The Election Connection

by Monica Tillery

Model Lily Ashton’s picture-perfect life isn’t as flawless as it seems. After losing her soldier husband six years ago, Lily’s carved a new life for herself by starting a nonprofit for war widows. There’s no room in her busy schedule, or her heart, for a new love—which makes her the perfect date at fundraisers and parties for her pal, Congressman Ford Richardson.

Ford is focused on winning his bid for re-election, and when his opponent pummels him in the polls because he’s not married, Ford’s advisors give him a choice: find a fiancée or prepare to lose the election. Lily agrees to play the part, and they both vow to separate the election from their emotions. As they work together to keep their secret safe, their not-quite engagement starts to feel much more real than either is ready to admit.

With Lily’s help, Ford may win the election, but can he win her heart?

174 pages, ebook

First published May 4, 2015

Reviews

[Jo-Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Congressman Ford Richardson's advisers tell him he needs a wife in order to boost voter's confidence. His opponent is saying Ford can't know anything about family values since he is single and the negative press is working against Ford's re-election campaign. Ford's team have a file of women they deem suitable for him to marry but Ford is dating Lily Ashton and would rather use her as his fake fiance.

Lily was widowed at 21 when her husband died while serving his country. She really didn't want another relationship but thought being Ford's fake fiance would help the non-profit organization she and her father were trying to start called Soldier On. This organization will help military widows/widowers get through the difficult times of loosing their spouse.

This plan is working well until Lily and her father go on a local talk show which didn't go very well. Ford's
advisers are worried about the effect it will have on his political career and think he should stop seeing Lily.

Monica Tilley has a great writing style that made what could have been a dull political story into a captivating page turner. She had me routing for Ford and Lily to get together. They fell in love and Lily finally decided it was time to let go of her husband's memory and move on.

I liked this book a lot and am glad I won it in a Just Contemporary Romance giveaway. Romance readers will love this book.

[Janine · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the world of politics, things aren’t always as they appear. Or are they?

In an attempt to boost the confidence of his voters, Congressman Ford Richardson needs a wife. His opponent is using his family to gain more voters and says Ford doesn’t know anything about family values because he is single. Instead of using one of the women his advisors have selected for him, he decides to ask Lily Ashton, the lady he has been dating, to be his fake fiancé.

Widowed at 21, Lily has been working hard to get her non-profit organization, Soldier On, off the ground. She wants to help other military widows through the difficult times after losing their husbands. Lily agrees to the fake engagement and thinks it might even benefit her foundation if she can get the support of someone like Ford.

After Lily and her father appear on a local talk show, Ford’s advisors and parents think Lily is not the right woman for him. He needs to end the relationship before it ruins his political career.

Will Lily and Ford be able to work through all the differences in order to make a true love connection?

This was a fabulously written tale which flowed easily off the pages and kept my attention until the very end.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a romantic, quick read in which we meet and fall in love with Lily and Ford. Several years ago, Lily lost her husband early in their marriage when he lost his life serving our country. She was determined he was it for her and didn’t want to entertain the thought of another love or even a serious relationship. She is casually dating Ford, a congressman, when his advisors suggest he needs to have a fiancé during re-election due to his opposition claiming Ford doesn’t know anything about family values since he isn’t married. Ford doesn’t want to look through their list of possible candidates because he is not ready to let go of Lily. He brings the suggestion to Lily and she decides it could work in both their favor. Neither expects the twists and turns of their arrangement or the true feelings that have been kept buried for each other.
I really enjoyed reading The Election Connection by Monica Tillery. I enjoy her writing style and the continuity of her story-telling. She gave us the back story for Lily and Ford so we understood why they both held back on emotions and the fear they both had of letting go and falling in love again. I encourage everyone who loves a good, heartwarming romance to read this.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

The world of politics can be a dirty place and during election time anything is fair game as Lily and Ford find out.

Ford is a Congressman up for re-election but is taking a hit for his lack of family. His lack of family is being played as a lack of family values. Lily is a widow after her husband lost his life serving his country. Lily has never wanted another relationship, feeling it would be a betrayal of her husband. When Ford's team decides he needs to get married to counter the negative press, Ford chooses Lily to be his pretend fiancée. Neither are prepared for the intense feelings that develop between them, nor the intense dislike of their relationship from those closest to them, nor the intense intrusion into her life by the press and his opponent. For a career politician, this was incredibly naive on his part and his team.

It was a beautiful story of falling in love when it is least expected; putting your past behind you and moving on; and standing up for what you believe in.

***Reviewed for LBM Book Blog***

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given a copy of the ebook in exchange for my honest opinion.

This book is such a sweet romance. It tugs at your emotions so good. Does everyone deserve a second chance after losing someone they loved so badly? This book is about putting your past behind you and moving on with your life. We see Lily trying to do that so badly, but her heart is still so in love with her husband, Nathan, who died while serving his country. Today is Memorial Day. We need to remember those who have lost their lives serving our country not just today, but every day.

I can not believe that people believed Ford's running mate about his values on marriage. Just because he is not married does not mean he does not have a strong belief in marriage. He just has not found The One. Does this really happen in election times?

I absolutely love Monica Tillery and will be reading as many books as I can from her!

☆☆☆☆☆
I give this book 5 out of 5 stars.
Would I recommend this book? Yes! Author? Yes!
Would I read more from this author? Yes!

Happy Reading! Happy Memorial Day!!
Melissa

[Dakota Storm · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy this author, she writes lighthearted, sweet and sexy reads that make you smile. This story is about a whirlwind romance between Lily and Ford. Lily's first husband died at war and although it was a very long time ago she still can't seem to move on so when she starts dating Congressman Ford Richardson it's the best of both worlds. having a nice companion and a light no serious emotions relationship. Ford is running for re-election and his take a easy relationship with Lily turns to a impromptu engagement and scandal. I love how these two lean on each other and help each other out but what I love most is the emotions and feelings that they begin to feel and the need for each other blooms. They are sexy together and I love how Lily holds her own with Ford's mother...too funny. I really enjoyed this story. very sweet and loving. 4 stars review by Nanee at upallnightreadallday.blogspot.com

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, Lily is a model, a widow and founder of a non profit to help other widows. She is also dating casually Congressman Ford Richardson.

Neither are looking to fall in love, they both are content with the way things are. Unfortunately a rival candidate says that Ford can't understand the needs of the people he represents, because he is not married. He and Lily decide to get engaged to help out his campaign and keep their secret just that a secret. The more time they spend together they realize that maybe their feelings are not just casual and all chemistry, can they take a chance on love?

This a great story that is fun, heart-warming, and makes you sigh as well as cheer on Lily and Ford!

[Romancing the Book · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewed by Robin
Book provided by the publisher

You may think that all politicians play dirty but some do have a heart at least in romance books. For Ford his advisors needed him to have a softer more of a family oriented side to appeal to the voters. They suggested he pick from an array of handpicked women. But for Ford this wouldn’t work he was dating the perfect woman Lily Anderson. He thought he had it all figured out. Lily went along with the plan but as with most good love stories there is a twist within the plot adding a bit of a complication.  Lily was married to a military man who died while serving his country. Just getting back into the dating pool but not quite ready to move on Ford had been safe until now.

Ms. Tillery wrote a very sexy, sensual story that came from the heart. Her characters were easy to relate to. I was able to feel the emotional tug of Lily’s heart as she made the decision to take that next step in her relationship with Ford even if it meant putting her past away so that she could move on. Ford struggled with his feelings because he wanted to be re-elected but at what cost? I could sense his struggle within himself as he battled between winning at all costs while not losing someone he loves.

The story was fast paced and easy to follow. I wanted a bit more on the how and why things changed like that one special moment. The engagement at the museum was very romantic and real. It had that Ahhhhh moment (wanting you the reader to be Lily at that moment). It was real.

Ms. Tillery also incorporated some beloved characters from her other stories. Everything blended together like a continuation of one story to the next. It was like a wonderful neighborhood of old friends.

I simply loved this fun, sweet, light romance. I found this to be a perfect read for a summer evening on the patio with a glass of your favorite beverage.

[SB Haas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this captivating romance of a couple dating as friends hoping to avoid another heartbreak. It is set amidst a Congressional re-election campaign and the myriad of details about the inner workings of a campaign team enliven the realism of the plot. Both characters are content to have their relationship stay in the safe zone until the male lead must find a spouse for appearances sake. It is only then after much soul searching and bolstering their courage to risk hurt again, that they find happiness.

[Sassy Beta Reading & Review · Rating 4 out of 5]

Before I started this, I did not realize that this takes place after The Confection Connection that I just loved! (or had anything to do with that story either) I was happy to see many references to Carly and Michael from book 1.

I loved Lily and Ford in this book. This book starts off with them already in a semi relationship and we get to see the relationship grow, crash and burn, then make a fantastic last minute recovery.

It was a really fast read.

The characters were easy to become invested in (could not stand her father though), the dialogue between characters was nice and flowed well and the story concept itself was good and entertaining. There were a few aaaawwww moments but no tears shed or heart twinge moments.

All in all, a good wholesome read. This was written as a multi pov. No heart stopping, panty melting, raunchy sex but did have nice sweet romance with some heat.

This is part of a series but can be read as a stand alone.


Would I recommend this book? Yes

Would I read more from this author? Yes

Sassy Beta Reading & Review

www.facebook.com/sassybetareading

[Josselyn Radillo · Rating 5 out of 5]

full review this Friday at chapterfive.wix.com/chapter5

My Thoughts:

The Election Connection is a completely fresh new story for the Contemporary genre. Monica Tillery has crafted a wonderful, fast-paced and sexy captivating story that will hook you up from the start to the ending. And who wouldn't love a Sexy congressman?
I'm fascinated by love stories and when I read the summary from this , I had a feeling this will be a one hour book for me. I was pleasantly surprised with the relationship between Ford & Lily, I read from another bloggers that it was a love/hate relationship between them but for me it wasn't like that. For me they were secretly in love of each other but they were comfortable protecting their hearts.

[Geri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I so enjoyed this book! Great story and strong characters. Ford and Lily work so well together and their chemistry is undeniable. I was thrilled to read more about the characters from Confection Connection and see how their relationship worked out. I think the story was well written and at times was funny. I wasn't a fan of Lily's dad, but understand where he was coming from. Lily was so much more than just a pretty face and I loved what a strong woman she was. Ford was not your typical politician, but did have some of the preconceived tendencies I think of when I think of politicians. I enjoyed this story as much as Confection Connection and hope for more connections from this author.

[N. Kuhn · Rating 5 out of 5]

*I received this book free in exchange for an honest review.*
I've read this authors other book, with Carly and loved it. It was fun seeing those characters in this book making appearances! I really enjoyed Ford and Lily. The only thing I didn't like, was you never really see what makes them fall in love. One minute, they are casual, it's a campaign gimmik, then they love each other. I loved that this was a sweet romance, with a little spice, but I would have loved to see the why developed a little more. Either way, this was a fun, sweet romance that was just fun to read! I look forward to more from this author.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great premise for a story, and I loved Lily and Ford. I think they were developed and their back stories really helped their characters. Both characters grow throughout the book, becoming stronger people who can find their way to their HEA. It was fun to read Carly and Michael's wedding since I've also read their story (Confection Connection). I would have liked to see Lily and Ford's relationship in a little more detail, it kind of goes from business to HEA without a lot of explanation as to how it evolved. It's definitely a feel good story that any romantic will enjoy.

[InD'tale Magazine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Monica Tillery has taken the story of two people thrust into a fake engagement and made it her own.

Read full review in the 2016 February issue of InD'tale Magazine.