow, what a wonderful start to a new series from Joanne. To be honest, I have not read many books from her, but this one I could not put down.
I found it to be well written with wonderful characters that you fall in love with from the very beginning. The storyline was believable and I was engaged from the beginning till the end. I loved the chemistry between Jack and Alicia
will they get their second chance at love with a HEA?
Fantastic story which I highly recommend, and I'm looking forward to the next in the series

Reasons I enjoyed this book:
Easy-to-read, Entertaining, Happily Ever After, Informative, Inspirational, Page-turner, Romantic, Realistic, Steamy, and Wonderful characters

[Michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the first of the Murphy Brothers series all about a second chance romance!
While at their brother’s engagement party, Jack’s brother goads him to take his boat with all the bells and whistles to Maine while he pilots Jack’s sailboat to Charleston. Unbeknownst to Jack, his ex, Alicia will be onboard for the ride to check out the bed and breakfast she plans to buy to get out of dodge from her family and also to not see Jack who is back after 4 years in the Navy. What follows is some intense attraction between the two but coming to terms with why Jack ended things 4 years ago leads to some murky waters. Will Jack learn from his mistakes and meet Alicia halfway? You have to read to find out and I can’t wait for the next book in the series!

[Donise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Four years ago, he screwed up big time in not trusting the girl he cared about with his reason for leaving her and joining the Navy now he is back and trying to figure out how to reconnect with her. She is sick and tired of everyone thinking they know what is best for her, so she is bound and determined to buy and manage her own bed and breakfast a few states away. She enlists the help of her ex-boyfriend's brother in getting her their aboard his boat. Unbeknownst to both of them the brother has decided to help get them back together. What could possibly go wrong? This is a cute start to the Murphy Brothers series, and I am looking forward to reading more of them.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kristen Lewendon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has all the one-bed / wrong-bed goodness wrapped up with a second chance as exes, Jack and Alicia, are tricked into spending time alone together on his brother’s boat. For their own good, of course. It broke my heart watching these two rehash so much of the pain they had endured after their break-up, but I loved seeing the healing that was left behind. Jack and Alicia may have seldom seen eye to eye, but there was still something that made them perfect together. Now that we’ve started to get to know the Murphy clan, I can’t wait to get up close and personal with each of the rest of the brothers.
I received a complimentary advance copy of this book through Booksprout.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Making Waves by Joanne Rock revisits Cape Cod with the Murphy Brothers. Jack Murphy just returned home to Chatham, MA from the Navy. He just doesn’t know how to reconnect with the one that got away, Alicia Le Blanc. Alicia never got over Jack dumping her four years ago. When Jack’s brother organizes a surprise “visit” forcing them to make the trip to Bar Harbour on a catamaran. Trying to stay away from Jack was hard for Alicia and Jack’s not the strongest communicator. I LOVED reading this story and look forward to the next installment of the Murphy Brothers series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Trish · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book in the Murphy Brothers series. Jack broke Alicia's heart when he left her and joined the Navy never discussing it with her or explaining to her why he felt the need to serve. He broke up with her making all the decisions for her never bothering to ask what she wanted. Alicia has been avoiding Jack since he came home. He shattered her heart so there's no way was she letting him near her but Jack's meddling brother has plans for them both. Their story is a steamy, witty second chance romance. Can't wait to read the other Murphy brothers stories.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it! I was a little confused by the Murphy family history (lots of backstory given for a first book), but once the romance started kicking into gear I was sold. This is a great reunited-lovers story with a lot of meat to it. The characters are sexy and work through their issues like adults - with some periods of reacquainting themselves with each other's good and bad qualities, of course ;). You better believe that I'll be reading more of Joanne's romance novels.

P.S. Her YA novel, CAMP BOYFRIEND, is also great. But I helped edit it, so Your Mileage May Vary.

[Carolyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book. It was a great story of Jack Murphy and Alicia Le Blanc. In the past, Jack and Alicia are involved but Jack suddenly enlists in the Navy and leaves Alicia without an explanation. Fast forward 4 years and Jack is back! As a result of a brotherly bet, Jack and Alicia are on a yacht alone for a bout a week. Lots of spicy romance ensues, along with a great heart-to-heart conversation which clears the air so these two can have their happily-ever-after!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the characters in this book. The story is well written and it makes me look forward to each and every character's story going forward. I really felt for the characters in this one. From the pain they felt in their situations respectively when he chose to go in the Navy without telling her, the humor of the brothers pulling the pranks that they do on each other, the tightness of the family unit, and the pull of the romance between the two that they still feel after all the time apart. Looking forward to the next in series!

[Mem · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jack left Alicia because he thought she was to young for him and needed space to grow-up. So he went into the navy without saying anything to her. Now, four years later, he's out and back home. A dare with his brother, Keith, has put him on a boat--Keith's boat-- headed for Maine. Jack doesn't know that Keith has promised Alicia to help her with her plan to purchase property in Maine for a bed and breakfast business. Let the games begin...

[Fleur · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Keith, his brother Jack and Jacks ex Alicia have to spend time together giving them a chance to hash out the past and why Jack originally broke up with Alicia.
I love a good second chance romance and this totally fit the bills and has me eagerly wanting to read the next book to see what happens to Keith after his matching making with Jack.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Paula Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love The Murphy Clan. I must say this one was my favourite until I read One Man Rush. The scenes on the catamaran a very titillating, but jot overly done. The biggest thing is that it gets more explosive as the h and H get to know each other. The descriptions of the location where the h plans to place her B & B sounds really exciting. Rock's descriptions created a beautiful visual for me.

[Kathleen Ryder · Rating 3 out of 5]

A second chance romance. The plot is a common one done many times before, and is utterly predictable, but that is half the fun of the read, you know there will be a happy ending.

Characters were likeable and the pacing was good.

A simple, quick read that I finished in an hour.

Thank you to BookSprout for a copy of this ARC in return for my honest review.