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Unexpected Oasis

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I won't lie. I didn't take a contract job in Afghanistan because I wanted some grand adventure, or to experience another culture, or even for the money. I came to escape. I came hoping the desert air would make tears impossible, and the sand and dust might choke out the lingering memories of an ex-husband, his infidelity, and the twenty-four-year-old college student now living my life.


How was I supposed to know I'd find so much more. How was I supposed to know that the barren Afghanistan land was housing the most refreshing drink of water around, Jason Trey.

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First published March 10, 2014

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About the author

C.D. Hussey

8 books82 followers
When not writing, C.D. Hussey enjoys a career as a professional engineer. She currently lives in the Midwest with her husband, teenage son, and two cats.

Besides exploring the world of Human Vampires, C.D. also enjoys writing fantasy romance.

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5 stars
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13 (21%)
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
Profile Image for Baba  .
858 reviews3,998 followers
April 25, 2014
3 A-stupid-plot-device-ruined-a-really-good-book stars.

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"What your ex-husband did was despicable. I feel the need to apologize for my entire sex."


(…)Because it brought me here, to Trey, to this magnificent man. And even if this moment, this…place, is all we ever have, Trey has given me back something I thought I lost when Jim left me: myself.

Andrea has found an unexpected oasis in Trey in a remote and precarious area. A man who was willing to quench her thirst for affection and, at the same time, obliterated her self-doubts by boosting her ego. He showed her very clearly that she's still a desirable woman.

I wanted to say so many nice things about Unexpected Oasis but I'm honestly not in the mood to review this story extensively…


**********************

This was a perfectly good book when a stupid and overused plot device totally ruined this story for me. Oh my, what a missed chance!

Up until the 80 % mark, Unexpected Oasis was a solid four-star read and then…I still need to calm down…the


P.S.
Profile Image for Leslie.
Author 10 books200 followers
May 6, 2015
This book...just wow! Hussey pulls you into every book she writes and well, it's pure and utter bliss for a reader.

The Afghanistan landscape is not something I would typically be drawn to in a romance book, but oooh, how happy I was to be wrong! This one actually sets the bar pretty high especially since I was surprised at how much I freaking loved this story.

Andrea wants to get the hell out of town. The farther away, the better. She just divorced a cheating husband and seeing him around town with his new pregnant wife isn't helping matters. So, she does what every woman who has a career in engineering, does...she takes a military based contract job in the Middle East. That's normal, right? Haha...well, let's just say, things get a little complicated, but in a delectably sexy way. Much to her "no men, now way" chagrin.

The authentic descriptions of landscape and how operations work on a military base were simply amazing. And she didn't over-do them, either. Just enough for the reader to get a hold of the concept, then she moved on to the all important issue of top security officer - the delicious, Jason Trey. Oh yeah, it gets better...trust me.

This author caught my eye a few years ago with her Human Vampire Series and let me tell you, this non-paranormal, straight contemporary romance is not only brilliant...the writing, is, (as usual), spectacular. Definitely a, dear-god-what-are-you-waiting-for, MUST READ!
Profile Image for Cindi.
1,085 reviews46 followers
March 21, 2014
Oh, man, was this GOOD! I have to say that I had just tried to buy this one on my phone the night before receiving a message from C.D. Hussey asking if I'd like to read and review Unexpected Oasis for an honest review and of course I said YES (who wouldn't, if you've read her before?). As expected, there was nothing - not one single word! - in this book that prevented me from remaining her biggest fan. I was spellbound and devastated by her description of Afganistan and what it means to those contractors working there, but I was repeatedly spellbound and devastated by her characters. I admit to wanting to smack around our heroine for passing up the man-meat Jason (ooh-la-la! No way would I have skipped that!),however I understood her feelings stemming from her recent divorce. So much more realistic than most contemporary-romance I've read.

How can an engineer-by-trade be such an exceptional writer, I wonder every single time I read a C.D. Hussey book? I just wish she'd write faster :) She is every bit as talented in this genre as my other favorite authors like Roxanne St. Claire and Cindy Gerard. Pacing, plot, word choice, everything. Someone at a major pub house should be sitting up and taking notice asap.
Profile Image for texxie-PRUFreads.blogspot.com.
382 reviews84 followers
March 30, 2014
"So what do you say? You wanna take a chance on this old soldier?" ~Trey

YES PLEASE!

****Please note, book provided by the author in exchange for an honest review***

Ms. Hussey is one of my few go to authors. If she writes it, I'll read it. I think, and yes I'm just guessing here, but I think that can be a catch 22. As stated above, if she writes it, yep, sign me up even if the genre is a tad different. I became a fan based on her Human Vampire series. The sultry, taboo and magical feel of the series drew me in immediately and so I couldn't help but miss those qualities in Unexpected Oasis. I can't help by wonder if I would have enjoyed this book more had I not read her series first...

With that being said, Unexpected Oasis is a love story, one of second chances and one of self realization. Our heroine, Andrea, is running. She's running from her life and marriage that is now in shambles. She doesn't run to the bottle or a self indulging shopping trip. No, the ballsy engineer take a job smack dab in the middle of the Afghan dessert that will keep her hidden from the eyes of the rest of her world for a good six months.

Her plan was to keep her head down and bury herself in her work. That is until Jason Trey came into view just minutes after she stepped off the plane. While Trey was a little softer than I prefer my leading men, he definitely had some serious appeal! I loved the fact that he isn't some twenty something stud but a tall, stacked forty year old MAN who sports some salt and pepper blend on his jaw. *swoon*

Unexpected Oasis intertwines a sweeping romance with the danger and suspense that comes with such a mission in the Middle East. The characters, the entire cast not just the two leads, share an easy chemistry that makes the pages turn with ease. Recommended for contemporary romance lovers who enjoy a mix of a swoon worthy hero who kicks ass when he isn't winning hearts.

Profile Image for Michelle Pace.
Author 19 books608 followers
February 21, 2016
Great story. Loved the adult characters and enjoyed pouring over their actual adult problems. How refreshing to have a heroine that is over 35 and a hero that's 40. This book had plenty of steam and tension without turning into a boring, repetitive bodice ripping schlock-fest.

Found the setting intriguing and love that the heroine is a civil engineer, a profession that's a bit atypical for a woman. Great material to work with and it's obvious that the author knows her stuff or researches well or both.

Nice to see the absence of billionaire bad boys and motorcycle clubs. How refreshing! And not a set of handcuffs in sight! Oh my! How is it possible?

I loved the organic nature of the story. The events evolved in a way that didn't seem contrived. Hussey has a wonderful way with words and her description was effective without being flowery. Read this in one day. Loved it!
Profile Image for Chande.
239 reviews6 followers
March 26, 2014
What can I say but HOT!!! I love a strong take charge man and that is what you get in Jason Trey. The chemistry between Andrea and Trey is off the charts.Andrea goes to Afghanistan to try to get herself back together after her husband decides to cheat with one of his 24 year old students. At one time or another we have all felt lost and that is how Andrea feels before Trey shows her the strong woman she once was is still there. This is not just a fluffy romance. It has a lot of action and twist and Turns. I have read every book that Hussey has written and every book is just wonderful. She will never disappoint !!!
Profile Image for Shannon McCrimmon.
Author 12 books151 followers
July 12, 2016
Really enjoyed this one. Hussey does a fantastic job with scenery. I felt like I was right there in Afghanistan with the characters. And while we're discussing characters, can I just say Trey is totally swoon worthy! Loved Andrea - she's a tough, no-nonsense heroine that I adored from page 1. Some intense (steamy) moments, and then a super happy moment. The ending was perfect - I'm a happily ever after girl myself. This is not my typical genre, but I'm so glad I read it.
Profile Image for Jackie.
121 reviews
March 16, 2014
I want my own Jason Trey! This book was very enjoyable--I had a hard time putting it down. This is the first book I have read from Hussey and it won't be the last!
Profile Image for Beth.
771 reviews123 followers
July 26, 2014
4.25 Sandy Stars



I love the beach. The sound of the waves. The salty smell. The sun on your skin and nothing to do but drink and read. What I don't love. The sand. In the bottom of your beach bag. The bottom of your shoes. The bottom of your bottom. But at least you have minimal clothes on and the whole ocean to rinse off in. I've seen the pictures of the guys in full military cover with all the vests and helmets and all that sand. Not a beach towel in sight. Not my idea of fun. They look hot in more than one way.

Andrea has gone through a divorce and needs to reset her life. She works for a defense contractor she decides the sign up for a stint over seas. As in Afghanistan. Yes, Af-freaking-ghanistan. Not the Sandals Resort. Not even someplace like Idaho. Sorry Idahoians. But a war zone. With active people trying to actively kill you.

Trey is the head of security at the base where Andrea is stationed. He and his team are in charge of keeping her and others safe. I loved the description of him. And Andrea's reaction.

The cutest guy in high school stands before me expectantly. I remind myself I'm a professional woman with twenty years on the sixteen-year old squirming inside me.

Andrea has taken this job to jump start the next part of her life. But she can't seem to make herself actually jump. Trey sees what she needs and helps her to get back to the land of the living.

So, you're saying you don't mind being my rebound?

And boy do they get back to living! There are rebounds, lay ups, and even a few 3 pointers. Live Baby Live.

It's not natural for a man my age. I may have pulled a hammie.

I really liked the interaction between Trey and Andrea. He is not some young gun, but a seasoned man who knows a few things about life and himself. Of course things aren't all kisses and lollipops, they are in a war zone. There are explosions and dust storms and barb wire and living in storage containers.

I hope Ms Hussey writes more of these military themed books. I have an itch for them that isn't caused by sand.
Profile Image for J..
529 reviews13 followers
June 9, 2015
Witty and clever and raw and sweet. I really enjoyed this one, cover to cover.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews

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