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Cheap #4
Cheap Tricks
Sophie had no remorse when it came to shooting her ex-boyfriend’s brother in the rear. He deserved it, after all, for destroying two years of work at an Incan excavation in Peru.
A trip home to Kentucky was long overdue. Professor Bergin had practically insisted on it, arranging a temporary position for her at his contract archeology firm. She’d neglected a lot of people she loved in all the time she’d been abroad, and one ex wasn’t going to stop her from reconnecting with them.
Staying home had nothing to do with Neal Justice.
It didn’t.
Really.
* * *
Neal Justice didn’t want the big city doctor life, or his father paying for everything.
He couldn’t watch another person’s life fade as he tried his hardest to save their life after he failed to save his sister’s. He’d rather be back home, with family he knew he could trust instead of his judgmental father.
The last thing he expected was for Sophie to blow into his life with an accusing finger, a territorial attachment to spaghetti, and a reluctance to dance with him.
A trip home to Kentucky was long overdue. Professor Bergin had practically insisted on it, arranging a temporary position for her at his contract archeology firm. She’d neglected a lot of people she loved in all the time she’d been abroad, and one ex wasn’t going to stop her from reconnecting with them.
Staying home had nothing to do with Neal Justice.
It didn’t.
Really.
* * *
Neal Justice didn’t want the big city doctor life, or his father paying for everything.
He couldn’t watch another person’s life fade as he tried his hardest to save their life after he failed to save his sister’s. He’d rather be back home, with family he knew he could trust instead of his judgmental father.
The last thing he expected was for Sophie to blow into his life with an accusing finger, a territorial attachment to spaghetti, and a reluctance to dance with him.
187 pages, ebook
Published April 2, 2017
6 people want to read
About the author
Mara A. Miller
20 books41 followersMara Miller discovered her passion for writing romance in her mid-twenties after a stressful divorce and no real direction. Writing has been a part of Mara’s life since her pre-teens, but writing romance gave her a direction she didn’t know she needed to move in until she finished Cheap Guitars. Although she loves writing about strong modern heroines and harder country boys, she also dabbles in other romance sub-genres with vampires or time travel. She earned her MFA in Creative Writing from Southern New Hampshire University. Mara resides in Kentucky with her boyfriend, their two dogs, bunny, tiny parrots, and an army of chickens.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
August 1, 2017
I'm not good at writting reviews, so it's gonna be short, and basically just my thoughts.
I absolutely loved this book. It has everything a great contemporary romance novel needs: great main characters, good side characters, a lot of character development, a plot that is so much more interesting than just the love story, and the necessary amount of well written and beautiful hot scenes.
Also, I must mention that I avoided college assignments while reading this, but I study archaeology so I think it still counts, right?
I absolutely loved this book. It has everything a great contemporary romance novel needs: great main characters, good side characters, a lot of character development, a plot that is so much more interesting than just the love story, and the necessary amount of well written and beautiful hot scenes.
Also, I must mention that I avoided college assignments while reading this, but I study archaeology so I think it still counts, right?
June 23, 2017
Cheap tricks is Mara Miller's seventh publication, and for the strong worded romance novel lovers among us, it does not disappoint.
We meet Sophie, a Kentucky-born archaeologist working in the heat of the Peru desserts alongside her lover Renzo.
When Renzo cracks under the pressure of finances, Sophie is forced to draw on her roots and hold him and his brother at gunpoint.
After such confrontation, the invitation to an old flames wedding back in Kentucky is more than welcome.
With a belly full of torment and a desire to have a place to hide, Sophie was not ready to meet nerdy Neal with a six pack from heaven.
After a shower with bad singing and a towel-clad wrapped encounter, Sophie's find herself unable to stop thinking about anything but that six-pack and all Neal has grown up to be.
This book will draw you in and make you laugh as we travel along with Sophie's visit to her homeland.
Will Neal fill the vast emptiness Renzo ploughed Sophie into?
I'm not telling you the end of that, simply because it's worth the read.
Cheap tricks is a novel based on life, real mistakes and the honest and funny moments when two old friends meet under the scope of a wedding.
Its sexy and hilarious yet keeps you reading to know what will happen next.
Mara has never been afraid to write in her own native culture, and this book is an homage to that.
We meet Sophie, a Kentucky-born archaeologist working in the heat of the Peru desserts alongside her lover Renzo.
When Renzo cracks under the pressure of finances, Sophie is forced to draw on her roots and hold him and his brother at gunpoint.
After such confrontation, the invitation to an old flames wedding back in Kentucky is more than welcome.
With a belly full of torment and a desire to have a place to hide, Sophie was not ready to meet nerdy Neal with a six pack from heaven.
After a shower with bad singing and a towel-clad wrapped encounter, Sophie's find herself unable to stop thinking about anything but that six-pack and all Neal has grown up to be.
This book will draw you in and make you laugh as we travel along with Sophie's visit to her homeland.
Will Neal fill the vast emptiness Renzo ploughed Sophie into?
I'm not telling you the end of that, simply because it's worth the read.
Cheap tricks is a novel based on life, real mistakes and the honest and funny moments when two old friends meet under the scope of a wedding.
Its sexy and hilarious yet keeps you reading to know what will happen next.
Mara has never been afraid to write in her own native culture, and this book is an homage to that.
July 13, 2017
This was my first time reading this author and I very much enjoyed it. Cheap Tricks is a quick, easy read with many twists and turns.
I really loved the heroine Sophie. She's a gun toting, no holds barred woman. She doesn't back down from a fight and is very protective of those she loves.
Neal has decided due to some very tragic events that it's time for his career to change. He decides that it's time to return home. He's not the nerdy, stay home and study type of guy anymore and he needs to figure out his next move.
These two didn't have a relationship on their radar but sometimes things happen and feelings start to arise. These two have to decide what they really want from each other.
Now the pace of this book for me was much too fast. I really wanted so much more and the story is so good that the author really could have added so much more to it. Sometimes it jumped so fast and to different parts that I had to reread it to understand what had happened. The end for me was way too fast and I wanted so much more of these two. There were some grammatical errors such as missing words or words repeated. In one place the character Mae is spelled May. I know it's a small thing but noticeable all the same.
Overall a very enjoyable read and I look forward to reading more by this author.
I really loved the heroine Sophie. She's a gun toting, no holds barred woman. She doesn't back down from a fight and is very protective of those she loves.
Neal has decided due to some very tragic events that it's time for his career to change. He decides that it's time to return home. He's not the nerdy, stay home and study type of guy anymore and he needs to figure out his next move.
These two didn't have a relationship on their radar but sometimes things happen and feelings start to arise. These two have to decide what they really want from each other.
Now the pace of this book for me was much too fast. I really wanted so much more and the story is so good that the author really could have added so much more to it. Sometimes it jumped so fast and to different parts that I had to reread it to understand what had happened. The end for me was way too fast and I wanted so much more of these two. There were some grammatical errors such as missing words or words repeated. In one place the character Mae is spelled May. I know it's a small thing but noticeable all the same.
Overall a very enjoyable read and I look forward to reading more by this author.
June 26, 2017
I am not usually one for romance novels, but I thoroughly enjoyed this one. I enjoyed getting to know Sophie, and would actually love to see her in further adventures in archaeology. The first chapter is pretty much its own mini-story of one, and gives one a taste of the kind of adventures she could go on in the future. Neal is a great guy, and has his own problems and demons he must face. The two come from very different worlds, but watching the two of them play off of each other is fun and funny.
One of the things I really enjoyed, though, was the side characters, and how while they served their parts to the plot, you felt each was real and relateable. Several scenes in the bar felt like being among the company of good friends, almost like you're enjoying a beer with them too. The atmosphere and personal touches definitely give this story its heart, and when things go south, you know there's someone you can reach out to.
It's not a complex plot, but it doesn't need to be. Two people through unforeseen circumstances find themselves back in a small town, and find each other. Just seeing how they interact with each other is a treat in itself, and I will be recommending this to a few friends.
One of the things I really enjoyed, though, was the side characters, and how while they served their parts to the plot, you felt each was real and relateable. Several scenes in the bar felt like being among the company of good friends, almost like you're enjoying a beer with them too. The atmosphere and personal touches definitely give this story its heart, and when things go south, you know there's someone you can reach out to.
It's not a complex plot, but it doesn't need to be. Two people through unforeseen circumstances find themselves back in a small town, and find each other. Just seeing how they interact with each other is a treat in itself, and I will be recommending this to a few friends.
May 14, 2020
I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book
Sophie heads home for her friends wedding after they find her boyfriend looting the Peru dig site. She shoots his brother in the behind and heads home. Her boss wants her to look into his business while she is there as he’s suspicious of money going missing while his son is in charge. She finally gets to meet Brandon and Elise friends in person although she has spent a lot of time talking to them on her computer. Sophie and Brandon dated in college but in the end she loved archaeology more but they have remained best friends. She also reconnects with Brandons brother Neal who has grown a lot since she last saw him. Visiting all of her family and friends has her feeling guilty when her grandparents say they are selling their farm as there is no one to take it over. She saw herself having her own family there in the future and with her out of the country for large periods of time she has to let it go. After sleeping with Neal at the wedding she avoids him as she is planning to return to Peru as soon as it’s safe and doesn’t want any man drama. But with all off their friends being one big group they get to know each other a bit more.
It was nice to revisit lots of the characters from the previous books and see they are doing well. This was a great story to read and the author has created a fictional world that I would love to live in.
Sophie heads home for her friends wedding after they find her boyfriend looting the Peru dig site. She shoots his brother in the behind and heads home. Her boss wants her to look into his business while she is there as he’s suspicious of money going missing while his son is in charge. She finally gets to meet Brandon and Elise friends in person although she has spent a lot of time talking to them on her computer. Sophie and Brandon dated in college but in the end she loved archaeology more but they have remained best friends. She also reconnects with Brandons brother Neal who has grown a lot since she last saw him. Visiting all of her family and friends has her feeling guilty when her grandparents say they are selling their farm as there is no one to take it over. She saw herself having her own family there in the future and with her out of the country for large periods of time she has to let it go. After sleeping with Neal at the wedding she avoids him as she is planning to return to Peru as soon as it’s safe and doesn’t want any man drama. But with all off their friends being one big group they get to know each other a bit more.
It was nice to revisit lots of the characters from the previous books and see they are doing well. This was a great story to read and the author has created a fictional world that I would love to live in.
June 19, 2019
The first half of the book had me intrigued. The idea of something so big going down on a dig site in Peru made this book stand out from so many other romance novels. The dialogue might have been just a bit too expository, but the characters were likeable. I haven't read the books leading up to this (it's not pertinent for this book's plot) but I have the feeling there would have been a real sense of completion from other books in the series. I appreciated Sophie's independent streak and the family dynamics on both sides.
Where it dropped the ball for me was the last fourth of the book or so. There was one major plot point that seemed to come out of nowhere late in the game. It was a giant point of conflict that seemed rather quickly resolved. After that, the story's pacing seemed to speed up to the conclusion. I would have appreciated another 50 pages or so, making that point of conflict the beginning of the third act, rather than the slide to the end, and drawing out the rest. There were also several big moments that happened "off screen" (so to speak) and the characters would be talking about it after the fact, rather than the reader seeing it themselves.
Despite the race to the conclusion, however, it was a nice read. If you're a contemporary romance fan, you'll like this one.
Where it dropped the ball for me was the last fourth of the book or so. There was one major plot point that seemed to come out of nowhere late in the game. It was a giant point of conflict that seemed rather quickly resolved. After that, the story's pacing seemed to speed up to the conclusion. I would have appreciated another 50 pages or so, making that point of conflict the beginning of the third act, rather than the slide to the end, and drawing out the rest. There were also several big moments that happened "off screen" (so to speak) and the characters would be talking about it after the fact, rather than the reader seeing it themselves.
Despite the race to the conclusion, however, it was a nice read. If you're a contemporary romance fan, you'll like this one.
May 30, 2020
Sophie's taking a break from the dig in Peru. Well, she kinda had to - she shot her ex-boyfriend's brother's butt, so this is a mandated break. She's working in Kentucky as a favor for a college professor. Neal quits his job as a surgeon in New York, after a traumatic incident with a patient who died. He comes back home to figure out what to do with his life. This is the fourth book in the series, and it's wonderful - as good as the others. Sophie is smart, no-nonsense, hilarious, and completely smitten with Neal's six-pack. He's at a crossroads in his life, a bit lost, and not quite sure how to get back on track. Neither of them is looking for anything resembling a relationship. But that's when love strikes. They fit right in to become part of this terrific group of friends, the people we met in the earlier books.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 27, 2020
This is book four in The Cheap series. Sophie has been so career focused that she soon realizes after returning to the US the people she has lost touch with. Sophie is an archeologist. Neal was on track to become a doctor but he has since given that up and is now working at the mill happily with his brother. Isn't funny how time and life changes? Brings things to the surface? Like the attraction between Sophie and Neal. This story has a few twists to it, one that definitely surprised me. I really enjoyed reading this story, it has all the ingredients for a good book. Enjoy!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 21, 2020
The fourth book in the Cheap series a well written story. Sophie Riddle a Archaeology student of Stan Bergin and Neal Justice's story there is suspense, murder, drama, danger,mystery, and romance. I saw who one of the villains where, but I did not see the second one until just before they revealed themselves. I want to read more in this series. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 27, 2020
This is the 4th book I've read written by Mara Miller; she has done a great job at writing a good book; I can’t wait to read more of her books.
The story line caught my attention at the very beginning and kept me interested throughout the entire book.
I loved the characters.
I received a free copy of this book via booksprout and I’m voluntarily leaving a review.
The story line caught my attention at the very beginning and kept me interested throughout the entire book.
I loved the characters.
I received a free copy of this book via booksprout and I’m voluntarily leaving a review.
June 9, 2020
I am not sure that I even know where to begin writing a review for this because it is truly an awesome experience.
I loved everything about it - the characters, the plot, the emotion, the writing.
The author had a tremendous ability in telling the story that had me wanting this book to go on and on.
I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I loved everything about it - the characters, the plot, the emotion, the writing.
The author had a tremendous ability in telling the story that had me wanting this book to go on and on.
I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 15, 2020
The book is a good small town romance read. The story has a good story line. The characters are good, and they have good chemistry.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 18, 2020
I just loved this book. It was so well-written that it captured my mind and I was dragged along for the ride. Once I started reading I could not put it down until I read the last page.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 27, 2020
Strong characters that capture your attention. The story line is well written and pulls you in and holds your attention. A great read for your evenings sitting on your front porch.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 27, 2020
This one was just okay for me. I liked the previous books in the "Cheap" series more. It just felt a little boring at the beginning and it did not pull me in as the rest of the stories.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 10, 2020
Love, love, love Sophie! She is a BadA$$. The characters are richly written and feel true. I can't wait to get to reading other stories by Mara Miller.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews