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Destiny #2
Sugar Creek
Rachel Farris returned to her childhood home with one mission in mind: get Mike Romo out of her family’s apple orchard business and out of their lives. But hard-nosed and totally hot Mike, who happens to be the law in Destiny, is convinced the Farris clan stole the land from his family fifty years ago and he’s not backing down. Even when shapely trouble shows up in a pair of designer blue jeans. However, neither the hunky cop nor the sexy prodigal hometown girl can anticipate the electricity that heats things up whenever they’re together—adding new sizzle to an ongoing feud that’s raged for generations, and soon putting both their hearts at risk.
372 pages, Paperback
First published May 10, 2010
57 people are currently reading
2211 people want to read
About the author
Toni Blake
45 books1,159 followersToni Blake's love of writing began when she won an essay contest in the fifth grade. Soon after, she penned her first novel, nineteen notebook-pages long, and announced to her mother over breakfast one day that she was going to be a writer when she grew up. Since then, Toni has become the author of more than a dozen contemporary romance novels. Her work has been excerpted in Cosmo, she's been a recipient of the Kentucky Women Writers Fellowship and a nominee for the prestigious Pushcart Prize, and she's also had more than forty short stories and articles published. Toni lives in the Midwest and enjoys traveling, genealogy, crafts, and snow skiing.
Toni has also written under the name Toni Blair.
Photo: Cassandra Stella
Toni has also written under the name Toni Blair.
Photo: Cassandra Stella
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 218 reviews
May 23, 2010
5 stars – Contemporary Romance
I was fortunate to receive an ARC copy of this from one of my ‘good’ Goodreads friends (thanks, KarLynP!), and I was happy to return to Ms. Blake’s quaint city of Destiny for some smokin’ hot small town lovin’!
It’s a charming, fun, sweet, emotional, and steamy love story about independent, ad executive, Chicago city girl, Rachel Farris, who loves the security and freedom that her successful, single lifestyle brings, almost as much as her most treasured Manolo Blahniks, but finds her priorities and desires turned upside down and inside out by hardened, gruff, by the book, small town cop, Mike Romo, when she returns to her hometown of Destiny, Ohio to help her grandma Edna with the family apple orchard.
So what if the Farris and Romo families have been feuding for years and that Rachel and Mike initially can’t stand each other? He’s a hunky, brooding, sexy, commanding cop with delicious chocolate brown eyes and an impressive...ahem...package, and opposites must definitely attract because she can’t seem to resist the explosive sexual chemistry that makes her toes curl inside her prized Jimmy Choos!
Although I didn’t enjoy this quite as much as One Reckless Summer, it’s still a wonderful, feel-good contemporary romance...oh, and did I mention that it’s smokin’ hot?! Whew, Toni Blake can write one heck of a scorcher when it comes to love scenes...and there are plenty of steamy moments in this to indulge in some wickedly hot, fun cop fantasies! With a strong cast of secondary characters providing promising future storyline possibilities, I’m anxious to see what’s in store next for the folks of Destiny. Sugar Creek is a truly delightful, touching, and sexy romantic read! 5 stars!
I was fortunate to receive an ARC copy of this from one of my ‘good’ Goodreads friends (thanks, KarLynP!), and I was happy to return to Ms. Blake’s quaint city of Destiny for some smokin’ hot small town lovin’!
It’s a charming, fun, sweet, emotional, and steamy love story about independent, ad executive, Chicago city girl, Rachel Farris, who loves the security and freedom that her successful, single lifestyle brings, almost as much as her most treasured Manolo Blahniks, but finds her priorities and desires turned upside down and inside out by hardened, gruff, by the book, small town cop, Mike Romo, when she returns to her hometown of Destiny, Ohio to help her grandma Edna with the family apple orchard.
So what if the Farris and Romo families have been feuding for years and that Rachel and Mike initially can’t stand each other? He’s a hunky, brooding, sexy, commanding cop with delicious chocolate brown eyes and an impressive...ahem...package, and opposites must definitely attract because she can’t seem to resist the explosive sexual chemistry that makes her toes curl inside her prized Jimmy Choos!
Although I didn’t enjoy this quite as much as One Reckless Summer, it’s still a wonderful, feel-good contemporary romance...oh, and did I mention that it’s smokin’ hot?! Whew, Toni Blake can write one heck of a scorcher when it comes to love scenes...and there are plenty of steamy moments in this to indulge in some wickedly hot, fun cop fantasies! With a strong cast of secondary characters providing promising future storyline possibilities, I’m anxious to see what’s in store next for the folks of Destiny. Sugar Creek is a truly delightful, touching, and sexy romantic read! 5 stars!
May 27, 2010
I loved this book and I'm sooo sad it's over! What a storyteller Toni Blake is. Thirty-two-year-old Chicago career gal Rachel Farris and small town (Destiny, Ohio) thirty-five-year-old by-the-book cop Mike Romo were wonderful, unique characters--I just loved learning all about them, what made them tick, reading about their longtime family feud, and following their super steamy romantic journey as Rachel came back to her small hometown to help her grandma with her apple orchard business. Loved their first meeting when Mike pulled over Rachel for speeding and Rachel's reaction when she first laid eyes on him: "He was no Deputy Dawg--and a far cry from Barney Fife. In fact, he was...a cop god. With thick, dark hair and olive skin, a day's growth of stubble covering his strong jaw, and shoulders that filled out his beige uniform quite nicely, he was...shockingly hot. Even behind mirrored sunglasses. They weren't always likable (Mike at first was a surly hard a**...but he had a reason to be, Rachel was a bit 'I'm too good for this town'...but there was a reason behind her attitude), but they grew on me and grew on me, and as they opened up to each other I fell in love with them. I loved their sassy bantering (loved how Rachel called Mike 'Officer Romeo') and if you're a fan of the love/hate relationship, this book will be a treat for you. Mike and Rachel had loads of sometimes snippy, sometimes sexy, sometimes playful dialogue ("Just because I'm a good cop doesn't mean I'm not a bad boy."), and plenty of chemistry to spare. And boy oh boy, neither one at first liked the other, but they were helpless in their physical attraction to each other. And when they gave in to their reluctant desire for each other? It was melt the pages hot! After the first encounter in the concession stand (which was plenty steamy), I knew things were going to be hot between them, but I had no idea how hot...
I loved how TB fully fleshed out each character. She gave Mike a strong, though heartbreaking backstory (which explained his attitude); showed why Rachel was driven to be a financial success and was almost willing to give up her happiness to achieve it, gave her plenty of girlfriends to dish with and for the reader to get to know (future stories, I hope), and most enjoyably, gave her a fiesty 70 year-old grandma (Edna) who had some of the best lines and scenes in the book (her mention of Mike having a 'trouser snake' was hilarious, and the fact that she liked to watch Bret Michaels on "Rock of Love" had me cracking up!) I especially liked reading about Edna's long ago romance with Mike's grandfather Giovanni, which explained the reason behind the Romo/Farris family feud--some good stuff there.
I could go on and on about this book but I won't--you'll just have to read it and enjoy all the wonderful things about it. There's not a slow spot in it, it has plenty of hot, steamy sex, some first-rate storytelling, a good dose of humor, and you'll absolutely love how the H/h grow and change in this story. It may have started out as a bit of an unconventional relationship between two people who had absolutely no desire to fall in love with each other, but it ended up as a story of two people who absolutely needed each other to feel complete. It may have taken them a while to realize it, but the journey to get there was sexy, often sigh-worthy, ultimately romantic.
If you enjoyed any of Toni Blake's other outstanding contemporaries (Letters to a Secret Lover, One Reckless Summer) you'll want to pick up a copy of this winner. This was one of my favorite contemporaries so far this year. 5 stars
I loved how TB fully fleshed out each character. She gave Mike a strong, though heartbreaking backstory (which explained his attitude); showed why Rachel was driven to be a financial success and was almost willing to give up her happiness to achieve it, gave her plenty of girlfriends to dish with and for the reader to get to know (future stories, I hope), and most enjoyably, gave her a fiesty 70 year-old grandma (Edna) who had some of the best lines and scenes in the book (her mention of Mike having a 'trouser snake' was hilarious, and the fact that she liked to watch Bret Michaels on "Rock of Love" had me cracking up!) I especially liked reading about Edna's long ago romance with Mike's grandfather Giovanni, which explained the reason behind the Romo/Farris family feud--some good stuff there.
I could go on and on about this book but I won't--you'll just have to read it and enjoy all the wonderful things about it. There's not a slow spot in it, it has plenty of hot, steamy sex, some first-rate storytelling, a good dose of humor, and you'll absolutely love how the H/h grow and change in this story. It may have started out as a bit of an unconventional relationship between two people who had absolutely no desire to fall in love with each other, but it ended up as a story of two people who absolutely needed each other to feel complete. It may have taken them a while to realize it, but the journey to get there was sexy, often sigh-worthy, ultimately romantic.
If you enjoyed any of Toni Blake's other outstanding contemporaries (Letters to a Secret Lover, One Reckless Summer) you'll want to pick up a copy of this winner. This was one of my favorite contemporaries so far this year. 5 stars
April 25, 2010
What a WONDERFUL book! I wasn't expecting such a deeply touching and tender love story, but dang - this one rocked. As much as I enjoyed 'One Reckless Summer', this one is hands down my favorite. I ditched a lot of errands yesterday as I couldn't put this book down, so I will write more later as I have a really busy day to get to. Oh, and for those wondering, it is sizzling HOT. Blake can write great steam that just flows with the story. It left my mouth dry just reading several of these scenes. I really loved it. And if you have a secret fantasy about a cop in uniform, you're going to especially love the hero Mike. Highly recommended to fans of steamy, heart-felt contemporary romances.
I won an ARC in a contest here at Goodreads! So I was lucky enough not to have to wait until June to read this one. Shawna - You're next! I'm sending this ARC copy to now. Hope you enjoy it too!
I won an ARC in a contest here at Goodreads! So I was lucky enough not to have to wait until June to read this one. Shawna - You're next! I'm sending this ARC copy to now. Hope you enjoy it too!
April 26, 2011
In the sequel to One Reckless Summer we finally meet Rachel Farris, the friend who had left Destiny, Ohio to make a life in Chicago where she’s a talented, successful ad agent. We also get to know Mike Romo, Destiny’s “by the book” police officer who, with his good looks and gorgeous body, seems to have captured the eye of just about every woman in Destiny. Returning home to help her grandmother with this year’s apple harvest, Rachel finds herself being pulled over and ticketed for speeding. This is where the story begins and in a decades old family feud to rival that of the Hatfield’s and the McCoy’s, Mike and Rachel face off in a battle of wills to see who will end up owning the Farris family’s apple orchard – Mike Romo, whose family believes the orchard is rightfully theirs, or Rachel Farris who doesn’t really want it, but doesn’t want Mike and the Romo clan to have it either.
I felt like it started a bit slow, but the background story was interesting. Not many authors can pull this kind of back-story writing off, where there is so much detail given. The problem I had with it however, was that I was so interested in finding out what was going to happen with Mike and Rachel, that I didn’t really have the patience to read each and every word of Grandma Edna’s and Giovanni Romo’s story.
There was a lot of sexual and emotional tension between our hero and heroine that gradually escalated into some crazy hot sex-capades which they both denied was anything more than physical attraction. It didn’t take long though, before they were both stunned to realize that despite generations old bitterness, they really were attracted to each other – not just physically, but to the real person on the inside.
I’m hooked on Toni Blake’s Destiny Series and am anxiously awaiting the next book, Whisper Falls due out in January 2011.
April 27, 2010
I was so excited to have won an ARC copy of this! I’d been eagerly anticipating returning to Destiny ever since I’d read One Reckless Summer, a few months ago.
This story combined two of my favorite themes, the hottie cop and the small town. Mike Romo, or Officer Romeo, has a reputation for being gruff and by the book. The first few times he ran into Rachel, it had me laughing. She gets tickets on numerous occasions from Mike for various traffic violations. Each time she’s shocked that he won’t just let her go. He hates speeders. She’s returning to town for a brief visit to her Grandma Edna’s orchard to help her out. She’s been living in Chicago for the past 15 years building a successful career in advertising. She doesn’t plan on actually enjoying her time in Destiny, with Edna, and especially doesn’t plan on falling for Mike.
This whole book is wonderful! We get to meet a lot more of the Destiny townspeople, and there is also a secondary story with Edna, which is told in flashbacks. Edna was a riot! Any grama that openly talks about her sex life, and doesn’t miss an episode of Bret Michaels’ Rock of Love, is awesome in my book!
The steam factor is high! Ms. Blake can certainly write a hot love scene, and there plenty of them.
This story combined two of my favorite themes, the hottie cop and the small town. Mike Romo, or Officer Romeo, has a reputation for being gruff and by the book. The first few times he ran into Rachel, it had me laughing. She gets tickets on numerous occasions from Mike for various traffic violations. Each time she’s shocked that he won’t just let her go. He hates speeders. She’s returning to town for a brief visit to her Grandma Edna’s orchard to help her out. She’s been living in Chicago for the past 15 years building a successful career in advertising. She doesn’t plan on actually enjoying her time in Destiny, with Edna, and especially doesn’t plan on falling for Mike.
This whole book is wonderful! We get to meet a lot more of the Destiny townspeople, and there is also a secondary story with Edna, which is told in flashbacks. Edna was a riot! Any grama that openly talks about her sex life, and doesn’t miss an episode of Bret Michaels’ Rock of Love, is awesome in my book!
The steam factor is high! Ms. Blake can certainly write a hot love scene, and there plenty of them.
June 3, 2010
This was a great book! I absolutely can't wait to see what other characters of Destiny will get their own stories! I reckon Lucky will be back in his own book - and he's going to be one f'ed up bad boy. Can't wait.... but I'll have to seeing as Blake releases a book once every ... year! Oi.
Ok, fabulous cover. Every time I looked at it I felt calm and serene. It works well with the story with Rachel coming from "the big city" to help her Grandma in the slower paced "small town". Also, the title and the picture are a reminder of both Edna's story and how important the property is to the tale.
In this book, specifically, I LOVED the dynamic between the H/h. Often in books with love/hate themes the interacts tend to always veer towards hateful even when it's lusty. I really didn't get that from Mike and Rachel. The "hate" part was apart of their awareness of each other, sort of a "I dislike you on principle, but I am annoyed with you right now because I notice you are here and I can't ignore you", rather than a bone deep sort of "I hate you because of who you are, but I hate who you are because I misunderstand you". See the difference?
Anywhoooo - the development of the romance was also nice. Again, I liked how Rachel and Mike interacted.
Something about Toni Blake, she loves couples who have lots of sex, and Mike and Rachel are no exception. I won't lie, I skimmed through a couple of the less pivotal sex scenes. There were so many!
I wasn't overly found of Edna's love story. I was curious about her, sure. And I enjoyed reading it once it was over, but while reading the book I really felt that Edna's flashbacks got in the way. I kept thinking "move over Edna, you're blocking Mike and Rachel and I can't see what they're doing" (oh ... erm yes. I read to be a voyeur). I found the whole flashback thing to be an interesting element, but I didn't enjoy reading through it. Does that make sense?
This book doesn't disappoint. I am rating this 4/5 because I consider 5 star to indicate books that I will re-read and I am not sure that I will pick this up again. BUT I will be looking forward to more installments, and again, Blake writes a great story!
Ok, fabulous cover. Every time I looked at it I felt calm and serene. It works well with the story with Rachel coming from "the big city" to help her Grandma in the slower paced "small town". Also, the title and the picture are a reminder of both Edna's story and how important the property is to the tale.
In this book, specifically, I LOVED the dynamic between the H/h. Often in books with love/hate themes the interacts tend to always veer towards hateful even when it's lusty. I really didn't get that from Mike and Rachel. The "hate" part was apart of their awareness of each other, sort of a "I dislike you on principle, but I am annoyed with you right now because I notice you are here and I can't ignore you", rather than a bone deep sort of "I hate you because of who you are, but I hate who you are because I misunderstand you". See the difference?
Anywhoooo - the development of the romance was also nice. Again, I liked how Rachel and Mike interacted.
Something about Toni Blake, she loves couples who have lots of sex, and Mike and Rachel are no exception. I won't lie, I skimmed through a couple of the less pivotal sex scenes. There were so many!
I wasn't overly found of Edna's love story. I was curious about her, sure. And I enjoyed reading it once it was over, but while reading the book I really felt that Edna's flashbacks got in the way. I kept thinking "move over Edna, you're blocking Mike and Rachel and I can't see what they're doing" (oh ... erm yes. I read to be a voyeur). I found the whole flashback thing to be an interesting element, but I didn't enjoy reading through it. Does that make sense?
This book doesn't disappoint. I am rating this 4/5 because I consider 5 star to indicate books that I will re-read and I am not sure that I will pick this up again. BUT I will be looking forward to more installments, and again, Blake writes a great story!
February 4, 2013
4.5 stars!
This book shouldn't have taken me so long to read, but life got in the way and I was constantly having to put it on hold. I hated doing it because I LOVED IT!
I now have a new "go-to" favorite romance author! Toni Blake is a new author to me and when I started reading this story, I knew immediately that I liked her style. Her MC's, Rachel Farris and Mike Romo are the farthest from compatible two people could be. Rachel is the big city girl who's back in town to help her grandmother's apple orchard stay afloat and Mike is the small town cop who hates people who break the law. Two speeding tickets later, and Rachel is furious with this grumpy-ass (and yes, HOT), cop who takes his job way too seriously; and Mike can't wait to nab this (admittedly attractive), woman again just to teach her a lesson. Soon, they will have to work together for the community and what happens next not only surprises them, but makes things entirely too complicated for two people who aren't looking for a relationship, much less a commitment.
This was a really fun and sexy read. It flowed, it made me laugh, and it made me glad that even though romances can be somewhat predictable, there could be so many elements of surprise and realistic twists and turns. The ending was slightly rushed, although, I know endings can be the toughest part of a book for most authors. I will definitely keep this author on my radar from now on. She's THAT good!
This book shouldn't have taken me so long to read, but life got in the way and I was constantly having to put it on hold. I hated doing it because I LOVED IT!
I now have a new "go-to" favorite romance author! Toni Blake is a new author to me and when I started reading this story, I knew immediately that I liked her style. Her MC's, Rachel Farris and Mike Romo are the farthest from compatible two people could be. Rachel is the big city girl who's back in town to help her grandmother's apple orchard stay afloat and Mike is the small town cop who hates people who break the law. Two speeding tickets later, and Rachel is furious with this grumpy-ass (and yes, HOT), cop who takes his job way too seriously; and Mike can't wait to nab this (admittedly attractive), woman again just to teach her a lesson. Soon, they will have to work together for the community and what happens next not only surprises them, but makes things entirely too complicated for two people who aren't looking for a relationship, much less a commitment.
This was a really fun and sexy read. It flowed, it made me laugh, and it made me glad that even though romances can be somewhat predictable, there could be so many elements of surprise and realistic twists and turns. The ending was slightly rushed, although, I know endings can be the toughest part of a book for most authors. I will definitely keep this author on my radar from now on. She's THAT good!
March 27, 2010
Wonderful, sexy read. I loved how Toni Blake breathed new life into the opposites attract trope, pairing up ambitious city girl, Rachel Farris, with straight-arrow small town cop, Mike Romo. Alongside Rachel and Mike's story, Rachel's grandmother, Edna (who is hilarious, BTW), tells the story of how the Farris/Romo feud started, and how the Farris family ended up with the Romo apple farm. Watching Mike and Rachel reveal themselves to one another, layer by layer, secret by secret was surprisingly poignant. And the chemistry between these two sparks off the page. By the end of the book I was cheering them on to their HEA. With a colorful cast of locals, including a fat cat named Shakespeare, lovers of Robyn Carr's Virgin River series will adore this second installment in the Destiny, Ohio series. I can't wait to see who is up next!
May 26, 2010
Absolutely LOVED IT!!! Definitely my favorite so far in the Destiny series. Mike and Rachel made such a wonderful couple. I really hope Toni Blake allows them to appear in future books. Their constant nitpicking with one another had me laughing out loud (especially regarding the speeding tickets). The sexual tension between these too made me fan myself on several occasions - hoo boy!!
Can't wait to read more about this lovely town!!!
Can't wait to read more about this lovely town!!!
February 10, 2011
SUGAR CREEK
Sugar creek is the second in the Destiny Novels. In this book we meet to families the Romo’s and the Farris’s – two families that have been at odd as long as anyone in town can remember.
Rachel returns to Destiny to help out her Grandma with the family Apply Orchid. To begin with Rachel is pissed that she has to leave her high rise condo and high powered job in Chicago as an ad exec ( right when her job is on the line) to come right back to the place that she has been running from her whole life.
Mike is hands down the hottest cop in town – mind you that might have something to do with the fact that he is one of only two and the other is 60 in the shade. But where Mike is a good cop, he is defiantly a bad boy. With a reputation for being gruff as a cop but being able to pull in a different lady everynight.
So the story starts with Rachel breezing back into town but is pulled down for speeding but the drool worthy cop Mike. But even though there is a huge amount of animosity between the pair, there is also major sparks flying. After the pair are locked in a concession both, Mike decides that they ‘need to get it out of their systems, and just do it’, now here is where I will applaud Toni Blake – in her first novel we were meant to be believe that the romance was soooo hot that a condom was easily forgotten, and I know that she got a lot of flak for that. But here in the hot and heavy confines of a concession stand both adults responsibly remember to glove up. But that was the only time. Of course, it never really ‘get out of their system’ and the two end up bonking like rabbits all over Destiny.
The whole time that Rachel and Mike are getting hot and heavy they are both trying to deal with personal issues in their life.
Rachel doesn’t want to apologize for wanting and having a career but is felt burden with her family’s financial difficulties. She got away from Destiny a long time ago and even though this thing between her and Mike might be more than ‘just sex’, she still can’t bring herself to admit it. But during the course of her stay you see the change in Rachel. She realizes there is more to the high powered job and the high rise. She has friends in Destiny, family and most of all a freaking hot cop in uniform to call her own, Mike.
Mike is dealing with a sad tragedy from his past. People see him as a very hot tempered guy, but beneath all that there is a huge heart. Mike family up and left years ago, but Mike had his reason for sticking round.
Both Rachel and Mike annoyed me in that way that they just kept insisting that what was between them was just a fling. It was nice though to watch as they begun to realize that they meant more to each other than they originally though. It was a nice, sweet romance – and the sex was sizzling!!
Throughout the story you get to hear the real story behind the Romo and Ferris feud. Told by, Grandma Edna. I found this story so beautiful but at the same time it broke my heart. I found myself counting ahead in the book to see where the next part of the story was going to be told. I envied the relationship between Edna and Rachel – it was beautifully written.
Overall, I really liked this book better than the first. I cannot wait now to read the third in the series that is already waiting patiently for me on my bookshelf.
Sugar creek is the second in the Destiny Novels. In this book we meet to families the Romo’s and the Farris’s – two families that have been at odd as long as anyone in town can remember.
Rachel returns to Destiny to help out her Grandma with the family Apply Orchid. To begin with Rachel is pissed that she has to leave her high rise condo and high powered job in Chicago as an ad exec ( right when her job is on the line) to come right back to the place that she has been running from her whole life.
Mike is hands down the hottest cop in town – mind you that might have something to do with the fact that he is one of only two and the other is 60 in the shade. But where Mike is a good cop, he is defiantly a bad boy. With a reputation for being gruff as a cop but being able to pull in a different lady everynight.
So the story starts with Rachel breezing back into town but is pulled down for speeding but the drool worthy cop Mike. But even though there is a huge amount of animosity between the pair, there is also major sparks flying. After the pair are locked in a concession both, Mike decides that they ‘need to get it out of their systems, and just do it’, now here is where I will applaud Toni Blake – in her first novel we were meant to be believe that the romance was soooo hot that a condom was easily forgotten, and I know that she got a lot of flak for that. But here in the hot and heavy confines of a concession stand both adults responsibly remember to glove up. But that was the only time. Of course, it never really ‘get out of their system’ and the two end up bonking like rabbits all over Destiny.
The whole time that Rachel and Mike are getting hot and heavy they are both trying to deal with personal issues in their life.
Rachel doesn’t want to apologize for wanting and having a career but is felt burden with her family’s financial difficulties. She got away from Destiny a long time ago and even though this thing between her and Mike might be more than ‘just sex’, she still can’t bring herself to admit it. But during the course of her stay you see the change in Rachel. She realizes there is more to the high powered job and the high rise. She has friends in Destiny, family and most of all a freaking hot cop in uniform to call her own, Mike.
Mike is dealing with a sad tragedy from his past. People see him as a very hot tempered guy, but beneath all that there is a huge heart. Mike family up and left years ago, but Mike had his reason for sticking round.
Both Rachel and Mike annoyed me in that way that they just kept insisting that what was between them was just a fling. It was nice though to watch as they begun to realize that they meant more to each other than they originally though. It was a nice, sweet romance – and the sex was sizzling!!
Throughout the story you get to hear the real story behind the Romo and Ferris feud. Told by, Grandma Edna. I found this story so beautiful but at the same time it broke my heart. I found myself counting ahead in the book to see where the next part of the story was going to be told. I envied the relationship between Edna and Rachel – it was beautifully written.
Overall, I really liked this book better than the first. I cannot wait now to read the third in the series that is already waiting patiently for me on my bookshelf.
June 4, 2010
The second installment in the Destiny series and it did not disappoint. Whew! There were brief mentions of Rachel Farris and Mike Romo in "One Reckless Summer" (the first in this series), but because Rachel's character never appeared before, she was practically new. Rachel was firmly established in Chicago and had no intention of ever going back to the small town she grew up in. But, when her Grandma Edna called for help with the Farris Apple Orchard, she ducked tail and came home. Just like that, wanna be bad-boy Mike Romo (AKA Romeo), started giving her speeding tickets for her lead foot and the sparks flew.
The first intimate scene between the H/h was one of the hottest, sexiest scene I have ever read. Oh my! From that point on, whenever these two got together, they did so in the biblical sense.
While picking apples, Grandma Edna recounted her own life story of love, loss and how she became the owner of the apple orchard that orginally belonged to Mike Romo's Italian grandfather.
For the most part, Rachel and Mike were likable enough, but Rachel didn't get off her high horse fast enough for me. Would liked for her to have stopped with her job worries, thoughts of getting out of town. She looked down on the town and though the book didn't go into it, I felt she looked down on the people, too. Her attitude bugged me. Would liked for the two main characters to have communicated better earlier in the story, too.
There were brief mentions of Mike Brody and Jenny (from the first book) and a few other characters, including Chief Tolliver. The girlfriends: Sue Ann, Tessa, and Amy all played fairly active roles and Logan Whitaker was introduced. He should make an interesting main character....
As the series has progressed, I have been reminded--very loosely and in a good way--of Robyn Carr's Virgin River series. Small town charm and all that.
Nicely written, but for the occasional missing word here and there.
The first intimate scene between the H/h was one of the hottest, sexiest scene I have ever read. Oh my! From that point on, whenever these two got together, they did so in the biblical sense.
While picking apples, Grandma Edna recounted her own life story of love, loss and how she became the owner of the apple orchard that orginally belonged to Mike Romo's Italian grandfather.
For the most part, Rachel and Mike were likable enough, but Rachel didn't get off her high horse fast enough for me. Would liked for her to have stopped with her job worries, thoughts of getting out of town. She looked down on the town and though the book didn't go into it, I felt she looked down on the people, too. Her attitude bugged me. Would liked for the two main characters to have communicated better earlier in the story, too.
There were brief mentions of Mike Brody and Jenny (from the first book) and a few other characters, including Chief Tolliver. The girlfriends: Sue Ann, Tessa, and Amy all played fairly active roles and Logan Whitaker was introduced. He should make an interesting main character....
As the series has progressed, I have been reminded--very loosely and in a good way--of Robyn Carr's Virgin River series. Small town charm and all that.
Nicely written, but for the occasional missing word here and there.
May 26, 2010
I'm am a fan of Toni Blake's for life. She sure know's how to write a great story. I'm rating this book a 4 1/2 stars and not 5 stars because I really did not like the way The H&H refused to realize their feelings for each other. Once they started to wonder why they felt the way they did it was much better for me. The secondary story of Edna, Giovanni and Eddie was really good. I felt like Rachel did every time Edna stopped telling the story thinking why did Edna stop and I wanted more now. This book made me laugh, cry, smile and the sex/love scenes were really HOT and well done. I had this feeling that something BIG was gonna happen and it kinda sorta did. I just felt that part of the book was a little rushed for me and maybe Toni could have cut something else from the book to make room for that part and not rushed it through. All that being said, I really liked/loved this book. I look forward to the next book in this series Whisper Falls in January 2011.
July 2, 2011
Hmm, big-city career woman returns to small home town and runs afoul of hot local law enforcement… now where have I run into that plot before? Oh right, every third contemporary romance I’ve ever read. This was well-written, but didn’t rise above its stale premise otherwise. The primary relationship is all about two semi-enemies having sex and there just wasn't any reason for me to be interested in them constantly going at it. I skimmed over a lot of nookie. The secondary love story was interesting, but brief.
June 20, 2010
I liked this book, but at the same time, I could have liked it more. So it was a pretty solid four-stars for me. It was good, but not as good as the first one, at least for me.
Series Note:
Second book in Blake's "Destiny" series. This one can be read as a standalone.
Summary:
Rachel Farris left Destiny, OH, as soon as she could as a teenager. She went to college and moved on to a great job, thinking to never look back on her small-town roots. But the her grandmother calls and asks her to come home for a while to help with the fall harvest at the family's declining apple orchard. Though Rachel thinks her grandma Edna is just lonely, she goes. Promptly upon entering the town limits, Rachel is pulled over for speeding by Officer Mike Romo...as in the Romo family that has been feuding with the Farris family for years.
Mike hates law breakers and reckless drivers, so he doesn't hesitate to give Rachel a ticket. But the encounter kicks off a steamy, acrimonious relationship between the two, who can't seem to keep their hands off each other. The love/hate relationship grows more toward love the more time Rachel spends in Destiny, but she believes nothing could come of it because she's got a life in Chicago to get back to. Right?
Review:
For those of you who read the first book in this series One Reckless Summer, this story is a similar type with a local girl returning home for one reason or another and getting involved with the last person they should get involved with.
In this case, Rachel is a Destiny native who wanted a big-city life, which she gets. But once she returns for the first time since she left, she finds that she likes the small town life a lot more than she thought she would. And that the Romos are as bad as she thought...especially sexy cop Mike.
The romance between the two is steamy hot and definitely keeps the pages sizzling. One of my issues with this book, though, was the character of Rachel, or rather how it was played out through the book. I didn't dislike Rachel, but I didn't find her entirely likable. I thought she was a bit snotty and snobby when it came to her big city life compared to life in Destiny. I just got annoyed with her more often than not.
I also thought there was a bit too much repetition on Rachel's thoughts, dislike and conflict about being in Destiny. There just seemed to be a lot of narrative focusing on her thinking about how she was just temporarily in Destiny, she had a life to get back to, she loved her job, etc etc etc. It got rather old after a while.
But I did like the whole small-town setting, getting to know other characters, the apple harvesting thing and all that. I'm usually a big fan of small town stories. They appeal to me.
There was also a thing in the story with Grandma Edna telling about how the Romo/Farris feud started with Edna giving flashbacks to earlier in her life. I did think I would like that part, but it was actually rather interesting. One thing I would have liked, though, was if Mike had gotten to learn the story, what with him being a Romo.
Another thing I wished was that Jenny and Mick from the first book had a bigger role. They were hardly used at all and I wanted to catch up with them more. But that's just me. I love character connections between books. Blake does do a great job, though, or setting up other characters...Tessa's illness and how it changed her life...looking forward to learning more about that...and I'm guessing there is a romance brewing between shy, naive Amy and best friend Logan. That should be an interesting story.
So there were things I liked about this book, and things that bugged me (mostly Rachel at times). For me, it was good, but not as good as the first book in the series.
Series Note:
Second book in Blake's "Destiny" series. This one can be read as a standalone.
Summary:
Rachel Farris left Destiny, OH, as soon as she could as a teenager. She went to college and moved on to a great job, thinking to never look back on her small-town roots. But the her grandmother calls and asks her to come home for a while to help with the fall harvest at the family's declining apple orchard. Though Rachel thinks her grandma Edna is just lonely, she goes. Promptly upon entering the town limits, Rachel is pulled over for speeding by Officer Mike Romo...as in the Romo family that has been feuding with the Farris family for years.
Mike hates law breakers and reckless drivers, so he doesn't hesitate to give Rachel a ticket. But the encounter kicks off a steamy, acrimonious relationship between the two, who can't seem to keep their hands off each other. The love/hate relationship grows more toward love the more time Rachel spends in Destiny, but she believes nothing could come of it because she's got a life in Chicago to get back to. Right?
Review:
For those of you who read the first book in this series One Reckless Summer, this story is a similar type with a local girl returning home for one reason or another and getting involved with the last person they should get involved with.
In this case, Rachel is a Destiny native who wanted a big-city life, which she gets. But once she returns for the first time since she left, she finds that she likes the small town life a lot more than she thought she would. And that the Romos are as bad as she thought...especially sexy cop Mike.
The romance between the two is steamy hot and definitely keeps the pages sizzling. One of my issues with this book, though, was the character of Rachel, or rather how it was played out through the book. I didn't dislike Rachel, but I didn't find her entirely likable. I thought she was a bit snotty and snobby when it came to her big city life compared to life in Destiny. I just got annoyed with her more often than not.
I also thought there was a bit too much repetition on Rachel's thoughts, dislike and conflict about being in Destiny. There just seemed to be a lot of narrative focusing on her thinking about how she was just temporarily in Destiny, she had a life to get back to, she loved her job, etc etc etc. It got rather old after a while.
But I did like the whole small-town setting, getting to know other characters, the apple harvesting thing and all that. I'm usually a big fan of small town stories. They appeal to me.
There was also a thing in the story with Grandma Edna telling about how the Romo/Farris feud started with Edna giving flashbacks to earlier in her life. I did think I would like that part, but it was actually rather interesting. One thing I would have liked, though, was if Mike had gotten to learn the story, what with him being a Romo.
Another thing I wished was that Jenny and Mick from the first book had a bigger role. They were hardly used at all and I wanted to catch up with them more. But that's just me. I love character connections between books. Blake does do a great job, though, or setting up other characters...Tessa's illness and how it changed her life...looking forward to learning more about that...and I'm guessing there is a romance brewing between shy, naive Amy and best friend Logan. That should be an interesting story.
So there were things I liked about this book, and things that bugged me (mostly Rachel at times). For me, it was good, but not as good as the first book in the series.
July 20, 2011
This is the 2nd installment in Toni Blake’s Destiny Series and it is the story of Rachel Farris and Mike Romo. The Farris and Romo families have upheld a long time feud that began with Rachel and Mike’s grandparents. And from the very first pages these two clash head on and things only get hotter as the story progresses.
Rachel Farris hasn’t been back home in over fifteen years. Being summoned by her grandmother, Edna Farris, Rachel takes a leave from her high powered career in Chicago and returns to Destiny to help with the Farris Apple Orchard. Her plan is to go in help grandma Edna and quickly depart. This smart, sassy and independent woman needed to get back to the life she loved. And even though she loved her grandma and her friends here, she’d worked hard to leave everything small town about herself behind!
The author introduces us to another swoon worthy hero, Mike Romo. He is a police officer in Destiny and takes his responsibilities seriously. His goal is to keep this town as safe as possible for all those who live and visit here. Tall, handsome, hot, sexy and deliciously masculine, who could not love this gorgeous man with those sexy brown bedroom eyes?
And as these two strong, independent characters meet at the very beginning, sparks fly…and the angst is on! There are several factors as to why these two clash, one being the family feud. But even in the midst of their dislike for each other, there is an intense, sensual electrical current and desire rages; sizzling heat that can’t be stopped:)
While this is another smokin’ hot romance, full of angst and sizzle, there is a heart wrenching element that grabbed me and I fell more in love with our hero. He is such a tortured soul. Tormented from a tragedy from his past, this is a man wrought with guilt and regret.
There was more of a small town feel in this one and I quickly felt the camaraderie between friends and family, making me like this place. There is a secondary story that I truly enjoyed and found myself wanting to turn the pages to see how it would end. And I loved finding out how the feud started between these two families.
Another sexy, hot poignant romance! I can’t wait to read the 3rd installment, Whisper Falls!
Rachel Farris hasn’t been back home in over fifteen years. Being summoned by her grandmother, Edna Farris, Rachel takes a leave from her high powered career in Chicago and returns to Destiny to help with the Farris Apple Orchard. Her plan is to go in help grandma Edna and quickly depart. This smart, sassy and independent woman needed to get back to the life she loved. And even though she loved her grandma and her friends here, she’d worked hard to leave everything small town about herself behind!
The author introduces us to another swoon worthy hero, Mike Romo. He is a police officer in Destiny and takes his responsibilities seriously. His goal is to keep this town as safe as possible for all those who live and visit here. Tall, handsome, hot, sexy and deliciously masculine, who could not love this gorgeous man with those sexy brown bedroom eyes?
And as these two strong, independent characters meet at the very beginning, sparks fly…and the angst is on! There are several factors as to why these two clash, one being the family feud. But even in the midst of their dislike for each other, there is an intense, sensual electrical current and desire rages; sizzling heat that can’t be stopped:)
While this is another smokin’ hot romance, full of angst and sizzle, there is a heart wrenching element that grabbed me and I fell more in love with our hero. He is such a tortured soul. Tormented from a tragedy from his past, this is a man wrought with guilt and regret.
There was more of a small town feel in this one and I quickly felt the camaraderie between friends and family, making me like this place. There is a secondary story that I truly enjoyed and found myself wanting to turn the pages to see how it would end. And I loved finding out how the feud started between these two families.
Another sexy, hot poignant romance! I can’t wait to read the 3rd installment, Whisper Falls!
March 26, 2011
Best Book In This Series! Whoo Hoo!
It's a love/hate relationship between Rachel Farris and Mike Romo.
I loved the Hot Bad Boy Snooty Cop from the previous book One Reckless Summer but Mike was just sooooo much hotter arrogant and everything nice in this book...I LOVED! I LOVED IT,I LOVED IT! Lolz!
As for Rachel,I Loved her just the same.Her attitude, bad behavior and smart potty mouth kept me on my toes.A woman that's not afraid to back mouth a cop and tells it like it is. That's my kinda Heroine!
Oh! Let me not forget Edna,Rachel's grandmother;another character in this novel that I loved! She is funny,intelligent and all full of secrets!
Well for starters here's just a small glimpse of what the books is about. Edna Rachel's grandmother calls and asks her for a favor to help harvest apples from her Apple Orchid business for their fall festival.In which that business is what started a family feud between Rachel & Mike's family "The Ferris & Romo's" for over 50 years. Looks Like Grandma Edna Ferris & Giovanni Romo (Mike's grandfather) were hot for one another back in the days. Until Giovanni decides to be the bad boy that he is & Edna acts out and takes back the farm that Giovanni had given to her as a promise to her that he would come back and marry her.That's where all the drama and family feud begins.Nothing ever turns out the way we expect it to be. I didn't feel bad for Giovanni at all,he deserved being treated that way after the things he did.
Anywhoo....Back on topic here.....Mike and Rachel obviously have an attraction between one another. Really to the point where I can feel the hot steamy tension between the two.Goodness!The whole family feud scenerio doesn't help neither,their bickering,and teasing clashed the entire time in this novel. So I was so surprised when they warm up to each other and talk about their pasts and present fears/problems. I would never have thought these too could actually get a long and fall in love. I guess anythings possible.
I really loved this novel & hope to enjoy the next book the same,although I don't think anyone can fight off my attraction and liking for Mike,He's just that HOT and undeniably attractive!
My Thanks and Review goes to Miss Kim She rec'd an incredible series which I loved! I can't believe it took me so long to finish up this series,but it was so worth it! Thanks Kim! XOXO's
Love,
Chichi's Girl! *winks* LOL!
It's a love/hate relationship between Rachel Farris and Mike Romo.
I loved the Hot Bad Boy Snooty Cop from the previous book One Reckless Summer but Mike was just sooooo much hotter arrogant and everything nice in this book...I LOVED! I LOVED IT,I LOVED IT! Lolz!
As for Rachel,I Loved her just the same.Her attitude, bad behavior and smart potty mouth kept me on my toes.A woman that's not afraid to back mouth a cop and tells it like it is. That's my kinda Heroine!
Oh! Let me not forget Edna,Rachel's grandmother;another character in this novel that I loved! She is funny,intelligent and all full of secrets!
Well for starters here's just a small glimpse of what the books is about. Edna Rachel's grandmother calls and asks her for a favor to help harvest apples from her Apple Orchid business for their fall festival.In which that business is what started a family feud between Rachel & Mike's family "The Ferris & Romo's" for over 50 years. Looks Like Grandma Edna Ferris & Giovanni Romo (Mike's grandfather) were hot for one another back in the days. Until Giovanni decides to be the bad boy that he is & Edna acts out and takes back the farm that Giovanni had given to her as a promise to her that he would come back and marry her.That's where all the drama and family feud begins.Nothing ever turns out the way we expect it to be. I didn't feel bad for Giovanni at all,he deserved being treated that way after the things he did.
Anywhoo....Back on topic here.....Mike and Rachel obviously have an attraction between one another. Really to the point where I can feel the hot steamy tension between the two.Goodness!The whole family feud scenerio doesn't help neither,their bickering,and teasing clashed the entire time in this novel. So I was so surprised when they warm up to each other and talk about their pasts and present fears/problems. I would never have thought these too could actually get a long and fall in love. I guess anythings possible.
I really loved this novel & hope to enjoy the next book the same,although I don't think anyone can fight off my attraction and liking for Mike,He's just that HOT and undeniably attractive!
My Thanks and Review goes to Miss Kim She rec'd an incredible series which I loved! I can't believe it took me so long to finish up this series,but it was so worth it! Thanks Kim! XOXO's
Love,
Chichi's Girl! *winks* LOL!
September 7, 2012
Yeah, that's right. I read a romance novel. And here's how it went: I opened the book, read 30 or so pages, realized it wasn't going to work, checked to make sure no one was looking and skipped ahead to the good stuff. No lie, no shame.
I don't really know how to review this book. Part of me wants to tear it to shreds and the other (more forgiving) part knows its not really supposed to be taken that seriously. But I think that's an insult to writing, excusing a book because its a romance novel and everyone knows romance novels are formulaic...its just for fun! But I've read "just for fun" books that had been well written. Fun does not actually mean you get to slack off on the writing department. Oh, look. I seem to have made up my mind. I'm going to beat the shit out of this book.
I'm kidding. Its not hideously unreadable, hence the generous two star rating. But...its kind of like a Nicholas Sparks novel except the scene doesn't end after a chaste embrace. No, it keeps going and the story and characters unfold themselves in more ways than one. This book, and I apologize to readers of this genre, reinforced all the stereotypes and "bad rap" that romance novels get. It was absurdly clichéd and deplorably predictable. I called it after reading the summary. Either I'm right or I'm fucking brilliant. What say you? No, don't answer that.
Look, the moral of this tale is that getting some is the only permissible excuse for breaking the law. Otherwise you get a ticket.
I don't know, dude. Like I said I skipped ahead to the good stuff like a true pervert. Hey, I paid a dollar for this book, I wanted my money's worth! And yeah, that's exactly what I got.
I don't really know how to review this book. Part of me wants to tear it to shreds and the other (more forgiving) part knows its not really supposed to be taken that seriously. But I think that's an insult to writing, excusing a book because its a romance novel and everyone knows romance novels are formulaic...its just for fun! But I've read "just for fun" books that had been well written. Fun does not actually mean you get to slack off on the writing department. Oh, look. I seem to have made up my mind. I'm going to beat the shit out of this book.
I'm kidding. Its not hideously unreadable, hence the generous two star rating. But...its kind of like a Nicholas Sparks novel except the scene doesn't end after a chaste embrace. No, it keeps going and the story and characters unfold themselves in more ways than one. This book, and I apologize to readers of this genre, reinforced all the stereotypes and "bad rap" that romance novels get. It was absurdly clichéd and deplorably predictable. I called it after reading the summary. Either I'm right or I'm fucking brilliant. What say you? No, don't answer that.
Look, the moral of this tale is that getting some is the only permissible excuse for breaking the law. Otherwise you get a ticket.
I don't know, dude. Like I said I skipped ahead to the good stuff like a true pervert. Hey, I paid a dollar for this book, I wanted my money's worth! And yeah, that's exactly what I got.
May 10, 2011
I just love stories with a small town settings (probably because I never lived in one). And Toni Blake's small towns are usually all likable and believable. But I hate the town of SEP's
though.
Anyhoo, Mike and Rachel are explosives together. I loved them and their humping sessions. Absolutely sizzling and eventful. It must be the water in Destiny because Mick and Jenny's sex scenes in
were phenomenal too. And I bet you Mike's leopard print boxers that Tessa is gonna get lucky too (pun intended) in
.
I hope Sue Ann gets her own book too in the future. That woman just cracks me up.
though. Anyhoo, Mike and Rachel are explosives together. I loved them and their humping sessions. Absolutely sizzling and eventful. It must be the water in Destiny because Mick and Jenny's sex scenes in
were phenomenal too. And I bet you Mike's leopard print boxers that Tessa is gonna get lucky too (pun intended) in
.I hope Sue Ann gets her own book too in the future. That woman just cracks me up.
March 23, 2012
2.5 stars...
I feel really bad giving this book a lower star rating. I really liked One Reckless Summer but there was just something missing from the second book in the Destiny series.
In Sugar Creek Rachel Farris comes back to Destiny to help her grandma Edna harvest this years apples. Rachel lives in Chicago and is proud that she escaped Destiny and has a high power job in an up and coming ad agency. She's living the dream but her job may not be all the perfect. Enter Mike Romo, hard edges cop who hates speeders and law breakers. The Romo and Farris clans have been fighting over Edna's apply orchard for years and that just makes Rachel and Mike love affaire more interesting.
So, why the 2.5 star rating you ask? Well, I could not relate to Rachel. It's more the way she was written, there was just something missing from her character. I could not emphasize with her because her problems were so minimal and I felt like Miss Blake wrote her character with too much perfection. Then there was the odd penis references. Now keep in mind, i've heard it all. Here are a few of my favorites: Trouser Snake and Stiffy. Really! Then there was the sex, again, something was lacking there too.
Hands down the best part of Sugar Creek was Edna. She's smart, sassy, confident and honest. The way that Miss Blake was able to weave Edna's love story into her and Rachel picking apples was wonderful. I found myself skimming the part with Rachel and Mike to get to more Edna.
The whole town of Destiny just intrigues me. I've enjoyed reading about all the other hot men and sweet women who live there. I'm still planning on reading the rest of this series...
I feel really bad giving this book a lower star rating. I really liked One Reckless Summer but there was just something missing from the second book in the Destiny series.
In Sugar Creek Rachel Farris comes back to Destiny to help her grandma Edna harvest this years apples. Rachel lives in Chicago and is proud that she escaped Destiny and has a high power job in an up and coming ad agency. She's living the dream but her job may not be all the perfect. Enter Mike Romo, hard edges cop who hates speeders and law breakers. The Romo and Farris clans have been fighting over Edna's apply orchard for years and that just makes Rachel and Mike love affaire more interesting.
So, why the 2.5 star rating you ask? Well, I could not relate to Rachel. It's more the way she was written, there was just something missing from her character. I could not emphasize with her because her problems were so minimal and I felt like Miss Blake wrote her character with too much perfection. Then there was the odd penis references. Now keep in mind, i've heard it all. Here are a few of my favorites: Trouser Snake and Stiffy. Really! Then there was the sex, again, something was lacking there too.
... his bedroom eyes suddenly got a little more bedroomy, and he spoke a bit slower, voice deeper.
Hands down the best part of Sugar Creek was Edna. She's smart, sassy, confident and honest. The way that Miss Blake was able to weave Edna's love story into her and Rachel picking apples was wonderful. I found myself skimming the part with Rachel and Mike to get to more Edna.
The whole town of Destiny just intrigues me. I've enjoyed reading about all the other hot men and sweet women who live there. I'm still planning on reading the rest of this series...
March 15, 2015
I feel like I should give a disclaimer with my review. I am not a fan of the enemies-to-lovers theme. Where others see banter filled with repressed sexual desire, I see annoying sniping. I also don’t get the whole “can’t stand him/her but want to jump his/her bones” thing.
I skimmed a few times, mostly in the first half. About 65% through the book, Rachel and Mike start being nicer to each other and having meaningful conversations. My rating for the book started to rise as a result.
I didn’t like Rachel; I didn’t hate or dislike her. She’s got a bit of a hard shell and takes a while to warm up. She makes a big deal about how much she likes her job and is trying to save it that the ending rang false for me.
The hero of this book is named Mike. The hero of the previous book, One Reckless Summer, is named Mick. I read these books back to back and the name drove me nuts.
I did not like the way the flashbacks were written. I think they could’ve been integrated into the story better. I also think the author missed an opportunity to utilize Eddie as a secondary romance. At the very least I would’ve liked a scene between Edna and Eddie after Giovanni returned.
With so many things I disliked, I don’t want to give the impression that it wasn’t a good book. Once the leads became a couple I quite liked the romance. I particularly enjoyed the speeding scene that followed.
The cast of secondary characters is large but I didn’t feel like there was sequel baiting. I do, however, hope to see Logan as a hero (possibly with Amy as his heroine).
I skimmed a few times, mostly in the first half. About 65% through the book, Rachel and Mike start being nicer to each other and having meaningful conversations. My rating for the book started to rise as a result.
I didn’t like Rachel; I didn’t hate or dislike her. She’s got a bit of a hard shell and takes a while to warm up. She makes a big deal about how much she likes her job and is trying to save it that the ending rang false for me.
The hero of this book is named Mike. The hero of the previous book, One Reckless Summer, is named Mick. I read these books back to back and the name drove me nuts.
I did not like the way the flashbacks were written. I think they could’ve been integrated into the story better. I also think the author missed an opportunity to utilize Eddie as a secondary romance. At the very least I would’ve liked a scene between Edna and Eddie after Giovanni returned.
With so many things I disliked, I don’t want to give the impression that it wasn’t a good book. Once the leads became a couple I quite liked the romance. I particularly enjoyed the speeding scene that followed.
The cast of secondary characters is large but I didn’t feel like there was sequel baiting. I do, however, hope to see Logan as a hero (possibly with Amy as his heroine).
November 28, 2010
I totally loved this book, said with a big sigh and fluttery heart! You cannot help but love, love, love the characters in this quaint little town called Destiny. From the big city girl to the small town, tough as nails deputy--who, I might add takes his job seriously all the way to the end of the book! So, not only was mike and Rachel's story hot and sexy and romantic and frustrating, but the side story romance from years ago, told by her grandmother, Edna was just as touching.
It was an emotional book, at times, I felt elation to the point of bursting and other times my heart ached for the decisions they had to make and emotions the characters had to deal with. I was so excited to find out some of the little mysteries, but so sad when it was over. Loved it! It's a new fave!
✳✳ Reviewed on I ♥ Bookie Nookie Reviews
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It was an emotional book, at times, I felt elation to the point of bursting and other times my heart ached for the decisions they had to make and emotions the characters had to deal with. I was so excited to find out some of the little mysteries, but so sad when it was over. Loved it! It's a new fave!
✳✳ Reviewed on I ♥ Bookie Nookie Reviews
___________________________________________________
If you like this type of book, you might enjoy one of these groups. Check us out!
Menage Readers
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June 10, 2010
I loved this book! Even more than ONE RECKLESS SUMMER, which was the first in this series about Destiny, OH. It's a love/hate relationship between Rachel Farris and Mike Romo, who strike sparks of Hate? Love? Attraction? off each other from the moment she hits her hometown of Destiny to help her grandmother with the apple harvest. Add a family fued between the Farris' and the Romo's, him being a hot cop and her being a gorgeous woman with a smart mouth, and you've got some hot stuff going on ;) Toni always writes some sizzling romance and I like a lot that she puts in some stuff from the man's perspective which I TOTALLY appreciate. It adds so much for me in a romance to get HIS side as well as hers. There are a lot of small-town coots added in, which I totally get being from one (Yea, I escaped!) and some mysteries and fully-drawn friends and secondary characters. It leaves you completely satisfied and yet wanting to read Destiny book #3 right away! Hurry up Toni! :)
June 28, 2010
I really enjoyed this visit to Destiny. Was it a great book? No. But it was good. Rachel and Mike are likeable characters and I enjoyed getting to know them.
While there were some obvious romance plot devices, I felt the story withstood it. I wanted them to make it work and I wanted to know their story.
While there were some obvious romance plot devices, I felt the story withstood it. I wanted them to make it work and I wanted to know their story.
June 12, 2010
Heroine Rachel, returns to her small town home of Destiny to help out her grandmother with her apple orchard, though she's a bit resentful that she has to take a leave from her high powered job as an add exec at a critical time. But family is family and Rachel is nothing if not an enabler to her less than successful relatives, although Edna, her grandmother mostly just wants her grand daughter home for a spell.
Rachel Farris breezes into town, but along the way she is clocked speeding by hunky, yet surly cop Mike Romo. The Romo's and the Farris's have a history of feuding and she is less than impressed by this Romo, whom she likes to call Romeo to annoy him. But despite the animosity the two feel for each other, there are some major sparks going on between them and when they end up locked in a concession booth, the sparks turn into a major bonfire and what a hawt bonfire that turns out to be.
Rachel starts out a bit brittle, disliking the fact that she's back in the small town she was so anxious to get out of years ago. But little by little, we get to see her more tender side. As she slowly reconnects with old friends and reestablishes a relationship with her really kewl grandmother, she slowly begins to see that a small town isn't as bad as she thought it would be. And of course there is the steamy relationship that is slowly building with Mike.
Mike is a rough, tough, guys kind of guy. But underneath, he is still suffering from a tragedy in his past that changed his life and destroyed his family. Because of that, he has to be in control at all times and is flummoxed by his growing feelings for Rachel. He's always been a love 'em and leave 'em kind of guy, but he can't seem to leave Rachel. When he finally starts letting his vulnerabilities show, he's just delicious.
I really enjoyed this book. There were a few things that I found a bit tedious - Rachel's continuing insistence that it was 'just sex' between her and Mike and her denial until close to the end that she had any warmer feelings for him. But that was a small issue. And one of the real strengths of this book was the developing relationship between Rachel and Edna. Edna is a real hoot. She's who I want to be when I get old. Slowly, piece by piece, she tells Rachel the origin of the feud between the two families and her relationship with Mike's grandfather.
This may sound odd, but I really loved the apple picking scenes too. When the boys were small we used to take them apple picking every year and reading these scenes brought back those memories - I could almost taste the apples fresh off the trees. The apples you get in stores can't even begin to compare. And I also enjoyed how the author captured the warmth of small towns with all their quirky little festivals and close knit atmosphere.
I found this to be another excellent book and for those who love a good contemporary, this is one I think you will enjoy.
Rachel Farris breezes into town, but along the way she is clocked speeding by hunky, yet surly cop Mike Romo. The Romo's and the Farris's have a history of feuding and she is less than impressed by this Romo, whom she likes to call Romeo to annoy him. But despite the animosity the two feel for each other, there are some major sparks going on between them and when they end up locked in a concession booth, the sparks turn into a major bonfire and what a hawt bonfire that turns out to be.
Rachel starts out a bit brittle, disliking the fact that she's back in the small town she was so anxious to get out of years ago. But little by little, we get to see her more tender side. As she slowly reconnects with old friends and reestablishes a relationship with her really kewl grandmother, she slowly begins to see that a small town isn't as bad as she thought it would be. And of course there is the steamy relationship that is slowly building with Mike.
Mike is a rough, tough, guys kind of guy. But underneath, he is still suffering from a tragedy in his past that changed his life and destroyed his family. Because of that, he has to be in control at all times and is flummoxed by his growing feelings for Rachel. He's always been a love 'em and leave 'em kind of guy, but he can't seem to leave Rachel. When he finally starts letting his vulnerabilities show, he's just delicious.
I really enjoyed this book. There were a few things that I found a bit tedious - Rachel's continuing insistence that it was 'just sex' between her and Mike and her denial until close to the end that she had any warmer feelings for him. But that was a small issue. And one of the real strengths of this book was the developing relationship between Rachel and Edna. Edna is a real hoot. She's who I want to be when I get old. Slowly, piece by piece, she tells Rachel the origin of the feud between the two families and her relationship with Mike's grandfather.
This may sound odd, but I really loved the apple picking scenes too. When the boys were small we used to take them apple picking every year and reading these scenes brought back those memories - I could almost taste the apples fresh off the trees. The apples you get in stores can't even begin to compare. And I also enjoyed how the author captured the warmth of small towns with all their quirky little festivals and close knit atmosphere.
I found this to be another excellent book and for those who love a good contemporary, this is one I think you will enjoy.
May 28, 2010
What do thousands of romance novels and Sugar Creek have in common?
~Two feuding families--check
~Instant dislike between hero and heroine--check
~Instant sexual attraction between H/h--check
~Nasty bantering between H/h--check
~Multiple, repeated musings about fluttery stomachs, or tingly, aching, and/or throbbing body parts just at the sight of H/h, or the sound of his/her voice--check
~One protagonist from big city/one from small town--check
~One protagonist reckless and free-spirited, one controlled and by-the-book--check
~Traumatic event leads one protagonist to finally come to their senses and confess real feelings--check
It's not that I didn't enjoy this book (I did), but for half of it, Sugar Creek could have been swapped out with any number of other contemporary romance novels. The novel did pick up about halfway through when Mike and Rachel became more complex characters and the flashback story of Edna's life got more interesting. But this book didn't come close to One Reckless Summer, or the truly moving emotional portrayal of Brody in that story.
Maybe 3.5* for a good book that was enjoyable to read but not really unique.
~Two feuding families--check
~Instant dislike between hero and heroine--check
~Instant sexual attraction between H/h--check
~Nasty bantering between H/h--check
~Multiple, repeated musings about fluttery stomachs, or tingly, aching, and/or throbbing body parts just at the sight of H/h, or the sound of his/her voice--check
~One protagonist from big city/one from small town--check
~One protagonist reckless and free-spirited, one controlled and by-the-book--check
~Traumatic event leads one protagonist to finally come to their senses and confess real feelings--check
It's not that I didn't enjoy this book (I did), but for half of it, Sugar Creek could have been swapped out with any number of other contemporary romance novels. The novel did pick up about halfway through when Mike and Rachel became more complex characters and the flashback story of Edna's life got more interesting. But this book didn't come close to One Reckless Summer, or the truly moving emotional portrayal of Brody in that story.
Maybe 3.5* for a good book that was enjoyable to read but not really unique.
July 6, 2017
It's back to Destiny, Ohio where a HEA with a hot guy and lots of smexy fun are guaranteed.
This is a classic enemies to friends tale. City girl and high achiever Rachel Farris returns to her home town to help her Grandmother with the annual apple harvest. No sooner as she hits Destiny city limits she has her first altercation with sexy, hard ass cop Mike Romo.Added to the mix is the long time family feud between the Farris and Romo families. Sparks fly and soon what started as snarky, great sex and opposites attract evolves into something more making both Rachel and Mike question what they really want in life.
This does not quite have the same appeal as the first Destiny novel, One Reckless Summer but it is still a great four star read. Intermixed with the romance are the subplots of how the mystery of Mike's missing sister has haunted him and the truth concerning the Farris-Romo feud (told in increments by Rachel's feisty Grandmother Edna). A cute little Shakespearen quote from Romeo and Julliet (Rachel likes to taunt Mike by calling him Officer Romeo) as a chapter heading rounds out another great contribution to this contemporary series.
This is a classic enemies to friends tale. City girl and high achiever Rachel Farris returns to her home town to help her Grandmother with the annual apple harvest. No sooner as she hits Destiny city limits she has her first altercation with sexy, hard ass cop Mike Romo.Added to the mix is the long time family feud between the Farris and Romo families. Sparks fly and soon what started as snarky, great sex and opposites attract evolves into something more making both Rachel and Mike question what they really want in life.
This does not quite have the same appeal as the first Destiny novel, One Reckless Summer but it is still a great four star read. Intermixed with the romance are the subplots of how the mystery of Mike's missing sister has haunted him and the truth concerning the Farris-Romo feud (told in increments by Rachel's feisty Grandmother Edna). A cute little Shakespearen quote from Romeo and Julliet (Rachel likes to taunt Mike by calling him Officer Romeo) as a chapter heading rounds out another great contribution to this contemporary series.
July 17, 2010
This is such a fun series. Both books have been so good but think I liked "Sugar Creek" just a teeny bit better. Liked the feisty female lead and enjoyed the interaction with her hunky sheriff. Toni Blake definitely writes a super contemp romance! Can hardly wait for the next book in the new "Destiny" series.
June 27, 2010
Welcome to Destiny Ohio where if you speed, you better be prepared to pay the consequences! Too bad that wasn't the welcoming sign on the way into town. Rachel Farris could have used the warning...on more than one occasion.
Family Feud is alive and well in Sugar Creek. Forget the Hatfield's and the McCoy's. It's the Farris's vs. the Romo's with a side of Romeo and Juliet thrown in (only with a much happier ending). The Farris and Romo families have been feuding for years..over the Farris Family Apple Orchard.
With Rachel Farris's advertising career in a state of flux, she decides to answer her dear old Aunt Edna's plea for help during apple harvesting season, packs up her bags and her life in Chicago and hits the road to Destiny...a place she couldn't wait to leave in her dust as soon as possible when she was younger.
From the moment local, hometown hottie Officer Mike Romeo.... err Romo pulls over Rachel in her sporty, little BMW her first day back in town for doing well in excess of the posted speed limit, they snipe and snip and sling verbal slurs against each others family. Rachel calls Mike "Romeo" (as well as Deputy Dawg and Barney Fife) so many times just to piss him off that every time she did I got such a kick out of it..I just had to do it too. Really could you resist?
Small town boy and big city girl differences aside, Mike and Rachel seem to be able to shelve the family feud long enough to agree on one thing...sex is A-Ok. No strings, no commitments...just some serious smoking up the pages and hot sexual chemistry going on that neither one can deny (although they both try to repeatedly). Who knew that being locked in a concession stand at the local high school, falling out of an apple tree or driving in a convertible with the top down could end with such satisfying and arousing results?
Finally I've got to give some props to Aunt Edna. From her fabulous baked apple pies, her love for Brett Michaels and The Rock of Love, to her suspect aching knees and the telling of the Farris/Romo love/feud story through flashbacks she's a real character who wants nothing but the best for her niece and the family business.
Meet your destiny in Destiny. This small town once again brings together two people who eventually realize everything they've ever wanted and needed is right under their noses. Thank goodness true love does conquer all.
Take a trip this summer and visit Destiny Ohio, you won't be disappointed. Just make sure you don't speed!
Family Feud is alive and well in Sugar Creek. Forget the Hatfield's and the McCoy's. It's the Farris's vs. the Romo's with a side of Romeo and Juliet thrown in (only with a much happier ending). The Farris and Romo families have been feuding for years..over the Farris Family Apple Orchard.
With Rachel Farris's advertising career in a state of flux, she decides to answer her dear old Aunt Edna's plea for help during apple harvesting season, packs up her bags and her life in Chicago and hits the road to Destiny...a place she couldn't wait to leave in her dust as soon as possible when she was younger.
From the moment local, hometown hottie Officer Mike Romeo.... err Romo pulls over Rachel in her sporty, little BMW her first day back in town for doing well in excess of the posted speed limit, they snipe and snip and sling verbal slurs against each others family. Rachel calls Mike "Romeo" (as well as Deputy Dawg and Barney Fife) so many times just to piss him off that every time she did I got such a kick out of it..I just had to do it too. Really could you resist?
Small town boy and big city girl differences aside, Mike and Rachel seem to be able to shelve the family feud long enough to agree on one thing...sex is A-Ok. No strings, no commitments...just some serious smoking up the pages and hot sexual chemistry going on that neither one can deny (although they both try to repeatedly). Who knew that being locked in a concession stand at the local high school, falling out of an apple tree or driving in a convertible with the top down could end with such satisfying and arousing results?
Finally I've got to give some props to Aunt Edna. From her fabulous baked apple pies, her love for Brett Michaels and The Rock of Love, to her suspect aching knees and the telling of the Farris/Romo love/feud story through flashbacks she's a real character who wants nothing but the best for her niece and the family business.
Meet your destiny in Destiny. This small town once again brings together two people who eventually realize everything they've ever wanted and needed is right under their noses. Thank goodness true love does conquer all.
Take a trip this summer and visit Destiny Ohio, you won't be disappointed. Just make sure you don't speed!
October 18, 2012
Posted on Under the Covers
Career -driven Rachel Farris left small town Destiny, Ohio for a bigger and better life in Chicago. But when Rachel’s grandmother, Edna calls her and requests that she come home to help care for her and her apple orchard, Rachel can do nothing but give in. She knows that her grandmother is having knee problems, yet Edna would be the last person on earth to admit that.
Once Rachel steps into Destiny, trouble finds her in the form of a hot, sexy cop who has a little bit of an attitude. Things don’t start off well between Rachel and Officer Mike Romo. A long-time feud between both families has caused them to instantly hate each other and though sparks fly, Rachel and Mike spend a lot of the first half of the book arguing and trying to best each other.
But beneath that simmering anger and annoyance is potent lust and chemistry! Let me tell you, these small-town girls have THE.HOTTEST.SEX around!!!! Toni Blake pens such scorching hot scenes for her couples that I wish *I* could be one of the girls from Destiny. I don’t think I can rightfully explain just how sexy the scenes are. I think the best way to describe them is by calling them “toe-curling”. They are definitely potent in lust and love.
I especially thought the scene after the ball game with the pouring rain and the mad dash to Mike’s place to be utterly romantic. Blake completely exceeded my expectations in terms of the romance. She took readers on a ride. Point A started with annoyance and a reluctant but still electrifying case of lust, but Point B will have readers melting with how sweet the story is. Having these wide ranges of emotions and then carrying them out in a single book is a hard feat, but Blake does it with ease. Saying that I enjoyed myself is a vast understatement. I loved this book!
Career -driven Rachel Farris left small town Destiny, Ohio for a bigger and better life in Chicago. But when Rachel’s grandmother, Edna calls her and requests that she come home to help care for her and her apple orchard, Rachel can do nothing but give in. She knows that her grandmother is having knee problems, yet Edna would be the last person on earth to admit that.
Once Rachel steps into Destiny, trouble finds her in the form of a hot, sexy cop who has a little bit of an attitude. Things don’t start off well between Rachel and Officer Mike Romo. A long-time feud between both families has caused them to instantly hate each other and though sparks fly, Rachel and Mike spend a lot of the first half of the book arguing and trying to best each other.
But beneath that simmering anger and annoyance is potent lust and chemistry! Let me tell you, these small-town girls have THE.HOTTEST.SEX around!!!! Toni Blake pens such scorching hot scenes for her couples that I wish *I* could be one of the girls from Destiny. I don’t think I can rightfully explain just how sexy the scenes are. I think the best way to describe them is by calling them “toe-curling”. They are definitely potent in lust and love.
I especially thought the scene after the ball game with the pouring rain and the mad dash to Mike’s place to be utterly romantic. Blake completely exceeded my expectations in terms of the romance. She took readers on a ride. Point A started with annoyance and a reluctant but still electrifying case of lust, but Point B will have readers melting with how sweet the story is. Having these wide ranges of emotions and then carrying them out in a single book is a hard feat, but Blake does it with ease. Saying that I enjoyed myself is a vast understatement. I loved this book!
March 22, 2011
I loved this book just as much as the first! This Destiny series reminds me a lot of Virgin River, without all the unnecessary side stories and medical drama.
Mike was a tough, hard-nosed cop who stopped Rachel for speeding about three times during the course of the book, even after they'd gotten together LOL! He takes protecting his town very seriously, and when we found out the root of his reasoning, it made me love him a little more. Guilt can do strange things to people. Rachel was able to loosen him up quite a bit, even causing him to speed at one point...so funny!
Rachel is the typical small-town girl who ran as soon as she could to make it in the big city. As happens a lot in books, she's really still that same girl and is not totally happy in the city...she doesn't realize this, of course, until she finds the love of a good small-town man. Ha! Aside from this cliche, I really liked Rachel's character. Her concern for her family showed her sweet heart, even though she comes off very hard sometimes.
Their romance was lovely to watch unfold, and seriously some of the hottest lovin' I've read in awhile! I wish we would've seen more of Mick and Jenny, but the few glimpses we got were cute. Looking forward to Tessa's book, and have a feeling Amy is meant to be with her very good friend that she tries to fix up with everyone else. I love those kinds of stories!
Mike was a tough, hard-nosed cop who stopped Rachel for speeding about three times during the course of the book, even after they'd gotten together LOL! He takes protecting his town very seriously, and when we found out the root of his reasoning, it made me love him a little more. Guilt can do strange things to people. Rachel was able to loosen him up quite a bit, even causing him to speed at one point...so funny!
Rachel is the typical small-town girl who ran as soon as she could to make it in the big city. As happens a lot in books, she's really still that same girl and is not totally happy in the city...she doesn't realize this, of course, until she finds the love of a good small-town man. Ha! Aside from this cliche, I really liked Rachel's character. Her concern for her family showed her sweet heart, even though she comes off very hard sometimes.
Their romance was lovely to watch unfold, and seriously some of the hottest lovin' I've read in awhile! I wish we would've seen more of Mick and Jenny, but the few glimpses we got were cute. Looking forward to Tessa's book, and have a feeling Amy is meant to be with her very good friend that she tries to fix up with everyone else. I love those kinds of stories!
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