Rosalie After spending my life fulfilling someone else’s dream, nothing will stop me from making my own come true in Whiskey Falls. Not my parents who want me safely ensconced back home in Minnesota. Not the sexy modern-day Viking who’s pursued me since I arrived. And certainly not the gang trying to kill me. They’re about to learn the hard way, I may act like a wallflower, but this rose has thorns.
Erick Since the day I met her, she’s intrigued me. The hippie florist with secrets in her eyes and walls built so high, I can’t help but want to scale them. She resists me at every turn, making me work for what I want. Just when I start making headway, Whiskey Falls becomes ground zero for a gang war. Suddenly, unlocking the mystery of her isn’t my main objective. Keeping her alive is.
Taryn Rivers lives in central Arkansas with her extremely patient husband and her golden retriever, Patton. When she’s not writing, she’s kicking back with her husband at the lake, eating her weight in fried cheese curds and fish fry while visiting family in Wisconsin, or she’s guilting her children into coming to see her. She loves reading, coffee, wine, and her family, not necessarily in that order.
Rosalie was an amazing heroine! I absolutely loved everything about her. She was unique in a way I never imagined. How do you even build a story around this type of woman? Ms. Rivers makes it appear easy. Rosalie is capable on a whole other level with the ability to protect what she has as well.
After meeting Rosalie, Erick was determined to claim her for his own. Once he began to make progress he had to pretty much fight heaven and hell to keep her safe. While he messed up royally at one point, it didn’t take him long to figure it out and work his way back in there. I loved that Rose didn’t make it easy on him.
This has a lot happening in it. I never knew when the next explosion of drama, mystery or danger was going to arise or where it was going to take place. There were times I was on the very edge and yelling at my kindle. The steam level is off the charts. When Rosalie and Erick make things happen, it’s sizzling hot!
The pace was perfect, never bogging down or becoming repetitive. There is an amazing cast of characters offering a wealth of potential for future books. With plenty of humor, lots of community and family spirit, as well as an adorable baby to lay its sleepy head down, I fell completely in love with, not only this couple, but Whiskey Falls once again.
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This is the second book in the Whiskey series. The first book was good, this one is even better. Rosalie, the h is awesome, I loved her immediately. She has a somewhat different upbringing which just makes her unique and intriguing. Especially to Erick, our H he's everything you expect with a alpha take charge kinda guy but, with just a bit more. He's not easily intimidated which definitely is a must with Rosalie and her family. The secondary characters are awesome as well. I want all of them to get a book. I found myself rooting for one of them, until the truth came out. There's humor, bad guys, good guys, mystery with twist and turns, bad guys who are good guys, spice. The main mystery is solved but there is a secondary one that lingers in the back ground. I would definitely recommend this book/series. It is available on KU
With action, romance, a lot of heat and more bad guys that you could know what to do with, Whiskey Dream is the fabulous new installment in Ms. Rivers’ debut series Whiskey Falls.
Rosalie is one kick-ass lady, even if at first glance she’s a flower-loving hippy. She was really my type of gal, focused, hard-working with some serious sass and more training than several commandos I know. (This of course is a lie, I don’t know any commandos, but I figure it still stands true.)
Set on breaking free from a quite restrictive way of living, she won’t let anything get in the way of making her dream come true. Not a sexy alpha Viking, not some stupid bikers and certainly not some asshole gang members.
I absolutely loved Rosalie and her backbone, her grit, her passion for flowers and her ability to keep the aforementioned sexy alpha Viking on his toes.
Now Erick was the perfect match for all that is Rosalie (you can clearly see I have a massive girl crush here). He was alpha, bossy and badass enough to keep up with her. And although he was a really gigantic jerk a time or two, that doesn’t mean that he didn’t know how to grovel, be sweet and give a massive amount of orgasms. He did have some daddy issues, but we knew that going in (and if you didn’t, go read Whiskey Home asap).
The suspense and action will keep you on the edge of your seat, the romance is a little sweet and a lotta hot and the whole story was fast-paced and super engaging. One of my favorite parts though is that we get to visit with most of the amazing side characters we got to meet in Whiskey Home, and I just can’t wait to get their stories!
I do have one complaint here, and it’s that I haven’t gotten a baby epilogue as of yet… I mean, I get it’s not quite the vibe but I’m still expecting some baby news soon Ms. Rivers, mkay?
*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book*
Wow, the Whiskey Falls books just keeps getting better! This book is about Erick, Bree’s brother, and the Florist, Rosalie (Rose or Rosie). Rosie is a bohemian prepper that trained sled dogs and can hold her own. Erick is an alpha PI that is ex-military. Rose’s family is absolutely hilarious, especially with her Dad’s Tests. Trouble seemed to follow Rose and her sister Poppy. I couldn’t put this book down once I started it. It had it all, romance, suspense, and was very action packed. It definitely will keep you reading to find out what happens next and how will it end. Now, next book please? I want Sadie’s, Poppy’s, Griff’s….you get the point.
Erick is my kind of book boyfriend, so I was delighted that he was next in line for his story to be told! He has the charm, backbone and confidence that appeals to me. Rosalie was just the woman for Erick. Luckily they have fate to thank for meeting each other in Whiskey Falls.
Despite having both had their fair share of challenges to overcome, I loved that they remained determined to forge on with their lives and dreams. Much to my delight, their road to happiness had a few bumps to negotiate in the form of 'drama', including Rosalie's parents wanting her to return home. There's a lot more happening for their girl, but that's where I need to stop so as not to spoil the suspense for others.
I'm enjoying the overarching storyline in this series. The familiar characters from Whiskey Home helped move the plot along nicely. It was good to see a more 'relaxed' Bree and Tony as the spotlight shone brightly on the main characters.
Whiskey Dreams has a good mix of suspense and romance. With a delightful cast of endearing characters, I am keen to see who will be next to find love in Whiskey Falls
I was impressed when I read Whiskey Home and found out that was Ms River’s first book, but now I’m blown away. Whiskey Dream is phenomenally written and full of emotions. I adored Rosalie and her crazy, hysterical family, but in my eyes Erick stole the show (except when I wanted to beat his ass). He didn’t take no for an answer and was very protective of Rosalie. All around awesome book!!!
For those of you that haven’t read Taryn’s books yet….GET ON IT. For someone that has only published 2 books (that I know of) her writing is phenomenal. You will get relatable characters with a fantastic mystery woven into the plot. And our heroine has dogs…..sled dogs. Athena who is super sweet and Ares who can’t decide if he likes our hero (Erik) or wants to take a bite out of him for just breathing. Why am I including dogs in my review? Because Ms Rivers used everything available to suck you into her story. Dogs, crazy but lovable prepper parents, a town that anyone would want to live in, a hero that would remind you of a modern day Viking and a heroine that is so sweet but can absolutely kick butt and take names when the situation calls for it. I can’t wait to see where we go next in this series.
5 star review of Whiskey Dream (Whiskey Falls #2) by Taryn Rivers
Taryn Rivers is a relatively new author to me and having read the first book in the series I could not wait to read Whiskey Dream. This was a well written fast paced story that I really enjoyed. I was on the edge of my seat whilst reading this gripping romantic suspense story. I enjoyed Rosalie and Erick’s small town, friends to lovers romance set in Whiskey Falls. It was entertaining to watch florist Rose make Erick work hard to pursue her. Rose obviously has secrets that could get her killed and Erick is determined to do what ever it takes to get her to give him a chance and to protect her, no matter the cost. I really liked Erick in the previous book but in this one he certainly comes into his own. I fell hard and fast for the man, he was totally swoon worthy and was just the man for Rose, if only he can convince her. Rose is one determined, feisty and sassy woman who I would love to have as a friend. When it appears that someone has targeted Rose, it will be up to Erick to protect her and keep her safe. There were a number of twists and turns along the way and I have to say I was surprised at times. This book had equal amounts of passion, suspense and romance and kept me invested from the first chapter to the last.
5 stars. Loved it. Great storyline, great cast of supporting characters, steamy, violent, emotional, with just the right amount of angst. On to the next one...
This is a new author for me, so this is the first book from this series that I have read, I know I have missed some key events from book one, but I think I have done really well getting up to speed and connecting to the town and the people who call it home.
This story broke my heart in place, the world isn't perfect and people hurt each other, sometimes too much to forgive. I loved Erick as character, even when I wanted to give him a piece of my mind I still thought he was strong, kind, caring, loving and a good person. The connection between he and Rosalie was lovely to read and it was hard to see them go through rough times, the good times did make up for it. Rosalie was such a wonderful character, she was strong, innocent, brave and so loving and caring, I loved her dogs too, and little Gray learning what a bad word was! There are so many characters I want to know more about, I am really looking forward to reading more from this series. I am voluntarily leaving this review after receiving an ARC from Hidden Gems.
Whiskey Dream has something for everyone, it’s a perfect example of a romantic suspense but once you add in the small town of Whiskey Falls and the friends to lovers journey for Erick and Rosalie (Rose) you get the perfect read. Rose is the woman we would all love in our corner, at first glance she comes across as a flower loving hippy but she is sassy, strong, hardworking and trains sled dogs and she can certainly hold her own against any man. Erick is an ex military PI who will certainly give Rose a run for her money, but keeping her safe is his priority and that means not crossing the line. Secrets are being kept and that adds to a fair few twists and turns along the way but whilst protecting Rose he also needs to convince her to take a chance on him. So do Erick and Rose get their HEA… You will need to read the book to find that out. A captivating journey that will keep you on the edge of your seat with wonderful characters and the perfect mix of love, passion, mystery and suspense.
I thought Whiskey Home was a fantastic story but holy moly Erick and Bree’s story is phenomenal. I love reading a series because you see the characters you consider to be your friends living a happy life. Erick is a larger than life character. He’s totally a protective alpha male. I love his dominant behaviour. The emotions he portrays are a thing of beauty. I think it gives us a deeper understanding of characters thoughts and emotions and Taryn Rivers shows this off beautifully. The way in which she shows characters faults, because let’s face it none of us are perfect, is pure poetry. Bree is a fabulous character. She’s totally kickass. Her differences and how her past shaped the person she is, is the epitome of what we should all be. She knows what she wants. What she deserves and she’s strong enough not to settle for less. This is an outstanding instalment in this totally addictive series. Some books just open their arms to hug you, they become important to you and take up residence in your heart. Taryn Rivers has the ability and skill to do this. She writes with an obvious love for her craft and this shows through like a blinding ray of light in the darkness. Couldn’t recommend highly enough. At least a million star review
I like this series more with each book. It is still hard to believe Taryn Rivers is a new author! She does such a great job with all the characters and storylines. I love the unique way that the romance weaves into the mystery and the action. We have undercover Special Ops in a motorcycle club, plus real outlaw bikers, drug gangs, and apocalypse preppers. Rosalie is a fabulous heroine! She was trained by her father in military weaponry, how to live off the grid, how to raise sled dogs and mush them in the Iditarod, not to mention flower arranging, which is now her living. She is honest but very guarded. Drawn to Erick, she remains very cautious. Erick is Joe's son, a detective. Joe is central to the plot in both books, but he is now dead. Who killed him and why is part of the story that carries over to this book. The ramifications of Joe's death just keep on coming. Erick vows to keep Rosalie safe, and he does. Their love story unfolds amid all the action and conflict, making it seem more real to me. Love happens in the middle of living, not in a little bubble by itself. I received an ARC from the author/publisher and voluntarily left this review.
This was even better than the first one, I didn’t think it could but wow it sure did. Again I was pulled completely into the story and found myself reading a page or two every free minute I could find! Rose and Erik’s story was a world wind of drama and mystery. The pages sure sizzle when they connect, so to speak.
What an awesome second book. Such a strong main character who forges ahead despite hardships. A romance might even be a part of the story. Impossible to not enjoy everything about the characters.
I absolutely loved this book. The suspense and steamy scenes are what kept me reading. I love the characters. Enjoyed it so much I definitely want to read the rest of the series. Also recommend reading it.
I couldn't get enough of this amazing story. It pulled me in and kept me engrossed from the beginning. So much happens in this one. It's a whirlwind of events that unfold. You'll be on the edge of your seat as you turn each page. There's action, a few twists, a couple of surprises and suspense. Loved the storyline.
This book has all the feels, suspense, romance, friendship everything I want in a great book. I am so in love with the town and the people that I would move there in a heartbeat. I NEED to download the first book and I can’t wait to read the next book.
Omg!! I need more of these characters! I loved the story and thought it was well written. The story sucked me in and I didn’t want to stop reading. I needed to know what was going to happen next and how it was going to end! Love love loved it and can’t wait to continue the storyline with the other characters!
Great addition to the series – Debut was not a fluke – Can’t wait for book three in this series!
What I liked: * Rosalie Johnson: flower shop owner, new in town, prepper-daughter, Iditarod winner times-two, canny, wise, has a dream, family oriented, no pushover, loyal, would love to have her as a friend * Erick Beck: ex-military, works with Griff Daniels in PI office, related to and friends with many in town, was in book one of the series and was of interest then, is interested in Rosalie BUT she makes him work for it…like him a LOT. * How seamlessly this book ties into book one – though that also indicates that having read book one first would be beneficial * Poppy: sister to Rosalie, mother of Gray, left her significant other-Trevor in an MC for reasons that become and integral to the story * Seeing all of the characters from the previous book and meeting new ones that will be in future books of the series – can’t wait to learn more about a LOT of them! * Thinking about how convolutes and twisted some families are…and how ties and love in those families can impact those within the web…in positive and negative ways * The family dynamics of Erick and Rosalie and their extended families and how they play out in this story * The dogs…great dogs! * The way the town came together and drew Rosalie in when things went wrong * Rosalie’s parents…oh my! * The action -portions and how the women do not take a back seat in them * That I could “like” people who were “bad” and think about the gray areas that exist in life * The “hero” aspect of a tarnished “knight” (Trevor) * The way the expected “break up” is handled and seems believable and worth of the characters * Wondering who will be next up in the series to find their HEA…more than one was hinted at * All of it except…
What I didn’t like: * Who and what I was meant not to like * Wondering how many situations like the ones in this book might occur in real life
Did I enjoy this book? Yes Would I read more in this series? Yes
Thank you to IndiePen PR and the Author for the ARC – This is my honest review.
Taryn Rivers absolutely slayed it with her second novel, Whiskey Dream! Rosalie and Erick are on fire from the first page to the last!
Rosalie is beautiful, shy, with an amazing knowledge of flowers, and two wins of the Iditarod under her belt. What most people would not see however is her stunning knowledge of guns, explosives, knives etc. I was so impressed with her desire to escape her family's isolated world and build her own out in the public. She wants to spend time with Erick, but she's afraid he'd see her family, and assume like most everyone else does that they're crazy.
Erick is stunned to find this beautiful new girl with all this knowledge, finding out that her father was friends with his is just one more piece to the puzzle. When Erick starts trying to piece everything together, he makes one wrong assumption and almost loses the girl. Isn't it amazing how easily these grumpy alpha types cannot be swayed from these mistakes until they're going to have to get down on their knees and grovel hard to fix things?
Erick could so easily have fixed the original problem, but he made it so much bigger by walking away. Rosalie doesn't know if she'll ever be able to trust him again, and Erick knows he's going to come up with some grand gesture to win his girl back, if that will even work.
In the meantime, all the side characters are a blast! Between Shadow and Ghost, Poppy and Griff, I spent the whole book waiting on one of these guys or gals to do something and burn the whole town down!
The romance and suspense in Whiskey Dream knocked this book out of the park, and I'd give it 10 stars if I could! I absolutely adore Erick and Rosalie together, despite their flaws, they work as a team to make sure no one can tear them apart!!
Tropes: small town, romantic suspense, private detective/ new girl
Rosalie Johnson is new to the small town of Whiskey Falls. She’s determined to focus on making her dreams come true instead of other's. She owns a flower shop with a hippie feel. Things are looking up except for the gang intent on killing her. She may act like a wallflower but she's anything but. Erick Beck is ex-military and works as a private detective and looks like a Viking who stepped into their little town from a time long ago. He’s wanted Rose since she stepped foot in town. Just when she's within reach, a gang war erupts and they want her dead. Can he keep her alive long enough to win her heart?
This story was action-packed, fast paced, engaging, emotional and left me smiling from ear to ear by the last page. I loved both main characters as well as all side characters. Their journey had a realistic and intriguing feel that I thoroughly enjoyed. I'm looking forward to more books from this world. I still can't believe this is only the second book by Taryn Rivers. If her future releases are as entertaining as this one, I'll be reading her books for years to come. This is my honest opinion, freely given.
This story is full of action, danger, instant attraction, devotion, determination, and Hot sexy Aces. Rose grew up off grid, with a dad who prepared for the worst and trained them to defend themselves, she needed out and make her own dreams come true of owning a flower shop. Erick is a huge, sexy, smart, dedicated, protective, carrying and fierce counterintelligence hunk who has a bad fall out with his dad. When Erick and Rose paths cross, she rejects him constantly however Erick loves a challenge and is determined to win Rosalie. However, when Rosalie's Family issues bring danger to town their relationship is rocked, their attraction is strong, but danger, loyalty and trust are at their door, and both must work together to survive. I love the interaction and banter between Erick and Rose, Gray is adorable and so are the dogs. I loved the way everyone worked together to stay safe, and how strong, well-trained Rose and Poppy are in this story. The bikers seemed scary, yet also family oriented. I love how everyone helped take care of each other working in unison like a well-oiled machine and I can't wait to read the next book in the series.
The suspense and action in this book should have been enough for a four- or five-star rating, especially coupled with how sweet Rosalie and Erick were together, but I couldn't do it. I was too confused.
You HAVE to read the first one. It's not a standalone, it's a series, and it's too confusing story-wise if you don't previously know what's going on. I had to learn that the hard way, unfortunately. There's a lot that apparently went down either during the time skip in the beginning or before Rosalie even stepped foot in the town, but I missed all of it and tried to connect the dots later.
Not only that but there are a lot of side characters to keep track of, half of which aren't that important and most of which I've already forgotten.
I liked the action in this (and how tough Rosalie was, I needed more scenes of her in fight mode) but I definitely needed to read the first one to fully understand what was going on or the reasons behind some characters' actions.
I received a free ARC and am leaving a voluntary and honest review.
I started with Whiskey Dream, the second in this series, (as soon as I finished this one, I bought the first book), which means there was a bit of filling in the gaps to do, but it can certainly stand alone.
Strong writing, interesting characters and a nicely complex plot make this an above-average romantic suspense. There is a good balance between the romance and the plot, which is a difficult task for writers in this genre. Although there is an over-arching plot, which will clearly encompass a series of books, this book offers an entirely satisfactory ending, while setting up the next in a delightfully sinister fashion.
I particularly enjoyed Rosalie. Her unusual family background; her even more unusual set of skills and the way she constantly startled the military men around her, with her strategic planning for safety. Yay for a clever, competent and strong-minded heroine. The scene where Rosalie and her sister are confronted by gunmen is as surprising as it is satisfying.
If you enjoy Janie Crouch or Helena Newbury, Taryn Rivers belongs on your TBR. Given the number of hot men who are members of the Forsaken Aces, and the plethora of bad guys, I think readers have a lot of action to look forward to.
I started the series with this book and at first felt a gap. I caught up fairly quickly but I think I would have enjoyed the story arc more if I read the first book before this one. (I’m going to read it next). Still I liked the characters and their dynamic. There is enough action to keep the story moving and two characters that are well defined and well suited for each other. Danger is all around but they are both strong characters so the overall story was enjoyable. I knocked off a star because I had some trouble catching up with the story that I’m hoping the first book will overcome.
Taryn does it again! Another fabulous read that I COULD NOT put down and finished in 2 days. Whiskey Storm will be here by the weekend and i cannot wait to dive back in to Whiskey Falls.