Today we are celebrating the release of
THE DISTILLER'S DARLING
by Rebecca Norinne and Jamaila Brinkley.
This is the second standalone title in the River Hill contemporary romance series. Check out an excerpt from the book below.
Available Now
Blurb:
Irish whiskey royalty has no place in Northern California, but that isn't going to stop Iain Brennan, the black sheep of Brennan Family Distillers, from giving it a shot. Wine Country is an unlikely place to launch a whiskey empire, but Iain’s just reckless enough to make it work. And being out from under the watchful eye of his disapproving father back home in Dublin? Even better.
Naomi Klein has spent the last ten years ignoring her society family as much as possible while building a career as a renowned sculptor. She’s found a home in River Hill, but has no interest in dipping her toes into the commitment pool. Just the idea of forever gives her hives. Which makes a rootless Irish wanderer the perfect fling. And shocking her mother? Just a bonus.
But as cozy autumn nights turn into lazy winter mornings, Naomi and Iain realize that they’re getting close to something neither of them wants: love. When Naomi discovers Iain’s not quite as rootless as he seems, she’ll have to make some tough decisions. And when the Brennans and the Kleins descend en masse to collect their prodigal children, River Hill may never be the same.
Naomi Klein has spent the last ten years ignoring her society family as much as possible while building a career as a renowned sculptor. She’s found a home in River Hill, but has no interest in dipping her toes into the commitment pool. Just the idea of forever gives her hives. Which makes a rootless Irish wanderer the perfect fling. And shocking her mother? Just a bonus.
But as cozy autumn nights turn into lazy winter mornings, Naomi and Iain realize that they’re getting close to something neither of them wants: love. When Naomi discovers Iain’s not quite as rootless as he seems, she’ll have to make some tough decisions. And when the Brennans and the Kleins descend en masse to collect their prodigal children, River Hill may never be the same.
Sign up for the RIVER HILL Series Newsletter!
---------------------
My Thoughts
My Thoughts
Firstly, let’s appreciate that cover. I am typically not one
to mention them but there is something about those autumn colours and our
couple that makes me feel warm inside.
I really enjoyed The Distiller’s Darling. As part of the series set in small-town River Hill, a place that appreciates good food and drink, the book does a great job of highlighting various foods and of course, drink; in this case whiskey.
I liked both Iain and Naomi. They are accomplished people and grown adults. Yet both are struggling to get their family to see them for who they really are. Iain is a third son. He works for a centuries old family business with equally archaic business ideas. Naomi is a sculptor whose work seems to matter little given her family’s benchmark for success is to either be a doctor or marry one. Neither of them measure up to expectations.
Together, Iain and Naomi are a match in so many ways. I enjoyed reading about the time they spend together, not only horizontally, but in conversation and getting to know one another. It’s just that burdensome emotional baggage they’re carrying that makes them act toward one another in a way that doesn’t always shout ‘You’re the one for me’. I won’t spoil their journey; it’s best left discovered as you read.
And as much as I liked Iain and Naomi, one of my favourite scenes was the argument between Naomi’s mum and Iain’s dad. I haven’t read such a rip-roaring, object throwing, name calling fight in ages! They were furious with each other. I was highly entertained.
And wow! Hasn’t Noah from The Vintner’s Vixen (book one) calmed down? I was truly worried for his health but it goes to show that the love of the right woman can do wonders even for a curmudgeon like him.
And now we wait for Book 3 ...
I really enjoyed The Distiller’s Darling. As part of the series set in small-town River Hill, a place that appreciates good food and drink, the book does a great job of highlighting various foods and of course, drink; in this case whiskey.
I liked both Iain and Naomi. They are accomplished people and grown adults. Yet both are struggling to get their family to see them for who they really are. Iain is a third son. He works for a centuries old family business with equally archaic business ideas. Naomi is a sculptor whose work seems to matter little given her family’s benchmark for success is to either be a doctor or marry one. Neither of them measure up to expectations.
Together, Iain and Naomi are a match in so many ways. I enjoyed reading about the time they spend together, not only horizontally, but in conversation and getting to know one another. It’s just that burdensome emotional baggage they’re carrying that makes them act toward one another in a way that doesn’t always shout ‘You’re the one for me’. I won’t spoil their journey; it’s best left discovered as you read.
And as much as I liked Iain and Naomi, one of my favourite scenes was the argument between Naomi’s mum and Iain’s dad. I haven’t read such a rip-roaring, object throwing, name calling fight in ages! They were furious with each other. I was highly entertained.
And wow! Hasn’t Noah from The Vintner’s Vixen (book one) calmed down? I was truly worried for his health but it goes to show that the love of the right woman can do wonders even for a curmudgeon like him.
And now we wait for Book 3 ...
EXCERPT:
“Thank you for doing this,” Iain said, the pad of his index finger tracing over the design Naomi had created for Whitman’s Revival. “To be honest, I wasn’t sure I’d hear from you again. You kind of ghosted me.”
He glanced up in time to catch her looking away guiltily. “Yeah, about that—”
“I’m not asking you to explain yourself. I get it. We had some fun, and now it’s time to move on.”
Naomi’s eyes came back around, the guilt replaced with what Iain thought looked a whole lot like contemplation. “Funny you should mention that.”
“Funny how?”
“I was thinking,” she said, her finger swirling a pattern on the table that separated them. “You’re leaving in two months, and it would be a shame if we didn’t spend that time ... hanging out.” Her eyes bored into his, as if daring him to misunderstand.
His lips quirked up into a smirk. “Why, Miss Klein, are you asking me to fuck you senseless until I board a plane back to Ireland?”
She tossed him a wicked smile full of promise. “You have to admit; we’re pretty damn good at it.”
“The best,” he agreed.
He felt his chest sawing in and out as his breathing became deeper and more labored. Iain couldn’t remember the last time he’d felt such heady anticipation. Oh, wait, yes, he could. It was that night in San Francisco when he and Naomi had practically run from that dive bar to his hotel. He’d been so ready for her that he’d ripped her dress off before the door to his room had locked behind them.
“So, what do you say, Brennan? You want to spend the next sixty days seeing how many orgasms we can give each other?”
That was all the invitation Iain needed. Abruptly, he stood, his chair scraping over the black-and-white-checked linoleum and then crashing to the floor. He stalked around the fifties-style diner table and fisted his hands in Naomi’s hair. He bent at the waist and let his lips hover scant centimeters from her parted ones. He could feel the warmth of her breath mingling with his own. “What do you say we get started on that now?”
She licked her lips. “Yes, let’s.”
PURCHASE THE PREVIOUS BOOK FROM THE SERIES
Purchase THE DISTILLER'S DARLING Now!
Amazon US | iBooks | Nook | Kobo
^*^*^
My review of The Vintner's Vixen
-------------------------------
About the Authors
Rebecca Norinne writes sexy romance from the heart. Her heroines are bold and headstrong, and her heroes will do anything for the ones they love.
When not banging away at the keyboard, she is watching rugby, enjoying a pint of craft beer, or traveling the globe in search of inspiration for her next book.
Originally from California, Rebecca currently resides in Dublin, Ireland, with her husband.
Author Links
Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest
Jamaila Brinkley writes historical romance with a hint of magic. Her Wizards of London series features thieves, duchesses, witches, and more indulging in mayhem and romance in Regency England. She is a member of the Romance Writers of America, and was a finalist in the Romance Through the Ages contest in 2015.
Jamaila came to romance as an avid reader of fantasy and science fiction, and found that her favorite historical romances seemed ripe for an injection of magic. Her favorite historical period is currently the Victorian era, and she’s never happier than when immersed in a multi-book family series.
Jamaila lives outside Baltimore, Maryland in a house that is perpetually under renovation with her husband and twin toddlers. You can find her blogging about romance, writing, parenting, cooking, and more on her website at www.jamailabrinkley.com, and posting pictures of her lunch on Twitter as @jamaila.
Author Links
Website | Twitter | Facebook | Newsletter | Goodreads
No comments:
Post a Comment