Shark

Pine Ridge #3

by Ashley A. Quinn

Sarafina Katsaros is content living a simple life, running her diner. Until James O'Malley arrives in Pine Ridge to help his sister, Daisy, recuperate from a near-fatal car accident. The man could charm the wicked witch into flying Dorothy to the wizard on one of her flying monkeys. His sexy smile and sapphire blue eyes hypnotize her, so she vows to keep her distance. But when James gets caught in a snowstorm, Sara can't just leave him out in the elements. Stuck with him until the weather clears, she discovers he's more than just a pretty face.

James doesn't want to go to Montana, but Daisy needs him—or so his oldest brother says. The trip has the added bonus of offering him a change of scenery to hopefully spark some ideas for his next novel. But Pine Ridge proves to be just as distracting as Chicago. Beautiful diner-owner Sara Katsaros bewitches him with her quick wit and high-roller level card skills, leaving him smitten. But he has his work cut out for him if he's going to convince her to give him a chance and complicate the hell out of her simple life.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary

252 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 1, 2022

Reviews

[Cathylynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

James comes to town because his brother said she needs help. He is also suffering from writers block. When he goes to town he meets Sara and he is instantly intrigued and she is too, but tries to stay away. So when they get snowed in they learn about each other and some of the preconceived notions are dispelled. There is some drama where the police are involved, and it is an interesting story. I was so happy for the two of them. This is a wonderful story. .
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Angie Barnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ashley A Quinn has written a 5-star book. This is the story of Sara and James. Sara is talking to her friend Daisy and finds out that her brother James is in town. Sara doesn't like James because of the way he treated Daisy and she thinks he is cocky. She changes her mind when she sees him walking to town in a snowstorm. She takes him to her house and gets him warm. She finds out that he is not as bad as she thought he was. James is an author and he is having a problem with his next book. Sara gives him an idea for the book and he goes with it. Sara owns a diner and she has to open up and James goes with her since some of her help can't show up during the snowstorm. Sara has to help with the dinner the church is having on thanksgiving and after it is over, she is taking out the trash and she finds a kid dead behind the dumpster. This starts a whole lot of things going on. James ends up helping the sheriff since he was a lawyer and knows some people. James gives the sheriff a name to check out since he didn't like the way Billy Jeffries was watching Sara and asking questions about her. Sara and James end up getting together. Things go wrong when he tells her that he is planning on staying in town. She gets upset and thinks she is the reason he is doing this and tells him she is not wanting a long-term relationship. She thought they could have a fling and he would go back home to Chicago and she could go on with her life there. The next day, Daisy comes into the diner and wants to know what Sara did to James. Sara tells her what happened and Daisy tells her that she is missing out on a lot of good things. Shara tells her that she doesn't have time for a relationship since she is always working. Daisy tells her that she could with the right man. The sheriff gets some information back on Billy but it just adds more questions to be answered. Billy can't be found and this makes them wonder if he is the one who killed the kid. James offers to help the sheriff with research and he comes up with something that happened a long time ago with a bunch of kids. Sara has thought about what Daisy had said and she takes the day off and goes to see if James would like to spend it with her asking. He wants to know what changed her mind. She tells him it is what daisy said to her that got her thinking about things. Things get better for Sara and James after they have a long talk/ They decide to give their relationship a go and see where it goes. James goes into town and gives the sheriff the information he has found and then goes and has lunch with Sara. He goes back to Sara's house and starts to do some work on his book but there is a man there with a gun pulled on him. The man is the one who killed the kid and now he plans to kill James. James fights back to some point but he ends up being forced to go with the man. As he is getting into the car, the man hits him in the back of the head and knocks him out. When he comes to, he is with Billy. James wants to know what happened to Billy 25 years ago. Billy tells him what happened and how the man found him again. They come up with a plan to get out from where they are. Sara comes home and James is not there. She sees some bullet holes in her walls and she calls the sheriff and then she calls Daisy and tells her what is going on and asked her to come over. When the sheriff gets there she wants to know what happened and Sara tells her that she doesn't know. The sheriff wants to know if James has his phone with him and Sara tells her she doesn't know. The sheriff has his phone traced and finds it up at Billy's. Daisy tells her that there is a property that is empty about 5 miles from Billy's. The sheriff sent some of the deputies out there to check it out. James and Billy have come up with a plan to get the man holding them to come down to them so they can jump him. Their plans work and after they get him down this is when they find out why he did the things he did. The sheriff calls Sara and tells her that James is okay but he is going to the hospital to be checked out. When Sara gets to the hospital and James's room she gives him a kiss and tells him that she is happy to see him. She tells him that she was not ready to see him every day or to wake up with him.
Will things work out between Sara and James?
This was a wonderful book and I would recommend it to anyone.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[books.tea.happy · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC review. Shark (Pine Ridge book 3) by @ashleyaquinn.writer - Sara thinks she has everything she needs. She runs her own very busy diner and has a few close girlfriends. She doesn’t think she has the time for anything else. James comes to town to visit his sister and to see if a change of scenery will get his creative juices flowing again for his new novel. Sara has a preconceived idea about James from what happened in the past with his sister so is not his biggest fan, but when a storm hits and they are stranded together she sees a different side to him. He sees how much work she is doing and sets out to help her and they become closer and things heat up between them. In the middle of all this things started to happen in town and James helps the police, but also draws attention to himself. Sara thinks that they are just having a fling as he will need to go home sometime, but James has other ideas and sets about changing her mind. They both realise how much they mean to each other when the situation in town comes to a head. Sara was hard working, generous, beautiful and a bit lonely. James was driven, handsome, loyal and kind. I love a small town series and one with added suspense just makes it all the better, so this is definitely my kind of book.

[Lindsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is definitely becoming a favorite of mine. I love these characters and the friendships they develop.
Shark is about Sara and the diner and James the writer. He is one of Daisy’s brothers and has come back to help Daisy after her accident. I loved the chance meeting these two had and the forced proximity trope.
James is an author but he’s having writers block. Ian calls him and asks him to help Daisy around the house so he decides the change of scenery might help.
Sara doesn’t really want anything to do with any of the brothers after learning how they were with Daisy. The forced proximity these two had to have because of the snowstorm changed her mind. She was still hesitant about a relationship though.
I loved how James seemed to want more and was determined to be there for Sara even if that meant working at the diner. I was definitely surprised with the turn of events this story had and I wasn’t sure how things were going to end.
I’m excited about the next story and learning more about Katy.

[Judy Gittleson Hendrickson · Rating 5 out of 5]

James is the youngest brother in the family and called in to help their sister Daisy after an accident. He is a writer with writers block so a change of scenery will help and off he goes to Montana. Sara owns and runs the diner in town, has spunk and is best friends with Daisy so she knows how the brothers have treated her. Not wanting to give James a second of time until they are caught in a bad storm and feelings change. The characters are terrific, have great backstories and are determined in their goals. The storyline has drama, murders, secrets - old and new, surprises, kidnapping, danger, steam, support, big decisions and much more. Loved their chemistry and the mysteries on the side blended well to keep you glued to the pages. The ending was great and now it is on to the next brother.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[M Hurford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Riveting Storyline in a solid romance series.
This storyline brings another brother of Daisy into town. James is the youngest of the brothers and closest to Daisy’s age and a successful writer. A former lawyer, this author writes full time. He’s come out to the ranch to help his sister as she recovers from a leg injury.
Then there is Sarah who owns the restaurant in town. They end up meeting and develop a friendship that turns quickly into much more…just as a murder occurs followed by a second one. Who could have done such a horrendous act in this small town and are they safe?
Great storytelling and wonderful characters continue to keep the story entertaining.
I’m recommending this book for your reading enjoyment. PEACE. .
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Stacey K · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read in the Pine Ridge series, I'm loving these characters. James comes to town to "help" his sister Daisy but upon meeting Sara he's intrigued. Sara has some ideas about who James is based on Daisy's tales of her overbearing brothers. When they get trapped together in the snow storm they begin to realize they truly don't know each other and as they start to they find out there's an attraction building between them. When James starts calling Sara "Shark", and she tries to act like she doesn't like, those are some of the fun conversations. If you're looking for a fun read with an HEA this one is for you. I can't wait for the next book in this series.

I received an ARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

[peggylovesbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

We have James and Sara that in this 3rd book by Ashley A Quinn and these two are perfect for each other.

James is visiting his sister due to having writers block and with all brothers he does not listen to his sister about the weather. With being stuck in a snow storm and trying to make his way to town he is rescued by Sara.

Sara not really liking James at first realize he is a man she can be interested in, and of course the game of Uno is the start of their relationship.

With a murder in town that adds some mystery to the story, makes this a book I totally devoured and the excerpt for the next book makes me wish that book 4 was out now.

[Lisa D · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I thought it was a romance and had no idea it would turn into a suspenseful mystery. Really good ending. I loved James and his cockiness and attitude. I loved how Sara was honest with him and gave the relationship a chance. This is a stand alone but I think if I had read book 2 I would have enjoyed this more. The one thing I didn't like was how the author switched POV in the middle of a page without any obvious break. Still a very good story.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Emily Pennington · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sara and James . . .

Sarafina Katsaros (“Sara”) runs a diner and likes to keep her life simple. Then James O'Malley shows up to take care of his sister, Daisy, who had been in an accident. Sara and James are attracted to each other, but they don’t make a move on each other. At least not until James is stuck in a snowstorm and Sara takes him in.

This is the perfect opportunity to get to know each other. Can he convince her to give him a chance? Or will she insist on pushing him away to keep her life uncomplicated?

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn't into this one as much as the first 2. It starts out a little slow, but does pick up about halfway through. A little mystery around one of the characters, which had a good twist at the end. I couldn't help but picture Tyler Hynes (from Hallmark movies) as James. James has the same witty, snarky, funny characteristics as some of the characters that Tyler plays. So that was fun.
Two aggravating parts of the book-Baby Shark got stuck in my head. LOL
I am looking forward to the next in the series, Katydid. The sheriff introduced in this book is one of the MCs and is cool.

[J Lundsten · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shark is my favorite of this series!

James is a writer with a serious case of writer's block. He moves to help his sister after the accident and meets her best friend, Sara. Sara owns the diner in town and has no time for James, who she assumes is a playboy. After getting snowed in together, everything changes.

This is a very steamy, intriguing story!! I'm looking forward to more in this series!

[Sheila · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sara and James meet when he comes to visit his sister in hopes that a change of scenery will help him write his next novel. Sara has a full schedule with running her diner and occasionally hanging with her girlfriends. They do not get off to a good start but soon that changes in the best way.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[JLynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've really enjoyed the pine ridge books. True to the series, this is a book with a guaranteed HEA. Sometimes all it takes is getting snowed in together to realize you were wrong about each other. This was a fun, quick read. Looking forward to more Pine Ridge books in the future.

[Linda MARIE Pankow · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5

But here's why...

I loved catching up on the series. All these books link together flawlessly. I look forward to the next one. 🥰 and I loved learning all about why it's called shark. 😅

[Mary Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inventive

This had twists and turns th kept the story flowing. The cameo appearances of former characters left the reader with a sense of welcome.

[Debra F. Page · Rating 5 out of 5]

super storyline

Held my attention with layers of spicy characters and locations.
The main characters are believable and fascinating to follow through the story

[karn · Rating 5 out of 5]

wow!

What a book. Each book in this series gets better and better. Wow. What a great read!! Now on to the next.

[Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pine Ridge

Oh loved this book so much can't wait to read book four, I hope this series doesn't end too soon.

[FC . · Rating 5 out of 5]

A bit of drama

A great series, good characters, a quick easy read with a little drama in each book.
Ashley A Quinn 5 stars

[Dee Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Find this mot believable than the previous story. Love the way all these men have pet names for their partners. It's my fav trope! Sara and James liked them.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pine Ridge book 3

This book was great. I needed a series that captured my heart. The storyline and characters were just what needed. I will be reading the next book in this series.

[Angi Everett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ruling out a suspect because 25 years ago he was a victim is sloppy detective work. Many victims go on to be killers and/or abusers.

[Heather]

DNF

[Janice · Rating 3 out of 5]

James comes to town because his oldest brother, Ian, said their sister Daisy needs help. He agrees because he needs a break, he has writers block. While there be becomes reacquainted with Sara, the local diner owner.

[Lea Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just fell in love with Sara and James! They have a lot to overcome to get where they are meant to be...
Sara doesn't want to like James. His charm and humor wins her friendship. James is only in Pine Ridge temporarily to help his sister and get over his writers block. He's looking for forever. She thinks it's just a fling. Will a mystery and danger tear them apart permanently?.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.