A bit about me: NYT/WSJ/USAT International bestselling author Melanie Moreland, lives a happy and content life in a quiet area of Ontario with her beloved husband of lots of lovely years and their rescue cat, Amber. Nothing means more to her than her friends and family, and she cherishes every moment spent with them. While seriously addicted to coffee, and highly challenged with all things computer-related and technical, she relishes baking, cooking, and trying new recipes for people to sample. She loves to throw dinner parties, and also enjoys travelling, but finds coming home is always the best part of any trip. Melanie loves stories, especially paired with a good wine, and enjoys skydiving (free falling over a fleck of dust) extreme snowboarding (falling down stairs) and piloting her own helicopter (tripping over her own feet.) She's learned happily ever-afters, even bumpy ones, are all in how you tell the story.
Melanie is represented by Flavia Viotti at Bookcase Literary Agency. For any questions regarding subsidiary or translation rights please contact her at flavia@bookcaseagency.com
Sandy is the seventh and final book in the Vested Interest series by Melanie Moreland. I have loved this series from the first word of the first page, including The Contract series where all of the characters cross over. It is fitting that the final book focus on Sandy, not only the assistant to the team of men who lead BAM, but their adoptive mother, confidant, even therapist at times. They are a family. And now it is time for Sandy to get her own Happy Ever After.
Sandy Preston is fifty seven years old. It’s been over a year since she lost the love of her life, Max. She is lost without him. She keeps busy with work but there is always a void left in her life. She is encouraged to date by the wives of the men of BAM, her girls as she calls them. Can she move on? Is it time?
Jordan Hayes works for BAM and is a trusted part of the team. He’s known Sandy for a long time. Jordan is also a widow. He has been interested in her for awhile but sensed she wasn’t ready. Until he finds out that she might be getting ready to try dating again. He’s determined that if Sandy is going to date anyone, it will be him, only him. He just has to find a way to convince her of that.
“Blushing. What’s next? Swooning? Heaven forbid.”
Jordan has such an effect on Sandy. She’s never blushed in her life but he seems to bring it out in her constantly. He’s supportive, loving, attentive, everything a woman could ask for. But is she truly ready? Can she let go and move forward?
Let me just say that this book was everything I hoped it would be and more. We see Sandy in a whole new light here. We see her heart, her pain, her love, so much love. The epilogue had me in literal tears, the good kind of tears, but tears just the same. We see her relationship with all of her boys so much more clearly, how much these men love her and how protective they are of her. Sometimes in a comical way.
I’m sad to see an end come to this series but these characters will live on in my heart. Melanie’s words are truly magical and I will always be thankful to her for introducing me to the men and to the women, to the family, of BAM.
Oh my gosh! I absolutely loved, loved, loved this book!! Sandy’s story is amazing! This series has been one of my absolute favorites! For the guys at BAM, Sandy is the glue that holds their little family together. She is fierce, tough and tells it like it is, but she loves these men and their families like no other. Through good times and bad, heartache and pain, through their completely bonehead decisions in their relationships, Sandy has mothered them all. But Sandy has faced tragedy and loneliness in the midst of her own life. Her guys see her loneliness and they just want her to be happy. But when their wives start to meddle, and meddle they do, what ensues is quite hilarious and honestly brings the men of BAM to their knees. But little do they know that the key to Sandy’s happiness is right around the corner! This book is so, so emotional and very moving!! It’s about life and loss and the ability to move on when it seems impossible. I laughed, I cried, but wow did I smile, ALOT!! It’s about family -true family - the kind of family that always has your back, the kind that protects you and loves you fiercely! That is the family that Melanie has created at BAM!! If you haven’t started this series, please do! You will 100% find it amazing!!!❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
If I do, it is admitting this series is over and I refuse.
From the perspective of a alpha/beta reader, this has been an incredible series to watch grow. It was only ever meant to be one book - Bentley. But I got my way when I asked (read this as begged, pleaded and bartered) that Aiden the studly but silent smartass VP of security needs a story. That turned into well it can't just be two books but three. But then we (I am dragging her fans with me because I wasn't the only one begging, pleading and bartering for more), Reid the IT wonder with a story of overcoming hurdles touched hearts. To Van and that kid who stole the book. Then one quote - an awesome fucking quote by the way - and we all SCREAMED for Halton.
But through it all was Sandy. The silent glue. The one who had those meaningful brief scenes that set our heroines and heroes on the right path. Sandy had her share of joys and sorrow as the series progressed. However, one thing we wouldn't let Melanie rest on was Sandy deserved a chance at love again. All of us readers could see this huge heart needed to still beat, flutter and give out more love.
This book. This story. There wasn't anything better I could have imagined for Sandy. She found it all in the arms of a man not only willing to give her more but knew her journey and where there is room for two great loves of their lives. From the opening page until the last one that is available (I'm still not convinced this is the end), you get to experience this journey with Sandy that doesn't feel forced or trite. Ms Moreland gave us a journey with humor, reflection, and yes - sexy times for those of us in the over 30 crowd - in a perfect second chance at love. Jordan is the strong, silent with that touch of alpha possessiveness all our BAM boys possess.
The icing on this lush story is the epilogue. Melanie Moreland can write the hell out of an epilogue. She brought her A++ game to this book. None of the characters we got to know on this journey are left out. It was lovely to read and re-read that epilogue because it was perfect ending for this book. I know I would love this story - I just didn't realize how much I would and definitely goes on my personal favorite shelf.
Now, I'm still not ready to admit defeat. This CANNOT be over. I'm working on recruits. I've got her editor on my side. Send me a message if you want to join the #TeamBAMAintOver or join us in the Sandy! spoiler room on Facebook.
I was always curious to know more about Sandy, because like Bentley says, she is the glue that holds everything together. And in this book we get to know her and everything that made her the person she is.
This one was the most adorable story thanks to Jordan, he is a GENTLEMAN. He is the man all women desire. He allows Sandy to get her life back at her own pace.
"Your past made you the woman you are. Let the future benefit from that. "
Sandy is still in the past, she lost the love of her life and she is not ready to open herself to love again. And like Sandy, Jordan lost the love of her life but he is ready to give love another chance and show Sandy she deserves to be happy again.
I loved everything in this books, specially because I fell in love again with the boys, specially Reid.
If you have loved all the series you can't miss this one. And if you haven't read them, you need to give it a chance. Just reading Sandy's boom will make you fall in love with her boys.
I shed tears of happiness with the final book in the Vested Interest series. Sandy has been the common denominator in each book. I was ecstatic to find out that Melanie Moreland was closing the series with her book. This story is beautiful and heartfelt. The author delivered an epic conclusion with appearances from each of the Vested Interest boys and their significant others. This is truly a read that will have you all up in your feels. Sandy love story is one I will not forget. The love they give and receive is felt throughout the book, my heart was bursting with how full it felt. It was the perfect ending to an amazing series.
AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: Sandy had me so up in my feels. The matriarch of the BAM clan was the best way to end this series. Maxine Mitchell and John Lane once again did a stellar job bringing these characters to life! I got choked up and shed a tear or two for Sandy and Jordan. Such a heartfelt and beautiful story.
This book was so heartwarming and so sweet that it brought tears to my eyes! I loved how Sandy carries herself with class and a loving strength with an ability to put all the BAM boys with their meddling in their place. This is the final book in the Vested Interest series and Melanie has penned a perfect conclusion. Sandy by Melanie Moreland is an EPIC romance that will join the ranks of the BIBLIO-ARISTOCRACY!!!
When I picked up the book Bentley, I had no idea what I was in for. I knew I liked the name and I liked the cover.
I had never read anything by Melanie at that point.
I was floored. I fell in love with the book and my love for the BAM world was born.
Nothing, though, could have prepared me for the end of this series. Blah blah you’ll need tissues to wipe your tears. Whatever. I’ll need nothing. Yeah, I needed the whole damn box!
Sandy is the glue that holds them together. It was high time for her story. What a story it is. The journey we take with Sandy through these pages is one many of us can say we have never had to do. The loss of a spouse, dating again.
I can’t say more than that, but the epilogue-perfection!
This BAM world, I never want it to end. I want to have more and more stories but then it would get stale and it would no longer be the series it was meant to be. Hey we already got two bonus stories (BAM the beginning and Halton).
Melanie is an amazing writer. This series is fabulous and it’s one I would recommend to anyone.
Aah,what a sweet beautiful read, and the perfect end to the Vested Interest series. Sandy has been a major influencer in all the Bam boys’ lives, and it was truly wonderful to get her perspective on the boys and their company, and to see her get another shot at love following the death of her husband, which we did in fact witness firsthand in Reid’s book. Now three books further along Sandy gets her own story, and possibly her own happy ever after, you’ll have to read the book to find out. With a few ups and downs and the odd relapse, Sandy comes into her own, and we see why the boys love her so much. She’s such a strong, independent and loving character. I’m so glad the last story was hers, oh, and, as a woman in my fifties, it was so so nice to read a romance with more mature main characters. Just wonderful, and a perfect end to this series with all the gang together. I received an advanced copy of this book. This is my honest review.
I have waited patiently for Melanie Moreland to write Sandy's story and it is a bittersweet read. Finally getting Sandy's HEA is a wonderful and highly emotional story that was such a great read it should have more than 5 stars, pulling at our heartstrings and making me cry more than once. However, now it leaves me with the sense of loss to realize the series is over and the BAM boys are finished. It's like saying goodbye to your favorite family that you will miss terribly - but at the same time the sense of family that the entire series has given us will last a lifetime. So congratulations Sandy on finding a second chance at love. Hopefully we will see the BAM boys once again years down the road when their kids take over. (Or maybe a holiday novella!!)
Sandy is the seventh and final book of the Vested Interest series. I’m sad that the series has ended now. The author amazed me with every book. Every book (just like Sandy) is filled with emotions, love and beautiful moments. I fell in love with every character and every couple. I was glad the previous couples appeared in this novel. The epilogue was just so beautiful and a great ending of the series.
It’s time for the BAM-mother, Sandy, to find love. Sandy lost her husband a few years ago and she still misses him deeply. Her smile hasn’t been the same since. Sandy did have an amazing friend in Jordan, a colleague. But one day that friendship was over, but they did remain friendly at work.
A while later, Jordan tries to pick up their friendship again and he even wants more than friendship. Sandy likes his friendship, but she’s hesitant to start a relationship. Her heart is still fragile. But Jordan is a patient man and Sandy slowly warms up to the idea of a relationship. Their relationship wouldn’t always be easy, but it will be a strong and beautiful one eventually.
Sandy and Jordan are wonderful characters. Sandy is hardworking, protective, loyal, caring and loving. She really has been a mother to the BAM men. Those men can count on her and she gives them advice. The men are there for Sandy and want her to be happy. I love the bond between them. It was beautiful to read. I was glad Sandy has found a man like Jordan to fall in love with.
Jordan is hardworking, smart, caring and protective. He lost his wife a few years ago, but he didn’t give up on love. Jordan had developed feelings for Sandy over the years, but he knew she wasn’t ready so he didn’t try anything. Jordan is such a sweetheart and gentleman when it’s about Sandy. He loves to spoil her and to make her happy. I’m glad he found love with Sandy. They are great for each other.
-- My honest review is based on an advanced reader copy of this book. --
I'm not crying you're crying. Ok, maybe I am a little. I received Sandy ARC from Melanie's reader group. Right off the bat Melanie goes right for the readers tears. Sandy has been such a large part of each book in the BAM series and this second chance mature romance is what we all needed to say goodbye to the BAM boys. This book makes me want to start the series all over again to just relive the love, struggle and strength each character has. I enjoyed that each character makes an appearance in this book its a great summary and farewell to the series. As sad as I am to have this series come to a close I believe Melanie executed Sandy flawlessly. #dowtimereading
Love Again I have enjoyed getting to know Sandy throughout the Vested Interest Series. She is the matriarch of the BAM clan and a force to be reckoned with. Sandy is a straight shooter, a nurturer, and strength personified. Ms. Moreland did a fantastic job with this second chance at love story.
The friendship and attraction between Sandy and Jordan was effortless. It warmed my insides and blanketed me in comfort. Their love story was swoony and emotional and buoyant. I loved seeing all of these characters and the loving family they have created. This book brought me an abundance of joy.
Wow just wow, an amazing story from Melanie. I will say that this story made me cry and laugh. Sandy has always been the rock for the BAM boys, but she is grieving. Jordan also works for the BAM company and has had his own share of grieving. When should the mourning period end? When should one start living, loving, and being happy again? There is no answer to this question but Melanie Sure found a way to break my heart and put it together in Sandy. I will miss this series but it was definitely a great ending.
The one that holds them all together, the one that they consider their honorary mom. While Sandy never had any children of her own, she does have a stepson, grandchildren that treat her as such and then there’s the boys of BAM. They each became her unofficial adopted children. Her family grew even more when she decided to love again after losing her husband and who she thought was the same only love of her life. Jordan waited in the background knowing that he and Sandy could become alive again together. They have both known heartache by losing their spouses, at different times in their lives. They are living their lives to the fullest with the boys of BAM right in the middle after all they are Sandy’s boys.
If ever there was a heartache waiting to be found, Moreland proves without a shadow of a doubt, she knows just where to look. Sandy forces the heart to stop and take notice. It's raw, inspiring and haunting. I found myself lost in the vulnerable, tortured by the painful and inspired by the hope. Moreland will leave your heart spent, but empowered by the unpredictable, beauty of love.
‘Sandy’ is about an unusual heroine – Sandy is a woman in her 50’s. Jordan, the hero, is also in his 50’s. If you’re familiar with books in the fantastic BAM series, then you know who Sandy is, and likely remember Jordan too.
The opening scene in this book actually gave me chills and real tears too, all within the first few pages. I cried again several times in this story, all different types of tears – happy ones, sad ones, tears of frustration, exultation, and remembrance. As somebody who was widowed in my 40’s, the feelings and pain experienced by both Sandy and Jordan echoed through me with bone-chilling realism. It’s amazing how this author can inhabit the soul of a fictional character and breathe life into the joy and sadness and very existence of that character. Don’t misunderstand…this is not a depressing story. It is a very positive friends-to-lovers story about the transformative power of love.
This wonderful book wraps up all of the stories in the series, and has made me want to go back and read them all again, especially Reid. You can read this as a standalone and still enjoy it immensely. But it’s even better when you’re familiar with the BAM boys.
By the way, am I the only one who won wants Colin to have a story??? Colin is the son of Sandy’s heart, and his story is begging to be told. Maybe if we all beg with enough enthusiasm and sincerity, Melanie Moreland will consider directing her incredible story-telling, word-crafting talents in that direction.
Sandy’s official title may be the office manager for BAM, but she is so much more. Not only does she ensure that the company is a well-oiled machine, but she has been there for each of the men when they needed someone the most. When her husband passed away, he left a huge hole in her world and she is now beginning to consider meeting other men, but love is not on her radar.
Jordon is not only her co-worker and friend, but his wife has passed away as well. He is drawn to both Sandy’s beauty and her personality and now that she is considering letting another man into her life he plans for that man to be him.
What makes this story so good is not only the emotion and the steam but the realistic way it approached both the butterflies and anxieties of finding love for a second time. Sandy and Jordon are not only great characters and great together but catching up with all the other characters we know and love made it that much better and a fitting end to this wonderful series.
This is the last book in the BAM Vested Interest Series and I am not ready to let them go.
I feel like I know the characters so well having read from the beginning with Bentley so this one had me emotional from the outset. The story of a mature relationship, both Sandy and Jordan have known love and loss, but are ready to move forward and try something new. Sandy deserves to be happy, we've watched her look after each of the BAM boys in her own way and it was good for the focus to be wholly on her story for a change. The boys are so cute in this one, and each time they spoke to Sandy they had me all emotional. I loved that she didn't take any of their nonsense, but they all knew how to touch her heart.
I felt it was a perfect end to the series, although I hope we do get to see them all again because I've become attached.
Sandy and Jordan’s love story is about taking a chance to love again after the both lost their spouses, it’s their second chapter of their lives. While Jordan has been ready to ask Sandy out she hasn’t been quite ready, finally she’s ready to take the step and start dating, Jordan doesn’t give her a chance to find someone else. I loved how caring Jordan is and the ease their relationship seems to be. A little hiccup with Sandy wanting a take a step back but Jordan s little angry though patient. Their journey was a beautiful story The epilogue brought tears and smile I didn’t want it to end. From the beginning of Bentley’s story to the last word in Sandy’s the journey of the Bam boys has been filled with so many emotions and showed us what family is even if it’s not the family your born into but the family you make! I’ll miss them!
I put off reading this book because I knew it was the end of one of my favourite series and I didn’t want it to end but Ms Moreland really tied this series up superbly and I didn’t think I would be saying this but she left the best for last, there I said it !!!! Sandy is the woman that holds all the men of BAM together, she is mother, confidante and work organiser but now they have their own families and she is left alone after losing her husband just over a year ago. Is is time to start dating again for the woman who does so much for the men of BAM is it time for her to find someone else to spend the rest of her life with or is it all too soon.... Sometimes the most obvious is right under our noses, sometimes it’s the person we least expect who becomes the love of our life’s and sometimes it takes two people who have both lost the love of their life’s to realise that they aren’t replacing their loved ones they are just starting another chapter. The men of BAM and their families feel like friends to me and I was sad to have this series come to an end but I will go back and read these books over and over because they are all special to me. Ms Moreland did a wonderful job tying this series up and I really hope at some point down the line we get maybe a Christmas novella or a second generation so we can catch up with out favourite family and their friends. Great addition to a great series.
Throughout this entire series, Sandy has been a prominent feature. The mom to all of the amazing characters I love so much.
I can't think of two characters that deserve a HEA more than Sandy and Jordan. They deserve to share all of the love they have with others and continue to grow this family they've created.
I had said that the epilogue for It Started with a Kiss was the greatest epilogue of all time. And that was true. Until I read the epilogue for Sandy. I have never felt so reluctant to finish a book in my life. I have loved every second of this series and I don't want to let them go. I will miss these characters more than I can even say but I'm so happy to see what life has become for all of the BAM family.
The BAM boys have built a very successful empire with the help of one woman: Sandy. Sandy has been their office manager, friend, confidant, and mother-figure. She has been the driving force behind their business and their personal lives for a long time. Now that she has lost her beloved husband, the roles are reverse and she needs their support through this next stage in her life, especially when she meets someone who awakens her heart and makes her long for romantic love again.
This was such an emotional read for me. Not only is it a story of love, loss and love again, it is the last book in the Vested Interest series. Melanie Moreland proves once again that she is the Queen of epilogues with a tear-inducing, heartwarming ending that catches us up with all the BAM boys. Definitely a five star story!!
I don't think I have ever cried so much reading a book. I cried at the beginning during a story, and enjoyed the middle and cried buckets at the end. I could connect so much with this book and I think it is probably because I am recently widowed myself and Melanie put all my feelings into this book about Sandy which made me connect so much with it. It all started with the three boys and ended with so much more and large families that all loved with all their hearts. A must read
I've been waiting with anticipation for Sandy's story. She is the woman that takes care of all the men of BAM. She is their surrogate mother who loves and nurtures them like the children she never had while helping them run their empire. It is with bittersweet feelings I review this book as it is the final one in the Vested Interest Series and I am not ready for them to end.
Sandy's husband Max has been dead for over a year and she had taken care of him for the last few years as he had a debilitating illness. As Sandy decides to get on with living and start dating, it is hilarious to see Bentley, Aiden, Maddox, and Reid carry on like they are her parents. I laughed out loud in some parts as well as cried in others when she grieved or thought about her life with Max. I am a widow so I understood her feelings of guilt of moving on and feeling happy without him.
Jordan was such a sweetheart and I loved him. Together they were the perfect couple! They had a few hurdles to overcome but love can conquer all! This was full of steam and love and family! The ending was everything you could possibly want and the Epilogue gave us peeks many years into the future. It made me cry tears of happiness and sadness both, seeing this family made not of blood, but of bonds and love. How close they are, always have each other's back, and know the true value of friendship and family. Such a great series and a great ending! I'm hoping she reconsiders and comes back to write some more about this wonderful family!
The woman who kept the BAM boys in line and loved them like her own finally got her story!. This is the last book in the Vested Interest Series, and it was the perfect ending. While I hope MM will still write us little stories in the future, this book gave me the happy ever after I needed. This series holds a very special place in my heart.
Sandy, while still working hard and never missing a step, she is still grieving over the loss of her husband. She couldn't move on or hasn't even thought of trying. Jordan, a coworker who shares the grief with Sandy, has his eye on her but wanted to wait until she was ready. Characters are more mature age. Sandy will tug on your heart and soul. I was cheering for these two to get their happily ever after so badly. We were graced with all the boys and their overprotectiveness of Sandy. I love the feeling of the entire BAM family in this book. The epilogue was everything and more.
WOW... how do you say goodbye to a book series that you loved! AWESOME story to an awesome series! Sandy was the glue to the group and it was nice to see she ended the series on a happy note! WONDERFUL epilogue that you have to read twice because the first time you have tears in your eyes! THANK YOU Ms Moreland for a great ride and patiently waiting for the next!
I have to admit, Sandy is the sweetest of all. Her story is min drama/ twist and yet really sweet. Having another chance in love in her 50's is heart warming.
Even this book is short, do not under estimate Miss Moreland capability to bring so much tender and sweet moment alive. Now I am ready for the second generation of BAM.
5 star Review Sandy (Vested Interest #7) by Melanie Moreland
Have you ever dreaded reading a story because you know that once you have finished, a series that you love will be complete? That is the position I found myself in when I started Sandy, book seven and the final book in the Vested Interest series.
The men and women of BAM have become a family to me. Every time I read one of these books I know I am in for an entertaining and riveting read which will draw me in and have me totally invested from the first to the last word.
From the first time Sandy Preston was introduced into this series I have loved her. She is the glue that has kept the men of BAM together, always there to guide, support and above all accept and love them. It was time for her to find new love and happiness after all that she has been through.
I am not going to give to much away, suffice to say, this was an extremely well written emotional story that brought me to tears. It tugged at my heartstrings and I found myself smiling and crying, at times at the same time as I read this book.
There were appearances from all my favourite people and for me this was a fitting conclusion to the series. Melanie Moreland has brought the series to a close with a fabulous second chance at love story that I highly recommend.
I have everything crossed that we might get a holiday novella or perhaps a second generation series in the future. Hint, hint Ms.Moreland.
I am gutted this series is over, that this is the final story. But I am so happy that we are ending with Sandy’s story. She is the linchpin of the Vested Interest series. Sandy has been there from the start. Before there was BAM, Sandy was there. Sandy was the guiding light for all our BAM boys and their tech genius, her favourite, the son she never had. There was so much emotion in her story. There were tears more than once but every one of them was worth it. This is a fabulous story. I love Sandy, her story everything I wanted it to be. It is a lovely goodbye to everything BAM, giving the woman who’s been there for everyone else her HEA.