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Wilde Dunes #1
Simmer
Fantasies come true on this sultry Georgia island.Emma Vance is the serious sister, happiest running her family's Wilde Dunes Resort from behind the scenes. She leaves the parties and the host duties to her sister, Sara. But when Sara takes off for unknown adventures, Emma is thrust into Sara's role--and finds herself face to face with a sinfully sexy guest. It isn't long before Emma begins considering mixing business with pleasure. Liam Anderson is rich, worldly, and gorgeous . . . but not at peace. At Solomon's Island, where his family once summered, he finds himself fantasizing about spending the week relaxing with Emma on the beach . . . and in his bed. Emma tells herself she's not his type, that this is just a fling, but the attraction between her and Liam is hotter than a Georgia summer. When trouble arrives and Liam appears to have come there with ulterior motives, she'll find out just how high the price may be when a fantasy is swept out with the tide.
204 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 11, 2014
28 people want to read
About the author
Deborah Grace Staley
25 books49 followersDeborah Grace Staley is an Amazon and Barnes & Noble #1 best-selling author and winner of the HOLT Medallion. Her novels have been published worldwide in a variety of formats. She holds an MFA in Creative Writing, teaches, and is a freelance editor. Originally from East Tennessee, she makes her home in South Florida with her husband and two adorable rescued dachshunds. She loves to connected with readers on Facebook and Instagram @deborahgracestaley.com. Sign up for her newsletter for exclusive giveaways and first looks at new work at www.deborahgracestaley.com
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
August 15, 2014
*Received as an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
The first book in the Wilde Dune Series starts off with much promise. It starts as Emma (the quiet, introverted one) is forced to assume the "face" of the resort when her sister becomes AWOL. Her first "welcome" group comes with one straggler, Liam, who requires a more personal touch. Liam, coming to the resort for some R&R&R (last R is reconnaissance),feels a strong attraction to Emma. They both learn to relax and let go, in different ways.
The supporting characters, mainly Emma's family, are not quite as developed as I would like but given that I am sure to encounter them in the upcoming books in this series...which is probably the authors intent...leave them wanting more!
It is all at once, hot, sweet and endearing. You will be rooting for Emma and Liam all the way through, both complex and totally relatable! I look forward to the other books in this series.
The first book in the Wilde Dune Series starts off with much promise. It starts as Emma (the quiet, introverted one) is forced to assume the "face" of the resort when her sister becomes AWOL. Her first "welcome" group comes with one straggler, Liam, who requires a more personal touch. Liam, coming to the resort for some R&R&R (last R is reconnaissance),feels a strong attraction to Emma. They both learn to relax and let go, in different ways.
The supporting characters, mainly Emma's family, are not quite as developed as I would like but given that I am sure to encounter them in the upcoming books in this series...which is probably the authors intent...leave them wanting more!
It is all at once, hot, sweet and endearing. You will be rooting for Emma and Liam all the way through, both complex and totally relatable! I look forward to the other books in this series.
September 3, 2014
OK, so this was my first experience reading work by Deborah Grace Staley and she impressed me! This is part of a series and I think I am going to LOVE.IT. TRUTH!
This book was sweet, fun and easy to read, sexy and it leaves you wanting MORE! There's also some plot twists you may or may not see coming and the book leaves you knowing there's more to come. I love that in a series. I'm really looking forward to more from these crazy people! :)
ARC provided via NetGalley by Bell Bridge Books for an honest review!
This book was sweet, fun and easy to read, sexy and it leaves you wanting MORE! There's also some plot twists you may or may not see coming and the book leaves you knowing there's more to come. I love that in a series. I'm really looking forward to more from these crazy people! :)
ARC provided via NetGalley by Bell Bridge Books for an honest review!
August 14, 2014
From sweet to heat!
From sweet to heat!
Emotions run high in Deborah Grace Staley's exciting debut in a brand new genre very different from her award-winning sweet romances. Keep a cold glass of sweet tea handy 'cause you'll need it to stay cool while you read this hot romance. Characters come alive on the pages of this sensuous love story as fast-paced plotting leads readers to a satisfying, hold-your-breath ending. Ms. Staley has another winner!
From sweet to heat!
Emotions run high in Deborah Grace Staley's exciting debut in a brand new genre very different from her award-winning sweet romances. Keep a cold glass of sweet tea handy 'cause you'll need it to stay cool while you read this hot romance. Characters come alive on the pages of this sensuous love story as fast-paced plotting leads readers to a satisfying, hold-your-breath ending. Ms. Staley has another winner!
August 29, 2014
*** This DRC was provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review ***
I absolutely love this story!!! The characters are so realistic and the twists are surprising but so realistic. Heard it's a series.... so that's made my day. I have to find out what happens with Sara and Jack too!!!!
I absolutely love this story!!! The characters are so realistic and the twists are surprising but so realistic. Heard it's a series.... so that's made my day. I have to find out what happens with Sara and Jack too!!!!
August 25, 2017
Loved the setting and the cast of characters. Lots of plot twists to keep you guessing and enough simmer to cook your breakfast eggs. I'm looking forward to reading more of the Wilde Dune series.
August 8, 2014
I'm going to love this new series!
dnf-set-aside-for-later
May 25, 2016Okay, I'm going to pack it in. I'm at the 31% mark and I'm still not feeling this story. I take full responsibility and will chalk it up to an 'its me not you' thing. I don't feel a strong aversion to this story. I'm just not into it. I was just skimming until bits caught my eye and that's not really fair to the story or myself so I'm just going to stop.
I picked this story because I loved the idea of a romance on an island resort. I was very eager to enjoy a nice romance on the beach as a last taste of summer sort of thing.
There were several things that put me off the story so I'll list them though again, others might not really care or have a problem with them. For me, some of them are buttons that always turn me off or just things I have to be in the mood to tolerate better.
Well with that explained, here they are:
Firstly, the heroine was one with a case of extremely low self-worth. She always compares herself to her sister and comes up short. She feels other people make that comparison and get the same answer as well. Not true, but still her perception. She has squished herself into this drab and safe little box of life that is as different from her sister's life as she can get to avoid these comparisons.
Next, and I will be fair to say that this one isn't all on her, but the heroine has developed a need to avoid and mistrust all men because one guy soured her on the whole race of them. She put her heart out there and a guy crushed it. He did it in such a way that it also used her self-worth weakness against her too. Nevertheless, she meets a guy she is attracted to and spends the entire time I stayed with the book pushing him away and acting like a scared horny ninny while telling him different versions 'see, see, you know you want to run because now you can see I'm weird' and it was almost like she felt that if she drove him away first then he couldn't hurt her later.
And that brings me to this attraction. I had an eyerolling moment when it was the instantaneous 'we are fated for each other' look and touch the second they clapped eyes on each other. This tired from jetlag and jaded man of the world gets one glimpse of Emma in the resort uniform and he's a goner. It was only a bare two sentences and handshake later that they were both feeling it. At that point, they were panting after each other, felt the strong pull that was more than attraction, etc. I wondered if I had missed something because it was hot and heavy with tension so quickly. She was literally tripping and falling all over herself because she was so distracted with lust. Wow, they must both possess some sort of supernaturally gifted pheromones or something. Sometimes I can get into the insta-feeling, but not this time. Even the insta-attraction didn't pull me in because I couldn't see a prickly female who thought herself awkward and geeky and a man of the world just going all hot and horny like teenagers.
So, like I said, it wasn't awful, but it wasn't for me. Those who are also contemporary romance fans who want an island resort romance might want to pick this up and give it a go.
My thanks to Net Galley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
I picked this story because I loved the idea of a romance on an island resort. I was very eager to enjoy a nice romance on the beach as a last taste of summer sort of thing.
There were several things that put me off the story so I'll list them though again, others might not really care or have a problem with them. For me, some of them are buttons that always turn me off or just things I have to be in the mood to tolerate better.
Well with that explained, here they are:
Firstly, the heroine was one with a case of extremely low self-worth. She always compares herself to her sister and comes up short. She feels other people make that comparison and get the same answer as well. Not true, but still her perception. She has squished herself into this drab and safe little box of life that is as different from her sister's life as she can get to avoid these comparisons.
Next, and I will be fair to say that this one isn't all on her, but the heroine has developed a need to avoid and mistrust all men because one guy soured her on the whole race of them. She put her heart out there and a guy crushed it. He did it in such a way that it also used her self-worth weakness against her too. Nevertheless, she meets a guy she is attracted to and spends the entire time I stayed with the book pushing him away and acting like a scared horny ninny while telling him different versions 'see, see, you know you want to run because now you can see I'm weird' and it was almost like she felt that if she drove him away first then he couldn't hurt her later.
And that brings me to this attraction. I had an eyerolling moment when it was the instantaneous 'we are fated for each other' look and touch the second they clapped eyes on each other. This tired from jetlag and jaded man of the world gets one glimpse of Emma in the resort uniform and he's a goner. It was only a bare two sentences and handshake later that they were both feeling it. At that point, they were panting after each other, felt the strong pull that was more than attraction, etc. I wondered if I had missed something because it was hot and heavy with tension so quickly. She was literally tripping and falling all over herself because she was so distracted with lust. Wow, they must both possess some sort of supernaturally gifted pheromones or something. Sometimes I can get into the insta-feeling, but not this time. Even the insta-attraction didn't pull me in because I couldn't see a prickly female who thought herself awkward and geeky and a man of the world just going all hot and horny like teenagers.
So, like I said, it wasn't awful, but it wasn't for me. Those who are also contemporary romance fans who want an island resort romance might want to pick this up and give it a go.
My thanks to Net Galley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
August 21, 2014
*** Simmer by Deborah Grace Staley was provided to me by NetGalley in exchange for an HONEST review. ***
Wilde Dunes is an exclusive resort on Solomon Island off the coast of southern Georgia. The Vance family was deeded the mansion and property from the Bill Wilde some time back and made it what Bill had hoped it could become. Emma Vance works in the back offices and keeps things running smoothly, but when her sister Sara spontaneously jumps in Emma's boat and leaves the island, taking Emma's car to a cabin in the mountains, Emma's left playing hostess.
Liam Anderson is a lawyer. He seems to be having a few issues with luck lately, as evident by the two missed connections on his transatlantic flight. Once he finally arrives at Wilde Dunes, he's tired, grumpy and hungry. The last thing he wants is a personal welcome from the resort's hostess, that is until Emma walks in and he 'bout swallows his tongue and trips over his own feet. Instant attraction.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deborah Grace Staley wrote a smooth-flowing book that was extremely easy to read & a pleasure to experience.
So, Sara takes off for a few weeks & leaves the others short-handed. Aunt Claire and Uncle Charlie haven't bothered to mention that a lawyer was retained by William Wilde III & is threatening them for Unlawful Transfer of Deed. I had my suspicions immediately about this (and was only 1/2 right). There are some shady folks loitering about town lately & the sheriff suspects they may be smugglers.
There is plenty of plot to go around in this book, that's for certain. The characters are extremely likable. I'd had suspicions about Jack since the initial phone conversation he had with Emma (which were never confirmed). Dialogue and interaction felt real enough to be believable. There are a few fun plot twists. The conflicts were resolved fairly well, but a little quickly in my opinion. The ending was concluded with a satisfying epilogue.
There are a few loose ends that were left hanging & I wonder if there'll be another book to follow this one to unravel those mysteries. Such as Why did Sara feel the sudden need to take off? Does/did Jack have deeper feelings for Emma than he let on? Or is there something going on between Jack & Sara? I'm intrigued & would definitely purchase this book, recommend it to friends and I'd buy and recommend any other in this series.
A Solid 4.5 out of 5.
Wilde Dunes is an exclusive resort on Solomon Island off the coast of southern Georgia. The Vance family was deeded the mansion and property from the Bill Wilde some time back and made it what Bill had hoped it could become. Emma Vance works in the back offices and keeps things running smoothly, but when her sister Sara spontaneously jumps in Emma's boat and leaves the island, taking Emma's car to a cabin in the mountains, Emma's left playing hostess.
Liam Anderson is a lawyer. He seems to be having a few issues with luck lately, as evident by the two missed connections on his transatlantic flight. Once he finally arrives at Wilde Dunes, he's tired, grumpy and hungry. The last thing he wants is a personal welcome from the resort's hostess, that is until Emma walks in and he 'bout swallows his tongue and trips over his own feet. Instant attraction.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deborah Grace Staley wrote a smooth-flowing book that was extremely easy to read & a pleasure to experience.
So, Sara takes off for a few weeks & leaves the others short-handed. Aunt Claire and Uncle Charlie haven't bothered to mention that a lawyer was retained by William Wilde III & is threatening them for Unlawful Transfer of Deed. I had my suspicions immediately about this (and was only 1/2 right). There are some shady folks loitering about town lately & the sheriff suspects they may be smugglers.
There is plenty of plot to go around in this book, that's for certain. The characters are extremely likable. I'd had suspicions about Jack since the initial phone conversation he had with Emma (which were never confirmed). Dialogue and interaction felt real enough to be believable. There are a few fun plot twists. The conflicts were resolved fairly well, but a little quickly in my opinion. The ending was concluded with a satisfying epilogue.
There are a few loose ends that were left hanging & I wonder if there'll be another book to follow this one to unravel those mysteries. Such as Why did Sara feel the sudden need to take off? Does/did Jack have deeper feelings for Emma than he let on? Or is there something going on between Jack & Sara? I'm intrigued & would definitely purchase this book, recommend it to friends and I'd buy and recommend any other in this series.
A Solid 4.5 out of 5.
October 12, 2014
*** Simmer by Deborah Grace Staley was provided to me by NetGalley in exchange for an HONEST review. ***
Wilde Dunes is an exclusive resort on Solomon Island off the coast of southern Georgia. The Vance family was deeded the mansion and property from the Bill Wilde some time back and made it what Bill had hoped it could become. Emma Vance works in the back offices and keeps things running smoothly, but when her sister Sara spontaneously jumps in Emma's boat and leaves the island, taking Emma's car to a cabin in the mountains, Emma's left playing hostess.
Liam Anderson is a lawyer. He seems to be having a few issues with luck lately, as evident by the two missed connections on his transatlantic flight. Once he finally arrives at Wilde Dunes, he's tired, grumpy and hungry. The last thing he wants is a personal welcome from the resort's hostess, that is until Emma walks in and he 'bout swallows his tongue and trips over his own feet. Instant attraction.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deborah Grace Staley wrote a smooth-flowing book that was extremely easy to read & a pleasure to experience.
So, Sara takes off for a few weeks & leaves the others short-handed. Aunt Claire and Uncle Charlie haven't bothered to mention that a lawyer was retained by William Wilde III & is threatening them for Unlawful Transfer of Deed. I had my suspicions immediately about this (and was only 1/2 right). There are some shady folks loitering about town lately & the sheriff suspects they may be smugglers.
There is plenty of plot to go around in this book, that's for certain. The characters are extremely likable. I'd had suspicions about Jack since the initial phone conversation he had with Emma (which were never confirmed). Dialogue and interaction felt real enough to be believable. There are a few fun plot twists. The conflicts were resolved fairly well, but a little quickly in my opinion. The ending was concluded with a satisfying epilogue.
There are a few loose ends that were left hanging & I wonder if there'll be another book to follow this one to unravel those mysteries. Such as Why did Sara feel the sudden need to take off? Does/did Jack have deeper feelings for Emma than he let on? Or is there something going on between Jack & Sara? I'm intrigued & would definitely purchase this book, recommend it to friends and I'd buy and recommend any other in this series.
A Solid 4.5 out of 5
Wilde Dunes is an exclusive resort on Solomon Island off the coast of southern Georgia. The Vance family was deeded the mansion and property from the Bill Wilde some time back and made it what Bill had hoped it could become. Emma Vance works in the back offices and keeps things running smoothly, but when her sister Sara spontaneously jumps in Emma's boat and leaves the island, taking Emma's car to a cabin in the mountains, Emma's left playing hostess.
Liam Anderson is a lawyer. He seems to be having a few issues with luck lately, as evident by the two missed connections on his transatlantic flight. Once he finally arrives at Wilde Dunes, he's tired, grumpy and hungry. The last thing he wants is a personal welcome from the resort's hostess, that is until Emma walks in and he 'bout swallows his tongue and trips over his own feet. Instant attraction.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deborah Grace Staley wrote a smooth-flowing book that was extremely easy to read & a pleasure to experience.
So, Sara takes off for a few weeks & leaves the others short-handed. Aunt Claire and Uncle Charlie haven't bothered to mention that a lawyer was retained by William Wilde III & is threatening them for Unlawful Transfer of Deed. I had my suspicions immediately about this (and was only 1/2 right). There are some shady folks loitering about town lately & the sheriff suspects they may be smugglers.
There is plenty of plot to go around in this book, that's for certain. The characters are extremely likable. I'd had suspicions about Jack since the initial phone conversation he had with Emma (which were never confirmed). Dialogue and interaction felt real enough to be believable. There are a few fun plot twists. The conflicts were resolved fairly well, but a little quickly in my opinion. The ending was concluded with a satisfying epilogue.
There are a few loose ends that were left hanging & I wonder if there'll be another book to follow this one to unravel those mysteries. Such as Why did Sara feel the sudden need to take off? Does/did Jack have deeper feelings for Emma than he let on? Or is there something going on between Jack & Sara? I'm intrigued & would definitely purchase this book, recommend it to friends and I'd buy and recommend any other in this series.
A Solid 4.5 out of 5
September 4, 2014
3.5 Stars
Liam is a week-long guest at the resort that Emma's family owns. When Emma's sister, the hostess, unexpectedly runs off, Emma must fill in and the first guest she meets is Liam. The attraction is instant and they can barely keep their hands off each other. Sadly though, Emma has had bad luck in love and presents Liam with quite a challenge in getting her to give them a chance. Eventually we meet Emma's best friend Jack, who just happens to be perfect and gorgeous and brings out the green-eyed monster in Liam. The two must grudgingly team up to protect Emma in a bar fight that turns into so much more. Between commitment phobia, jealousy, a plot twist or two, and a few bad guys, can a relationship between Liam and Emma really work?
I would categorize this book as a light beach read. For someone such as myself, who has been a long-time avid reader of the action/suspense subgenre of romance, you might consider this book to be a bit vanilla, in my opinion. While Simmer is an enjoyable read, it is a bit cliche and formulaic. Every obstacle (with the exception of Emma's relationship issues), is wrapped up so neatly and almost too pat. The events at the end happen so quickly that one wonders how it was possible for Liam to pull it all together like he did. Unfortunately, I just didn't feel a lot of emotion while reading this book and that's why it won't go on my keeper shelf. I would definately give this author another try though.
I do wish to thank NetGalley for allowing me to read and review Simmer by Deborah Grace Staley
Liam is a week-long guest at the resort that Emma's family owns. When Emma's sister, the hostess, unexpectedly runs off, Emma must fill in and the first guest she meets is Liam. The attraction is instant and they can barely keep their hands off each other. Sadly though, Emma has had bad luck in love and presents Liam with quite a challenge in getting her to give them a chance. Eventually we meet Emma's best friend Jack, who just happens to be perfect and gorgeous and brings out the green-eyed monster in Liam. The two must grudgingly team up to protect Emma in a bar fight that turns into so much more. Between commitment phobia, jealousy, a plot twist or two, and a few bad guys, can a relationship between Liam and Emma really work?
I would categorize this book as a light beach read. For someone such as myself, who has been a long-time avid reader of the action/suspense subgenre of romance, you might consider this book to be a bit vanilla, in my opinion. While Simmer is an enjoyable read, it is a bit cliche and formulaic. Every obstacle (with the exception of Emma's relationship issues), is wrapped up so neatly and almost too pat. The events at the end happen so quickly that one wonders how it was possible for Liam to pull it all together like he did. Unfortunately, I just didn't feel a lot of emotion while reading this book and that's why it won't go on my keeper shelf. I would definately give this author another try though.
I do wish to thank NetGalley for allowing me to read and review Simmer by Deborah Grace Staley
August 29, 2014
This one wasn't for me. This book was well written, the story flows smoothly and it is easy to read but it was missing some x-factor for me, I'm really not sure what. I will say that I didn't really see the chemistry between Liam and Emma. I had a hard time believing them together and it really bugged me that she kinda kept throwing a potential relationship with Jack in Liam’s face to make him jealous. I kinda wish the author had either fully developed the idea of a love triangle or made it crystal clear from the very beginning that nothing would ever happen with Jack. I did like the idea behind all the characters and their connections, but like I said it just felt like there was something missing. I don't think I will continue adding this series but I do like the author’s voice and will likely look for other works by her. I received an ARC of this book from the publisher through Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
November 29, 2014
Simmer by Deborah Grace Stanley was a complex, well written story. Emma Vance and Liam Anderson are both strong willed characters who only know how to rely on themselves. Emma was hurt by an ex and lost her parents at a young age, and as a result believes that everyone will eventually leave her. Liam cut off all contact with his dad at a young age and never knew his mom, which is why he had to become so self sufficient. Liam ended up a guest at Emma's family resort because he needed a break to try and refocus. What he didn't expect was to find Emma and fall for her quickly. He does have a secret that complicates things. One thing that made this book so good was the subplots. There were multiple subplots going on, and while they had the potential to stall the story or take away from it, I don't believe it did. I think they successfully enhanced the main plot. I give this story a strong 4 stars and hope that Emma's sister and best friend get their own story.
August 23, 2014
This was not a bad book ema who likes to hide in the back room is forced to be the face of the resort when her sister runs away for a couple of weeks, and her first quest is stuck when she sees Liam for check in. Being a little shy and out of her element this was a whole new thing for her.
Liam have difficulties of his own with flights just wants to relax and doesn't even want to deal with the host of the resort he's going to be staying at till he sees Emma, then his attitude changes.
But there are things they don't know about one and other, and need to be learnt in order to fall in love.
Liam have difficulties of his own with flights just wants to relax and doesn't even want to deal with the host of the resort he's going to be staying at till he sees Emma, then his attitude changes.
But there are things they don't know about one and other, and need to be learnt in order to fall in love.
August 22, 2014
Pretty good story but a little jumpy in the writing style for me. The attraction was immediate was I thought was believable but the feelings that developed so quickly didn't seem so realistic. Overall I would say an enjoyable read though.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews