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Available 4.15.24


A Sure Thing

A Sure Thing, November 2016
Donnigans #1
by Marie Harte

Sourcebooks Casablanca
Featuring: Ava Rosenthal; Landon Donnigan
352 pages
ISBN: 149263185X
EAN: 9781492631859
Kindle: B01HN3X3EG
Paperback / e-Book
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"I absolutely loved this book because it's a fun twist on things."

Fresh Fiction Review

A Sure Thing
Marie Harte

Reviewed by Annie Tegelan
Posted November 19, 2016

Romance Contemporary

Some exciting things are happening with Marie Harte! If you loved her McCauley Brothers like I have, then you'll be thrilled to know that she is releasing a new spin-off series with the Donnigans. The Donnigans are the McCauley's cousins living in Seattle. They are made up of three brothers and one fun-loving chick named Hope. The first book, A SURE THING, is Landon Donnigan's book and is one of two ex-Marines in the series. He's the eldest with probably the biggest need to be in control. Landon is very much the alpha, controlling type but what's great with his characterization is that Harte doesn't box him into that stereotype of the clean-cut, always-serious personality. You'll soon realize with this book that all the Donnigans are actually quite light-hearted and funny. That's why I absolutely loved this book because it's a fun twist on things.

The heroine, Ava, can also be quite rigid because of her job as a psychologist so she has that analytical side to her. However, she is far from being a snob. I think her psychologist background just makes her more intelligent and fun when she's dealing with Landon.

Ava and Landon meet at their local gym and actually, they don't hit it off very well in the beginning. There's a bit of tension there that lingers and then explodes later on as their courtship really begins. But before that can happen, Ava must ditch the many dates she has planned for the upcoming weeks and Landon must prove that he is worthy of dating.

As the romance builds, there is plenty of family time as Harte introduces Landon's siblings. I can only assume that every one of them will be getting a book in the series so I am excited to see what she plans to do with them all next. They are such a rowdy bunch, especially when they are together, and I like these sorts of stories that explore family as well as traditional romance because it shows that there are different kinds of love. I really liked how Harte was able to entice readers with each of the future heroes and heroine storylines in this book.

You don't need to read the McCauley Brothers series to enjoy A SURE THING. However, I do think they are absolutely worth the read. There's no question that I'm going to love the Donnigans series just as much as the McCauleys and you will too if you love funny, sexy romances.

Learn more about A Sure Thing

SUMMARY

Meet the Donnigans
With the eldest Donnigan brothers adjusting to civilian life, their younger sister constantly in trouble, and their little brother clueless about life in general, falling in love is the last thing on anyone's mind...

Can this Bossy Badass Marine...

The Marine Corps was everything Landon Donnigan ever wanted in life...until a bullet sent him home with a medical discharge. Teaching a self-defense class at the gym is old-hat for a marine, but when he meets sexy Ava Rosenthal, his combat skills are useless for protecting his heart.

Be her Mr. Right?

Ava can take care of herself and likes quiet, bookish men-not muscular warriors who think women need to be coddled. But Landon is more than he seems, and when they come together, the results are explosive.

Excerpt

All in all, a perfect late evening companion. Or he would have been, if the blond giant hadn’t been making odd gestures behind Charles’s back, causing her to wonder if she should look deeper into her date than the surface perfection he’d presented.

“I hate to leave, but work tomorrow, you know.” Charles shrugged.

“I know what you mean.” She smiled. “I had a wonderful time, Charles.”

He brightened. “Me too. Would you consider dinner some evening when you’re free?” He handed her a business card. “You have my email, but here’s my number.” He gave a sheepish grin. “I confess I wrote my cell on the back earlier, hoping you’d be as lovely in person as you are online. You totally are.”

How sweet.” She was touched.

Blond guy sounded like he was choking on something. If only.

“Dinner sounds great.” She pumped enthusiasm into her tone, because she meant it. Charles had fit all her criteria. No reason for her to feel let down by her night with him. She inwardly gave blond giant a scowl while still smiling at Charles. No, no reason at all.

“Can I kiss you good night?” Charles asked. A gentleman to his bones.

“Please.” She met his kiss on her cheek and blushed. “I look forward to our dinner.”

“Me too.” He looked flushed and brushed back a strand of hair that slipped over his forehead. “Can I walk you to your car?”

“I’m parked right next to yours.” Which sat directly out front thanks to the timely departure of two couples earlier. “But I need to use the facilities before I leave. Go on without me. I’ll call you later in the week.”

He nodded. “Sounds great. Have a good day tomorrow, Ava.”

“You too.” She watched him leave, ignored blond guy staring at her with what seemed to be a smirk, then searched for the ladies’ room. Once finished, she had every intention of leaving and not looking back.

But she paused next to blond guy and, noting the still- open seat, she sat.

“You.” She glared at him.

“Ava, huh? Pretty name.” He turned in his seat and grinned down at her while guzzling a beer.

“And you are?”

“Landon.” His grin nearly did her in, because his whole face lit up with joy, making it seem as if he’d brought the sun into the darkened restaurant. “But I’m sure there are a few other names you’d like to call me.”

“What is your problem?”

“Me? I’m good.” Before she could lay into him, he added, “But you’re not.”

She blinked. “What’s my problem, besides you?”

“You and boring guy.”

She frowned. “That’s not a nice thing to say.”

“Yeah, I’m not known for nice. But I’m honest. Honey, Charles is not the guy for you.”

“Excuse me, but Charles was a perfect gentleman.”

A jazz band started playing in the corner, making it harder to hear, so he leaned closer. Unfortunately, she got a good whiff of his cologne, and it went straight to her head. Just her luck Landon smelled like a dream.

She cleared her throat. “And my name is not ‘honey.’ It’s Ava.” She would have added Dr. Ava Rosenthal in a haughty tone, except Landon’s breath brushed her ear, and her entire body locked up. Tight.

“Ava, you need someone who makes you hot. Boring is no good. Not for someone like you.”

She’d swear his lips touched her, and her system seemed to go haywire. Her breasts tightened, she got a funny feeling in the pit of her stomach, and she clenched her thighs together, feeling a lower torso shiver from out of nowhere.

“Like me?” She felt weak and slowly pulled back.

Except that put her at eye level with the man a breath away. He was so close she saw gold flecks in the irises surrounding pinpoints of focus, directed at her. His cheekbones were high, his nose straight, arrogant, his chin square. Manly. His firm lips parted when he inhaled, as if breathing her in.


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