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Romance with a Side of Green Chile
EXCERPT:
All at once, Talli felt the ball of her right foot catch on the pavement. As she stumbled forward, she tried to steady her footing, but it was too late. The downward slope of the paved path down to the field was just too steep, and she squealed a bit as she felt herself fall forward. As her stomach and chest collided with the ground, she felt her chin graze the pavement—felt her legs whip up over her back for a moment before she came to rest sprawled out like a cartoon character who had just hit a brick wall.
“Hey! Are you all right?” a deep voice asked.
Still struggling to draw breath—the awful panic of having the air pushed so forcibly from her lungs threatening to shove her into hysterics—Talli nodded, gasping, “Yeah…yeah…I’m fine.”
“I don’t think you’re fine,” the deep voice doubted.
Then Talli felt strong hands assisting her to roll over onto her back, as several other passersby stopped, each asking, “Are you okay?”
Talli’s heart plunged to the bottom of her stomach. For as she found herself staring up into the gorgeous face of the hot Villarreal’s burrito guy, she choked, “Hey…you’re the Villarreal burrito boy.”
The handsome breakfast burrito maker smiled. “And you’re the funnel cake girl, right?”
“Yeah,” Talli managed.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” the handsome man inquired.
All at once, Talli felt the ball of her right foot catch on the pavement. As she stumbled forward, she tried to steady her footing, but it was too late. The downward slope of the paved path down to the field was just too steep, and she squealed a bit as she felt herself fall forward. As her stomach and chest collided with the ground, she felt her chin graze the pavement—felt her legs whip up over her back for a moment before she came to rest sprawled out like a cartoon character who had just hit a brick wall.
“Hey! Are you all right?” a deep voice asked.
Still struggling to draw breath—the awful panic of having the air pushed so forcibly from her lungs threatening to shove her into hysterics—Talli nodded, gasping, “Yeah…yeah…I’m fine.”
“I don’t think you’re fine,” the deep voice doubted.
Then Talli felt strong hands assisting her to roll over onto her back, as several other passersby stopped, each asking, “Are you okay?”
Talli’s heart plunged to the bottom of her stomach. For as she found herself staring up into the gorgeous face of the hot Villarreal’s burrito guy, she choked, “Hey…you’re the Villarreal burrito boy.”
The handsome breakfast burrito maker smiled. “And you’re the funnel cake girl, right?”
“Yeah,” Talli managed.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” the handsome man inquired.
159 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 20, 2017
33 people are currently reading
86 people want to read
About the author
Marcia Lynn McClure
75 books1,365 followersBorn in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Marcia Lynn McClure grew up influenced by the reminiscent stories of rugged, rural Colorado farm life fascinatingly recounted to her by her parents, grandparents, uncles and aunts…tales of runaway buckboards, mule-drawn plows and dust pneumonia; verbalized images of stream-flooded meadows, frozen over in winter, where a child could peer through the crystal clear ice in wonder at the small fish, snakes and mice sealed in the meadow grasses beneath; stories of hardship and tragedy, love and loss. But always the stories, and the people telling them, bore evidence of the wonder and worthiness of simpler, yet sometimes brutal, times.
These influential people and the family legends they detailed, coupled with her own life experiences and utterly romantic nature, led Marcia to begin writing novels as Christmas gifts for her closest friends…friends who long for a breath of the past and miss the romance of bygone eras; friends searching for moments of distraction from the stressful, demanding times we live in.
And so, knowing that it is the breath of the past and the "take me in you arms and kiss me" kind of moments that so many women long to relive, Marcia spins her tales of love, life and laughter…adventures woven around those compelling, romantic instances that most appeal to a woman's loving heart. Marcia feels that if her readers close one of her books with a contented sigh and a delighted smile, feeling rejuvenated, cheerful and edified, then she has achieved what she set out to do…shower refreshment and happiness on anyone having experienced the story.
Marcia lives in Rio Rancho, New Mexico. There she writes her stories surrounded by her beloved friends and family...and the beautiful desert landscape of New Mexico!
These influential people and the family legends they detailed, coupled with her own life experiences and utterly romantic nature, led Marcia to begin writing novels as Christmas gifts for her closest friends…friends who long for a breath of the past and miss the romance of bygone eras; friends searching for moments of distraction from the stressful, demanding times we live in.
And so, knowing that it is the breath of the past and the "take me in you arms and kiss me" kind of moments that so many women long to relive, Marcia spins her tales of love, life and laughter…adventures woven around those compelling, romantic instances that most appeal to a woman's loving heart. Marcia feels that if her readers close one of her books with a contented sigh and a delighted smile, feeling rejuvenated, cheerful and edified, then she has achieved what she set out to do…shower refreshment and happiness on anyone having experienced the story.
Marcia lives in Rio Rancho, New Mexico. There she writes her stories surrounded by her beloved friends and family...and the beautiful desert landscape of New Mexico!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
November 30, 2020
I've wanted to attend the Albuquerque International Balloon Festival for a long time now, so I loved the setting of this story. Really came to life and I was able to picture the fun balloons and of course all the yummy food booths. I'm a sucker for fairs and trying all the different food booths. Talli and Ruger have been eyeing each other for a few years now, but haven't actually spoken until now. They have an instant connection and fall pretty quickly for each other. A sweet romance, with a fun setting and likable characters.
Content: Clean, mild language
Source: Distractions Ink
Content: Clean, mild language
Source: Distractions Ink
August 18, 2017
McClure always does a good job of incorporating real life events (things that happen to her or those she's close to) into her books that really give things a twist of humor and reality, which is why it's always fun to read the Author's Notes at the end.
Talli and Ruger have been eyeing each other at the Albuquerque Balloon Festival for years now and, as seen from the excerpt above, they have an interesting first meet that leads to a road of insta-love, fair food, and romance. The characters are fun and the romance sweet, but there's not much more to the story than that. It is a fun little diversion without conflict, so if you're in the mood for pure fluff, this might be the one for you.
I've always wanted to go to this balloon festival (it's on my bucket list) and I really felt like I got a firsthand view of it and what goes on behind-the-scenes. I can almost feel fall in the air with this one, as it takes place in October, and smell the green chile and funnel cake on the breeze. Yum! Don't read this one if you're hungry.
Content: some crude talk, making out/kissing; mild language
Talli and Ruger have been eyeing each other at the Albuquerque Balloon Festival for years now and, as seen from the excerpt above, they have an interesting first meet that leads to a road of insta-love, fair food, and romance. The characters are fun and the romance sweet, but there's not much more to the story than that. It is a fun little diversion without conflict, so if you're in the mood for pure fluff, this might be the one for you.
I've always wanted to go to this balloon festival (it's on my bucket list) and I really felt like I got a firsthand view of it and what goes on behind-the-scenes. I can almost feel fall in the air with this one, as it takes place in October, and smell the green chile and funnel cake on the breeze. Yum! Don't read this one if you're hungry.
Content: some crude talk, making out/kissing; mild language
September 9, 2022
9/6/22
Seriously this is how love stories should be. Communication right from the get-go. Little drama and a match made in heaven. Truly it wasn't even that fast it was five years in the making, come on! I loved it! Fast, fairly easy, sweet, and sexy. Yummy! I am one of those. It took two weeks to get engaged but due to circumstances, it took 18 months to get hitched. I also liked this kid in high school. His dad asked when I was going to be his daughter-in-law. I told him his son had to know I'm alive first. Found out later he was a cousin several generations back.
Other years
Oh, my yumminess! I loved this light-hearted, fast, oh so freaking yummy new installment by the amazing Marcia Lynn McClure! From the author's notes, I TO am one of those who loved at the first moment. Although my story is not wanting to go to a Halloween single party thing after two divorces. Being introduced and only hearing Romania and Priest. Thinking he was a Romanian priest convert I avoided him like the plague until he offered to drive me to I.F. for a Halloween dance that same night. I thought by the end of the dance that I better dance at least one dance with the guy that brought me so I yelled move in the gym and everyone parted a straight open space from me to him. Once in his arms I just knew, it was the weirdest, most amazing feeling I have ever felt. SO ya, It totally happens. Marcia is awesome!
OOOO, yummy. I love this fast, fairly easy, and sweet love story. I love the old couple they emulate.
Seriously this is how love stories should be. Communication right from the get-go. Little drama and a match made in heaven. Truly it wasn't even that fast it was five years in the making, come on! I loved it! Fast, fairly easy, sweet, and sexy. Yummy! I am one of those. It took two weeks to get engaged but due to circumstances, it took 18 months to get hitched. I also liked this kid in high school. His dad asked when I was going to be his daughter-in-law. I told him his son had to know I'm alive first. Found out later he was a cousin several generations back.
Other years
Oh, my yumminess! I loved this light-hearted, fast, oh so freaking yummy new installment by the amazing Marcia Lynn McClure! From the author's notes, I TO am one of those who loved at the first moment. Although my story is not wanting to go to a Halloween single party thing after two divorces. Being introduced and only hearing Romania and Priest. Thinking he was a Romanian priest convert I avoided him like the plague until he offered to drive me to I.F. for a Halloween dance that same night. I thought by the end of the dance that I better dance at least one dance with the guy that brought me so I yelled move in the gym and everyone parted a straight open space from me to him. Once in his arms I just knew, it was the weirdest, most amazing feeling I have ever felt. SO ya, It totally happens. Marcia is awesome!
OOOO, yummy. I love this fast, fairly easy, and sweet love story. I love the old couple they emulate.
April 20, 2017
This is a light, cute read. It honestly doesn't have much substance to it. Just a love at first site sweet, clean read. For me this had a very nostalgic, innocent feel to it. If this had been my first Marcia Lynn McClure book I would have felt differently than I do. But since I've read all her books and know that her novellas are just a quick, sweet, drama free escape it was just what I was expecting.
So if you haven't read Marcia's books don't start here. If you are already a fan than you know you will be getting a few hours away filled with smiles, laughs and sighs.
Content: Clean
Source: Purchased an ebook
So if you haven't read Marcia's books don't start here. If you are already a fan than you know you will be getting a few hours away filled with smiles, laughs and sighs.
Content: Clean
Source: Purchased an ebook
March 18, 2017
3.5 stars Pure fluff, easy read... Made me think of when I met my husband and how we were both sure, from the start, that we were meant to be together.
My favorite line "When it's late like it is now, and we're tired- when we're apart- don't doubt me. Don't doubt us."
My favorite line "When it's late like it is now, and we're tired- when we're apart- don't doubt me. Don't doubt us."
March 14, 2017
Cute! Cute! Cute!
Romance With a Side of Green Chile is set at the international hot air balloon festival in Albuquerque. The descriptions were so vivid that I wanted to be there. I have a new item for my bucket list!
The romance was between two food vendors, Talli and Ruger. They have been eyeing each other for the past five years. Finally a bit of clumsiness bring them together. The romance takes off with rapid speed from there. Falling in love did happen pretty quickly, but the characters were so open about it, that I accepted it for what it was. I loved Talli and Ruger together: the humor, the open communication, the loyalty, and the kissing.
This book had me grinning, despite being at the airport at 6 am. Thank you for getting me through my early morning, and the first part of my layover!
The book itself is short, about 100 pages. I would have loved more time with these characters, and to meet Talli's brothers, but I was still fully satisfied with the story.
Content: clean (mild language: a handful of d and h), some kissing
Romance With a Side of Green Chile is set at the international hot air balloon festival in Albuquerque. The descriptions were so vivid that I wanted to be there. I have a new item for my bucket list!
The romance was between two food vendors, Talli and Ruger. They have been eyeing each other for the past five years. Finally a bit of clumsiness bring them together. The romance takes off with rapid speed from there. Falling in love did happen pretty quickly, but the characters were so open about it, that I accepted it for what it was. I loved Talli and Ruger together: the humor, the open communication, the loyalty, and the kissing.
This book had me grinning, despite being at the airport at 6 am. Thank you for getting me through my early morning, and the first part of my layover!
The book itself is short, about 100 pages. I would have loved more time with these characters, and to meet Talli's brothers, but I was still fully satisfied with the story.
Content: clean (mild language: a handful of d and h), some kissing
April 7, 2017
A cute story that's short and sweet! I laughed when I read the quote from She's the Man, it's one of my favorite movies ☺
September 16, 2017
Ok...so...If you follow my reviews, you know I love Marcia Lynn McClure books! Love them!!!
But this just didn't work for me. Ruger (my mind kept autocorrecting it to Roger haha!) and Talli's love was just SO fast! Maybe that wouldn't of bothered me if they hadn't both thought about how fast it was constantly. They talked about marriage the same day they met! After having three very short conversations! It was just too unrealistic, too gooey. It's possible I wasn't in the mood for it or I'm too cynical, but it just wasn't for me.
Now I did like the Balloon Festival setting. That was very cool!
I also appreciated the Spanish influence in the story. My brothers wife is Mexican and so he speaks fluent Spanish. So I'm pretty familiar with it as well.
The food descriptions were also very good! Now I really want a breakfast burrito or Frito Pie!
Anyways it was a very quick and light read, just not for me... Sorry!
But this just didn't work for me. Ruger (my mind kept autocorrecting it to Roger haha!) and Talli's love was just SO fast! Maybe that wouldn't of bothered me if they hadn't both thought about how fast it was constantly. They talked about marriage the same day they met! After having three very short conversations! It was just too unrealistic, too gooey. It's possible I wasn't in the mood for it or I'm too cynical, but it just wasn't for me.
Now I did like the Balloon Festival setting. That was very cool!
I also appreciated the Spanish influence in the story. My brothers wife is Mexican and so he speaks fluent Spanish. So I'm pretty familiar with it as well.
The food descriptions were also very good! Now I really want a breakfast burrito or Frito Pie!
Anyways it was a very quick and light read, just not for me... Sorry!
June 22, 2017
I really like this author but this book 🙄🙄. It was just too much for me.
November 14, 2017
Loved reading the latest by my beloved Marcia. She could never disappoint.
March 24, 2017
I just love Marcia Lynn McClure books. This book did not disappoint. Nothing like a sweet romance.
June 19, 2017
I love reading Marcia's books. They are sweet simple books. I love that I can just sit and enjoy her books and this one is absolutely no different .
September 16, 2020
Quick read but things moved way way to fast to be believable and it felt cringey.
June 16, 2017
A fun light hearted romance..
March 18, 2017
3.5 stars. Cute fluff story. It would be cool to see the balloons though!
December 22, 2018
Cute and fast story. Nice to read about the part of the world where they fly the balloons. Didn't know about the balloons and it was neat to learn about it. Another good book.
March 25, 2017
Super cute! I'm a sucker for a cheesy love story!
February 2, 2019
I just couldn't get on board with the swearing and adults using immature language such as "like" all the time. I also couldn't handle how quickly things moved for the main characters (meet for the first time, agree to have lunch together, kiss, during previously mentioned lunch have a conversation about your intentions to marry each other). I just don't think watching a guy treat customers kindly is enough to go on when you are considering compatibility. My husband and I knew we wanted to marry each other quickly but we still took a few weeks to get to know each other (values, family relations, priorities, interests) before we discussed a future together. This is a light romance with very little conflict, that made me want to go to the Hot Air Balloon Fiesta, but wasn't that enjoyable.
October 7, 2017
I loved this book. It's been my dream to go to the Hot Air Balloon Festival in Albuquerque and to ride one (unlike Talli, but that's ok) and what was awesome is that I knew this book was to show that couples do instantly know who they are going to marry the moment they see them (I figured this out before you mentioned it in your snippet) I know a couple that got engaged 3 days after meeting each other!!! 30 years later and still going strong!!!! It was a cute, simple and sweet book. Just wish you would've mentioned Mike and Rosie at the ending that they finally got together. But now I'm craving funnel cakes, frito pie and breakfast burritos with some green chile!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 22, 2020
Bleh
I usually love her books, but this time I was more interested in the snippets than the book. I skipped a lot. I didn’t appreciate all of the swearing, and it was incredibly repetitive. I can only handle so much “He’s the most gorgeous man alive, why would he choose me?” nonsense. I was willing to suspend disbelief for the timing, but it wasn’t my favorite. I definitely wouldn’t let my teenagers read this.
I usually love her books, but this time I was more interested in the snippets than the book. I skipped a lot. I didn’t appreciate all of the swearing, and it was incredibly repetitive. I can only handle so much “He’s the most gorgeous man alive, why would he choose me?” nonsense. I was willing to suspend disbelief for the timing, but it wasn’t my favorite. I definitely wouldn’t let my teenagers read this.
July 31, 2017
Such vivid descriptions will leave you hungry!
A very short, fun clean romance. The author so vividly describes things throughout the book that I was craving food, especially breakfast burritos the whole book! And now I really want to go see the hot air balloon festival in New Mexico!
A very short, fun clean romance. The author so vividly describes things throughout the book that I was craving food, especially breakfast burritos the whole book! And now I really want to go see the hot air balloon festival in New Mexico!
October 12, 2018
I’ll admit it. This book was ridiculous but I kept reading it anyway so it’s only fair to give it at least 2 stars. I just found Ruger to be creepy and Tally way too young and naive for him. I have always wanted to attend the balloon festival so that part of the story was fine but everything else was just too much.
August 14, 2017
This is a very fun, cute fast read. I loved reading about the balloons I have always wanted to go see them.
Green Chilies yummy, it made my mouth water just reading about them.
I enjoyed the book it was nice to take a little break and enjoy a fun story with a hot hero!
Green Chilies yummy, it made my mouth water just reading about them.
I enjoyed the book it was nice to take a little break and enjoy a fun story with a hot hero!
August 2, 2018
There was to much swearing for my liking and I felt like "sexy hot burrito guy" was used way to much especially when she knew Rugers name. It also was a little to mushy and unrealistic for me. But an over all good book for the most part.
September 7, 2018
Ok but not her best
It's kinda cute in the fact that if your pineing away after someone you will never know if it could have worked out or not. However, I miss the conflict and the character development.
It's kinda cute in the fact that if your pineing away after someone you will never know if it could have worked out or not. However, I miss the conflict and the character development.
August 2, 2023
Seriously fun romp through the balloon festival in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Not a serious book. Some fun romance and friendly interaction between family members that work at food vendors during the balloon festival. Definitely makes me want to visit sometime, try food at Dion's, and see the chainsaw carving competitions. Cute book and a fun break from more dramatic books. Clean romance. Worth reading!
October 15, 2017
I liked it, as I do all of Marcia's books. It wasn't as believable or realistic as some of her other books (not including the fairy tales) and I found it harder to "get lost in."
February 18, 2018
I can only say that i need some green chili and some funnel cake pronto! I loved the fluffiness of this cute read!
July 9, 2018
Really cute, with such fun characters. And a lot of green Chile
January 20, 2019
Romance
This was a very light romance. No drama at all. It had several editing issues. It was just very light and sweet.
This was a very light romance. No drama at all. It had several editing issues. It was just very light and sweet.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews