My review today is part of the blog tour celebrating the release of indie author Sue Fortin’s debut novel United State of Love.
Sue is part of a group of writers called The Romanics who blog and tweet (very entertaining posts). You can also find Sue on her own blog Love Reading Love Books. She also tweets and you can find her on her writer’s page on Facebook.
United State of Love by Sue Fortin
Format: Kindle Edition
File Size: 487 KB
Print Length: 279 pages
Sold by: Amazon Media EU S.à r.l.
Language: English
ASIN: B00892B2UI
When the past and present collide, love is the casualty. Why?
Since splitting from her husband, single mum Anna Barnes is enjoying her new found freedom and independence. Now she can concentrate on looking after her teenage son and building up her career. However, she didn’t bank on working for Tex Garcia.
The gorgeous American chef is getting the locals hot under the collar and not just because of his culinary prowess! Beneath that handsome exterior, however, lies a man haunted by his past. Tex can’t commit and women pass through his life like dishes going out to service. So, what is it about Anna that’s different?
Can Tex break her self-imposed rule of never mixing business with pleasure and add some spice into the mix? Or is Anna’s ex set to spoil the recipe altogether when he reappears apparently wanting reconciliation?
We first meet Tex as he heroically rescues tour guide Anna … but his role of saviour doesn’t last long! He’s the new owner of the disused church with plans to turn it into a ‘pizza place’. Anna isn’t aware he’s the new owner and she isn’t impressed with the change of use – but she will find out at the open evening exactly who he is.
This was my first hook. I wanted to keep reading to find out how Anna would react! We also find out that Tex has left something behind in America that makes his gut churn when he thinks about it. Another hook. I wanted to know what it was!
Anna’s ex, Mark, enters early in the story. Back from America and sleeping on her sofa, his mood swings and suspicious behaviour adds conflict to not only the relationship with Tex but also to that with her teenage son.
Another added conflict is gallery owner Christine. Her character is portrayed so well I could feel my blood pressure rising every time she muscled into a scene.
The attraction between Anna and Tex is there from the beginning but circumstances and characters get in the way. Not only that but the past has a bearing on the present.
Written in the third person and switching between points of view, the reader is able to identify with both Anna and Tex. The romance is beautifully portrayed.
The way the author writes about Arundel helps the reader to imagine they are there – it is brought to life. The trip to Texas is poignant and needed by Tex to come to terms with his past.
United State of Love is tension-filled throughout. The misunderstandings and underhand actions of Mark add depth to this contemporary romance as does the sub-plot of Anna’s sister-in-law Zoe. The problems the pizza place undergo before opening I attributed to the wrong person – I loved it that I got that wrong!
United State of Love shows how we react to situations based on our perceptions from the past (which are distorted). Sometimes we take action that is not the reality of the situation we find ourselves in. It’s coloured by the past. This is something we all may have found ourselves doing!
I can’t end my review without sharing a new word I will be using … I’m sure you’ve heard a voice that just seduces you with it’s timbre? For Anna it is Tex’ voice. The new word? Eargasm. Love it!
Buy it and spread the word
I downloaded my Kindle copy from Amazon £2.01 (at the time of my review).
The author is kindly offering a giveaway of an e-copy of United State of Love. To enter just leave a pick me comment and I will use random.org to choose the winner. The giveaway is open Internationally and will close midnight BST 18th July 2012.
Good luck
